Mohawk: Thursday 5/25 Analysis
Best Bet: ALEXA HANOVER (7th)
Spot Play: WINDSONGMAGNIFIQUE (11th)
Race 1 - $40,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
PICK 5: 5,8,9/2,3,8/5,8,10/1,2,7,9/6,7 = $43.20
EARLY PICK 4: 1,2,7,9/3,6,7/3,5,6,7/1 = $48
LATE PICK 4: 2,3,5,6,7/1,4,5/4,5,6/4 = $45
MEET STATS: 91 - 246 / $548.40 BEST BETS: 12 - 24 / $52.50
SPOT PLAYS: 10 - 22 / $55.70
Race 1
(8) STORMONT ROYALTY made up a lot of ground in the back half of his seasonal debut. This is not a tough field; I expect a more aggressive drive here. (9) MR SHANAHAN raced okay on a very wet track in his 2017 debut, although he was one-paced late. Perhaps the addition of Lasix will make him a contender here. (5) TICKET TO SEATTLE re-qualified decently and the Steacy/Macdonald combo can pop at anytime; using. (1) SECRET PASSION is worth a look for the bottom of the exotics making only her second start in a suspect field.
Race 2
(2) BEACHES BE CRAZY paced her final 3/4 of a mile in 1:23 1/5 last time after a slow start from post 10. She could be a decent price here and I will give her the nod leaving from a better post. (3) AMERICAN CHEER was impressive in breaking her maiden. She should be tough again here; using. (8) OBVIOUS BLUE CHIP is one of the better ones in here, but she is likely to be raced conservatively here with an eye to a future stakes engagement. (4) GRANNY PANTS put in a solid season's debut effort from the worst post last time. She is in with a shot here.
Race 3
(10) SAFEKEEPING goes for a trainer/driver combo that typically produces a good R.O.I. The use of the catch driver right off the bat at the start of a new season signals that they mean business; slight nod from out there. (8) HILL OF A COLT was sharp in victory to run his lifetime win percedntage to 66%. He will be tough right back. (5) DIA MONDE stayed in as a big chalk last week. He should be better here with that race out of the way. (1) JAGERSRO couldn't win on this circuit before going to London and running off a long win streak. She is obviously a much better mare now, but, maybe not quite up to these.
Race 4
(2) AMBLE OVER HANOVER is one I landed on mainly due to McNair taking over. This race is a real head-scratcher that demands wide multi-race coverage. (7) SHOE SHINE's recent form isn't the greatest, but notice he raced from the dead rail last time and he does drop into a claimer here; some things to like. (1) NJS TRICK PISTOL is the only horse in the race with any kind of form and his last two starts came over off tracks. He should be faster here; using. (9) CHEYENNE FORD drops back to a level where he was claimed and he dominated that night. I think you have to have him on Pick 4 and Pick 5 tickets.
Race 5
(7) CATCH THE DREAM drops to a spot where he should make an impact late and there looks to be ample early speed to help set up his late charge; top call. (6) ETRUSCAN HANOVER steps up off an easy win and although these are tougher, he has beaten better before. (3) WILL TAKE CHARGE is classy and fast and he looks ready to produce a sharp effort off the shelf. (4) RENEGADE MAGIC continues to race well ad she is a hard one to leave off vertical wagers.
Race 6
(5) LMC MASS OAK got a clean line last time and this race appears to set up for one like him that will set up shop in mid-pack early; top call. (7) MEGO MOSS is in top form and Ryan has done well with new claims recently; using. (3) OLYMPIC SON should be prominent throughout with the class drop here. He is another you need in the early Pick 4. (6) GRANA PADANNO is another class dropper that is in with a shot in a contentious field.
Race 7
(1) ALEXA HANOVER got into a blindswitch in early stretch last time when she had pace to offer. She would have been no worse than 2nd if she had clear sailing. She can take this group. (9) MACHING ME ZILLY drops back into maiden company, where she obviously is a contender. (7) MAJOR MASTER PIECE qualified sharply for this for a trainer that knows how to send them ready. She should hit the ticket. (6) ROCKN OPIUM goes for Moreau here off a good qualifier, which should mean sharp improvement is coming.
Race 8
(3) MAJESTIC PRESENCE was out a long way last time and she still stayed game. Post relief could make all the difference here; top call. (2) STREAMSONG faces easier and comes back quicker which should add up to a much better effort. (5) WARAWEE ROO was good at this track last summer and he looks ready to produce a decent 2017 debut effort here. (7) TRUE BLUE STRIDE races better off a helmet and he should be a good price again. He isn't impossible here.
Race 9
(5) HIGHLAND BOGART was claimed by a barn that can move one up immediately and he adds Lasix and gets an aggressive driver. Expect a big speed try here. (1) SURPRISE HANOVER drops to the bottom off a better effort last time. He is a logical contender here and the inside has been better the past couple of cards. (4) BUGGER BRUISER took no breathers last time and he paid the price late. He can be dangerous racing near the front here. (8) HES A SENSATION has seen better days but maybe the drop to the bottom conditioned level might wake him up.
Race 10
(6) MAJOR ATHENS did all the roadwork last week only to be picked off late. He could be a great price here and he could take this with a different trip. (4) MUSICAL RHYTHM slid off the pylons on the last turn then eventually chased the choice down. He is classy and capable; using. (5) LOOKSLIKEACHPNDALE was really good at the end of last season and he looks ready here. He is hard to leave off the late Pick 4. (3) WHISKEY TAX had a good year in 2016 and he should take a piece of this in his season debut.
Race 11
(4) WINDSONGMAGNIFIQUE races for a tag for the first time after an event-filled journey last time. Look for Jamieson to try the same tactics he employed in her April 21 win. (2) IDEAL FANTASY was no match for a sharp winner last time in a claiming handicap. That one came back to win again from the 10 hole on Monday night. She should take a good piece of this. (9) ITSALLABOUTTHEBASS has the look of a contender off her last line, but she is more likely to take a smaller share. (10) MACH MAJORETTE is another that should be passing many of these late to take a slice. (5) BALOO SANDS almost pulled off a shocker last week. She can lay closer to the pace here leaving from a good post and she can hit the ticket.
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