Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Monday 1/5

2025 Top Pick Stats: 394/1144 (-$414.50)

Best Bets: 49/102 ($8.70); Spot Plays: 21/102 (-$52.00)

Best Bet: BOOTHILL HUDY (Race 3)

Spot Play: MY WAY (Race 4)

Early Pick-5: 1,4,10/1,4/1/6/3,5,10 $3.60

Late Pick-5: 1,2,3/1,2,3/4/2,5/3,4,8 $10.80

Race 1: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(4) GREEN GRASS GROWS got a trip around the track in his career debut. He gets a driver change tonight and an improved post. I’ll take a swing and assume that he steps forward in start number two. (1) RESOLVED ISSUES stayed flat last week and nearly swooped the field from seventh. He will have to navigate the rail tonight, but he has the ability to win. (10) THE HITMAN HEART raced very well from an outside draw last week in what was his first start in 2025. It’s the new year now, but he will also have every chance to step forward.

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Race 2: FILLIES & MARES, CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $48,000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. AE: N/A $1,560 P/S IN 2025.

(1) SIDE EFFECTS got the leading driver in the bike last week, and ended up getting the better of (4) CATCHMEGRACEFULLY, but the latter gets post relief which should even things up just a touch. I’ll still side with the former to repeat. (5) BLUE STAR SAPPHIRE has been solid in his two Mohawk starts, but lagged just a bit behind the top two last week. I’ll use her underneath again.

Race 3: FILLIES & MARES, CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $48,000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. AE: N/A $1,560 P/S IN 2025.

(1) BOOTHILL HUDY was moving best of all in the stretch and nearly tracked down the wire to wire winner. He can work out a trip and turn the tables on (3) CARSONSBUCKNGO, who is extremely likely to try and take this field all the way again. Not many others show much gate speed. (7) ARTHUR IDLAM could show some early speed if he is ready to roll. He has been off for nearly a month, and may need one.

Race 4: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $26,000) LIFETIME. AE: OS N/A $1,640 P/S IN 2025.

(6) 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. (5) 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. (9) 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 5: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(5) STORMONT FULLALIFE looked a little fumbly-gaited at times last week, but when he was steady, he moved well enough. I’ll swing for some value in a wide open race. (10) HAPPY ANGEL was a strong third last week in a race where he made two moves. He looks like a contender if he can stay flat. (3) 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 6: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $60,000 (OS $88,000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(3) JINGLE INMY POCKET was forced to take back when racing from a bad post, but was still able to get a check. He fits at this level, in my opinion, and could pull off the upset. (1) BELMONT BLAZER was another who was flying on the end of his mile and nearly picked up all of the pieces at a big price. He hasn’t won in a while, but Cullen gives him the nod. (2) SHANES DREAM takes a drop in class and looks for a wakeup call. He has the back class and speed to get the job done.

Race 7: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $26,000) LIFETIME. AE: OS N/A $1,640 P/S IN 2025.

(1) STONEBRIDGE QUEEN just got her second win last week, but she continues to improve with each trip around the track, and has shown strong gate speed already in her short career. (3) FRENCH VODKA has yet to get the job done, but is frequently a contender at the top of the stretch, and has hit the board in five of 12 career starts. (2) EYE OF AN EAGLE was left chasing Houston Seelster last time, 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 8: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $32,000 (OS $43.000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. AE: NW $2,000 LAST 8 STARTS.

(4) ABIDING ART was a horse I liked after what I thought was a tightener, and he delivered at 2-1. J-Mac picks up the lines tonight and should have him in position to repeat. (7) STRONGMAN HANOVER sat a perfect pocket trip last time, 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. (2) CONNOR B returns to the level where he has been extremely competitive, and a quality post draw gives him plenty of trip options.

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Race 9: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER CLAIMING HANDICAP $50,000 TO $60,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX.

(5) CHIC CHOC ROSE continues to remain ultra consistent. She didn’t have the best of trips last week, but still ended up grinding and finishing second. I’ll try her again. (2) VERACRUZ is another who is reliable and consistent at this level. He could pop up with a winning effort tonight. (4) READY FOR LANDING wasn’t at his best last week, but he has the ability to control races when on his game.

Race 10: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 (FM 4) RACES OR $72,000 LIFETIME.

(3) DAFFY HANOVER has been extremely consistent as of late and comes off a sharp win. She should be forwardly placed again, and is a must use on tickets with how she has been racing. (4) FLORIDA GUY has successfully stepped up the class ladder, but hasn’t raced in a few weeks due to the weather throwing a wrench in things. If he was a step short tonight, it wouldn’t surprise me. (8) OCEANVIEW NIKKI is an interesting newcomer from PEI who hasn’t done much wrong. She has two recent qualifiers to keep her sharp. I’ll use her on multi-leg tickets as a value player.