Best Bet - (7) SCARLETT HANOVER - Race 7
Spot Play - (7) NIGHTLIFE SEELSTER - Race 5
20-cent Early Pick-4 – Race 3 - 1,5/3,4/7/2,4,9 - $2.40
20-cent Late Pick-4 - Race 8 - 2,5/7/2,3,4/1,3,4 - $3.60
Race 1 - (8) KOUNNIS is one of the main speed threats in the race tonight. The outside draw is a slight concern, but she has handled this task before with no issues. (1) SHAD could drop and pop for trainer Terry Heffernan. She gets Coulter back in the bike tonight. (6) BETTOR MOVE OVER is one of the more consistent mares in the field. She is a deep closer who will be coming late.
Race 2 - (4) ATALANTA EXPRESS seems to be rounding back into form following sickness in the middle of July. She is a versatile filly who will most likely be forwardly placed. (3) GAB IN MOTION has struggled since beginning to race at Woodbine Mohawk Park a few starts back. He faces easier and should improve tonight. (1) SKY SPIRIT draws well tonight following a difficult trip last out. She has room to improve this week from the rail.
Race 3 - (1) GAME OF SHADOWS was roughed up in the Eternal Camnation at Woodbine Mohawk Park, but still managed to close gamely from off the pace. She is a nice filly who should improve from the inside. (5) JOLIETTE HANOVER has won three straight and looks to extend her streak to four. She steps up to face a nice group of fillies and has the speed ratings to hang with this group. (7) VOELZ DELIGHT raced very well in stakes action last week, coming up just short after being shuffled through the stretch. I like her for underneath on the ticket; it will be tough to win from post seven.
Race 4 - (4) MOSTLY DALI has won three of her last four starts at Clinton, but has struggled some at Grand River. Hoping the good record was a confidence boost for her and she excels here. (3) RELLA TIVITY gets Colin Kelly back in the bike tonight who has gotten along well with this mare. She is consistent and is a must use underneath. (7) EMILY BEACH raced very well two starts back at Grand River. She has a shot to make the ticket at a decent price.
Race 5 - (7) NIGHTLIFE SEELSTER was a strong winner of the Eternal Camnation at Mohawk Park on NA Cup night. She is a speedy filly who should have no issues against this group. (2) SHES A SASSY BEACH has struggled with the post draw as of late, but finally gets a decent draw this week. She steps up in class, but could continue to move forward here. (1) POSTSCRIPT is a nice filly who should bring up the rear of the ticket.
Race 6 - (4) DANCE MACHINE takes a big step back in class coming in from Rideau Carleton this week. If he can handle the half-mile track with post improvement, I like his chances at a price. (2) JOE ROCKHEAD is a front stepping gelding with a lot of speed that tends to carry him through the mile. Inside draw plays to his advantage. (9) YANNICK SEELSTER is a decent closer who should be able to make the ticket. (3) LUNAR LAUNCH does his best work when on or near the lead. The draw was kind to him, that should allow him to be successful against these. (6) EYE OF THE SHADOW is another consistent gelding who should not be left off the Super Hi-5.
Race 7 - (7) SCARLETT HANOVER adds Gingras back to the bike tonight for one of only three drives on the card. She has struggled some with the post draw, but if she gets off the car then she will be very tough to beat. (3) BEST HEAD WEST has won three-straight for trainer Bob McIntosh. She draws into a good spot here and is as versatile as they come. (5) CYCLONE SISTER likes the half-mile track and has won over the Grand River surface before. She has shown ability to make the ticket at decent odds before.
Race 8 - (5) LOVE WARRIOR enters off a game victory against this group last time out. She went right to the lead and never looked back in that effort. If she leaves, watch out. (2) MACKJUSTICE made up a lot of ground in a hurry last week to finish a strong third only beaten two lengths. While he isn’t the fastest off the car, he can come from off the pace. (6) FIELD GUNNER looks to drop and pop coming in from Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Race 9 - (7) CURIOUS CORTEZ has won three straight and has handled everything thrown at him with poise thus far. He is a speedy gelding who should not be affected by post seven. (2) PEMBROOK LEGACY N was almost a winner in the first start of his career closing gamely from off the pace. He won’t have nearly as much ground to make up tonight from post two. (1) BEE TWO BEE just had too much ground to make up last week from post seven. The inside draw should allow him to improve tonight.
Race 10 - (3) IAM WHAT I AM has won three of his last six starts and he gets over the track well. He isn’t the quickest off the car, but can close strongly. (2) SHEENA SOLIDER is another consistent gelding who has been handling his own against tougher at Grand River Raceway. He faces slightly easier tonight, definitely a player. (4) NORTHERN TAILWIND went to the lead last out and never looked back. Don’t leave this classy gelding out.
Race 11 - This is a very strong field to wrap-up the card with a lot of solid contenders. (4) SAVEMEDASPORTSPAGE won two straight, then started to struggle some with the draw. She is a in a good spot here with ability to leave off the car. (1) JESSICAS LEGACY has won two straight at Leamington and Sarnia. She faces a tough group from the rail tonight, and looks to continue growing. (3) TANZANIAN didn’t get the best trip from the outside last week. She gets a better draw this week, which should allow her to be closer to the pace. (8) FRESH EYES draws tough tonight, but her strong closing ability gives her a decent shot to make the ticket. (5) RETURN TO STYLE could add value, dropping in class coming in from Woodbine Mohawk Park.
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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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