Standardbred Canada's Bet Canadian best bet and value play selections for Sunday, July 1 are now available.
On the anniversary of our country's first horse racing event, Standardbred Canada is bringing back its popular Bet Canadian campaign and selections for harness racing tracks on Canada Day weekend.
Exactly 100 years to the day before Canadian Confederation, the first horse racing meet was held in this country on July 1, 1767. The event was for a purse of $40 and won by a mare named Modesty. The race, which took place on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City, ushered in a rich tradition of horse racing in the province and across Canada. Our sport grew and prospered long before concepts like ice hockey or American football had even been conceived.
SC helped close out the 2011 racing season with its much heralded Bet Canadian campaign, offering free program pages and selections. These popular selections will be featured on the SC website for Saturday, June 30, Sunday July 1 and Monday, July 2, and will include each standardbred track racing in Canada that day.
Alberta Downs - Program Pages
Best Bet: Race 6
#8 Sharon Blew Bye (3-1)
Destroyed this class last time out, drew outside so that might scare some off as the eight hole only wins at 8.7 per cent. Consistent mare that's still advancing at the end of her miles no matter what post.
Sharon Blew Bye (at odds of 1.05 to 1) finished fourth by 1-3/4 lengths.
Value Pick: Race 7
#2 Mjjz R Us (9-2)
When this colt leaves from one of the inside three posts, he finishes in the top three almost without fail. Look for this one to get away with horses to his inside and outside - the two morning line selections - and be there at the wire.
Mjjz R Us finished eighth.
Clinton Raceway - Program Pages
Best Bet: Race 4
#1 The Big Bite (5-2)
Last week, he flew out from post six and extended his lead, only to be nabbed near the wire by a Bob McIntosh trainee who was 1-to-9 on the board. His previous two starts, he finished second to the favourites. This time the morning line favourites (#5 at 8-5, and #6 at 7-5) are not the calibre of the horse who previously beat him. Start to finish.
The Big Bite (at odds of 2.00 to 1) finished first, paying $6, $3.90, $2.70.
Value Play: Race 6
#5 Twilight Seelster (6/1)
Trainer McKellar has a small stable. In 2010, he started a two-year-old named Grande Seelster, who debuted with a solid second at Clinton. This recruit looks like she could be more talented, qualifying against top juveniles at Mohawk. Don't like two-year-olds racing against older horses, but this field is weak. Throw in #6 Bubble Bub Bubble for a nice exactor box.
Twilight Seelster (at odds of 3.30 to 1) finished first, paying $8.60, $3.50, $2.10.
Dresden Raceway - Program Pages
Best Bet: Race 10
#2 Royal Bandit (5/2)
Talented four-year-old destroyed this group the last two times he faced them. A few tough results since and now he's back. Shouldn't have a tough time, but the price might not be very appealing.
Royal Bandit (at odds of 0.70 to 1) finished second by three-quarters of a length, paying $2.10, $2.10.
Value Play: Race 2
#2 Life Flow (4/1)
Hasn't been able to carry his speed in the past, still searching for his first win despite 23 starts. Why then does he have a chance today? This is his fourth start off of a 10 month layoff. His last event, he showed a blistering 27.1 first quarter, indicating he's back from whatever kept him out. Now, he'll be able to ration his speed from post two, at a fair price.
Life Flow (at odds of 4.10 to 1) finished seventh.
Flamboro Downs - Program Pages
Best Bet: Race 4
#4, Dont Be Cruel (3-1)
This one lines up to the outside of heavy favourite Stephens Time, who looked great at Kawartha in his last but is making his first start over a half-mile. If that 1:57 mile doesn't translate to success over Flamboro, expect Dont Be Cruel to provide a kind return on investment.
Dont Be Cruel (at odds of 1.75 to 1) finished second by 14-1/4 lengths, paying $3.30, $2.60.
Value Play: Race 5
#1, Pommer (8-1)
With Tagmaster jumping up in class and likely to face some stiffer challenges from Rageur Normand and Full Volume, I think Bowins can work out a trip with Pommer from the rail and factor in the equation of this race.
Pommer (at odds of 17.05 to 1) finished seventh.
