Best Bet - (8) ZACK TO THE MAX - Race 9
Spot Play - (6) UBETTIMAGOODONE - Race 11
20-Cent Pick-5 – Race 1 - 1,2,9/1,3/2,8/1,6/1,4,6 - $14.40
20-Cent Early Pick-4 - Race 3 - 2,8/1,6/1,4,6/1,5 - $4.80
20-Cent Late Pick-4 - Race 8 - 1,2,7/8/1,5,6/1,6,7 - $5.40
Race 1 - (2) MACHAPELO comes in from Woodbine Mohawk Park and should prevail with the class relief. (9) KOULTONS ROCKET did well in his qualifier preparing for this effort, though the lame scratch is slightly concerning. Hoping the layoff helped him. (1) R THINKING MONSTER was parked most of the mile last week before fading to last. Looking for a better trip from the rail.
Race 2 - (1) SCRAPPY LIL NOBODY was interfered with at the start last out and still managed to finish a respectable fifth. Second start off the layoff, if cleanly raced, could prove successful. (3) FARMERSTRIKESFAME is a consistent filly who likes to hit the ticket. Look for this daughter of Sportswriter to be forwardly placed early. (7) CHELSIS CHOICE draws tough tonight, but always manages to make the back end of the exotics.
Race 3 - (8) ROCK AND TWIST added Kelly to the bike last week and really excelled against this group. Not going to hold the outside post against him, I think he can win from there. (2) AETHON didn’t get the best of trips last week, look for more tonight with a better draw. (4) NOAHS PLAY has only missed the board a handful of times this year for trainer/driver Paul MacKenzie. He is worth a play underneath.
Race 4 - (1) SO FIA LOLITA is another horse on the program that raced well considering it was a compromised trip. She draws the rail and should continue to improve this week. (6) LYONS ANITA closed gamely last week, had the lead turning for home before fading through the stretch. She can hold her own against older. (5) CARD COLLECTOR is a versatile mare who has shown some promise through her last few starts. Worth a look underneath at a price.
Race 5 - (6) WILD EYED YANKEE draws into an interesting race where the two best horses have drawn towards the outside. He is a consistent son of Yankee Cruiser who can race from anywhere. (1) GO RRRILLA closed gamely from the second tier in his last start. He gets the rail tonight and should be game against this class. (4) SOMEHOWSOMEDAY is another deep closer in the field who shouldn’t be ignored.
Race 6 - (1) JETSET CHARMER does well when he draws the rail. If he can control the pace, it may be over from the time the gate folds. (5) TOP OF THE MORNING is a war horse who will make start 265 on Thursday. He does his best work on or near the lead, look for him to be close. (9) WESTRIDGE WARRIOR has hit the board in three of his last five starts and does well against the $7,000 claiming division. There is speed to the inside which should give him a chance to get into a good spot. (3) REDWHITEANDBOOTS finally draws well after two starts on the outside. Going to give him a nod on the back end of the High-5. (7) PRINCE ADIRAN didn’t race that great last out, look for him to be slightly better here.
Race 7 - (2) TWIN B DREAM GIRL looked razor sharp last week in her return to Flamboro from London; call to repeat. (4) PRETTY BLUE ANGEL looks to drop and pop for trainer Tim Myers. Travis Henry picks up the lines for this talented filly by Big Jim. (3) PERFECT MIA has only missed the board a handful of times this season, don’t leave her out.
Race 8 - (7) KAYS SHADOW comes back to Flamboro where she has had some success before. She doesn’t get the best draw, but will be coming like a freight train late. (1) CATCH AN ACE came first up last out against these and never really fired. She should improve tonight from the rail and make the ticket. (2) KICKIN COWGIRL is another Woodbine Mohawk Park invader, those shippers tend to do well here.
Race 9 - (8) ZACK TO THE MAX has won four of his last six starts and his last two have been from post eight. To say he is my Best Bet of the night is an understatement. (3) Y A MUSCLE MASS is always close at good odds; he has ability and should be able to use it tonight. (7) WRAP AND A HOOEY possesses speed and will most likely be leaving, even from an outside post. Definitely a player.
Race 10 - (1) HOWMACFIESTY is another solid player who has been able to put together a very nice season for her connections. She handled the jump in class well a few starts back, she gets the rail tonight and should use it to her advantage. (6) BLOSSOM ONTHEBEACH is a mare who could benefit from a shortened field. She is versatile and can race from anywhere, be on the lookout for her late. (5) LARJON LEGACY picks up Travis Henry who last drove this mare on November 9th to a strong second place effort.
Race 11 - (6) UBETTIMAGOODONE handled the Flamboro surface well last week from the second tier. She isn’t the fastest off the gate, but has a powerful closing kick that may put the rest of these to shame. (1) SUNNY SICILY has been off for almost a month leading up to this event. She faces easier than she has been racing against at Woodbine Mohawk Park and should be able to hold her own. (5) E L CITADEL gets Haughan back in the bike this week after being parked the mile last out en route to a fifth-place effort. If the trip goes her way look out. (7) HAPPY LOOKER has one thing going against her, the post draw. She is consistent, just not sure what trip she will get from out there. (9) PERFECT ROMI should be able to make the ticket from the second tier.
Photo by John Watkins
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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. - JJ Zamaiko Photo
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