Best Bet – (5) DELAWARE - Race 7
Spot Play - (1) JACK OF CLUBS – Race 4
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,7/2,3,6/1,7/1/4,5,8 = $7.20
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 1,7/1/4,5,8/1,4,5,8 = $4.80
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7 – 5/3,5,8/1,4/1,4,7 = $3.60
Race 1 — This race is interesting as the best horses drew to the outside. But I don’t see (7) TWIN B HUGS getting beat. She enters on a two-race win streak, has good speed and is the class of the race. (1) NORTHERN TAILWIND got a decent trip last week; but was leg weary down the stretch. He draws the rail and should improve here. (6) MACKJUSTICE is the closer of the field and should get free and be driving late. He figures to make the ticket tonight.
Race 2 — (6) NO TIME AT ALL gets some much-needed class relief tonight after some decent efforts at Mohawk Park. (2) MAY TO FOR gets post relief tonight for trainer Kyle Bossence; he will try to return to winning ways with Kelly back in the bike. (3) OUTLAW GUNPOWDER has struggled in recent starts, but he gets a positive driver change back to Travis Cullen, who gets along well with this gelding. He has speed in a race that doesn’t have much; I see him leaving here.
Race 3 — (1) MOSCOW MOON comes back to Grand River and looks primed for a strong effort from the rail. (7) ARCH WE LUCKY would’ve been my top pick had he not drawn the outside. He is the most consistent of the group and should have no issue making the ticket. (6) LADY TITAN is another consistent mare who shouldn’t be overlooked.
Race 4 — (1) JACK OF CLUBS closed gamely from off the pace last week and just ran out of racetrack. He gets significant post relief this week against similar foes. (6) BRAVADO SEELSTER is the closer of the field and has been known to make the ticket from outside posts. He has had success at Grand River before. (5) MERCENARY looks to drop and pop tonight.
Race 5 — (4) MR WHEELER returns to a half-mile track for the first time in three starts. Shippers tend to do very well, and he should be a contender. (5) FIRST HEIR has performed well since returning to Grand River two starts ago. He has shown the ability to contend at this level. (8) BLACK HAWK DOWN is the only winner in the field and threatens despite post eight.
Race 6 — (1) MISTER J R enters first off the claim and is bound to improve for trainer Gerard Demers. (8) JOLTED was excellent in his return to Grand River last time. I still think he could show up despite the significantly worse draw tonight. (5) SOUTHWIND GRIZZLY has been racing well at Hanover. The transition to Grand River is difficult, but he has a shot here. (4) BAD BOY SPROXY closed firmly from off the pace last out, but just ran out of time. I am looking for a bigger performance. (3) TOXICITY is capable of rounding out the top five.
Race 7 — (5) DELAWARE looks like the best horse in the field. He raced much better than that line showed last week but now faces softer company and should have no issues. (3) RUN LIKE HILL made an uncharacteristic break last week against more challenging company. He drops back to a class where he’s had success before. (1) MISS MERINGUE adds Lasix after a poor effort in her Canadian debut last time. I expect a bounce back.
Race 8 — (5) SEYMOUR LITTLE raced decently at Mohawk Park last week, only missing by a few lengths. He faces easier tonight with Mackenzie in the sulky. (3) EVASIVE CARD SHARK currently hits the board at a 50% ratio. He is versatile and has been doing everything right as of late. (8) PHONE IN could spring an upset from post eight tonight off a two-race win streak.
Race 9 — (4) TYMAL HOUDINI has faced some tough company over the past couple of weeks. He should improve this time with class relief. (1) CONQUEST AS has won two of his last three starts. He has speed and could be at the top of his form. (6) KATCH KANNA has won two of his last three; he should be a significant player underneath.
Race 10 — (1) OUTLAW IMAHOTVIXEN has performed well against Preferred company before; she draws inside again and is a top contender. (4) SO FRISKY picks up Carroll again tonight. She gets another favorable draw tonight and should use that to her advantage. (7) TOP ROYAL could bring value to the Super Hi-5 tonight. The draw wasn’t kind to her, but she has been known to close from off the pace. (3) SHEMARS LADY HAVOC comes in from Mohawk Park, where she had minor success. She has speed and has options leaving the gate. (5) SO AWESOME shouldn’t be left off of the Super Hi-5 after a good Flamboro return.
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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 Tiffany Chantel Photography
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