Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Monday 3/17

Top Pick Stats: 62/210 = -$69.40

Best Bets: 6/21 = –$16.70; Spot Plays: 3/21 = $-16.90

Best Bet: EYES OF JUSTICE (RACE 8)

Spot Play: CENTURY JAGUAR (RACE 5)

Early Pick 5: 3,6,7/1,2/2,5/4,7/6 = $4.80

Late Pick 5: 1,4,6/1,4,8/5/2,7/2,5,6 = $10.80

Race 1: CLAIMING HANDICAP $18,000 TO $24,000.

(6) LETS GET ROCKED came off cover and was a nice winner in his latest. He’s won three of his last 5 and will now return to the Kyle Fellows barn, where he was a solid 3rd-place finisher in that outing. He gets top billing to repeat with a good draw. (7) MACH IMPACT was aggressively handled in his latest but was harassed the entire mile by a rival who was parked to his outside. He tired to be 3rd and will now race for new trainer Jay Polifroni, and can finish with a better result with a more favorable trip. (3) FOREFATHER showed some good late pace to pick up the place spot. He does his best work late in the mile and will need a trip to set up to his liking.

[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]

Race 2: NEW HOLLAND TROTTING SERIES: NW $150,000 (FM $175,000) IN 2024.

(1) FASHION FRENZIE made his first start of 2025 a winning one in this first leg of the New Holland Series. He got favorable fractions and was able to outsprint his rivals with relative ease. He should be even tighter coming into this contest and merits a lot of respect. (2) NEW RULES had too much work to do when it came to catching the choice but is one of the main players here. (5) DREBIN angled off the cones at the top of the line and was trotting forward the entire way. He might not be good enough to beat the choice, but is one that could offer up some value in an exacta in this compact field. (3) LOCATELLI rounded out the super in his latest and he can grab a share here.

Race 3: POP UP SERIES: NW $30,000 (F&M $37,500) IN 2024 (MIN 15 STARTS).

(5) ARRAKIS returned to the big track to participate in this Pop Up series. He stuck around to finish 3rd after a first-over try. He does his better work on the engine and he draws well enough where he should be able to vie for early positioning. I’ll give him the nod here. (2) SHADRACK HANOVER tipped off non-advancing cover but was gaining on his rivals to be a solid 4th, just behind our choice. He has the ability to get the best of this group when he’s at his best, and that effort last time was encouraging enough to put him in contention here; using. (4) COOL CLIFFORD was aggressively handled in his latest and was a winner. He draws well and should deploy similar tactics and warrants respect for that reason alone. (3) NO ANGEL LIKE ME was a runner-up to the one above. She has one big move in her and if times accordingly, she can pick up a big piece. There will be plenty of speed to chase in here as well.

Race 4: NW $2,500 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: NOT AVERAGING $950 PER START IN 2024-25 (MIN 10 STARTS).

(7) GIGITYGIGITYGIGTY rallied nicely from the back of the pack in his latest to round out the super. He draws further outside but is capable of being aggressively handled off the car and can get the best of this group off that effort. (4) REACTOR NOW A was a winner in a qualifying prep ahead of this contest. He was just okay in that effort off some favorable fractions, but carries enough back class to get the best of this group here this evening if at his best. (1) GOING FAST didn’t offer much pop in his latest. He draws inside and can work out a stalking trip to pick up a piece. (8) BETTER SUNSET was just even at best in his latest. He’s tough to like as a win candidate but will have every opportunity to hit the ticket.

Race 5: NW $4,500 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $14,500 LAST 8 STARTS.

(6) CENTURY JAGUAR trotted the lane well to pick up the show spot. He draws well again and he could be aggressively handled in this spot, off that effort. (7) THE CANAM BANKER was a comfortable winner two starts back then made a miscue off the gate in his latest. He can work out a favorable trip, so long as he minds his manners and is one to monitor. (10) PATRIARCH HANOVER draws outside this evening and takes a dip in class. He should be competitive with this bunch but ill side with others because of where he draws. (3) FIGHT SONG had a nice lead turning for home but coughed it up late. He’s been racing well but is tough to trust as a win candidate; he can hit the ticket.

