Don't miss Ontario Racing UNFILTERED on CTV2, Saturday, March 30th at 8:00 PM EST. Whether you're a seasoned turf aficionado or new to the sport, prepare for an unforgettable experience. Get ready to be on the edge of your seat!

Michael Carter’s Grand River Raceway Selections: Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Bet Now > Tips from the Pros > Michael Carter’s Grand River Raceway Selections: Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Michael Carter’s Grand River Raceway Selections: Wednesday, June 16, 2021

June 16, 2021
By Michael Carter
Michael Carter’s Grand River Raceway Selections: Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Best Bet - (3) FERN HILL BELLA - Race 5
Spot Play - (1) WYND CREEK – Race 6
20-Cent Early Pick 5 - Race 1: 2,8/1,4,7/4,7,8/2,5/3 = $7.20
20-Cent Early Pick 4 - Race 3: 4,7,8/2,5/3/1,3,4 = $3.60
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8: 1,2,3,7,9/4,9/5/2,4,6 = $6.00


Race 1 – (2) TOP HALL has speed and draws into a favorable spot. There are two positive stats that I like to see, which could provide some value to kick off the program; trainer Gerard Demers is a winner 11% of the time when first off the layoff, and he wins at a 10% clip with horses stepping up in class. (8) ZOES CHOICE, sporting a two-race win streak, draws a tough post on return from the layoff.  She has speed, but may need a tightener.  (4) ATALANTA EXPRESS qualified well at Mohawk in preparation for this start, consider using in your triactor wagers. 

Race 2 – (4) INFINITY STONE is the second racing foal out of the dam Magic Factory.  He qualified well, making up ground on the leaders in that effort.  He doesn’t mind the half mile track, which gives him an advantage over some of these.  (1) STONEBRIDGE NITRO last won with Stephen Byron in the sulky in early March.  She draws into a good spot, where there is not a lot of speed in the race; one to watch.  (7) KERRY BLUE HANOVER gets a tough draw this week for trainer Jason Ryan.  He does like to close and pass horses, that should work in his favor.  

Race 3 -(8) BANKROLL looks to drop and pop for trainer Jodie Cullen, who wins at a 21% clip when dropping in class. This will be no easy task from post eight, but his speed should allow him to be close against these.  (4) TOXICITY goes back on Lasix this week after a big effort at Truro at the end of April.  He has speed, and his trainer has a 24%-win rate with horses moving up in class.  (7) PHONE IN gets Kelly back in the bike tonight.  He is versatile and can race from anywhere which could allow him to sneak onto the ticket at decent odds. 

Race 4 – (5) NORWEGIAN DAD won easily in his return to the races just five days ago.  He gets Mackenzie back in the sulky who clearly gets along well with this son of Uncle Peter.  (2) LA MAGIC is one of the more consistent horses in the field this week, he gets a favorable post draw that should allow him to sit close to the pace.  Don’t count this gelding out.  (6) VICTORIAHASASECRET has been no worse than fifth in her last five starts.  She has good closing speed and will be rolling late. 

Race 5 - (3) FERN HILL BELLA enters against a tougher class than she was facing before the layoff.  Trainer Moreau is a 10% winner from 331 starts when stepping up in class; that’s a hard stat to walk away from.  (9) OUTLAW IMAHOTVIXEN was facing much tougher company at Mohawk Park with some success before the layoff.  She will be following speed from the second tier here, which gives her an opportunity to hit the ticket.  (5) BIDFORA HUG faces slightly tougher this week for trainer Kendall Rahn.  She could provide value underneath. 

Race 6 – (1) WYND CREEK was racing very well prior to the layoff. Tonight, she faces tougher for trainer Katelyn Graham, who has proven to have her horses ready to go when stepping up, with a 27% strike rate. This daughter of Explosive Matter is a strong closer and will be rolling late.  (4) MUSCLES APLENTY gets Kelly in the bike for her first start back in Canada since racing at Pompano this winter.  She has speed and should be able to get control of the pace early. (3) AUSSIE LOVER struggled with the post draw prior to the COVID break and finally gets some post relief against easier company.  There is an opportunity for value in this spot.  (2) MR ARCH faces slightly tougher tonight with new driver Scott Coulter in the bike.  He has been no worse than fifth in his last five pari-mutuel starts.  (9) ROOKIE SEASON could provide some value underneath racing from the second tier. 

Race 7 - (2) MARK YOUR PAIGE gets some much-needed post relief tonight, this daughter of Mach Three is a versatile mare who can race from anywhere.  Trainer Bud Sinclair is a 13% winner when dropping down in class; she should be ready.  (4) THATS MIA BAD qualified well in preparation for her return.  She needed a tightener after being off since December, but looks poised to hit the ticket here.  (9) BRIENNE THE BEAUTY may take some money, but trainer Dolores Basilone is 0-24 first time off the layoff, worth a look for underneath.        

Race 8 - (1) ARRAKIS enters first off the layoff for trainer Richard Moreau, who wins at a 17% clip following time off.  He is a speedy son of Federal Flex and should benefit from the inside draw.  (9) CHAOTIC DECISION has won four of his last five pari-mutuel starts for trainer Bobbie Jo Weinholdt.  The second tier should benefit this gelding who will be following inside speed allowing him to get a good trip.  (3) OCEANVIEW DEB is a consistent daughter of Neal, who has shown ability to close from off the pace.  Look for her to be on the scene late.     

Race 9 - (4) STARGAZING CRUISER adds Travis Henry to the bike this week following a tough effort from post six in her last start at the end of March.  I look for her to be more aggressively driven this week against easier company.  (9) DRESS TO THE NINES looks to drop and pop tonight for trainer David Frey who wins at a 22% clip when dropping in class.  I look for her to get a perfect trip from the second tier.  (1) ZEALOUS SEELSTER qualified well in preparation for this start.  She clearly improved in her second prep; she should be ready to rock from the rail.  

Race 10 - (5) BUCKYS ANGEL won three straight to conclude his 2-year-old season. Tonight, he steps up in class for trainer Wayne Mac Lean who wins at a 14% rate when facing tougher.  He is a speedy gelding by Archangel who should be engaging the pace early.  (1) D J ROY HALL gets some post relief tonight; if he behaves, he could be dangerous from the rail.  (4) BLACK SEVEN is one of the more consistent horses in the field who likes to hit the ticket. 

Race 11 - (6) HEAD TURNING JAG draws wide this week with Trevor Henry in the bike, but one thing I like about this stud, is that he has a big closing kick and likes to pass horses.  He could “turn some heads” tonight.  (2) POLLAR HALL faces a tall task tonight for trainer/driver Bruce Richardson.  He is always close and could improve with the addition of Lasix for the first time.  (4) KATCH KANNA is another consistent gelding who was performing well at this level prior to the layoff.  His presence could be felt at decent odds.  (8) THE FIXER won his last start and was assigned post eight tonight.  He has speed, but I’m not sure post eight will do him any favors, save for next week.  (3) SIZZLEN HOT HERBIE likes to make the ticket and shouldn’t be counted out. 

*

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

Photo by Ryan Clements

More Tips from the Pros