Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Monday 12/29

Top Pick Stats: 373/1087 (-$405.00)

Best Bets: 47/97 ($8.20); Spot Plays: 19/97 (-$55.60)

Best Bet: SIDE EFFECTS (Race 6)

Spot Play: MY WAY (Race 7)

Early Pick-5: 1,2,4/1,4/1,4/2,6/4,7 $9.60

Late Pick-5: 5/4/5,7/1,4/1,3,6 $2.40

Race 1: NW $9,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $23,750 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. AE: NW $75,000 IN 2025.

(1) CAPTAIN WANIA was a sharp second last week and should have every chance to stalk and pounce with the big post switch. (2) DEVILS ARCH got away poorly from the rail and that was all she wrote. He is much better when sitting close or cutting the mile. (4) MERCUTIO deserves respect when coming off a career-best win. This class consists of horses that he can beat when on his game.

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Race 2: 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.

(1) SATU WANIA trotted a fine mile in her career debut in my opinion. She wasn’t losing ground against tougher horses. I’ll look for her to step forward again if she can maneuver the rail. (4) ANGEL MISTRESS is sort of the de facto choice because she has early speed and has stayed flat. Adding Lasix and getting a better post doesn’t hurt. (7) D A MERLOT only finished three lengths behind the winner in her latest, which came off the heels of a winning qualifier. If she minds her manners, she can get a piece.

Race 3: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $45,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(1) STRONGMAN HANOVER sat a perfect pocket trip last week, but made a brief break at the top of the stretch. Thiessen did a great job holding him together, and he battled gamely to still finish second. He stays on extremely strongly after starting his move. (4) CONNOR B returns to the level where he has been extremely competitive, and a quality post draw gives him plenty of trip options. (2) HARBORLITE JIMMIE was closing well last week and ended up getting a check. His chances drastically increase in this shorter field.

Race 4: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $10,500 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES. AE: 3 YR OLDS NW $500 L8.

(6) STORMONT FULLALIFE looked a little fumbly-gaited at times last week, but when he was steady, he moved well enough. Travis Cullen gets the call tonight; I’ll swing for some value in a wide open race. (2) HAPPY ANGEL was a strong third last week in a race where he made two moves. He looks obvious if he can stay flat. (8) JAYPORT MUSCLE UP adds Lasix after fading back to last in his latest. He may not be used as hard this week, but can still get a piece.

Race 5: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 (FM 4) RACES OR $65,500 LIFETIME. AE: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER OPT. CLM. $60,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(4) CHIC CHOC ROSE had to settle for second after a surprising burst from Ultra Myles. Her trip wasn’t the best, to be fair, despite coming up short as the odds on favorite. I’ll go right back to her. (7) VERACRUZ makes the most of his early gate speed and routinely sticks around longer than you think he will. He has had an excellent season. (2) DEVASTATE looked strong in his morning prep, which is more than most horses show after not racing for nearly a year. He has to start somewhere; I’ll use him underneath.

Race 6: FILLIES & MARES, CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. AE: N/A $1,560 P/S IN 2025.

(5) SIDE EFFECTS will look to get the better of her main rival, (2) CATCHMEGRACEFULLY, again this week. I’ll give her the nod to do so. J-Mac got the former her first win of the year, and the latter gets major post relief. There won’t be a line that needs to be announced, because they canceled on the 26th. (1) MUKTUK ANNIE is likely to step forward in her first start for the new barn. She has been holding okay form at Rideau.

Race 7: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $36,000) LIFETIME. AE: 4 YO NW $12,750 LAST 8 STARTS.

(4) MY WAY started extremely slow last week, but got into gear late in the mile, and nearly passed everyone. I’ll give the maiden a chance tonight. (3) STOVID really should have won last week. I know a horse broke in front of her, but it didn’t appear to affect her too much. She still had every opportunity, but couldn’t get her nose in front. She continues to be hard to trust. (1) FATEFUL managed to get a check after making a brief break last week. She will be passing horses late if she minds her manners.

Race 8: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $10,500 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES. AE: 3 YR OLDS NW $500 L8.

(7) LITTLE ARROW finally put it together last week, cruising to an open length win at Flamboro. That could be a confidence booster for tonight; I’ll give him the nod to repeat. (5) THE HITMAN HEART raced extremely well considering it was his first race in over 16 months. The connections waited on this horse, and he looks ready to make a comeback attempt. (4) DULCES SUENOS DEO is a reliable check getter who should be passing horses late. I’ll use him underneath once again.

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Race 9: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $36,000) LIFETIME. AE: 4 YO NW $12,750 LAST 8 STARTS.

(1) STONEBRIDGE QUEEN just got her second win last week, but she continues to improve with each trip around the track, and she has shown strong gate speed already in her short career. (4) CRYPTO HANOVER held on just long enough two starts ago to get the job done. The obvious concern is the sick scratch and being off 18 days. I couldn’t quite pull the trigger up top. (2) EYE OF AN EAGLE was left chasing Houston Seelster last week, who is another horse who fits well at this level. He has some back class and should at least be a threat to hit the ticket.

Race 10: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $80,000 LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

I think (6) JINGLE INMY POCKET can handle the jump to this claiming level, but he will obviously have to get a better trip than he did last week. Tote board should tell us a fair bit about this horse’s chances. (1) BELMONT BLAZER nearly pulled off another big upset last week with a sharp, sustained middle move. He appeared to be sitting on an effort like that, and claimers seem to fade on the lead more often than other classes. (3) SMILES FOR MILES has versatility, which makes a horse dangerous at any level. He gets major post relief this week and should be used on tickets.