Best Bet – (3) WINDSONG OLYMPIA – Race 10
Spot Play – (7) LITTLE WILLY – Race 8
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1 – 2/3,5/1,2,4/1,6,7/1,7,8 = $10.80
20-Cent Pick 4 – Race 4 – 1,6,7/1,7,8/2,3/1,2 = $7.20
Race 1 - (2) MIKE THE KNIGHT lands in a spot where he should be able to get the job done, and an aggressive steer is likely coming from driver Haughan. He gets the call to take the curtain raiser on the 2021 racing season. (7) DARLING PLEASE has some of the best form, but she draws the worst post. I’ll use her underneath in this spot. (8) ROCKETING’s qualifiers signal that he is ready for a good try here. Toss him in your Tri bets. (3) IONA DREAM has taken two shares already, and she’s a good one to use on the bottom today.
Race 2 – (5) BAD BOY SPROXY produced a 27 3/5 final 1/4 in his qualifier at Grand River on Wednesday and that should mean all systems are go here. If he can get put into the race early enough, he can beat these. (3) DADDY DEVITO had as many wins last year as the rest of this field combined. He’s a Pick 5 must-use for me in this spot. (4) WAVE THAT BANNER fits well enough here that he should take a share. (1) FLAMES CAMMI BOY should sit a good following trip and work his way into the Tri or Super.
Race 3 – Post position could mean everything in this short field, and I look for (1) SAUBLE PLAY to use rail control early and lead his five rivals on a merry chase. (2) OLD BUCK should be no worse than 2nd when they come out of the first turn. He figures to be a big threat in here. (4) BAROSSA BLUE GENES had a useful Mohawk Park qualifier, and he is the third one that I’ll use in this initial Pick 5 of the meet. (3) ANOTHER GREAT PICK should sit a nice following trip and round out the Super.
Race 4 – (6) STILETTO BLUE CHIP popped and stopped when last seen but similar tactics could work against this group, and it’s interesting that Plante shows up to drive her; top call. (7) SHES A BEAUT CLARK is the only winner in the field and while she draws poorly, she still figures to be a strong factor. (1) WHERES NONO is worth a look at first asking drawing the best post and coming in off a decent qualifier. (4) CHELSIS CHOICE can pass a few of these late and take a slice.
Race 5 – (1) MARLBORO SEELSTER – the $270,000 sale topper at the 2019 London Selected Sale – may never find a better spot to try to break his maiden, and I expect Richardson to try to send him right down the road today. (8) WATCH PARTY could get a great trip following the choice in this debut race, and I’ll throw him on my Pick 5 ticket. (7) SIR LUCKNOW showed some pace in his second qualifier, and he isn’t impossible here despite drawing widest. (4) VINTAGIOUS brings a 0 for 28 record into this race and simply can’t be backed to win at this point, although he should take a share.
Race 6 –
(2) CARSONS SHADOW takes a big class drop while making his 2021 debut, and you have to think that teamster Richardson will get him motivated early. (3) BLOSSOM ONTHEBEACH is in a great spot to flash her potent early speed, and she is an obvious contender despite facing males here. (1) ROYAL SHIP has hit the board in more than half of his starts, and he should continue that trend here starting from the rail. (4) BETTORS VICTORY should find this company more to his liking, and he can better this prediction if he gets a good trip.
Race 7 – (1) HARPERS HAT TRICK was on a roll when racing stopped, and he looks formidable from the rail here. (2) RANDOMIROGEO kicked home quickly in her qualifier preparing for this, and she should be the one that the choice will need to fend off. (5) DEEP IN THE RED has gate speed and an aggressive driver and she should get involved early then stick around for a slice. (3) SAM THE CAT should sit a trip and tag along for a smaller share.
Race 8 – (7) LITTLE WILLY looks ready to roll, and he gets aggressive teamster Plante. Post 7 should help keep the price viable and he gets the nod. (5) BET ON JACK is well-prepped, and he has post advantage on the choice. He could be the one to catch. (3) HOLLYS TREASURE paced a huge mile to win in London when last seen. He isn’t out of place in this spot, but I prefer to use him underneath. (8) PRETTY BOY DUKE should pass a few of these and take a small share.
Race 9 – (1) BLACKCREEK ROSEBUD draws the rail, drops and likely pops in this spot despite facing males. (6) PAY LATER did well here last summer, and he gets aggressive reinsman Kelly. He should be a threat today. (4) GET IT DONE DONNA gets her nose back on the gate after drawing the second tier twice in a row, and she can be a factor against these. (3) WESTRIDGE WARRIOR fits with these, but he is an infrequent winner, and I prefer to use him underneath.
Race 10 – If (3) WINDSONG OLYMPIA repeats her March 23rd effort, her rivals will be racing for 2nd today. (7) APRIL BANDIT has the gate speed to overcome post 7, and she could provide some Exacta value. (1) NORTHERN PRIMA qualified well for this, and she should be part of the Tri starting from the rail. (8) MA REBELLE can pass many of these in the back 1/2. Keep her in mind when you are punching your Superfecta tickets.
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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 was a past president of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
Photo by John Watkins
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