Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Friday 8/28/26

Top Pick Stats: 471/1499 (-$790.90)

Best Bets: 57/135 (-$51.30); Spot Plays: 30/138 (-$95.00)

Best Bet: SENSATIONALIZE A (Race 9)

Spot Play: D A BODACIOUS (Race 1)

Early Pick-5: 2,9,10/4,5/1,7/4,9/4,7 $9.60

Middle Pick-5: 1,3,9/3/7,9/3,6/1,5 $4.80

Late Pick-5: 3,6/1,5/7,8/4,7/3,4 $6.40

Race 1: 3 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS: GRASSROOTS OR PROSPECT STARTERS FOR NW $10,000 LAST 4 STARTS. AE: NW $39,500 IN 2025-2026.

(9) D A BODACIOUS comes out of the same race as Plankton Hanover with a similar effort and has shown bursts of speed necessary to pace with these types. (10) PLANKTON HANOVER was the only horse I saw make up any kind of ground against a couple of Gold droppers. I think he could be handled aggressively from the wide draw. The lack of gate speed from (2) MEGA MOVES usually leaves him chasing after making a second move, but Roy gave him the nod. A competitive opener.

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Race 2: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 RACES OR $50,000 (OS $62,500) LIFETIME.

(4) MAJOR MIKI comes right back against a group that he just beat. I’ll look for him to extend his winning streak. (5) SECRET SOCIETY moves better in the stretch than others here and should be positioned to grind into contention and sustain his move. (1) I LOVE THIS BAR could throw a wrench into things second back. He was in top form just a couple months ago and got a nice tightener.

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

(7) CANT TURN YOU DOWN gave an open lane to the inside but McClure knew what he had. She is another who I’ll continue to back. (1) HORSE WITH A PLAN got that inside lane and Cullen threw everything at the wall to try and reach, but couldn’t. The rail could limit her early position. (8) CACKLE BERRY closed nicely behind the top two, but another trip like that leaves her chasing. Look for her to mix it up early.

Race 4: FILLIES & MARES, NW $2,900 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $11,500 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000. AE: NW $23,500 (MIN 10 STS) OR 4 YO NW $100 IN 2026.

(9) LANESIDE INCONTROL had an excuse in her latest and can set things up from anywhere. I think she shines on the drop. (4) BETTERDOUBLEDOWN is the type of horse who I’ve neglected all year, but then they get bet down on the board and I know I’m in trouble. Her usual pilot returns to likely set up a good trip. (5) SUNSHINE MAGIC didn’t race bad last week on a night where the track appeared tiring up front. She has set up good trips before but the lack of pop can get to her.

Race 5: FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 RACES OR $35,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. AE: NW $1,500 IN 2025-2026.

(4) SINGINGINTHERAIN raced just fine last week considering the major time off. She was likely a step short anyway, but still lacked room. Plante didn’t want to push which I completely understand. (7) ALEKSOVA skimmed the pylons in her latest and finished a very good second. She is rounding into winning form. (8) PLAY DATE tried to bottom her rivals out with a midrace blitz but got caught late. Lasix has helped, and she has gate speed.

Race 6: FILLIES & MARES, NW $6,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $16,500 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $30,000. AE: N/A $1,980 P/S IN 2026.

(1) ALWAYS DAWN was pressured throughout last week’s mile and still only lost by a length. I think this class drop pushes her over the top. (3) GLENBORO worked out a good trip last week but others had momentum outside. I think she gets overlooked tonight. (9) SETTN A PRECEDENT was pacing home strongly last week and could get a live tow behind someone like Horizon Seelster.

Race 7: MAPLE LEAF TROT ELIMINATION: 3 YEAR OLDS & OLDER OPEN. STARTING FEE: $5,000 CDN $3,875 USD.

(3) LEXUS KODY comes off a poor performance at Pocono after he made a move into a quick opening half. I think the bigger track suits him much better. This was the race last year that began his ascent towards horse of the year consideration. (4) AETOS KRONOS S had been stuck chasing Lexus Kody but has still performed well. He should work out a good trip in this short field. (6) FRENCH WINE isn’t in form right now and has just one race since a free for all here back in June. I’ll look for him to take a step forward and finish underneath.

Race 8: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 4. 3 YEAR OLD PACING FILLIES. STARTING FEE $400 CDN ($315 USD).

(7) JEN TILLY battled early with (9) TH CHECK ME OUT but both got picked off by a well-driven My Girl Friday. The latter adds Lasix and likely blasts again, while the former could stalk from up close. (1) P N G SHADOW made an early miscue at Pocono which spoiled her chances. Her two races before that were some of her best.

Race 9: FILLIES & MARES, NW $12,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $27,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. AE: NW $32,500 IN 2026.

(3) SENSATIONALIZE A wound up in a duel with Always Dawn after moving first over. She raced very well and continue to prove herself as an upper-level mare. (6) CARRERA SUNSET N finds post relief after having to race from last. She should have a much better chance of getting into contention tonight. (2) ONE LAST WISH drops back to the level where she is frequently seen posting a ton of early speed and sustaining it. Have to give her a look.

Race 10: MAPLE LEAF TROT ELIMINATION: 3 YEAR OLDS & OLDER OPEN. STARTING FEE: $5,000 CDN $3,875 USD.

(5) SUPER CHAPTER outdueled Lexus Kody in the Cashman and looks to continue his excellent season. He just passed the two million dollar mark. (1) ANTOGNONI S has been put in the right spots this year with both defeats being narrow ones. He is another contender in a quality elimination. (2) EMOTICON LEGACY had to settle for second behind Logan Park in the Earl Rowe but beat him on the square the week before. He will look to put himself in the Grand Circuit conversation again.

Race 11: FILLIES & MARES, NW $1,600 LAST 4 OR $6,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: N/A $1,090 P/S IN 2026 (MIN 8 STARTS). AE: OPT. CLM. $12,500.

(7) RAPTORS WON faded back to last after trying the lead on a night where the track was tiring for leaders. I think she can bottom out this group. (8) HIGHLAND DELIGHT adds Lasix and has shown she can sustain a midrace move. She will be aided if the leaders falter again. (6) ONE LAST BET has been handled aggressively in the past with Thiessen and could get a decent trip from up close.

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Race 12: NW $1,000 LAST 4 OR $7,250 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: N/A $700 P/S IN 2026 (MIN 10 STARTS).

(4) SOUTHWIND SAMBUCCA finally got off the schneid last week when racing off the claim. A repeat of that mile likely sees him get back to back pictures. (7) BEACH TOUR should have an easier time sustaining a grinding move against these types. I’ll look for him to get a big piece. (8) SHOTGUN JERRY held his own in the Pop-Up Series and finds slightly weaker types here. He can get a piece.

Race 13: POP UP SERIES FINAL: F&M STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $11,000 OR LESS LAST 3 STARTS (W/O $40,000 IN 2026 N/E). AE:N/A $1,500 P/S IN 2026 (MIN 10 STARTS).

(4) WICKED N SINGLE went down the road in her latest and set a new career best. She draws well again and likely looks to do the same. (3) COLD CREEK ESPERO continues to string together quality efforts. She made up a good chunk of ground in her latest and could benefit greatly if things get hot. (8) KIERA SEELSTER tried to make a first-over move but she doesn’t have the pop to do that when the race goes in :50 and change. I can see her getting a piece.