Woodbine Harness: Thursday 2/16 Analysis
Best Bet: PASSPORT TO ART (7th)
Spot Play: COUNTER STRIKE (9th)
Race 1 - $40,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
PICK 5: 2,5,6,8/2,3,6/1,3,7,8/2,3,/1,8 = $38.40
EARLY PICK 4: 2,3/1,8/1,3,7,8/3 = $32
LATE PICK 4: 3/1,4,6/5,7,8/4,5,6 = $27
MEET STATS: 119 - 465 / $685.30 BEST BETS: 21 - 43 / $75.60
SPOT PLAYS: 15 - 42 / 59.40
Race 1
(8) MAN OF DESTINY beat similar in his first start for Henriksen and these don't look any tougher; call to repeat. (2) DADS LEADS gets a positive driver change after getting hung the route last time; using. (6) DEAR DAD is worth a look making his 3rd start for Vanderkemp. He is an expert at improving young trotters and this one could pop here at a price. (5) TOUR DE LINDY showed something for the first time last week. He is another to consider here for Pick 5 bets.
Race 2
(6) HIGHPOINT CHIP raced well last week when stepping into this class, but the winner was too strong. He looks good in here. (2) MACH IT BIG will be the pacesetter again and he could prove tough to overhaul. (3) TWILITE ZONE can be closer early here moving to an inner post and that gives him a chance at a minor upset. (5) LONESOME ATTACK hasn't won in a while, but he fits at this level and has been getting closer.
Race 3
(3) SPICEY VICTOR has been on a roll out of town and he improved his late speed last time. He could take this group if he gets a breather. (1) TOP DOLLAR goes for a red-hot barn and looks to double up after being claimed. He should be tough in here. (7) GIRL DRAMA goes back to Henriksen and her price goes up now following a break; using. (8) ALACRITY fits well back in a claimer. Toss him in the Pick 5.
Race 4
(3) UNDRAFTED and (2) EAST BOUND EDDIE both had no shot stalking a glacial early pace last time. Both will benefit from that start and either can win here; slight nod to the former who might be closer to the front early. (9) STEALTH BOMBER is a half-brother to $2.5 million earner Clear Vision. He may need one starting from out there, but is useable on wider multi-race tickets. (4) DEVILS PEAK is another that can improve here, but the others are more preferred.
Race 5
(8) I DEAL IN KISSES failed badly as chalk in the Blizzard final, but this barn continues to run hot and she can rebound here facing easier. (1) MATTJESTIC TEMPO was on a good roll prior to breaking last time. She is another that can rebound with a better effort here, possibly at a good price. (6) SWEETSHADYSHARK is always around the money. She will get lucky one of these weeks and break through with a win. (10) SR BEACH BABE won and was claimed. She is another that can take this contentious heat if post position doesn't do her in.
Race 6
(3) OK ICEMAN has been closing quickly in his past couple of starts, but he does his best work on or near the lead. Expect Drury to send him this time. (8) HOUSE OF TERROR got a brutal parked-out trip last week and remained game. A better journey puts him right there vs. these. (7) MACHAL JORDAN takes another class plunge, but his poor form is concerning; your call. (1) MAC RAIDER interestingly goes to Cullen's barn here; using.
Race 7
(3) PASSPORT TO ART looked like a new horse last week, motoring past his rivals in the stretch with no urging; call to repeat. (1) BLUE FOX should be much closer early here moving inside nine posts; using. (2) EMPTYTHETILL bears a look exiting the Snowshoe series. He's another to consider for Pick 4 wagers. (7) SHARKY SHARK also exits the Snowshoe series and his race two back would make him a contender here.
Race 8
(1) NORTHERN VIXEN paced a 27 flat third 1/4 in her lone qualifier. She obviously has the speed to contend here; slight nod. (6) DUSTY LANE ZENDAYA is already a 5-time winner who meets the earnings threshold. She will need more speed, but she knows where the wire is. (4) ALEXAS LUCK gets McNair here which makes her a must-use on late Pick 4 tickets. (3) LOTUS SEELSTER figures to finish on the fringes and she can make the bottom rung of the Super or Tri.
Race 9
(7) COUNTER STRIKE closed for fifth vs. better here on Monday night and he should be a force vs. these if he goes. (8) WHATASHOWINONTARIO should like this class better than the non-winners of three lifetime he has been racing in; using. (5) BLUE CHIP SUNSHINE can threaten from close range here and win this with the right trip. (6) FIRM IT UP retains McNair off an improved race last time. He should make the ticket here.
Race 10
(6) XELENE BAYAMA got up to win the Blizzard series final despite having to overcome poor cover. She can come right back with another win here. (5) WINDSONGMAGNIFIQUE was too far back last time in her first start off the shelf. She should be closer here early, which will make a big difference. (4) TEARFUL OF HAPPY couldn't get by late last week, possibly thwarted by a strong headwind in the stretch. She can rebound. (9) MIA OH MY was aggressively handled last time and it resulted in a win. A smaller share is likely here with her facing tougher. (2) BALOO SANDS figures to share off a following trip.
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