Best Bet – (3) MERCENARY – Race 6
Spot Play – (7) BETTER BE GOUDA – Race 4
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1: 1,2/6,7/1/1,6,7/2,4,6 = $7.20
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 6: 3/2,3,7/6,8/3,6,7/4 = $3.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 Race 4: 1,6,7/2,4,6/3/2,3,7 = $5.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 Race 8: 6,8/3,6,7/4/1,5,7 = $3.60
Race 1 – (1) DUSTYLANE THUNDER was a strong winner in this class last time and she has a good chance to repeat here starting from the best post; top call. (2) CHOCOLATE PIE is likely the fastest in here and he takes a drop into conditioned claimers, but what price would you accept considering his frequent gait issues. (5) D PROCRASTINATOR keeps coming close but he just can’t seem to get there. I’ll use him underneath here.
Race 2 – (7) LITERALLY HANOVER is on a roll that not even the widest post might stop as she shoots for four straight wins. She has shown that she can take a lot of air and keep advancing so she will be hard to beat if she can get a decent position early. (6) PRIDEINMYSTRIDE has followed cover in the back 1/2 of both of her last two starts to nab 2nd. She was no match for the choice on November 6th, but she does get post advantage on her this time. (4) LITTLEANNIEOAKLEY figures to improve in this start but she has two lifetime wins vs. 13 slices. I’ll use her on the bottom.
Race 3 – (1) DREAM DEAL trotted what is by far the fastest mile of any of these in his debut – albeit at Mohawk Park – and he has a good chance to lead these all the way and take his maiden win. (5) FIRST HEIR produced an improved effort last week and he’s a good one to consider for the exotics here at a price. (3) MASS AMOUNTOF WINE will be prominent early again and I see her sticking around for a share.
Race 4 – (7) BETTER BE GOUDA has been in some very tough spots recently and he should have a big shot against this group. Drawing the outside post should help his price and he gets the nod. (1) PODIUM SEELSTER is also in a better spot here and drawing the best post is an added bonus. He should be one of the main contenders in this spot. (6) JACKRABBIT JODY has shown some good closing power recently.
Race 5 – This looks like a good spot for (4) ARCANE SEELSTER to blast and last and he gets top billing in the cash leg of the early Pick 5. (2) MAXIMUS POWER also faces easier and drawing a much better post in this second start back from a break he figures to get sent forward at the start. He should be in the mix here. (6) R U TALKIN fits well here but he will likely get forced to take a seat heading into the first turn. I’ll use him underneath in this spot. (1) JAKE PARRISH should sit a nice trip in his first start since early November and he should be part of the High-5. (3) ACEFORTYFOURTALON is always in the mix and he should get good position at the start and ride it to a share.
Race 6 – This is a spot where (3) MERCENARY should clear to the front and lead his rivals on a merry chase. He’s a multi-race single for me. (7) LAWMEN REIGN has been racing well recently and he could add some value to this Exacta by making a late charge for 2nd. (4) ILOVEWHATIDO draws better but he has missed three weeks. I’ll use him on the bottom of the Tri.
Race 7 – (2) CENTURY GAGA gets her nose back on the gate and you see what she can do two starts back when she was pointed to the front and was never headed. She can bounce back and take another win here. (3) PACIFIC DELIGHT almost knocked off a hot mare last time and she is the obvious main danger here. (7) SHESA ICE QUEEN produced her best effort yet last time and she should be a player for the exotics.
Race 8 – (6) STORMONT TIM was out a long way last time and he persisted and took an impressive win. Considering his past gait issues, he is risky, but he should repeat if he stays flat. (8) J R WHEELING couldn’t match strides with the choice late but he is the logical alternative here if the choice miscues. (2) DIMANTE VIC can close late again to take another share tonight.
Race 9 – (6) COCO BEACH DE VIE battled with tough mare Ladylike last time at Flamboro and she should appreciate getting back to London where she was a winner two starts back. She gets the nod in a race with a few legitimate contenders. (3) SHES MAGIC comes off a strong first-over win and she will likely be the one to fend off. (7) JAZZ brings some good form west from Quebec and she might be good enough to beat these despite drawing widest. I’ll use her on late multi-race tickets.
Race 10 – (4) THE REGULATOR is in a better spot to flaunt his early speed tonight and he is a good bet to lead these all the way. (8) ADORE HIM drops into a spot where he should go much better but the second tier post is a concern for me. He is an Exacta factor regardless. (7) OH K MAN would be rated higher had he drawn better but from out there I can only use him on the bottom.
Race 11 – (5) TEREM A NEW ONE made two moves in a sharp effort last week and he should have a big shot tonight vs. these. (1) SHARK OUTTA WATER hasn’t drawn well in forever. In this suspect field Wray might roll him early from the rail so give him a price look. (7) TAILS AWAY faces much easier here and he is worth including in the late Pick 5 even starting from the widest post. (6) BETTER FLY BOY is capable of taking a share at a good price if he gets position early this time. (9) GOUDA HANOVER will go off much higher than his 4 to 1 morning line quote but he is capable of landing in the High-5 tonight.
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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