Best Bet – (3) VENENO – Race 2
Spot Play – (4) BRAVE WORLD – Race 9
20-cent Pick-4 - Race 3 – 3,5/1,9/1,5,9/4 - $2.40
20-cent Pick-4 - Race 7 – 3,9/5,8,9/4,7,8/1,2,3,7 - 14.40
Race 1 – (4) PLAYED BY SWAN didn’t flash his usual early speed last week and in the end that cost him, considering how well he raced. Expect for him to be closer. (1) DAWSON SPRINGS is a consistent gelding who steps up in class this week. He is yet to miss the board since coming back from the COVID break. (9) Y A MUSCLE MASS made an uncharacteristic break in his last start at Mohawk Park, faces easier this week and should race better.
Race 2 – (3) VENENO faces a group that he beat handily two starts back, pitch the effort against tougher from the outside. (2) JAKE LOEWEN got the perfect trip last week and was passed through the stretch. He gets another inside draw and should be able to hit the ticket. (4) CHOCOLATE SWIRL is an interesting horse who seemed to be getting better before scratching last week. Worth a peek underneath at decent odds.
Race 3 – (5) LOVE WARRIOR looked like a winner at the three-quarter pole, then she made a break and never recovered. If she bounces back from that effort, she has enough speed to carry her through the entire mile. (3) OLYMPIC GLIDE gets some major post relief tonight after a decent effort last out. He closed strongly in that effort and raced better than the line shows. (1) TUXEDO gets J. Harris back in the bike this week for trainer Patrick Shepherd. Inside draw makes him a play underneath.
Race 4 – (1) AMAZON DRAGON could drop and pop for trainer Kyle Bossence. Driver Colin Kelly has been red hot as of late. (9) OUTLAWGRABBINGEARS steps back in class and returns to a track where he has had success before. Facing easier, the second tier should allow him to get the right trip. (7) HES GOT SWAGGER is another class dropper who would have been my top selection if not for the outside draw. Could be a player on the ticket.
Race 5 – (9) ITS HUW YOU KNOW gets some class relief tonight, following a strong effort from the rail last out. He has some early speed, which should allow him to get into good early position and fire late. Has the best speed rating in the field. (5) WINDSONG OPHELIA is a consistent mare who has been known to show up at big odds. I like her in this spot. (1) WRAP AND A HOOEY added Sorrie to the bike last out and handled it well. This gelding gets over the track well and should perform from the rail.
Race 6 – (4) CHARMBO BRIE was a winner as my top selection last week, defeating the field easily. She faces the same class and should have no issues tonight. (8) REGAL LUCK didn’t get the best start last week and still managed to win going away making up a lot of ground through the stretch. She has a big chance tonight. (3) FULL MOON FIX totally bounced last week after three straight trips where she hit the board. Look for her to rebound tonight. (2) BRYN BARONESS comes back to Grand River after two decent efforts at Dresden. (7) RELEASE THE BABY tries her luck at Grand River for the first time this week. She has speed to work with, and could be a play on the back side of the Hi-5.
Race 7 – (9) ARYA STARK gets a key driver change to Jason Ryan this week following a race she should’ve won. The class relief this week should help her to improve. (3) AMETHYST SEELSTER is another class dropper who can make a statement at decent odds. She does her best racing when on or near the lead. (8) VILLAGE JAMIE has been known to hit the board even with an outside draw.
Race 8 – (8) COOL MUSCLE has won two of his last three starts and has some of the best speed ratings in the field. The outside draw is a slight concern, but I could see him getting into a good early spot and firing down the stretch. (9) SILVERLODE is a consistent mare who has only missed the board twice this year. She is a mare that can come from just about anywhere. (5) POWER AND GRACE popped up with a big mile two starts back, look for her to be on the gas pedal early.
Race 9 – (4) BRAVE WORLD has won two straight and seems to be getting better with every start. While he steps up in class tonight, I think he can handle his own against these. (8) JAY EYE EM has won two of his last three starts, the draw is tough this week, but he is a very big closer who will be coming down the stretch. (7) YS LOTUS enters first off the layoff for trainer Richard Moreau. He is a gelding that has a good amount of speed.
Race 10 – (2) JACK OF CLUBS steps back in class for trainer Garry MacDonald following some tough efforts against Preferred company. He draws the inside and could rebound off of those efforts. (1) ST LADS FLIRT looked razor sharp last week from post six and was narrowly defeated with McNair in the sulky. He gets a driver change, but the post improvement should allow him to be better tonight. (3) BETTER MOONON OVER has struggled with some tough trips as of late, but his last race wasn’t nearly as bad as the line looks. He was coming through the stretch and just ran out of racetrack. Don’t count this gelding out. (7) BIG MACH N comes off Lasix tonight following a tough trip at Mohawk Park. Another deep closer that shouldn’t be left off the ticket. (9) DENVER SEELSTER didn’t get the best trip last week from the outside. I expect him to be good enough to hit the Hi-5 tonight.
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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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