Best Bet - (3) VILLAGE CHAMP - Race 5
Spot Play - (1) LEFKADA – Race 3
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 - 1,5,6/1,3,8/1,2,4/1,3/3 - $10.80
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6 - 1,7/1,4,5/2,4,5/1,4/2,7,8 - $21.60
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4 – 1,3/3/1,7/1,4,5 - $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 - Race 8 – 2,4,5/1,4/2,7,8/1,4- $7.20
Race 1 - (6) ONIMPULSE is one of a handful of speedy horses in the field this evening. She draws tough this week, but should be able to use her speed to her advantage. (1) ACTION ROYAL GRIN got the perfect trip last week and just didn’t have enough to get to the leaders through the stretch. I like her underneath this week. (5) QUEENJANE BLUECHIP faces easier tonight, if she can handle the half, she is a contender.
Race 2 - (3) DROGON went to the lead from post six and never looked back in her last start. She is a quick filly with a lot of promise. (8) ADDI THREE is a nice closer who could use the second tier to her advantage. (1) SHES A GUNSLINGER faces tougher tonight, but gets another inside draw. She is a closer who with the right trip will be on the scene late.
Race 3 - (1) LEFKADA hasn’t won a race since October 14 and that was here at London. She finally gets an inside draw and could be a value play tonight. (4) WILLYORWONTHE didn’t have much left in the tank at the extended distance. This is a good spot for this gelding, worth a look. (2) IRISH THUNDER gets along well with Sorrie and should be used somewhere on your Pick-5 ticket.
Race 4 - (1) LIL MEMORIES steps up in class and is a very consistent Warrawee Needy gelding who has done well even with some tough draws. He has speed ratings that show he can hang with this class. (3) FAST AS PHELPS won three straight before things went slightly array. He is a speedy colt and adds Lasix for the first time. (4) MORNEAU should improve against this class tonight.
Race 5 - (3) VILLAGE CHAMP has won five of his last six starts all while on the lead. I don’t see him being defeated with McNair in the bike. (1) SEA LAIRD gets a driver change to Boyd combined with post relief tonight. Hoping that will spell success for this Custard The Dragon gelding. (4) KINGOFBROKENHEARTS dropped to this level last week and was narrowly defeated. He is a deep closer who will be on the scene late. (2) WELL ELL faces easier coming in from Woodbine Mohawk Park. (5) BLACK VINNY is another class dropper who should make the Super HI-5.
Race 6 - (7) SHADOW TAIL has won three of his last four starts, he draws tough his week, but has speed ratings that are much the best over this field. Expect him to be leaving from here. (1) CUSTOM CUT had to come three-wide off the turn last week and just ran out of racetrack late. He draws into another good spot, and if he stays flat, he could make the ticket at decent odds. (3) SHRIMP AND GRITS isn’t my favorite dish, but may be one of my favorite $7,000 claimers. Definitely a play underneath.
Race 7 - (1) DESTINY CRUISE has won two straight in London and this 13-year-old war horse returns looking for yet another victory. She still has a good amount of kick to her. (4) LILYS PENELOPE finally gets a decent draw tonight for trainer Sheldon Rose. She is a closer who will be coming late against these. (5) GET UP N GOUDA gets McNair in the bike tonight after a game victory last out.
Race 8 - (5) E L VINTAGE CUDA is a versatile filly who has shown that she can race from anywhere. The draw was kinder to her this week, look for her to be in a position to strike late. (2) DELICATE TASTE went to the front and never looked back last week. She will be the speed of the race; the question is will she have something left through the stretch. (4) BUTTERFLY KISSES won easily in her last start at Flamboro. She should get a good trip against easier.
Race 9 - Talk about a crazy mile for (1) RETURN TO STYLE last week, she had to come three-wide off the turn and while she finished fifth, she was only beaten a length. Look for her to get a much easier journey this week from the rail. (4) BYE BYE DADDY is another solid mare who has been very consistent as of late. She draws into a good spot and should excel. (5) SPORTS ICON has done well since coming to London three starts back. She can provide value to the exotics.
Race 10 - (7) UNABATING has won three of his last five for trainer Danielle St Louis. He is a speedy gelding who can leave even from an outside post. (8) IAM WHAT I AM qualified well December 3 like he is ready to go. He faces easier tonight after a couple of tough trips; hoping he will bounce back after a little time off. (2) WINKYS PRIDE was a nice mare at Buffalo when I was there a few years ago, one thing I remember is how much heart she had.
Race 11 - (1) BLACK TITANIUM adds Lasix for the first time following a game effort last out, where he clearly tired in the lane. He should improve with the addition of Lasix. (4) SIRJAMESTHEGREAT has hit the board twice since joining this group three starts back. I was very impressed with his mile last week; he drew off to beat these handily. Watch out. (5) LAST THREE is a consistent gelding who always manages to make the ticket.
Race 12 - (9) AVUNCULAR draws into a good spot in the second tier tonight for trainer Gordon McDonnell. He faces easier this week which should help him. (2) OCEANVIEW DEB didn’t get the best of trips last week against tougher company. She gets some class relief and Rankin in the bike. (4) ZORGWIJK QUEEN is another class dropper who looks to improve for trainer Rick Wade. The extended distance shouldn’t bother her. (7) RIVERSATHOME handled the distance well last week, if he stays flat, he should make the back half of the Super Hi-5. (6) GEMINI EDDIE is another gelding that could provide value if he stays flat.
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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