Best Bet – (1) BROCKS FORTUNE – Race 6
Spot Play – (2) MELODY MAKER – Race 7
20-Cent Pick 4 - Race 4 – 1,4,6/1,3,4/1/1,2,6 = $5.40
Race 1 - (3) FOUR FINGER FLOYD had a decent debut race at Mohawk Park in March. He draws well here, and picks up aggressive teamster Sorrie. I’ll give him the nod to kick off the Georgian Downs meet. This isn’t the toughest spot for a horse to make his debut, so have a look at another son of Sportswriter, (5) FINAL TABLE, who is likely to get put into the race by driver Plante. (9) KOUNT BLASTER shows some nice qualifying lines at Mohawk Park, but he draws widest and gets an inexperienced driver. I’d demand a price here.
Race 2 – Speedball (1) IDEAL JET is sure to floor the accelerator leaving the gate, and he will have to be caught in this spot. (3) PRETTY HANDSOME faced some tough ones in Ohio, and he is a logical strong contender here. (2) OSBORNE SEELSTER stretched his legs a couple of times in New York during the shutdown, and he should be part of the Tri in this short field.
Race 3 – (1) MALCOLM G and (7) PRICELESS RULER both face easier here and appear to be the two top contenders. I’ll give the nod to the former based on post position advantage. It should be noted that the latter raced Saturday at Woodbine. (6) DOMINUM DEO already had one start back in Ontario and that makes him worth a price look for the exotics.
Race 4 – (1) MISTER J R gets Mr. J R Plante here, and from the rail the two JRs are likely to set sail for the lead early and play catch me if you can; top call. (4) GOLD STAR DIABLO should be tighter this week after having had a race already, and he is hard to leave off the Pick 5. (6) VIJAYSCAM is interesting to me here because Sorrie takes the reins. He is worth a look if he is going off at a big price.
Race 5 – (4) NOCH TEN should have a good shot vs. these considering he raced against tougher south of the border to stay sharp. I’ll give him the nod. (1) SAULSBROOK KAISEN could fall into a great trip leaving from the rail, and he’s on my Pick 4 ticket. (3) MAJOR ON THE BEACH has the speed to get position early, and he’s not out of it. (5) ADRENALINE RUSH prepped well for this on June 6, and he should be part of the High-5. (7) BIG JOURNEY would be rated higher from an inside post, but from out there he is likely to take a small share.
Race 6 –
(1) BROCKS FORTUNE was kept tight by racing south of the border, and he is sure to try to take no prisoners here starting from the rail; top call. (6) YS LOTUS tore around the Kawartha Downs oval in his qualifying win on 6/29, and he is a good fit here, but he will have to overcome his wide draw. (5) LEADER TONIGHT looks next best, and he should be coming on late for a share.
Race 7 – (2) MELODY MAKER is a homebred 1/2-brother to the second race choice Ideal Jet, and he looks to have speed just like his sibling. He draws well and is worth a bet on debut. (1) REMEMBERING SHORTY is in a better spot for this second start, and he should be heard from leaving from the rail; using. (6) BIGMACHWITHCHEESE obviously has the speed to contend, but he must overcome the poor draw. Your call, but I wouldn’t take a short price.
Race 8 – (4) BASTIANO is in easier than he was when last seen racing in the top class at Flamboro Downs, and he has a good shot to lead throughout here. (5) WHAT A RUSH similarly faces easier but the choice has more gate speed, and this contender is likely to need to take the overland route to get the job done tonight. (9) ETERNAL JEWEL comes in sharp from Tioga Downs, and she should be passing some of these late; using underneath.
Race 9 – (1) WATCH MY BEVERAGE should benefit from his first-over trip in the June 3rd Mohawk Park qualifier, and he should get aggressive early starting from the rail. He gets the nod. (2) SOUTHWIND SANDOR showed he’s ready by kicking home in 27-flat, and he should be a threat in here. (3) P L OLIVER exits the same qualifier as the choice, and he is another in with a decent shot in this race.
Race 10 – (2) OUTLAW GUNPOWDER goes for a hot barn in a winnable spot. Don’t let his mediocre qualifiers fool you. The veteran can get the job done vs. this group. (3) EMPTYTHETILL should find the company to his liking in this claiming handicap, and he is on my late Pick 4 ticket. (5) COOL ROCK was on a roll at Mohawk Park when he was claimed, which makes you wonder why he is now racing at the Elora 1/2-miler, but he is obviously capable on his best. (4) OAKROCK ELDORADO should get positioned in the top four early and ride a following trip to a spot in the High-5. (8) ALWAYS N THE MONEY will have his work cut out starting from an outer post and I’ll play to beat him here.
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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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