Best Bet – (7) STORMONT TIM - Race 2
Spot Play – (1) PAY LATER – Race 7
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,7,8/7/1,5/1,3,6/1,3,4,5,7 = $18.00
20-Cent Pick 4 – Race 4 – 1,3,6/1,3,4,5,7/4,6/1,6 = $12.00
Race 1 - (8) GIBBS RULES improved sharply at Grand River last week, and this is a good spot for him to break his maiden. (7) BETTORBEFLYIN might be best in here, but post 7 at this track is a very tough spot for one making his debut. I’ll use him in the Pick 5, but I wouldn’t take a short win price. (1) VINTAGIOUS broke before the start last week, and he has failed to break his maiden 21 times, but he is hard to leave out starting from the rail in this lineup. (6) BO DOVER looks next best, and I’ll use him to round out the Super.
Race 2 – I don’t think there’s much question that (7) STORMONT TIM is the best one in here, the question mark is post 7. He should have enough of a speed and ability advantage to overcome the wide draw. (2) CHILI N TOAST makes his 23rd attempt at breaking his maiden, and he is likely to try to control the race from his inside starting slot. Maybe #24 will be the charm? (6) RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE was in good form when racing shut down, and he should be good for at least a share here. (3) GOLDEN TWIST has some upside being lightly raced, and she is capable of improving in this spot; using underneath.
Race 3 – (5) SIR LUCKNOW looked good moving early then swinging wide to break his maiden at first asking last week and doing it from post 7 is rare. He gets a better post here and the call to repeat. (1) CAPTAIN GODRO wasn’t far behind the choice, and he gets post advantage this week. He should be the main danger. (8) ALWAYS BEEN CRAZY couldn’t repel the choice last week, now he draws into the second tier. I see him rounding out the Tri or Super today. (4) THE SPORTSMAN probably fits better here than in the $7,000 claimers he has been racing in, but he seems a cut below the top two choices, and I’ll use him on the bottom.
Race 4 – (3) JUST DAISY is out of a mare that was well known as a gritty performer on B tracks, and this filly looks ready to roll in her debut; top call. (6) WHERES NONO chased a loose leader that was unyielding in what was a decent debut effort, and she could add some value to the Pick 5 ticket. (1) SEXY SPORT showed speed in her qualifier, now she draws the rail and gets aggressive teamster Kelly. She is likely the one to catch. (2) THREE SMILES should sit a nice following trip, and take a small share.
Race 5 – (4) BAD BOY SPOXY was tabbed here last week when a winner at 35 to 1, and while you won’t get anywhere close to that price this week, he has a good chance to repeat vs. these. (1) WESTRIDGE WARRIOR gets driver Sorrie here which should mean a more aggressive approach is coming this week starting from the rail; price look. (3) FACE OF WAR is capable of a speed try in this spot, and he is another to consider for the Pick 5. (7) ATEYATEFNGERSLOUIE stacks up well against these, but the outer post may make it tough; your call.
Race 6 – (6) MA REBELLE capitalized on a slowing late pace, and she made one quick decisive move last week. She could get a similar setup here as some of the same horses return, and she gets the call to repeat. (4) BLACKCREEK ROSEBUD was picked off very late in the mile last week, and she is likely the one to catch here. (8) WINDSONG OLYMPIA wants the front but she starts in the second tier. She could make a quick middle move to the front and be gone; beware. (2) NORTHERN PRIMA should be good for another small share in this spot.
Race 7 – (1) PAY LATER should be tighter with a race under his belt, now he moves to the best post and he should be the one to catch today. (6) TOMITTA BAYAMA was game in defeat at Grand River, and post 6 shouldn’t pose a big problem for him. He should be a big threat. (4) ARSENAL DE CHAFRA is another who should be in the mix early, and he figures to be part of the Tri. (3) MACHCELLERATOR can get a better trip this week and land in the Tri or Super.
Race 8 – (5) SAUBLE PLAY improved last week, but the winner was just too tough. He may lead these all the way. (1) PERFECT ROMI should appreciate the easier company here, and she could get a great trip starting from the best post; Exacta factor. (6) AMAZON DRAGON is capable, but I fear he’ll get another long trip. Demand a price here. Veteran (3) ANOTHER GREAT PICK should get another good trip, and land a spot in this Super.
Race 9 – (6) CARSONS SHADOW was lights out here last week, and he can repeat despite drawing tougher and starting from the widest post. (2) MADDYS CREDIT got a tour of the Grand River oval Wednesday night where she showed little from the 8-hole. She should be sharp for this and it’s a much better spot; Exacta factor. (1) PODIUM SEELSTER is likely to use rail control early, and he should be in the exotics mix in this first start back. (4) ACEFORTYFOURTALON should be good for at least a slice racing against this group.
Race 10 – (1) FARMGIRL TOUGH was decent last week in a start that she likely needed, and starting from the rail I’ll give her the nod to turn the tables on (3) OLD BUCK, who is strictly the one to beat as he looks to repeat. (2) GOOD AND SWEET has seen better days. Maybe his 27 4/5 kicker is a signal that a good effort is coming; using underneath. (7) BETTORS VICTORY can pass some of these in the back 1/2 and he is hard to leave off Tris and Supers.
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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.
Photo by John Watkins
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