Best Bet – (3) GREYSTONEFASTMYLES – Race 1
Spot Play – (8) FROWNIES MIRACLE – Race 8
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 3/1,2,5/3,5,7/2,8/1 = $3.60
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 3/ALL/1,3,8/2,6/8 = $7.20
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4: 2,8/1/3/ALL = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8: 1,3,8/2,6/8/3,4,9 = $3.60
Race 1 – (3) GREYSTONEFASTMYLES responded to the driver change to McNair last week. Drawing inside and keeping McNair should make him tough to beat as he seeks to repeat. (4) ONE DRINK AGO raced okay first up last week and he can be an Exacta factor tonight if he gets a slightly better trip. (7) HES A LITTLETERROR was sharp in victory last week but he draws worse here and he is likely going to be forced to take a seat early this time; using on the bottom.
Race 2 – (5) SAM MCKEE HANOVER took no prisoners last time and if he clears again, he should be tough. (2) DOC FANELLI could be looking to park the choice early and if they hook up in an extended duel early, neither could be around at the finish. (1) SMILINGBILLYTHEKID is the most likely benefactor if that speed duel unfolds and I’ll use him in the early Pick 5.
Race 3 – (7) GIBBS RULES – a homebred 1/2-brother to 38-time winner LDL Gem – qualified well for this with Sorrie in the bike and he sticks here. I’ll take a swing with him in his debut hoping for a square price. (5) PRIMETIME SEELSTER was sharp in his debut, gaining late while the pace accelerated. He is probably the one to beat here. (3) FINE CREDIT couldn’t close into a swift back 1/2 last week when chasing the horse who is the top choice in race 1 tonight. He is another who merits a close look for early Pick 5 tickets.
Race 4 – (8) WINDSONG OLYMPIA destroyed a field of $7,000 claimers at Flamboro Downs on Saturday night and she attracts teamster Roy in this spot. She should be tough as long as she can get an alert start from the second tier. (2) WINDEMERE MCSEEK was first up against a winner who came back to beat better here on Monday night. She looks like the main threat. (3) XELENE BAYAMA has raced a bit better recently and she should take a share here.
Race 5 – (1) BIG SIR gets class and post relief and McNair should send him right down the road tonight at a short price. (2) WILSON WALL should have every chance to drop into the choice’s pocket early here and he could be the value of the race on the bottom of the Exacta. (3) MIKEY CAMDEN cuts back to a mile but he is unlikely to see the front in this race; using underneath. (6) PRINCE ADAIR has licence to improve in this spot shipping in from Mohawk Park, but post position will be his biggest obstacle; small share predicted. (7) LETS GET PICKLED can pass some of these late and land in the High-5.
Race 6 – (3) SIZZLEN HOT HERBIE is the class of this field and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t impose his will on this easier field than he has been facing recently. (1) SCENE A MAGICIAN should be leaving and he is likely to round out a chalky Exacta. (5) SUPER T was no match for a class dropper last week but he is racing well and he can take a share.
Race 7 – (6) WEST RIVER CINDY gets McNair tonight and this is a field she can beat if she stays flat; top call. (3) WARRAWEE USAIN will likely try to bottom out the field again. Every once in a while, he doesn’t stop. I can’t take a short price here though. (1) EIGHTOCLOCKSTORM is capable but risky with his gait issues. He is worth a look for the cash leg of the early Pick 4.
Race 8 – (8) FROWNIES MIRACLE hasn’t raced since last summer but he is good enough to beat these if he is ready to roll and his qualifier was decent; slight nod from post 8. (1) FAST AS PHELPS can be a stubborn leader here if he behaves and he is on my late multi-race tickets. (3) AJKNIGHT has a better chance tonight not having to face Harpers Hat Trick and he is an upset possibility.
Race 9 – (2) CLUB BELVEDERE didn’t show much in her comeback race but that was a much tougher spot and with class and post relief tonight she can turn things around quickly; top call. (6) NEBRASKA JACK is sure to be a threat again tonight and McNair should have him rolling early for position; using. (1) ZORGWIJK TIM figures to work out a nice trip starting from the rail and he should be part of the Tri.
Race 10 – (8) GET IT DONE DONNA was solid in defeat last time and I expect Sorrie to brush her to the front at the first opportunity and control this race from there. (2) AZALEA SEELSTER is likely to go to the front tonight but she needs to find more late speed; using underneath. (4) LITTLEANNIEOAKLEY passes horses frequently and she’s a good one to use on the bottom of Tris and Supers.
Race 11 – (4) WHITE DANCER just throttled $7K claimers last week so she is a good bet to double up tonight. The mare that beat (3) J S PERFECT CACHE has already come back to beat better and this mare could be a sneaky price for the late Pick 4 and Pick 5. (9) TAYDERTOTZZ will need some luck from post 9 but she isn’t impossible in this spot; using. (2) QUEENOFHEARTS is always in the mix and it’s hard to leave her off High-5 tickets. (1) SCOTTISH MACH should be able to take a cheque starting from the rail this week.
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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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