Best Bet – (1) SUNNY SICILY– Race 3
Spot Play – (2) EAS IDEAL – Race 5
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 3,4,6/2,3/1/1/1,2,9 = $3.60
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6 – 2,4/2,4,6/1,3/5,7,9/3,6,9 = $21.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 1/1/1,2,9/2,4 = $1.20
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7 – 2,4,6/1,3/5,7,9/3,6,9 = $10.80
Race 1 — (4) GEORGIA JANUARY comes back to the races following a two-week layoff. She faced this group in London and did well even with an outside draw; she should be able to work out a better trip this week; Harris gets back aboard. (6) STAGE TERROR has not missed the board this season after a lackluster four-year-old campaign. She is versatile and is worth a look underneath. (3) HALF MOON CAY qualified like she is ready to go; she should make the ticket if she handles the layoff well.
Race 2 — (3) SHIFTING VIEWS was put through the wringer in his last start parked every step of the mile, including a three-wide bid at the quarter pole. He should get back into form tonight. (2) GLOBAL SUPREMACY faded severely through the stretch last week; he has speed and should be able to work out a trip from here. (4) FAST AS PHELPS has been anything but that off the gate, but he is a strong closer. Don't count him out.
Race 3 — (1) SUNNY SICILY tried her luck in the Pop Up series at Mohawk Park, and it didn't work out for her. She has had success at this level before. While she is winless this year, she should do well with rail advantage. (3) SO FIA LOLITA closed gamely in her last start against these to finish a strong second. Look out for her late. (5) LETS ROAR gets post relief tonight; she is versatile and can race from anywhere.
Race 4 — (1) WILDCAT ANTONIA has won three-straight, and that effort last week from post seven was impressive. She should have no issues against this field tonight. (6) IN THIS TOGETHER steps up in class following a game victory against maidens last out. She is a solid closer, has speed and could be in the mix. Post seven will make things difficult for (7) IMACUTELILDOLLY, but I think she may be able to sneak onto the ticket.
Race 5 — (2) EAS IDEAL has had a rough time with the draw as of late and finally gets some much-needed post relief. Throw out that start last week; he should be able to rebound with an inside draw. (1) SPIDER MAN HANOVER raced well in his first start at Flamboro last week, getting the trip, but he came up just a little bit flat in the stretch. He should be tighter tonight and in the mix. (9) VIJAYSCAM could add some value to the exotics from the second tier. Driver change tonight to Scott Coulter. (5) MISTER J R got the perfect trip last week and couldn't get to the eventual winner. He draws into a decent spot tonight and has had success from mid-pack before. (3) SOUTHWIND GRIZZLY was parked the mile last week but still only beaten a few lengths. He could spice up the Super Hi-5.
Race 6 — (2) BEST KEPT SECRET stepped up to this class last week as she went to the lead and never looked back. She draws inside again and should cut the mile from here. (4) WHITE SATIN has been off for about a month and a half. She will come off of Lasix heading into this start tonight. The NW2 at Northfield can sometimes be a salty bunch; she is worth looking at tonight. (6) POSTSCRIPT hasn't been racing that well at Mohawk Park; she looks to improve, free-legged for the second time.
Race 7 — (2) THE REINS OF TITAN adds Lasix for the first time this week for trainer Gary Wallace. With the inside draw, he has speed and should be able to work out a decent trip. (4) MACKJUSTICE has a lot of ability and has shown he can leave or close from off the pace. He draws well this evening and could find his way onto the ticket from mid-pack. (6) NORTHERN TAILWIND draws tough but always seems to find his way onto the ticket. He is currently hitting the board at about a 50% clip.
Race 8 — (1) SANTANNA TONY has won two of his last three starts and has acclimated to the surface at Flamboro well. The inside draw will make him tough to beat. (3) JETSET CHARMER has hit the board in three of his last four starts for trainer Vernon Cochrane. He gets another favorable draw and has had success with driver Brett MacDonald before. (5) SEYMOUR LITTLE has been no worse than fourth since returning from a 24-day layoff in early November. Definitely a player at decent odds.
Race 9 — (5) DEFCON SEELSTER is one of the more consistent horses in the field. With most of the speed to his outside, he should be able to work out a decent front-end trip and set the pace. (7) SHOWME SOME MUSCLE would probably be my top pick if he drew inside. The son of Muscle Mass has speed and has won two straight at this level; post seven is the great equalizer tonight. (9) DELAWARE is an interesting player that could be good from post nine. He was claimed out of this class two starts back and has been racing well at the NW2 level.
Race 10 — (3) HARD ROCK looks to improve from last week's third-place effort with a better post draw and driver change to Coulter, who has driven him before. Look for him to come from off the pace. (6) ARSENAL DE CHAFRA has been third twice against this class at Flamboro and Western Fair. He can race from anywhere and figures to be on the ticket. (9) DELIGHTFUL MAGIC made a break in his last start, while concerning, the track was off that night. He could improve this week. (1) MIRAMICHI DAVID raced a little better last week following a disappointing effort two starts back. He does his best work when on the lead; he could set the pace tonight from the rail. (4) JULIO LAUXMONT raced well in his first start at Flamboro last time out. Byron gets along well with the gelding.
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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.
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