Best Bet - (4) GOLDEN LEADER - Race 2
Spot Play - (4) FIRST CAR - Race 4
Early Pick-4 (R3)- 1,2,3,8/2,4,8/1,4,5/1,2,6 - $21.60
Late Pick-4 (R7) - 4,6,7/1,3/1,4,5/1,2,5,6,7 - $18.00
Race 1 - (6) TOP OF THE BAR has won two of her last three pari-mutuel starts. She raced well at Hanover in the Grassroots, look for that form to follow her here. (1) A BLUE BLOOD is a consistent filly who excels on a half-mile track. She has speed and could be dangerous from the rail. (5) TRIBECA SEELSTER didn’t get the best trip last week, toss that start and look for her to improve on a half.
Race 2 - (4) GOLDEN LEADER is one of the few speed horses in the race. The front is where she does her best work; look for MacDonald to be controlling the fractions. (7) SHARE THE MOMENT is a deep closer who can come from just about anywhere. She draws the dreaded seven hole this week, but will be flying late. (1) BETTER JOY has been struggling some as of late, finally draws into a good spot and could improve.
Race 3 - (3) ZACK TO THE MAX enters off a start where he won easily against this group. He faces slightly tougher tonight, but should continue to improve with Henry in the bike. (1) TUXEDO has raced at just about all of the half-mile tracks in Ontario and gets over each of them the same way, very well. Don’t discount this gelding, even at short odds. (2) ALONA made an uncharacteristic break in her last start, she isn’t the quickest off the gate, but does know how to close from off the pace.
Race 4 - (4) FIRST CAR is one of my value plays of the card after winning his first start here from post six. He can race from just about everywhere, that is what makes him dangerous. (2) MADETOBEKING steamrolled past rivals last week to win easily. Tries Flamboro for the first time in a while. (8) HARD ROCK didn’t leave at all last week and made up a ton of ground through the mile to win by a half-length.
Race 5 - (4) BAN BAN DEO faces easier after making a break in her last start at Woodbine Mohawk Park. She’s been racing against some tough company; this group should be more suited to her. (1) CHARMBO PRINCESS qualified well after making a break at Hanover on August 29. That is a little bit of a concern, but if she can leave like she has in the past, this is the perfect spot for her. (5) DOING IT ALL got the perfect trip last week en route to victory. There isn’t much speed in the field, she could get the same kind of trip here.
Race 6 - (2) HP MAMA B looks to drop and pop after a tough effort in the Champlain at Mohawk. She faces much easier company this week and should improve. (6) TIPSY IN DIXIE faces slightly tougher this week, but only has to deal with six other foes. She has the ability to leave and could be tough from this spot. (1) FORTUNE TELLERS K is another that faces tougher and could bring value underneath. She has done well against Grassroots company before, I like her from the rail. (7) LIFEINTHESLAMMER made a pair of breaks in her last start on a half-mile track. She is a closer who should be able to make the back end of the ticket. (4) KADILLAC GIRL gets some much-needed post relief tonight and looks to be a solid contender.
Race 7 - (6) LADY ELIZA faces easier this week after a couple tough starts at Mohawk Park. She has speed and should be able to leave from this spot. (7) PACIFIC DELIGHT is one of the more consistent fillies in the group this week and a filly that can do well from any starting spot. Post seven is not a concern at all. (4) SHEPLAYSFORKEEPS took some time off after being scratched sick in August. If she rounds back into her pre-sickness form, I could see her making the ticket.
Race 8 - (3) ELLA has won two of her last four starts and hit the board in all four. She likes the Flamboro surface and has been racing well since coming back off the layoff. (1) WHEELY TWICKY is another filly who has shown a lot of promise as of late. She gets Kelly back in the bike tonight after a win at Grand River, she is a solid contender. (7) ST HELENS draws tough this week for trainer Gregg McNair. Her consistency is hard to ignore, even from the outside.
Race 9 - (1) DUBLIN SEELSTER was game in defeat last week getting some decent class relief. He draws better this week for trainer Kyle Bossence and should be able to get things his own way on the front end tonight. (5) BLUE CHIP SUNSHINE has been hit or miss as of late, but always manages to be close to the ticket. He tends to get over the surface well and has speed ratings comparable to these. (4) MACHCELLERATOR has struggled some with the post draw as of late, while he wasn’t that good last week, I think he could improve some tonight.
Race 10 - (2) KADS KISS was a winner against this group last time out. She is one of the speed horses in the race, look for her to try to control the fractions easily. (1) MUSCLES APLENTY is a consistent filly who has done well at many tracks throughout Ontario. She faces slightly tougher tonight from the rail. (5) STONEBRIDGE SYDNEY fought gamely through the stretch last week to win by a head from post four. She draws mid-pack again this week and faces slightly tougher company. (7) TWIN B HUGS made a break in stride last week, pitch that start as a fluke effort. She was a winner two back from post seven against this group, she’s a solid performer. (6) CREDITS CELEBRITY is a closer who should be coming late in the mile. I wouldn’t ignore her.
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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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