Best Bet – (1) CHEEKIE – Race 6
Spot Play – (8) BUCKEROO – Race 7
Race 1- (3) RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE made two moves last time in a decent effort and he picks up leading driver Holliday here, who is winning at a 32% clip this meet. I’ll give him the nod over (1) ROYALTYS ODYSSEY, who comes off the best most recent race but loses driver Jamieson. (4) LEXUS MARKUS should be an exotics threat with Richardson in the bike.
Race 2 – (1) BRYN BARONESS faces easier, draws inside and gets second-leading driver Richardson. She should be headed for the front leaving the gate and she’ll be tough to overhaul. (8) RETURN TO STYLE has a good chance to round out the exacta if she gets right on the choice’s helmet leaving and protects position. (3) ALPHABET QUEEN should be a threat for at least a share again.
Race 3 – (3) TALAHASSE SEELSTER drops from Golds to Grassroots which is often a huge class plunge and even though she takes on colts and geldings, she may be up to it. (2) AWSOMEDABRA was second to a sharp colt who was winning his second straight last time and this Kadabra gelding should be tough in here. (6) CHOCOLATE PIE can compete if he stays flat and he gets the right driver to get him away from the outer post. Toss him in your Tris.
Race 4 – (6) YOUVE GOT BANKERS might get sent on a speed mission by the leading driver here and his price should be decent; upset play. (4) SANDYS CANDY has some of the best most recent form, but he’s 1 for 56 in the past 20 months. What price would you take? (3) TYRELIUS DEO’s most recent try puts him squarely in the picture vs. this field and he should get a good trip racing near the front.
Race 5 – (1) LIFEISGOOD HANOVER has the best recent form and the inside post so he gets the nod here over (3) TUCKERS OUT who has faced the toughest company but comes into this race off a break in stride. (2) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO should be able to sit a good following trip here and get a share.
Race 6 – (1) CHEEKIE finally gets post relief, a class drop and driver Richardson. I can’t imagine this mare closing anywhere close to the 4/1 morning line when betting stops. (6) ACEFORTYFOURTALON faces much easier here and he is probably the one to beat but he may have trouble chasing down the choice if she gets sent as expected. (5) PODIUM SELESTER made two moves in a good effort to get a share. I’ll use him on the bottom of Tris here.
Race 7 – (8) BUCKEROO drops and he should get a setup here. I look for him to swoop past the leaders at some point of the back half. (2) BANDICOOT will no doubt get sent by Richardson, but he will likely have early company which will play into the choice’s hand. (5) EVASIVE CARD SHARK was third vs. better at Grand River and he isn’t out of this.
Race 8 – (1) DOUBLE DOWN DUKE lands in a good spot for his debut effort drawing the best post and leading driver; top call. (2) SUNNY BO will be tough if he can race back to his August 3rd qualifier, but his gait issues are concerning. (8) GET IT DONE DONNA can improve off a decent opener and take a slice here.
Race 9 – (4) GOOD AND SWEET looks good to go to take his 6th straight win here, but the price will again be very short. (5) SOS NOSTOPPINMENOW has lived up to his name the past two starts but trying to repel the choice may be a tall order here; Exacta factor. (1) HOPE FOR HEAVEN is in with an upset chance if he can reproduce his 1:57 1/5 winning effort from three starts back but that seems hard to predict considering the two efforts that followed that sharp score.
Race 10 – (4) STRYKING DOVE should clear to the front quickly again here and that will make her tough to catch and beat. (3) MOLLIE MCGEOCH qualified well for Richardson and she’s worth a look for the Exacta in this spot. (5) HERESTOJESSICA comes off a nice win at Clinton but she could get hung out a way here. I’ll use her underneath.
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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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