Best Bet - (6) SHIPPEN OUT - Race 10
Spot Play - (7) MACHING TIME - Race 5
Race 1 - (8) STRATEGIC THINKING went a monster trip on the rim to win last time and he will be tough if he can repeat that effort. His post should boost his price. (5) SPORTS JACKET always races tough at this track and he should be dangerous here. (4) QALIGIRL BLUE CHIP ships west from Flamboro and I will use her underneath moving from races restricted to mares to open claimers.
Race 2 - (2) MOTOWN MISSILE will rightfully get hammered at the windows following a big win last time and he will be hard to beat here. (3) PETRO CHROME was second to the choice and a repeat Exactor is very possible here. (6) JUST T had a decent opener and she could close late to get a piece of this.
Race 3 - (9) WORLD WONDER moves in from Mohawk Park into a much easier spot here and he gets top call in this spot. (4) ZEKE THE FREAK is worth a look for the exotics making his debut for an aggressive barn. (6) MAGNUM HILL is another making his first start that can sneak into the exotics here.
Race 4 - (2) CASIMIR LOW GEAR moves inside after winning from the 6-hole and there is a good chance he will control this race. (1) STONEBRIDGE BETTOR is worth a look for the exotics moving back inside here. (4) SHOCK N ROCK is always a good one to use underneath in Tri bets and he should get a good trip here.
Race 5 - (7) MACHING TIME raced well here in both starts two and three races back and he could bring good value here; price play. (3) FAR BETTER is razor-sharp and he will likely be the one to catch again. (2) COINCIDENTAL CREWS is one-for-one, but he will need more speed here. I will use him on the bottom.
Race 6 - In a race with little strong form, I will default to (1) CASHMERE IVY who raced well last time yet is still stuck on one 2019 win. (2) STRIDE SEELSTER showed some late interest last time which may indicate some better efforts are coming. (4) DREAM BALL should produce an effort good enough to at least hit the board in this spot.
Race 7 - (3) SHADOW MOON has been facing the toughest company recently and he should enjoy class relief here. (1) BOURBON SEELSTER always races tough at this track and she should be right there again. (6) CULLEN KEEFE N was a strong winner here two starts back and he is not out of this.
Race 8 - (2) D M JOHNWICK meets a field he should beat although his recent bout of seconditis is a bit worrisome. (1) GOT SOME SPARK was third vs. better and she should provide a challenge to the choice here. (6) STONEBRIDGE SCOUT is capable of better than he has been showing and moving inside a couple of posts may help here.
Race 9 - (4) TINAS WAR has a strong record this year and driver St. Louis should put her into action early here; top call. (6) A WHOLE LOTTA SASS has been racing well over this track. Borth will be winging early with her and she should be the one to catch. (8) PLAYED BY SWAN is 5 to 2 in the morning line but has won only two of his past 48 starts. I will play to beat him.
Race 10 - (6) SHIPPEN OUT's form is too strong to go against here; top call. (1) MYBROTHERGEORGE should get a better start here which will enable him to pass most of these late. (2) CONFLICT DIAMOND should be the early leader here and he is a good bet to hang around for a share.
Race 11 - (2) KAHLUA MORNING moves inside off a sharp win and she will be mighty hard to beat here. (1) MOLLIE Z TAM gets major post relief here which should lead to a much better performance. (5) KINNDERUNTOUCHABLE is in solid form and she can take a lot of air and keep advancing.
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Garnet Barnsdale is a veteran handicapper, bettor and racing writer who has worked as an analyst for DRF Harness for the past five years. He is also the current President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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