Best Bet – (3) SOS JUSTIFIED – Race 9
Spot Play – (6) ADDITUDE – Race 5
20-Cent Pick 5 - Race 1 – 3,5,7/1,2,3/3/2,3/5,6 = $7.20
20-Cent Pick 4 - Race 7 – 1,6/3,5,6/3/1,3,4 = $3.60
Race 1 — We kick off both the Women Drivers’ competition and the Pick 5 in the opener here. I’ll give (3) ROSE ISLAND AGGIE and Britt Kennedy the nod. She should be able to make front and then carry her speed in this spot. (5) WRITE ABOUT LAURA is the other one that should be leaving quickly here, and I’ll use her in the Pick 5. (7) MACH SHARK has upset potential, but she will have to overcome the second-tier post; price look.
Race 2 — (3) SHARK OUTTA WATER was out the route last time, now he lands in a spot where he should be able to make front early; top call. Veteran (1) EINHORN could be in for a great trip here starting from the rail, and I’ll use him in the Pick 5. (2) EATAAMS SPORTSBABY raced well from an inside post here two starts back. He is another that merits a look for the Pick 5.
Race 3 — (3) STEVIE SEELSTER looks best here and driver Day – who earlier in the year won one of these competitions – is sure to put her into play early. I’ll make her a Pick 5 single. (1) MINNIE MILLION will use her speed to protect the rail, and she should get a good trip here. She is an Exacta factor. (2) ROLLWITHITJESSE should be good for a share if she stays flat this week.
Race 4 — (3) TAYLORS CREDIT looks like another one that Day will send right to the front leaving the gate, and that makes him the one to beat here. (2) SAULSBROOK BOOMER should get a much better trip here, and he could end up being a pocket rocket late in the mile; using. (4) THE WITCHES BREW finishes in the money 45% of the time, and she should be on the board again today.
Race 5 — This looks like a race that will set up for a closer and I see (6) ADDITUDE rolling by them all late. (5) KIWI FOCUS N has been facing tougher and she is a must-use for me in the cash leg of the Pick 5. (1) KISS IT BETTER should sit a nice trip and land in the Tri.
Race 6 — (2) HELLO YOU came up against a monster last week that paced a 28-flat closing 1/4 and fled the scene. He should be tough in here on the engine. (4) FINE CREDIT beat the choice in the place photo, and he should be the main danger here. (1) CANT THINK can get a decent trip from the rail and take a share.
Race 7 — (6) BAROSSA BLUE GENES is clearly the class of this field, and Rankin will be looking to fly to the front with him at the start. If he clears, he should lead these all the way. (1) TREASURES PIRATE has drawn terribly forever, now he gets the rail and a driver upgrade to Borth. He’s the second horse that I’ll use in this opening leg of the Pick 4. (3) CATCH MY CONTRAIL can take another slice off a following trip.
Race 8 — (3) MILLENIUM SEELSTER has been facing some tough ones at Flamboro recently. I think the Wrayzor puts him on the point and takes no prisoners here. (5) ST LADS BEAT IT and (6) A POSITIVE HANOVER exit a highly-rated race in London, and they are the obvious threats but both could be compromised by post position today.
Race 9 — (3) SOS JUSTIFIED seeks a fifth straight win, and he should be tough to deny. (5) WINDSONG NAPOLEON has finished 2nd to the choice three straight times, and that streak is likely to continue here; using underneath. (2) KEATON narrowly beat easier here last week. A small share is likely for him this time.
Race 10 — (4) MUSCLES APLENTY came close to beating a better field at Flamboro Downs, and she stacks up well against this group; top call. (3) CLUB BELVEDERE has some of the best form, but her driver has clicked at only a 5%-win rate this year; your call. (1) WEST RIVER CINDY has the class and speed to contend here, and I’ll use her from the rail.
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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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