Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Monday 9/28

Meet Stats: 239 - 764 / $1282.20 (-$223.60)
Best Bets: 37 - 68 / $122.00 (-$14.00)
Spot Plays: 12 - 70 / $97.40 (-$40.60)
Best Bet - SOCRATES BLUE CHIP (1ST)
Spot Play - ROOTIN TOOTIN (9TH)
Early Pick 5: 5,7/2,3,6,8/3,5/5,9/2,5,6,10 = $25.60
Late Pick 5: 4,8/2,6,7/8,9/1,5,7/2,7 = $14.40
Early Pick 4: 5,9/2,5,6,10/4,8/2,6,7 = $48
Late Pick 4: 2,6,7/8,9/1,5,7/2,7 = $36’

Race 1: 2YO NW1 or $7,000 LT **GTD $100,000 Pick 5**

(7) SOCRATES BLUE CHIP has been on a steady diet of stakes and he has done well to take shares in most of them. This is a field he should handle but note he has missed more than three weeks. (5) NO FREE LUNCH showed promise early then he had some issues. His effort last week shows he is back to form and I'll use him in the early Pick 5. (2) PRAYFORTHEWICKED races better when he is placed near the front early and I expect that strategy will be deployed here with him starting from an inside post; using underneath. (6) TJ THUNDER qualified well for this and he may sneak into the Super at a price.

Race 2: NW 3 (F&M 5) or $50,000 LT

(8) NIMBUS DEO is razor-sharp right now and she comes off a win where she was parked the whole way. These are tougher, but she may be up to it. (3) ARCANUM has been kicking home quickly and he could be a good price play here in a race that has the potential to set up nicely for his late charge. (6) FORTUNE STARLET did well in Grand Circuit races against her own age group and gender, but she is no lock facing mixed company and elders here and she could be over bet. I'd demand a price. (2) NEVER MIND N requalified well for this and he will be a threat if he stays trotting.

Race 3: NW $18,000 L5 or $28,000 L10 or NW $130,000 LT AE: OPT CLM $50,000

(5) COOL MUSCLE is right there every week and last week he couldn't catch a long-gone 3 to 5 shot. This looks like a field he can handle, and he gets the nod. (3) PIKACHU HANOVER showed speed in that same race which indicates a return to his best form may be imminent. He's on my Pick 5 ticket. (2) ZIG ZAG dropped to the back last week despite leaving from the statistically best post and that strategy didn't work. I imagine he will leave much better here and that puts him in the picture. (7) B YOYO is an infrequent winner, but he often lands in the Tri or Super which is likely to happen here.

Race 4: F&M CLM HDCP $10,000 to $15,000 - Pick 4

(9) VINES TO HEAVEN is hot right now and even post 9 may not stop her racing off the Fritz claim. (5) MONEYMAKEHERSMILE is the other obvious contender in a field that has a few 'B' track shippers; using. (1) DREAM ALL NIGHT outraced her odds last time and she can hit the board again in this field. (2) PATRICKS COOKIE is likely to show early speed and I see her hanging around to take a share.

Race 5: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES GOLD 3YO COLTS and GELDINGS

(10) PEMBERTON should offer a decent price starting from the second tier this time and he has shown the talent to overcome the draw; top call. Last time (2) HAYEK raced at the Gold level, he trotted the fastest mile in the history of Grand River Raceway. He's an obvious threat. (5) THREEFIFTYTWO was right there in the Canadian Trotting Classic and he is another who is a contender in a race with several. (6) HP ROYAL THEO didn't get the best trip in the Trotting Classic, but he was game to the end despite breaking late. This post is much better, and he is yet another that can take this with the right trip.

Race 6: NW $8,000 L5 or $16,000 L10 AE: OPT CLM $20,000

(8) WILD AND CRAZY GUY showed clear improvement last week when making his third start back, racing uncovered most of the way and passing horses. I could see a Henry speed blast coming here on the class drop; top call. (4) O NARUTAC PERFETTO hinted last week that he may be sitting on a big race and he draws better here; using. (6) ON THE ROPES also drops and is obviously a contender but the break in stride followed by missing close to three weeks is concerning; your call. (1) WINGS OF SPEED should get positioned near the front early and stick around for a share.

Race 7: NW $3,300 L5 or $9,100 L10 - Pick 4

(7) MCPAT was a good second to a class dropping big chalk last week and he should have some speed to chase down here. (6) GRAND POOBAH, who has been showing speed vs. tougher recently, could take these a long way on the lead and I'll use him in the Pick 4’s. (2) BIT OF LUCK fits well here and he may get overlooked at the windows coming in from Grand River. He could provide some Pick 4 value. (4) MACH CODE should be in the mix early and land in the Tri or Super.

Race 8: PREFERRED HANDICAP

(9) HEY LIVVY was back to her best last week and it's obvious if she repeats that mile, her rivals here are racing for 2nd, but she hasn't fared that well in her last two races from outer posts, so I'll also use (8) P L JILL, who couldn’t stay with the choice, but she gamely held off the backfield to preserve 2nd. She's the logical alternative. (7) PERFETTO is razor-sharp right now and he should be in the exotics mix again, likely at a good price. (5) ONLY TAKE CASH is likely to come on for a small share again.

Race 9: NW $5,000 L5 or $13,500 L8

(7) ROOTIN TOOTIN returns to Mohawk Park sharp as a tack and meets a field he can beat. He gets top billing over (5) AREUKIDINME CABBIE who comes off a nice effort here last week and should be the one to hold off late. Veteran (1) CHAMPAGNE PHIL won with Jamieson driving in his first start of the year four starts back and he is in with a decent shot here. (2) SPORTS AUTHORITY is sure to show more early speed this time with the post relief he is getting, and he should make it into the Super.

Race 10: NW $12,000 L5 or $24,500 L10 or NW $85,000 LT AE: OPT CLM $30,000

(7) BAUTISTA couldn't go with the swift Grandma Heidi last time, but this is a much easier assignment and I expect Filion to be aggressive leaving the gate. He's the one to beat. (2) DANCER HALL woke up last week now he gets his nose on the gate. He would be no surprise here. (4) KAMERAN HANOVER is getting closer and he can win this with the right trip; using. (8) ANGRY EYES races tough every week but, in this field, I prefer to use her underneath. (10) MUSCLE FASHION can go better here coming back quicker; consider for the exotics.