Best Bet – (1) KEVNDAN FRAUDSTERS – Race 4
Spot Play – (3) G A SPEED SAMMY – Race 3
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 2,3,5/2,5,6/3,4,6/1/2,4,5 = $16.20
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 7,8/4,8/2,7/1,2/1,2,3 = $9.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4: 1/2,4,5/7,8/4,8 = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8: 2,7/1,2/1,2,3/1,2,4,5 = $9.60
Race 1 – (3) C L SPORTACTION gets needed post relief tonight and I’m expecting an aggressive Colin Kelly steer; top call. (5) WINDSONG NAPOLEON is racing well and his sharp leaving ability always makes him dangerous; using. (2) RACEBYTHESEASIDE is hard to leave out considering he has won two straight at this level but he could get overbet now after paying $60 last week.
Race 2 – (5) MOONLITEBEACH is getting closer to notching a win and based on last week’s effort when she dropped into a claimer, she should be tough vs. these. (6) MOONSHINERS CREDIT was a good 2nd on Friday night here and she is a threat to lead these all the way; using. (2) PAISA HANOVER could land in the pocket this week and that gives her a chance in a race with seemingly few real contenders.
Race 3 – (3) G A SPEED SAMMY’s form continues to improve and he should get an honest pace to rally into tonight; slight nod in a race with several viable options. (6) FREDDY BEAR dominated a good Preferred 3 field at Flamboro last week and he should contend here despite drawing a wide post. (4) ARTISTIC PICK has been good with Kelly driving and he is another live option in a race that could be decided by trip.
Race 4 – (1) KEVNDAN FRAUDSTERS was hard-used to make the lead here on Friday night and he still almost got the job done. He should go right down the road tonight. (2) COOL HAND LUCAN improved on the class drop and he is likely to get another pocket trip tonight. He’s the main danger. (6) TOWNSHIP WILLY dropped and popped but he loses post position advantage this week and I’ll use him underneath.
Race 5 – This looks like a race that will set up for a closer and (5) LAND OF PARADISE is the one most likely to capitalize on some expected front end battling; top call. (2) ALYSSA MARIE easily took care of a $7K claiming field last week where she was so dominant that she went off at 1 to 9. This is a tougher spot but she is another who could trip out; using. (4) STONEBRIDGE DRAMA is always a threat at this level and she could be the one they are trying to chase down late. She is another possibility for multi-race tickets. (3) WOODMERE RIO always looks good on paper but she has taken almost 7 times as many slices as wins in her career; using underneath. (1) ROSELLA rarely misses a cheque and she should be part of the High-5 starting from the rail.
Race 6 – (8) FIREBBY A drops and she should get a decent start following the mare that drew the rail. I’ll give her the nod over the other class dropper (7) SIRIUS STAR who must overcome the worst post tonight. (5) LIFELONG DREAM makes her 2021 debut at a reduced level and I can see her coming on late to take a share vs. these.
Race 7 – (8) BIT OF LUCK comes off a much-improved effort at Mohawk Park and he should get a good stalking trip in this spot; top call. (4) J J POWERBALL fits best at this Preferred 3 level and driver Sorrie has been hot recently; using. (5) MOONWRITER is another class dropper to consider but from an outside post I prefer to use him underneath.
Race 8 – (7) FADING SHADOW gets a notable driver change to Kelly here on the class drop and I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets sent right to the front leaving the gate. She gets the nod. (2) INNOCENT KISS is also in a much better spot and teamster Steward should put her into play early. She’s the other one that I’ll use on late multi-race tickets. (8) CAYO LOCO will likely pass a few of these in the back 1/2. She’s a good one to use on the bottom of Tris and Supers.
Race 9 – (1) ADORE HIM gets class and post relief here and Rooney should be looking to take no prisoners from the rail post; top call. (2) JAKE LOEWEN has a better chance this week getting out of the second tier and he should be the main danger. (4) MACH ART IN MOTION should be passing a few of these late in the mile; using underneath.
Race 10 – (1) MACK THE KNIFE raced okay from the 7-hole last week now he draws inside for the first time in several races. Kelly is likely to get aggressive here and he could lead these all the way. (2) SAVANNAH SPLENDOR shouldn’t get parked the mile this week and that makes him a contender in a race that doesn’t have much good recent form. (3) TERRA COTTA LAD is another that gets post relief here that should race better and he is another possibility for your late multi-race tickets.
Race 11 – (2) BEAUTY IS BLIND was overbet when starting from the 8-hole last week now she gets important post and driver changes and she should be the one to catch tonight. (4) DIAMONDS OR TWINE beat the choice last week but she draws outside her now which could be a critical factor in the race. I wouldn’t take a short price. (5) LITERALLY HANOVER is capable on her best day and maybe she gets more aggressive this week; using. (1) KISS IT BETTER was a winner last time she drew the rail three starts back. She’s not out of this. (9) KEMPENFELT never misses a cheque it seems. Toss her on your High-5 tickets.
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 a past President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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