Best Bet - (5) FOOL ME AGAIN - Race 7
Spot Play - (2) SAULSBROOK JESSIE – Race 5
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3– 4,7/1,5/2,6,9/9- $2.40
20-cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7 – 5/1,2,9/2,4/ALL- $10.80
Race 1 - (5) HAWAII gets some post relief and a key driver change to Colin Kelly tonight. Her first career start was a good one where she made up a decent amount of ground throughout the mile. Think she has a decent chance here. (1) DEFCON SEELSTER faces slightly easier tonight and gets the rail advantage. Look for him to be close to the pace, firing down the stretch. (2) STOKED BLUE CHIP is another colt who faces tougher, unfortunately I’m not sure you will get much of a price on him; using underneath.
Race 2 - (7) COUNT TO THREE draws tough this week, but her versatility is something that should not be ignored. Driver change to Colin Kelly, who is currently winning at 17%. (5) BIRD DOG would have to improve a couple seconds to make it three-straight, but she draws well and enters second off the layoff. She is a deep closer who will be coming at a price. (3) GOLDEN LEADER had too far to come last out, pitch that start. Look for her to be closer to the pace tonight.
Race 3 - (7) VEYRON faced a tougher group than these last week and won easily with Jody Jamieson in the bike. Tonight, he draws tough, with Jason Ryan back in the bike, but I think he could close from off the pace with the right trip. Don’t count him out against easier. (4) HERBS JOURNEY moved up to this class last week and while he tired somewhat through the stretch, he raced pretty well. He has some speed and is a solid contender. (1) NORTHERN TAILWIND is a consistent gelding who could be a daunting presence at decent odds.
Race 4 - (5) PRINT MEDIA raced in two straight conditioned events at Mohawk and didn’t do much. This is a bigger class drop for this gelding, look for him to improve. (1) LETS WAIT AND SEE has speed to work with, inside draw should benefit him. (9) LITTLEBITASWAGGER always manages to find a way onto the ticket at decent odds. Watch for him to round out Triactor tickets..
Race 5 - (2) SAULSBROOK JESSIE raced very well last week in her return from Woodbine Mohawk Park. She draws inside again tonight, and could strike at big odds. (6) VILLAGE JAMIE is another horse that faces slightly tougher tonight after putting together a string of three straight good efforts. She has speed and should be on or near the lead. (9) BALFAST N picked up Scott Young last out and got along with him well. I like her from post nine.
Race 6 - (9) TWIN B DREAM GIRL has had some time to get over sickness after being scratched from her last start. She has speed, but can also close, this is a perfect spot for her. (8) MACHING MARY draws tough, but gets some serious class relief this week. Don’t count her out. (1) AMERICAN ROSE is a horse that I’m not really sure what to make of. Her first start wasn’t the greatest, but the final time could beat most of these. Interested to see what this mare is capable of against this class. (7) FASHION BLOGGER gets a driver change to Carroll this week after almost a month layoff. She should rebound after making a break last out. (4) CENTURY HAVANA could provide value to the Super Hi-5.
Race 7 - (5) FOOL ME AGAIN gets class and post relief tonight for trainer Blake MacIntosh. I don’t see her being beat this week. (6) TOP ROYAL gets Colin Kelly in the bike this week, she is a big time closer who likes to pass horses and hit the board. (1) OK JASMINE closed gamely from off the pace in her last start. The inside draw, even against tougher, makes her a contender.
Race 8 - (9) JEWELS DRAGON drops into an easier class tonight and gets Cullen back in the bike. The second tier doesn’t seem to bother this gelding; look for him to race well tonight. (1) SHADOW MARGEAUX has been hit or miss as of late, but he gets the rail tonight. Exactor factor. (2) DOWN ON MY LUCK found a four-leaf clover and drew an inside post. Expect him to hit the board tonight.
Race 9 – I expect (2) BETTYS BAY to race well in her second start off the long layoff. Kelly gets back in the bike tonight, he can normally get the best out of this mare. I like her at long odds. (4) THREE ACCOUNTS finally gets a good draw following two promising efforts from the outside. I see her improving tonight. (9) FADING SHADOW has been all over the place since coming to Grand River three starts back. She has room to improve, look for her to be coming late to bring up the back-end of the exotics.
Race 10 - (6) IAM WHAT I AM has won two of his last three, his last start jumps off the page at me, where he made a break before the start and stormed home, winning easily. (4) OLYMPIC GUIDE made an uncharacteristic break in his last start, toss that out and give him another chance. (5) WINDSONG OPHELIA is a consistent mare who always makes her presence felt. (1) RED HOT TORCH raced very well last week after making the lead. No reason to think that he won’t be tough again here. (3) GOLDIE ROCKET gets MacKenzie in the bike again tonight. He can leave or rate from off the pace. Look for him to round out 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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