Best Bet – (1) NO WHERE TO HIDE – Race 5
Spot Play – (2) ROSE RUN VIGILANT – Race 10
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1: 1,3/1,2/1,5,7/1,2,4/1 = $7.20
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3: 1,5,7/1,2,4/1/5 = $1.80
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7: 2,3/1,3,5/2,7/1,2,5 = $7.20
Race 1 – (1) WILLYWIN made two moves at Mohawk Park last time now he draws the rail facing much easier. He is the one to catch and beat in the opener. (3) ZOES CHOICE qualified well enough to be one of the top contenders tonight and if she stays flat, she will have a good chance vs. this group; using. (6) SAINT K gets Hudon here who also qualified him and he is one of the best at handling problem trotters. He can get a piece of this if he behaves tonight.
Race 2 – (2) W C KENZIE COOKIE won from the worst post at London now she draws inside and goes for Moreau off the claim. She is the one to beat. (1) TOPSILL BEACH may get to stalk a contested pace here and that makes her a contender to consider for the Pick 5. (7) IN THE NEWS can fly early but she has trouble sealing the deal at times. I’ll use her underneath in this spot.
Race 3 – (5) P L OSCAR shoots for a threepeat here and I’ll give him the nod to get the job done considering how sharp he has been. (1) HOMETOWN BOYZ was no match for a sharp winner but from the rail vs. this group he isn’t without a chance; using. (7) WHILE YOUR UP raced much better in his first start over this track last week and if he can clear these he might never be caught.
Race 4 – (1) EATAAMS PRINCESS got hooked in a speed duel and cooked by the 3/4 pole last week. She can get a much better trip this week and gets top call. (2) LILYS PENELOPE could get a perfect trip following the choice and be a pocket rocket down the lane; using. (4) HER OWN LAND should be blasting and that makes her a contender in a race where the winner is likely to be racing in the top two early in the mile.
Race 5 – (1) NO WHERE TO HIDE qualified faster than most of these race and that makes her an automatic play for me. (3) DOLLYS SKY made a threatening move that she couldn’t sustain late in the mile but that was a decent effort and she can be an Exacta factor tonight. (4) SAULSBROOK RAVEN can pass a few of these and take another slice.
Race 6 – (5) WILLY WALTON returned from missing close to a month and absolutely blitzed non-winners of three rivals. If he behaves, he will be tough to beat tonight. (8) LETSTAKETOTHESKY should like the change of scenery and class relief but it’s hard seeing her beating the choice after leaving from post 8; using underneath. (4) TITANS DREAM was much better last week beating non-winners of two but this is tougher; small share predicted. (1) INCREDIBLE HALLY made an uncharacteristic break last time. From the rail she should be in the Hi-5 if she stays flat. (3) APOSTLE PETER tried to follow the choice last time but that one got away. He was in the photo for second and he can take a share here too.
Race 7 – (2) KATCH KANNA drops and faces easier here and Plante should get aggressive early from his inside post; top call. (3) ESQUIRE is also in easier but the choice could get a jump on him tonight. I wouldn’t take a short price but he is a contender. (4) EXPLOSIVE JET is always in the mix but she often comes up short and ends up taking a slice. I’ll use her underneath here.
Race 8 – (5) WINDSONG OLYMPIA drops to the bottom claiming level and she picks up aggressive driver Kelly tonight. I’ll give her the nod expecting her to be forwardly-placed early. (1) DESTINY CRUISE should be no worse than 2nd leaving the gate and that gives her a decent chance tonight. (3) DOVS SONG was right there two starts back when she had an inside post and driver Boyd is having a good meet so far. She is the third one I’ll use on multi-race tickets.
Race 9 – (2) RETICENT HANOVER went a tough trip racing uncovered on the rim last week and the rival that nipped her on the wire draws widest this week. She should be tough in here. (7) TRAGICALLY HEP might need to pass them all but driver Plante can do no wrong at this meet most nights; using. (4) MADAM DOLCE beat easier but her ability to live on the outside makes her a contender for at least a share.
Race 10 – (2) ROSE RUN VIGILANT gets out of the second tier, picks up Plante and has the look of an upsetter in a race that is probably more wide-open than it looks on paper; call to upset. The mare that won the last two races that (1) MIDNIGHT SURF contested has already come back to win again and she is worth a look here getting both post and class relief. (5) CANTSTOPTHEFEELIN seems obvious on paper based on her current good form but she just can’t seem to nail down that elusive third win. What price will you accept tonight? (4) SIBONEY is around the money every week and Kelly should get good position with her early; using underneath. (7) COUNT TO THREE can pass a few of these late and land in the High-5.
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Garnet Barnsdale is a veteran handicapper, bettor and racing writer who has worked as an analyst for DRF Harness for the past six years. He is also a past President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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