Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Monday 2/17

Top Pick Stats: 14-74 / (-$75.90)

Best Bets: 2-7 / (-$6.80)

Spot Plays: 1-7 / (+6.00)

Best Bet: R PEAKY BLINDERS (RACE 8)

Spot Play: LOCATELLI (RACE 6)

Early Pick 5: 1,2,4,6/5,6/5/5,9/5 = $3.20

Late Pick 5: 2/3,5,6,7/5/3/1,3,4,8,10 = $4.80

Pick 6: 5,9/5/2/3,5,6,7/5/3 = $1.60

Race 1: NW $4,000 LAST 5 OR NW $13,600 LAST 10 STARTS. AE: N/A $1,725 P/S IN 2024-25. *75,000 GTD PICK 5*

(2) EYES OF JUSTICE was stuck behind non-advancing cover and opted to duck inside for a clear lane and finished a strong closing second. He’s raced well over his last two tries and I’ll give him the nod to pull off the victory, hoping he can chase them down this time. (1) NASEY hasn’t been much of a factor over his last few tries, but takes a dip in class to a much more favorable spot. He picks up JMac and can find his way to the winner’s circle off the class drop alone. (6) THE CANAM BANKER made a miscue in his latest and was out of contention early. He draws the best post at Mohawk and will pick up Trevor Henry this evening who will have options off the car. (4) NO ANGEL LIKE ME was in a good spot in her latest but just didn’t fire whatsoever. She is back with Tyler Borth who guided her to a victory two starts back.

Race 2: PREFERRED.

(6) NEW RULES came first-up against the pace setter and went by him with ease. He’s won 3 out of his last 4 and appears to be the sharpest trotter in this field; top call. (5) AMIGO VOLO got looked in the eye from the one above and was clearly no match. He’ll likely be activated off the switch and will look to control things from the word go. (1) QUEBEC HANOVER worked out a similar trip last week as the trip that notched him an upset win two starts back. He should be able to secure a good spot off the wings and can pull off an upset if he’s at his best. (4) ROYALTY BEER rounded out the superfecta in this field last time out and he will be racing for a share.

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Race 3: CLAIMING HANDICAP $30,000 TO $40,000.

(5) B STONEY delivered as the choice in what was a dicey trip, as he had to stick handle up the inside to score by a nose. It was a race he wasn’t supposed to win given the trip, but showed that he was much the best and gets the nod to repeat here. (7) BEYOND BETTER missed out by a nose to the one above and has been very sharp as of late; he’s the biggest threat. (4) TANGO SEELSTER left out for early positioning in his latest and took a shuffle. He was even at best when he found a seam and can grab a piece here. (2) HURRIKANE CHEYENNE stepped up in a higher claiming rank and was a tight 3rd; he can grab another piece here.

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Race 4: NW $2,500 LAST OR NW $7,850 LAST 10 STARTS.

(9) WASTINGNOTIME is coming off consecutive breaks since being claimed by new trainer Mitch Tierney. He doesn’t have much gate speed and will start from the outside this evening, but will wear trotting hopples for this contest. We’re hoping he stays at it with that piece of equipment and will be within striking distance turning for home. (5) ETERNALLY HANOVER confronted the pace setter at the 3/4 pole and was unable to go by. He faded to 5th but could be better off because of that confrontation; using. (3) DONATOVER was able to come off the pylons because a rival to his outside made a miscue and made steady gains to be 3rd. He draws inside here and can get a big piece with the right trip. (1) RIVIERA BEACH ships in from three tries at the B tracks where he’s hit the board in each of those starts. He raced at Mohawk in December vs. much tougher company and can be more competitive in this spot.

Race 5: CLAIMING HANDICAP $18,000 TO $24,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX.

(5) HOWMAC VICTOR disappointed as the 2/5 choice last week when he worked out a pocket trip and was unable to move fast enough up the inside to fend off a live rival who knifed through late. He will draw well yet again and will now race out of the Shayne Barrington barn, who has had success with recent claims as of late. (6) VINO LOUIE was able to pick off the one above when finding a seam late and has been racing well. He’s sharp and will be a threat with the right trip. (7) FOREFATHER hasn’t been much of a factor over his last several tries but drops in vs. a group he should be more competitive against. He’s not the easiest horse to drive but can grab a piece tonight. (10) JJ TOMMY comes off a 4th place effort and was claimed by Michelle Leblanc out of that contest. He draws post 10 and he will likely have a tough time working out a favorable trip because of it.

