Best Bet – (1) LAND OF ROYALTY – Race 6
Spot Play – (1) CASEOUS – Race 7
20-cent Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,2,5/1,2,5/6,7,8/5/4 - $5.40
Race 1- (5) SINGINTHESUNSHINE raced great last week considering he was parked the route. He gets post relief today and that could help him take a maiden win vs. this group. (1) SIGHTS ON YOU tracked some big splits then came on late to take his second win last week, and from the rail he has a good chance to repeat; he is the one to fear. (2) BREAKAWAY LOUIS went right down the road, hanging on for a narrow win vs. easier. He likely just takes a slice this week facing tougher, however.
Race 2 – (5) WATCH MY SPEED looks ready for a big speed try based on her July 17th qualifier, and she gets top call in this field of five. (2) FOUR FOR ORR has been chasing speedball Dylans Bank for several weeks, and he has a much better chance with that rival not signed up for this race tonight but he could get overbet. Your call. (1) DRAGON WAVE draws much better here. He should be able to land in the Tri starting from the best post.
Race 3 – (7) STORMONT DUNDAS faces easier here and he could offer a square price starting from an outside post. I expect an aggressive Gassien steer. (8) KEN KAN WIN exits the same races as the choice and he should be a threat despite drawing widest today. (6) NEBRASKA JACK is turning into a Racing Under Saddle machine and he will be heard from back in a standard harness race here, but I wonder if he will get overbet off those two straight RUS wins.
Race 4 – (5) EAST BOUND EDDIE made a huge middle move last week and it almost paid off with a win. He should get an easier trip today, and he gets the nod to beat these. (2) UNPRECEDENTED is back where he fits best, and he is an Exacta factor facing these. (3) MA REBELLE is another getting post relief that should be heard from in this spot, but she is best used on the bottom.
Race 5 – (4) MELODY MAKER exits some tougher races at Georgian Downs, and I expect that driver Boyd will be sending him on a front-end mission today; top call. (1) POMPANO BEACH didn’t hit the board when he was bet down to 1 to 5 last week here, but from the rail, he should go better this week. (2) TRY LINE typically finishes on the edges, and it appears he is destined for another small share today.
Race 6 – (1) LAND OF ROYALTY just took a new life’s mark here last week, and he should be tough to beat from the rail at a short price. (3) DAVID LLOYD GEORGE might be able to land in the choice’s pocket today, and he could provide some value to the Exacta wager. (7) DON’T EXCLUDE ME will likely be forced to take a seat early this week by the choice, and I’ll use him on the bottom of the Tri.
Race 7 – (1) CASEOUS has improved her final time each start, now she draws the rail; speed blast coming this week? (6) SHEPLAYSFORKEEPS is an obvious threat on paper off her last two miles but she has had 27 tries to break her maiden already. What price will you accept? (9) ONE LAST BET’s July 14th qualifier makes her a contender for at least a share, and she should get a good trip following the choice here.
Race 8 – (3) SPORTSURGE tried his best to reel in a loose leader at Hanover in his debut last week, but he was a bit steppy on the turns. He was flying in the final 1/16th of a mile, and he should appreciate the wider Kawartha turns here; top call. (1) OVERWATCH is perfectly spotted for a front-end score similar to his victory two starts back. He may be the one to beat. (2) RIDIN ON SUNSHINE has shown flashes of high speed in both starts, and he is another in with a shot in this small but evenly matched field.
Race 9 – (7) BETTIMONTHERIVER drops in for a claiming price lower than she was taken for in Ottawa two starts back, and she is sure to be sent hard leaving the gate by Waxman. She should be the one to beat. (1) YNOTHOS hasn’t drawn inside for several weeks and she should be part of the Exacta today. (9) ROSE ISLAND AGGIE is worth a look for the Tri following a decent first up effort here last week.
Race 10 – There’s little chance that (6) SHADOW OF LINDY will close anywhere near to the 8 to 1 morning line quote racing off the Fellows claim, and he is likely to get pointed to the front leaving this week. He gets the nod in the finale. (5) WOODMERE ROLLNPOP will likely be favored dropping out of much tougher Grand River races, and he should be aggressive early, too. (3) LEADER TONIGHT comes in with a 0 for 12 record this year, and he looks like a fringe player to me. This is a race where the morning line looks way off.
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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.
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