Best Bet – (5) P C FREE WHEELING – Race 1
Spot Play – (6) LAND OF ROYALTY – Race 3
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 5/2,3,4,7/3,5,6/2,3,4/4,8 = $14.40
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 1,6,7/1,2,4/1,2/1,2,4/1,4,7 = $32.40
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4: 2,3,4/4,8/1,6,7/1,2,4 = $10.80
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 9: 1,2,4/1,4,7/1,8/1,4,7 = $10.80
Race 1 — (5) P C FREE WHEELING jogged as expected last week, and she should be a heavy favorite again as she sticks out here; top call and Pick 5 single. (2) LUNA SEELSTER gets her nose back on the gate here and she should get a better start. She could add some value to the Exacta. (3) CITY LADY, 2nd to the choice last week, figures to sit another good trip and take a share. (4) JULA MARIANETTE raced decently to finish 3rd to the choice last week. She can land in the Super tonight.
Race 2 — (3) STONEFACE GERRY exits tougher races at Flamboro Downs and she also gets post relief tonight. I’ll give her the nod over (2) MY DALILAH, who will likely be the first leader tonight and a threat to go all the way. (7) DIXIE BAYAMA has the speed to win this if she can get into the race by the 3/4 pole after leaving from the worst post. (4) SORONE SEELSTER shows some miles at Hanover Raceway that make her a potential contender here, but she has missed five weeks so it’s hard to gauge her fitness level. I’ll use her underneath.
Race 3 — Last time he raced in a $15K claimer (6) LAND OF ROYALTY jogged. He could get a setup for his good late kick and I’ll give him the nod here. (3) ACROBAT HANOVER will be a big favorite again as he shoots for three straight wins, but I have a feeling he will face more pressure this week. He can obviously win, but I wouldn’t take odds-on tonight. (5) DRIVELIKEUSTOLEIT tried it first up against Acrobat Hanover last week and failed. He gets his nose back on the gate here, though, which could change the complexion of the race. I’ll use him in the early Pick 5. (1) SPORTS ZIPPER should get a decent trip tonight and take a share.
Race 4 — (4) BUILDING HOPE shows a couple of efforts that qualify her to be fast enough to win this and it appears as though the lead is hers for the taking at the start; top call. (2) BIG LADY J comes off two solid tries and she should be racing closer to the front tonight. She is an obvious contender here. (3) COVE BEACH is worth a look exiting some tougher races at Flamboro Downs. (8) LADY JASMINE seems to need the lead, and she has already had 15 tries without converting. I’ll use her on the bottom tonight.
Race 5 — (4) JOURNALISTIC faces much easier here racing off the claim, and he should be tough to haul down as he is sure to be blasting to the front. (8) BET THE LIMIT races off the claim for a high percentage barn and he has already shown that he can grind out a win racing first-up; using. (5) LAST MACH is another that is in a better spot here that should be heard from, but he may be closing too late; using underneath. (6) CAPTAIN RAY tripped out and won, now he moves outside. I see him as a fringe player tonight. (1) CASEYS DRAGON should be good for at least a small share starting from the rail here.
Race 6 — (6) MAGICAL ALBERT was claimed by his breeder last time, and this is a good spot for him taking on seniors, many of whom bring sketchy form to this race; top call. (7) RESISTANCE FUTILE didn’t show much in his first start in 3 1/2 years, but this spot should be easier and he can improve tonight; using. I can see (1) ETERNAL RULER leaving much harder this week, and he can be a speed threat starting from the rail this week. Give him a look for multi-race tickets. (3) LAWMEN REIGN figures to sit a good trip and take another small share.
Race 7 — (4) BARRYS SHELBY made a threatening-looking wide move entering the last turn at Flamboro Downs in a decent effort. Getting Cullen here, he is likely to get a more aggressive drive and he gets the nod. (1) HOLY CHIP comes off a share try at Flamboro and he is an obvious one to use on the late multi-race tickets. (2) STONEBRIDGE BETTOR is in very good form and, from his inside draw, he should get sent forward leaving the gate. He’s another live option. (7) REDWHITEANDBOOTS is a good one to use in the bottom of the Super at a price.
Race 8 — (2) PAT MCGARRY A had Brodys Scrapper sitting on his back the entire mile and, off that perfect trip, the latter vaulted past late. I see another big front end try coming here and he has a big shot. (1) JEWELS DRAGON has the same driver as the aforementioned Brodys Scrapper, and you think he will likely aim to get into the choice’s pocket at the start. He could be a pocket rocket late. The horse that (7) CAPTAINOFROCKNROLL beat last time has already come back to win impressively. He is worth a look at a price here. (3) PASSIONATE PRINCE should sit a nice following trip and take a share.
Race 9 — (2) THE LOAN RANGER pressed the leader in a 28 2/5 third 1/4 here last week, now he moves further inside where he can blast to the front early and perhaps let one go and sit the pocket. He gets the nod vs. these. (4) QUICK TOUR hasn’t won in a while, but he raced okay vs. better. He has to be considered on the class drop here. (1) WOODMERE ROLLNPOP is worth a look getting post relief and a driver upgrade. He has upset potential. (7) FREDDY BEAR is sharp and he would be rated higher had he drawn better.
Race 10 — (7) MELODY MAKER looks best in here and drawing widest will ensure that he offers a square price; top call. (1) TUUKKA RASP comes off a sharp first-up win, and he is worth using in the late multi-race tickets as he seeks a repeat. (4) ROYAL DOUBLE wants the front and he has a better chance to clear tonight, that makes him a factor. He’s another in with a chance. (3) WEST COAST KID should get another good trip racing near the front and take a share.
Race 11 — (1) A BLACK DIAMOND gets out of the second tier and draws best here. She is likely to flaunt her speed and lead these all the way. (8) COUNTERCURRENCY showed good speed here last Friday, and she is in with a shot if she can follow the choice out at the start and secure the pocket. (2) FAITHFULS NOLA gets post relief and Cullen tonight. She should be good for a share. (3) DAZZLIN ROSIE is another one that draws better that can work her way into the Super tonight.
Race 12 — This is a race where I could see an early pace battle leading to a closer vaulting past the leaders late, so I’ll give (7) SHIPPEN OUT the nod. (1) ON CRUISE CONTROL and (4) MISTER X will likely tussle early but if one concedes the lead to the other, we could end up with a front-end winner. (2) NOTETOSELF HANOVER should improve starting from a better post; using underneath. (9) LARJON LESTER is another closer that should pass some of these late and land in 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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