Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Friday 1/9

Top Pick Stats: 14/45 (-$28.70)

Best Bets: 2/3 ($3.30); Spot Plays: 1/4 (-$1.10)

Best Bet: SOUTHWIND INFUSION (Race 4)

Spot Play: BEAUTY WISH (Race 11)

Early Pick-5: 2,3/1,2/4,6/3,6/7,9 $6.40

Late Pick-5: 6,7/5,6/3,6/3,5/2,4 $6.40

Race 1: NW $1,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $4,250 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: NW $100 LAST 3 STARTS.

(2) CODE SWITCH looked decent last week when finishing well behind a big favorite, but everyone did. He has a solid enough middle move to get himself into the race. (3) ETERNALLY HANOVER has the ability to win at the bottom level, but will need to mind his manners. That has been a struggle for him lately. (7) HELPFULL PRINCESS had a strong 2025, and will have an opportunity to step forward on the bigger track. The driver change might see her take more money.

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Race 2: FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 RACES OR $55,000 (OS $85,500) LIFETIME. AE: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER OPT. CLM. $60,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(2) LA MIKI N showed no signs of slowing down after two straight wins, but had to scratch last week because of transportation. I’ll go right back to her despite the time off. (1) WASSAIL BLUE CHIP made her presence felt in Massachusetts stakes competition last season. She made a nice move in the final quarter of her morning prep; I’ll look for her to get a big piece immediately. (4) KIKI DEE HANOVER should have every chance to sit a good trip and potentially pounce. That was her preferred style in the Niagara series; I don’t see that changing tonight.

Race 3: CLAIMING HANDICAP $12,000 TO $15,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000.

(4) DONATOVER made a nice first over move and was able to hold off the late pressure on both sides. That came after being claimed back to the Gerard Demers barn. I’ll give him the call to repeat. (6) DOUBLE DIPPIN saved ground last week and made a nice effort to close at the leaders. He has had success at similar levels in the past; He could be even better tonight. (7) LEGACYS JAILBREAK was following the cover of Donatover but came up short as the odds on favorite. She races off the claim tonight; I’ll use her underneath.

Race 4: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $30,000 OR NOT AVERAGING $1,250 PER START IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS) LEG 2. AE: LEG 1 STARTERS.

(6) SOUTHWIND INFUSION might need a setup again, but he was bionic last week and drew away with minimal urging. I’ll give him the call to repeat. (3) MR IBIZA N looks like one of the main early speed threats again this week. He doesn’t have as much punch late in the mile as you would like, but if he is able to sit a pocket trip, he could be dangerous. (4) CATFISH JACK was forced three wide around dull cover, and raced well behind the going away Southwind Infusion. He has been decent since shipping to Mohawk.

Race 5: 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.

(7) REGIL WHITESOCKS showed decent ability in last Fall’s Harvest Series, and put forth a nice mile in her return qualifier where she got the job done. I can easily see her as being the horse to catch when turning for home. (9) BEACH WIGGLE was hardly on the screen when the field got to three quarters, but she closed nicely down the center of the track to finish second in her career debut. Tonight’s post draw isn’t much easier, but I’ll count on her to get a big piece. (3) DIRTY LAUNDRY made a sharp first over move to challenge at the top of the stretch, and was battling all the way to the wire. If she steps forward tonight, I can see her getting a piece.

Race 6: FILLIES & MARES, NW $1,600 LAST 4 STARTS (W/O $7,500 LAST 8 STARTS N/E). AE: N/A $840 P/S IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). AE: OPT. CLM. $12,500.

(7) JOB HUNTER only missed by half a length after sitting a pocket trip. She raced well, and should be in position to win again. (6) KELLINA DIAMOND sustained her move after working first over, and was able to hit the board last week. I can see her being forwardly placed as well. (3) P L SUZIE has consistently shown strong pace at the end of her miles, making her a reliable check-getter. Look for her to pass horses late and potentially find her way onto the ticket.

Race 7: NW $2,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $8,600 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000. AE: N/A $870 P/S IN 2025.

(5) P L RAINBOW DASH stands out on the class drop. She had just one win last season, but it’s difficult to see anyone step up and get the best of her. (6) GIVE ME A YANKEE took a step forward in his second start at Mohawk, but that momentum potentially derailed when he had to scratch last week. He could easily be the second choice. (4) HUNGRY HILL needs to wake up at some point. Staying flat helps, but he can grind into contention and get a piece.

Race 8: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $30,000 OR NOT AVERAGING $1,250 PER START IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS) LEG 2. AE: LEG 1 STARTERS.

(6) BRONX DRIFTER has woken up in recent weeks, and was a comfortable winner in leg one of this Pop-Up Series. He is the logical favorite and most likely winner. (3) BAYFIELD BEACH looked like a down the road candidate off the claim, but faded back in the final quarter. I’ll look for him to rebound. (1) BIT OF A KIWI tried to make two moves in the snow from post eight, and you saw how that went. He will need to class up to these horses, but the post switch could see him sit a much different trip.

Race 9: FILLIES & MARES, NW $2,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $10,750 LAST 8 STARTS. (W/O $13,000 LAST 8 STARTS N/E). AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000. AE: 4 YR OLDS NW $2,650 L4.

(5) WESTERN WISH is a risky play with her recent form, but she is classy enough to pull a speed try out and wake up. (3) SANTAFES APPETITE tried the front again from post eight, and was moving well on the front, but faded back to third. Post relief should help. (1) COZ IM SPECIAL finds a nice middle ground in her fourth start back after getting a tightener against tougher horses. Look for her to hit the board.

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Race 10: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $30,000 OR NOT AVERAGING $1,250 PER START IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS) LEG 2. AE: LEG 1 STARTERS.

(4) INSTANTANEOUS was much better last week when racing off the claim. This race could potentially turn into a mess with the inconsistencies of most of these horses. He might unlock something when racing up close. (2) EASILY THE BEST has been favored in all three of his starts since being claimed, and has won two of three. He wasn’t the most convincing winner last week; He could be susceptible. (7) MONTANA SLIM has more than enough ability to win, but when he is mired at the back, that makes it tough.

Race 11: FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 RACES OR $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME.

(5) BEAUTY WISH was a solid second in her first trip around the Mohawk oval. She showed solid grinding ability last season in Alberta. I’ll take a shot with her right away. (2) ANGEL OF HONOR is another who is looking to preserve an unbeaten record. She has won with multiple different trips and should step forward on the big track. (8) D A MISS UNIVERSE is 2-for-2 and used her sustained move once again last week to get the job done. She could win again, but I’ll use her underneath.