Best Bet – (4) RIDE AWAY SHARK – Race 9
Spot Play – (5) KISS IT BETTER – Race 1
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 1,2,5/1,4,5/1/1,3,4,5/1,2,8 = $21.60
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 5,6/1,2/1,8/4/2,3,7,8,9 = $8.00
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 1,2/1,3,4,5/1,2,8/5,6 = $9.60
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7: 1,2/1,8/4/2,3,7,8,9 = $4.00
Race 1 – (5) KISS IT BETTER was refunded after suffering interference at the start last week where she had the choice of leaving fast taken away. She can bounce back here at a price with Borth taking over the controls. (1) BELLAFORNOW gets post and class relief here and she is a must use for me from the rail. (2) SIBONEY seems to love this track and she gets a good post and an aggressive driver so she is in with a chance again tonight.
Race 2 – (5) BACKRIVER DUKE popped and stopped when facing much better here last week now he drops to the lowest claiming level. Steward is likely to set up shop on the engine and play catch me if you can. (4) SUNSHINE N SHADE lost all chance at the start when he broke last week and he too drops in for a $7K claiming tag. He should be right there if he stays flat. (1) TOWNSHIP WILLY will no doubt improve here getting the rail in a small field but I wouldn’t take a short price on him in a race where he is one of three legitimate contenders.
Race 3 – (1) STONEBRIDGE DRAMA raced well from the 7 hole here on the Friday night and she should be very hard to beat from the rail tonight. (2) SUNSHINEINMYPOCKET didn’t show much in her first race back, she raced decently to finish third on Saturday, and if she can land in the choice’s pocket leaving the gate, she will have a chance to upset. (3) WOODMERE RIO has been taking frequent shares and she should continue that streak by sitting a nice following trip tonight.
Race 4 – (1) EINHORN hasn’t won in a while, but he races best for Sorrie and they draw best here in a field with seemingly few contenders. I’ll take a stab with him looking for some multi-race value. (5) KEVNDAN FRAUDSTERS is in an easier spot tonight and he should be pointing towards the front leaving the gate; using. (4) SAVANNAH SPLENDOR moves off the 8-hole and comes up tagged which should lead to a better result. He’s another possibility here.
Race 5 – This is a good spot for (8) MR MACH JIMMY to take his first win of the year and Henry should be moving him early in this mile; top call. (2) HIDDEN POTENTIAL should be blasting here with the post relief he gets and he could lead these all the way; using. (1) COLORADO BUCK is another who figures to leave quickly and he may seat them all heading into the first turn. He isn’t without a chance.
Race 6 – (6) PEDRO HANOVER is rightfully assigned the widest post in this Preferred Handicap but he is sharp enough to overcome it; top call. (5) SILVER BEAST came back razor-sharp and he is the one the choice should fear most; using. (3) CYCLONE JOE is sharp and he can take lots of air. He should get a piece of this.
Race 7 – (2) DOWN ON MY LUCK got a chance to stretch his legs with the trainer driving from a bad post at Flamboro and the result was predictable. He gets a catch driver and an inside post now; it’s go time. (1) J J POWERBALL is in an easier spot and he has to be a threat from the rail tonight; using. (4) MERCENARY is in solid form but he is more likely to take a slice than to beat the top two choices; using underneath.
Race 8 – (1) PAISA HANOVER obviously fits much better in a claimer, and starting from the rail she has a good chance to lead these all the way; top call. (8) BEAUTY IS BLIND is on a roll but she loses Coulter here and gets relegated to the second-tier post. She can win, but I won’t take a short price. (5) KEMPENFELT was a solid 2nd last week and she should be an exotics factor again tonight; using underneath.
Race 9 – (4) RIDE AWAY SHARK came back in form last week and just failed to get the job done. Tonight, she goes down the road. (8) INSINCERITY is one of the best in here but from the second tier post following slow leavers, she is up against it; using underneath. (3) NORTHERN BELLE can improve getting post relief for this second start back and I’ll include her in Tri and Super bets.
Race 10 – (9) C L SPORTACTION should get a solid pace to chase tonight and I’ll give him the call to upset in this second start back. (3) WINDSONG NAPOLEON set solid splits to win in this class on the 10th and he should be the one to catch here. (2) AMAZING QUEST should get a more alert start from his inside post tonight and land in the Tri or High-5. (7) MOHEGAN BLUE CHIP never threatened last time despite going off as the 1 to 5 heavy chalk. I see him coming on late for another share tonight. (8) MYSTIC MESSENGER should get a decent following trip and he can make it 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 six years. He is also a past President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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