Best Bet – (1) VEYRON – Race 10
Spot Play – (3) SPORTY – Race 5
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 4,5,7/1,4/1/1,2,3,4/1,3 = $9.60
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 1,2,4/1,4/2,4/1,2/1 = $4.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4: 1,2,3,4/1,3/1,2,4/1,4 = $9.60
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8: 2,4/1,2/1/3,4,5 = $2.40
Race 1 — (7) SHES A BEAUT CLARK comes up tagged for the first time, and she should get an aggressive Harris steer, especially if there are claims entered on her; top call. (5) CENTURY GEORGIA qualified behind two fast males, and she is another who drops into a claimer for the first time. She stacks up well here; using. (4) WITNESSINTHESHADOW’s recent form is improving, and she has some upset potential here. (3) WOODMERE CHA CHA beat easier last time. I don’t see her being allowed to cut the mile this time; I’ll play to beat her.
Race 2 — (1) JUST NEVER MIND gets major post relief here and her form stands out. She should take these coast-to-coast on the front end. (4) TRADE BARRIER brings some good form in from Sarnia, and her sharp late speed should play well here; Exacta factor. (8) GET TO THE POINTE is capable at this level but I don’t love a second-tier post for him and he might get overbet; using underneath. (2) RANGER ROB can get a nice trip and ride it to a spot in the Super.
Race 3 — (1) MYWISHLISTFORYOU gets away from streaking Settn A Precedent and other Mohawk Park regulars, and she should find this class easier. Drawing the rail is a bonus and she should be tough in here. (5) MANHATTAN NIGHT comes off a sharp win at Flamboro, and she should be heard from tonight; using. (2) SIRIUS STAR should leave well and navigate a good trip racing near the front; using underneath. (8) SPORTS ICON has raced great at Leamington, and she could get a great trip here following the choice; consider for the exotics.
Race 4 — This race comes down to whether or not (3) ROSE RUN XCALIBER stays flat or not, because I think he jogs, if he doesn’t break. If he jumps it off, the race becomes wide-open. 0 for 25 (4) FIRST HEIR looks next most likely to take the win if the choice runs; using. (2) ROAD TO REDEMPTION is worth a look for the exotics on debut. (1) KILMARTIN DREAMER should be an early speed presence again and stick around for a share.
Race 5 — (3) SPORTY gets a good post after drawing terribly forever and sharp improvement is likely here; top call. (1) REMINISCE ROAD is a threat to wire these from the rail, and she is hard to leave off multi-race tickets in this spot; using. (8) SHADOW ONE should get a decent start leaving behind #1, and I see her finishing in the Tri. (2) SHADOW OFDAWN ZAZZ is another that gets post relief that can take a share here. (5) PDQ HANOVER is always a good one to use in the bottom rungs of the High-5.
Race 6 — (1) MOONSHINERS CREDIT wired the field last time she raced this low, and she gets the nod here. (2) RUNAWAY HEIRESS has upset potential facing easier and drawing well tonight. She’s on my multi-race tickets. (4) SOMETHING ROYAL can get another good stalking trip here and she’s in with a decent chance to repeat. (8) MOONLITEBEACH should be part of the exotics here off a following trip.
Race 7 — ONTARIO STANDARDBRED ADOPTION SOCIETY 25TH ANNIVERSARY TROT
(1) SICARIO is no doubt going to be pointed to the front leaving the gate tonight. Catch him to greet the cashier. (4) WILLYORWONTHE has a good chance to land in the choice’s pocket leaving, and that makes him a threat; using. (5) LEFKADA has been in some tough races lately. I see her taking a share vs. these. (2) WRAP AND A HOOEY figures to get a good trip here, and he is another that merits a look for the Tri and Super.
Race 8 — (4) STONEBRIDGE NITRO had a lengthy win streak broken last time, but this looks like an easier spot. I give her the nod to get back on track tonight. (2) HEAVY DUDE E made a threatening move in the third 1/4 last time, and he was repelled. A similar tactic could work here; using. (1) ARCH WE LUCKY figures to get a decent trip and take a cheque starting from the rail. (5) TITANS DREAM has the gate speed to get good position early, and he has upset possibilities in this wide-open race.
Race 9 — (1) WOODMERE RIO should land in (2) SIGNIFICANCE’s pocket leaving the gate, and I’ll give her the nod to roll by late, but use both on multi-race tickets. (3) BUTTERMILK HANOVER will likely be forced to take the overland route again tonight, so I’ll use her underneath. (5) LIFELONG DREAM should be good for a share on the class drop tonight.
Race 10 — This isn’t the toughest Preferred 3 and (1) VEYRON should control it from start-to-finish. (8) CHARMBO PRINCE can get a great following trip here if he leaves the gate glued to the choice’s helmet and that makes him an Exacta factor. (4) JAYPORT HI CLASS was terrific at Hiawatha Horse Park, and he can land a good share in this spot. (7) CONQUEST AS is in easier here but, from post 7, he will likely get a rough trip; small share predicted.
Race 11 — (4) DYLAN SAM ships in from Batavia where he was in some fast miles and had drawn poorly in all of his past three starts. I can see teamster Mackenzie sending him on a speed mission here; top call. (5) HOMEY JOE is an obvious good fit at this level. I like that he flashed early speed at Mohawk Park last time; using. (3) MR MACH JIMMY is capable at this level, and Sorrie will likely put him into play. He is another to consider for the late Pick 4. (2) ROLLING ROCK is another getting post relief who should be part of the exotics tonight. (1) UPGRADE VALLEY isn’t likely to be a win threat, but he is another that draws inside that I see as part of the High-5.
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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 Tiffany Chantel Photography
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