Best Bet – (2) BIG BOY FRAZIER - Race 1
Spot Play – (3) LAWMEN REIGN - Race 5
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 - 3,5,6/4,6/3,5/1,3,5 = $7.20
20-cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7 - 1,2,7/2/ALL/1,9 = $8.40
Race 1 – (2) BIG BOY FRAZIER shoots for a sixth straight win here and I don't see any reason why he shouldn't get it considering his main rivals are lined up outside; top call. (7) JACKRABBIT JODY brings it every week and he can rally to land in the Exacta here. (3) SAUBLE PLAY should be close early and stick around for a share.
Race 2 – (2) HEZA HANDY MAN draws inside for the first time in several weeks and he could trip out this time; call to upset. (7) EATAAMS SPORTSBABY goes for a threepeat here and he gets his nose on the gate this week. Expect a Steward speed blast. (5) THISBEATGOESON fits well here upon return to London and he should be in the Tri picture at least.
Race 3 – (3) VILLAGE CHAMP fits much better here, the only question is the time he has missed between starts; slight nod. (5) MACH ART IN MOTION compiled a nice record last year and he should be the main threat to the choice in this spot. (6) MR CHEESEMAN is a maiden facing winners, but he has shown more than enough speed in the past to make him competitive vs. these; using.
Race 4 – (4) HELLO CHIPPER takes a considerable edge here dropping out of claiming handicaps at Mohawk Park and she should prove tough to beat. (6) MAC N CAPS is turning into a win machine and he should be the one to chase down again here. (5) ARCHWAY comes off a solid winning effort and he should be in the hunt for at least a share.
Race 5 – (3) LAWMEN REIGN might blast early and ride (5) STONEBRIDGE SCOUT's pocket to victory. I'll use both in the Pick 4 but give the edge to the former who should be a square price. (4) LEAFS N WINGS fits well but he will likely need to take the overland route here; using underneath.
Race 6 – (5) CHOCOLATE SWIRL goes first-time Bourgault off the claim here which is a big angle at this track, and he gets the nod. (1) NATIONAL DEBT rarely draws inside, so you know driver Shepherd will use it to advantage. He's on my late Pick 4 ticket. (3) TUITION MONEY drops from the top class and two starts back he was an easy winner at this level; using. (9) AVATAR J also drops but starting from the second slot in the second tier, I am inclined to try to beat him here. (2) LEVIS DAY should get a nice tracking spot here and take a small share.
Race 7 – (2) THE REGULATOR has been racing better and he may go right down the road to kick off this Guaranteed $7,500 Late Pick 4. (1) ILOVEWHATIDO raced well for driver Kelly last week at a big price and although his price is going to drop here, he is a viable contender in this dash. (7) BETTORS MARK drops and I'd like him more from an inside post, but he isn't without a chance here.
Race 8 – (2) OZZIE YOUNG qualified well enough to suggest he is ready to break his maiden in this spot where he could get sent right down the road. (6) COIN FLIP draws poorly, but his debut was good, and he is one that I'll use in this Pick 4. (8) QUICK NICK is another who can be right there if he races to his qualifiers.
Race 9 – (4) THE REV draws better here, and he gets a slight nod in a very contentious 7-horse Preferred 2 field. (3) ARTISTIC PICK is right there every week and he's hard to leave out of this Pick 4. (5) MARACASSO is always a threat to go all the way. It makes sense to price shop in this race.
Race 10 - I don't think there is any question that (9) UFDRAGONS ROCKET is best in here, but he'll need to work out a trip starting from there. (1) JACK OF CLUBS draws best, and he has to be a threat vs. these. (6) SHADOW MARGEAUX is in the mix every week, but he keeps coming up just short; demand a price. (7) IRVINE JAMES is a good one to use on the bottom of the High-5 on the class drop here. (3) ROLLING ROCK should be passing some of these late and he can land a check here.
Photo by John Watkins
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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 five years. He is also the current President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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