Best Bet – (5) WEST RIVER CINDY – Race 2
Spot Play – (1) FERN HILL BELLA – Race 10
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 3,4,6/5/1,2,4/5,6/1,2,4,8 = $14.40
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 3,4/1,3,5/1,5/1,6/1,2,7 = $14.40
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3: 1,2,4/5,6/1,2,4,8/3,4 = $9.60
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7: 1,3,5/1,5/1,6/1,2,7 = $7.20
Race 1 – (4) MISS CHILI PEPPER tried to blast from the widest post here last week but she couldn’t clear and paid the price. From the middle of the gate she has a much better chance to clear to the front and she gets top call. (3) XELENE BAYAMA also had a tough trip here last week and she has a good chance to improve moving inside; using. (6) MORAMAPPO seems to fit well here but from an outer post her ceiling might be a small share.
Race 2 – This should be an easy spot for (5) WEST RIVER CINDY and I see her wiring these at a short price. (1) EIGHTOCLOCKSTORM should blast for position and he figures to be the main threat if there is one. (2) SECRETLY FLASHY looks next best and I’ll use him to round out the Tri.
Race 3 – (2) IDEAL SPACE had a tightener, now she moves inside. Expect a much more aggressive steer this week; top call. (1) CRYSTAL DRAGON has a similar profile but it should be noted that the listed driver has only 9 lifetime wins in 348 starts. (4) MARK YOUR PAIGE should show speed again, but she needs to find more late; demand a price.
Race 4 – (5) VENENO almost won at Mohawk Park vs. tougher now he is in much easier and picking up St Louis likely means he will be a big chalk here but he should be hard to beat. (6) OUTLAW KISMET was in top form when racing stopped and he could add some Exacta value here. (2) JAKE PARRISH should sit a nice trip then come on late to take a slice.
Race 5 – (8) JESSICAS LEGACY was not allowed to clear last week and she paid the price. I could see St Louis sending her on an early brush-and-crush mission here. (4) SHADOW DREAMER showed some grit rallying to get 2nd after breaking stride in the third 1/4 and she should be right there if she behaves tonight. (2) AZALEA SEELSTER gets Lasix while making her first start off the claim and you know the new connections will be looking for results after having no opportunity to race since claiming her on 12/20. She’s in the mix. (1) FLYSANTANNA brings good form to this race and starting from the best post she is another possibility in a race with a few options. (5) DESTINY CRUISE can show early speed and stick around for a slice tonight.
Race 6 – (3) AMAZING QUEST, with 93 lifetime wins on his card, has 70 more victories than his opponents combined win total. He appears to be well slotted to take win #94 and he gets the nod. (4) R THINKING MONSTER will be tough in here if he brings a race close to his second last start before the break but he may go off as an underlay; your call. (2) DEBS NEW MAN had a start back now he moves inside. He should enter exotics contention tonight.
Race 7 – (5) QUIZZER made a decent recovery last week after losing all chance by breaking at the start. Maybe moving off the rail is better for him; call to rebound. (1) SPORTS NATION faced tougher in the summer. Getting aggressive teamster Sorrie and the rail here should help his chances; using. (3) IDOLIZE qualified decently for this but his spotty 2020 form makes him risky here. I would definitely need a higher price than the 7 to 5 morning line quote.
Race 8 – This is a good spot for (5) HOMEY JOE who faced a steady diet of tougher company at Mohawk Park before racing was stopped; top call. (1) MAXIMUS POWER jogged last time he drew the rail and he is likely going to be the one that the choice needs to chase down late. He’s on my late Pick 4 ticket. (4) MR MACH JIMMY produced a strong effort for driver St Louis when he climbed aboard on 12/20 and this duo should be a threat here, too.
Race 9 – (6) SIMON SAID won by half the London stretch last time he raced at The Raceway and he should be tough to beat here despite drawing widest. (1) STONEBRIDGE BETTOR does his best work on the engine and starting from the rail here, he is likely to look to take no prisoners. I’ll use him on late multi-race tickets. (3) MADETOBEKING should get position early and ride a good trip to a spot in the Tri.
Race 10 – (1) FERN HILL BELLA jogged last time he drew inside on a B track and he should be good to go vs. these. (2) JACK OF CLUBS exits some tough races and he rates highly vs. these; using. (7) BRAVADO SEELSTER drops and he is in with a shot if he gets put into the race early enough. (4) AMAZON DRAGON frequently enters contention for a share and he is a good one to use underneath tonight. (5) DALIATOR is another one that is usually on the fringes taking small slices and he should be considered for the 3-4-5 slots.
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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