Best Bet – (2) PEMBROOK LEGACY N – Race 1
Spot Play – (1) JUST PLAIN NEEDY – Race 4
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1: 2/5/2,4,5/1,3,6/1,5 = $3.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 2,4,5/1,3,6/1,5/3,4,5 = $10.80
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 1,3/3,4/2,6/1,5,8 = $4.80
Race 1 – (2) PEMBROOK LEGACY N is in tremendous form and it’s near impossible to find a way he can lose here. He will be a short-priced single on most Pick 5 tickets. (3) NOSPORTPUNINTENDED looks next best but he’ll surely be forced to take a seat by the choice heading into the first turn. I’ll use him to round out the Exacta which also will be heavily-bet. (1) SEA LAIRD is sure to improve here but his lack of gate speed puts him at a disadvantage; using on the bottom.
Race 2 – (5) MR JOHN showed what he can do when he behaves last time and his rivals are likely in for more of the same if he stays flat again tonight; top call. (7) BRIGHTSIDE KELVIN won his debut in much slower time than it took the choice to take his victory but his race was paced over a “good” track and he can be a factor here. (6) BELIEVE IN BRIAN qualified well enough to suggest that he can land in the Tri or Super here.
Race 3 – (2) BIG JOURNEY drops and gets Sorrie back and he should be much better here. He gets the nod over (4) SCORCHER who, if he improves slightly off his qualifier, can give the choice all he wants. (5) CURIOUS CORTEZ shouldn’t be faulted for not being able to match strides with razor-sharp Pembrook Legacy N last time. He is in the mix here.
Race 4 – (1) JUST PLAIN NEEDY is one of only two winners in this field and he likely needed his last start after missing more than three weeks between starts; down the road? (3) BRIGHTSIDE MELVIN was in a fast mile for the class in his debut and he did well to pass a couple of horses despite being well-beaten; using. (6) BRYDOWN ROYAL ART should appreciate this company and I can see him taking a share vs. these racing close to the front.
Race 5 – (1) VAGUE TRACES lacked staying power in his first start in more than three weeks when making his local debut. His price goes up now and I’ll side with him here. (5) BEACHIN LINDY is sure to improve in this spot and if he is allowed to clear to the front, he will likely be tough to beat. (7) AMERICAN WIGGLE is another that should move up against these but I don’t love post 7 for him; using on the bottom.
Race 6 – (5) SHADES OF BAY is always risky because of his penchant for bearing out but I like the driver change to Hudon here and he seems a good fit vs. these; top call. (4) WHITE HAIR ROCKS will take money here on the class drop, but he is 1 for 24 this year and shows three recent defeats at this class level; demand a price. (3) BLUE MOOSE has the look of an improving horse and this is a race that could set up for him. He’s on my Pick 4 ticket. (1) JAKE LOEWEN figures to work out a nice trip from the rail and land in the High-5. (9) ROCK N BO is another class dropper than should get at least a slice in this spot.
Race 7 – (1) YANNICK SEELSTER is in a much better spot here and starting from the rail gives him a good chance to take his third win of the year. (4) MOXLEY was no match for a strong winner last time but he rates highly here and he could be the one to beat. (2) PERFECT ROLO draws his best post in many starts. Consider him for the exotics tonight.
Race 8 – (1) ALONA is right there every week and she should be tough to beat starting from the rail here. (3) WRAP AND A HOOEY has a much better chance tonight moving off the 8 hole and he should get an aggressive Sorrie steer this week; using. (6) RED HOT TORCH is always a threat with his high early speed but he was passed by the choice last time. I’d demand a price from this post.
Race 9 – (3) DINNER AT THE MET has recaptured good form and he is capable of running a few more wins off if he retains this sharpness. (4) BAROSSA BLUE GENES was starting to dial the choice in last time but he ran out of racetrack. I’ll use him in the late Pick 4. (8) ALWAYS N THE MONEY fits better here but from the widest post I can only use him underneath.
Race 10 – (2) WINGS OF BALLYKEEL makes her third start since being claimed by Shepherd and she draws inside this time which should lead to sharp improvement; call to upset. (6) HELLO CHIPPER rates highly against these and she should get put into the race early by Cullen; using. (7) TOUCHDOWN AS can pass a few of these late and finish in the bottom of the Tri or Super.
Race 11 – (1) TOOT TOOT N is hard for me to go against in this spot because he is dropping and is almost sure to get a good trip starting from the inside. (5) CHAMPAGNE PHIL also drops and he gets a slightly better post. He should be a big threat in this spot. (8) MAJOR HILL is the class of this field but post 8 is tough and he might have his work cut out here. (2) ALI should get a great following trip and he’s hard to leave out of the High-5. (6) PAPARAZZI HANOVER is always in the hunt for a share and he is another good one to use underneath in this race.
Photo by John Watkins
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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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