Best Bet – (1) ZARCONIA SEELSTER – Race 6
Spot Play – (6) BUTTERFLY KISSES – Race 10
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1 – 3,5,6/3,4/5,6/4,5/1,2,4,7 = $19.20
20-Cent Pick 4 – Race 4 – 4,5/1,2,4,7/1,2/4,5 = $6.40
Race 1- (3) STONEBRIDGE ARMOUR made two moves to win his Mohawk Park qualifier on 6/4, and he attracts McClure to drive. He is my clear top choice to kick off the $2,500 Guaranteed Pick 5. (5) BUCKYS ANGEL had a strong campaign last year, and he should benefit from having one start back already. He could be a big speed threat tonight. (6) TYMAL RIGGS will take plenty of action based on the company he has been keeping at Mohawk Park, and he’s hard to leave out of the Pick 5.
Race 2 – (4) WALKONTHEMOON didn’t beat much at Kawartha Downs, but he looked good doing it and that might be exactly the confidence boost that he needed; call to repeat. (3) ASTRE DUHARAS fits well vs. these, and he’s the other obvious one for Pick 5 tickets. (5) MAGNITUDE TEN should be passing horses again in the back ½, and he should make it into the Tri.
Race 3 – (6) ROCKETING gets a huge driver change here, and he could pop in this spot if he stays flat. (5) P L OPPORTUNITY showed the speed necessary to contend here in her June 4th qualifier, and she could fly past them all late. (4) KRYPTONITE should improve on the class drop, but the listed driver is 3 for 89 lifetime; he drove his last winner in 2013 and has had a total of 10 drives since. What price will you accept?
Race 4 – (4) DOLLYS SKY drops and she picks up McClure in a winnable spot. She gets my nod. (5) RHYTHM SEELSTER’s comeback race was decent, and the winner of that dash has already come back to double up. She should be the main danger to the choice. (1) STILL OWING should sit a nice trip, and stick around for a share.
Race 5 – (4) MIKE THE KNIGHT beat up a weak group at Hanover Raceway last week, but that was a strong effort and I’ll give him the call to repeat. (2) LARRYS GIRL gets owner McClure in the bike for this, and that makes her worth using in the cash leg of the Pick 5. (1) ARRIEL ANGEL was in against much faster rivals in Pennsylvania, and she is sure to improve here, but I wouldn’t take a short win price. (7) EQUINOX ANNIE faces her easiest test to date, and she is a wakeup candidate in this spot. (6) HEZ IN CONTENTION raced evenly last time, and a similar effort here can land him a spot in the High-5.
Race 6 –
(1) ZARCONIA SEELSTER faces much easier here, and with McClure driving from the rail, there’s no chance you’ll get anything close to 6 to 1 on this likely winner. (2) SOUTHWIND BAYOU comes in off a sharp win, and she is an obvious contender again. (3) ACEFORTYFOUR PAT fits this class well, but I prefer to use her underneath the top two choices tonight.
Race 7 – (5) CENTURY GIANNA returns from the west coast, and lands in a good spot to flaunt her potent early speed. She’s the one to catch. (4) ASBRAVEASMYMOMMA qualified strongly for this, and she should be the one to fend off late; Exacta factor. (6) SOMETHING ROYAL faces tougher coming off a Kawartha Downs win, but she can rally for a share.
Race 8 – (4) LMC SMORES has the fastest mark of any in here, and she should be looking to impose her will from the outset; top call. (5) FLANAGAN DESTINY was no match for a big chalk last week, but that was a decent effort and she should be in the mix here again. (8) MOOSEONYOURCABOOSE fits well vs. these but his frequent gait issues are concerning. I’d demand a price here.
Race 9 – (4) GLOIRE DREAM had an impossible trip last time at Mohawk Park. You have to think that McClure will have him out and moving earlier in this spot, and he gets the nod. (3) VEYRON was in tremendous form when racing was stopped in April, and he is the one to fend off. (2) SICARIO is always a speed threat at this level, and he could get brave if he steals a breather; price look.
Race 10 – (6) BUTTERFLY KISSES is well-spotted here for a big speed try, and I could see Sorrie bottoming the field with her. (1) ROSE ISLAND AGGIE should improve with the move inside, but she is hard to back to win bringing a 1 for 23 record into this race. (2) WAR DIAMOND shares frequently at this level, and she can add some value to the High-5. (3) MACH IT TRUMP qualified well, but he loses driver St Louis; small share predicted. (4) ISLA SEELSTER beat up on weaker in Quebec. I see her as a fringe player vs. these.
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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 six years. He is also a past president of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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