Best Bet - (2) BANKROLL - Race 4
Spot Play - (4) CAL HANOVER – Race 2
20-cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 – 4,6/4/1,2,3,7/1,2,3,7/3,5,7 - $19.20
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4 – 1,2,3,7/3,5,7/1,5,7/1,2,5 - $21.60
20-cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6 – 1,5,7/1,2,5/2,3/1/1,3 – $7.20
20-cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8 – 2,3/1/1,3/1,4,5,6 - $3.20
Race 1 – (4) TANZANITE TRIXX was gearing up for a return before the most recent shutdown and looked like she may have needed a tightener. Trainer is a 26% winner first off the layoff. (6) DIMANTE VIC made a slight miscue in his last start before the layoff. He is a versatile gelding. Trainer Jared Bako has them ready to go when returning to the races, in the money 64% of the time. (5) HOORAY FRANCKE is a speedy son of Chip Chip Hooray, who likes to be on or near the lead.
Race 2 – (4) CAL HANOVER steps up to face tougher as Roy and Moreau team up here. When entering first off the claim, Moreau is a 28% winner. (1) COME ON BARNEY gets some major post relief after a big mile in his last start. He will be close to the pace from the rail. (8) D GS SHALLWEDANCE drops in class for his connections. He normally closes well from the second tier.
Race 3 – (2) ROCK AND TWIST has had some success against the $15,000 claimers before; will most likely be the pace setter. (3) SHIFTING VIEWS is another that steps up for trainer Sheldon Rose. Has been no worse than third in four recent starts in London. (7) MODERN WRITER faces easier this week, but draws the dreaded post seven. Trainer Harold Wilson is on the ticket 33% of the time when dropping.
Race 4 - (2) BANKROLL draws in with some pretty stiff competition this week. Jodie Cullen normally fires in her first start off the layoff as a 17% winner. (1) KEVNDAN FRAUDSTERS gets St. Louis in the bike who had success with this gelding in early December. If he behaves, he will be close. (3) BEACH BABY BEE adds Roy tonight for the first time. He is a strong closer, and will be on the scene late.
Race 5 - The big question of this race is, who is going to be leaving early. (3) GOLD STAR DIABLO enters for trainer Jodie Cullen and is the most likely candidate to be setting the pace early. Post improvement is key. (7) ATEYATEFNGERSLOUIE draws outside for the first time in a while this week. He is a closer and could benefit from the added distance. (5) JACKSON K DOWN struggled in his last two starts on the outside, time off may have done him some good. (1) MACKS THREE faces easier than he faced before the layoff at Flamboro. (9) MACK THE KNIFE gets Kelly back tonight, he is a use in the Super Hi-5.
Race 6 – (5) HELLO CHIPPER is one of the more consistent horses in the field, if she handles her first start back off the layoff well, she is dangerous. (1) WORTHYOURATTENTION was dealing with a bout of sickness just before the layoff, time off should have given this mare a chance to recover. (7) RED HOT TORCH would have been further up on my ticket had it not been for post seven; I expect him to be on the ticket.
Race 7 - (2) OXFORD HALL enters for trainer Ashleigh Hensley who is a 27% winner when dropping in class. He is a classy gelding and was rounding into form at the right time before the stoppage in racing. (1) WYND CREEK won five of her last six starts prior to things being shut down. She gets some much-needed post help, strong closer. (5) TEN FOUR WE GONE made a miscue in his most recent start; he is versatile and a solid player in this spot.
Race 8 - (3) ACROBAT HANOVER will most likely be the speed of the race for Kyle Bossence who normally has them ready to come back from a layoff. (2) FAST AS PHELPS gets St. Louis back tonight who guided this horse to a pair of successful efforts in November. Could provide value underneath. (5) QUINSFRISKYWHISKEY draws the outside in a pretty competitive field. Steward got along well with him in his last starts.
Race 9 - (1) SOMEHOWSOMEDAY has won two of his last four starts and has the ability to race from anywhere. Expect him to leave from the rail here. (4) WINDSONG LEOPOLD won easily at big odds in his last start against this class. I like him at big odds again this week, especially if the plan is to leave. (6) TICO TIME draws tough for trainer Mark Goddard. Big driver change to Roy.
Race 10 – (3) RUSTYS FLYING was very game in defeat last out after being parked the mile. She has been known to leave, look for her to be firing from post three. (1) EINHORN gets Kelly back in the bike tonight. He does his best work when on or near the lead. (6) PICKLES ON TOP gets a key driver change to St. Louis, look for her to be forwardly placed.
Race 11 – (5) COME FROM AWAY was racing well in Edmonton before the layoff winning three straight. If he can transform that form to a half-mile track, I think he will be tough to beat. (1) RAISE YOU TWENTY draws into a good spot for trainer Meg Crone who is in the money 38% of the time first back off the layoff. Draw was kind to him. (4) JUST ROCK HIM gets Roy in the bike for the first time, is the closer of the race.
Race 12 – (3) TALADEGA SEELSTER gets Coulter in the bike this week. He has had some success at the extended distance and that could work to his advantage. (5) AMERICAN ASSASSIN is better when on or near the lead, look for him to be rolling from post five. (1) MISTER J R drops in class coming in from Mohawk Park. Trainer is 0 for 12 when coming back from an extended break. Definite use underneath, will most likely be overbet. (9) TERRA COTTA LAD looked good and was coming in his first start off the layoff in December. He is a gelding that rises to the occasion when dealt a little adversity. (6) DEBS NEW MAN has the ability to leave, the question is can he handle the extended distance.
Photo by John Watkins
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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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