Best Bet – (5) KAT – Race 10
Spot Play – (2) HELLO MR P – Race 4
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,2/1,2,4/3,6,8/2/3,7 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6 – 1,2,4/1,3,6/1,4/1,2,3,9/5 = $14.40
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 - 6,8/2/3,7/1,2,4 = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7 – 1,3,6/1,4/1,2,3,9/5 = $4.80
Race 1 — (1) ASHLEES DELIGHT woke up with Sorrie in the bike last week, now she draws inside. She should take beating here, but her price will drop sharply. (2) LILI GL has a better chance from an inside post tonight, and she is likely to race in the choice’s pocket; using. (3) WOODMERE CHA CHA was 2nd to the choice last time but is at a post position disadvantage here. She’s likely to take a small slice.
Race 2 — (1) J J POWERBALL faces easier and gets the rail here. He should be the one to beat racing on or near the front. (2) GUINNESS PANIC brings a remarkable string of 2nds and 3rds with him from Quebec and he can keep that string rolling here. (4) PRESS TIME should be the first to make front and he’s a threat to lead all the way here.
Race 3 — This race appears to set up for a closer and I’ll take a swing with (8) BETTIMONTHERIVER, who might have the freshest legs late. (6) WILDCAT DELIGHT is on a roll but she loses post position advantage here so I wouldn’t take a short price. (3) TURNING THE TABLE was picked off late but that was a good try, and she is in with a chance tonight.
Race 4 — (2) HELLO MR P gets his nose back on the gate for this second try in claimers. He is the one to catch and beat. (1) WEST COAST KID got brutalized at Hanover but he won’t get parked the mile here starting from the rail. He should be an Exacta factor. (7) DELIGHTFUL MAGIC should pass a few of these late to land in the Tri or Super.
Race 5 — (3) BLINK AND GONE should improve sharply getting away from claiming handicaps at Mohawk Park. She gets top billing. (7) DRY CREEK IMAGE is in great form, and she is the second mare that I’ll use on multi-race tickets. (6) FRILLS N LACE gets Mackenzie in the bike tonight, and she figures to be in the exotics mix if she stays flat this time. (9) SIERAS ROSE was decent in her local return, and she should be part of the High-5. (8) IN THE NEWS would be rated higher from a better post. I’ll try to beat her from out there.
Race 6 — (1) FURIOSA has improving form, and she draws best here. I see her vaulting past the leaders in the lane; top call. (2) KAYS SHADOW comes off a good try, and she is in with a decent chance vs. these; using. (4) MANHATTAN NIGHT should get an honest pace to stalk, and she is the third one that I’ll use in the multi-race tickets.
Race 7 — (6) CHICO MODERNO looks best here, and he can graduate if he stays flat tonight. (3) E L SUGAR is obviously one of the fastest in the race but this is his 26th chance at breaking his maiden. I wouldn’t take odds-on here. (1) SOGNO ROCKS is another with good form that has had several chances. This isn’t a tough spot, and he could win with a good trip.
Race 8 — (1) ALWAYS BEEN CRAZY was 1 for 14 and he turned things around with two straight victories. He seems to fit this conditioned claimer well, and I’ll give him the nod. (4) MELODY MAKER took a new life’s mark last week, and he comes right back at the same level. He should be a threat again. (5) BO DOVER should get position early and ride a following trip to a share here.
Race 9 — The best horses have drawn inside here and I’ll give the nod to (1) SICARIO, who should use rail control to take command around the first turn. (2) REFI is obviously one of the best in here, and he should protect position, too. He is a must-use for me on multi-race tickets. (3) POWER AND GRACE loses post position advantage tonight, and I’m inclined to try to beat her.
Race 10 — (5) KAT takes a monumental class drop here, and I’d be surprised if she doesn’t lead these all the way. (1) CRANBERRY BRIE is likely to leave quickly tonight, and she can complete the Exacta. (2) OK JASMINE fits better here than she did at Mohawk Park, and she can take a slice racing close to the front. (7) TEMAGAMI SEELSTER is in great form, but from out there she is likely to take a smaller share. (3) LIVELY ROCKET qualified okay with the trainer in the bike, now she gets a catch driver. Consider using her underneath.
*
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.
More Tips from the Pros