Mohawk: Saturday 8/19 Analysis
Best Bet: PRESCOTTS HOPE (1st)
Spot Play: EVENING PLAY (7th)
Race 1 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
PICK 5: 5/3,6,7/1,2/3,4,7/1,3,6,10,11 = $18
EARLY PICK 4: 3,4,7/1,3,6,10,11/1,2,5/5 = $45
LATE PICK 4: 3,5,7/2/3,6,7/1,6,9 = $27
MEET STATS: 274 - 802 / $1,550.80 BEST BETS: 34 - 78 / $122.70
SPOT PLAYS: 32 - 77 / $187.80
Race 1
(5) PRESCOTTS HOPE meets a field he should blitz with a reasonable trip; top call. (6) THE ROADIES showed a new dimension last time, passing horses and closing ground. Consider using him in the exacta and tri here. (4) COOL ROCK has improving form and he should take a piece of this. (1) RESISTANCE FUTILE is always in the mix at this level but it makes sense to try to beat him out of the exacta with one of the two above who should offer a better payoff.
Race 2
(6) LADY GRANDE put up a good fight against the very tough Jan in the Whenuwishuponastar final. With that rival gone, I'll give her a slight nod over (7) BIG THONG, who is the likely favorite and the one to beat. (3) DELANEY R improved dramatically last time. Trainer Coleman may have figured her out; beware. (2) BREEZY should close late for a slice in this tougher spot.
Race 3
(1) CLASSIC PRO is simply the fastest horse in here. He should boss this group. (2) TOM HILL returned to action with a scorching win last week. He could be the main threat here. (5) BADSTORMANYPORT is in career-best form. He could share even in this much tougher field. (9) THINK ON IT comes off a sharp effort, but he is best used on the bottom of Tris and Supers.
Race 4
(7) BLATANTLY BEST has put together two solid efforts in a row against the same sharp winner. He should be a major player here. (3) TRACEUR HANOVER drops and figures. Use him on all multi-race tickets. (4) NICKLE BAG has seen better days, but he's hard to leave out at this level. (1) FINE DIAMOND should take a smaller share, but he has turned into a bit of a money-burner in the win pool.
Race 5
(1) SHADOW MOON was loaded in the pocket most of the way last week and his narrow win was easier than it looks on paper. I'll give him the nod here. (3) SIMPLE KINDA MAN raced tough to win the Battle of Waterloo and although this assignment looks harder, I'll respect his rapid improvement. (6) DECLAN SEELSTER - a $48K Forest City sale buy - is a 1/2-brother to $1.1 million earner Deuce Seelster and he looks ready to roll for a barn that sends them ready for action; consider. (10) JIMMY FREIGHT is one of the best in here, but the 10-hole may make it tough on him. Let price be your guide when considering a swing on Jimmy.
Race 6
(1) FOOL ME ONCE and (2) JINS SHARK both drop into a spot where they figure prominently. A slight nod goes to the former who has been facing tougher most recently. (5) ROCKIN IN HEAVEN won in a higher class as recently as July 22nd. He isn't out of this. (3) EASY LOVER HANOVER returns from a break with a speedy qualifier win in tow, but he may find the top two tough to beat in this return race.
Race 7
(5) EVENING PLAY produced speed both early and late to break his maiden last time. He looks like one of the best ones in here and he may offer a decent price. (7) AVALON HANOVER was the victim of an impossible trip in the Battle of Waterloo final. He should rebound here. (3) SHARP ACTION MONEY is on the improve and is worth a look for the exotics. (1) HUDSON PHIL's form is hard to fault and he is another that is worthy of exotics consideration.
Race 8
(2) PERCY BLUECHIP is the queen of this castle until someone knocks her off her throne, and I don't see that happening here. (6) PLAY THE BELL has been very impressive in her last two starts, but if you go back three lines, you'll see she was no match for the choice on July 24th; exacta factor. (4) KENDALL SEELSTER followed up a fourth-place finish to the choice two back with a dominating win over older, which gives you an idea of just how good Percy Bluechip is. (7) FIRESTORM was impressive in her debut, but she jumps into the fire here; small share predicted.
Race 9
(3) BALLERAT BOOMERANG failed as a big chalk last week, but that was a tough trip in a sub-1:50 mile and he was nailed only late by one that had a much easier trip. He can atone here. (6) ASAP HANOVER returned ready and struck at a big price. He should be a major player here considering his sharpness. (7) VELOCITY DRIVEN is dangerous at this level and he could pick them all off if the pace slows late; consider. (2) EAST END is another closer that should pass horses late to hit the ticket.
Race 10
(9) ERLE DALE N drops and stands a good chance to pop here. (1) DAYLIGHT RUSH should be able to work out a good trip near the front; using. (6) UF BETTORS HANOVER is sharp and he merits late Pick 4 consideration here starting from a good post. (4) BEAST MODE moves inside and picks up Henry. He could better this prediction. (8) REEL comes off a good try at this level. Put him on the bottom of exotic bets.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]