Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Monday 8/16

Meet Stats: 148 – 431 / $823.70 (-$38.30)

Best Bets: 21 – 41 / $82.90 (+$0.90)

Spot Plays: 17 – 41 / $122.00 (+$40.00)

Best Bet: MUSCLE FASHION (8TH)

Spot Play: ST LADS STERLING (7TH)

Early Pick 5: 1,5,6,9/4,5,7/3/6,7,9/3,6,8 = $21.60

Late Pick 5: 5,7/1,9/7/2,4,7,8/4,5,6,7 = $12.80

Early Pick 4: 6,7,9/3,6,8/5,7/1,9 = $36

Late Pick 4: 7/2,4,7,8/4,5,6,7/2,7,10 = $48

Race 1: NW $12,000 L5 or $24,000 AE: OPT CLM $35,000 L10 LT **Guaranteed $100,000 Pick 5**

(9) COOL MUSCLE tried to make a wide move in the final 1/4 last week but the late pace was just too strong. His price will be much higher tonight and I'll take a stab with him in a wide-open race. (6) DERF HANOVER was right there at the wire, finishing ahead of the choice and McNair will get him across the line first one of these times; using. (5) ON THE ROPES has improving form and he should contend here if he stays flat. He is another option for the early Pick 5. (1) ZIG ZAG should be closer here on the class drop. He's the fourth one that I'll use in the Pick 5.

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Race 2: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES GRASSROOTS 2YO Colts and Geldings

I like the way (7) MACHO PHIL closed in his second start now he moves inside two posts which gives him a chance to be much closer early. I'll give him a slight nod over (5) CENTURY INVICTUS, who is on a roll and is strictly the one to catch. (4) HES A LADIES MAN closed well in a fast race in his first start over this track and he is in with an upset chance here. (10) JUJU HANOVER's only bad race was the one in which he broke stride. He is worth a price look for the exotics.

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Race 3: NW $8,500 L5 or $17,000 L10

(3) H P ROYAL THEO got a start in and a clean line now he faces easier. It should be go time now; top call. (1) FREE WILLY HANOVER goes back to Auciello here and that trainer had great success with the gelding in the past; using. (6) TIMESTORM made a couple of moves in a good effort last time and he is in with a chance racing from close range here. (5) STORMONT VENTNOR flew home to just miss but he is an infrequent winner that will likely get overbet here. I'll use him underneath.

Race 4: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES GRASSROOTS 2YO Colts and Geldings - Pick 4

(9) MY BLUEBERRY BUCK tuned up for this racing against Gold colts and he should be perfectly primed for a top try at another Grassroots win here. (6) CONTACT ZONE is an obvious threat coming off a two-move win. (7) STONE CARVER should find these easier after taking a check in the Battle of Waterloo final and he has already won a Grassroots race this summer. (2) OUTCLASSED raced well vs. easier. I see him taking a small share this time.

Race 5: F&M Claiming $18,000 for NW $56,000 LT

(8) BAYWATCHING should be tough facing claimers here and Jamieson should give her an aggressive steer; top call. (6) ROCKINWITHCUSTARD set solid fractions and was nailed late by the pocket sitter who slipped up the pylons. She is the main threat. (3) KOUNNIS can be much closer early here and she is worth a price look for the exotics. (1) MCDELICACY should be good for a small share in this spot.

Race 6: NW5 (F&M8) or $70,000 (F&M $87,500LT) - Pick 5

(7) MEADOWBRANCH NOBLE powered home to win at this level last week and he is in peak form now. Off that sharp win, he gets the call to repeat. (5) H P MAMA B raced great after starting from the second tier to take home close to $40K for finishing 2nd in a Gold race, but I am always leery of these types with another Gold race right around the corner. She can beat these, but I wouldn't take a short price. (2) FRIDO PV was right there with the choice in a good effort and he should be part of the Tri again. (3) ARCANUM has improving form and he is a good one to use on the bottom of the exotics again tonight.

Race 7: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES GRASSROOTS 2YO Colts and Geldings - Pick 4

(1) ST LADS STERLING was flying at the wire last week but he simply ran out of racetrack. This could be his coming-out party. (9) HES STALKING YOU probably faces easier here as he finished behind some Gold horses last time. He should be one of the main contenders tonight. (3) MAGICAL ARTHUR raced well last week but he is unlikely to see a 58 3/5 1/2 tonight. I'll use him underneath. (6) HIGHBORN was game in victory when beating six foes. This is tougher and I'll use him underneath.

Race 8: NW $18,000 L5 or $32,000 L10 or NW $120,000 LT AE: OPT CLM $50,000

(7) MUSCLE FASHION has raced decently in the top class recently and this purse should be his for the taking on the class drop. (2) WARRAWEE ROO motored home last week even as the pace accelerated and if anyone engages the choice in a duel at some point, he might roll by them all. (3) GRANDMA HEIDI tripped out perfectly to win narrowly last week. I'll use her underneath in this spot. (8) NIMBUS DEO could pass a few of these late and land in the Super at a price.

Race 9: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES GRASSROOTS 2YO Colts and Geldings

(8) TWIN B JAMMER improved sharply last start which should set him up perfectly for this Grassroots try and I'll give him the nod here. (7) COLD CREEK QUESO goes right into the Grassroots off a maiden loss but he was terrific in that start, making a big late move. He has upset potential here. (4) IM KING CONN should improve here after chasing the leader through a 26 4/5 third 1/4; consider for multi-race tickets. (2) SPORTS FAN should get a good trip starting from a better post tonight and take a share.

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Race 10: NW3 (F&M5) or $40,000 (F&M $50,000) LT

(4) SPARTAN GENERAL has developed a big late kick and I see him rolling past all of these in the lane tonight. There are several sires stakes Gold horses in here that all have a chance. (5) DICENTRA should be forwardly-placed early and that gives her a shot vs. these; using. (6) HP RUNNING MASS was used up early from an outside post most recently. He can get a much easier trip here and he is another to consider for multi-race tickets. (7) PRINCESSPARTYPANTS is razor-sharp and it's hard to imagine her not being in the Super.

Race 11: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES GRASSROOTS 2YO Colts and Geldings

(10) RON's line in the Battle of Waterloo can be forgiven because there were two colts in there that outclassed the field and they broke away in the back 1/2. This is the easiest company he has faced and he should have a big shot tonight. (2) CHIKABOOM, still unbeaten, is likely to be odds-on again and he is the one to beat. (7) DYNOMITES PEAK was used twice in a good prep for this. He has a wicked late brush when he saves his move for the final 1/4 and he is worth using with McClure returning to the bike. (5) AIRY SHADOW has improving form and he should be good for a share here. (11) CENTURY IGLESIAS should make it into the High-5 if he stays flat tonight.