Best Bet – (6) GROOVY JOE – Race 11
Spot Play – (2) SIMON SAID – Race 7
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 1,3/1,3/3,5,7/3,4/5,6,7,8 = $19.20
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 1,2,5/2/2,5,6/2,6/1,3,8 = $10.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4: 3,4/5,6,7,8/1,2,5/2 = $4.80
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8: 2,5,6/2,6/1,3,8/6 = $3.60
Race 1 — (3) BOTTOMOFTHENINTH paced a big back 1/2 in defeat at Flamboro Downs, now she gets her nose back on the gate; top call. (1) AMERICAN ROSE has won 1/3 of her starts this year, and she will be putting her gate speed to use trying to control the race from the outset; using. (8) BETTER WATCH IT paced a huge final 1/4 in her blowout win at Leamington; she is worth using in the Pick 5 here. (7) B VANISH easily beat the choice with the driver switch to Kelly, but she had post advantage then and got a much better trip. Post 7 can be the great equalizer at this track; I’ll use her underneath.
Race 2 — (3) SHADOWY has the fastest winning mark in here, and driver Moore is likely going to impose his will from the outset; top call. (1) BEST WATCH OUT is the obvious other contender starting from the rail. These two fillies will likely battle for the win in the final 1/4; using. (5) P L PORTIA finished well in her debut, and she can take another share tonight. (2) ANNES CREDIT can take a small share off an inside following trip.
Race 3 — (5) MY DALILAH was a sharp two-move winner at Hiawatha Horse Park most recently, and she has a good chance to repeat vs. these; top call. (3) PRECIOUS AMBER performs best when she is on the lead, and she should be able to clear by the time they hit the first turn tonight. She should be the main danger to the choice. (7) SORONE SEELSTER is another one that can leave the gate quickly, and she has upset possibilities. I’ll toss her on multi-race tickets. (4) YOUR TIME DOLLY can pass a few of these and take another small share.
Race 4 — (3) LETS ROAR didn’t show much in the Prospect Series final, but this is a much easier spot. Her sharp front-end win two starts back makes her the one to beat here. (4) A BLACK DIAMOND shoots for the three-peat, and she has been consistently right there for a few weeks. She is the other one that I’ll use on multi-race tickets. (2) LYDIAS LIBERTY should get a decent trip here, and she is a good bet to land in the Tri. (8) CHERIE AMOUR should pass a few of these in the back 1/2 and land in the Super.
Race 5 — This is a tough race to end the Pick 5. (8) GRANDE SEELSTER has the best most recent race, but the horse that starts in front of him is not known to be a quick leaver. This looks like a spread race to me. (7) DRAGON WAVE can fly off the gate and if he can clear, he might lead all the way. (6) DEBS NEW MAN comes off a sharp effort, but he could get another tough trip starting from a wide post. (5) TEREM A NEW ONE is one of several that hasn’t won a race this year, but he could get a nice trip racing near the front here. He’s another that I’ll use on multi-race ticket. (3) KINGSLEY B figures to take a small share racing near the front.
Race 6 — (1) LUCKSLST BLUEGRASS was a front-end winner last time he drew the rail, and he should force all of his rivals to take a seat early, then look to lead all the way tonight; top call. (2) TOMITTA BAYAMA has raced well over this track several times, and he could be a pocket rocket here. (5) MYSTIC MESSENGER could get a setup here, but he is more likely to take a share than a win; using underneath. (6) MACHAPELO took his first win of the year last time and, off that effort, he is worth a look for the exotics at a price.
Race 7 — (2) SIMON SAID looks ready to roll coming off a seven-month layoff, and he should get a great trip following the rail horse for at least part of the mile; top call. (1) MISTER X is sure to blast, but I’m not sure he lasts. The choice will likely be breathing down his neck at the 3/4 pole; using underneath. (4) FERN HILL BREEZE has had some success at this track, and he can land in the Tri tonight. Classy veteran (6) GO DADDY GO raced great last time, and he should be good for a share here.
Race 8 — (5) U R DRIVINGME NUTZ improved sharply with Lasix added last time, and he can likely go right down the road again in this spot; top call. (2) BETTOR ATTITUDE could land in the pocket here and that makes him dangerous at a price; using. (6) LINCOLN BOULEVARD should find this $15K claimer easier, and he is another in with a chance here. (3) RANGER HANOVER should take a small share after racing close up throughout.
Race 9 — (2) DOC FANELLI was used up chasing a wild early pace, and he still hung on for a cheque. Making his second start in this class, he can take these right down the road. (6) CAPTAIN RAY exits the same race, and he will likely be the main danger here; using. (8) LARJON LESTER should improve moving into a conditioned claimer. Give him a look for the bottom of the exotics. (3) DRAGON TEEN had a major form reversal when he blew up the tote board winning the Prospect Series Final. I see him landing on the edges tonight.
Race 10 — (1) WYND CREEK gets the nod here because I think Harris will aim to use the rail post to take control of the race early. (3) TYMAL HOUDINI is the big class dropper in the field. He’s hard to leave out of the Pick 4. (8) SHOULDAKNOWNBETTER is in his easiest spot in a while and sharp improvement is expected. He’s on my late Pick 4 ticket. (2) SUPER T should get a good trip here. I see him being part of the Tri or Super.
Race 11 — (6) GROOVY JOE should be very hard to beat at a short price on the class drop tonight. (1) LIVIN LARGE has been facing easier, but he is in great form, and he can complete the Exacta starting from the rail. (5) THE LOAN RANGER brings a strong effort every time, and he should get a slice tonight. (8) MAINTENANCE MAN would be rated higher from a better post. From the second tier I will use him on the bottom. (3) QUICK TOUR has missed seven weeks so he should need a race. A small share is probably his ceiling here.
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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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