Race 6: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 (OS 5) RACES OR $50,000 (OS $90,000) LIFETIME.

(1) FABULOUS FREDDIE found a seam late in the mile in his most recent to score in a dead-heat. This 4YO will retain James MacDonald, who has guided him to 3 victories in the 4 times they’ve been paired together. (4) MY BUDDY SAM scored easily in his latest after being placed for going inside consecutive pylons two starts back. He has looked good over those last two efforts and gets the nod over two others for Scott Young, who had his choice of three in this contest; using. (6) SCINTILLATING TOM didn’t have much to offer in his latest in a 3rd place effort. He draws well here and will have plenty of speed to chase this evening. (8) R PEAKY BLINDERS put forth a lackluster showing in his latest. He has been a winner in this class a couple of times already and can put forth a good effort at his best.

Race 7: NW $4,500 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: NW $12,500 IN 2025.

(8) KOLBY TWO STEP is coming off a 3rd place effort where he rallied late to secure that spot. It was his first start in 3 weeks after being scratched-sick in between that gap and he should be even tighter this evening. He’s better off with a target to chase and he should be able to work out that sort of trip here. (4) LEGION SEELSTER hasn’t been much of a factor as of late and has failed to hit the board in 5 straight tries. He draws well here this evening but will need to find a bit more to find the winner’s circle. (1) STONE CARVER was up against it in his latest with a bad post. He never had a chance to get involved, but should be able to work out a decent trip drawing the pole position here. (6) CRUNCH HANOVER is coming off a pair of qualifiers as he gets set for his 2025 debut for new trainer Shayne Barrington. I thought he took a bit of a step back in qualifier number two, but could definitely be a player if he replicates his effort in the first one.

Race 8: POP UP SERIES: NW $30,000 (F&M $37,500) IN 2024 (MIN 15 STARTS).

(5) EYES OF JUSTICE showed us a different dimension last week when he bolted off the wings of the gate from pp9. He was still 2nd to an overwhelming favorite and with an even better draw this evening, he could be able to work out another good trip, and should be even tighter off that effort. (3) MACALLAN capitalized taking on softer company after being eligible for this Pop Up. He was confidently handled for good reason and scored easily. He will likely be the one to chase again, but he does tend to get leg weary in the late stages of the mile and might be susceptible to that by the one above. (7) DELCREST BRENT rounded out the super in his latest and he should have every opportunity to hit the ticket here. (9) SPIN FOR LIFE has hit the board in 4 of his last 6 starts and can continue that trend despite an outside draw.

[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]

Race 9: CLAIMING HANDICAP $30,000 TO $40,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX.

(2) TANGO SEELSTER gapped a bit before turning for home but got into gear nicely in between rivals to be a strong 3rd. He draws inside and I’ll give him the nod off that effort, hoping he can sit close this evening. (7) B STONEY stepped up vs. tougher company and was no match for that group. He’s back at this level where he’s notched three straight victories and will be the one to beat, without a doubt. (6) BET THE BB went on a speed mission in his latest and hung on for a narrow score. He draws well and will likely look to deploy similar tactics here again. (3) NAZARE wasn’t much of a factor in his latest. He drops in for a tag here and can put forth an improved effort.

Race 10: NW $8,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. AE: NW $100,000 LIFETIME.

(2) PHOENIX has raced over his last two outings. He’s finished with trot in both of those tries and is one I’m willing to give the nod to as a value player, despite it being a competitive nightcap. (5) SID THE KID made a miscue off the gate in his latest and was out of it early. He had been no worse than 3rd in 5 starts prior and draws well enough where he should be able to be involved early. (6) NASEY is coming off a 1st and 2nd place effort respectively. He draws well here and will now debut for new trainer Jodie Cullen and is one that provides some intrigue in this spot. (1) PERFETTO takes a dip in class this evening. He has two, on-the-board finishes over his last six tries. He’s undoubtedly the class of the field, but is a rival I’d be looking to play against in this spot. (3) ALL GAS NO BREAKS is coming off back-to-back 3rd place efforts and should be good enough to hit the ticket here this evening.