Best Bet – (2) HOT TOPIC – Race 6
Spot Play – (1) BLUEWATER BEACH – Race 9
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 2,4,5/5,7,9/3,8/2 = $3.60
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 7: 6,8,9/1,4/1,2,3/1,2 = $7.20
Race 1 – (1) BUCKYS ANGEL lays over these based on last week’s blowout win and he will be very tough to beat if he stays flat. (5) GQ MAGIC’s debut effort was good but he’ll need to drop a couple of seconds here to challenge the choice; Exacta factor. (4) KISS MY MASS is capable of better and in this short field he should be part of the Tri
Race 2 – (3) GAB IN MOTION has been terrific in his last two starts now he faces all but one two-year-old. It’s likely that he completes a chalky early Double. (5) HALLIDAY DREAM is the only other sophomore in the field and he should blast to the front leaving the gate. He has a good chance of completing the Exacta. (1) ALL THE TRIMMINS looks next best and he should be a factor if he stays flat this time.
Race 3 – (4) SOPHIES DESTINY should get a solid pace to stalk with so many leavers signed on outside of her and I’ll give her a slight nod in the opening leg of this Pick 4. (5) BLACKCREEK ROSEBUD is likely to be leading at the 3/4 and she will have to be caught; using. (2) BLACK ELEKTRA is another who might get a golden trip in this race which could offer some good Pick 4 value.
Race 4 – (5) RIVERSONTHEGO is obviously the fastest horse in here, the question is whether or not she will stay flat. If she does, she should be tough to beat. (7) INCREDIBLE HALLY faced tougher most of the year and she could wake up in a big way here; using. (9) WHEELY TWICKY is another who broke last time that figures on paper and she could be a good price in here; consider for the exotics.
Race 5 – (3) TRIM THE SAILS should be able to clear to the front early in this mile and that can make all the difference for her; top call. (8) SIN FOR CREDIT did well getting away from the 7-hole against better last time and she can be a factor here racing against this easier group. She has a chance at a price. (2) PATWEARSTHEPANTS passed horses as the pace slowed last time but she is a maiden still and I prefer to use her underneath.
Race 6 – (2) HOT TOPIC finds an easy condition here and she should easily double up in this spot. (4) SEBASTIEN DUHARAS has excelled since joining trainer Young’s barn and he has a good chance of completing this Exacta. (6) HALL OF SECRETS is always in the mix and his good gate speed will put him in position to take a good share. (3) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO is another that can get position here and stick around for a share. (1) POT STOCK is capable of contending for a minor award if he stays flat this week.
Race 7 – This race should come down to the two mares dropping in for a claiming tag, (9) NO WHERE TO HIDE and (8) TRANSENDANCE, but both have challenging posts so I’ll add (6) A LA MODE SEELSTER to this late Pick 4 ticket as she could get the jump on both of them.
Race 8 – (1) TRUE BREW had little chance starting from outside posts in his last two starts. From the rail facing easier he should be hard to catch. (4) SHEENA SOLIDER was narrowly beaten by a rival that has already come back to jog and I’ll use him in this late Pick 4. (3) PIER HO KADO would beat these on her best effort but she is risky removing trotting hopples after breaking stride in two starts in a row.
Race 9 – (1) BLUEWATER BEACH lands in a spot where she could get a golden pocket trip following likely leader (2) HIT BY A BUS who shoots for a double in this class. I’ll give the nod to the former and use both in the Pick 4. (3) W C KENZIE COOKIE is sharp and she is one that can take air and keep coming which is a nice asset to have racing on 1/2-milers. She’s not out of this.
Race 10 – (2) ZACK TO THE MAX draws better after winning easily in this class last week. Catch him to greet the cashier. (1) MASSIVE POTENTIAL might get a perfect trip racing near the front and she has some upset potential here. (3) WINDSONG OPHELIA should land near the front early and take a good share tonight. (4) WRAP AND A HOOEY was 2nd to the choice last time but he may get stung early this week with the inside three expected to leave; using underneath. (8) TUXEDO has a good record this year and he may sneak into the High-5 at a price 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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