Best Bet – (2) SPICEY P – Race 9
Spot Play – (1) RUNAWAY HEIRESS – Race 2
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 3,4/1,2,4/1,3,4,7/1,8/8 = $9.60
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 1,8/3,8/3,6/2/3,6,7 = $4.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4: 1,8/8/1,8/3,8 = $1.60
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 9: 2/3,6,7/2,3/1,3,4,5,9 = $6.00
Race 1 — (3) LOUIS was in against much faster horses at Mohawk Park. Assuming he stays flat tonight, he should lead these all the way. (4) DUKE DEO qualified against an OSS Gold winner and he should contend in this field at first asking; Exacta factor. (1) SHOP PROJECT should get a good trip racing close to the front in this second start, and he should be part of the Tri or Super. (6) MASS PIKE PARTY can take a share here if she is over her breaking issues.
Race 2 — (1) RUNAWAY HEIRESS was a winner last time she drew the rail. There should be a big speed try coming here; top call. (4) CEASELESS should get put into play leaving the gate by driver Harris and she fits well here; using. (2) NOTHINHOLDINMEBACK should improve with this drop into a claimer. I’ll use her in the early Pick 5. (5) CENTURY GEORGIA should pass a few of these to take another slice.
Race 3 — (7) LILI GL has the best form in here, but she gets saddled with post 7. I’ll give her a slight nod, but I wouldn’t take a short price with her starting from out there. (3) PATINA SEELSTER is still looking for her second win, but she could clear these and that makes her dangerous; using. (1) STONEBRIDGE CRUSH is worth a look starting from the inside in a wide-open race that probably requires deep multi-race coverage. (4) SHADOW ONE is another that is still looking for win #2, but she comes off a strong effort and she’s not out of this.
Race 4 — (1) JUST NEVER MIND made two moves to win here last week, and she looks good to double up in this spot. (8) PETRO DEALIN is the logical alternative and he follows the choice leaving the gate; using. (3) ROSE RUN XCALIBER tripped out to beat easier and he is a contender again, but I prefer to use him underneath in this spot. (4) LASS SHOT, 3rd to the choice last week, can take another slice tonight.
Race 5 — (8) HIPPYJOHN comes off two strong efforts at Mohawk Park, and he should handle this group easily if he can work out a trip starting from the second tier. (6) LARJON ALEXANDER brings some strong form in from Sarnia, and he can be an Exacta factor here. (4) SAULSBROOK GENESIS was impressive in his debut, then had a rough trip last time at Flamboro Downs. He should be part of the exotics tonight. (1) TJ SPITFIRE figures to get a good trip starting from the rail, but I prefer to use him underneath. (2) LA PLAYA DEO takes frequent shares and he is a good one to have in your Super Hi-5 wagers.
Race 6 — (1) UNLACED notched a win and a 2nd with the trainer driving, now he gets a catch-driver and the rail tonight. He is a single for me. (8) NOBLE INTENTIONS is a Mohawk Park shipper that could get a great trip following the choice; he can be an Exacta factor. (5) PEP IN MY STEP will be better here facing easier. He likes the front but likely won’t be allowed to take it early. I’ll use him underneath. (7) MASKEDMAN regularly lands in the Super, and he could add some value to that bet tonight starting from the widest post.
Race 7 — (8) COUNTERCURRENCY faces easier here and she should be the boss despite drawing into the second tier. (3) SHES A BEAUT CLARK finally draws a good post, and she is the second one that I’ll use on late multi-race tickets. (6) WITNESSINTHESHADOW was first up here last week and hung around for a share. She can be part of the exotics again. (7) THREE SMILES would be rated higher, but from post 7 I can only use her on the bottom.
Race 8 — (6) PETER CROWN draws wide here, but he has the required gate speed to overcome that outer post; a three-peat looms. (3) ARCH WE LUCKY should find himself racing in the choice’s pocket early and that gives him a chance; using. (1) DUSTYLANE THUNDER should get another good trip and land a spot in the Tri. (2) STONEBRIDGE NITRO is another one that I prefer to use underneath in this spot.
Race 9 — (2) SPICEY P lays over these and Kelly should send him right down the road tonight. (1) DREAMFAIR SUNSHINE should protect position early. I see him rounding out the Exacta. (6) TOONIE TEEN comes off a huge Leamington win, but this is tougher and a small share is likely for him here. (4) UNDER WARRANTY figures to get away better from his improved post position tonight, and he can land in the Super.
Race 10 — The second-tier post was no problem for (6) CHARMBO PRINCE last time and he gets the call to repeat here. (7) LEFKADA tripped out perfectly last week stalking a big third 1/4 duel and she had the live legs in the lane. She could repeat here, but I’d demand a price from post 7. (3) JAYPORT HI CLASS is as consistent as they come with 10 Exacta finishes in 15 races this year. He is another one to consider for multi-race tickets. (8) SORPRESE is capable on her best day, but I don’t love the 8-hole for her; using underneath.
Race 11 — (3) FREDDY BEAR is in a good spot here. He will likely fall into the pocket early, then make the winning move in the third 1/4; top call. (2) RESISTANCE FUTILE hasn’t raced for a purse in close to 3 1/2 years, but he holds a big class edge over these. If he is ready for battle, he could jog; using. (1) EASY FLYER should be the early leader, and I see him sticking around to take a share. (6) PROBERTS LEGACY could add some value to the bottom of the Super.
Race 12 — (1) CELIA BAYAMA was beaten by a hot horse at Mohawk Park on 10/04, and she could get the best trip in this competitive finale; top call. (9) CASIMIR SWAMP GIRL is likely best in here, but she has a tough post and will need to work out a trip; demand a price. (3) MANHATTAN NIGHT should get a better trip racing on or near the lead. She is on my late Pick 4 ticket. Veteran (4) BUTTERMILK HANOVER is sharp, and she should be good for at least a share tonight. (5) LAND OF PARADISE is racing well, give her a look for the bottom 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 Ryan Clements Photos
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