Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Monday 2/9

Top Pick Stats: 61/203 (-$102.30)

Best Bets: 6/18 (-$13.60); Spot Plays: 8/19 ($3.80)

Best Bet: BETTOR BEAST (Race 7)

Spot Play: JAYPORT CASH (Race 8)

Early Pick-5: 3,6/2,5/3,8/4,10/1,10 $6.40

Late Pick-5: 2,4,6/7/4/3,6/6,7 $2.40

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

(3) ROMANCING RITZ made a solid recovery after an early miscue last week. She gets Bob McClure back in the bike who qualified her; I’ll take a swing at some value to kick off the card. (6) DULCES SUENOS DEO was further back than normal last week but still found a way to pass tired horses and hit the ticket. He continues to be reliable in that aspect. (4) ACROBATIC looks just even on paper, but she made two moves and took a step forward on a fast track. I think she can hit the board tonight.

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Race 2: FILLIES & MARES, CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $60,000 (OS $75,000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. AE: N/A $1,315 P/S IN 2026.

(2) SIDE EFFECTS was about eight wide at the wire, but she found a way to keep moving forward and edge out rivals for the win. I’ll count on J-Mac to get her a winning trip. (5) REAL SMOKESHOW should get plenty of support because of the barn alone. She makes her debut after a decent record at PEI. (3) PEMBROKE RED tried different tactics last week, and she led for a majority of the mile. She should be sitting close again and can get a piece.

Race 3: POP UP SERIES: H&G CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. LEG 1. (MUST RACE IN 2 LEGS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO FINAL).

(8) POPPA JOE has been keeping good form at Western Fair, and now gets a suitable driver given the circumstances. I think Plante fires from the high draw. (3) ALL BETS ON GARY was unable to make up much ground after being shuffled. He finds a different group tonight in this Pop-Up Series. I think he will rebound. (4) BUNKHOUSE BOSS has been getting decent shares against similar classes at Flamboro. McNair getting the call is interesting because of his early gate speed. He could surprise at a price.

Race 4: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $25,000) LIFETIME.

(4) ROYAL FLUSH DEO was in no hurry in his second career start, but stormed down the center of the track and just got up in the shadow of the wire. He bled in that race too, necessitating the addition of Lasix. J-Mac sticks; I’ll give him the nod to make it 2-for-2 at Mohawk. (10) VALIDUS couldn’t be caught after a first over blitz to the front. Her job is made tougher with the high draw, but she stays in the same class. (9) MAGGIES TOUCH was unable to get a check last week, but was too far back in the early stages. If she floats out for position, she can get a piece.

Race 5: HORSES & GELDINGS CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $5,000 LAST 4 STARTS. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(1) BETTORHOLDONTIGHT gets post relief after two subpar draws, and I think that gives him more options in the long run. If he finds a live helmet, he should be dangerous. (10) IMA RUM RUNNER drops in for 10K after a no chance trip in his latest. I know how good the barn is, but this will be a test from the high draw. (2) RAYS KREDIT finds a different group this week and gets reunited with Travis Henry who drove him to a nice win two back. He will be passing horses late.

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.

(4) SOUTHVIEW ABRAHAM gets post relief after finishing second behind a horse who wasn’t losing if he minded his manners. He should be forwardly placed this week; I’ll give him the nod. (2) UP TO NO GOUDA has been his own worst enemy, but I liked how he trotted home last week when saving ground in his qualifier. I would expect another patient drive from McClure. (6) FIRE THE ROCKET has been off for over a month but is another Cullen debutante who I expect to be ready to roll.

Race 7: POP UP SERIES: H&G CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. LEG 1. (MUST RACE IN 2 LEGS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO FINAL).

(7) BETTOR BEAST was hammered in the final flash and ended up odds on. He raced like it, too, and strolled away after sitting a pocket trip. I’ll give him the nod to repeat. (1) COLD CREEK PANTERA was overmatched in the Snowshoe, but finds a much better spot and draw tonight. (2) RYLENTLESS races off the claim after two straight sharp wins at Western Fair. I can see him getting a piece.

Race 8: NW 3 (FM 4) RACES OR $55,000 (OS $75,000) LIFETIME.

(4) JAYPORT CASH had to swing wide after being shuffled on the backstretch. That was a big trip last week, and now he gets post relief. (5) LUVUTOTHEMOONANBAK was another who was bet down last week and the result speaks for itself. He was given every chance and got the job done. (3) DEBRA gets Bob McClure back in the bike who qualified her to start the year. I would expect a patient drive after a sick scratch.

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Race 9: CLAIMING HANDICAP $8,000 TO $11,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000.

(6) ALWAYS B SWEETEST looked even better last week when racing on the front end. He has won three of his last four and looks to continue that streak from a good post. (3) THE COLT got a good setup last week and was able to pull off the double digit upset. I trust him to sustain his move again and get a good piece. (4) HES SWIFT was first over last week, but his issues in the stretch presented themselves yet again. He nearly went all the way out to the rail, and had to settle for a check. He is the question mark of the race.

Race 10: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $60,000 (OS $75,000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(7) VOLCANIC lost the trust of a lot of bettors after his effort two starts ago, including myself, and he made us pay for it by winning at a double digit price. He should be forwardly placed again tonight. (6) NOTHININMODERATION has excuses in his two efforts in Canada. If J-Mac works out a trip with him, he could add significant value to exotics. (3) NATIONAL TIER immediately took back last week and had no chance from there. He was a sharp winner two back when put in play.