Best Bet – (1) VIVALDI HANOVER – Race 2
Spot Play – (1) MAY TWO FOR – Race 7
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1: 1,2,5/1/3,4/1,5,7/2,7,9 = $10.80
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6: 1,2,3/1,2/1,7,8/2,5,8/3 = $10.80
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 4: 1,5,7/2,7,9/1,2,3/1,2 = $10.80
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 1,7,8/2,5,8/3/2,3,6 = $5.40
Race 1 – (5) ANOTHER GREAT PICK showed good early zip last time leaving from the worst post and came on again in the lane to just miss. He gets the nod here off that sharp effort. (1) SHADOW MARGEAUX had no excuse last week; he just couldn’t close out the mile. St Louis has been winning with everything here this week and he is impossible to leave out of the Pick 5 from the rail, but I wouldn’t run to the windows to bet him to win at odds-on. (2) PODIUM SEELSTER has some upset appeal dropping and drawing well and I’ll use him in the Pick 5, too.
Race 2 – (1) VIVALDI HANOVER faces much easier, gets the rail and St Louis. He should be tough to beat here. (7) AMAZON DRAGON shows the best recent race and he should be the main danger despite drawing widest. (8) ROLLING ROCK has a shot to land in the Tri if he follows the choice closely leaving the gate.
Race 3 – (4) LAVECS MUSCLE GIRL was a bit lucky that a few of her rivals broke in her debut but she took advantage and she can double up here with the benefit of that experience in tow. (3) J R WHEELING raced well to finish second to the choice and he should be in the hunt again here. (8) MASS AMOUNTOF WINE comes off a nice Flamboro win but from the second tier I’ll use her on the bottom only.
Race 4 – (5) WHATAREALBADGIRL is on a roll and if she can clear to the front again, she should be hard to catch. (7) COCO BEACH DE VIE has done well in her past five starts considering she always draws poorly (as she does again tonight). She has upset potential if she can work out a trip. (1) AVENUE ROAD KATIE’s recent form is uninspiring but can you afford to leave Marc St Louis out from the rail?
Race 5 – (2) STONEBRIDGE BETTOR was no match for the winner last week – nobody was – but this is a good spot for him and he could get sent right down the road here. (9) MACK THE KNIFE raced much better last time and he is worth a long look for multi-race tickets. (7) RAIN MAN BLUE CHIP is worth a look shipping in from Flamboro and picking up St Louis. (8) PAY LATER should pass a few of these late to take a slice. (3) CANT BE BETTER should land in the top flight early and stick around for a placing in the High 5.
Race 6 – (1) ZORGWIJK TECOMA gets much needed post relief and I like him to lead these all the way. (2) TIME AFTER TIME raced well in the Autumn series and drawing inside gives her a shot here. (3) RIVERSONTHEGO obviously has the speed to beat this group but her recent gait issues are worrisome. I’d demand a price here.
Race 7 – (1) MAY TO FOR made a nice late move last time now he gets the rail and St Louis which is a hard combination to beat in London; top call. (2) ARTS FIRST LUCK gets post relief and a positive driver change here and he is the only two-time winner in 2020 in this race; using. (4) ROUGH TRADE has improving form and he should work his way into the Tri in this spot.
Race 8 – (8) EXHIBITION DAY got buried last week and lost all chance. From the second tier post he should be able to get into the flow tonight and he gets the nod. (1) D PROCRASTINATOR shied away from the gate at the start last week and he was forced to take the overland route. A better start could lead to a maiden-breaking win here. (7) FINAL CHEQUE performs best at this $15,000 conditioned claiming level and he is one that shouldn’t be left off multi-race tickets.
Race 9 – (5) REEL and St Louis have been good partners recently, winning the two times they teamed up and I’ll give them a slight nod. (8) BIT OF LUCK faces much easier in this spot but he has to navigate a trip from post 8. I wouldn’t take too short a price here but he is an obvious contender. (2) BROCKS FORTUNE should be put in play early here and he could be a pocket rocket in the lane; using.
Race 10 – (3) TYMAL HOUDINI dominated here last week and he is hard to go against as he looks for the repeat. (2) MISSYS MAGIC MAN couldn’t get close to the choice last week but she could have a better shot here from an inside post and her price will be better. (7) KASHE is worth a look for the Tri and Super coming off an improved effort.
Race 11 – (2) PRIDEINMYSTRIDE gets back to the level where she won easily two starts back and she draws inside so she should be tough in here. (3) PANERAI adds Lasix and it would be no surprise if she lasts much longer in this spot; using. (6) LITERALLY HANOVER had no problem here starting from the 5-hole and winning easily last time; another in with a chance. (5) P L NANCY recovered well from an early break last time and she should be in the High-5. (8) LITTLE BEARCAT should pass a few of these late and take 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 five years. He is also the current President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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