Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Monday 12/30

Top Pick Stats: 648 - 2019 / $3,500.90 (-$537.10)

Best Bets: 94 - 183 / $301.20 (-$64.80)

Spot Plays: 42 - 181 / $356.90 (-$5.10)

Best Bet: WHATS THE POINT (5TH)

Spot Play: CRYSTAL BALLER (2ND)

Early Pick 5: 2,5,7/2,4/5,9,10/1,4,10/10 = $10.80

Late Pick 5: 3,6,8/1,2,6/3,5/3,7/5,7 = $14.40

Pick 6: 1,4,10/10/3,6,8/1,2,6/3,5/3,7 = $21.60

Early Pick 4: 5,9,10/1,4,10/10/3,6,8 = $5.40

Late Pick 4: 3,5/3,7/5,7/1,6,7 = $4.80

Race 1: POP UP SERIES: NW $30,000 (F&M $37,500) IN 2024 (MIN 15 STARTS). AE: NOT AVERAGING $1,500 (F&M $1,875) PER START IN 2024 (MIN 15 STARTS). LEG 1 **$75,000 Pick 5**

(7) DELCREST BRENT has been facing tougher than these recently and taking checks. If he can lay close enough, he should be able to pounce on these late; top call. Win averse (5) VILLEFRANCHE AS is the other one that has been racing against better, and she got an impossible trip last week. She gets Macdonald in the bike searching for her second win of the year in this 47th start. I think she can win here, but she is almost sure to be over bet. Your call. (2) EYES OF JUSTICE has built up a good record this year and he comes in off two solid efforts at this track. He is another in with a shot. (1) MY HOLY MOLEY will likely sit a trip racing near the front and stick around for a share.

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Race 2: NW $9,600 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. AE: NW OS $106,000 LIFETIME

(4) CRYSTAL BALLER, on second time Lasix here, is in top form and this looks like a spot where he can get a good trip racing near the front and prevail. (2) DEVILS ARCH was carefully driven coming off a break in stride last week, and an absence of more than a month. I think he gets aggressive now and he would be no surprise in this spot. (9) LOCATELLI’s return race was good, but drawing widest now likely limits him to a small share. (3) ETERNALLY HANOVER gets off the 10-hole and he should be closer this week; using underneath.

Race 3: NW $2,500 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $6,500 LAST 10. (W/O $16,500 LAST 10 STARTS N/E). AE: NW $1,000 LAST 7 STARTS. AE: NW $11,750 IN 2024. AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000 - Pick 4

(9) PIKACHU HANOVER drops after showing speed from the 10-hole and he should last longer against these; top call. (10) PESO HANOVER looks to double up coming off a sharp upset win and this isn’t the toughest field; using. (5) HEAD OF THE CLASS closed with interest along the pylons racing in the snow on Monday. He is another possibility for early multi-race tickets. (3) BARZY comes in off a good effort at Flamboro Downs. He can be part of the Super in here.

Race 4: NW $2,800 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $6,000 LAST 10 STARTS. (W/O $13,000 LAST 10 STARTS N/E). AE: NOT AVERAGING $900 PER START IN 2024 - Pick 6

(4) QUAN BLUE CHIP turned his form around in the Pop Up series and he fits well at this level. He can beat these if he gets a reasonable trip; top call. (10) LETS GO JUDE and (1) PREMIER FIRST STAR finished 3rd and 4th behind a blowout winner in the snow one week ago in the fastest race on the card. Either can win here with the right trip and I will use both on multi-race tickets. (7) INSTANTANEOUS made a nice late charge to take a share last week and he is in the exotics mix here.

Race 5: POP UP SERIES: NW $30,000 (F&M $37,500) IN 2024 (MIN 15 STARTS). AE: NOT AVERAGING $1,500 (F&M $1,875) PER START IN 2024 (MIN 15 STARTS). LEG 1

(10) WHATS THE POINT is 3 for 3 with Macdonald driving and she fits well in this Pop Up series dash. I think she overcomes the widest post and notches the threepeat. (2) KENOGAMI COCO never really got untracked racing in the snow last week. He closed well for McClure two starts back and that teamster returns here. He can be an Exacta factor tonight. (9) CIEL BLEU has been a win machine lately racing in Ottawa. He should be an exotics factor here racing from close range. (8) COOL CLIFFORD always leaves the gate in the top 5 and he will get position here that he can ride to a share.

