Best Bet - (4) JESSICAS LEGACY - Race 1
Spot Play - (2) MUSICAL BOX - Race 8
$1 Pick 3 - Race 2 - 6/2,3,7/2,6 - $6.00
20-cent Pick 4 - Race 5 - 2,4,5/4,7/1,2,6/2,7 - $7.20
Race 1 – (4) JESSICAS LEGACY has been superb since Nostadt claimed her four weeks ago. In four starts, the mare has won two condition races and battled well in upper-level claimers. This is a field she should beat. (2) SPORTS ICON comes off two Leamington victories, the most recent in 1:58. She meets a difficult challenge in the choice, but she may be able to offer some opposition if her good form continues. (1) XELENE BAYAMA should improve on the class drop and in her first start for Douglas Currie.
Race 2 – (6) IONIA is a threat to go wire-to-wire with Marc St. Louis on board, and it would be unsurprising if she did so based on outstanding recent performances. (1) MASS BALANCE has been consistently good in his 2020 Leamington campaign and should add to his bankroll with the rail advantage here. (3) RAINBOW GOLD captured his first win of the meet on September 13, but he has easy fractions to thank for it and will likely be denied such a golden opportunity this afternoon.
Race 3 – (7) REEL is undoubtedly the best in the field but will need to overcome post seven to get his picture taken. I believe he can. (2) CAMPASSION placed to a solid Go Mud in last week’s effort and does receive a good draw; possible. (3) CAYO LOCO is better than her last two starts would have you believe. She’s one to spring surprises and therefore should be respected.
Race 4 – (6) CANTCOUNTMEOUT improved significantly in his past two starts. Moore should guide him to the engine for a third straight week, and from there, it’s his race to win. (2) ONE CHILLY NIGHT drops into the lowest level condition claiming class. She has a legitimate chance to erase the goose egg in 2020. (3) MIDNIGHT PLAY will compete for St. Louis if he stays flat and would enlarge the Triactor payoffs.
Race 5 – (4) REGALLY MAGNIFIED grinded out a first-up nightmare in this class last week, nearly toppling a game Frontier Seelster. St. Louis should do well with this third attempt. (2) KEATON missed a week after nipping Frontier Seelster to victory on September 7. The aging veteran still has horse and will be a tough out today. (5) STONEBRIDGE STING has had a strong Leamington meet, but hasn’t made it to the winner’s circle since his three early scores. Expect a renewed challenge in the absence of, again, Frontier Seelster.
Race 6 – (7) BUTE COURAGE N steps down from high-level claimers to the bottom level of Leamington. A concerning DNF on September 10 may help the prices, but it is unlikely to harm his winning chances. (4) MARC ET MASTER is amid a rough spell, but he figures to do well in an unimposing group, as does (5) IDEAL SPACE, who finds herself in a similar situation.
Race 7 – (1) ADDITUDE proved her mettle in a win over similar two back on September 6. She did not threaten the class above but figures to impose her will from the rail against these. (2) MADDYS CREDIT threw down with the choice on September 6 but came out the loser after a stretch duel. With an extra week of rest in her arsenal, the nine-time winner could be on the other end of things this afternoon. (6) WOODMERE WYLDSTYLE was hard to beat in her two recent starts against similar. She should challenge again, but the outside draw hurts her prospects.
Race 8 - (2) MUSICAL BOX will look to pick up where he left off six months ago. The Andy Moore trainee returns with a solid qualifier under his belt and will beat this field if he hits the ground pacing. (7) LIL MEMORIES commands respect with his three-race win streak on the line, but another march from post seven is a tough ask. Can he do it again? With a masterful steer from Greg Drew, absolutely. (3) JIM WHO makes frequent appearances on the board, making him an ideal choice for exotic plays.
Race 9 - (2) TUITION MONEY won his only recent start at Leamington - he teamed up with St. Louis in that outing too. Lightning does strike twice - or 42% of the time - when it comes to the top driver, and it's likely to here. (1) CHOCOLATE BISKIT dropped and popped in last week's Nw1500l3 division. He steps back up this afternoon, but the rail draw may ease the transition. (3) BROTHER AIDAN turned in his best performance of the season last week in his 1:56.3 place effort. It may not be long until he converts again.
Race 10 - (5) FEARSOME started strong at Sarnia but went sour in his last few weeks there. A few weeks off should see him refreshed and prepared to beat an easier bunch. (3) MOONSHINE WILLY placed three back versus similar and should do better than last week in this soft spot. (7) DELICATE TASTE holds the edge on form, but the second tier behind a horse unlikely to leave and an 0-for-13 record raises doubts.
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