Best Bet – (1) OUTLAW GUNPOWDER – Race 7
Spot Play – (5) BASTIANO – Race 9
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1: 2,4,8/1,6,9/2,3/2,3/2,4,7 = $21.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 2,3/2,3/2,4,7/2,3,4 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 1,4,6/2,5/2,8/4,6,7,9 = $9.60
Race 1 – (4) EPIC PROPORTION should be better here with his nose back on the gate and if he can clear to the front, he might lead this suspect group on a merry chase. (8) SOUTHPAW HANOVER drops into a claimer and he has Hudon listed to drive which could mean that an aggressive steer is coming. I’ll use him on this Pick 5 ticket looking for some value. (2) STONEBRIDGE PONDER shows a win only four starts back and he could get a great trip here racing near the front. He is another to consider.
Race 2 – (1) TOBINS TERROR draws her best post in several weeks and she is one that isn’t afraid to rough it on the outside. She should get put into play early here and she looks good in this spot. (6) ROSELLA was aggressive early last time and she rode a good trip to a high placing. She is likely to be a threat from the outset against this group. (9) FOLLOW THE DREAM raced decently last time and she picks up Hudon for this. She should take a share here at a minimum.
Race 3 – 8-time winner (3) HER OWN LAND should be blasting to the front this week and that gives her a great chance to notch victory #9. (2) HOWMACFIESTY is stuck on one win in 2020 but she has shown improvement with Coulter driving and that teamster retains the drive here; using. (7) THATS MIA BAD typically comes with a late charge and I can see her passing a few of these to take a share.
Race 4 – (2) DESTINY CRUISE does her best work at this level when she can make the front and she should have no trouble clearing these from the 2-hole; top call. (3) LDL GEM is right there when she races at the $7K claiming level and she should be the main threat here. (1) SO LONG SUGAR is in a spot to get a great trip and she has some upset appeal.
Race 5 – (7) DRY CREEK IMAGE was given an aggressive steer by Sorrie last time and she just missed. With her nose back on the gate she could get sent hard for the front this time and never look back; slight nod. (4) CAFÉ SOCIETY is facing much easier here and she should wake up in this spot, but her 0-0-0 record from 16 starts in 2020 gives obvious cause for concern; demand a price. (2) MARK YOUR PAIGE was close here two starts back when she drew inside and she has an upset chance in this field.
Race 6 – (3) MISTER OF ALL went too fast too soon last time at Mohawk Park and he paid the price late. He has a good chance to wire this easier group. (2) MONOPOLY has been taking betting action in his past few starts at Mohawk Park and he figures against this field. He is on my Pick 4 ticket. (4) ENCARNACION is capable vs. this type and he draws better. He is another possibility in a race with a few logical contenders. (1) PRICELESS RULER is another Mohawk Park shipper that fits better in this spot and he should be good for at least a share. (5) TOTALLY RIPPED can pass a few of these and he is a good one to use on the bottom of the High-5.
Race 7 – (1) OUTLAW GUNPOWDER gets class and post relief here and he should be tough in this return race after testing Mohawk Park stock for a few starts. (4) NATES BUCKY is hot and he may be the one to catch again this week. (6) OLD BUCK exits a tough race at Mohawk Park and he could sneak into the Tri or Super here at a price.
Race 8 – (6) DONTBLVMEJUSTWATCH is one-for-one in this class and he should get an honest pace to chase tonight; top call. (4) GAMBLER PANIC has reeled off several impressive wins in Quebec where he has taken lots of air and he merits a long look here in this conditioned claimer. (1) SPECTRUM SEELSTER looks solid on paper here but notice he has 11 slices vs. three wins so far this year.
Race 9 – (5) BASTIANO gets a better chance to flaunt his potent early speed here moving off the 8-hole and he may wire this field. (2) OLE JACK MAGIC should sit a nice trip leaving from the inside and he could be a pocket rocket in this spot. (8) YES is in easier here but the 8-hole is no picnic and he may get stung early; using underneath only.
Race 10 – (8) CHOCOLATE SWIRL takes a big class drop here and drawing widest may not matter. If he clears to the front this race will likely be over. (2) BANKROLL should be a factor throughout leaving from a much better post tonight. (9) AMERICAN RISK is usually in the hunt and he should pass a few of these in the back 1/2 to make it into the Tri or Super.
Race 11 – (4) BUTTERMILK HANOVER took a few starts to reach her best form and she could be sitting on a big mile tonight now that she is at her sharpest. She gets the nod. (7) SAULSBROOK JESSIE shows two nice wins here a few starts back and she should be a big speed threat in this spot. (9) BETTOR TRIX N has a much better chance here facing easier and getting Coulter to drive; using. (6) MANHATTAN NIGHT is hard to toss coming off a sharp win here last week but she may not get the same good trip up front. (3) OUTLAW IMAHOTVIXEN is a good one to use in the lower rungs 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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