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Michael Carter’s Grand River Raceway Selections: Friday, July 31, 2020

Bet Now > Tips from the Pros > Michael Carter’s Grand River Raceway Selections: Friday, July 31, 2020

Michael Carter’s Grand River Raceway Selections: Friday, July 31, 2020

July 31, 2020
By Michael Carter
Michael Carter’s Grand River Raceway Selections: Friday, July 31, 2020
Best Bet – (7) ANN JACKSON – Race 3
Spot Play – (7) DANCING QUEEN – Race 10
20-cent Pick-4 - Race 3 – 7/2,4,7/3,5,8/4 - $1.80
20-cent Pick-4 - Race 7 – 4,7,9/1,5,6/1,5/7,9 - $7.20

 
Race 1 – (1) WILLY WALTON made a break before the start in his first career effort, but rebounded nicely to win. No chance you get 5/2 here, but I like his chances.  (5) KERRY BLUE HANOVER has qualified well leading up to his debut for trainer Isabelle Darveau.  He is a versatile horse who seems to like racing off a helmet.  (7) BARNUM could be good if she has recovered from sickness. 
 
Race 2 – (2) ILL BE BACK has struggled some since coming back off the layoff for trainer Carmen Auciello.  He faces slightly tougher; hoping he rounds back into form against this group.  (3) C L SPORTACTION closed valiantly from off the pace last week just missing at the wire.  Expect him to be close again tonight.  (1) BRICKMAN had won two straight before being scratched lame at Kawartha, almost two weeks ago.  If he is anywhere close to his old form, he could do well from the rail. 
 
Race 3 – (7) ANN JACKSON adds hopples for the second time tonight which seemed to help this filly in her first career start.  Expect that improvement to continue.  (1) DUSTY LANE MANNEY has struggled with the post draw as of late, inside post gives this filly a nice shot at decent odds.  (3) ATALANTA EXPRESS should improve with an inside draw.         
       
Race 4 – (4) RAISE YOU TWENTY was an easy winner last week making the top and never looking back.  He will most likely be the speed of the race, don’t count this gelding by Classic Card Shark out.  (2) SAULSBROOK KAISEN has really turned the corner in his last three starts.  He draws well and will be forwardly placed which should allow him to get the trip.  (7) MACHAHOLIC could drop and pop for trainer Bruce Mc Gean.  He raced well against Grassroots company; the trip just didn’t work out.  Expect more.     
 
Race 5 – (8) DIRTY BEACH gets a key driver change to Colin Kelly who qualified this filly on June 25.  They got along that day; I like her at long odds.  (3) KATYS DELIGHT draws well for the first time since starting her career.  This could very well play to her advantage.  (5) A LA MODE SEELSTER faces easier after two decent efforts against Grassroots company.
 
Race 6 – (4) LAST BET gets some class relief for trainer Bob McIntosh tonight.  He tried to close last week and just had too much ground to make up.  The draw was kind to him, key driver change to Colin Kelly who is having a stellar meet.  (5) FINKLE IS EINHORN won his qualifier easily just a week ago.  He is in prime shape for his debut and should be used underneath at a price.  (2) WEST COAST KID gets a driver change to Waples tonight.  He could be tough from the inside.  (9) WANT A BEACH tries the half-mile track for the first time from the second tier.  He qualified well in preparation for his first career start but was scratched-sick.  Worth a look underneath.  (6) HES A LITTLETERROR should have enough to make the Super Hi-5.       
 
Race 7 – (4) SADIEMAESONHERWAY was parked the mile last week and still managed to almost pull off the victory.  She draws well and that should allow her to be forwardly placed.  (9) BIG DIAMOND seems to like the Grand River surface and finally gets a decent post draw.  This filly by Big Jim seems like she is sitting on a big mile, tonight could be the night.  (7) CLASSIC PATTY is a consistent filly who has been racing well.  Pitch that last start as a fluke. 
 
Race 8 – (6) SHES MOVIN ON has been racing extremely well since coming back off the Covid layoff.  She was a winner last week before being disqualified and placed seventh.  She draws tough, but can race from almost anywhere.  (5) TOPSILL BEACH has won three of her last five for trainer Ken Oliver.  She is in a good spot post-wise; I think she could do okay from here.  (1) NORTHERN BELLE is another consistent mare who should not be overlooked. 
 
Race 9 – (1) CUSTOM CUT looked like a potential winner last week and then he was interfered with causing him to go off stride.  Look for him to get a better trip from the rail tonight.  (5) MR CHEESEMAN was a winner in his last start in the Prospect series after finishing second in the Mark Austin final at Dresden.  You will get some value here, don’t miss out.  (3) CASEYS DRAGON picks up Nicholas Boyd again tonight who gets along well with this gelding.    
 
Race 10 – (7) DANCING QUEEN tired badly against Sire Stakes company last week, she faces easier this week, the outside draw shouldn’t bother her.  (9) STORMONT TIMBIT faces slightly tougher tonight for trainer Desiree Jones.  Kelly drove this filly well last week, look for another decent trip from the second tier.  (1) TITAN M UP passed horses through the stretch last week, but could not make up ground on the leaders.  Should get a better trip from the inside.  (6) DUMB IS FOREVER gets Carroll in the bike tonight for the first time after a couple of tough efforts.  If he stays flat, he’s dangerous.  (3) VISION IN WHITE makes her second start off the layoff tonight and gets a better draw.

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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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