Best Bet - (4) ROCK THIS WAY - Race 4
Spot Play - (7) BYE BYE DADDY - Race 8
20-cent Early Pick-4 – Race 3 - 2,7/4,5/ALL (8)/3 - $6.40
20-cent Late Pick-4 – Race 8 - 3,6,7/1,2,5/3,5,6/1,6 - $10.80
Race 1 - (9) SHARE THE MOMENT gets over the Grand River racetrack very well having won her last two races over the strip. She has won from the second tier before and should continue to excel here. (2) BETCHULOVEME has been off for just over a month following a bout with sickness. She has had a rough go of things as of late, look for her to bounce back against easier company. (8) JM SPORTSFAN moves up in class for trainer Isabelle Darveau who is in the money 27% of the time on horses stepping up. She could surprise as a closer from the outside.
Race 2 - (2) MORALLY FLEXIBLE raced well last week having to come from way out of it to finish a strong third. He draws better this week and gets a driver change to Brett MacDonald. (6) PLAYED BY SWAN showed big ability last week after being interfered with to still make up ground and finish third. Look for him to get a cleaner trip this week. (1) JUDGE KEN needs the trip this week after a tough effort last out. Expect some improvement to make the ticket underneath.
Race 3 - (7) TAILS AWAY draws tough this week in a race where he is one of the only speed horses in the field. He has been getting along well with Kelly, and should be a player. (2) DEVILS PEAK finally draws well this week, facing slightly tougher company. He is a decent closer, and should improve from post two. (8) D GS SHALLWEDANCE moves up in class for trainer Joe Pereira, who is in the money 28% of the time on horses making a class jump.
Race 4 - (4) ROCK THIS WAY steps back in class this week coming in from Woodbine Mohawk Park. Colin Kelly picks up the drive this week, my Best Bet of the night. (5) MAGICAL ALBERT was parked the mile last week throw that start out. He won two straight before that effort, think he will improve this week. (3) OUTLAWGRABBINGEARS is a versatile gelding that can race from almost anywhere. He is starting to round into form and should handle going with this group.
Race 5 - (3) SMILINGBILLYTHEKID tried to close from off the pace in the Prospect Series here last week and passed a good amount of horses through the stretch. Tonight, he faces slightly easier and should handle this group well. (7) YOURTHEONE comes to Grand River for the first time after a couple tough trips at Georgian. He has the ability to leave and be forwardly placed. (5) BET ON JACK looks to drop and pop for trainer Rod Boyd. He is in the money 52% of the time when dropping in class.
Race 6 - (3) CENTURY GIGALO is the speed of the race and has only missed the board four times in seventeen starts this season. He will be a tough contender this week. (2) STRATEGIC THINKING broke last week and never got back into the race. He gets a key driver change to Travis Henry tonight, which could help him improve. (8) BAYONET has improved some since switching to the barn of Tyler Nostadt. The draw isn’t the greatest for this horse, but he does have speed to get into a good early position. (5) DUBLIN SEELSTER gets a big driver change to Kelly this week. Has an outside chance to hit the ticket. (7) AETHON is a consistent gelding that will have to overcome a tough post to make the ticket.
Race 7 - Is a wide-open betting affair and a competitive group. (5) J P OSCAR enters first off the claim for trainer Richard Moreau who is a 37% winner. He has TrackMaster speed ratings that are much the best here. (6) BS TYRRIFIC has a good record at Grand River and should improve coming in from Georgian. (8) BAROSSA BLUE GENES is a consistent gelding who needs to overcome the post draw to have a chance to make the ticket.
Race 8 - (7) BYE BYE DADDY makes her second start off the claim for trainer Tyler Nostadt. She went to the top last out but was leg weary through the stretch. She likes to leave, definitely a player. (3) XELENE BAYAMA draws well and is a player who should hit the ticket at decent odds. Toss her last start where she didn’t handle the second tier well. (6) DREAM ALL NIGHT had too far to come last week and didn’t make up much ground through the stretch. She is a deep closer and should be coming late.
Race 9 - (2) BET THE LIMIT is a colt that seems to be improving with each start since entering the barn of trainer Kyle Bossence. When he leaves off the gate, he normally races well. (5) DISNEYMAN gets over the Grand River surface well and is a must use underneath. (1) GIDDY UP MAX raced well last week making a good amount of ground to be third. Don’t count this gelding out.
Race 10 - (5) BRODYS SCRAPPER has won two straight after handling the jump in class to the Preferred 2&3 well. Look for him to continue his winning ways this week. (6) TYGA HANOVER didn’t get the best trip at Woodbine Mohawk Park from post ten last week. He gets a better draw tonight and is a serious contender. (3) HIGHLAND TARTAN gets along well with Kelly and shouldn’t be counted out tonight.
Race 11 - (1) MA REBELLE gets a key driver change tonight to Travis Henry following a tough trip at Georgian last out. She has a little bit of speed and should be able to leave from the rail. (6) THATS MIA BAD has been racing very well since the COVID-19 layoff, she draws into a decent spot and could be dangerous from mid-pack. (2) ZEALOUS SEELSTER finally gets a good draw this week, with Cullen back in the sulky. (5) LILYS PENELOPE has a chance to spice things up from post five at a decent price. (4) SILVERHILLMISTY is another solid contender with a good shot to make the Super Hi-5.
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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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