Woodbine Harness: Saturday 1/3 analysis
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Best Bet: MODERN LEGEND (11th)
Spot Play: MACHET ROCKET (12th)
Race 1
(1) REGAL SON was too far back last week to reach the winner circle, but rallied well to finish third for trainer Don Lindsey. (3) NAKED CITY used front-end tactics last week and resulted in a third place effort at 20-1 for trainer Richard Moreau. (5) BUGGER BRUISER has been a consistent threat at this level over the past few months, draws in the middle of the gate and has some upside for the triactor.
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Race 2
(2) ADKINS HANOVER was sent off as the favourite last week and the six-year-old had to settle for second, but only defeated by a length and a half. (4) MCCEDES moves out of the condition ranks and into this claiming level for trainer Carmen Auciello. (1) JAC SPADE draws the rail and may be more forwardly-placed in here for trainer Cal Campbell.
Race 3
(2) DONCANGO has won back-to-back dashes at this level for trainer Ben Baillargeon and is certainly on his game right now. (7) SEAWIND PASCALE raced tremendous last week to finish second behind Doncango at 25-1. (3) LATOKA comes from a high percentage trainer in Joe Cirasuola and the gelding has been racing at his best in recent starts with back-to-back scores.
Race 4
(4) ALEXAS JACKPOT gets significant class relief in this dash and is due for a big effort. (2) MUSSELSFRMBRUSSELS also drops in class this week and certainly shows the speed for this group. (6) GRIN FOR MONEY has been the victim of outside post positions in each of his last two starts for trainer John Kopas.
Race 5
(4) DOUBLE JOY has been on her game as of late as the pacing miss has hit the board in each of her last five starts and nine of her last 10 starts. (3) A FEARLESS AFFAIR once again receives a favourable draw and she will more than likely be near the front at the opening quarter with her quick gate-speed. (5) PAID IN CASH has been a beaten favourite in each of her last two starts, draws in the middle of the gate and comes from a high percentage trainer in Ted Macdonnell.
Race 6
(8) VELOCITY DRIVEN was easily the best horse in his class last week as he coasted to victory in 1:52 2/5 for trainer Des Tackoor. (2) URBANA BAYAMA raced terrific three starts back in his 2014 season debut before putting in a sub-par effort two back. (3) P L HEAVENLY went gate-to-wire in his latest for trainer Victor Puddy and now moves up in class.
Race 7
(5) REGAL BABE has been a main threat in this level for trainer Don Lindsey in each of his last three starts. (8) SO BAD IM GOOD has been on top of his game as of late for trainer/driver Joe Hudon as the son of Badlands Hanover recently finished second in the Valedictory Final. (3) VIP BAYAMA disappointed last start with a seventh-place finish at a low price.
Race 8
(2) FOOLISH MIND enjoyed an inside trip last week for trainer Sue Gangell and the result was a third-place finish. (1) RUBIS PRESCOTT draws the rail and comes out of the Fillies & Mares Preferred. (8) RADAR CONTACT draws outside this week and her form hasn't been the greatest, but perhaps class relief will be the ingredient to a successful performance.
Race 9
(4) KG DRAGONATOR finished a game fourth last week against some of the finest older pacers on this circuit and now drops down in class for trainer Ted Macdonnell. (5) MONTREAL PHIL was a winner last week in the debut for trainer Richard Moreau. (8) SI SEMALU continues to impress me with his winning performances over the past few weeks.
Race 10
(1) WOODMERE TRULYBLUE was a winner at this level two starts back and was a beaten favourite last week. (5) MAPPOS MOENHAY made a miscue last week behind the gate, but rebounded nicely to finish second. (10) ROYAL MAMA will need to overcome the outside post 10, but has terrific gate-speed when called upon and has been a part of the superfecta in four of her last five starts.
Race 11
(7) MODERN LEGEND was a beaten favourite last week when he resurfaced on this circuit. (5) NICKLE BAG has back-to-back wins to his credit, including last week at this Preferred level. (2) WAZZUP WAZZUP raced terrific last week and will get a new pilot this evening in Randy Waples.
Race 12
(2) MACHET ROCKET will get top billing from me in this wide-open dash. (4) TRAMA UNIT rallied very well off a helmet last week to finish second for trainer Barry Drury. (3) RUB N TUG has all kinds of back class to consider when racing at this lower level as the eight-year-old has earnings over $400K.
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