Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Friday 5/20

Meet Stats: 237 - 748 / $1,330.60 (-$165.40)

Best Bets: 41 - 70 / $134.40 (-$3.60)

Spot Plays: 25 - 70 / $167.70 (+$27.70)

Best Bet: CONTACT ZONE (5TH)

Spot Play: ITSTIMETOGOHOME (6TH)

Early Pick 5: 1,3,5/1,4,7/1,4/2,3,4,5/10 = $10.80

Late Pick 5: 1,2,8/4,8/1,4,7/6,8/2,5,7 = $21.60

Early Pick 4: 2,3,4,5/10/1,2,8/4,8 = $24

Late Pick 4: 4,8/1,4,7/6,8/2,5,7 = $36

Race 1: NW3 (F&M5) or $40,000 (F&M $50,000) **Guaranteed $100,000 Pick 5**

(5) HP MAESTRO improved sharply in his second start back, making up a lot of ground late while firing a 27 1/5 kicker. He is drawn perfectly here and he gets the nod. (1) SOUTHWIND DOMINO may have been best in both 2022 starts but he wasn’t close enough at the 1/8th pole to get there. He is clearly gearing up for stakes season, so I'd be careful about taking a short price here. (3) VALI HANOVER had no choice but to drive on early and that 26 4/5 opening 1/4 took a bit of the wind out of his sails. He did well to stick around for a share and he is in the mix again. (10) ARMSTEAD COLE, last year's Grassroots champ, raced okay on debut and I see him closing late and possibly sneaking into the Super this time.

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Race 2: F&M 5YO and Younger NW3 or $31,0090 LT AE: 4YO to be claimed for $25,000

(4) FREE TO BE ME looked good taking a new life's mark in her sophomore debut and she gets the call to repeat off that sharp win (1) SPEAKER NANCY changed hands at the end of her rookie campaign and she fired first time out in Ottawa, now she moved into the Barrington barn and picks up the leading driver. She is an obvious threat here. (7) BEST KEEPSAKE hung in there racing first-over in a fast mile last week and she is another in with a chance here. (6) DAY TO PARTY hit the board in 80% of her starts at two. She should be in the exotics mix in this sophomore debut.

Race 3: Horses that have started for a purse of $12,000 or less in 1 of last 4

(1) VILLEFRANCHE AS made a nice move late in the mile last week but she was never catching a rival that slid up the inside in early stretch and got the jump on her. I can see Roy moving early with her tonight like he did on 4/29; top call. (4) WESTFIFTYSECOND was first up in the same race and contacting wheels with the fading and drifting leader in the lane didn't help his chances. He could do here if he gets an easier trip. (2) HIGH GEAR NO FEAR will likely look to be the pacesetter here and if he gets left alone long enough, he could get brave. (6) AWORLDLY GOODTIMES should pass a few of these late and take a share.

Race 4: F&M 4YO and Younger NW2 or $16,000 LT - Pick 4

(2) FREE AS CAN BE comes off a sharp maiden win and I'll give her a slight nod and the call to repeat in a race with a few legitimate options. (5) RAPTORS WON was picked off in the lane after making a middle move to the front. Everything this barn sends out this time of year is dangerous; using. (3) GOT THE GOLD flew late to beat maidens. She has licence to improve and she is another in with a shot here. (4) ARKELL was better last week and she should close for another slice in this spot.

Race 5: 4YO and Younger NW2 or $15,000 LT

(10) CONTACT ZONE flashed speed racing against some of the best colts in the country last week. Maybe he can wire these at a price moving into the Auciello barn; top call. (1) HP LIS SHADOW broke stride briefly in the lane but that didn’t stop him from getting up at a huge price. He is worth using right back. (9) PROCRASTINATOR improved with Macdonald in the bike and he should be in the mix again here. (2) HE BEE SUNNY should be closer early tonight and that gives him a chance. This is a race where it makes sense to spread.

Race 6: NW $3,000 L5 or $8,000 L10 AE: NW1 in L8 - Pick 5

(8) ITSTIMETOGOHOME had two starts back now he interestingly gets Macdonald in the bike. He qualified this gelding on 4/22 and I'll take a swing here based on the driver change. (1) HOLDIN ACES drops back to the level where he won two starts back and he figures to be a threat here; using. (2) WISHYOUDTELLME was 3rd at this level behind Holdin Aces on 5/2 and he is worth a look here on the drop. (6) OKEANOS likely closes late for another small share tonight.

Race 7: F&M NW $9,000 L5 or $29,100 L10 or NW6 LT AE: OPT CLM $35,000 - Pick 4

(4) SHES GOT IT ALL got McNair last week and she took a new life's mark racing at this level. She faces some droppers here which should help her price; call to repeat. Macdonald moved (8) CHIEFS DREAM GIRL up as he often does when he takes over the lines on one, but he moved to the #5 horse here. Hudon has won with this mare before and he will help the price; using. (3) TRAFALGAR is capable at this level but more likely to take a smaller share. (1) HEAVENS SHOWGIRL A disappointed last week. Her price will be better if you still like her. I'll use her underneath.

Race 8: F&M that have started for a purse of $9,000 or less in 1 of last 4 or NW $2,350 L4 AE: OPT CLM $15,000

(7) CONTROL THE THONG couldn't find a spot early in the mile last week and she was forced to drive on. By the time she reached striking position, the long trip had taken its toll. The shorter field helps here and I'll give her the nod to upset tonight. (1) MIA CULPA had two starts back now she drops and she should be in the mix here. A more aggressive drive is likely in this spot. (4) SAULSBROOK OLYMPIA raced well in defeat last week in a fast race for the class and she is hard to leave off multi-race tickets. (6) CRANBERRY BRIE comes off a decent effort and I can see her landing in the bottom of the exotics again.

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Race 9: F&M NW $28,000 L5 AE: NW9 or $175,000LT

(6) KICKUPYAHEELS N paced a huge on the rim last week but So Much More just refused to be caught. This mare is razor-sharp and I'll give her the nod to knock off last year's two-year-old champion filly (8) PROHIBITION LEGAL. The latter is of the highest quality and obviously capable, but this is no easy spot to kick off what I am sure will be an ambitious sophomore campaign. This will probably be a rare occasion where I try to beat her in a spot where it makes no sense to empty her tank. (1) IMSHORTANDSWEET N was trapped for most of the stretch drive last week. When she finally shook loose, she produced an impressive rally to get the job done. She is another sharp mare that should be in the exotics mix. (5) DABARNDAWGSWATCHIN hasn't missed the Super once this year and that trend should continue here.

Race 10: Fillies and Mares that have started for a purse of $12,000 or less in 1 of last 4 AE: NW $90,000 LT AE: OPT CLM $25,000

(7) ADDICTIVEBEHAVIOUR took a new lifetime mark winning the final of the Spring series and she finds a good spot here to extend her win streak; top call. (5) NIGHTLIFE SEELSTER did all the work last week and was picked off late by the mare that followed her for a perfect trip. She should be dangerous right back. (2) DARKRSHADEOFPALE N was closing well late last week but she ran out of racetrack. She is sharp and should be a late threat here. (4) EMMY LOU HAYES missed some time, but she drops and gets Macdonald in the bike, so she is in with a shot here. (3) BIG DIAMOND tripped out perfectly to notch the huge upset last week. A repeat is unlikely and I'll use her underneath.