Best Bet – (5) MISSYS MAGIC MAN – Race 1
Spot Play – (3) BETTORS VICTORY – Race 5
20-Cent Pick 5 Race 1: 5/1,2,3/2,6,7/2,4/1,2,3 = $10.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 4: 2,4/1,2,3/1,6,9/3,5 = $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 1,5,6/2,4,8/1,3/3,8 = $7.20
Race 1 – (5) MISSYS MAGIC MAN took two straight wins the hard way – challenging first up – and he should be good for a threepeat against these. (1) P C JUSTA DREAM has enough speed to contend here, the obvious concern being the two breaks in stride in her last two starts; demand a price. (4) CD MAX broke while on the move last time and he is another that is capable of better if he stays trotting.
Race 2 – (2) DUBAI SEELSTER appears to be leading driver St Louis’ choice here and from an inside post in a small field he is likely going to attempt to impose his will; top call. (1) BRYDOWN ROYAL ART raced tough in the opening leg of this series in just his second start last week and teamster Boyd is sure to protect position early; using. (3) SHIFTING VIEWS is hard to leave off the Pick 5 ticket coming off a hard-earned win in the opening leg last week and he is another in with a good shot here.
Race 3 – (7) BIG BLUE FORD owns the fastest mark in the race by several seconds but he draws worst and makes his 2020 debut. Still, if he gets put into this race, he may prove tough to beat. (6) ZORGWIJK TECOMA has enough gate speed to get away well from the outside and his form is consistently good; using. (2) ANN JACKSON can be a speed threat if she stays trotting this time.
Race 4 – (4) ROYAL PEACH, coming off a good effort chasing a strong winner at Mohawk Park, should be very tough to beat here at a short price. (2) CREDITS CELEBRITY had no issue wiring the field from the worst post here last week and she should be the main danger. (1) TEN FOUR WE GONE should sit a good trip racing near the front and land in the Tri.
Race 5 – (3) BETTORS VICTORY has had no luck with post draws in several recent races but he gets post relief here and he should wake up in this spot; top call. (1) ARTISTIC PICK should be prominent from the outset here and he is likely to offer a better price than the 3 to 5 odds he was bet down to last week. (2) ROUGH TRADE came close at this level four starts back now he picks up driver Kelly and a good post. I’ll toss him on my Pick 5 ticket tonight.
Race 6 – (6) THE REINS OF TITAN has by far the best win record in this race and he should be tough as he shoots for a threepeat. (9) D PROCRASTINATOR was 2nd to the choice last week in an improved effort and the extra 1/16th of a mile might work to his benefit; using. (1) BUILT STRONG drops in for a tag here and he should get sent forward leaving the gate. He may trip out in this spot. (4) DANCING QUEEN was beaten only 3/4 of a length by the choice last time and she should take a slice here. (2) HAVEN SEELSTER woke up with a better try last time but she loses driver McClure now; using underneath.
Race 7 – (5) WAIKIKI HANOVER was huge in his Racing Under Saddle debut at Hanover in September and he gets the nod vs. this group. (3) ENCHANTED MISSION shows two very good recent RUS qualifiers and he should be an Exacta factor here. (6) EMOTIONS DURABLES also shows a nice RUS qualifier where she made a sharp late move; consider for Tri bets.
Race 8 – (1) SMILINGBILLYTHEKID tripped out to take a win in the opening leg of this series and starting from the inside he might work out another nice stalking trip here; slight nod. (5) MACHAHOLIC did all the work only to be shaded by the choice on the wire. He is in with a good chance here. (6) TWIN B POWERBALL is capable of a big effort if he is allowed to clear to the front but I’m not sure that will happen here; demand a price.
Race 9 – (2) ELM GROVE LADYLUCK should make front here and that’s where she does her best work; top call. (4) MACHING BEAUTY gets her nose back on the gate and picks up Mackenzie to drive. She should contend in this spot. (8) COCOA BEACH DE VIE wasn’t far behind the choice last time after getting a much tougher trip and she is another that could take this with the right trip.
Race 10 – (1) BIG FRANKIE ships in from the Maritimes coming off a big win and he draws best so a speed try is likely. I’ll give him the nod. (3) CARD SWAP didn’t get the best trip last week and I expect he will get sent hard leaving the gate to secure better position; using. (4) MOONSHINE WILLY produced a nice late kick last week and there are fewer horses to pass in this field; consider for Tri bets.
Race 11 – (3) WHATAREALBADGIRL kept coming last week despite the late pace accelerating and she may get sent right down the road this time. (8) ACEFORTYFOURLADYDI is facing easier here but she will need to be out and moving early. She’s on my late Pick 4 ticket. (7) P L NANCY takes a substantial class drop but draws worst. I’ll use her underneath.
Race 12 – (1) CULLEN KEEFE N drops and gets post advantage on a couple of others that would likely love to make front early. He should seat them all and try to wire these. (3) REEL adds both Lasix and St Louis and he is an obvious threat. (2) BETTORS WESTERN was a game winner here last week vs. easier and he isn’t out of this. You should get a square price if you like him, too. (8) DUC DORLEANS and (9) HIDDEN POTENTIAL should both get decent midpack positions early following the leavers and they are High-5 factors.
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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 five years. He is also the current President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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