Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Friday 12/22

Top Pick Stats: 570 - 1739 / $2,978.90 (-$499.10)

Best Bets: 86 - 163 / $306.70 (-$19.30)

Spot Plays: 30 - 166 / $186.90 (-$145.10)

Best Bet: O NARUTAC PERFETTO (2nd)

Spot Play: EZRA (8th)

Early Pick 5: 1,5,7,8/5/2,3/3,9/2,6,10 = $9.60

Late Pick 5: 2,5/4,6,9/5,8/7/2,3,6 = $7.20

Early Pick 4: 3,9/2,6,10/2,5/4,6,9 = $7.20

Late Pick 4: 5,8/7/2,3,6/1,3,7 = $3.60

Race 1: 5YO and younger NW1 or $7,000 LT **Gtd. $100,000 Pick 5**

(1) WINDSUN DIEGO raced okay in his debut, and he could beat these if he shows a bit of improvement tonight; slight nod. (7) BAR DOWN JIM never got involved until it was too late last week. He wasn’t going to close into a 27 2/5 kicker. He can contend here if he gets put into the race earlier; using. (5) ID IMAGINE has been facing a steady diet of tougher company and he should contend by default vs. these. He is another possibility for the early Pick 5. (8) HAPPY NEIGHS avoided some interference and paced home in 26 4/5 last week. He is capable of taking a share here.

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Race 2: Horses that have started for a purse of $9,000 or less in 1 of L3

This is a good spot for (5) O NARUTAC PERFETTO and he crushed similar three starts back with Jamieson driving. He will be a single for me. (1) THE FIXER comes in off a blowout win in fast time at Flamboro and he is the most likely threat to the choice here. (6) ON THE ROPES gets post relief and he should close for a decent share in this spot. (3) CHAMBA has a good record this year and he can land in the bottom of the exotics in this spot.

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Race 3: F&M 5YO and younger NW2 or $30,000 LT

(2) WILDCAT HERA is razor sharp and she meets another field that she can roll by late; call to repeat. (3) ONLYTHEGOODDIYOUNG’s local debut was good, especially considering that she missed close to a month between starts. She is the other one that I’ll use in the early Pick 5. (6) ROSE RUN YVETTE jogged twice at Flamboro, but she got two easy trips on the engine. I’ll use her underneath here. (4) JILLIAN JIGGS comes off a decent closing effort and she is in the exotics mix again here.

Race 4: NW $2,350 L3 AE: OPT CLM $20,000 - Pick 4

(9) PRINCE OF SUSSEX races off the Moreau claim in what looks like a good spot. He has won four of his last six at Flamboro and broke in the other two. He knows where the wire is, and he should be tough in here if he behaves. (3) NORTHERN CHARLOTTE is in much easier here and she should carry her speed a long way vs. these. She is the other one that I’ll use on multi-race tickets. (2) TITAN FLAX S is capable of landing in the exotics at a decent price if he behaves this time. (8) IMA STANDUP GUY takes frequent shares at this level, and he is a good one to use underneath.

Race 5: F&M 5YO and younger winners of 2 but not more than 4 or $45,000 LT AE: 3YO 4YO 5YO CLM $50,000

(2) GLENBORO has maintained her good form and she gets post advantage on her main rival here; top call. (10) DUCHENNE got a great trip on the engine and held off the choice last week. She is an obvious contender despite drawing widest. (6) POWDER PLAY is in with a better shot here starting from the best post. She may fall into a nice pocket trip. (1) JM BETONSIX was up against it trying to come first up into a sub-28 kicker last week, but she has taken 19 shares in 39 starts this year. She is more likely to take a slice than a win.

Race 6: 5YO and younger NW1 or $7,500 LT - Pick 5

(2) KYLES ART was pounded last week based on his troubled trip the week before and he easily converted. He should be tough racing in the same class here. (5) LANESIDE SPORTSTAR took a shuffle in that race after leading early and he came back on for a share. He can be an Exacta factor in this spot. (8) SERGEANT SLAUGHTER split the top two in a decent effort. He should get a good spot early and ride it to another share here. (1) BET ON SUNSHINE never misses the top four and that streak should continue here.

Race 7: F&M NW $4,000 L5 AE: OPT CLM $25,000

(9) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N paced a much better mile with McNair in the bike and she finished with good energy despite lacking room until late. She should have a good shot vs. these. (4) FEARLESS SHEILA was good in the Pop Up series but she had a tough trip in the final. She fits well here, and she should be a threat. (6) E L CITADEL beat Fearless Sheila in that final then raced over her head. She should be in the exotics mix on the class drop here. (8) TAKEYOURBREATHAWAY’s recent form has improved, and she can close for another small share here.

Race 8: NW $15,000 in 2023 - Pick 4

(5) EZRA never got involved as the chalk last week, but he gets major post relief now and you have to think he will get put into play leaving the gate this time; top call. (8) BETTINA HANOVER raced well at this level last week, but the winner was too good. She stacks up well in this spot and she is the other one that I’ll use on late multi-race tickets. (2) HESOHOT HANOVER made a decent first up move, and he should pass some of these late to take another share. (3) TOP OF THE BAR snuck into the Super at 126 to 1 last week with McNair driving and he retains the drive; using on the bottom.

Race 9: FILLIES AND MARES PREFERRED PP 1-6 drawn, PP 7-9 drawn

(7) HUNTRESS beat the boys and some of tonight’s rivals in a strong effort last week and she is a clear top choice for me here. (9) SO MUCH MORE couldn’t withstand the choice’s onslaught after providing her cover last week, but she is always a threat, and she is the logical alternative if you are trying to beat the choice. (8) DABARNDAWGSWATCHIN never got involved last week, perhaps missing a week was a factor. Coming back to a seven day rotation here, she should contend for a good share. (4) STYLE FOR A MILE B comes off a strong win but steps up to face the best now. A small share is likely her ceiling tonight.

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Race 10: NW $4,000 L5 AE: OPT CLM $25,000

(2) VICTOR INVICTUS beat a similar field to tonight’s five starts back when he got an aggressive steer, and he took a new life’s mark. He should get put into this race early and he is the one to beat. (3) DELGADO came close at this level racing first up two starts back. He will be dangerous here if he races in front or from the pocket; using. (6) KEVIN ANTHONY is another that fits better at this level. He should improve enough on the class drop to land in the exotics. (4) TANGLEWILD ROAD should be closing late again to land in the bottom of the exotics.

Race 11: F&M NW $9,450 L5 or $13,500 L8 AE: NW1 in L10

(3) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP had two starts back now she drops and gets Macdonald in the bike. It’s go time. (1) WESTERN WISH figures to be more aggressive in this spot and she should be a pace threat; using. (7) RAPTORS WON is capable of better and I think she shows speed in this spot. She is another possibility for he late Pick 4. (6) FLIGHT CREW N steps up off a big win and she is in the exotics mix vs. these. (5) TWIN B TIPSTER comes off a good effort vs. easier. I see her closing late for a small share here.