Best Bet – (1) YOUR STILL UP – Race 9
Spot Play – (3) JACK OF CLUBS – Race 4
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1: 2,5/1,2/2/1,3,4/2,9 = $4.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 2/1,3,4/2,9/3,4 = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 1,6,7/1/3,4/2,3,4,5 = $4.80
Race 1 – (2) HES GOT A VENDETTA was disadvantaged chasing the leader in a slow middle half and he gamely kept coming to just miss. He gets post position advantage on that rival tonight and he can turn the tables. (5) THE DEVIL YOU KNOW was a sharp winner in good time for this level last out and he should be tough in here tonight. (3) YANNICK SEELSTER enjoyed the benefit of a 1:01 4/5 middle half and he just held on to beat the choice. He should be a contender again but he is unlikely to get the same easy trip tonight.
Race 2 – (2) UNABATING has missed some time but he was dominant in this class on 11/2 and if he comes back sharp, he will be tough to beat. (1) STORMONT DUNDAS is the obvious alternative to the choice on the class drop and drawing the best post. (3) THOR SEELSTER is likely to sit another good trip here and land a spot in the Tri.
Race 3 – (2) CENTURY GRIZZLY faces much easier company here and he is likely to get aggressive early against this group; top call. (1) IM NOT BAD and (3) HP PATRIOTE have similar profiles in that both are dropping to a spot where they are likely to wake up with better efforts starting from good posts. They are two more possibilities to consider for the early Pick 5.
Race 4 – (3) JACK OF CLUBS won at a higher level four starts back then he drew poorly three times in a row. He should be tough in here and he may lead these all the way. (4) JEWELS DRAGON should find the company easier at Flamboro and Cullen is likely to put him into play early here; using. (1) WEATHERLY was close at this level two starts back when he started from the 2-hole and he has upset potential here with the rail draw.
Race 5 – (9) GAMBLER PANIC raced tough uncovered at Mohawk Park last time and I expect that he’ll make a middle move to the front tonight and be gone. (2) NEED AROCKET is an obvious good fit in here and he is likely the one that the choice will need to fend off late. (5) FRONTIER CRUISE shows improving form but he may find the top two choices hard to get past; using underneath.
Race 6 – (3) RANGER HANOVER was sharp here last Sunday, almost winning at 70 to 1. His odds drop now picking up teamster Drury but he gets top call in this field. (4) BRIGHTSIDE MELVIN raced better in his second start and this doesn’t appear to be a tough spot. He would be no surprise here. (2) FLASH TOTHE FINISH is likely to show speed again but he tends to be one-paced. I’ll use him on the bottom. (8) WINDMERE EDDIE can pass a few of these again and make it into the High-5 at a price. (5) JUST PLAIN NEEDY should show early speed in this one and stick around for a share.
Race 7 – (1) WIND BLOWN is sure to get pointed to the front leaving the gate by Harris here and he is the one to knock off in a spot where he looks like a good fit. (6) ROSE RUN QUEST has been on fire racing in the Maritimes and he has upset possibilities here. (4) TOOT TOOT N was right there in a tough field last week and he’s not out of this.
Race 8 – (6) EASY LOVER HANOVER took advantage of his class edge and took a front end win here two weeks ago. He gets the call to repeat facing similar. (1) OUTLAWGRABBINGEARS is likely to find the pocket early and that gives him an upset chance tonight. (7) JAY EYE EM is on a roll right now but he is unlikely to make front vs. this group and I’ll play to beat him this time.
Race 9 – (1) YOUR STILL UP won’t get many better chances than this to notch his first 2020 win, dropping into a claimer to face much easier and drawing the rail. He could lead this group every step. (2) RED HOT TORCH is sure to take advantage of post relief and blast for position here and he should be the main threat to the choice. (3) ABRAS MOMENTOM has raced much better since shipping in to Flamboro and he should be part of the Tri again.
Race 10 – (3) BAROSSA BLUE GENES fits this class like a glove and coming off a powerful win he gets the call to repeat here. (4) COOL ROCK hasn’t won in forever but he doesn’t look bad against this group and he is in with a chance to get off the schneid tonight. (6) RACING FOR SPACE closed late to finish a non-threatening 2nd to the choice last time and he should be rallying for another share in this spot.
Race 11 – (5) LETS GET PICKLED couldn’t muster a rally last time at Mohawk Park because the winner was pacing too fast for anyone to keep up. In this easier spot he might be able to chase down the speed; slight nod. (4) NOSPORTPUNINTENDED is in top form and he will likely be the one to catch here. He’s hard to leave off late Pick 4 tickets. (2) EXCALIBER SEELSTER is almost sure to show big early speed and that could play into the choice’s hand late in the mile. I’ll use him underneath. (3) PRINCE ADAIR figures to be in the exotics mix here getting some class relief. Consider him for High-5 bets. (1) CASEYS DRAGON faces tougher here but he should be good for at least a small share.
Photo by 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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