Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Friday 1/2

2025 Top Pick Stats: 394/1144 (-$414.50)

Best Bets: 49/102 ($8.70); Spot Plays: 21/102 (-$52.00)

Best Bet: TAMARA HANOVER (Race 5)

Spot Play: ACQUIRED TASTE (Race 10)

Early Pick-5: 2,10/5,6/3/2,5,7/1 $2.40

Middle Pick-5: 2,8/1,4/2,4,7/3,6,9/3,4 $14.40

Late Pick-5: 2,4,7/3,6,9/3,4/4,6/5,8 $14.40

Race 1: FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 RACE (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(10) BEACH WIGGLE was a sharp winner in her lone morning prep and now makes her debut for top connections. The high draw can help her price. (2) DIRTY LAUNDRY left herself with a lot of work to do on debut. I think she can step forward tonight and put forth a strong effort. (7) GALAS BLACK BEAUTY was a strong second on debut after making multiple moves. I would expect her to be forward again and get a piece.

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Race 2: CLAIMING HANDICAP $12,000 TO $15,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000.

(5) DONATOVER races off the claim after an extremely gritty effort to hold onto second. He has the gate speed to allow him to trip out at a square number. (6) LEGACYS JAILBREAK is obvious after her sharp front-end win last week. She should be on the move early once again. (1) CROSSFIT brings a three race winning streak to Mohawk and has a grinding style that should put him in contention.

Race 3: F & M, 5 YO & YOUNGER, NW 3 (OS 5) RACES OR $55,000 (OS $90,250) LIFE. AE: 5 YO & YOUNGER OPT. CLM. $60,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. AE: NW $100 L3 STARTS.

(3) LA MIKI N is 2-for-2 since shipping from down under, and shows no signs of slowing down against this group. (1) SUGAR PIE HONEY showed sharp speed in the summer, and now makes her return after two fine morning preps. She may need a start, but the talent is there. (4) SUNSHINE MAGIC comes off a strong win at Flamboro, and looks to handle the slight step up if she brings anything close to that effort.

Race 4: NW $1,180 LAST 4 STARTS. AE: N/A $825 P/S IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS).

(2) LILYS LASS was much better last week when adding Lasix. She had to navigate from an outside post, but did so with much success. She picks up the leading driver and gets major post relief for her second start on Lasix. (7) LIKE CHAOS can make a middle move to get into the race, but sustaining it in the final quarter can be the problem. This group can show cheap speed with regularity, though. (5) WALKONTHEMOON found success three starts ago when blasting and lasting on the lead. I can see him being first to the front and holding on for at least a piece.

Race 5: FILLIES & MARES, NW $1,650 LAST 4 STARTS. AE: N/A $1,360 P/S IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). AE: OPT. CLM. $12,500. AE: NW $26,000 IN 2025.

(1) TAMARA HANOVER could get a perfect setup if the outside rivals end up creating a fast pace. She works extremely well from off the pace. (10) JOB HUNTER has won three in a row and gutted out a first over move last week to get the job done. She will have to navigate the high draw, but she has before. (7) SHARE THE MOMENT gets J-Mac’s nod after a sharp win at Flamboro. I don’t expect her to be on the lead, but at least a float out for position.

Race 6: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $30,000 OR NOT AVERAGING $1,250 PER START IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS) LEG 1.

(8) MONTANA SLIM was a strong second when racing from off the pace. He paced home very well and showed by far the most in his three Mohawk starts. If he can stay close, he should be a major threat. This seems like a logical drop and pop for (2) MR IBIZA N, who tends to stay good for a few weeks after getting a confidence booster. Last week was a tough go against some upper conditioned claimers. (4) HOWMAC CHARMER showed decent pop from off the pace, and could find a helmet to follow if he works out a similar trip. I’ll use him underneath.

Race 7: NIAGARA FINAL: 3 YEAR OLD FILLIES IN 2025, NW $60,000 LIFETIME AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2025. NO ALLOWANCES.

I can’t give up on (1) WOODMERE BETCHA after thinking she was pace compromised again. She has enough gate speed to get into a perfect stalking spot in the big money final, and could even benefit from other early speed setting a quick pace. (4) BETTERDOUBLEDOWN was bet down to odds on in her division, and came through for her backers. She is extremely logical in this spot from a great post. Both have the post edge on (9) KIKI DEE HANOVER who is looking for a sweep, but will have to navigate the high draw. She could get picked off late if she goes too quick in the opening quarter.

Race 8: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $30,000 OR NOT AVERAGING $1,250 PER START IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS) LEG 1.

(2) BRONX DRIFTER has won three of four and took last week’s class jump in stride. He should fit well in this Pop-Up Series. (7) ST LADS BEAT IT was better in his latest, though I think he’ll have a better chance if he is forwardly placed. I don’t mind how he fits in here. (4) SHOW STOP has some decent late kick that should allow him to get into the mix if he sits close enough. He nearly got away last from this post, which doesn’t inspire as much confidence.

Race 9: VALEDICTORY FINAL: 3 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS IN 2025, NW $60,000 LIFETIME AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2025. NO ALLOWANCES.

(6) GET WINGS will look for a sweep in the Valedictory after two sharp wins. Expect him to be one of the first to the lead and be the horse to catch. (3) RBSTENACIOUS T looked like the best horse last week out of anyone in the series, and showed a new dimension with that down the road trip. It is likely to sit 6-3 or 3-6 off the car. (9) BLAZING CRUISER made an excellent recovery after an early miscue and ended up getting second. If he wants to work from off the pace, McClure’s style could end up fitting him perfectly.

Race 10: FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER NW 2 RACES OR $15,000 (ON SIRED $24,000) LIFETIME. AE: NW $2,000 L8 STARTS.

(3) ACQUIRED TASTE was moving extremely well on the end of her morning prep after a couple months off. I’ll take a swing with this new shooter. (4) DREAMFAIR DIAMOND has posted three strong efforts to kick off her career, and importantly, gets the nod from James Macdonald. (2) D A MISS UNIVERSE made an excellent impression on debut with a two-move win from post eight. I can see her at least getting a piece again tonight.

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Race 11: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $30,000 OR NOT AVERAGING $1,250 PER START IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS) LEG 1.

(4) CATFISH JACK looks to be sitting on a win after a couple of tightener-type efforts against tougher horses. If he gets the right trip, I can see him finally getting the job done. (6) BAYFIELD BEACH pulled off the upset win last week, and now races off the claim. Travis Henry has driven this horse well in recent efforts. (7) DOC HOUSTON was just even in the latest Pop-Up Series he found himself in. He is a versatile type that can get a piece.

Race 12: NW $2,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $5000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000. AE: N/A $870 P/S IN 2025.

(8) PINEWOOD HANOVER gets a significant class drop and what is a key driver change in my opinion. McClure could chance tactics tonight and have him on the move in the early stages. (5) WHEELIN N STEALIN raced pretty well last time out. He was aggressively handled, then made a second move around the final turn and nearly rallied for second. If he can get away in decent order, he should be able to get a piece. (10) COVER BAND is probably the quickest horse in this group, but his recent form is not the best, and he now has to navigate the high draw after nearly a month off.