Best Bet – (5) MACH IT AGAIN – Race 4
Spot Play – (2) ANGELS KID – Race 5
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 1,2,6/4,5/ALL/6,7,9 - $21.60
20-cent Late Pick 4 – Race 7 – 1,5/1,3/4,6/3 - $1.60
Race 1 – (4) AVATAR SEELSTER has been racing in this class for quite some time. He really put things together in his Feb. 29
th effort closing strongly to be third. Tonight, he faces slightly easier and could provide value. (2) WHAT CAN I SAY is going to take some money with some major post improvement this week. His speed could shine through here. (6) LIAM NEEDSOME draws tough, but this isn’t the worst spot for this gelding. Look for improvement.
Race 2 – (3) EATAAMSWRITEREDY just did not have it last week over the off track. I see him putting it together tonight. (2) TALADEGA SEELSTER has had a slow start to 2020 but seems to be coming into form at the right time. I like him for the Exactor. (7) LARJON LUCKY would be ranked higher had it not been for the post draw, but he does have the ability to make up ground late.
Race 3 – (6) OAKLEA UPTOWN has done well facing these claimers before. He enters off a game closing victory and I am not counting him out tonight. (2) SHEER ACTION comes in from Northfield where he just did not seem to get over the track that well. He was facing some stiff company out there; the class drop makes a difference for him. (1) SCHRADER HANOVER closed gamely last out in his second start off the layoff. He should be tight and ready for this race.
Race 4 – (5) MACH IT AGAIN showed just how powerful he was in that effort from post seven last week. Four in a row could be imminent for him. (4) BIG BOY FRAZIER is a consistent gelding who has been racing very well as of late. Last out he made up a lot of ground and was just narrowly defeated. (6) RACEBYTHESEASIDE always manages to make his way onto the ticket. He could provide value to the Triactor.
Race 5 – This is one of the most competitive races on the program tonight. There are some solid contenders in this field and there is value to be had. (2) ANGELS KID stepped up to the Preferred 3 last out and while he dead heated for the win, he was four lengths in front of the third-place finisher. I expect his success to continue this week. (6) SIZZLEN HOT HERBIE has won two of his last three starts. He gets over the London track well; Exacta factor. (3) SICARIO could get a trip from the inside; I can see Carroll putting him into a good spot early.
Race 6 - (9) QUICK NICK closed from off the pace after leaving from post seven last out and earned a very good speed rating from that effort. I don’t foresee the second tier being an issue. (6) RISING DRAGON could drop and pop against easier company this week. He is not quick off the gate, but his closing kick down the stretch could shine through at the extended distance. (7) BAYONET is interesting making his first start off the layoff. The driver change to Carroll could light things up. (2) TOWNSHIP WILLY has the most experience at the 1-1/16-mile distance and he always manages to be close to the ticket. Worth a look for underneath. (4) NOTHINGELSEMATTERS put together good effort from the second-tier last week considering it was his first start off the layoff. He should be sharper tonight.
Race 7 – (1) MAC N CAPS has had the worst luck drawing as of late and now finally gets a spot on the rail. He is a speedy horse and could play catch me if you can from here. (5) WINDSONG OPHELIA is a versatile mare who is rounding into form following a game 2019 season. (6) DEBT COLLECTOR will likely take money but his pair of breaks in February is concerning. If he can stay flat, he should hit the ticket; using underneath.
Race 8 – (3) SOS JUSTIFIED steps back in class following a strong effort against upper level claimers last out. He just had too much ground to make up having to come three-wide off the turn. He gets along well with Henry and should be able to put it all together this week. (1) BS TYRRIFIC adds St. Louis this week following a tough trip at Woodbine Mohawk Park last week. No reason to think he can’t be competitive here. (4) GO MUD is a consistent gelding who should improve with the post draw and not having to go the extended distance.
Race 9 – (6) ALPHA SEELSTER drops in class and returns to London after a stint at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The biggest concern is his gait issues; hoping the driver change to St. Louis will make the difference tonight. (4) EAU NATURELLE is a consistent mare who has been hitting the board at a pretty decent clip. She is a speedy mare, who will likely set the pace early. (1) NCUTSNBUTSNCOCANTS had a good amount of ground to make up last out and he made up six lengths through the stretch. Look for him to be close late.
Race 10 – (3) SCENE A MAGICIAN drops out of the Preferred 2 this week back to a class where he scored his last victory. That effort against tougher was decent, he should have no issues against this group. (2) TALBOT EH PLUS has won four of her last six starts and while she steps up in class, she has been known to perform well against tougher. (1) ARCHWAY could make the ticket if he behaves himself. Starting from the rail, look for him to be battling early for the lead. (5) PLAYED BY SWAN has a consistency that can’t be ignored. This gelding has hit the board in 3 of his last 4 races. (6) ALL OUT HENRY has handled the step up in class to Preferred very well and seems to be putting things together as of late.
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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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