Best Bet – (4) HARPERS HAT TRICK – Race 2
Spot Play – (7) TOGETHER WE RUN – Race 5
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 2,3,6/4/1/1,5,6/1,3,4,6,7 = $9.00
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 1,3/1/1,2/4,5,8/3,7 = $4.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4: 1,5,6/2,3,4,6,7/1,3/1 = $6.00
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8: 1,2/4,5,8/3,7/2,6,7 = $7.20
Race 1 – (3) GREYSTONEFASTMYLES looked loaded at the 3/4 pole last week but he checked up at that point and seemed to lose his momentum. Moving inside, I’ll give him the nod to turn the tables on (2) FINE CREDIT, who was razor-sharp in winning his debut and he should be a force to be reckoned with again tonight; using. (6) SCHNEBLY HILL finished 2nd to a repeat winner who went off at 1 to 9 last week in what was an improved performance and Coulter sticks here. He is in with an upset chance.
Race 2 – (4) HARPERS HAT TRICK has been lights out at this track and he should triple up here, again at a very short price. (1) GEORGES CREDIT was used up early last week working to make front from an outside post. He can improve sharply in this spot and he is an Exacta factor. (3) TJ SILVERADO is always in the mix and he should work his way into the Tri tonight.
Race 3 – (1) SOUTHWIND GOLIATH finds a great spot to notch a confidence-building win and I expect Coulter to send him right down the road. (3) CIROCMETOSLEEP can improve with a debut race under his belt and I wouldn’t be surprised if he lands in the pocket and rides it all the way to complete the Exacta. (4) CAMYOUBELIEVEIT is now 0 for 20, but he improved last week and he can take another share tonight.
Race 4 – (6) DERF HANOVER and McNair will no doubt try to impose their will here and if he clears to the front, he should be tough to beat. (5) REFI was very impressive winning in this class here last week and he is hard to leave off early multi-race tickets. (1) SIZZLEN HOT HERBIE is a classy hard-trying gelding that isn’t out of the equation starting from the rail. He may provide some multi-race value.
Race 5 – (7) TOGETHER WE RUN raced gamely first-over last week and this looks like a spot where she might be able to blast and clear to the front; upset special. (1) QUEENOFHEARTS should get a good trip racing on or near the lead; using. (4) WHITE DANCER is typically aggressive and she is another in with a shot in this race that demands wide multi-race ticket coverage.
Race 6 – (3) LAST MACH was persistent early in the mile last week looking for the lead and once he cleared, he just kept rolling. He gets a much better post here and he should be tough. (1) SAULSBROOK KAISEN is in a better spot here and Plante has been sending everything lately. He could be a thorn in the choice’s side tonight. (2) YANNICK SEELSTER draws much better but he continues to be a horse that will likely get overbet, that I will aim to beat; using underneath.
Race 7 – (1) MACH MINE BLUE dropped and popped last week and driver Thiessen – who has been hot recently – will likely get aggressive early leaving from the best post; top call. (6) COME ON OVER raced well last week but she couldn’t repel the choice and now she loses post position advantage; using underneath. (2) SMILE IN STYLE is capable of sitting a nice trip and taking a share this week.
Race 8 – (2) WILLYORWONTHE faces a much easier group here then he did in the top class last week and he should prove tough to catch. (1) SUPER T was cleverly-driven to win by Roy last week and he could sit a perfect trip following the choice tonight; using. (5) SCENE A MAGICIAN was 2nd to the choice when last seen in December. He gives up post positioning and conditioning here but I expect to see him come on late to take a small share.
Race 9 – (4) ALYSSA MARIE last won six starts back which was also the last time she faced $7,000 claimers. She should be tough in here. (5) XELENE BAYAMA tried to make a move for the front last week and it didn’t work out. A similarly aggressive approach could work better here; using. (8) WINDEMERE MCSEEK should improve on the class drop but the second-tier post makes me want to demand a price.
Race 10 – This is a class that (7) NEBRASKA JACK can dominate if he makes front and McNair should be sending him in this spot. (3) MAGICS LUCKY CHARM gets a notable driver change to Roy and that puts her on my multi-race ticket radar; using. (1) KASHE didn’t show much last week when she was hammered down to 3 to 5 on the class drop. I’ll use her on the bottom only tonight.
Race 11 – (2) MIKEY CAMDEN gets some needed class relief here shipping in from Mohawk Park and Steward should have him rolling early. I’ll give him the nod over the other Mohawk Park shipper (7) LETS GET PICKLED, who should be a threat but may just have too far to come after leaving from the widest post. (6) LIVIN LARGE was sharp in his second start back and he’s the logical alternative if you are trying to beat the two shippers. (9) SHADOW TAIL was very sharp in victory last week but I don’t love him starting from the second tier; using underneath. (5) WILSON WALL rarely misses a cheque. He’s a good one to use in the bottom rungs of the High-5.
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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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