Mohawk: Saturday 7/8 Analysis
Best Bet: MCWICKED (10th)
Spot Play: PRESCOTTS HOPE (9th)
Race 1 - $40,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
20-CENT PICK 5: 1,3,7/2/1,4,5/1,2,3,8/1,5,8 = $21.60
EARLY PICK 4: 1,2,3,8/1,5,8/2,5/4,7 = $48
LATE PICK 4: 3,4/3,8,9/5/3,4,8 = $18
MEET STATS: 177 - 534 / $985.70 BEST BETS: 23 - 52 / $87.20
SPOT PLAYS: 25 - 52 / $137.30
Race 1
(3) CUE HALL was outclassed last week, but he is always around at the finish in this class; slight nod. (7) CASH FOR GOLD is another that does well when racing a class or two below the Preferred. He should also rebound with a much better effort here. (1) DUNVEGAN DON is in great form and he can hit the ticket at a price here off an inside following trip. (8) O NARUTAC PERFETTO has also hit his best stride, and while he will likely be last early, he can pass a few of these late to take a share.
Race 2
(2) SOME ATTITUDE appreciated the class relief last week and he blitzed his rivals, taking a new life's mark in the process. He can double up here. (9) WHO SAID NOT TO - coming off a 2nd-place finish to the choice - should offer some exacta value here starting farthest outside. (5) TYMAL PEACEMAKER had little chance taking Classic Pro on first-over in his 2017 debut. He can improve off that effort. (4) AMERICAN HUSTLE is improving rapidly. He is one to consider at a price here.
Race 3
(4) ODDS ON AMETHYST returned to his excellent spring form last week, and while you won't get 12/1 tonight, you know he can string several good ones together; call to repeat. (5) FLANAGAN MEMORY looks sharp enough to contend here, but he may also need a few to hit his best stride and he likely has much bigger engagements on his radar. He can take this, but proceed with caution if he is bet down. (1) CHARMED LIFE is capable of much better than she showed last time. Expect her to rebound here. (6) MUSICAL RHYTHYM isn't out of this competitive dash, although a slice seems likely this time.
Race 4
(3) P L HURRICANE won easily in this class two starts back, and although there are other class droppers to deal with here, she should be prominent racing near the front throughout. (2) BUTTERMILK HANOVER continues to improve racing out of the Boyd barn and she never gets bet; using. (1) MS MAC N CHEESE steps up slightly, but she is getting closer. She could pop here. (8) BERNADETTE drops from the top class and she too should be heard from here.
Race 5
(8) TOTALLY RIPPED added Lasix then trotted to a lifetime best last week. He can take another while he is in peak form. (5) WILL TAKE CHARGE faced the best on the continent in Cleveland last Saturday. He will enjoy the class relief here. (1) OHO DIAMOND is another that should show much more facing easier here. Toss her in your multi-race bets. (9) FINISH LINE is likely to stick around for only a smaller share here after showing his customary early speed.
Race 6
(5) EAST END couldn't hold off a sharp winner late in the mile last week, but he continues to race well every week and that trend should continue here. (2) DREAMY FELLA faces much easier here and he should make his presence felt at some point of the mile. (4) SKYWAY BOOMER is worth a look here off a quick win at Rideau Carlton over a good track. (7) SIR GALAHAD should close in late for a piece of this.
Race 7
(4) PAPARAZZI HANOVER put up some big fractions racing in this class two starts back. He could go right down the road here as the early lead appears to be his for the taking. (7) VEGAS ROCKS looks like he is sitting on a win now, but as always with him it seems, he needs the right trip. (8) ROCKIN FINISH raced okay last week but was overtaken by two that had followed him into the lane. He has already won twice this meet at big prices. Keep him in mind if he goes off as an overlay. (9) WAZZUP WAZZUP should get put into play early here. If he doesn't get used up too much, he could better this placing.
Race 8
(4) MC MACH exploded to a lifetime-best victory last week and this field is no tougher; call to repeat. (3) FANCOURT paced a 53 1/5 back half last time but was so far back that he could do no better than 4th. He should be closer early here and is the logical alternative to the choice. (6) FIREBALL has only missed the exacta once this year and he has shown some grit on several occasions. He is another to consider in all pools here. (2) MACHIN A TRICK should take a share off a following trip.
Race 9
(8) PRECOTTS HOPE is as good as he has ever been now and when he is at the top of his game, he is capable of firing off a sub-1:50 mile. That could be coming here. (3) AWESOMENESS adds Lasix and joins a high percentage barn. He is worthy of exacta consideration here. (9) ELLIS PARK took no prisoners last week, but trip will likely be tougher for him here. He can win this, but I wouldn't take a short price. (2) AMERICAN VIRGIN seems likely to fill one of the lower exotics rungs here.
Race 10
(5) MCWICKED was dull for some reason in his Ben Franklin elimination and missed the final, but he looks much the best of this bunch. (2) FOOL ME ONCE looks next best and he will likely hold his form here and complete a chalky exacta. (3) ROCKIN IN HEAVEN is at the top of his game now. He should take a share off a following trip near the front. (4) DINNER AT THE MET can pass a few of these in the final 1/4 for a small share.
Race 11
(3) TRACEUR HANOVER could only follow along for a slice in Ellis Park's 1:49 2/5 mile last week, but he gets to take another class drop here to a spot where there are no Preferred horses getting class relief. He should take beating here. (4) PAR INTENDED just missed at huge odds despite having broken equipment last week. He should get a solid pace to stalk and close into again. (8) P L IDAHO easily took a new life's mark last week, but he is likely to face more early competition for the front here and I will try to beat him - especially if he goes off as chalk. (6) DOVUTO HANOVER was a solid claim for Auciello who continues to get shares every week. (5) FINE DIAMOND drops and he should share here.
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