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Nick Barnsdale’s Leamington Raceway Selections: Sunday, October 18, 2020

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Nick Barnsdale’s Leamington Raceway Selections: Sunday, October 18, 2020

October 18, 2020
By Nick Barnsdale
Nick Barnsdale’s Leamington Raceway Selections: Sunday, October 18, 2020
Best Bet – (3) MISTER X – Race 9
Spot Play – (5) CAMQUISTADOR – Race 2
$1 Pick 3 – Race 2 – 2,5/4/2,3,4 - $6
20-cent Pick 4 – Race 5 – 2,4,6/1,2,5/1,6/1,7 - $7.20

 
Race 1 – (3) HIGHLAND SALSA will be tough to beat making her second start for St. Louis and drawing much better than in her first. (1) MINNIE MILLION makes her living at this level and I expect her to add to her winnings with an easy spot from the rail. (6) SPORTS ICON appeared slightly hindered by the time off last out. This time she’ll be hindered by post six, but she’s got a chance on pure form.
 
Race 2 – (5) CAMQUISTADOR gets far more powerful connections in Mitchell and St. Louis first off the sale. I expect a different horse in his return from a short layoff. (2) SEE THE DELIGHT’s first win has been a long time coming. She may have to wait another week, but she will almost certainly be in the fight again. (4) DOC HALLADAY makes strides every week. I’ll throw him in underneath and acknowledge the threat.
 
Race 3 – (4) SUNSHINE N SHADE was superb for Nostadt first time out. The result there signals an improved horse and another possible victory. (1) STEVIE SEELSTER will try for a third straight and gets the best spot to do it. She’s in capable hands with Piroski and could take down the choice if all goes her way. (2) LADY NATASHA won two against similar before a tough outing from the six-hole. Against tough company here, she’s a Triactor play.
 
Race 4 – (3) IONIA also steps down; she’s won here before and is a solid mare in general. She will be a contender. (2) EAGLE SCOUT has St. Louis behind in the bike again has a slight edge over a host of class droppers in a wide-open affair (4) WEST RIVER CINDY has been solid in her recent races and will do well in a field with which she can fight.
 
Race 5 – (4) REGALLY MAGNIFIED should take another win in the absence of the strong Frontier Seelster and Needlecrest. Keaton starts from the outside, giving this Nostadt-St.Louis gelding a big chance. (2) MACHAPELO will look to drop and pop for Williams and Reibeling second time out. He’s scored a few this season but may struggle with the choice. Using underneath. (6) KEATON is always a threat in the $7000 claiming level and should not be ignored from post six, especially due to recent efforts.
 
Race 6 – (2) WHO SAID NOT TO was much more competitive on the Leamington drop last week, and now he takes another step down. He’s a prime contender with the inside draw. (1) J S PERFECT CACHE starts for the second time at this level but takes up the rail spot and should get a great trip as a result. (5) DALI CAT should do better for Borth and Currie on the sizable drop in class.
 
Race 7 – (1) FRONTIER SEELSTER is on an absolute roll currently. A pick against him from the rail would be unwise. (6) MONTY MONO is close with the top pick on form, but must overcome the outside post and speed inside. (4) BRUSSEBEACH showed ability last time but faces two monsters relative to the class. He looks third best here.
 
Race 8 – (7) BRIEF INTERLUDE struggled in the higher London condition but should be tough for these Leamington claiming types, especially with (1) AMAZING QUEST from the rail. He shines in this field based on recent efforts, but it may be tough to restrain the choice. (5) STONEBRIDGE STING was great in the season’s early stages but has fallen off since. Still, he should take a share in this group.
 
Race 9 – (3) MISTER X crushed Leamington opponents last week in his debut for the St. Louis duo. This one is a no-brainer. (2) SOMEHOWSOMEDAY pulled out an impressive win from the back field on October 11. He should do well here but would be hard pressed to topple the above. (1) ADDITUDE can contend in this contest and may beef up the Triactor dividends.
 
Race 10 – (3) FAST AS PHELPS must improve with the course’s top driver picking up the lines. The good post adds to his upside. (7) REAL ONE put it all together and finally broke her maiden last week, along with her trainer’s and driver’s winless streak on the year. She demands respect on the previous go but an underlay is expected this afternoon. (2) PASSSPORT shows speed and may hold on for a piece of it if the pace goes his way.

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