Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Friday 4/24

Top Pick Stats: 196/651 (-$301.90)

Best Bets: 26/59 (-$16.80); Spot Plays: 15/61 (-$35.80)

Best Bet: MAKEMBLUSH HANOVER (Race 2)

Spot Play: SUGAR PIE HONEY (Race 6)

Early Pick-5: 1,3,8/8/4/6,8/8 $1.20

Late Pick-5: 3/4/8/5,9,10/3,5,8 $1.80

Race 1: POP UP SERIES: STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $10,000 OR LESS IN 2026 (W/O $75,000 IN 2025-26 N/E). AE: OPT. CLM. $12,500. LEG 1.

I missed out on (8) TALK SHOW HOST’s rebound win last week, where he didn’t start his move until later and was able to sustain it in the stretch. I’ll give him the nod to repeat. (3) LITE THE CANDLES had his quirks in PA but finds a spot that should suit him well for the first start in the new barn. (1) NO ANGEL LIKE ME continues to be in the mix with her grinding style. If she finds a live helmet, she can get a piece.

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Race 2: FILLIES & MARES, 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW $15,000 (ON SIRED $18,750) LIFETIME.

(8) MAKEMBLUSH HANOVER put in a good effort against last week’s tougher field. She blasted out to the lead and despite a shuffle, still held her own when pacing in the stretch. If she gets to the top without too much incident, she could wire the field. (1) COULD BE QUEEN showed good speed at two and looks ready for a strong sophomore debut after two qualifiers. Top connections should have her on the right track. (2) PLAY DATE is a well-bred filly that appears to have some speed, but I don’t think she can be at the level of the top two right away.

Race 3: FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 RACES OR $30,000 (OS $41,000) LIFETIME.

(4) SANGRIA SUMMER stormed home in her lone qualifier and looks ready to pick up where she left off. The only caution is a similar trip might leave her just a touch too much to do. (2) WHOA BLACK BETTY gets a big post switch after holding her own from the high draw in her first start back. I would expect her to be tighter tonight. (5) A BETS A BET was in the mix plenty of times in some lower-level stakes as a two-year-old. She showed a similar punch in her latest qualifier; Hard to not have her in the mix.

Race 4: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 RACE (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(6) I LOVE THIS BAR went winless in five tries as a freshman but showed good speed on both ends of his miles. His versatility appears to have carried over, with his final quarter sprint in the morning providing plenty of upside. (8) COULD BE KING got a trip around the track in his first start of the year, but showed enough speed to give backers some optimism moving forward. He will need to be closer to the action this week. (3) WINDSUN GUNNER showed enough gate speed last week to get himself into a stalking spot. A similar trip should give him plenty of chances to sit and sprint for a piece.

Race 5: FILLIES & MARES, 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 RACE (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(8) BREEZY BELLE has produced two solid qualifiers and is another that is likely ready to roll for top connections. (2) CENTURY MONTANA should be winging it on the lead again just as she has been. She was better last week when getting cheaper fractions up top. (6) COLD CREEK COTIJA has been getting slightly better in each start this year. I can see her finishing on the board tonight.

Race 6: FILLIES & MARES, NW $6,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $12,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $30,000.

(3) SUGAR PIE HONEY returns to the level where she went wire-to-wire five back. Her recent miles should have her tight enough to where that is a possibility. (2) MADAM X was left chasing some mares that are just better than her right now. A bounce back effort can see her right in the mix. (8) CENTURY JAMILA gets another drop in class as she looks to get her confidence back. Still not a mare I feel comfortable with putting on top.

Race 7: FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 RACES OR $52,000 (OS $77,000) LIFETIME.

(4) TH CHECK ME OUT could be a filly you want to play against in her first start back, but I’ve seen enough harness races to guess that she probably gets a relatively easy lead here, and with the top speed she can carry, it might be a tough ask for the rest. (2) SUNNYS GIRL took advantage of a race that was kind of falling apart, but it was a good showing in her first start back. She was a consistent type at three. (1) KOBRA KATE was unable to clear after a first-over move, but I thought she battled well. I’m not sure what kind of trip she gets tonight, but I can see her being right in the mix again.

Race 8: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 RACE (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(8) NO WAITLIST regularly faced off against some of the top freshman pacers in the sport last year. After a pair of winning qualifiers, he does not have to do that. He’s the free square for everyone unless something goes awry. (1) JUST GIVENER got a trip around the track in his first start back. I would expect him to improve this week. (6) PANIC RAY was a good second last week when tracking from the pocket throughout the entire mile. I can see him doing the same tonight.

Race 9: POP UP SERIES: STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $10,000 OR LESS IN 2026 (W/O $75,000 IN 2025-26 N/E). AE: OPT. CLM. $12,500. LEG 1.

(9) BLESS ME FATHER was a good third in last week’s Pop-Up Final, and now gets away from a top-heavy duo of Masterwork and Goober Smack. (10) PATRIARCH HANOVER has to navigate the high draw, but his early speed should see him firing right out of there and potentially holding off all of his rivals. (5) EYE OF AN EAGLE was better last week at Flamboro. He tends to race off the pace here, but I wouldn’t discount him showing some gate speed tonight.

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Race 10: FILLIES & MARES, NW $1,600 LAST 4 STARTS. AE: N/A $600 P/S IN 2026 (MIN 5 STARTS). AE: OPT. CLM. $12,500.

(8) TAMARA HANOVER gets another drop tonight and finds a field that she could wire if forwardly placed. (5) WINDSUN CHARLOTTE is another classic case where J-Mac is probably going to drive her like she is best, and I don’t see many others challenging her, other than the #8, in the early stages. (3) ONE LAST BET has enough speed to get herself into a spot where she can sit and wait for something to develop.

Race 11: FILLIES & MARES, NW $2,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $7,500 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000. AE: N/A $980 P/S IN 2026 (MIN 10 STARTS).

(6) SUPERIOR DELIGHT races off the claim after coming up short as the favorite. It was a quick quarter that she was part of, though, and she never really got to the outside where she likes to be. I’ll look for her to rebound. (1) TWIN B EMPRESS towed the eventual winner into contention, but she raced well in her own right in the debut for the Menary barn. A logical contender. (2) WEDNESDAYS CHILD might take some sneaky support because of the barn change. She has some ability, but has been her own worst enemy. We’ll see how she looks for the Merner outfit.