Best Bet – (2) CURIOUS CORTEZ – Race 6
Spot Play – (4) RAISE YOU TWENTY – Race 3
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 1,4,5/3/1,2,4/5/1,8 = $3.60
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 2/ALL/1,2,6/2,3,4/1,5 = $28.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 1,2,4/5/1,8/2 = $1.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 7: 5,6,7/1,2,6/2,3,4/1,5 = $10.80
Race 1 – (4) BABYS BEACH BUM was no match for the sharp Mr John last week but this looks like an easier spot and he should have a good chance to lead these all the way. (5) KATYS BOY BLUE comes off a much-improved performance and he looks like one of the main contenders in this field. (1) CAMYOUBELIEVE IT has the gate speed to get a spot near the front here and that gives him a chance tonight; using.
Race 2 – (3) MR JOHN dominated at this level here last week and he should be tough to beat starting from a good post tonight. (5) SCHNEBLY HILL paced a big back 1/2 in his lone qualifier and he is worth a look for the Exacta on debut here. (4) TJ SILVERADO, second to the choice last time, figures to be part of the Tri again.
Race 3 – (4) RAISE YOU TWENTY’s last two starts indicate improving form and I’ll take a swing with him in a race with several question marks. (2) DEPUTY SEELSTER is facing easier here and from an inside post he has a good shot to lead this group all the way; using. (1) LITTLE TAGGS hasn’t drawn this well in several races and he is a wakeup candidate at a price.
Race 4 – (5) LITERALLY HANOVER is the hottest horse on the grounds and all she shows is wins in her past performances. I won’t try to beat her in this spot. (3) LYDIAS LIBERTY is likely to be the first leader here and she could be the one that the choice needs to chase down late; Exacta factor. (1) SHES MAGIC should get a much better trip here starting from the rail and she should land in the Tri or Super.
Race 5 – (8) WOODMERE CHELLA shipped in, dropped and popped and she will be tough here if she can work out a good trip from the second tier post. (1) INNOCENT KISS was close in a fast mile last time she raced here and she should be in the hunt tonight starting from the rail. (2) MISS BRANDI K drops back down and her race two starts back puts her in the mix. She is another live option. (3) RIDE AWAY SHARK should improve moving inside and adding Lasix but I prefer to use her underneath. (5) P L NOTORIOUS takes frequent small shares. She’s a good one to use on the bottom of the High-5.
Race 6 – If (2) CURIOUS CORTEZ produces anything close to last week’s winning effort his rivals will be fighting it out for scraps tonight. (7) ST LADS BEAT IT is risky here because he got hung the mile last time now he draws widest, but, if he can work out a decent trip, he can add some value to the exotics. (3) HEZA HANDY MAN should be passing some of these rivals late to take another small share.
Race 7 – (7) CASIMIR SWAMP GIRL meets a field she should handle here the only question mark being the outside post. I’ll give her the nod vs. these. (5) SAULSBROOK JESSIE couldn’t repel a very tough and persistent rival last week but her recent form is improved and she is in with a decent chance tonight. (6) SR BEACH BABE is another who has improved recently and she gets her nose back on the gate this week; consider for the exotics at a price.
Race 8 – (1) AVUNCULAR couldn’t seal the deal last week but he gets major post relief tonight and that could assist his front-end mission. (2) LA MAGIC is sure to get another good trip here and he may be the one to hold off down the lane. (6) SECRETLY FLASHY beat both choices last week but from a wide post here I prefer to use her on the bottom.
Race 9 – (3) DASHIKI has been solid with Sorrie driving and from a good post I’ll give him the call to repeat. (2) GRITS N GRAVY went a big mile in defeat last time but now he loses driver St Louis; your call. (4) MISTER X races off the claim in a better spot and you know he is being pointed to the front leaving the gate. He is hard to toss in this spot.
Race 10 – (1) BROCKS FORTUNE should be tough to beat here returning to the level where he fits best and drawing inside. (5) MAXIMUS POWER is racing great for driver Henry and he has upset possibilities against this group; using. (9) VALIDUS DEO comes off a big win but he loses St Louis and this is a tough post; demand a price. (2) OFFICER JONES should be passing horses in the back 1/2 and he is a good one to use on the bottom of the High-5. (3) CRANKYS BOY was on a roll before he tried Mohawk Park and he is another one who should be good for a share here.
Photo by John Watkins
*
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.
More Tips from the Pros