Best Bet – (1) THOMAS P TWO – Race 2
Spot Play – (4) HANNAH ON THE VIRG – Race 3
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1/1/3,4/3,4,6/2,5,6,7 = $4.80
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 7 – 3/2,5/4,5,6/3,4,6/1,5,6 = $10.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 3,4/3,4,6/2,5,6,7/4,6 = $9.60
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8 – 2,5/4,5,6/3,4,6/1,5,6 = $10.80
Race 1 — (1) RICKY RESOLVE faces elders here, but he is the fastest horse, and he has the best post. He should handle these. (2) JCS ROYAL TEASE came 2nd when he started from the 2-hole at this track three starts back. He can be an Exacta factor in this spot. (5) HOROSCOPE should be good for a share racing from close range tonight.
Race 2 — (1) THOMAS P TWO, like the top choice in Race 1, looks like a short-priced Pick 5 single that should dominate. (3) UNRESOLVED DEBT should find this group easier, and he can complete the Exacta. (2) Q TIP figures to get a nice following trip here and take a decent share.
Race 3 — (4) HANNAH ON THE VIRG gets both post and class relief tonight, and she just jogged last time Sorrie drove her, which was at this class level; top call. (3) RAMBARAN ROSE comes off two good tries at Kawartha Downs, and she could get a setup for her late kick here; using. (2) DREAM ALL NIGHT gets Jones for a second drive, and she has the potential to land in the Tri at a price.
Race 4 — (6) PROMISE FOR LIFE was a good 2nd in the Prospect Series Final, and I can see him rolling past some tired leaders in the final 1/4 here; top call. (3) BLACK HAWK DOWN is on a roll but these are tougher, and he will likely be challenged this time. He can win, but I wouldn’t take odds-on this time. (4) MUSCLES D ORO shows some miles that would win this race if he can recapture that form tonight. He is the third one that I’ll use on multi-race tickets.
Race 5 — This is the toughest race of the early Pick 5 sequence. (5) DUKEPEDIA’s first up effort at Grand River was decent, now he draws his best post in several races. Saftic might send him right down the road. (2) ROSE OF TRALEE has some of the best form, but this is her 17th try at breaking her maiden. What price would you accept? (6) CAN DO IT ALL has the tactical speed to get good position early, and she is another possibility.
Race 6 — (6) GOALTENDER was parked the mile vs. much better in Quebec and he still got a cheque. The victor of that race is a 31-time winner who has already come back to win a Preferred at Rideau Carlton. A reasonable trip is all Goaltender needs tonight. (4) LADY TITAN gets a notable driver change to Young, and she should be a threat tonight; using. (2) CAFE AMERICANO should be a threat racing from close range if he stays flat tonight; using. (1) INSANITY should get another good trip here, but I prefer to use him underneath in this spot. (9) INCREDIBLE HALLY takes frequent shares, and she is a good one to use in the bottom of the High-5.
Race 7 — (3) CRANBERRY BRIE drops into the lowest claiming level here, and she should trounce these if she is at even 80%. (1) RHYTHM SEELSTER figures to ride in the choice’s pocket, and she is the logical alternative here. (4) CENTURY HAVANA is worth a look for the Tri getting post relief tonight.
Race 8 — (2) CHICO MODERNO draws great and he doesn’t have to face Thomas P Two tonight. It should be his turn to graduate here. (5) VLAD interests me in that he has only lost once, and he tried an outside move in his debut and now draws better; using. (8) E L SUGAR will get bet here, but I just can’t back a 0 for 27 horse that is starting from the 8-hole to win.
Race 9 — (5) HADIKNOWNBETTER is in much easier and she should handle these. The only worry is her race here two starts back in which she made a break. (6) RIVERSONTHEGO is the main threat coming off a sharp win, and she should be right there again despite drawing widest. (4) MAGGIESMOMONEY is the third one that is in with a chance here, as she has shown that she fits well on this circuit.
Race 10 — (3) WILLY WALTON got the clean line that he needed, now he draws better. I can see him grinding out a first-over win tonight. (4) TESLA SEELSTER fits much better at this track, and she will be dangerous if she clears to the front early in the mile; using. (6) THE FIRST CHAPTER is sure to improve shipping in from Mohawk Park, but he is no lock and he could get overbet; your call.
Race 11 — (5) CANTSTOPTHEFEELIN draws slightly better, and her good late kick should play well in this field; call to upset. (6) DRY CREEK IMAGE won her last two starts at this class level at this track, and she is the one to beat here; using. (1) MACHING BEAUTY can get a great trip here starting from the rail. She is another with a chance to upset. (4) BETTER DECISION N couldn’t get the job done at 1 to 9 last week. I’ll play to beat her again. (2) TAYDERTOTZZ figures to take another share racing close to the front.
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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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