Best Bet – (3) P L IDAHO – Race 3
Spot Play – (9) WINDSONG NAPOLEON – Race 9
Race 1 – Tough race to kick off the season. I’ll side with (4) SAULSBROOK KING, who showed enough speed in his qualifier on 3/17 to compete with these. The trick will be staying flat, obviously. (8) HEAVY DUDE E looks faster this year and this isn’t a tough spot. He’s in with a shot if he gets put into the race from an outer post. (1) CHILI N TOAST is going to lead all the way one of these times. This might be the spot to do it. He’s another in with a decent chance.
Race 2 – (7) YNOTHOS wins one in every three starts and this isn’t a tough spot for her. She gets the call to handle this group. (2) ROSELLA is likely to be the first off the gate and she may prove hard to catch if she is left alone on the lead for too long. (4) VEE BREEZE often takes smaller shares. She’s a good one to use on the bottom of this Tri.
Race 3 – This is a group that (3) P L IDAHO throttles if he brings anything close to his best. (4) THE LOAN RANGER has the speed to go with these and he is the next logical contender should the choice falter. (2) RYE N CLYNE should get put into this race early by aggressive driver St Louis; consider for the exotics.
Race 4 – I like the way (4) SHADOW ONE finished up her June 2nd qualifier, and this is a good spot for her to notch her maiden win; top call. (7) TEARINGUPTHECREDIT is the lone two-time winner in the field, and she is worth a look for the Exacta with a juicy 12 to 1 morning line quote. (2) CONVERSE faces easier but she could get overbet off those Hawthorne lines. Your call, but I’d demand a price.
Race 5 – (7) SUNSEEKER was getting closer to breaking his maiden when racing shut down. He gets out of the second tier this time, and he should have a good chance vs. this group. (1) KISSINBYTHEBEACHES qualified quickly for this, and he gets St Louis in the bike which should mean an aggressive try is coming. He might be the one to beat. (5) FINE CREDIT hasn’t missed the board yet, and he should be in the hunt for a share again.
Race 6 – (3) STRONG ENOUGH N just took a new life’s mark in his qualifier at Mohawk Park. That’s enough evidence that he is sharp and ready; top call. (4) BIG TEDDY is sharp, and he has a recency edge. He is also sent out by a high percentage barn, and he is probably the one that the choice has to beat. (7) EATAAMSBETTERSHARK gets Lasix and St Louis, and he should be a factor today.
Race 7 – (4) LASS SHOT lands in a great spot for owner/driver/trainer Britt Kennedy here and I look for her to lead these all the way. (5) WHEELY TWICKY had a solid record last season and she also fits well here; Exacta factor. (3) D PROCRASTINATOR makes his 35th attempt to break his maiden today. I can only use him underneath at this point.
Race 8 - (4) MACH ART IN MOTION takes a class drop here for his first start back from the break, and I expect Rooney to get more aggressive with him; top call. (2) SEYMOUR LITTLE leaves Mohawk Park and this is also obviously a better spot for him, and he should be right there. (7) FAMILY SPORTS hasn’t made it into the Exacta in a while, but he’s capable of rallying late for a slice.
Race 9 – (9) WINDSONG NAPOLEON has the speed to overcome his wide post and he is worth a shot at what should be a square price here. (3) CARWINS SMORE makes his second start off the claim and he is one that can take a lot of air and keep advancing. He is in with a decent chance here. (1) HOLY CHIP has a great 2021 record when compared to last year’s slate. He isn’t out of this and he could trip out tonight.
Race 10 – (3) LADY CATERINA switches to a high percentage barn, and she picks up pilot St Louis here as she comes in off a strong qualifying mile at Dresden. I’ll give her the nod. (5) CHEATALOTPOV has faced tougher for several starts, and he should be the one to fend off late with his good closing power. (2) THOR SEELSTER rarely misses the board, and he should be good for a piece of this.
Race 11 – (2) SORPRESE kind of sticks out in this spot facing easier, and getting St Louis to drive, but you won’t get 9 to 2 on her. (7) WEST RIVER CINDY has the speed to get away well from the outside, and she should be in the thick of the battle throughout. (5) SECRETLY FLASHY is honest and consistent, and she will no doubt be closing late to take at least a share.
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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 also a past president of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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