Best Bet - (4) HIGH ROLLER DUKE - Race 1
Spot Play - (1) EATAAMSACTIVEPANIC - Race 3
20-Cent Pick 4 - Race 3 - 1,6,7/3,4,5/5,7/1,9 = $7.20
20-Cent Pick 4 - Race 7 - 1,8/3,6/2,4,8/5,8 = $4.80
Race 1 - (4) HIGH ROLLER DUKE shoots for four straight wins here and she will likely be tough to overhaul racing on the engine. (1) IN THE NEWS figures to ride the choice’s pocket throughout and she will be the one to fend off late. (3) TUGGINGONCREDIT gets a driver switch to Moore which could mean more aggression here but I prefer to use her underneath.
Race 2 - (2) NANCY ALLISON finally got a clean line in a pari-mutuel race and she closed well that night. From an inside post, I expect her to leave this time. (3) ONE SMART COOKIE set some fast splits last time and beat all but one rival. A similar approach might bottom out this field. (4) SWEET AMBITIONS - stablemate to the choice - has raced much better in her past two starts. She should hit the board here.
Race 3 - (1) EATAAMSACTIVEPANIC drops, gets the best post and she qualified well for this. She should get a good trip racing near the front and she gets the nod over (6) PANERAI, who was used hard from the 8-hole last time and is likely to set sail for the lead at the start again tonight. (7) LIL SCREAMER comes out of the fastest races and she’s not out of this but she could get a rough trip starting from out there.
Race 4 - (4) DRONE SEELSTER meets a group that he should be able to handle and I expect him to get sent right to the front leaving the gate. (3) STORMONT TIMBIT adds Lasix here after a tough trip and she gets needed post relief; upset chance. (5) DUSTYLANE THUNDER is another who gets an improved post that’s in with a chance here; using.
Race 5 - (7) MACHING BEAUTY paced a sub-56 back 1/2 last time at Mohawk Park and came away with nothing to show for it. This spot is easier and I’ll give her the call to knock off likely big favorite (5) LARJON LEAH who has been doing nothing but winning recently and is the obvious one to beat. (1) SECRETS LADY gets her nose on the gate and draws best so she should be part of the Tri.
Race 6 - (9) SHEENA SOLDIER should get away closer to the front here starting behind a fast leaver in post 1 and he gets the nod. (1) NORTHERN TAILWIND should last much longer on the engine from this post and he could go all the way if he can steal a breather. (2) ZORGWIJK TIM is another fast leaver who should benefit from post relief here and he is on my Tri ticket. (3) HALO ITS ME faces easier here but she likes the front and I’m not sure she will be allowed to have it; your call. (7) TYMAL HOUDINI should find this class more to his liking but the outer post is a tough assignment; using underneath only.
Race 7 - (1) NEW BEGINNINGS looks well-prepped for her first start of 2020 and drawing the rail makes her enticing in a field with few that have good recent form; top call. (8) GENTLE WARRIOR is an obvious contender on the big class drop, but from post 8 she is no lock; demand a price. (6) BLACKCREEK ROSEBUD dominated at Hanover but she loses McNair and she is likely to get overbet in this spot.
Race 8 - (6) IN SECRET made an uncharacteristic break last time now he drops one level. He can rebound vs. these. (3) SICARIO should use his potent gate speed with a move to an inside post and he could be the one to catch. (5) BASTIANO is right there every week and he can take another share here.
Race 9 - (8) SIR GALAHAD is razor-sharp and even from the worst post he might be tough to beat here. (4) REAL WICKED was a determined winner when claimed at Grand River and he is one that will be on my late Pick 4 ticket. (2) DEVILS PEAK figures to get a good trip racing near the front and he’s another one that is worth a look for the Pick 4.
Race 10 - (8) HETTIES MAGIC just failed to hold the lead to the wire last week and there doesn’t appear to be a lot of other gate speed in here so post 8 may not matter; top call. (5) MACKJUSTICE should get good position early and he is the other one that I’m using in this Pick 4. (2) VICTORIAHASASECRET is sure to leave hard and she can get a nice following trip here and land in the Tri. (7) POT STOCK is one of the better closers here but post is likely to be an issue; using on the bottom. (9) EASTON IVY is capable of finishing in the High-5 if he stays flat this time.
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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 five years. He is also the current President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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