Best Bet – (4) HELLO CHIPPER - Race 11
Spot Play – (3) SIN CITY SHARK - Race 3
20-Cent Pick 4 – Race 3 – 1,3,6/1,8/1,3,4/3,5,9 = $10.40
20-Cent Pick 4 – Race 8 - 2,5,7/4,6/3,4,7/4,8 = $7.20
Race 1 – (3) HOT TOPIC comes in off a strong race at Mohawk Park and she gets the nod because she has shown she is sure-gaited. (5) WILLY WALTON has shown flashes of brilliance but has also broke in two of three starts. I can’t take a short price on him here. (1) LA TOUT PETITE faces tougher but has some appeal because she draws best; using underneath.
Race 2 – (4) RAISING ROYALTY produced his best mile in a few starts last time and maybe he has turned the corner; top call. (3) HERBS JOURNEY is clearly the one to beat as he seems to always bring his A game. (5) KASHE should take a slice here if she stays flat this time.
Race 3 – (3) SIN CITY SHARK was a winner last time he raced in this $7K claiming level and moving inside he should get a more aggressive steer here. (6) BUNKHOUSE BRAWL went a big mile last week despite being double-parked to the 1/4 and he should be the main threat. (1) PUDDIN PIE has the rail, decent gate speed and the leading driver. He’s hard to leave off Pick 4 tickets.
Race 4 – (8) ADAM BAYAMA produced big late speed to just miss in his first race over this track and I’ll try him here despite drawing worst again. (1) YANNICK SEELSTER’s form has improved since coming to Grand River and he is a threat to wire the field here starting from the rail. (2) WATCH ME BABY makes his 18th attempt to break his maiden. I’ll be using him underneath.
Race 5 – (4) LOVE WARRIOR gets her nose back on the gate here and she seems to fit well; call to upset. (3) THE REINS OF TITAN will likely be pointed right to the front again and he is the one to catch and beat. (1) MACKJUSTICE has a much better chance here starting from the inside and he is another for Pick 4 consideration.
Race 6 – (9) MOCODRA finishes well every week and she should get a good start following the #1 horse here; top call. (5) ROSELLA comes off a fast win and she will be tough if she can clear quickly again but she does have some early speed lined up to her left. (3) RELLA TIVITY drew the second tier in three straight starts at Clinton. She’s in with a shot here starting from post 3. (1) FRESH EYES could get overbet here exiting a race at Georgian which is typically a faster track. I’ll use her underneath. (4) PERSISTANT XAMPLE is another who should improve with her nose back on the gate for this start.
Race 7 – (7) ZARCONIA SEELSTER is in great form and she could offer a square price here starting from the outside post; slight nod. (4) SHES MOVIN ON barely held off the choice last time but she has post position advantage on her and she should be a big threat here. (3) ROSIEMUNN goes for a new barn here and comes up tagged and she should make her way into the Tri ticket.
Race 8 – (7) ILLBEWATCHINGU faces much easier here and he should be tough in this spot. (5) PEMBROOK LEGACY N looks well-prepped for his North American debut and he is in with a good chance here. (2) GRAND AVE LEGEND looks to win two straight in this class and he could trip out again; using.
Race 9 – (6) GOALTENDER lost ground on the last turn then surged again to get the win last week and he looks best here as he tries to double up. (4) FRISK AWAY improved with class relief and she could be a threat here. (9) GUARD MY HEART's race two starts back stamps her as a contender here but I don't love the 9-hole for her; demand a price.
Race 10 – (7) BEE TWO BEE appears to be the fastest off the gate here and he might clear these by the opening 1/4 and be gone. (4) CURIOUS CORTEZ shoots for three-straight but he could get in a tussle with the choice early. I'd demand a price here. (3) HEART ON MY SLEEVE's race two back makes him a contender in this spot; using.
Race 11 - (4) HELLO CHIPPER draws well again and a repeat win is likely in this spot. (8) EXCELLENCE could get the pace setup she needs to pass them all late and I'll toss her in this Pick 4. (1) OH MISS SOPHIE should get an easier trip here and I see her landing in the Tri. (2) LODI DORIAN BLUES is starting to come around a bit and he should be in this High-5. (7) CHECKMATE TITAN is worth a look coming into this race fresh.
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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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