Best Bet - (8) CARD SWAP - Race 4
Spot Play - (1) J S PERFECT CACHE – Race 12
20-Cent Early Pick 5 – Race 1 - 1/1,3/2,5/8/1,2,3,5 - $3.20
20-Cent Late Pick 5 – Race 6 - 2,3,8/4/1,5,6/2,5,8/5 - $5.40
20-Cent Early Pick 4 – Race 4 – 8/1,2,3/2,3,8/4 - $1.80
20-Cent Late Pick 4 – Race 8 – 1,5,6/2,5,8/5/2,3,7 - $5.40
Race 1 - (1) SAULSBROOK OLYMPIA won in hand last week, in an absolutely huge mile. She draws the rail tonight and should have no issues. (5) CENTURY HARLOT passed horses easily through her maiden voyage last out. I like that she can motor by foes, she has the heart to be close again. (3) WARRAWEE WIN gets McNair in the sulky after a pair of tough trips in London. Pilot could make a difference.
Race 2 - (3) SIRJAMESTHEGREAT looks to continue the win streak this week for trainer Mark Winacott. He seems to be getting better with every start at this level. (1) KEVNDAN FRAUDSTERS steps up in class slightly this week, while adding McNair to the bike. He draws well and should be able to utilize some of his early speed. (2) MACHAHOLIC is another solid gelding who gets some major post help tonight. Look for him to be battling against this group.
Race 3 - (5) TREASURED LOVE raced well last week passing horses and advancing on the leaders. She had a little too far to come last out and should be closer this week. (2) T J MACHS ME put in a stellar trip from post eight last week at Flamboro. The connections add Colin Kelly back to the bike tonight. (3) ROSIES BEACH has only missed the board once this year. She is versatile and shouldn’t be counted out.
Race 4 - What a trip (8) CARD SWAP had from post three last week, he was parked the mile and still won easily by ten lengths. This is a strong gelding who could provide a little bit of value especially if the morning line holds. (1) GRAND AVE LEGEND put in a big effort last week making up a lot of ground throughout the journey. I like him from the rail. (5) CHUCK HEATON LOVE has won three of his last five starts, and is a consistent son of Sportswriter.
Race 5 - (3) VILLAGE CHAMP may be slightly discounted after a disappointing effort last week, but don’t let that start fool you. He was parked the mile and was leg weary through the stretch, expect a better trip. (2) ARCANE SEELSTER added Kelly three starts back and has since won three in a row. This race sets up to be an interesting battle between my top two plays. (1) SEA LAIRD handled the extended distance well two starts ago, he likes to lay back and come from off the pace. (5) DONT ASK LOGAN just had too far to come last week, I think he will be closer and could be on the ticket. (6) PASSIONATE PRINCE is a consistent gelding who shouldn’t be left off the Hi-5.
Race 6 - (2) BETCHULOVEME faces slightly easier tonight after being scratched sick last out. She has been off for almost a month, for some that would make her an auto-toss, for me that says the connections are confident and ready. (3) STAY SAFE has been off for a few weeks, and is one of the more consistent horses in the field. She is versatile and can race from anywhere. (8) LADY IN LACE has dealt with a bout of tough draws as of late and handled it with class every time. I like her in this spot.
Race 7 - (4) BUTE COURAGE N changes things up a little bit tonight, getting a drop in class, adding McNair, and is going back on Lasix. I’m not sure you’ll get much value, but I do like him as a single in the Pick-5. (3) REDDIT HANOVER made a break last week and never recovered. He drops in class for trainer Vic Puddy and could pop from the inside. (5) R THINKING MONSTER handled the drop in class well last week. He has speed and will be contending for the lead early.
Race 8 - (5) LUCKS ALL CREDIT improved nicely with the addition of McNair and Lasix last out. Second time Lasix against this group should continue to allow him to improve. (1) MORNEAU didn’t like the extended distance last week, he looks to rebound against a group he has beaten before. (6) SHIFTING VIEWS made up a lot of ground in a hurry last week, coming three-wide off the last turn and was narrowly defeated. Expect him to be flying late.
Race 9 - (2) IF YOU KNEW SUSIE has won two of her last three starts against this group and has been getting better since adding Daryl Thiessen to the sulky. I don’t expect much different from her tonight. (8) DESTINY CRUISE draws into an interesting spot this week as she won’t have a lot of speed to follow off the gate. Look for Boyd to try to put her into the race early and get into a good striking spot. (5) RUSTYS FLYING gets McNair back in the bike who scored a victory with this mare four starts back.
Race 10 - (5) UNABATING has won three straight by a combined 25 lengths. He is a solid gelding who I don’t see losing against these. (4) THOR SEELSTER adds Travis Henry tonight, he always manages to hit the board, don’t leave him out. (2) WINKYS PRIDE was a solid performer a few years ago when I was in Buffalo. While she has fallen on some hard times, I think she could make the ticket from post two.
Race 11 - (3) OLE JACK MAGIC gets Kelly back in the bike and drops in class to a spot where he won on November 25. He draws well again this week; I like his chances. (2) HERBS JOURNEY gets McNair in the bike tonight after a couple of decent efforts against this group. (7) IRISH THUNDER gets assigned the outside after winning last out. He got a perfect trip in that effort; not sure he will get the same from the outer post tonight.
Race 12 - This is a wildly competitive group of fillies & mares that has the chance of producing some major value. (1) J S PERFECT CACHE drops in class for trainer Doug Walters. She draws the inside and has some speed that could carry in a race without a lot of speed. (6) HAMMERING HALEY is another class dropper that looks to improve this week. Billy Davis Jr. picks up the lines here. (9) SMILE IN STYLE draws into a perfect spot, considering the type of trips she likes to get; she does her best work while coming from behind. Watch out for her late. (4) GET IT DONE DONNA adds Sorrie back in the bike tonight who clearly gets along with this mare. (2) ONIMPULSE was parked for a majority of the mile last week and still finished a strong third. I like her to round out the Super HI-5.
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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