Best Bet - (2) RYE N CLYNE - Race 3
Spot Play - (8) KING OF HEARTS - Race 1
Race 1 – (8) KING OF HEARTS gets a major driver change to St Louis here and that can make a big difference as he has also been facing tougher recently; top call despite drawing widest. (2) HOT FUDGE SUNDAY has some good form at this track and he looks next best here. (4) ROYAL VISTA was in a tight place photo with the #2 horse last time and she should get a piece of this.
Race 2 – (6) P L NANCY paced a strong mile from the 9-hole last time and her main rival has been away for close to two months; graduation day for the filly and trainer Ryan Clements. (2) WHITE HIGH HEELS is obvious on form, but what price will you take on a horse who hasn’t raced since July 4th and shows nary a qualifier? (1) SHESA ICE QUEEN has improving form and she can take a share here.
Race 3 – (2) RYE N CLYNE is obviously the fastest horse and he will take beating here at a puny price. (1) RUDE BOY should sit a good trip here most of the way and he can come on late to complete the Exacta. (3) SIRIUS STAR should use her good gate speed to gain valuable position early then ride it to a spot in the Tri.
Race 4 – (1) STONEBRIDGE PONDER faltered at odds of 2 to 5 last time but starting from the rail he can control things all the way this time. (3) BIG CITY NEWS should provide a challenge again and he is an Exacta factor. (2) KEYSTONE TAZ upset at a huge price but he loses Borth now; demand a price.
Race 5 – (1) STONEBRIDGE BETTOR drops and draws inside and I see driver Coke going down the road with him. (2) DEBS NEW MAN is worth a close look picking up St Louis in this spot. (5) REGALLY MAGNIFIED is capable of better and if he stays flat this week he should contend for a share.
Race 6 – (4) MO BETTOR blew up the tote board last time and he could get another golden pace setup here with so many leavers signed on; call to repeat. (2) KEVNDAN FRAUDSTERS went a big trip to win at Leamington. He can contend against these. (1) VILLAGE CHAMP does better when he leads the way. St Louis should be blasting out with him this week.
Race 7 – (4) UNABATING looks formidable here as he shoots for a threepeat and he should be tough again on the engine. (2) COSTANTINO is the obvious danger shipping in from Mohawk Park. (1) AVATAR SEELSTER should sit a nice trip and land in the Tri after starting from the inside post.
Race 8 – (9) SPORTSLOVER looks a couple of seconds the fastest here so the 9-hole shouldn’t be much of a hindrance. (2) AJKNIGHT races better when he draws inside; using. (1) HEZA HANDY MAN is in terrific form and it’s hard to imagine him not being in the Tri.
Race 9 – (1) WHITE DANCER and St Louis should be very hard to beat here but don’t expect much of a price. (3) THRILLOGY can go better in this spot and she might be a pocket rocket in the lane. (4) MOLLIE Z TAM tries hard every week and she should take another share in this spot.
Race 10 – (5) SUPER T has been in some tough races at Grand River recently and he should improve with some class relief here. (3) YOUCOULDBETHATGIRL also fits better in this spot and these two may be battling it out down the lane. (1) HOLIDAY HOLLY gets needed post relief and she should be an exotics factor.
Race 11 - (8) OH K MAN is the class of this field and even from the outside post he gets the nod. (4) CORTEZ THE KILLER is in top form and he should pose a threat to the choice. (2) CULLEN KEEFE N might be a good value play here getting needed post relief.
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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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