Best Bet – (5) PORTOFINO – Race 2
Spot Play – (7) FELT TIP MARKER – Race 7
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,2,9/2,5/1,4,7/3,4/1,2 = $14.40
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 7 – 2,7/3,7/1,6/2,4,5/2,3 = $9.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 1,4,7/3,4/1,2/2,3,8 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8 – 3,7/1,6/2,4,5/2,3 = $4.80
Race 1 — This isn’t the toughest spot for a debutant, so I’ll take a shot with (1) SAULSBROOK VICTOR here who gets the rail. (2) HARDY MILL JOE appears to be facing easier, and he should have a good chance in this spot; using. (9) BETTORS JET RAY should get a better trip here, and he is another one that I’ll use in the Pick 5.
Race 2 — (5) PORTOFINO fell just short as the 1 to 2 chalk last week but it’s hard to make a case against her in this field; top call. (2) CERSEI DE VIE gets Roy and the rail and that could lead to an aggressive try. She’s the second one that I’ll use in the Pick 5. (8) COMPLETE LIFE got a great trip but she was outsprinted late, now she draws worst. I’ll use her underneath in this spot.
Race 3 — (7) BILLY BAYAMA raced tough from the 7-hole last time, and he should be the one to beat tonight. (1) RIDIN ON SUNSHINE should blast to the front this time and that gives him a chance vs. these; using. (4) ISLAND BEACH BOY overcame trouble to finish 2nd last week here, now he gets his nose on the gate. He fits well, but he is 1 for 16. I wouldn’t take a short price.
Race 4 — (4) MONEYWORTH was full of trot in the lane last time despite being overland for a long way. I’ll side with her to repeat off that sharp effort. (3) LOVIN JULIE is an obvious contender coming off an easy Grassroots win, and she will likely be the one to catch. (7) ANGELONIA can take a share despite drawing widest.
Race 5 — (2) E L GLADIATOR is clearly the fastest in here, and he should be tough to beat in this spot. (1) GANGBUSTER HANOVER should get more aggressive from the rail tonight. He has upset potential. (3) RIVERCRUISE has improving form, and I see him taking a share here.
Race 6 — (3) GAMBLING ADDICTION figures to get another nice trip racing near the front. He gets the call to repeat. (2) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP perhaps tired late because he set some swift fractions racing in the slop last week, and he will be the one to catch again. (8) THE LEGEND HANOVER is quirky but he was a big winner here vs. NW2 last week, and he might be able to overcome the 8-hole here; using. (1) MR JOHN should be able to take a share off a following trip. (9) DUBAI SEELSTER should pass some of these and land in the High-5 or higher.
Race 7 — The only time that (7) FELT TIP MARKER raced at this Grassroots level she dominated, and I expect Haughan to blast and lead these on a merry chase. (2) CLOCKWORK ORANGE figures to be the main threat racing near the front, and she is the second one that I’ll use in the Pick 5. (3) ELISABETTA should get a better trip here and she is worth using in the exotics at a price.
Race 8 — (3) HORSE TRADER drops and moves inside. I’ll give him the nod over another class dropper (7) WILD AND CRAZY GUY. The latter has the trainer listed to drive, but he did win with him four starts back; using. (6) ONGOING ROYALTY should also find this level easier, and he can take a share vs. these.
Race 9 — (1) DIAMONDS OR TWINE draws best here, and she will likely work out a great trip following likely pacesetter (6) BLACKCREEK ROSEBUD. The latter is always a threat to lead all the way, and she is on my Pick 5 ticket. (2) TAYDERTOTZZ should be in the mix again and land in the Tri.
Race 10 — (4) ST LADS THRILLER should clear to the front vs. these and that makes him a big threat to lead throughout; top call. (2) BETTER BE GOUDA has a good possibility of landing in the pocket early, and he can be dangerous in this spot. (5) SIDDHARTHA faces easier but he will likely be taking the overland route. He can win but I wouldn’t take a short price.
Race 11 — (3) PERFECTBOY HANOVER has been facing much tougher recently at Mohawk Park, and he should be very tough to beat at this level; top call. (2) SHADES OF BAY gets class and post relief and he should be the main danger. (6) BIG BULLY can pass some of these in the back 1/2 and take a small share. (8) MANTARIO is another capable of taking a slice and his price will help boost the High-5 payoff if he can take a cheque; using underneath. (9) BLUE MOOSE is another who should pass a few horses that is worth a look for 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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