Mohawk: Monday 5/1 Analysis
Best Bet: MAJOR ATHENS (9th)
Spot Play: RENEGADE MAGIC (5th)
Race 1 - $40,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
PICK 5: 1,2,3/2,6,7/2,3,6/4,9/4,5,6,8 = $43.20
EARLY PICK 4: 4,9/4,5,6,8/2,5,8/8,9 = $48
LATE PICK 4: 3,7,8,9/1,3,6/5/2,4,7,10 = $48
MEET STATS: 29 - 90 / $166.70 BEST BETS: 3 - 9 / $14.40
SPOT PLAYS: 5 - 9 / $23.70
Race 1
(2) ON FIRST closed with a nice rush in his only Mohawk start and Henry sticks here. He will likely ask this colt for more speed earlier in the mile this time; slight nod. (1) FORTE raced much better last time and he seems to be coming around with Christoforou driving; using. (3) DUNBAR HALL showed some promise at two and he, too, is worth including on Pick 5 tickets. (5) ODD BALL could roll up late for another share here, likely at a big price again.
Race 2
(7) ONLY HALF BAD paced his own final 1/4 in 28 2/5 despite being passed by four rivals. This field is easier and he could take them all the way. (2) BIG BAD BILL had late pace racing behind the choice late and he did pass that one by the time they hit the finish. He looks like the main danger. (6) REBEL VOYAGER shows up from out of town sporting excellent form. He is in with a decent chance here. (5) BETTIM CHRIS is worth a look starting for Moreau for the first time here.
Race 3
(3) AMANFORALLSEASONS dropped more than five seconds in less than a month and trainer Bax seems to have found the key with him; call to repeat. (2) DREAM MASSIVE's final 1/4 last week is a good indicator that he is ready to produce a good effort. He just needs a better start here. (6) AWOL HANOVER is highly touted and he was an impressive winner in the slop last time. He easily could better this prediction, but he is almost sure to be overbet here. (7) ROSE RUN REANNA fires a decent final 1/4 every race. Keep her in mind when you make your Tri and Super bets.
Race 4
(4) REBELLIOUS qualified well enough on April 15th to be competitive here and he moves into trainer Zeron's barn. I'll give him the nod over (9) CREEPIN, who showed late interest vs. a winner that came back to win easily in non-winners of two company on Thursday. (6) MACH ONE is worth a look for the exotics as one making his debut in a suspect field. (7) MELANIES MAGIC is one of only two winners in the field and he is worth considering off the barn change.
Race 5
(8) RENEGADE MAGIC - who it was noted last week loves this track - produced a solid effort in her season's debut. The price will be lower here, but she may still be a decent price and she looks as good as any. (5) READY ANY IME can get a better trip here leaving from the middle of the gate. Toss him on Pick 4 tickets. (4) MEADOWBRANCH MEMO had zero chance last week trying to pass them all. He, too, has a much better chance leaving from this post. (6) FEARLESS MAN is sure to get bet again here, and he could go all the way, but I will try to beat him as the likely chalk considering his current form.
Race 6
(5) LMC MASS OAK will get there one of these weeks very soon; perhaps tonight is the night he is given a more aggressive steer. (2) LADY PING has a penchant for striking at long prices. Take a close look at her stepping up off a decent effort. (8) LITTLE RED CHEV is in great form and driver Jamieson has bottomed out the field with her at this track before; using. (3) DOMITIAN HALL took advantage of a slowing pace late to get up for a win last time. A smaller share is likely for him here.
Race 7
(8) SIX BEFORE SEVEN was motoring late last week and while he isn't the most frequent winner, he could knock these off with a slightly better start. (9) FOUR CARD MAJOR is likely to get a more aggressive steer here with little early speed evident in this group. Use him in both Pick 4's. (3) E L WILD SPIRIT ships in with solid form and this isn't the toughest spot. He's in with a decent shot, too. (7) VINCENT VAN GO faces easier here for a tag. He can't be tossed from Pick 4 consideration either.
Race 8
(6) DREAMFAIR MESA faces much easier here and you would think Henry will try to go right down the road with him. (3) IMSPORTY takes a slight drop back to a spot where he should contend. (1) GALAGHER SEELSTER gets a notable driver change. He could pop at a price if he gets a good start. (4) LOVEDANCINWITHYOU can take a small share, as has been typical with him recently.
Race 9
(5) MAJOR ATHENS was absolutely flying in the closing strides last week and he was ahead of the top two three strides past the wire. While that burst of speed may get overplayed on the pre-game show, he still rates highly here. The caution is that he could be overbet. (1) CATCH THE DREAM is always solid at this level and he should be right there if the time off isn't a big factor. (2) CASH FOR GOLD steps up off a powerful win, but he should contend here for at least a minor award. (10) APRIL ROSE would rate higher from a better post. Tab her for next week.
Race 10
(7) IM THE PIED PIPER has shown some sneaky improvement in two starts for trainer/driver Hensley. Expect an aggressive try here with the drop back down to the bottom conditioned level. (4) KOULTONS ROCKET is another that should get put into play off the gate and he is more than capable of winning at this level. (2) WALTZKING HANOVER looks good to take another slice here-note the 5 shares vs. no wins so far this year. (10) BUGGER BRUISER got hung out to dry last time. Perhaps leading driver McNair will have better luck with him here. (9) BROOKDALE SONNY showed some life in his April 24th qualifier. He is worth considering for the bottom of vertical bets at a big price.
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