Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Friday 8/15

Top Pick Stats: 136/405 (-$134.40)

Best Bets: 16/36 (-$15.20); Spot Plays: 9/37 (-$28.50)

Best Bet: PARKAVENUEJANET (Race 4)

Spot Play: PERFECTLY CHIC (Race 7)

Early Pick 5: 1,2,3/5,7/1,3/4/6,7,8 $7.20

Late Pick 5: 1,2,3,5/4/2/4,6/1,2,4,6 $6.40

Race 1: 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES: NW 1 RACE OR $8,100 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(2) SANGRIA SUMMER had pace to offer in the lane, but hooked wheels with a rival and was taken out of contention for any bigger checks. Look for a cleaner trip with a better post. (1) AURA BLUE CHIP took a shuffle and couldn’t make up any ground in the stretch against tougher fillies. She is improving with each start and can bounce back. (3) MONTE AMORE was a solid second following a two-move effort. She is another who is taking steps forward and should be in a spot to pounce at the top of the stretch. (6) LDS GINA was able to find a bit of room in the stretch and poked through for a third place finish. She can work from off the pace again and hit the board.

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Race 2: 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES: NW 1 RACE OR $8,100 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(5) SUGAR PACKET was an easy winner when racing at Mohawk in her debut, and has proven herself as a main player in the stakes events at The Meadowlands. Look for her to be forwardly placed. (7) BINGO NIGHT could get a prep drive with the big money coming next week. However, she has looked so strong in Gold events and deserves respect. (2) SHIMMERING HANOVER tried a first over move after slow fractions against One Belle. Needless to say, that was a tough trip. She could sit close and grab a good piece. (6) CALYX will be looking to pick off rivals late. In a short field, she makes sense as an underneath use.

Race 3: WILLIAM WELLWOOD ELIMINATION: 2 YEAR OLD OPEN. STARTING FEE: $4,000 CDN $3,050 USD.

(1) MAGIC PUNK held off rivals in the sprint home last time out. Dexter Dunn showing up tells you all that you need to know in my opinion. (3) TAVERN ONTHE GREEN is an improving Blais trainee that could take advantage if he finds a live helmet at a price. (4) GREENARROW HANOVER got the job done in the Millard Farms Final and is a logical type that should show early speed. (6) TOUCHEDBYANANGEL’s best race has come from well off the pace, but I don’t think those tactics play well unless they’re just trying to make the final.

Race 4: 3 YEAR OLD FILLIES: GRASSROOTS OR PROSPECT STARTERS NW $13,750 LAST 5 STARTS.

(4) PARKAVENUEJANET got a perfect tightener in her first start on Lasix. I expect a big effort tonight. I’m not sure what (5) BARB LAHEY was supposed to do when chasing :50 and change speed. She doesn’t typically like to pass horses, but an aggressive steer would eliminate that worry. (1) ETERNAL DELIGHT should have success against these types if she doesn’t have to do all the dirty work. The qualifier should keep her sharp coming into tonight. (7) TRICKY WICKY can get into the race in a variety of ways and is always battling for shares.

Race 5: NW $3,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: NOT AVERAGING $1,240 PER START IN 2025. AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000.

(6) MISTER MAGIC has a nose for the wire and has found his preferred spot in the optional 20K claiming ranks. He will likely be the one they all try to catch in the stretch. (8) LILYS LASS has been posting strong miles out of town, and could get an aggressive steer from this post. She could sit a cozy trip in here at a price. (7) WATERFALL had a tough trip in his latest but was able to hold the show spot. He is a logical contender in this spot. (2) SOUTHVIEW AVIATOR has been a near-miss second in two straight starts. He has the versatility to get into the race with any trip. I’ll use him underneath.

Race 6: WILLIAM WELLWOOD ELIMINATION: 2 YEAR OLD OPEN. STARTING FEE: $4,000 CDN $3,050 USD.

(2) ARDONNE has been chasing a talented colt in Apex, and showing strong speed in his own right. He gets my nod to break his maiden. (5) CAMBRIDGE HANOVER, the million dollar man, was a game third in his latest after a sprint home. He is an improving colt who should be respected for top connections. (1) CRUNCHINTHEODDS got a perfect trip and scored the upset with J-Mac in the bike for the first time. He sticks, and is likely to put the horse in a good spot turning for home. (3) TYMAL STALSTRUCK put in a strong effort behind Greenarrow Hanover. He has the speed, but the miscues loom, as they often do with young trotters.

Race 7: FILLIES & MARES, WINNERS OF 3 BUT NOT MORE THAN 5 RACES OR $80,000 (OS $120,500) LIFETIME. AE: OS 4 YR OLDS NW 2 RACES IN 2025.

(4) PERFECTLY CHIC has shown that she can hang with the older mares at this level. She doesn’t need to rely on a helmet. (6) ABSOLUTION should rebound when dropping into this class. Her style could only take her so far against classy mares. (1) AARDIES MONEY N has been razor sharp since the qualifier, but hasn’t raced in almost three weeks. We’ll see how tight she is tonight. (8) COCO JO JO grinded out a share last week; She has been ultra consistent as of late and can get another piece.

Race 8: 2 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS: NW 1 RACE OR $8,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(2) MASS DEPLOYMENT should get plenty of attention at the windows after his strong back half on debut. I’ll go his way as well. (4) BOB FROM HOCKEY was sent off as the favorite last week after a winning qualifier. He has shown decent speed when flat, which is a tough job for most of these. (5) ICE PACK broke in two of his three efforts in the Millard Farms series, but is another who showed enough ability in qualifiers to be considered tonight. (8) ICED was earning minor shares in the Millard Farms series. This is a drop that he should take advantage of.

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Race 9: FILLIES & MARES, NW $3,100 LAST 5 STARTS (W/O $18,500 LAST 10 STARTS N/E). AE: NOT AVERAGING $1,100 P/S IN 2025. AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000.

(6) CARSONS GOUDA battled for the length of the stretch after having to rough it first over. I thought it was a sharp effort on the drop in class. She gets my top call. (4) CHICKABELL’s last two efforts are sneaky good. If she can work out a trip that has her closer to the leaders, she could make a real impression at a price. (7) GIMMIE A CORONA raced well off the claim and knifed through to finish second. She has strong speed on both ends of the mile. (5) CORA CORA CORA got to the lead from the far outside last week, but was unable to win the sprint home after being relegated to the pocket. Post relief should help her get a piece.

Race 10: FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 RACES OR $52,000 (OS $62,500) LIFETIME.

(1) ALWAYS DAWN couldn’t hold off rivals after a tough two-move effort. I think she brings a little more tonight and gets the job done. (4) ROCKS SHADOW is a mare I’ve shown some affinity for in the past, and she is rounding back into contending form. Her late kick makes her a must-use if you think she will be close enough. (6) NICE BUNS pulled the upset last week and set a new career-best mark. She draws the perfect post to get a good position off the car. (2) DIRTY DIANA was closer to the leaders last week and nearly pulled off the upset at a big number. I can see her getting outsprinted in the early stages and being too far back to hit the board. (5) CHARLOTTE STATION showed decent form before shipping to Yonkers and facing tougher fillies and mares. She can round out the Hi-5 when returning to the Mohawk oval.