Best Bet - (1) MAYFAIR WELL – Race 2
Spot Play - (4) ROCKIN IN HEAVEN – Race 6
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,4,6/1/9/1,5,9/2,3,5 = $5.40
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 7 – 1,4,7/3,5/1,4,6/4,7,8/1,4 = $21.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 9/1,5,9/2,3,5/4 = $1.80
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8 – 3,5/1,4,6/4,7,8/1,4 = $7.20
Race 1 — (6) PHILTHEBANK gets a driver change to Boyd this week. Since returning to this class two starts back he seems to be rounding into form. (1) LATEST ATTRACTION was a winner in London on November 8. He has made two breaks recently, which is slightly concerning. If he stays flat he will be a factor. (4) GRAMMYS CALL will face this class again tonight following a strong effort in London.
Race 2 — (1) MAYFAIR WELL improved with the step back in class last week showing a considerable effort from post seven. He will face softer again tonight; this is a clear single in the Pick-5. (4) ARCH HALL will have a few things working for him tonight; class relief, a fast track, and removal of Lasix. He should add value to the exotics. (7) SLIP INTO GLIDE has been racing well since dropping to this class. He is a strong closer and should be moving late.
Race 3 — (9) GOLD TRAIN was razor-sharp in his qualifier on October 29; while that was almost a month ago, anything close to that trip should win easily here. (5) SMOOTH AS CHEDDAR has only missed the board once this year. He will try his luck against more formidable tonight. He has speed and figures to be close to the pace. (6) COUNTRY BOY TOUGH was racing well at the non-winners of one condition; he steps up in class this week but he could be a factor underneath at a price.
Race 4 — (9) D GS RUNFORHIM drops, gets post relief and a driver change tonight in his second start off of the layoff. Look for him to be rolling late. (5) LARJON LUCKY gets post and class relief this week with MacDonald back in the bike. Since coming in from Kawartha he hasn't hit the board, but he could be worth a look underneath on the class drop. (1) R THINKING MONSTER has had success at Flamboro and against this class before. I wouldn't ignore him from the rail.
Race 5 — (2) HEZ MY BUDDY raced well considering the outside draw last week; he should improve with an inside post draw. (5) SAVOIR DUHARAS made an uncharacteristic break in his last start. He is a versatile, talented gelding; he has only missed the board twice in his young career; he is a looker at decent odds. (3) THATS A BEACH bounced back off a decent layoff to win his last race easily. He comes back off another layoff tonight and could be a factor down the stretch.
Race 6 — Millionaire (4) ROCKIN IN HEAVEN will try to make it two-in-a-row tonight for trainer Teesha Symes. He gets post relief tonight and could be a key in the Pick-4. (1) BETTER BE GOUDA didn't get the best trip last week at Mohawk Park. He looks to improve tonight against easier for trainer Blake MacIntosh. (3) DEVILS PEAK was a winner in a dead heat with ROCKIN IN HEAVEN last week. He is another deep closer who will be rolling late. (5) BIG MACH N does his best work when on or near the lead; he could be a factor with the right trip. (9) PASSIONATE PRINCE closed from off the pace two starts back and won easily. He should be able to make the Super Hi-5 starting from the second tier.
Race 7 — (1) TELL US MORE raced very well last week, considering he had to start from the outside. He has speed and should be a factor from the rail. (4) OUTLAW GUNPOWDER got the perfect trip last week and was an easy winner. He is versatile and should be able to work out a trip from anywhere. (7) BAROSSA BLUE GENES enters first off the claim for trainer Corey Johnson. He has shown speed before and should be able to make the ticket at decent odds.
Race 8 — (5) CAPTAINOFROCKNROLL has won two straight against this group. He has a lot of speed and should be able to cut the mile starting from mid-pack. (3) MIDWAY ISLAND didn't get the best trip in his first start off of the layoff, having to start from post seven. He figures to be better tonight in his second start off of the layoff. (7) SPORTSLINE just missed in his first start back to the races. He put up a significant speed figure in that race; one to watch even starting from the outside.
Race 9 — (4) STORMONT CHARLOTTE is the speed of the race coming off a strong effort against easier last week. She gets another favorable draw tonight. (1) WINGS UP has closed off the pace in two straight trips, one against easier and one against this class. He should be able to hold his own against these. (6) CAVIARS TRIUMPH had to come three-wide off the turn last week and it wound up being too much for him. With an easier trip he could make the ticket.
Race 10 — (7) COTE DAZUR has won two of his last three starts for trainer Blair Burgess. He steps up to face tougher company tonight, looking to continue his recent success. (8) PARTYINTHESHADOWS closed gamely against this group last week, only missing by a couple of lengths. The outside has not been an issue for this gelding before; don't leave him off the ticket. (4) THREE TRICK GAINER went to the lead last week and won easily against claimers. The last time he faced this group was four back and he just missed finishing a solid third.
Race 11 — (4) BIT OF LUCK isn't the quickest off of the gate but his closing speed has been carrying him as of late. He looks to improve against this class again from mid-pack. (1) DREAMFAIR MOXY ships in from Mohawk Park this week and could improve against easier. He has speed and could cut the mile from the rail. (2) SHADES OF BAY made up a lot of ground throughout the mile last week against more formidable. He should be better against easier with an improved post draw. (6) SEA LAIRD just missed against this class two starts back coming from off the pace. He should be able to work out a better trip against easier. (5) TERO dropped back to this class after a laborious effort last week. He is a solid contender to make the Super Hi-5.
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Michael Carter is the co-host of Post Time with Mike and Mike and also is one of the USTA Social Media/Publicity Coordinators. Carter got his start in the sport from going to the track with his father. Carter is the former announcer at Buffalo Raceway and worked at Northfield Park prior to working at the USTA.
Photo by Ryan Clements Photos
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