Best Bet – (1) DEBS NEW MAN - Race 1
Spot Play – (4) BLISSFULLANNMARIE - Race 9
$1 Pick 3 – Race 2 - 5,6/1,3,6/1 - $6
20-cent Pick 4 – Race 5 – 2,4,6/2,5/2/3,4,5,6 - $4.80
Race 1 – (1) DEBS NEW MAN is likely to take the early advantage for Borth and should convert against a soft group. (4) FATEFUL CHOICE is an enigmatic option. He is making his second start in five years – and the first one was very poor. However, the switch to Nostadt and St. Louis and drop to Leamington means he’s been given the best chance he could possibly get to win. Your call. (5) THATSJUSTHOWIROLL improved to a show finish in his latest and should contend for a placing today too.
Race 2 – (6) TALBOT EH PLUS gets Marc St. Louis in the bike – rather than the saddle – after some solid RUS races and drops in class. Strong challenger. (5) COSTANTINO has produced big efforts against better recently. He should continue to do so. (3) RAINBOW GOLD’s recent strong performances at Leamington and easy path to a good early spot bode well for today’s dash.
Race 3 – (3) MONTY MONO has impressed as of late with wins elsewhere. Borth is back and he draws a good post. (1) AMAZING QUEST qualified well in a return tightener after missing a month. With an advantageous post and powerful connections, he figures to pick up right where he left off. (6) REGALLY MAGNIFIED hasn’t clicked for St. Louis and Nostadt yet, but that duo is always threatening and makes the gelding impossible to leave off the ticket.
Race 4 – (1) P L NOTORIOUS should improve with the switch to the top driver and another start from furthest inside. A first 2020 victory looks likely. (2) DALI CAT has shown she can compete at this level, but she would be hard-pressed to capture this one over the choice. (3) LARJON LESTER may improve on the class drop.
Race 5 – (4) ALWAYS A ROSE qualified sharply, indicating her return for Robinson may be just as good as her efforts before the break. (2) DONTWANTALKABOUTIT put forth two wins and a place in her past four starts. That makes her a prime contender. (6) TELL EM HANOVER is one of many options in the show spot. Her consistency gives her an edge over the rest; Borth should give her the trip she needs.
Race 6 - (5) FRONTIER SEELSTER is on a roll and will be tricky to stop as St. Louis asserts his will and sends this gelding to the front. (2) GO MUD notched his first win in several weeks last time but is in tougher this afternoon. This contest is very tight and could go either way. (3) NATES BUCKY was in superb form but has now missed a month. I expect a good return effort from a resilient horse, but the time missed raises doubts.
Race 7 - (2) KISS IT BETTER has been dominant in three straight victories. Very little could deny her a fourth. (1) P L NANCY gets the nod for place on the back of her show efforts at Sarnia. (4) STEVIE SEELSTER may improve with the switch to Borth in her second start at the level.
Race 8 - (6) THE LOAN RANGER may hold the edge on speed, but he must overcome post six to emerge victorious today. St. Louis is liable to simply send him as he did two weeks ago. (5) MACH ART IN MOTION brought home a first-up try in last week’s impressive win. He may have to do it again from post five. (3) FOR KEVINS SAKE handled the step up with class last week and should be tough to put away for the top two.
Race 9 - This race is difficult to differentiate. I’ll go with (4) BLISSFULLANNMARIE to finally get off the schneid from post four as she shows passable recent form; her 34 career wins are encouraging too. (7) FOLLOW THE DREAM may be better than these on the drop in class. However, her recent Kawartha lines leave much to be desired and she receives one of the worst posts, as does (6) MOLLIE Z TAM, who has cashed a cheque in four of her past five.
Race 10 - (6) SEE THE DELIGHT has picked up a place spot six times so far this season, but has not found the winner’s circle. Today has a great chance to be the day against a soft field. (7) THE WITCHES BREW is in a similar boat - she’s raced decently in her five starts, which puts her above the rest. (4) MYNAMEISALAN must be considered solely based on St. Louis’ presence in the bike this afternoon.
*
LEAMINGTON HANDICAPPING CHALLENGE SELECTIONS
More Tips from the Pros