Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Monday 12/26

Meet Stats: 657 - 1977 / $3,290.40 (-$679.80)

Best Bets: 102 - 187 / $341.00 (-$33.00)

Spot Plays: 47 - 189 / $313.30 (-$64.70)

Best Bet: LAST BEACH (4TH)

Spot Play: ULTRA IMAGE (9TH)

Early Pick 5: 3,4,7/3,8/7,8/7,9/2,3,10 = $14.40

Late Pick 5: 5,6/4,5,6,9/1,4,6/1,3/2,7 = $19.20

Early Pick 4: 7,9/2,3,10/5,6/4,5,6,9 = $9.60

Late Pick 4: 1,3/2,7/4,6,8/3,4,9 = $7.20

***$336,533 Mandatory Payout Hi-5 Carryover in Race 12***

Race 1: NW $2,000 L3 **Gtd. $100,000 Pick 5**

This is a tough race to kick off the early Pick 5. (7) VICTOR INVICTUS drops off a decent even effort and he should be the one to beat vs. these. (4) HAWAII probably needed her last start and she was used hard which will likely tighten her up. I could see her getting a better trip tonight and capitalizing late. (3) TYMAL TAROT raced much better last time and he should be in the exotics mix tonight. (5) MR FRITTER will likely last longer tonight and stick around for a share.

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Race 2: NIAGARA FINAL 3YO Fillies

(8) ACRIMONY dominated in leg 1 in fast time and she is the one to beat in this final. (3) J ONE TWENTY took leg two with the choice being a judges scratch and she should be the main threat here. (1) BABY BONITA, 2nd to the choice in the opening leg, figures to be part of the Tri here. (7) MADDIGAL was better last week. She is worth a look for the bottom of the exotics.

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Race 3: CLM HDCP $11,000 to $14,000

(8) JIM STRIKESITRICH looked a little bumpy at times last week but he paced a tremendous mile on the rim, closing relentlessly to get up in time. I'll stick with him while he is in form. (7) SIGHTS ON YOU gets McNair in this second start since being claimed by a hot barn and he is the obvious threat here. (3) BETTOR NOTBITTER A should go better here on the drop but I prefer to use him underneath. (5) BIG JOURNEY should get a piece of this racing off the Schneider claim.

Race 4: 5YO and Younger NW2 or $24,000 LT - Pick 4

(7) LAST BEACH is certainly fast enough for these and he qualified well over a track rated one second slow. He looks ready to roll and McNair should be blasting with him; top call. (8) BACKSTREET GAMBLER was expertly handled by Jones to take a new life's mark last time and he should be able to overcome this wide draw; using. (3) HASHTAG MONEY was 2nd to a crushing winner that was under wraps for most of the stretch drive. Check how that one did in the finale Friday night facing better for a frame of reference. (4) SPORTS FAN was no match for Backstreet Gambler last time and he likely takes a small share here.

Race 5: NW $12,000 L5 or $22,100 L10 AE: Starters for a purse of $16,000 or less in 1 of L4 AE: OPT CLM $65,000

(2) FREE WILLY HANOVER is due for some luck considering he has been kicking home quickly in his past three starts and having closed for 2nd behind a dominant winner last week. I'll give him the nod here. (10) PATRIARCH HANOVER wasn’t asked for much in the lane last week and he easily cruised past the leaders after McNair mapped out a golden trip for him. He should have gained some confidence in that win and he can be a threat despite drawing widest. (3) DERF HANOVER kicked in 27 2/5 behind crushing winner Looks Like Moni who is likely heading to the Preferred. He is in with a better shot here. (4) HP ROYAL THEO is another that should be better in this spot. I'll use him underneath.

Race 6: NW $3,000 L5 or $8,000 L10 - Pick 5

This is a good spot for (6) SOUTHWIND CAESER who should get an aggressive steer from Cullen on the class drop; top call. (5) PHEONIX gets Macdonald for a hot barn which should be the signal that he is on "go". He would be no surprise in this spot. (1) KISS AN ANGEL is another that should find this class easier and I could see her tripping out and vaulting past the leaders late; using. (2) SO NOT COOL dropped and popped but this is tougher now; using underneath.

