Mohawk: Monday 4/24 Analysis
Best Bet: SOUTHWIND TESLA (1st)
Spot Play: CUE HALL (6th)
Race 1 - $40,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
PICK 5: 6/3,6/2,5,9/1,2,8/4,5,7,8,10 = $18
EARLY PICK 4: 1,2,8/4,5,7,8,10/1/7,8,9 = $45
LATE PICK 4: 7,8,9/5,6/5,6,7/6,7 = $36
MEET STATS: 13 - 50 / $64.00 BEST BETS: 1 - 5 / $5.30
SPOT PLAYS: 3 - 5 / $15.70
Race 1
(6) SOUTHWIND TESLA was well-regarded by her connections last year to warrant a start in the lucrative Goldsmith Maid. Her powerful qualifying win signals that she is ready for what could be a solid sophomore campaign. I'll give her the nod here. (3) SOUTH WIN BAX couldn't reach the impressive winner last time, but she was a clear 2nd at the wire. A better start would put her right there vs. these. (1) EURO GAP qualified sharply and fits well here; using. (8) DREAM MASSIVE goes for a trainer that does well with young stock. He is another possibility in a race with several possibilities.
Race 2
(3) PAULY WALLY looked stalled on the final turn last week, but he re-rallied for his 3rd straight win. Roy sticks and on paper this race appears to come down to a choice between he and (6) ONLY HALF BAD. The latter gets McNair back; notice two back they went down the road. Slight nod to the latter but using both in the Pick 5. (7) BIG BAD BILL tried to bottom out the field last time, but he got wobbly late. He can take a smaller share here, likely employing different tactics. (8) SOUTHWIND MONTY is another that should be closing for a share.
Race 3
(5) CASH FOR GOLD drops back to a level where he should be a major player; slight nod. (2) OLYMPIC SON - also dropping - should get put into action early by Cullen here. He's a big threat to lead all the way or win from the pocket. (9) EXEMPLAR is yet another that drops and he raced well vs. better last week. These three should all be used on Pick 5 tickets. (6) RENEGADE MAGIC won several times here last year and she can fire fresh. She's worth a look for vertical wagers.
Race 4
(8) SOUTHWIND MASIMO raced as well as he ever has on April 14th when powering up late for 2nd. The class rise here is insignificant and he could be a good price again. I'll give him the nod over (2) LISVINNIE - who is inconsistent, unpredictable, but capable when he appears sound. Take a look at the latter on the track for clues to his soundness level. (1) GALLAGHER SEELSTER's qualifier indicates he's ready for his season debut and in the past, he has shown enough speed to compete with these. (9) WHO DOESN'T frequently finishes on the fringes in these classes. Give him a look for the bottom of Tri and Super plays.
Race 5
(8) INTRIGUED INTENDED transferred his good Flamboro form last week and parlayed it into a solid win. He can take another with a reasonable trip. (4) AMBLE OVER HANOVER attracted a claim last time and he could be better here if he lands in the pocket early, which is a good possibility; using. (10) HP BLACK SHADOW raced well vs. the choice last time when claimed. He isn't out of this, but he must overcome his post, obviously. (7) HIGHLAND BOGART is 1 for 15 this year, but he raced well vs. the choice last week and he should contend here, too. Others are preferred on top, however.
Race 6
(1) CUE HALL was absolutely flying at the wire last week and he was the unluckiest of losers when the winner slid up the pylons late. McNair sticks; top call. (9) READY ANY TIME qualified in very good time with a quick final 1/4. He should be a threat here - even from the outer post. (5) BIG RICH starts from one of the best posts which means Filion should put him on or near the lead at the outset; using. (3) LADY CATERINA motored up late last week after enjoying a very good inside following trip. Facing tougher here, she is a good bet to complete the Tri or Super.
Race 7
(8) CHEYENNE REIDER was moving well in the lane last week, but he had too much ground to make up. He can take these if he is positioned better by the 3/4 pole. (9) ALWAYS A HOTSHOT has been finishing fast and now he faces easier. He could get sent hard here at the start, which would make him very tough to beat. (7) BUGGER BRUISER blew up the tote here last summer off a similar line to his last one; using. (1) IT'S A BIG SECRET should be a speed factor early. He may hang around for a slice if he gets covered up before the 1/2.
Race 8
(6) PANEDICTINE keeps McNair here following a powerful and easy win when claimed. Returning to the same class should make him a tough customer here. (5) THINK AGAIN always paces home in under 28 seconds. Some early battling looks likely here, which would benefit him. (7) EAST END moves to a claiming handicap off the claim here which probably makes him a fringe player facing tougher. (8) CRANKIN IT UP should be the first leader, but notice he was no match for the choice last time.
Race 9
(6) ODDS ON AMETHYST faces some classy new shooters here making their season debuts, but that may help inflate this sharp veteran's price. I'll stick with him again until they knock him off his perch. (7) WINDSUN REVENGE and (5) MUSICAL RHYTHM are obviously classy and capable, but they don't need to win this race off the shelf either, both likely having bigger fish to fry this summer. It makes sense to use all three in the Pick 4 in this tricky Preferred trot. (2) APRIL ROSE has excelled for the Hensleys since a claim in late December and she rarely misses a check. She can close late for a slice here.
Race 10
(6) TRISUN closed well despite the pace accelerating noticeably last time. He can mow these down if the pace is honest. (7) FOUR CARD MAJOR was overtaken late by the choice last time then missed a week. He is consistent and dangerous. (3) OCAPTAIN MYCAPTAIN may try the front end here and he could surprise if left alone on the engine for too long. (2) LYONS DELIGHT figures to take a share racing close up. (8) HUGHGETTHECREDIT has raced well in this class but his post likely dooms him to a smaller share here.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the NEW FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]