Best Bet – (4) TWIN B ARCHIE – Race 2
Spot Play – (6) DELAWARE – Race 10
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,2,4/4/2,4,7/2/ALL = $9.00
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 7 – 3,5/3,4/3,5/6/3,6 = $3.20
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 2,4,7/2/ALL/1,3,4,7,9 = $15.00
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8 – 3,4/3,5/6/3,6 = $1.60
Race 1 — (4) DEX THE LAND raced okay when claimed by a high percentage barn, and I’ll give her the nod in a race with no standouts. (2) BLUEWATER BEACH fits here, and she picks up McClure, but she has missed more than a month. There are some things to like paired with a reason to be concerned; your call. (1) LADY OXFORD seems like one of the best ones in here, but she didn’t gain off a perfect trip last time. She has only won one race in her last 30 starts in the past two seasons; your call.
Race 2 — (4) TWIN B ARCHIE was solid in defeat, and he stands out as clearly the one to beat in this short field; top call. (5) DRINKS AT HOME broke his maiden in a Wellwood elimination, and he will be an Exacta factor if he stays flat tonight. (1) ANGELS EXPRESS should get position early and ride it to a good finish in this short field.
Race 3 — (4) VEYRON picks up Jamieson, and he has had some success with him in the past. He will be the one to catch here. (7) WILLY WALTON is good enough to beat these on his best day, and he’s worth using in the Pick 5. (2) HERBS JOURNEY rocketed home on 28 1/5 to nail the choice last time but he got a perfect trip then. I’ll use him underneath tonight.
Race 4 — (2) STAR POWER HANOVER didn’t get an ideal trip in the Mohawk Million, but he figures to get a much better one here starting inside against easier; top call. (1) CENTURY ISAIAH showed nothing from the 9-hole here last week, but drawing the rail tonight gives him a chance to improve sharply. He could boost the Exacta payout. (6) ESPLOSIONE got no favours from the post draw, but his potent late kick can get him a slice here.
Race 5 — (1) CENTURY INSPECTOR is still a maiden, but he has a chance to line them all up behind him starting from the rail here. I’ll take a shot with him to notch the upset. (2) BOOTLEGGER CHARLIE is improving rapidly and he is sure to put his good draw to use, too; using. (3) MAGICAL ARTHUR is on a roll, and he’s another in with a shot in this compact but talented field.
Race 6 — (4) NO ANGEL here will try to make amends after blowing up at 1 to 9 here last week. She will be tough if she stays flat. (1) WARRAWEE WINDSOR comes in off a sharp first up win and drawing the rail makes him a contender here. (3) STONEBRIDGE NITRO brings an impressive win streak to the track tonight, and she has won off various trips. She should be right there vs. these. (9) TOM D BAKER is another who is on a win streak but post 9 may not be best for him. I’d demand a price. (7) PLAYFULL ELEGANCE is a good closer to use in the bottom of the High-5.
Race 7 — (5) MISS ABRAKADABRA fits much better here, and she is likely to try to lead these all the way; slight nod. (3) ATALANTA EXPRESS is in a good spot to challenge for a repeat win, and she is hard to leave off multi-race tickets. (4) MAGGIESMOMONEY liked the easier company here last week, and she converted for a maiden win. This is tougher, so I’ll use her underneath.
Race 8 — (3) MR WHEELER probably gets his best opportunity to break his maiden right here, and he gets the nod to convert. (4) BLACK HAWK DOWN will be a speed threat again, and he is the obvious alternative to the choice; using. (1) DENISE figures to get a nice following trip and land in the Tri or Super.
Race 9 — (3) AVIATOR stands out here having finished 2nd in Grand Circuit company two starts back. He should be hard to beat tonight if he stays flat. (5) BOB LOBLAW might be risky on a 1/2-mile track considering his recent gait issues, but there is no denying he has the talent to beat these; using. (6) COLIGNY HANOVER motors home in every race, and he should be closing late again; using underneath.
Race 10 — (6) DELAWARE simply looks fastest in here, and I see him going down the road for a repeat victory. (5) DORO SOGNO looks like he is getting faster. He can be a threat here racing from close range. (4) HEAVY DUDE E was right there at this level last time; he should be part of the Tri again.
Race 11 — (3) DRY CREEK IMAGE absolutely jogged last time she raced in a $7K claimer, so expect an aggressive try here and sharp improvement. (6) BETTER DECISION N is also in a better spot here. I like that she paced home in 28 4/5 in her qualifier on 9/25; using. (7) CANTSTOPTHEFEELIN has improved sharply in her past two starts, and I see her landing in the Tri again. (1) JOYFUL KATE should pass a few of these late to take a placing in the High-5. (4) TAYDERTOTZZ will likely come under assault early in this mile, and I’ll play to beat her tonight.
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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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