Race 6: NW $15,950 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: NW $100,000 LIFETIME. AE: NW $10,950 IN 2025.

(2) LOCATELLI showed some good late trot at this level two starts back in a 5th place effort and was thrown in vs. tougher company in the Preferred. He’s back in a competitive spot here, draws inside and should have every chance to notch a victory. (6) DREBIN was fourth over turning for home and was able to trot well in the stretch to be a solid 4th. He draws well here and should be able to work out a favorable trip. (7) SID THE KID has been no worse than 2nd over his last six starts; he is handy enough where he can be situated anywhere off the gate and is a strong candidate to hit the ticket. (9) ROBERTSON DE scored a victory in his latest and he’s capable of another strong showing at this level; tough draw, however.

Race 7: CLAIMING HANDICAP $12,000 TO $16,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000.

(6) BIG BULLY left out for early positioning but didn’t have much to offer. He draws well again and will now race for Garry Merner, who has 2 wins in 3 starts when under his care; top call. (3) RAYS KREDIT was aggressively handled after a strong effort in his start prior and tired. He was claimed out of that contest and will return to the Carmen Auciello barn, where he was no worse than 3rd in three starts for that outfit before being claimed. He draws inside, and picks up Phil Hudon who guided him to an upset score when paired together on 10/21. (7) LETS GET ROCKED ripped off poor cover when he was 3rd-over and motored home past rivals to score; he merits respect. (5) LETS GET PICKLED ships in from Flamboro and has hit the board in four straight tries. He can continue that trend here as well for new trainer Corey Giles.

Race 8: NW $8,000 LAST 5 OR NW $14,750 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000.

(5) R PEAKY BLINDERS never had a chance in his most recent effort after getting away 8th off the car. He took 2/1 support that evening and was never in contention, but trotted the lane well to be 4th. He draws the center of the gate and I’m expecting him to go on a gate-to-wire mission this evening here. (1) COLD SNAPS is coming off back-to-back, 2nd-place efforts. She does her best work late in the mile and should have every opportunity to work out a stalking trip in here. (4) BELLA CAVALLA didn’t have much to offer in her most recent try in a 6th-place finish. She is a contender when she’s at her best, but hasn’t shown that over her last three tries. She can hit the ticket. (6) COLLECTOR S made a miscue off the gate and recovered to work out a 2nd-over trip turning for home. Jonathan Drury had to do his best to keep him trotting and still salvaged a 3rd-place finish out of it. He draws well, but will likely be racing for a share.

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Race 9: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 (OS 5) RACES OR $50,000 (OS $78,850) LIFETIME.

(3) FABULOUS FREDDIE is coming off a 2nd and 3rd place effort respectively at this level and has trotted the lane well in doing so both times. He will be in-rein to James MacDonald this evening, who guided him to a maiden-breaking score the only time they were paired together. (4) HUNGRY HILL was a winner at this level two starts back and should appreciate the company he keeps here. He draws well and should be activated early off the gate. (6) STEAMER didn’t have anything to offer in his most recent try. He will be reunited with Bob McClure here this evening, who guided him to a pair of 2nd-place efforts in those tries. (5) MARKET BANKER qualified very well in preparation for his first start as a 4YO. He hit the board in 10 of 18 starts in his first year under the lights and will have every chance at a big piece here.

Race 10: NW $2,500 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: NOT AVERAGING $1,040 PER START IN 2024-25 (MIN 10 STARTS). AE: NW $1,450 IN 2025.

(10) TROSA A bounced back in a big way in his most recent start after an underwhelming North American debut. This Aussie recruit was last turning for home and flashed a speedy final quarter and was a narrow 3rd. He draws the far outside but should have every chance vs. this group. (8) HESINCONTROL was 4th in his latest and drops back down to a level where he should be more competitive. He has a chance with the right trip in a wide-open finale. (4) WRITE ABOUT NOW showed improvement in his first start for new trainer Kyle Fellows and can take another step forward here. In with a shot. (1) BEACHIN LINDY has been hampered with outside draws and has been out positioning in those tries because of it. Tonight, he draws inside and could be closer to the action, making him a much bigger threat. (5) GOING FAST wasn’t a factor in his latest but showed a different dimension two starts back when he showed early speed off the car in a gate-to-wire score. He draws well and is a threat if he deploys similar tactics here.