Best Bet - (4) A GAME CHANGER - Race 8
Spot Play - (2) SENIOR K - Race 2
20-Cent Pick 4 - Race 4 - 1,5/2,5,7/1,2/1,2,4 = $7.20
Race 1 – (1) IRISH PRINCE hasn’t drawn inside for several starts and I expect that he’ll use the best post to his advantage here and try to go right down the road. (3) YARIS SEELSTER had a better trip when he beat the choice last time, but he is sharp and dangerous regardless. (2) RADLEY HANOVER is an obvious good fit here shipping in from Mohawk Park and dropping in for a tag but he has missed five weeks. I wouldn’t take a short price.
Race 2 – (2) SENIOR K took some action and he showed early speed last time at Mohawk Park. He may boss this group. (4) DABUNKA produced a huge effort at Hanover Raceway two starts back then he got hung the mile from the worst post when claimed. Cullen likely puts him in the race early here and he is an Exacta factor. (9) COOL ROCK fits well at this class but he will likely be asked to pass them all which is a tall order; using on the bottom.
Race 3 – (5) DISTINGUISHED has raced well two starts in a row and I’ll give him a slight nod here in a tricky race. (1) REVENANT BLUE CHIP obviously faces his easiest competition yet, but he shows breaks in both races and his 1:52 qualifier came 4 weeks ago. There is plenty of reason for concern about this horse who might go off at 3 to 5 or less. (4) ACROBAT HANOVER could be expected to improve here dropping out of Grassroots company.
Race 4 – (1) NOSPORTPUNINTENDED paced a big trip on the rim last time only to be passed late by (5) DONTBLVMEJUSTWATCH who enjoyed a better trip. I see these two fighting it out again here. (8) SOS NOSTOPPINMENOW lived forever on the outside last time and sailed by late to beat easier. He draws even wider here and I’ll use him underneath in this spot.
Race 5 – (7) AWESOMENESS was awesome grinding out a tough first-over win at Mohawk Park last time and he fits well here; top call. (5) AMERICAN WIGGLE drops to the Preferred 3 level here where he should show immediate improvement; using. (2) CAPTAIN CASH is likely to set sail for the front leaving the gate and he may be the one to catch in this spot. (3) PAPARAZZI HANOVER rarely misses the ticket and he should get a good trip here racing near the front. (4) CHOCOLATE SWIRL steps up off a solid win but against these I see him finishing on the edges.
Race 6 – (1) GOLD TRAIN came close to winning an OSS Grassroots race two starts back now he draws the rail and faces easier. He gets the nod over (2) SAUBLE ATTACK looks next best and also draws well. These two may be fighting it out at the wire. (4) SEIZE CONTROL’s debut was good enough to suggest he is in with a chance vs. these but he may be forced to take an overland route to get the job done.
Race 7 – (2) WIND BLOWN gets Lasix, drops and likely pops in this spot. (1) MOONWRITER was bet here last week but his trip was very tough. He should leave much better from the rail tonight and that gives him a chance here. (4) MACH CODE was first up here vs. better and he could get blasted off the gate by Young this time; using.
Race 8 – Last time (4) A GAME CHANGER raced at this track he was the easiest winner with the driver never moving a muscle. He could be a good value play here. (5) THREE TRICK GAINER raced tough at this level last time and he should be a threat again. (6) WATCH AVE got a rough ride in the opening 1/4 last week and he still hung around for a good share. He’s not out of this.
Race 9 – (7) MAJOR HILL ships in from Mohawk Park and his regular driver comes with him. He should be tough here. (6) CARSONS SHADOW races tough every week and he can take a lot of air and keep coming. He should be a threat again here. (2) PREMIER JOY A will no doubt be heading for the front leaving the gate and he gets tougher the longer he is allowed to lead without being challenged.
Race 10 – (4) GRAND POOBAH was blasted right to the front in his last start but overtaken by two rivals by the time they reached the 1/4. A similar approach here could yield a wire-to-wire win. (7) DREAMFAIR MOXY should improve sharply shipping in from Mohawk Park and a high placing is likely for him here. (3) TOOT TOOT N had a tough trip racing on the rim uncovered at Grand River and he can take a slice here. (6) PEDRO HANOVER should be passing some of these late and he could better this prediction if he finds some live cover. (2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A should do better starting from the 2-hole this week. Use him in your Hi-5 tickets.
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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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