Best Bet – (4) BIG SIR – Race 6
Spot Play – (2) MOON LAKE – Race 11
20-Cent Pick 4-Race 1: 1,4,5,8/4/1,6,8/3,6,8 = $7.20
Race 1- (8) QUINSFRISKYWHISKEY lands in a spot here where he figures to get a good trip tracking some solid fractions and I see him rolling by late for the win. (1) BLAKES CHIP will likely try to control the race on the front end and he is probably the one to catch. (5) GOLDEN LEADER has shown that she can fly off the gate and if she can clear to the front, she will be tough. (4) ROCKABILLY BARBIE is another who has shown she can stalk and pounce and I’ll use her in the Catch Driver Pick 4.
Race 2 – (4) DUBAI SEELSTER should be able to clear to the front shortly after the start and control this race. I’m going to lean to him as a Pick 4 single. (2) LUCKS ALL CREDIT gets post relief here and he could be the main threat. (8) DOUBLE DOWN DUKE has the speed to beat these, but I don’t see him getting away well enough from the second tier. I’ll use him underneath. (7) LIVIN ONA DREAM would be rated higher from a better post. He could be in for a long trip from out there.
Race 3 – (1) CENTURY GAGA got a clean line last Monday at Grand River, now it’s go time starting from the best post. (8) VINTAGIOUS gets Jamieson for a return drive and he should get a good trip following the choice. I’ll toss him in the Pick 4. (6) PRETTY BOY DUKE rode a good trip from one of the best posts to a debut victory and while he is a contender here again, he could be overbet. (2) FULL CREDIT should ride a nice trip to a spot in the Super.
Race 4 – This race should come down to the two Grand River shippers, (6) INVITATION TODREAM and (8) LONEWOLF CURRIER, who both face easier. I’ll give a slight nod to the former who starts with his nose on the gate and should get sent forward by Saftic. (3) LUCKSLST BLUEGRASS could be an early speed threat here with McNair driving but I’m not sure he can last; your call. (5) WESTRIDGE WARRIOR should be along for a share vs. these.
Race 5 – (5) DOWN ON MY LUCK was a big winner here last week and McNair is back for the return drive; call to repeat. (3) OFFICER JONES gets major post relief here and he should be a threat to the choice this week; using. (2) PODIUM SEELSTER gets catch driver Henry here and from an inside post I think you have to include him in the Triactor. (7) AMAZON DRAGON exits a race where the winner came back to win at Mohawk Park at odds of 3 to 5 in the finale on Thursday night and he gets McClure. He is another to consider at a price.
Race 6 – (4) BIG SIR ended Dreaming Out Loud’s win streak last weekend and he did so with authority. He should be very tough here at a short price. (3) R THINKING MONSTER will likely leave in the choice’s pocket and ride it to an Exacta finish. (2) WITNESSINTHESHADOW is another who should be racing close to the front that will likely be part of a chalky Triactor. (5) BETTORS BURN has been flashing good late speed. She could better this placing with a good trip.
Race 7 – (6) ROOTIN TOOTIN lands in a good spot here to track and roll by the speed late; top call. Despite racing against open company here this is a good spot for (2) COUSIN MARY and she should get put into play early; Exacta factor. (3) AMERICAN HUSTLE had a tightener for this, and he should be part of the Tri. (8) SIR PUGSLEY can get involved late and take a small slice.
Race 8 – (3) HOT WHEELZ outdrew his main rivals and he should prove hard to beat in this renewal of the Dream of Glory Stakes. (5) LEXUS MARKUS did something you rarely see on this oval last week. He gave up the lead in the third 1/4 – passed by two rivals – then he came back on to win. I’ll look for some Exacta value with him. (6) REMEMBER TITANS set the table for the choice last week but he hasn’t trotted a bad mile this year and he is an obvious one to use in the exotics. (8) FIELD GUNNER is starting to come around and he should be coming on late for a share here.
Race 9 – (1) THATS MIA BAD races tough every week and she should be hard to beat from the inside here. (2) EATAAMS TRAUMA gets post relief and a positive driver change here which can lead to sharp improvement in this spot. (8) KINNDERUNTOUCHABLE can get a good trip racing in the choice’s cover and she should land in the Super. (5) RHYTHM SEELSTER is capable of flashing speed leaving the gate and I’ll use her on the bottom of Tris and Supers.
Race 10 – (2) BETTER MOONON OVER should get put into play early by McNair here and that gives him a good chance vs. these. (1) REGAL MAC will be no worse than 2nd at the 1/4 and he should be the main danger. (7) LEVIS DAY has the class to beat these but starting from out there I’ll use him underneath. (3) BUCKSHOT AUSTIN figures to sit a nice following trip and take a small slice.
Race 11 – Last time (2) MOON LAKE had an inside post, she jogged. I’ll give her top billing here over (3) SO LONG SUGAR who should once again be prominent throughout. (5) MY DEAR JASMINE has had three bad posts in a row since returning from the break. She should be a factor here starting from the middle of the gate. (1) ONE CHILLY NIGHT should sit a following trip and round out the Tri or Super.
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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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