Miami - Program Pages
Best Bet: Race 3
#1 Kesons Dahlia (3/1)
Six year old mare has always had good speed. Showed it in the past while racing in Ontario. Seems to be rounding into form for this race. The rail post should allow her to carry her speed to the wire.
Kesons Dahlia (at odds of 0.85 to 1) finished first, paying $3.70, $2.80, $2.10.
Value Play: Race 4
#2 Lundys Jet (7/1)
Three-year-old daughter of Jeremes Jet is making her career debut off two solid qualifiers. Last week, Dean Ray won with two first timers, and this filly looks ready to make an early's trip to the winner's circle.
Lundys Jet (at odds of 5.50 to 1) finished first, paying $13, $3, $3.80.
Mohawk Racetrack - Program Pages
Best Bet: Race 3
#2 Pembroke Heat Wave (2/1)
After coming first up to win the final of the Armbro Flight she seems to have drawn the easier split of the Miss Versatility.
Pembroke Heat Wave (at odds of 1.05 to 1) finished third by 2-3/4 lengths, paying $2.30.
Value Play: Race 10
#1 Jac Spade (7/1)
Although he doesn't have a great history of success on the WEG circuit he's won 3 of his last 6 elsewhere and draws a pretty easy bunch and an inside post for this assignment. Watch for Mayotte to send him right down the road at a good price in here.
Jac Spade (at odds of 4.40 to 1) finished second by half a length, paying $5.10, $3.30.
Red Shores at Summerside - Program Pages
Best Bet: Race 8
#6 My Daisy Duke (7-2)
With this group of debuting three-year-olds, I'm calling on this one's back class to come through. Was the fastest and richest of this group of seven at 2, comes into this race as the fastest of the sophomores qualifying impressively against a group of older trotters.
My Daisy Duke was a judges' scratch.
Value Play: Race 1
#3 Buddy Hally (6-1)
While a mile in 2:17 and change isn't the deciding factor, a look back at this one's dam, Credibility shows speed and ability early. Racing at Charlottetown, Monticello and Tioga in her first three starts at 2, Credibility won once and placed twice. Based on pedigree, if this one looks good warming up he's worth a definite look.
Buddy Hally (at odds of 4.70 to 1) finished first, paying $11.40, $4.70, $5.30.
Rideau Carleton Raceway - Program Pages
Best Bet: Race 9
#1 Thats Ideal (4-1)
Class drop and post relief for a pacer that has the fastest win time this year in this group (1:54) and was race timed faster than the 2-1 morning line pick three starts back.
Thats Ideal (at odds of 2.15 to 1) finished seventh.
Value Pick: Race 10
#3 One False Move (5-1)
Expect this veteran to be overlooked by the favourites to his outside. Always advancing at the end of his miles and if the outside horses tussle for the front end, this one could swoop late and pick up the pieces.
One False Move (at odds of 11.80 to 1) finished third by 1-1/4 lengths, paying $8.
St. Hugues - Program Pages
Best Bet: Race 4
#4 Davignon (5-2)
Just missed here last week, trotting his mile in 2:05 - more than five lengths better than anyone else in this group over this track.
Davignon finished first, paying $3.70, $3.
Value Pick: Race 10
#2 Maiden Heaven (4-1)
This one's picked to finish in the middle of the field but post relief should play a factor and provide better placement. Only the also eligible has paced the tight turns at St. Hugues faster.
Maiden Heaven finished second by a head, paying $12.10.
Yorkton Exhibition - Program Pages
Best Bet: Race 1
#1 Prince Of Chantze (5/1)
This guy who loves the front end draws the rail and will go coast-to-coast to begin the card. The one who wore him down last time draws PP6 in here and that will make all the difference.
Prince Of Chantze (at odds of 0.85 to 1) finished first, paying $3.70, $2.20, $2.10.
Value Play: Race 4
#1 Light The Board (8/1)
Will do just what his name suggests. He may be jumping from a $4,000 claimer into the Open pace but he doesn't know that! He's fresh off of a dominant score by open lengths here in 2:00.1. Anything close to that effort today and he will 'light the board' for sure.
Light The Board (at odds of 2.65 to 1) finished first, paying $7.30, $7.40, $4.20.