TRI’s Picks July 18 Mohawk

By Nicholas “Ace” Barnsdale

Nicholas “Ace” Barnsdale, known as Shadow The Ace on Facebook, is the son of broadcast handicapper and writer Garnet Barnsdale. He too is a young racing aficionado that will be a regular writer on The Racing Inquirer. The Ontario native will have a focus on the WEG circuit, as well as writing previews for big events, columns and race reviews. He is welcomed as a new member of The Racing Inquirer. The thoughts of Nicholas Barnsdale are not that of The Racing Inquirer’s.

Mohawk Racetrack Pick 4, Races 4-7, Thursday, July 18, 2013

On Saturday, we got 3 of 4 again on our ticket, so our profit for the year (if you have been betting the tickets for two bucks) is now a deficit of $70. Unfortunate, but tonight, we will turn it around.

$2 Play: 1/ 2, 9/ 5, 6, 7/ 2

Analysis:

Race 4- (1) THORN IN YOUR SIDE is a horse that has been showing good efforts and strong finishes lately. He finished fourth by a few last time out but went a whole second faster than anyone in this field. From the inside post I expect him to step up for a victory. Honestly, few horses will be in contention late, which makes him our key horse. He would be an amazing horse to bet for win if he go off in the 5-1 or higher plateau.

Race 5- (2) ROCKIN WITH DEWEY raced faster than all other horses in their last races, finishing third with a parked mile. She will likely take the lead and cut some fast fractions, being either beneficial or harmful, depending on if she is good enough to hold on tonight. (9) OZZY OZZY is his main rival. He closed like a jet two starts back, which should not be a problem from post 9 if he remains in that form. OZZY OZZY will also be a good horse to bet to win, or the 2, 9 exactor box, as I see a late stretch nail-biter between these two, by which OZZY OZZY should prove better.

Race 6- (5) SHADOW BARAN has been racing spectacularly at a slightly higher class lately and now makes a slight drop in class. His last performance is questionable, but this horse should roll right into improvement. However, he is in against a strong field tonight. (6) SILVER DRAGON who was racing well in higher classes, but not so well off a layoff last start. We are looking for some improvement from him, but our other horse looks much better than SILVER DRAGON. (7) AMBLE OVER HANOVER has been remarkable in his last few starts. It seems his most recent second place effort can be blamed by a slow middle half. This horse can slow it down and pull away in the stretch with ease.

Race 7- (2) VALLEY GLIDER has had some eye-catching performances lately. He’s in against a weaker field tonight and should be sharp. (9) SAMIRA HANOVER will be a contender in this event, but will likely help out VALLEY GLIDER in his path to the winners’ circle. She’ll likely set the fractions in this mile, while VALLEY GLIDER sits a comfortable trip and makes his move into the stretch. It should be an easy win for VALLEY GLIDER, but he is not worth a win bet, as he probably won’t go off above 6/5. In the event he is within the 2-1 plateau, easy money is at hand.