Race 7: CLM HDCP $22,000 to $30,000

There are several in with a shot here, including several racing off the claim. I'll side with (4) SPEAKING OF ART here who draws well and goes for Barrington. (5) ROYAL RENEGADE has been right there in three straight starts and he races off the Kerr claim starting from a good post. (6) NIGHT CLUB HANOVER looked good winning here on 12/12 and he is hard to toss. (9) LEGAL BETTOR, an impressive winner last week races for Auciello off the claim but draws wide. He isn't out of this but I'd demand a price.

Race 8: NW $6,000 L5 or $14,000 L10 AE: OPT CLM $35,000

(4) MR CONTESTANT raced decently against big class dropping winner Patriarch Hanover last time and he lacked clearance until late in the lane. He looks good vs. these. (1) ROWLEN flew late to nail the choice for 2nd and he should be the main threat. (6) TREASURED TEE tried the front and it didn't work out last week. I think he looks for a trip this week and he isn't impossible in this spot. (8) SHES GOT PIZAZZ raced okay in defeat last time. I think she sits and rallies for a share tonight.

Race 9: VALEDICTORY FINAL 3YO Colts and Geldings - Pick 4

I still believe that (3) ULTRA IMAGE is good enough to beat these. He wasn't used hard or put in position to win in either of the preliminary legs. I think that changes here shooting for $33K and the short field should benefit him; call to upset. (1) UNSUNG HERO has dominated the first two legs and is the obvious one to beat. (6) JK MIKI MANTLE took a new life's mark in the first leg of the series so he can’t be totally discounted, but I prefer to use him underneath here. (5) FULL DISCLOSURE will likely blast for the front and stick around for a small share, same as he did last week.

Race 10: Horses that have started for a purse of $15,000 or less in 1 of L4

Good betting race here with several chances. I'll stick with (7) TYMAL RIGGS who was a sharp winner last week and races great typically with Young in the bike. (2) STAY CLOSE was bottled up until it was too late, and I imagine his trip will be featured on the pre-game show. That makes me think he will get overbet, but he is an obvious threat. (3) GOODGOLLYMISSMOLLY is capable at this level and the tote board might provide some clues with this one. (6) P L OPPORTUNITY gets Drury here but she has been racing well and that driver's aggressive style fits her. She is in the exotics mix.

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Race 11: CLM HDCP $15,000 to $20,000

(6) PRIVATE SCOTT took heavy action racing off the Moreau claim last week but he ducked to the back leaving and he was never put into the race from his wide post. That will change here with J Mac driving from the best post; top call. (4) MACH ART IN MOTION closed too late last week. Cullen will likely move him earlier here; using. (8) PARTYINTHESHADOWS was entered to go vs. better on Friday night at press time. He is capable vs. these and he will be on my multis if he goes. (1) COIN FLIP should be good for a slice starting from the rail.

Race 12: NW $3,000 L5 or $9,000 L8 AE: Starters for a purse of $9K or less L3 **$336,533 Mandatory Payout Hi-5 Carryover**

(3) HIGHLANDBEACHLOVER drops to a spot where he has a good chance to lead all the way and he gets top billing. (4) SECOND BRUISER takes a big class plunge to the bottom for this second start back and Roy should put him into play this time. He should be the main threat. (9) ILLGETMYOWN THANKS went a big trip in this class last time now he gets McNair; price look. (1) CENTURY GIGALO comes off a win at a similar class level but he will probably find the droppers too tough tonight; using underneath. (5) CENTURY HANNIBAL was out the route and he still took a check. He should be good for a slice here.

Garnet Barnsdale .20 Hi-5 Ticket: 3,4 / 1,3,4,9 / 1,3,4,5,7,8,9 / 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9 / 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9 = $120

Derick Giwner Ticket: 4 / 1,3,7,8 / 1,3,7,8,9 / 1,2,3,5,7,8,9 / 1,2,3,5,7,8,9 = $64