Best Bet – (2) I GOT THE LOOKS – Race 2
Spot Play – (5) SECRETS LADY – Race 4
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 2,7,8/2,5/3,4,5/3,5/1,3,5 = $21.60
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 7 – 1,5/1,2,3/3,5/1,3/1,2,7 = $14.40
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 3,4,5/3,5/1,3,5/3,6 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8 – 1,2,3/3,5/1,3/1,2,7 = $7.20
Race 1 — (7) KEEP WATCHING improved for Sorrie last week, now she gets her nose back on the gate. I could see a more aggressive approach coming tonight; call to upset. (2) SAULSBROOK FLASHY fell just short to (8) DEJA VU SEELSTER last week, now the former gets post position advantage. Both are possibilities for the early Pick 5.
Race 2 — (2) I GOT THE LOOKS is razor-sharp and tough to beat when he draws inside in this class; top call. (5) ESQUIRE is another that is in top form, and I have no idea why he is 8 to 1 in the morning line. He should be an Exacta factor tonight. (1) BASTIANO will get a trip again and he is hard to leave off Tri tickets.
Race 3 — (5) DUBAI SEELSTER has been facing tougher NW3 foes and I like his chances in this conditioned claimer; top call. The horse that beat (4) DRAGON TEEN in London has already come back to jog. He is worth a look at a price for early multi-race tickets. (3) TEETER is another dropper that could spring to life in this claimer, and he is one of several possibilities in a race where it makes sense to use deep Pick 5 coverage.
Race 4 — (5) SECRETS LADY might be able to blast right to the front starting from a better post tonight and, if she makes front, she’ll likely be hard to catch. (3) HAPPY LOOKER has been racing in the best company but also making breaks lately. She can win this but I wouldn’t take a short price. (1) SCOTIANNANCYDIANE is still looking for her second win, but she should get a good trip here and make it into the Tri or Super.
Race 5 — (1) SHADOW TAIL gets major post relief tonight and he should be hard to beat starting from the rail in a six-horse field. (3) DONTBLVMEJUSTWATCH lowered his 2021 season’s mark here last week, and he is the one to fear; using. (5) TAHUYA BREW is right there every week. He should be in the exotics mix again.
Race 6 — (3) MORAMAPPO gets Plante in the bike tonight and that can mean that an all-out speed try is coming; call to upset. (6) DANA SALAAM gets her nose back on the gate after racing great in defeat from the 9-hole last week, and she should be a threat here; using. (8) MOSTLY DALI is on a roll but she’ll get tested tonight starting from the widest post. I’ll try to beat her. (1) TAURIEL can close for another share tonight. (2) BETTIMONTHERIVER is capable of better than she has shown in her past three starts. Consider using her underneath.
Race 7 — This race should come down to (1) SOUTHWIND BAYOU and (5) SOMETHING ROYAL again, and the former gets the nod based on post position advantage. I’ll use both in the late Pick 5, however. (3) TURNING THE TABLE is around the money every week, and she should take another share tonight.
Race 8 — Can (2) BOOTS N BRIAN leave well enough to land in the coveted pocket tonight? Maybe. If he does, he can upset (1) SPECTRUM SEELSTER who will no doubt be on top to the 3/4 pole again this week, and he will be the one to catch. (3) NATES BUCKY dominated when claimed, now he goes for a high % barn tonight. He’s not out of this.
Race 9 — (5) HUGHIE JUNIOR N has raced well in both local starts, and I like his chances vs. this group; top call. (3) BIG MACH N is an obvious contender on the class drop, and he’s on my late multi-race tickets. (4) CAPITANO ITALIANO is another who should improve due to post relief, but he could be overbet; your call.
Race 10 — (1) SAULSBROOK JESSIE should be tough racing on the lead here, and she gets top call. (3) WESTBEACH should find the pocket early and she is the most likely upsetter tonight. (7) MACH MY KISS fits well in this spot and, if she can blast early to get position, she has an upset chance.
Race 11 — (7) REYS IN A ROCKET almost pulled off a win with the trainer driving, now she picks up catch driver Mackenzie. I’ll give her the nod to upset. (2) CUSTARD LITE makes her second start for Plante and gets her nose back on the gate. She is probably the one to beat. (1) JMR MACH MEL should get position leaving the gate and stick around for a share. (3) OUTLAW IMAHOTVIXEN got hammered to favorite last week and she showed little. I’ll use her underneath here. (5) BEACH MOMENT should be good for another share in this spot.
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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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