Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Monday 2/16

Top Pick Stats: 76/244 (-$112.00)

Best Bets: 7/22 (-$16.40); Spot Plays: 10/23 ($11.60)

Best Bet: DIVINE LOVE (Race 2)

Spot Play: BELMONT BLAZER (Race 4)

Early Pick-5: 5,6/6/3,7/5,7/4,6 $3.20

Late Pick-5: 1,3/1,3,7/3,6/4,7/2,6,9 $14.40

Race 1: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $37,000) LIFETIME. AE: N/A $865 P/S IN 2025-26.

(6) VALIDUS got a perfect second over tow into the action after floating out from the high draw, but just got picked off by a repeating Royal Flush Deo. Roy got more out of her last week. (5) HADLEY had a decent three-year-old season and returned with a solid qualifier. I think she can step forward off the bench. (1) THE HITMAN HEART broke his maiden successfully last week after adding Lasix. He steps up in class, but I think he can get a piece.

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Race 2: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 4 RACES) RACE OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES. AE: NW $100 LAST 4 STARTS.

(6) DIVINE LOVE made a huge recovery after spotting the field over a dozen lengths after an early miscue. She gets away from the rail tonight and is a major threat if she can mind her manners. (3) ACROBATIC was better last week after touching down on the lead, but lost to the aforementioned The Hitman Heart who tripped out that night. I’ll count on her getting a big piece again. (4) DULCES SUENOS DEO crossed the $40K earnings barrier after another third place finish last week. He keeps taking too much win money.

Race 3: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 (FM 4) RACES OR $50,000 (OS $69,000) LIFETIME. AE: OS NW $4,600 LAST 4 STARTS.

(7) CAPTAIN WANIA edges into this race because of the alternate condition, and he really does stand out in terms of class. He adds Lasix tonight; I’ll look for him to go down the road. (3) JAYPORT CASH was one I was quite high on after his effort two back. He made his move from up close and looked like he was going by, but another rival split horses and picked him off. (6) BONITO BOY was that rival who pulled off the upset. He has won two of his last three and gets away from the rail if he wants to leave out again.

Race 4: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $60,000 (OS $85,000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(5) BELMONT BLAZER was much better last week and looms at a square price if he can work out a trip. (7) VOLCANIC got back in the good graces with many last week when he came through as the heavy favorite. He is the horse to beat on paper. (6) WICKED EXPRESS dropped back to this level last week and was unable to finish the job, ironically against Volcanic. His strategy is no secret.

Race 5: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $37,000) LIFETIME. AE: N/A $865 P/S IN 2025-26.

(6) ROYAL FLUSH DEO was in no hurry again when stepping up to this level, but he eventually edged past Validus in the final few strides after riding alongside that rival. I’ll go right back to him tonight. (4) CHECK MASTER didn’t get a fair shot last week after leaving out from post eight. With a cleaner trip, he should be a factor. (7) MAGGIES TOUCH faded back to sixth after a first over move last week. She has to face off against Royal Flush Deo again tonight; I’ll use her underneath.

Race 6: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 4 RACES) RACE OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES. AE: NW $100 LAST 4 STARTS.

(3) LOVE SENSATION was in a great second over spot last week before going offstride. If she minds her manners, she should be a major player. (1) ACEFORTYFOUR MAGIC was put in play last week and ended up finishing second at a triple digit number. The rail is a concern given his recent history of miscues. (6) STORMONT FULLALIFE is a logical underneath use given his early gate speed. I’ll count on him to hold on for a piece tonight.

Race 7: POP UP SERIES: H&G CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. LEG 2. (MUST RACE IN 2 LEGS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO FINAL).

(1) TOUR CHAMPION got the rail to open up for him last week, and he paced home well after leaving out in the early stages. I think he works out the right trip tonight. (3) BENJAMIN BEE swung wide off the final turn and paced home okay to finish fourth. His recent form at this level speaks for itself. He should be closer to the action tonight. (7) COLD CREEK PANTERA races off the claim tonight after a string of efforts that hinted at more. He could be the spoiler here.

Race 8: FILLIES & MARES, CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $60,000 (OS $75,000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. AE: N/A $1,835 P/S IN 2025-26.

(6) SIDE EFFECTS got the job done last week as the heavy favorite, which was her fourth win in her last six starts. She is the horse to beat once again. (3) COEURATOUT DU LAC was a solid third in her first start since September. I expect her to step forward tonight. (5) CATCHMEGRACEFULLY has been an extremely consistent mare at this level, and her versatility makes her an obvious threat nearly every week.

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Race 9: POP UP SERIES: H&G CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. LEG 2. (MUST RACE IN 2 LEGS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO FINAL).

(7) ALL BETS ON GARY was put in play again last week when moving into this class, and held off the late charge from Poppa Joe. Roy sticks on him over the morning line favorite. The aforementioned (4) POPPA JOE made a long, sustained bid from the back last week and only lost by half a length. He raced extremely well in that effort and now gets post relief. (1) BETTOR BEAST didn’t get as good of a trip last week, and the rail opened for the aforementioned Tour Champion, but he still managed to tough it out and win between horses. I’ll go right back to him.

Race 10: WINNERS OF 3 (FM 4) BUT NOT MORE THAN 5 (FM 6) OR $80,000 (OS $100,000) LIFETIME. AE: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER OPT. CLM. $80,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(9) CHIC CHOC ROSE drops in class tonight after a few strong off the pace trips. I could see her blasting out from the high draw tonight. (6) FLASHCHAP doesn’t have the punch that some of the others have, but she draws well and gets reunited with her familiar driver. Roy could work out a good trip from up close. (2) BLESS ME FATHER is an interesting New York shipper who has not enjoyed the smaller track as of late. The debut for the new barn could allow him to play spoiler in the finale.