Best Bet – (2) WILDCAT DELIGHT – Race 9
Spot Play – (1) PRESS TIME – Race 2
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 4,9/1,2,4/1/2,3 = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 = Race 8: 2,3,5/2/1,4/1,2,3 = $3.60
Race 1 – (5) ILLBEWATCHINGU drops to a logical spot after facing some tough rivals in several Grassroots starts and he should get an aggressive steer from Haughan tonight; top call in the opener. (2) STRONG ENOUGH N was a predictable winner beating easier at London last week and he can contend here from an inside post. (4) SAULSBROOK KAISEN is also in an easier spot here and he adds Lasix. He should make it into the Tri or Super in this spot.
Race 2 – (1) PRESS TIME should be on the lead coming out of the first turn and from that point he should get a good trip racing on or near the front and he gets the nod to beat these. (2) THE DEVIL YOU KNOW gets his nose back on the gate and he is another that should be sent forward at the start; Exacta factor. (8) SHADOW PHANTASY N is worth a look making his North American debut and adding Lasix in a spot that doesn’t look that tough.
Race 3 – (9) STORMY HALL GB was an impressive winner in fast time in his Flamboro Downs debut when starting from the worst post. If he can get moving early here after leaving from the second tier, he should be tough to beat. The colt that won (4) TOUCHEM ALL JOE’s most recent start has already come back to win at Mohawk Park in 1:53 4/5 on Friday night. He’s an obvious contender here. (3) TRADITION has a good chance to register another third-place finish if this race goes as expected with the top two choices battling for the win.
Race 4 – (4) CHIEFS BEACH shows a race three starts back that would likely be good enough to beat these and he fits well here and draws a good post; top call. (1) ST LADS BEAT IT hasn’t drawn inside in forever. An aggressive try should be coming here and he’s on my Pick 4 ticket. (2) OZZIE YOUNG is right there most weeks and his strong win record this year makes him another that I’ll use in this early Pick 4.
Race 5 – (1) NOSPORTPUNINTENDED draws best in a field he should beat and he looks formidable starting from the rail; Pick 4 single. (7) WELL EL is going well for a hot barn but he is likely going to be forced to take a seat in this race. Still, he is an Exacta factor. (2) LYONS COPPERTOP should sit another nice trip racing near the front and he should be part of the Tri again.
Race 6 – (2) PRESTIGE SEELSTER gets to drop to the lowest condition level here and from an inside post he should be tough to take down. (3) SHADOW MARGEAUX draws better than he has in several weeks and he can improve sharply here. He is the other one that I’ll use in the cash leg of this Pick 4. (7) R U TALKIN fits well here but from an outside post he is more likely to take a small share. (9) LYONS MUSIC makes his second start in this class from a better post and he can sneak into the High-5. (4) BEARLY A SECRET is another one that is good to use on the bottom of the High-5.
Race 7 – (6) BIG MACH N qualified sharply for this and is sent out by a hot barn; call to upset. (3) PREMIER JOY A is an obvious threat shipping in from Mohawk Park and he is likely to get sent on a speed mission from the outset; using. (1) HES A SENSATION has missed some time but he fits well here and draws best. He should land in the Tri if he is sharp enough.
Race 8 – (2) YS LOTUS drops one level to the Preferred 3 tonight and that could be just what he needs to get back on track with a win; top call. (3) G A SPEED SAMMY had the 9-hole in the fog and he managed a third-place finish. He should be more aggressive here and he is on my Pick 4 ticket. (5) CHAMPAGNE PHIL comes out of a good race at Mohawk Park and he has more than enough class for these. He’s another in with a shot.
Race 9 – (2) WILDCAT DELIGHT draws well again after dominating in leg 1 of this stakes series and she will be hard to beat at a short price. (7) POWERED BY MACH was also a strong winner in her leg 1 race but she is at a post disadvantage now and I’ll use her to complete the Exacta. (6) SHEPLAYSFORKEEPS can rally again late to make it into the Tri or Super.
Race 10 – (1) PACIFIC DELIGHT gets a major post shift in her favor tonight and she should offer a good price so I’ll give her the nod. (4) DOCTOR SUNSHINE produced a sharp late rally in the opening leg of this series and she is likely to be more aggressive now; the main threat. (7) PASSION N PEARLS draws even farther out this week after winning from the 6-hole last week and securing a perfect trip. I’ll play to beat her this time.
Race 11 – (2) BETCHULOVEME was heavily backed last week and she delivered with authority and she gets the call to repeat here. (1) CLASSYLANEPRECIOUS raced tough in a faster division and she could give the choice all she wants tonight; using. (3) DOUBLE PLAY, parked the mile from the 8-hole last week, is another in with a chance considering her post improvement tonight. (6) LADY TO WATCH always shows speed and she should be good for a slice in here. (8) SHES IN THE MOMENT rarely misses the top five and she will be a big price in here; consider using on the bottom of the High-5.
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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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