Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Saturday 12/16

Top Pick Stats: 558 - 1696 / $2,928.20 (-$463.80)

Best Bets: 84 - 159 / $301.80 (-$16.20)

Spot Plays: 29 - 162 / $182.10 (-$141.90)

Best Bet: BEYOND BETTER (10TH)

Spot Play: ANGELO (7TH)

Early Pick 5: 6/3,6,9,10/5,7/2,3,9/1,3,5 = $14.40

Late Pick 5: 1,5,9/2,4,5/2,4/4,6/3 = $7.20

Early Pick 4: 2,3,9/1/1,5,9/2,4,5 = $5.40

Late Pick 4: 2,4/4,6/3/3,7,10 = $2.40

Race 1: 2YO and 3YO colts NW2 or $15,000 LT **Gtd. $100,000 Pick 5**

It’s hard to look past (6) SHREDDAR here coming off a 1:51 1/5 win at this level. He was 1 to 5 then and will likely be the same price here. (10) ALLBETSONFRITZ draws worst, but he was only 1 1/4 lengths behind the choice and he can likely blast for position here and ride out another Exacta finish. (5) BACK TO THE FUTURE missed three weeks when 3rd to the top two choices. He returns quicker now, and he can be closer tonight. (9) RJS SUPERFREAK is worth a look for the bottom of the exotics shipping north from Indiana in good form.

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

Race 2: NW $8,000 L5 or $18,500 L10 AE: OPT CLM $50,000

Good betting race here with several options. (9) HIGHLANDBEACHLOVER comes off a solid closing effort and he gets Roy in the bike now. I think he gets more aggressive, and he should be in striking range heading for home; slight nod. (6) REACTOR NOW A has been right there in every start since shipping north and he should contend again starting from the best post tonight; using. (3) LYONS KING was used hard early and he hung in well for 2nd. He has upset potential tonight. (10) SERIOUSLY HANOVER drops and he would be rated higher if he drew better, but he is playable if he goes off close to his morning line quote.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Mohawk Park card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 3: VALEDICTORY: 3 YO COLTS & GELDINGS NW $60,000 LIFETIME AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2023

(7) COME ON ARTIE was a good 2nd to an impressive colt in leg 1 and he gets the call here in a race that will likely come down to a battle between him an (5) WRY. The latter dug in and won an all-out sprint to the wire last week and he is the obvious danger. (1) MUFFERAW JOE will likely take some play based on his sub-26 kicker last week but he is an infrequent winner that I prefer to use underneath. (6) LEAVE IT TO LUTHER should produce another closing effort that gets him a share.

Race 4: 5YO and younger NW2 or $37,750 LT - Pick 4

This is an easier spot for (3) HIGH VOLTAGE DEO, who shows several good efforts at this NW2 level. I’ll give him a slight nod taking into account that he is 2 for 20 so far. (2) ARIZONA JACKSON showed some ability in the Harvest series and this improving colt is worth using on multi-race tickets tonight. (9) FULL HORSE is another that raced well in the Harvest series and he has the speed to overcome the widest post tonight. He is another in with a chance. (4) THE MOMENT AROSE should improve enough in this spot to take a share.

Race 5: NW $15,500 L5 AE: NW6 or $100,000 LT

(1) DONTTOUCHMYTRUCK has been impressive winning three straight and he hasn’t been favored in any. That probably changes here, and he should be tough to beat getting McNair in the bike. (5) JABBERWOCKY gets Roy and last time he drove him he crushed an easier field, but he paced 1:50-flat. He could get brave on the engine here; price look. (3) MAMBA was stuck on the inside until the stretch then he closed well to get within 1 3/4 lengths of the choice. He could threaten here if he gets a better trip. (10) HESINCONTROL was airborne at the wire last week, but he ran out of racetrack. He can sneak into the bottom of the Super if he finds that same kick tonight.

Race 6: NW $21,500 L5 AE: ONT. SIRED 4YO AE: MARES - Pick 5

Interesting race here with the three top mares on the grounds facing males. Of those mares, (1) DABARNDAWGSWATCHIN is sharpest and I’ll give her the nod starting from the inside. (9) THE GREEK FREAK is razor sharp right now and he could get the setup that he needs for his big late kick; price look for the multis. (5) HUNTRESS is another sharp mare that figures to be in the mix in a race with several possible winners. (7) SO MUCH MORE loses J Mac but gets Borth and it’s hard to see her not being part of the exotics.

Race 7: NW $15,000 in 2023

(2) ANGELO raced okay at this level last time but he was too far back. McNair takes over and I’ll take a shot with him in a race with no standout. (5) SIP OF BOURBON is in easier here and he should improve enough to be a threat vs. these; using. (4) HIGHLANDBEACHSBEST is capable of producing big speed on his best day and he qualified well for this. He is another in with a chance. (3) MATTICULOUS GB needs to find more late in his miles. I’ll use him on the bottom here.

Race 8: VALEDICTORY: 3 YO COLTS & GELDINGS NW $60,000 LIFETIME AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2023 - Pick 4

(4) SAULSBROOK IAN jogged twice since shipping west from the Maritimes and he has a good chance to notch the threepeat here. (2) LETS GO JUDE likely needed last week’s start coming back from sickness and he did show some good pace late in the mile. I wouldn’t be shocked if he turned the tables tonight. (1) CALL ME IT will probably sit a trip racing near the front again and stick around for a share. (5) GRITTY can close for a small share in this spot.

Race 9: PREFERRED

(4) TAURASI had a bit of a strange trip last week starting and stopping in a couple of spots, but he did pace right to the wire. He should be sharper here coming back in seven days and I’ll stick with him. (6) LIVINTHEBEACHLIFE produced a big effort last week, setting big splits and holding his rivals at bay. He figures to be the one to catch again. (1) EMMETTS BUDDY is having a great year with 21 top three finishes in 34 starts and he is in the mix again. (3) SAULSBROOK VICTOR steps back up after winning as an overlay and he can close for a small share.

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

Race 10: NW $4,850 L5 or $10,250 L10

The last time (3) BEYOND BETTER raced this low was on September 25th and he jogged in a lifetime-best mark of 1:49 1/5. He is a single for me in this spot. (8) CODENAME CIGAR BOX is the other dropper in here and he should get a more aggressive steer tonight; Exacta factor. (6) INSTANTANEOUS closed well last time now he draws best. He should be part of the Tri. (2) FABRIZIO N is coming back to form but this is no easy spot. I’ll use him on the bottom.

Race 11: 5YO and younger winners of 2 but not more than 4 or $45,000 LT AE: 3YO 4YO 5YO claiming $50,000

(7) ACAPULCO SUNBURN has been good at this level and he should be able to clear to the front by the time he reaches the 1/4 pole here; call to repeat. (3) BOOZER raced well in defeat to the choice and his stretch rally along the pylons fell just short. He figures to be a threat here. (10) KAPTAIN KARLOS jogged now he draws worst but he has been right there in five straight starts at this level and he could provide some value for the late Pick 4. (5) BROOKDALE MIKI raced okay first up vs. the choice and he is in the exotics mix again. (9) WOODMERE FENN is capable of closing for a small share at a price in this spot.