Best Bet – (5) JESSICAS LEGACY – Race 6
Spot Play – (1) PRESTO SCORE – Race 1
20-Cent Pick 5 - Race 1: 1,3,5/1,2,8/3,5/3,5,8/1,4 = $21.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 3,5/3,5,8/1,4/5,7 = $4.80
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 1,4,5,8/2,6/1,4/2,3,5 = $9.60
Race 1 – (1) PRESTO SCORE impressed here last week with a four-wide power move in the final 1/4 which was paced rapidly. If he uses the best post position to advantage early, he can upset (5) BIG SIR who looks for a threepeat, but could get stung early this time. (3) CURIOUS CORTEZ gets an improved post coming off a tough first-over trip here last week and he is another in with a shot.
Race 2 – (8) P H RAINMAN ships west coming out of the fastest race of any of these and if he can work out a trip starting from the second tier, he should be tough in here. (1) U R DRIVINGME NUTZ made a mild late move last week now he gets major post relief which driver Thiessen should take advantage of; using. (2) RANGER HANOVER is another Maritimes shipper in with a shot but he has missed some time; demand a price.
Race 3 – (5) GRAND AVE LEGEND was in tough in Grassroots company last start now he is in a much better spot and he should get an aggressive steer; top call. (3) DEPUTY SEELSTER similarly faces easier and his sharp gate speed should be on display here. He’s the second one that I’ll use in the Pick 5. (4) THREE TRICK GAINER should go better here if he can find some cover this time; using underneath.
Race 4 – (3) ROOTIN TOOTIN is in a good spot here in terms of both class and post position and I expect Henry to provide an aggressive steer from the outset; top call. (5) TOOT TOOT N couldn’t repel a closer that swooped the field on the final turn last time at Flamboro but he fits well here and if he is allowed to clear early, he could be gone on the front end. (8) JEWELS DRAGON goes for a barn that has been winning with everything lately and he can’t be discounted in this spot despite drawing into the second tier.
Race 5 – (4) AVUNCULAR takes a big class drop and draws a much better post tonight. Don’t expect to get anything close to the 10 to 1 morning line quote. He has a big shot in here. (1) YOOOUKILIS exits a salty claiming handicap and draws best and he should be the main threat. (5) JOONER gets a driver switch to Horner who is likely to put him into the race and he can land in the Tri or Super.
Race 6 – (5) JESSICAS LEGACY made an early move after starting from the second tier at Leamington and proceeded to extend her lead at every call. St Louis will have her motivated leaving the gate and she will be tough in here. (7) PLAY WITH PASSION looks next best but she wants the front too, and she may get stung early starting from the widest post; demand a price. (1) TELL EM HANOVER should get good position at the start and ride a nice trip to a finish in the Tri. (3) COME ON OVER figures to get a quicker start from post 3 and she can land in the High-5. (2) ACTION ROYAL GRIN rarely misses a cheque; using underneath.
Race 7 – (1) MALL PEEN HAMMER gets a barn change, St Louis in the bike, and the best post for his new owner/trainer. I can see sharp improvement coming here. (5) ERNIE PANIC exits some quick Grand River races but he has missed some time. He is a contender but I wouldn’t take a short price. (4) LITTLE QUICK’s two most recent starts from challenging posts weren’t bad now he draws better and he is in with a chance here.
Race 8 – (1) LYDI LULA BELLE gets major post relief here and hot driver Cullen is sure to use it to advantage. She could go right down the road in this spot. (5) SIRIUS STAR made a big third 1/4 move vs. better here last week and she almost got the job done. She is one of the main contenders here. (8) WOODMERE WYLDSTYLE beat the choice last time but now she must navigate the second tier. She is another in with a chance.
Race 9 – This should be a good spot for (6) HOWMAC SABRINA who is the lone class dropper in the field and I expect an aggressive drive; top call. (2) KINNDERUNTOUCHABLE made a first-over bid last week in an improved effort and she is in with a decent chance here starting from the inside. (3) XELENE BAYAMA has seen better days but she should take a decent share vs. this group.
Race 10 – (4) QUESO RELLENO faces elders here but she has the speed to go with them and Mackenzie should be sending her hard leaving the gate; slight nod. (1) RIDE AWAY SHARK moves from the worst post to the best starting slot and she could provide some late Pick 4 value; using. (7) SR BEACH BABE is in tremendous form but she draws worst. I’ll play to beat her in this spot.
Race 11 – (2) SIMON SAID was likely going to finish 2nd last week to a rival that was not the eventual winner (3) ROCKIN WIZARD but when that horse broke while on a clear lead and on his way to victory, it changed the entire race. I’ll use both in the Pick 4 and give a slight edge to the former who gets post position advantage. (5) GRITS N GRAVY should move up off the St Louis claim and he is another that merits a look for the late Pick 4.
Race 12 - In a wide-open finale, I’ll side with (1) PAY LATER who should benefit greatly from drawing the rail. (3) NEEDLECREST is classy and he can take air for a long way. He’s hard to leave off this Pick 4 ticket. (4) CAVIART SUNDANCE’s winning effort two starts back stamps him as a contender in this spot if he can stay flat this week. (2) STONEBRIDGE BETTOR is capable of a better effort and he could get a great trip here and spice up the High-5 payout. (9) BIG JOE DOBY should be able to pass a few of these late and take a small 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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