Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Friday 5/22

Top Pick Stats: 244/790 (-$340.80)

Best Bets: 29/72 (-$26.80); Spot Plays: 18/74 (-$44.90)

Best Bet: PLANKTON HANOVER (Race 9)

Value Play: CHEESE PARTY (Race 5)

Early Pick-5: 6,8/6/3,7/4,5/3,7 $3.20

Late Pick-5: 6/3,4/1,6/5/2,3 $8.00 for $1

Race 1: 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) AUNT GERTRUDE showed her potential in the Spring Series and ended up a dominant winner in her latest when shipping to London. She stands out if the Mohawk form sticks. (6) ARTISTIC DELIGHT posted a sharp qualifier that appears to have her ready to roll. She had to settle for minor shares last season. (1) KEEPTHEHIFIVEALIVE was heavily backed on debut and appeared to loom large when making a second move. Something went amiss, however. She appears to have some speed.

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Race 2: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 1. 3 YEAR OLD PACING COLTS & GELDINGS. STARTING FEE $400 CDN ($315 USD).

(6) JOHNNY ANGEL unleashed a strong final quarter and showed that he was just fine despite three weeks off. It’s hard not to back him after an effort like that. (4) ODDS ON BULLFROG has the kick to get a big piece of this but needs to mind his manners. The draw favors him again. (1) DR DAVE is another with sharp final quarter ability, but the rail draw likely limits his chances of getting away fourth or fifth.

Race 3: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 RACE (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(3) DONTENVYME HANOVER is hard to ignore off the strength of his only morning prep. Assuming he doesn’t get too hot, he should be a tough customer. (7) DEAD MANS CHAIN has been rolling in his final quarters as of late but has been trying to catch horses that are faster than these. He can get a big piece at a price. (1) PIRATES POISON gets a big post position switch and should improve in his second career start.

Race 4: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 1. 3 YEAR OLD PACING COLTS & GELDINGS. STARTING FEE $400 CDN ($315 USD).

(4) DAX SEELSTER should enjoy the class relief after chasing Beau Jangles and co. in his latest. I would expect him to show some gate speed tonight and be right in the mix. (5) AMICABLE got the nod from J-Mac after a strong second from the high draw. He draws favorably tonight. (2) BAJAN FIREFLY has shown good speed this season and gets a major post switch. Some early speed would do him some good.

Race 5: FILLIES & MARES, NW $1,000 LAST 4 STARTS. AE: N/A $700 P/S IN 2025-26 (MIN 10 STARTS). AE: OPT. CLM. $12,500.

(7) CHEESE PARTY looms at a price after having no room in the stretch. She is one that will get overlooked in my opinion but needs to not be mired towards the back. (3) HP JOSEPHINE drops to the bottom level after facing much tougher horses in her latest. Getting away from the NW types might help her in the long run. (8) PRETTY MISSY MAY is likely to get an aggressive steer this week after her two-move effort was foiled in her latest. She should be in the mix tonight.

Race 6: FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 RACES OR $70,000 LIFETIME.

(6) EASY STATION is the obvious filly to catch after her dominant display last week. A likely single for many to kick off the late Pick-5. (7) SANGRIA SUMMER will likely be chasing that top rival and has the kick to give her a run for her money, maybe. (9) PIPERS LUNA has been pacing some sharp miles in recent weeks but has no wins to show for it this year. The post makes her journey tougher, but I can see her grinding out a piece.

Race 7: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 1. 3 YEAR OLD PACING COLTS & GELDINGS. STARTING FEE $400 CDN ($315 USD).

(4) ILLICIT BEHAVIOR could put it all together here when dropping to face Grassroots company. He finally gets a favorable draw. (3) THIRTY SIX RED is 1-for-1 with J-Mac in the bike this year, and his latest mile was just fine. A similar trip should see him in the mix. (2) RYDER ROSS got off the schneid last week which could do wonders for his confidence. His raw speed should have him bolting off the car and potentially tripping out.

Race 8: FILLIES & MARES, 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW $15,000 (ON SIRED $19,500) LIFETIME.

(1) MAKEMBLUSH HANOVER wound up parked for the mile in her latest, but she was up against it anyway when returning from three weeks off. She should be tighter and sharper tonight. (6) BIKINI SEELSTER finds another spot where she should be able to leave out and sit a good trip. She was unable to win the sprint last week but put herself in the right spot. Another forward trip should do the same. (10) CACKLE BERRY took a step forward in her second morning prep. Other Dustin Jones horses have not fared well right away from post ten, but a step forward could see her get a piece.

Race 9: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 1. 3 YEAR OLD PACING COLTS & GELDINGS. STARTING FEE $400 CDN ($315 USD).

(5) PLANKTON HANOVER gets a telling nod from Louis Roy after last week’s sharp win. Both starts this season have been strong. (7) SCORPION SEELSTER was a vulnerable favorite in my eyes last week, but got the job done on the front end. He looms large if he minds his manners. (3) LYONS GUSTAVOFRING made a strong move on the outside to get the job done at Flamboro. I can see him stepping forward on the big track and getting a piece.

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Race 10: FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 RACES OR $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME.

(2) MY GIRL FRIDAY deserves another chance after a less than favorable trip in her return. I wish she had drawn further away from the rail, but I think she can rebound regardless. (3) COULD BE QUEEN gets major post relief after a good third behind Easy Station. J-Mac should be right in the mix with a filly who has improved with each charted trip around the track. (8) RHODENA BLUE had some expectations at two when put in a couple of Buckeye events. It appears she might be finally meeting them in Canada. Both starts since shipping here have been very good.

Race 11: NW $1,700 LAST 4 OR $3,000 LAST 8 STARTS (W/O $15,000 LAST 8 STARTS N/E). AE: N/A $770 P/S IN 2025-2026 (MIN 10 STARTS). AE: OPT.CLM. $12,500.

(6) SHADRACK HANOVER gets my tepid top call in a potentially wide-open race. I thought last week could be another tightener, but he wound up making a miscue, potentially backing him up another week. (5) MY HOLY MOLEY could get an aggressive steer in his second start back. He was a bit flat in his return but now faces easier. (9) SPARKS FLY is a logical early speed type that also gets a drop. He hasn’t been able to finish a mile in a couple months but can still get a piece.