Mohawk: Saturday 8/26 Analysis
Best Bet: DAYLIGHT RUSH (12th)
Spot Play: TOM HILL (2nd)
Race 1 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
PICK 5: 5,6,9/2,/1,2,4,6/4,5,10/6,8,10,11 = $28.80
EARLY PICK 4: 4,5,10/6,8,10,11/2,4,7/4,9 = $72
LATE PICK 4: 3,9/2,5,8/6,7,8/2,3,4 = $54
MEET STATS: 294 - 852 / $1,640.10 BEST BETS: 36 - 83 / $128.00
SPOT PLAYS: 33 - 82 / $191.30
Race 1
(9) BILLS FELLA gets away from the tough Tom Hill and he could get a great setup here for his potent late kick. Best of all, he should be a square price. Top call in the opener of a great card. (6) TYMAL PEACEKEEPER gets Sylvain Filion back here and they were doing good things together two and three starts back; using. (5) BADSTORMANYPORT also shakes Tom Hill and he should be closer at the finish vs. these. (8) BETTORS DREAM is worth a look switching barns and adding Lasix here.
Race 2
(2) TOM HILL returned from a break razor-sharp and he can triple up here if provided with a decent trip. (6) THINK ON IT has excelled racing out of the Adams barn in his last two and he rates highly here. (7) BEAST MODE capitalized on some crazy early fractions to take a new life's mark last week and while he figures here, he will likely be over bet off that mile. (1) SPORTS COLUMN's main goal is likely the OSS Superfinal, so, it's hard to predict how hard he will be raced when he shows up in these classes.
Race 3
(6) KEYSTONE VELOCITY supplemented to this race and he has the knack for saving his best efforts for the biggest events. I'll give him the nod here. (1) NIRVANA SEELSTER was given a bit of a break heading into this race - the biggest in this country for aged pacers - and he can give these all they want on the front end here; using. (2) ALL BETS OFF should get a good trip here and he merits inclusion on multi-race tickets. (4) DEALT A WINNER set a new track record at Tioga when upsetting in the Roll With Joe. He is another to consider in a contentious Pacing Derby elimination.
Race 4
(4) VELOCITY DRIVEN is capable in this class and perhaps Gingras can motivate him earlier in the mile; slight nod. (10) TRACEUR HANOVER drops and he has a decent shot vs. these - even from post 10. (5) PAPARAZZI HANOVER took a new life's mark two back in a similar class at huge odds and he could get a similarly good trip here; using. (6) DOVUTO HANOVER is a bit hard to read here, having broke in his first start in a new barn, but his best puts him right there vs. these.
Race 5
(6) TWIN B TUFFENUFF dropped several seconds in his most recent start and while I wouldn't typically bet a maiden in this spot, with so much speed lined up on the outside of the gate, this race could set up for an improving horse that can close quickly. (8) DECLAN SEELSTER flew up the inside to break his maiden and while that effort will get a lot of airplay, the trip itself was a bit lucky and he may be over bet here. (11) SHADOW MOON was picked off late last time, but starting in the second tier could help him here if he can be rated. (10) BABES DIG ME is hard to leave out with two sub-27 kickers staring up at you. I'll use him even from out there.
Race 6
(2) MACH IT SO has a great post from which to brush on the backside which is a favorite move of driver Miller on this track. I'll give him the nod here. (7) CHECK SIX has really come to life in his past two starts. He's hard to leave out here. (4) ROCKIN RON set some big splits at Tioga before getting picked off late. He's sharp and he's not out of this. (1) SINTRA adds Lasix here and he could better this placing, but he may get pounded at the windows by the locals. I'll try to beat him.
Race 7
(4) JINS SHARK drops and likely pops here. (9) MAGNUM J also drops and he could give the choice fits if he clears or grabs the pocket early; using. (3) BORDER CONTROL A also gets class relief here, but he was beat last time he tried this class. (8) SHADOW MARGEAUX is a good closer to use underneath in exotic bets.
Race 8
(9) PERCY BLUECHIP will likely get the first test of her career here, but she should be up to it. (3) KISSIN IN THE SAND has shown she is as fast as the choice on a big track and she should not be underestimated here. (2) PLAY THE BELL and (7) KENDALL SEELSTER looks next best, but this looks like a two-filly race, at least on paper.
Race 9
(2) MAJOR HILL retained his sharpness by pacing his final 3/4 in 1:20 4/5 last week. Moving inside is the factor that makes him my top pick here. (8) ELLIS PARK is always tough in these classes and he should be used in the Pick 4. (5) AMERICAN VIRGIN is another that should enjoy the class relief, but I'll play to beat him at a short price. (6) BETTORVER is worth a look coming out of some decent Yonkers races.
Race 10
(7) SUMMER TRAVEL is top dog in this division until a rival knocks him off, but he does face better here and he is no lock in this spot. (6) CALIFORNIA CRUISIN has a 25 4/5 kicker from his most recent start which makes him interesting here, although he does need to drop several seconds to challenge. (8) PEDRO HANOVER should challenge the choice here in what should be a good tilt. (5) HUDSON PHIL is one of the better closers in here; use him underneath.
Race 11
(3) APHRO STAR was claimed by Gallucci, given three weeks off and adds Lasix. There are several angles in play with this gelding and he should be a good price. I'll take a swing. (2) MAROMA BEACH was no match for a rejuvenated Mach Deja vu last week, but he should bounce back here with a better effort; using. (4) XTERNAL has solid form that can't be faulted. He's in the mix here. (10) ROCK THIS WAY comes off a sharp win, but he is likely to find these tougher. Use him underneath, if at all.
Race 12
(2) DAYLIGHT RUSH survived some wild early fractions to reclaim 2nd late in a great effort last week; top call. (5) HES A SENSATION is always a threat in this class, but he is still looking for his first win of 2017. (7) SOUTHWIND MASIMO is another that is dangerous in this class and he never gets bet; beware. (4) BALLERAT BOOMERANG drops again off a dull effort last week. Your call. (10) THE ROADIES is interesting with his new closing style. He can hit one of the lower exotic rungs at a price here.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]