Race 6: HORSES THAT HAVE STARTED FOR A PURSE OF $15,000 OR LESS IN ONE OF LAST 3 STARTS. (W/O $12,000 LAST 5 STARTS N/E) - Pick 5

(8) BRACE FOR LANDING is in easier here and he is attractive for multi-race wagers because of his 15 to 1 morning line quote. I think he gets put into this race; price play. (6) TRUFFLES TOO finished well ahead of the choice in his comeback race, and he is another that will likely get more aggressive tonight. He seems to have his gait issues resolved and he should be a threat. (3) CHULO dropped and popped in a solid effort, and he draws well here. He is another that is worth using on multi-race tickets. (7) YANK MY HALO can close for another share in this spot.

Race 7: NW $4,750 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $25,000. AE: N/A $1,665 PER START IN 2024

(2) VICTOR INVICTUS gets post relief, and he picks up Macdonald, who had his choice of four in this field. I’ll give him a slight nod in a race with no standout. (1) RADIO LAB raced for a tag at this level, and he won well, and I don’t mind the rail for him in this spot. He should get a good stalking position leaving the gate and he is a threat to repeat. (6) STAURDAY is in easier tonight, and he can last longer on the engine. He is another possibility for multi-race tickets. (4) DONATOVER comes off a decent effort, but he loses Macdonald. I’ll use him underneath in this spot.

Race 8: CLAIMING HANDICAP $30,000 TO $40,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000 - Pick 4

(3) MACH IMPACT got claimed, stepped up in class, and jogged. I’ll call him to repeat while he is hot. (5) TIGNANELLO is an interesting shipper that moves into a high percentage barn, and he is obviously sharp. He is the other one that I’ll use on multi-race tickets. (6) HAPPY NEIGHS raced well on Boxing Day in a conditioned claimer, and he can take a share here too despite facing tougher. (1) THRILLING TIMES was out a long way and still took a share against the choice. He could better this placing with a good trip.

Race 9: NW $18,500 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. AE: NW $100,000 LIFETIME

(3) NEW RULES couldn’t go with Quebec Hanover last week, but he is obviously one of the top contenders in this field. On paper, this looks like a two-horse race between he and (7) HANDSOME SEBASTIAN, who comes off a strong win at this level and retains the leading driver. (4) FRANKS ANGEL is always right there when he races at this level, but recently, he typically falls short; using underneath. (1) PERFETTO takes a share every week and he is in the exotics mix again.

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Race 10: NW $18,000 IN 2024 (MIN 10 STARTS) OR NOT AVERAGING $1,840 PER START IN 2024 (MIN 10 STARTS). AE: NW $9,750 LAST 10 STARTS

(7) G A SPEED SAMMY caught fire in the Pop Up series and he was only three ticks off his lifetime mark winning the final. This should be a good battle with (5) NIGHTIME DANCER, who comes in off a crushing win in the snow. (2) WIND BLOWN is no stranger to this circuit and he goes for trainer Beaton after shipping west from the Maritimes. He can take a slice here. (3) HOWMAC VICTOR won two of his last three, but this is a tougher spot, and he will likely land on the edges vs. these.

Race 11: CLAIMING HANDICAP $12,000 TO $16,000

(1) KEEPAMERICAGREAT hinted that he was sitting on a big mile two starts back then he produced a strong win in the Popup Series. I’ll give him the nod to repeat in a spot where he should offer a good price. (6) FROWNIES MIRACLE is on fire right now and he is the obvious horse to beat at what will surely be a short price. (7) KYLES ART tried the front last week and he tired late. He races better from a stalking position, and I think he sits and rallies for a slice tonight. (2) MACH JACOBS raced better last time. I see him closing for another share here. (4) BRING YOUR FIRE ships in from Flamboro in good form. He can sneak into the Super or High-5.