Best Bet – (5) HOT WHEELZ - Race 4
Spot Play – (5) LUCKS ALL CREDIT - Race 9
20-Cent Pick 4-Race 1: 1,3,6,7/1,5/1,3,4/5 = $4.80
Race 1- (3) MASTER SMILE finished his last mile with some good late speed and he should get a setup with the two outside horses expected to blast off the gate. (7) MONTY MONO raced well but was picked off by the pocket-sitter late. He gets Henry here who is likely to be aggressive early. (6) DASHMIRA comes off a front-stepping score and gets McNair. He should be leaving hard, too. (1) OFORPETESAKE can improve here with a start under his belt; using underneath.
Race 2 – (5) SAUBLE PLAY exits some tough claimers at Grand River and Jamieson will likely have him on the move early here; top call. (1) DOWN ON MY LUCK couldn’t seal the deal at odds of 1 to 9 last week here when he was raced first up. Maybe McNair guns for the front this time and controls it. (3) JULIO LAUXMONT has been racing decently in conditioned claimers at Kawartha and he should fit better here, but I prefer to use him underneath. (6) PERSISTANT XAMPLE gets Henry but from this post a small share is likely.
Race 3 – (3) STATE OF TREASURE lost all hope before the start last week, perhaps not liking the second tier post. I’ll take a swing with him here in a wide-open race. (1) WRITE HIM UP improved for his owner/trainer/driver last week now he draws the best post. If there is a logical contender here, it’s him. (4) BIG JIMS TOWNER gets McNair here and that’s enough for me to include him on my Catch Driver Pick 4 ticket. (8) E L SPYDER closed ground into an extremely slow late pace last week. I’ll play to beat her here.
Race 4 – (5) HOT WHEELZ was super the other night when narrowly beaten by the odds-on favorite. There is no chance whatsoever he closes anywhere close to his 6 to 1 morning line and he’s the horse to beat. (4) AWESOMEDABRA possesses a potent late kick and if he stays flat, he may just chase them all down late here. (6) REMEMBER TITANS is on a roll, but he may get hung out early. I wouldn’t take a short price. (3) FRANKS ANGEL should be able to sit a trip and take a slice here.
Race 5 – (2) PRETTY BOY DUKE closed a lot of ground in the stretch in his lone qualifier and this isn’t a tough spot to debut. I expect a more aggressive approach racing for a purse here. (6) ACTIONS DELIGHT is another worth a look on debut getting McNair to drive. (7) KEMPENFELT faces easier here but she draws worst. Demand a price. (1) T J MACHS ME should show speed again but in this field, I expect her to stick around for a share.
Race 6 – I don’t think there’s any doubt that (5) ANGEL NATION is the fastest horse in here, but the break last time is worrisome and he is sure to offer a short price; your call. (4) LEXUS MARKUS rates highly vs. these and he is the most likely benefactor if the choice breaks. (3) BRAMASOLE HANOVER is also coming around a bit and having McClure in the bike won’t hurt; using underneath. (2) LIFEISGOOD HANOVER qualified well for this but his previous breaking issues are concerning. I’ll play to beat him out of the Tri.
Race 7 – (3) PLAY WITH PASSION has been on a roll at Clinton and this spot is no tougher; call to repeat. (7) THRILLOGY raced okay for Henry at Clinton and he takes the return drive here. This mare is in my Exacta. (2) ONE CHILLY NIGHT has come around to better form in her last two and she should ride a good trip to a board finish here. (4) PUTNAMS FIRE can improve here and take a small share.
Race 8 – (2) CHARMBO PRINCE has compiled a good record and he draws well here. I expect Saftic to use his post advantage and give this colt an aggressive steer; using. (1) KENOGAMI COCO will likely be the first leader and the one the choice will need to chase down here. (3) FIELD GUNNER is bred to throttle these types and he will be very dangerous if he brings his best race. (7) KING OF HEARTS can come on late and beat a few of these if he stays flat.
Race 9 – (5) LUCKS ALL CREDIT is in top form and he likely won’t get bet much here. He can roll by these late if the pace is honest. (2) FROWNIES MIRACLE will be pointed to the front leaving the gate and he is the one to catch. (1) LIVIN ONA DREAM should get a good trip riding the pocket and he is a good bet to land in the Tri. (8) STEAL THE MOMENT can get a good trip stalking the speed and make it into the Super.
Race 10 – This is an easier spot for (4) OAKLEA UPTOWN and he should control this race from the outset. (5) RIDDLE ME MISS will be charging again and she has a good shot to complete the Exacta. (1) HOPES SOLO is capable of taking a good share if she can stay trotting this time. (2) TALBOTCREEK SUZIE gets Harris for the return drive and she should be aggressive early; using underneath.
Race 11 - (8) BRYDOWN LILIBET figures to get a good trip here sitting just off the speed and I’ll give her the nod over (2) ROCKABILLY BARBIE who is in peak form and should be the one to catch. (1) DEEP IN THE RED comes in off a strong effort but these are tougher. I’ll use her on the bottom in this spot.
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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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