Woodbine Harness: Monday 12/26 Analysis

Race 1 - $40,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

PICK 5: 1,2,9,10/1,6,9/5,9,10/4,5/3,8,10 = $43.20

EARLY PICK 4: 4,5/3,8,10/4,5,8,9/2,3 = $48

LATE PICK 4: 3,5,6/3,4,10/3,5/5,7 = $36

MEET STATS: 61 - 238 / $367.30 BEST BETS: 9 - 23 / $30.30

SPOT PLAYS: 6 - 22 / $28.80

Best Bet: YORK SEELSTER (11^th)

Spot Play: DRAGON STRIKES (5^th)

Race 1

(9) NOBETTERPLACETOBE raced out of his skin last week to take a new life's mark. He stands a good chance of clearing before the 1/4 here, too, which can lead to a repeat win. (10) PUSH BACK couldn't reach a very tough winner last week, but now he drops a level and he should be tough in his third start off the shelf. (2) JENKINS CREEK could trip out here stalking some battling leaders; using. (1) SIERRA MADRE is another who should be passing many of these late to take a share.

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Race 2

(6) RESISTANCE FUTILE was too far back last time, but he did pace his own back 1/2 in 54 1/5. He is obviously sharp; all he needs is better positioning to get it done here. (1) UF BETTORS HANOVER should get a beneficial pace scenario here and he may beat a couple to the first turn which will improve his chances; using. (9) WOGGY ROCKS drops in class and he could get sent hard off the gate. He does his best work from on or near the lead. Toss him on Pick 5 tickets. (3) JAKE LOEWEN will be closing late again, but a smaller award is often his ceiling due to his racing style.

Race 3

(5) ODDS ON AMETHYST used a powerful third 1/4 brush to bottom the field out last week. The step up here isn't that great and he doesn't typically hold his form for very long, so the connections will be looking for a big chunk of this purse. (10) APRIL ROSE's chances seem dependent on whether she can clear immediately at the start. Allard has been heating up lately, so she is logical for Pick 5 tickets here. (9) CROWN CLASSIC keeps getting closer despite stepping up in class; using. (3) SECOND SISTER fits this class but she is more likely to take a slice than a win.

Race 4

(4) NEVER BEEN TOLD drops back into a class where he has dominated recently; top call. (5) INCOGNITO brings solid form and a good record north for this Woodbine debut and he looks like the main threat to the choice. (3) LIBRADO HANOVER was hung the mile but still hit the board at Flamboro. He can grab a share here in his third start since shipping north. (2) CUNDALINI always takes a smaller share racing from close range. Expect more of the same here.

Race 5

(8) DRAGON STRIKES was on too much cover last time in a race where the late pace was strong, yet he still managed to gain ground in the lane. He is razor-sharp and only needs a more contested pace, which is quite likely here in this stakes final. (3) BREAKTIME HANOVER is another closer that figures to benefit from an honest pace here. (10) AWESOMENESS is likely the best horse in this series, but, post 10 is no bargain here, obviously. (1) LYONS SANDS was a sharp winner last week in a leg where some of the entrants may have had differing motives. He is unlikely to get the same respect on the lead here.

Race 6

(5) ITS HUW YOU KNOW powered his way to an impressive win last week and he could offer a good price here stepping up facing some class-droppers; slight nod. (4) MARQUIS VOLO is in top form and he has strung several top performances in a row together in the past; using. (8) FEARLESS MAN will take plenty of action on the class drop here and he will no doubt try to go coast-to-coast on the engine. (9) INTIMIDATE figures for a smaller share from this post.

Race 7

(3) WAZZUP WAZZUP raced much better last week in his third start back after missing a month. He fits well here and rates highly. (2) PRINCE CLYDE drops a few classes to the level where he last won which makes him a Pick 4 must-use. (4) FIRM IT UP has been part of some swift fractions in many races down south and he should be prominent here and land a share. (5) THREE OF CLUBS tripped out to beat easier, but he has also beaten better than these in the past.

Race 8

(6) DUNVEGAN DON has been finishing off his miles well and he faces easier here; top call. (5) FIVE BELOW looked much better last week, but he obviously benefitted from a soft opening 1/2. This should be tougher, but he still rates highly. (3) HONOR ABOVE ALL has been racing well despite getting some rough trips. He isn't out of this. (1) BATOUTAHILL is always closing late, but post one likely isn't ideal for here. A minor share is predicted here.

Race 9

(3) P L JASMINE looked like a different filly last week and she should get a great setup for her late charge here. McNair sticks, too; top call. (10) JIMBELINA has been great so far in this series, but she could get stung just enough here in the final to get her beat. (4) HOT SPOT HANOVER projects to get a good trip here and she is another to toss on Pick 4 tickets. (8) MISTY DE VIE will be closing late. She's a good one for the bottom of tris and supers.

Race 10

(3) REEL was a winner if he had a couple of more strides to work with last week. He rates highly here, but may need some luck if his driver elects to stay in again. (5) SIR GALAHAD continues to race well and he should get a good trip here leaving from the centre of the gate. (9) PERFECT VISTA was doomed going first-over after the leader stole a 29 2/5 second 1/4 last week. He fits here and Jamieson may find a live helmet to follow. (7) MACH ON THE BEACH couldn't catch a game leader last week, but he too continues to race well and should take at least a slice here.

Race 11

(7) YORK SEELSTER goes for Allard here off the claim and he looks tough again. Expect another win and another claim. (5) J JS DELIVERY steps back up off a win when claimed, but he could have some confidence now and he could also trip out behind the choice. (2) DALTON DID IT figures to share again off an inside following trip. (6) LONEWOLF CURRIER goes for Moreau off the claim but he will likely be overbet considering the bad habits he has been displaying on the track this winter.

Race 12

(4) ER ZACH ATTACK failed in a first-over bid vs a strong leader last week. He could trip out and take these in his third start following a month break. (10) AVATARTIST went too fast early last week. He could clear quickly again here and if he gets a breather, he will be tough to overhaul. (8) LEAFS AND WINGS should be passing many of these late and the track has been kinder to closers lately. (6) REAL KID seems likely for a slice in here. (1) LOVEDANCINWITHYOU can get a much better trip here. Check out his effort two back from the inside post.

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