Best Bet – (2) BANANA MUFFIN – Race 1
Spot Play – (4) CLEVELAND BEACHBOY – Race 7
20-Cent Pick 5 - Race 1 – 2/5,6/1,2/3,5/2,3,4 = $4.80
20-Cent Pick 4 - Race 7 – 4/4,5/2,5,7/5,7 = $2.40
Race 1 — (2) BANANA MUFFIN raced well in some tougher assignments at Grand River, and she looks like a Pick 5 single in this spot. (7) SUPER WILLIE got hung the mile at 1 to 2 last week, now he draws only marginally better in the second tier. I can only use him underneath from there. (4) THE WITCHES BREW can leave for position and ride a trip to a share.
Race 2 — (5) SHES A GUNSLINGER drops into what looks like an easy spot, and I would think that she gets sent right down the road vs. these; top call. (6) DALI CAT is the other logical dropper, but she draws widest and might get hung out by the choice. I’ll use both of these mares in the Pick 5. (7) MISS READ should be along late for another small share.
Race 3 — (2) SOS JUSTIFIED is on a roll and will likely get an easier trip here starting from an improved post. He should be tough to beat this afternoon. (1) WINDSONG NAPOLEON – 2nd to the choice last week – will be the main threat starting from the rail, and he could get a perfect pocket trip; using. (3) EATAAMS SPORTSBABY got an impossible trip last week. I can see him finishing in the Tri here off a much-improved following trip.
Race 4 — (3) DASHIKI was dead game, despite being hard-used throughout, racing uncovered last week. He gets top billing here off that strong effort. (5) MACH ART IN MOTION is an obvious contender exiting much tougher Mohawk Park races, and he is the second one that I’ll use in the Pick 5. (1) AZUCAR PIPEDREAM could get overbet starting from the rail here, but she is a threat and should be in the hunt today.
Race 5 — (4) SHADOW TAIL raced decently against much tougher at Flamboro and Grand River, and he should be tough vs. these. (2) BROTHER AIDAN tripped out to win at this level two starts back and a similar scenario can play out here; using. (3) TERRA COTTA LAD is right there every race, and he is hard to leave off Pick 5 tickets.
Race 6 — (2) TYLERS BEACH BOY was a winner last time Borth drove, and that catch driver gets back in the bike today. He should have a great shot here. (1) SHARK OUTTA WATER figures to blast and either lead the way or sit in the choice’s pocket. He is an Exacta factor. (3) EINHORN should get a following trip here and take a slice.
Race 7 — (4) CLEVELAND BEACHBOY has never hit the board, but he goes for new high percentage connections here following a private sale, and this is a much easier spot; top call. (5) TILLY DREAMCATCHER has the speed to get position early, and I can see her landing in the Exacta this week. (6) STEAL THE MOMENT is another who can get away well despite leaving from a wide post; using underneath.
Race 8 — This is a field that (5) WEST RIVER CINDY can dominate if she gets sent hard leaving the gate. I’ll give her the nod expecting an aggressive steer. (4) LADY CATERINA is another that should be leaving, and I could see these two mares racing 1-2 throughout here. (7) ETERNAL JEWEL can close late to take a small share in this spot.
Race 9 — (5) SIBONEY comes off a sharp first up win last week, and she gets the call to repeat with her nose back on the gate today. (2) LDL GEM rode the choice’s cover but she couldn’t reach up. She should be an Exacta factor again. (7) PICKLES ON TOP would be top choice if she drew on the gate. I don’t love the second-tier post for her; I’ll use her underneath.
Race 10 — (5) LET ME SEE was used very hard early, and he hung tough to land in the top three. That was an improved effort, and I can see him leading all the way here. (7) CANTCOUNTMEOUT rates highly here despite drawing into the second tier, and he should be in the mix this afternoon. (1) MACK THE KNIFE is a grizzled veteran that can get position early and stick around for 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 is also a past president of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
Photo by Lauzon Looks Photography
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