Woodbine Harness: Thursday 10/22 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale
DRF HARNESS
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
20-CENT PICK 5: 6,7/6,8/1,2,4/1,2,3,8/4,6
EARLY PICK 4: 1,2,3,8/4,6/1,3/2,3,5 = $54
LATE PICK 4: 2,4,5/3,4,7,8/1,4,5/5,6 = $72
MEET STATS: 37 - 121 / 181.80 BEST BETS: 5 - 10 / $15.20
SPOT PLAYS: 3 - 11 / 30.30
Best Bet: LAY LADY LAY (6th)
Spot Play: CLASSIC COMEDY (3rd)
Race 1
(7) C L ART MAGIC shoots for his 7th straight to stay unbeaten this year and the way he's been winning suggests he won't be beaten anytime soon in this class. (6) SOAKING UP THE SUN took a new life's mark in his 2nd start for Moreau and is the main danger - especially if he lands in the pocket early which is very possible. (4) VEGAS RICH has improved his closing speed in his past two starts and should pick up a piece of this.
Race 2
(6) ARNIE has improved in every start so far and looks poised for a winning effort here in just his 4th lifetime start. (8) COUNTRY PROPHET won by a pole in quick time over a half-miler down south and would be very tough if he repeats that effort. Trotting hopples seem to make a world of difference for him. (4) JAYPORT ON THE EDGE is the quintessential professional maiden and will likely get another smaller share here.
Race 3
(6) CLASSIC COMEDY has faced the same tough winner twice in a row and been too far back to make an impact. She knows how to win and could bounce back here at a square price. (1) TOP ROYAL would be my top pick if she hadn't missed almost a month's action. She fits based on her form but the break is a bit concerning. (4) KATIES BEACH looks like one of the best in here but her 1 for 19 record suggests she's been in this same position a few times and failed.
Race 4
(3) CAJON LIGHTNING powered home to a new life's mark last week - albeit in a slowing late pace. He can lay closer and move earlier here if needed; call to repeat. (1) READ THE PROPOSAL set a strong pace and was only passed late by the choice. He figures highly here especially if he can get a breather. (8) KONA KID has finished second twice straight to one that has won every start this year so far; toss this sharp gelding on your early pick 4 tickets.
Race 5
(6) STORMONT KATE takes another class drop and will try to take to take these coast-to-coast. (4) ZUKAV makes his third start of the year, drops in class and gets post relief. He could wake up at a nice price here. (2) CAL CHIPS BROTHER is still winless for the year but gets a check most of the time.
Race 6
(1) LAY LADY LAY broke her maiden impressively last time despite missing several weeks leading up to the race. She should be even better here coming back in a week. (3) LINWOOD BEACHGIRL closed decently into a quickening late pace in her debut and should go forward off that effort. (8) SPECIALCELEBRATION couldn't close late as the pace picked up last time. She needs to find more speed late to get the job done here.
Race 7
(2) MONEY MAVEN gets a big driver change tonight which could turn the trick in a race where he looks like a contender anyway. (3) R CHOOCHOO CHARLIE made his debut in a new barn a winning one last week and could double up even with the class rise. (5) AGGRESSIVE raced well from the 10-hole last time now gets the driver back that steered him to an easy win two back. He's dangerous.
Race 8
(2) ARRAVISTA HANOVER showed some improvement with Christoforou driving last time and she has been known to pop at a big price at this track; call to upset. (4) PUT YOUR BAD ON raced very well from the 10-hole last time and is obviously the one to beat. (5) NOONE TO DEPEND ON sat a good trip last week but couldn't close on the leaders. The winner of that race would likely blitz these. This filly should be competitive here.
Race 9
(7) J CS JAKE moves into Moreau's barn off the claim which as good a reason as any to give him top billing in this weak group. (8) JUSTCALLMERONALD stands a good chance of making the front or sitting a pocket trip here which makes him a contender. (3) GIRL DRAMA is the best closer but relies on a slowing of the pace to get there late. She's in with a shot but needs some luck.
Race 10
(4) CORSICA HALL raced okay against an opponent that hasn't lost this year and that mile came off a three-week break. Back quicker he should be driven more aggressively and can take this. (1) ELECTRIC WESTERN was unlucky last week when the pocket-sitter escaped and outsprinted him. He is a big threat here. (5) ANTAR PHIL moves into Puddy's barn off the claim which makes him dangerous and useable on pick 4 tickets.
Race 11
(5) RED HOT HILL is a 1/2 sister to Delightful Hill who has earned $200K in her first two seasons of racing and won her debut as a 2YO. This isn't the toughest spot; top call. (6) ACTIVE LADY made two moves last time and just about held on for the win. She's the one to beat. (7) MAXIM SEELSTER has been improving and showing the signs that a win is coming soon. (3) WARAWEE RAP makes her debut and could get a piece of this if she utilizes the good early speed that she has shown in her qualifiers. (2) BAD LIGHTNING may not have liked the off track last week and was also coming off a month long break then. She can improve here.
