Best Bet – (4) WILDCAT DELIGHT – Race 2
Spot Play – (5) DONTBLVMEJUSTWATCH – Race 6
20-Cent Pick 5 - Race 1 – 3,4/4/1,8,9/1,3/5,6 = $4.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3 - 1,8,9/1,3/5,6/3,5 = $4.80
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8 – 1,3,7/1,5/1,3/1,3,6 = $7.20
Race 1- (3) DEOLICIOUS – a $45,000 Harrisburg buy in 2018 – moved into the Baillargeon barn for her June 7th qualifier and she showed immediate improvement. She may have turned a corner now. and she gets top call. (4) CENTURY HAVANA produced a 28 2/5 kicker in her qualifier over this track on 6/9 and that puts her squarely into contention vs. these. (1) SOME LUCKY MAGIC is worth a look for the exotics starting from the inside.
Race 2 – (4) WILDCAT DELIGHT was dynamite winning a stakes series in Chicago in May, and she should be tough to beat in here as a big chalk. (3) CLASSYLANEPRECIOUS fired home quickly when prepping for this, and she is likely to round out the Exacta. (1) MARZANNK HANOVER should use post advantage to get good position early, and she can take a share.
Race 3 – I like the way (9) SCOTTISH CHEDDAR prepped for this debut race, and she can beat these if she can work out a trip after starting from her second tier post. (8) A BLACK DIAMOND looks solid in this spot, but post eight doesn’t produce many winners at this track. Demand a price. (1) STONEBRIDGE CRUSH could fall into a perfect pocket trip here, and it makes sense to use her on multi-race tickets.
Race 4 – (3) SAULSBROOK OLYMPIA produced big speed in her qualifier on 6/3 in which she raced over a track rated one second slow. She will have to be caught here. (1) KAYLIES REAL finished well when facing much better in her qualifier. She could trip out and roll by the choice in the lane. (5) SHEILAS BRUSH is a good finisher who should get a piece of the Tri or Super.
Race 5 – (6) SHARE THE MOMENT goes for a hot barn in a winnable spot, and she gets the nod here. (5) HAPPY LOOKER qualified nicely for this, and she should fit well against this group; using. (1) LADY AKILA, a one-time winner facing multiple mares that have more than one win, is likely to get overbet. I’ll play to beat her.
Race 6 –
(5) DONTBLVMEJUSTWATCH was qualified twice by a horseman requiring drives to regain his licence so he can drive his own horse, now he switches to veteran Coulter. Those qualifying efforts signal that he is sitting on a big race here, and he is the one to beat. (3) MODERN WRITER was on a roll when he got claimed, and he is obviously a major threat tonight. (4) DENMARK SEELSTER is usually right there. He should be part of this High-5. (9) SHIFTING VIEWS should be passing a few of these late. I’ll use him underneath here. (6) HOKIE DOKIE is another one that can pass horses in the back 1/2 and he can be part of the High-5.
Race 7 – (1) CENTURY GRIZZLY stayed sharp racing in New York when racing shut down in Ontario, and he should be tough here leaving from the rail. (9) LETS GET PICKLED fits well vs. these, and he could get a great trip following the choice; using. (3) SHADOW TAIL is capable if he brings his best, but the break in stride in the qualifier is a bit concerning; using underneath.
Race 8 – (7) SPORTSLINE was terrific qualifying over the Clinton surface, and he has the speed to overcome his wide draw; top call. (1) ALI is sneaky in here because he is likely to leave hard and look for the pocket. He could upset these at a price starting from the rail. (3) HES GOT SWAGGER goes for connections that have been sending everything ready coming off the break, and he is a must-use for me in the late Pick 4.
Race 9 – (5) BRODYS SCRAPPER finished decently in both his qualifiers and he fits well vs. this group; top call. (1) DEVILS PEAK was a winner when Kelly drove two starts back and he is a good bomb to include in the Pick 4. (9) ART OF FIRE is worth a look for the exotics making his first start off the claim.
Race 10 – (1) ALYSSA MARIE fits this class well having won easily at the $7K claiming level three starts back, and she should be formidable starting from the rail tonight. (3) DRY CREEK IMAGE was in solid form before the break, and from an inside post she should be right there vs. these tonight. (9) TAYDERTOTZZ could get a nice trip here following the choice who is expected to be blasting off the gate, and I’ll toss her in Tri bets.
Race 11 – (3) DREAMFAIR MOXY looks well-spotted for a big speed try here, and he should be tough to beat if he can clear to the front before the 1/4 pole. (1) BET ON BRETT figures to get a good trip from the rail, and the choice may be trying to fend him off in the lane. (6) EXIT SMILING faces easier here, which means Plante could get more aggressive early; using. (9) WOODMERE ROLLNPOP gets a catch driver back after being qualified twice by a trainer and he can take a share here. (2) TWILITE ZONE takes frequent shares and from an inside post he should be part of this High-5.
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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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