Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Saturday 8/15

Meet Stats: 142-481/ $743.10 (-$218.90)

Best Bets: 23-44/ $72.60 (-$15.40)

Spot Plays: 10-45 / $71.20 (-$18.80)

Best Bet: SPORTS COLUMN (11TH)

Spot Play: ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR (4TH)

Early Pick 5: 6,7/3,6,9/1,3,6/2,8/1,6,10 = $21.60

Late Pick 5: 2,4/1,5,10/1,3/5,6/5,6,7 = $14.40

Early Pick 4: 2,8/1,6,10/2,4/1,5,10 = $36

Late Pick 4: 1,3/5,6/5,6,7/3 = $12

Race 1: NW $8,000 L5 or $16,600 L9 **GTD $75,000 Pick 5**

(7) GHOST DANCE’s third start back was his best by far now he gets to drop one level. I expect a more aggressive try here; top call in the opener. (6) THOR DE VIE took his lifetime mark of 1:50 flat here last year and he seems to fit well returning from Buffalo; using. (2) DREAMFAIR MOXY never got involved from the 10-hole last week, but I can see him getting a better trip here and making it into the Tri at a price. (10) TREMENDOUS PLAY is another who could sit a trip and emerge late to take a small slice.

Race 2: NW $5,000 L5 or $12,600 L10

(3) PINK PISTOL looked a winner until the last few strides last week and she continues to race well. She gets the nod here. (6) KNIGHT ANGEL got pounded very late in the betting then blew up at the start. If he stays flat here, he can make amends with a better result; using. (9) DUNBAR HALL drops again; speed blast coming? (5) MUSICAL SPELL is a good one to use on the bottom of Tris and Supers as he frequently works out good trips and comes on late for shares, usually at a big price.

Race 3: FILLIES and MARES PREFERRED

(6) PHILLY HANOVER raced against some monsters her past couple of starts down south and she should be tough in here. (1) BOADICEA also faces easier and she has many wins over this track in the past two years; using. (3) SO MUCH MORE is in peak form again and she could trip out here racing close to the lead. She's on my multi-race tickets. (4) SUNNY DEE hasn't missed the Super in her past five starts and she should be in the mix again here.

Race 4: NW $8,000 L5 or $16,600 L9 AE NW $1,100 L3 - Pick 4

(8) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR gets first-time Jamieson and a class drop here. A coast-to-coast win would be no surprise. (2) FOOT SOLDIER simply had too long of a trip last week now he gets major post relief and he is the one to fend off late. (5) MAJOR HILL drops, and he should be closer here, but I prefer to use him underneath in this spot. (9) AMERICAN VIRGIN fits at this level, but from out there he is another who is likely best used underneath.

Race 5: F&M NW $10,000 L5 or $20,000 L10 AE: OPT CLM $25,000

(6) TAJMEALLOVER had too far to come last week after starting from the second tier. She should start quicker here, and she figures to get the setup she needs; call to upset. (1) KLOOF STREET moves up off a sharp win and she should be tough right back; using. (10) SWIFT ALLY faces easier here and she gets to drop a level. She could do if she can work out a trip from the 10-hole. (4) OUTLAW IMAHOTVIXEN is another class dropper who should pass come of these late and land in the Super.

Race 6: NW3 (F&M5) or $40,000 (F&M $50,000) LT AE 4YO wo are NW $5K in 2020 - Pick 5

(4) DELILAH SEELSTER just recorded a new life's mark in this class last week and she should be tough to beat here considering how sharp she is currently. (2) COMBS HANOVER wasn’t far behind the choice and he looks like the main danger. (6) KNOPFLER seems better when he deploys a closing strategy and I look for him to pass horses and hit the board here. (7) KUIL DEVA rarely threatens to win, but she also never misses the top four so use her in the Tri and Super.

Race 7: NW $16,000 L5 or $26,000 L10 or NW $120,000 LT AE: OPT CLM $45,000

(10) BEST IN SHOW requalified well after breaking and squandering a win last time. He looks like he will get a strong early pace to chase and he gets the nod. (5) NICKLE BAG is always right there when he races at this level and he has some options here leaving from the middle of the gate; using. (1) ROCKIN IN HEAVEN is another stalking type who should get a good trip here and he is capable at this level; using. (3) GENERAL JOY A just took a new life's mark, but he is almost sure to get pushed early here and I won't take a short price.

Race 8: 5YO and Younger NW3 or $65,000 LT – Pick 4

(1) WARRAWEE VITAL looks ready to pace in 1:50 and that would win this race, I believe; top call. (3) MONEYMAN HILL just raced against the best 3YO colt on the continent, so he has to move up vs. these. He's on my multi-race tickets. (4) TEAM BEST is another who should improve sharply back in a conditioned race and he should at least hit the board. (2) RAYS CREDIT regularly outraces his odds. He could spice up this Super payoff by taking a slice at a big price.

Race 9: NW $3,000 L5 or $7,000 L10

(5) MARQUIS VOLO was double entered in this class before he won Tuesday night and he gets the call to repeat. (6) MANOFMANYIMAGES drops to the bottom and a Henry speed blast is likely here. He should be the main danger. (2) GREAT MAGIC, third to the choice in that race, also comes back quick at the same level and he is another one to consider for the late multi-race tickets. (7) CINDY LYNN dropped, popped and stopped last week now she drops again. I'll use her on the bottom here.

Race 10: NW $24,500 L5 or $30,000 L10 AE: OPT CLM $55,000 or NW of a Race in 2020

(5) THE DOWNTOWN BUS makes his fourth start back, gets his nose on the gate and he faces easier. It’s go time. (6) PRETTY HANDSOME comes off two stellar efforts including taking a new life's mark here last week. He should be the one to fend off late. (7) SPORTSLINE should be blasting early and he can get a good trip in this short field; using. (1) IWONTDOTHATAGAIN should sit another nice stalking trip and come on late to round out the Tri or Super.

Race 11: NW $11,700 L5 or $22,000 L10 or NW8 LT AE: OPT CLM $30,000

(3) SPORTS COLUMN gets to take a big drop here and he should be the boss from the outset. (6) POINTS NORTH always produces a good late kick at this level, and he should be an Exacta factor here. (5) PLAY JET RAY is typically in the mix when he races in this class and he should get put into this race earlier. He has upset potential. (2) MONGOLIAN HERO N should get a good spot near the front early and he can hang around to take a good share. (4) SO MUCH BETTOR exits some fast miles. Expect improvement in this spot.