Best Bet - (4) LARJON LEAH - Race 9
Spot Play - (6) OLYMPIC GLIDE - Race 2
20-Cent Early Pick-4 – Race 3 - 2,8/1,3,5/1,5/2,5,9 - $7.20
20-Cent Late Pick-4 - Race 8 - 1,2,9/4,6/1,3,9/2,8 - $7.20
Race 1 - (3) DANDY IDEA looks to drop and pop for trainer Robert MacIntosh. She didn’t get the best trip at Mohawk Park from post seven but she looks poised to strike here. (1) FASHION BLOGGER took about a month off before her start two back, she seems to be rounding back into form. (2) CATCHAFEWRAYS is a consistent mare, who should bounce back on a fast track.
Race 2 - (6) OLYMPIC GLIDE takes a step back in class tonight, he is a versatile gelding who can race from just about anywhere. Not concerned about the post draw. (1) WYND CREEK is one of the more consistent horses in the field, and should not be ignored from the rail. (3) LA TOUT PETITE has speed and she figures to be forwardly placed early. She is a nice-looking filly.
Race 3 - (2) OK JASMINE removes Lasix tonight after making a break in her last start. She is a solid contender with price potential. (8) SO FRISKY has won two straight and looks to make it three in a row this week. The outside post is a concern. (4) LARJON LEGACY gets over the Grand River strip well. She is a consistent performer and will be a part of the ticket.
Race 4 - (3) FLEXIE has a nice opportunity to improve after drawing the outside in her last few starts. She is versatile and should be able to leave from here. (1) PINECONE PETE was a game winner at Clinton last week. I haven’t been impressed with his form at Grand River in the past. He will be overbet. (5) CHARMBO CHROME is another class dropper who should improve off a tough effort last out.
Race 5 - (1) KICKIN COWGIRL got a good trip last week and just didn’t have much left through the stretch. She gets the rail tonight and should get a better result. (5) IN THE NEWS could make it two in a row this week for trainer Joe Pereira. (8) MACHING BEAUTY closed gamely from post eight last week, no reason to think she won’t be a part of the ticket tonight.
Race 6 - (9) BRAVE WORLD draws well again tonight off a tough effort against tougher last week. He normally races better when on or near the lead, expect him to follow inside speed to get into a good early position. (2) BETTORS WESTERN is another class dropper who should improve with a better post draw. Solid contender from post two, look for him to utilize speed early. (5) WALTER MITTY comes back to Grand River where he has had some success before. Expect him to be coming late. (8) HIDDEN POTENTIAL draws tough, but should be able to get on the back end of the ticket. (1) ST LADS FLIRT should not be counted out from the inside.
Race 7 - (3) WINDSONG OPHELIA was my top pick two weeks ago and she ran out of racetrack while trying to close. She needs to be close to the pace and I think she can get into a good position here. (4) ALONA is a solid $15,000 claimer who has been racing well from just about everywhere. I like her in this spot. (7) SPARE SPEED could be dangerous if he minds his manners.
Race 8 - (9) GIGGLE HANOVER faces much easier coming in from Woodbine Mohawk Park. The shippers tend to do well at Grand River, major class relief for this mare. (1) PATRICKS COOKIE was narrowly defeated through the slop last out. She tried a new tactic leaving the gate and it worked well for her. (2) MISS BRANDI K gets some post relief tonight and adds Coulter to the bike. Key driver change for this mare.
Race 9 - (4) LARJON LEAH has won four of her last five including three in a row. She tries the Grand River strip for the first time in a while, she will be a tough contender. (6) ST LADS FIJI got over the sloppy track well last week, she has been racing well since Sorrie picked up the lines. Look for her at a price. (1) LA BELLE REBELLA should improve against easier, with post relief.
Race 10 - (3) SABINE PASS dropped to this class last week and was game in defeat. He made a big move going up the backstretch and just had too much ground to make up. If he can get off the car slightly quicker tonight, watch out. (9) WEATHERLY draws into a good spot, with the ability to follow speed from the second tier. He is a decent closer, who should make the ticket. (1) LETS WAIT AND SEE gets Henry back in the bike tonight. That combined with the rail draw should make him a contender against these.
Race 11 - (2) BALFAST N should be able to complete the Pick-4 on top with class relief. She seems to be rounding into form with Young back in the bike. (8) INNOCENT KISS is a closer who has a tall task this week from post eight. I like the value from her tonight. (4) P L LIGHTNING closed from off the pace last week and was able to get up in the shadow of the wire. She is a player against this group. (1) STYLE SNAPSHOT should improve with a better draw tonight. She hasn’t had the best luck at Grand River as of late, hoping the inside will be kind to her. (6) LIVELY ROCKET is going to try to drop and pop, I will give her a look for underneath.
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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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