Best Bet – (4) TIKI TAKA – Race 10
Spot Play – (1) YOURE THE ONE – Race 4
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 2,5/3,4/1,2,7/1/1,2,3,4,6,7 = $14.40
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 7 – 2,3,9/1,3/2,3,4,5,7/4/1,2,3 = $18.00
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3: 1,2,7/1/1,2,3,4,6,7/1,5 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8: 1,3/2,3,4,5,7/4/1,2,3 = $6.00
Race 1 – (2) BETTER BE GOUDA was part of some insane early fractions last week and he didn’t tire poorly, considering. You don’t see many sub-55 opening halves at this track and he should get a better trip racing on or near the lead tonight. I’ll give him the nod. (5) CHOREOGRAPHER’s recent form isn’t good but this should be an easier spot and he might be able to clear to the front before the 1/4 and that makes him a threat. (9) SABINE PASS is another that should improve on the class drop but I prefer to use him on the bottom tonight.
Race 2 – (3) ELROY SHINER’s comeback race is a toss considering it came from the 10-hole in a stakes series and he was far back at the start. Expect an aggressive try and a form reversal here. (4) DANCE MACHINE was in excellent form before the break and he should be a big speed threat in this spot; using. (2) DUBAI SEELSTER is a contender but I’m not sure he’s worth the 8 to 5 morning line quote in a spot where he holds no clear advantage over some others; your call.
Race 3 – (2) NATES BUCKY gets a big driver change to Jamieson tonight and he will surely be pointed to the front leaving the gate. He should be the one to catch. (7) BEACH BABY BEE is a good fit making his second start off the Fine claim here and he is another who should be blasting early; using. (1) NOTETOSELF HANOVER could sit a great trip behind some early duelling and he is another to consider for multi-race tickets.
Race 4 – (1) YOURE THE ONE lands in a great spot for his 2021 debut and I expect a big speed try starting from the rail. (2) TOJENNIFERSCREDIT is capable of better and he could add some value to the Exacta tonight starting from an inside post. (3) JESSICAS BEACH BOY shows improving form and he should be in the exotics mix again.
Race 5 – (1) FAVARO SEELSTER raced better with Kelly in the bike last time and now they draw the rail. I’ll give him a slight nod in a wide-open race. (7) REDFORD HANOVER looks faster at three and he is worth a look on debut here. (6) WORKINONMYBEACHBOD showed some late interest in his most recent qualifier and Macdonald drives for himself and partners that include his son Griffin; using.
Race 6 – (5) FARROS REIGN got picked off late last week but that was a fast mile and he is still the one to beat. (1) PERFECT ROLO is likely to land in the choice’s pocket leaving and that gives him a decent chance tonight; using. (3) SLATE N gets Plante in the bike for his second local start and he can improve but he is unlikely to threaten the top two choices. (4) FINKLE IS EINHORN should be good enough to beat a few of these and land in the High-5. (7) FINN T SEELSTER has the speed to get position early and he can take a cheque in his first start back.
Race 7 – (2) CARWINS SMORE moves into a high percentage barn off the claim and while these are tougher, he might be up to it; slight nod. (3) NO TIME AT ALL gets his nose on the gate this week and that should mean some Plante aggression is coming. He should be a threat tonight. (9) GOLD STAR DIABLO is on a roll for team Cullen and he is an obvious contender, but I wouldn’t take a short price on him starting from the second tier.
Race 8 – (1) HES GOT SWAGGER drops and gets the rail and he should be looking to lead every step of this mile tonight. (3) EXIT SMILING has a similar profile and he is likely to be the main danger tonight. (5) DREAMFAIR MOXY is sure to improve shipping in from Mohawk Park but he could be in for an overland trip after starting from post 5 and I’ll use him underneath.
Race 9 – (7) IDEAL JET will likely be looking to strut his potent gate speed tonight facing a group that he can dominate on his best day. I expect Boyd to blast and try to last. (2) SHADES OF BAY was game in defeat last time and he would have a better chance here if he can land in the pocket. I’ll toss him on late multi-race tickets. (5) FREDDY BEAR fits better at the Preferred 3 level and he should be part of the Tri this week.
Race 10 – (4) TIKI TAKA comes back quick after jogging at Mohawk Park vs. better the other night and he is impossible for me to pick against in this spot. (2) WINGS OF BALLYKEEL goes back to Shepherd and her good tactical speed puts her in the mix vs. these; Exacta factor. (3) TOUCHDOWN AS also ships in from Mohawk Park and he should be good for a slice vs. these.
Race 11 – (2) BETTORS MARK is on a roll at this level and he should be the pacesetter again tonight. I’ll take him for the threepeat. (1) DINNER AT THE MET should get a much better trip starting from the rail and he could be a pocket rocket down the lane. (3) WILD EYED YANKEE is another that should use an inside post to get a better trip and he has an upset chance. (4) HOLY CHIP is in the hunt every week and it’s hard to imagine him not making it into the top four tonight. (6) DABUNKA should have competition for the lead leaving the gate and he is best used underneath this week.
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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 a past President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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