Best Bet – (4) SR BEACH BABE – Race 2
Spot Play – (4) MR MACH JIMMY – Race 7
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 1,2,6/4/3/1,2,6/4,6,7 = $5.40
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 2,6/1,4/1,4/1,2,4/3,8 = $9.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4: 1,2,6/4,6,7/2,6/1,4 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8: 1,4/1,2,4/3,8/1,2,4,5 = $9.60
Race 1 — (6) SINGINTHESUNSHINE paced a big third 1/4 at Kawartha in a failed brush-and-crush attempt. A similar move should work in this field; top call. This is a good spot for (2) LEAVIN BRUISES who faced Stonebridge Helios in his qualifier, so you know this assignment will be much easier; upset chance. (1) ODDS ON FAKE NEWS to debut, and he’s another one that I’ll use in the early Pick 5. (7) STATE OF TREASURE would be ranked higher if he drew better. From out there, I’ll use him underneath.
Race 2 — (4) SR BEACH BABE was 1 to 9 when she easily handled most of these last week, and she should repeat at another short price. (3) ASBRAVEASMYMOMMA was a decent third Thursday night at Flamboro Downs, and she can be an Exacta factor here. (6) KEMPENFELT is worth a look racing off the claim despite drawing a wide post. (1) AZALEA SEELSTER should sit a nice trip and follow along for a share.
Race 3 — (3) DRAGON THE LINE appears to hold a clear speed edge here. He will be a Pick 4 single for me. (1) LITTLE WILLY should get a good trip racing near the front, and he is an Exacta factor. (2) BEARCATWILLY enjoyed easy fractions racing on the engine here last week and he converted. I see him taking a small share tonight. (8) SHADOW WARRIOR might get a rough overland trip in this spot. I’ll use him on the bottom.
Race 4 — (1) RETURN TO STYLE has drawn poorly forever, now she gets the rail. She has to be blasting tonight; top call. I like (6) LILYS PENELOPE’s most recent effort, and she should contend here despite drawing widest; using. (2) SHOW ME SOME MAGIC comes out of some fast Kawartha races. She has upset potential here. (5) A BIT A BILLIE can come on late to take another slice tonight.
Race 5 — This is an interesting Seniors Pace race. (6) TWILITE ZONE has been facing the toughest company lately, and I would think that Day will put him into play leaving the gate; top call. (4) ACEFORTYFOURTALON is another facing easier that should be sent forward leaving the gate. He is in with a good chance here. (7) ALWAYS N THE MONEY comes off an excellent try, and he recorded a fast time, but he might need to pass them all so I wouldn’t take a short price here. (3) REEL had no luck racing first up last time. He should get a better trip tonight and take a slice. (2) LAWMEN REIGN is a good one to use in the bottom rungs of the High-5.
Race 6 — (6) WINGS UP should like the easier company here, and he gets the nod despite drawing widest. (2) FORTUNE TELLERS K is the other one that has been facing tougher, and she should battle it out with the choice tonight. (4) YOOOUKILIS brings a consistent effort every race, and he should take a share vs. these. (7) SPICEY VICTOR was once a win machine, but he hasn’t notched a single victory so far this year. I see him finishing on the edges tonight.
Race 7 — (4) MR MACH JIMMY comes back quick after racing first up vs. better here on Friday night. I like him a lot in this spot; top call. (1) EXPRESS ALL THAT fired off a big mile when starting from the rail three starts back, and he looks like an obvious contender to me. (3) DEADLY ACTION should get good position leaving and stick around for a share. (5) ROYAL SHIP is capable of a better effort, and he will likely show it tonight; using underneath.
Race 8 — (1) MADE TO SHINE dominated last time he drew the rail, and he is the one to beat here. (4) THE DEVIL YOU KNOW showed speed and stopped at Mohawk Park on Thursday night. That effort should have him tight, and he can be a big threat here; using. (8) DESPERADO brings some great form in from Buffalo, and he projects to get a good trip following the choice tonight. He should be an exotics factor. (2) PRESS TIME is always in the hunt, and he can take another slice in this spot.
Race 9 — (1) MR ARCH comes off a solid try, and drawing the rail puts him in the driver seat tonight; top call. (2) LA MAGIC exits the same race, and he backed up badly then, but his effort two starts back is good enough to win this. I’ll use him on multi-race tickets. (4) NORTHERN TAILWIND has a goose egg in the 2021 win column, but his recent form is good enough to suggest that he has a chance in here. (3) ETERNAL JEWEL should be good for another small share tonight.
Race 10 — This is a good spot for (3) SCENE A MAGICIAN, and he should get an aggressive steer in this spot. He gets the nod. (8) KING OF MAGIC leaves Mohawk Park, and these are more his kind. He’s hard to leave off multi-race tickets in this spot. (1) WHAT CAN I SAY figures to race close to the front throughout and stick around for a share. (2) THE REINS OF TITAN should be good for a small share in this spot.
Race 11 — (5) BURLESQUE SEELSTER produced a quick final 1/4 to get up to win here last week and, off that sharp effort, she gets the call to repeat. (2) FLYSANTANNA should be pointing to the front at the start, and she could be the one to catch here. (1) SHADOW DREAMER is another fast closer that should be passing some of these late, and drawing the rail helps her tonight; using. (4) MISS SINFONIA is worth a look for the High-5, racing with second time Lasix. (6) QUEENOFHEARTS can get a spot near the front leaving the gate and stick around for a share.
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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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