Best Bet – (3) COCO BEACH DE VIE – Race 7
Spot Play – (4) SIBONEY – Race 6
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 2/1,3/2,4,6/3,4,5/6,7,8 = $10.80
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 4/3/2,3/1,2,5/1,6,7 = $3.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3: 2,4,6/3,4,5/6,7,8/4 = $5.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7: 3/2,3/1,2,5/1,6,7 = $3.60
Race 1 – (2) YANNICK SEELSTER had a race over the track last week where he raced well now he draws inside and keeps McNair. He should be tough to beat here but the price will be puny. (4) RIVER DALI broke while on the move last week and he could add some value to the Exacta this week; using underneath. (6) ATTHEBEACH HANOVER doesn’t win often but he does take frequent shares. I’ll use him on the bottom of the Tri and Super this week.
Race 2 – (1) TJ SILVERADO made a nice backstretch move here last week but he was overpowered by a sharp rival late. He has a good chance to beat these starting from the rail. (3) CATCHME IF LOU CAN comes back north ready for action having raced several times in Ohio after racing stopped in Ontario and his sharpness should be a big asset; using. (4) GROOGRUX KING made some nice late gains last week as the pace slowed. He can take another slice here.
Race 3 – (4) W C KENZIE COOKIE beat better here last week and she comes right back for more. She will have to be caught. (2) WHITE DANCER should be much closer early tonight and that gives her a puncher’s chance at an upset. (6) RETURN TO STYLE might be an underlay coming off a win in this spot because post 6 could be her undoing. She’s possible, but I’d need a price.
Race 4 – (5) STEAL THE MOMENT – the only winner in this field – has enough gate speed to make front from post 5 and if he clears early, he could be gone on the lead. (4) PULITZER is the type that driver St Louis can wake up first time in the sulky. Give him a price look for multi-race tickets. (3) HES A LITTLETERROR will likely leave with the choice and get position near the front early and that gives him a shot.
Race 5 – (6) WOODMERE ROLLILY was an easy winner in this class last week and she retains McNair tonight; call to repeat. (8) WINE TYME made some nice late gains racing wide but she was simply too far out of it. If she gets rolling earlier into a good flow this time, she could upset. (7) KEMPENFELT has the speed to fly off the gate and she is a good price option for the High-5. (1) WITNESSINTHESHADOW took several small shares last year. Starting from the rail, she should be part of the High-5. (2) RUNAWAY HEIRESS, with 11 slices taken in 19 races last year, is another good one to use underneath.
Race 6 – (4) SIBONEY had designs on the front last week but there were too many leavers to her left and she was forced to take a seat. From there driver Roy tripped her out perfectly to win. I can see her clearing to the front this week and taking this group coast-to-coast on the lead. (1) DOLLYS SKY was a winner last time she drew inside on 11/7 and she is a threat to consider tonight. (3) KISS IT BETTER provided perfect cover for the eventual winner last week and she should be in the mix again but I prefer to use her underneath.
Race 7 – (3) COCO BEACH DE VIE always looked the winner last week as she patiently rode cover to the lane. Moving inside now I see her taking control of this race early and she gets top call. (1) SMOKE N REACTOR N couldn’t close on the winner in the lane last week in a start she may have needed; the main danger. (5) MYSTIC SEELSTER hasn’t raced in close to a year and she may need one; using underneath.
Race 8 – (2) LIVIN LARGE qualified well for this and he should like the company switch having raced at Mohawk Park several times last year. The only concern is his low win percentage but he should have a good chance vs. these. (3) BETTORS VICTORY has a similar profile and these two might be fighting it out down the lane. (6) SPECTRUM SEELSTER couldn’t seal the deal despite getting soft fractions on the lead last week. From an outer post, I’ll play to beat him.
Race 9 – (5) CHARMBO GOLDEN gets to race at a mile after losing in the late stages of a 1 1/16th mile race to a sharp foe last week and he looks best here. (1) HEINEKEN SEELSTER could work out another great trip starting from the rail and he is on my late multi-race tickets. (2) YOOOUKILIS is usually in the mix and I can see him getting a trip that makes him dangerous tonight.
Race 10 – (1) DIAMONDS OR TWINE came back ready to fire and set strong splits then held on gamely; call to repeat from the rail. (6) BEAUTY IS BLIND was no match for a sharp 1 to 9 winner but that was a good try and she should be a factor again tonight; using. (7) MOONSHINERS CREDIT raced well from an outside post and she fits decently here; upset chance. (8) T J MACHS ME is 0 for 27 but she is usually good for a share and I’ll use her in the bottom rungs of the High-5. (3) ROSE RUN VIGILANT gets post improvement here and I can see her sneaking into the High-5.
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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