Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Saturday 8/17

Top Pick Stats: 433 - 1253 / $2,384.80 (-$121.20)

Best Bets: 61 - 117 / $193.40 (-$40.60)

Spot Plays: 29 - 114 / $280.30 (+$52.30)

Best Bet: NORDIC CATCHER S (10TH)

Spot Play: CUPID SHUFFLE (2ND)

Early Pick 5: 3,5/4,8/1,2,6/4,5,8/3,5 = $14.40

Late Pick 5: 3,4,8/4,6/7,8/6/2 = $2.40

Early Pick 4: 4,5,8/3,5/3,4,8/4,6 = $7.20

Late Pick 4: 3,6/2/1,6,7,8/1,6,10 = $4.80

Race 1: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 3. 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES**Gtd. $100,000 Pick 5**

(3) MANHATTAN MAYHEM was right there in the Battle Of The Belles in a game effort and she looks best vs. these Grassrooters; top call in the opener. (5) TRICKY WICKY is 2 for 2 in Grassroots races and I don’t mind that she trailed Gold filly Chantilly in her August 10th qualifier. She is the other one that I’ll use in the early Pick 5. (2) STONE SAWYER is developing a good late kick, and she can close for a share in this spot. (1) FUNNY BUSINESS will likely sit and rally for a small share in this spot.

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Race 2: 5YO and younger NW3 or $60,000 LT AE: 4YO NW1 in L10

(4) CUPID SHUFFLE chased Chain Gang home last week now he returns in seven days and there are no Chain Gangs in here. He gets the nod starting from a good post. (8) CENTURY KOMODO has been racing great since mid June and he figures to be the one to chase down when they turn for home; using. (6) REIGN SUPREME hasn’t won yet this year but he has finished in the Super in 10 of his 12 starts and he should be in the exotics mix again. (9) ALWAYS A THRILL is racing well but I don’t love the 9-hole for him in this spot. I’ll use him on the bottom.

Race 3: PEACEFUL WAY ELIMINATION: 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES

(6) LASTING DREAM upset a 1 to 9 favorite in a strong effort last week and she gets top billing here. (2) MONALISHI has been terrific in her last three starts, all wins, and she is the one to fear here. (1) R CHARM had no shot from post 10 in the NJSS Final in her last start. She can be a late threat here and is worth a look for the Pick 5. (7) ROYAL MISSION has done nothing wrong so far, but she will need to drop a couple of seconds here from her fastest time to win; small share predicted.

Race 4: NW $14,000 L5 or $27,000 L10 AE: NW $165,000 LT - Pick 4

(5) PACINO HANOVER shipped north and absolutely jogged in his first start for Team Cullen, pacing a big third 1/4 to get into contention, then blowing past dueling leaders. That was a sharp effort and I’ll side with him here in a spot where he should offer a good price. (4) MR IBIZA N takes a big drop, but he has had gait issues recently. He could jog here, but I can’t take a short win price on him. (8) COMMAND took a mark of 1:47 4/5 less than a year ago and he is certainly fast enough to go with these. He is another possibility for early multi-race tickets. (7) MAPPOS LION had no chance trying to close into a 54-flat back 1/2 in a 1:49 mile last week. He is sharp and worth a look for the exotics here.

Race 5: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 3. 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES

(3) DEE gets off the rail tonight so she should be able to avoid a first-over trip. She should offer value as some that bet her down last week will jump off now. (5) ONEFORMYBABY will take a lot of play here after getting beat only 3/4 of a length in the Battle Of The Belles and she will likely be the one to catch in this spot. She’s hard to leave off early multi-res tickets. (7) MCSWEETIE was handled more aggressively in her second start, and it paid off with a maiden win. She is in the mix here, but I prefer to use her underneath. (6) WICKED CRUIZER got a needed clean line and took a share last time. She should pass some of these and round out the Tri or Super.

Race 6: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 3. 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES - Pick 5

(8) PICK ME UP HANOVER ships north from New York with a perfect 3 for 3 record and she has dropped time in each start. She fits well in this Grassroots field, and she gets the nod. (3) SADDLEBAGS is already a Grassroots winner, and she should go better here exiting the Battle Of The Belles. She will be on my muti-race tickets. (4) WICKED CRAVING motored late in her debut and that should set her up perfectly for this initial Grassroots start. Like the choice, she needs to get points fast being this is the third leg of the series. She is another possibility for Pick 4 and Pick 5 tickets. (5) SUGAR PIE HONEY was much better in her second start, and she should be in the exotics mix here.

Race 7: PEACEFUL WAY ELIMINATION: 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES

(6) CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS dominated in the slop on Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands, and she will likely hold a tactical edge on her main rival (4) SOUTHWIND MILK. Edge goes to the former, but the latter is capable if she gets put into the race earlier this week. (3) MARGARETA HANOVER was a game winner over a sloppy track in her last start and she will probably fly under the radar here. She should be part of the Tri. (2) MEDLEY SEELSTER is a good Ontario-bred that should sit a nice trip here and land in the exotics.

Race 8: WILLIAM WELLWOOD ELIMINATION: 2 YEAR OLD OPEN

(7) TACTICAL DYNASTY trotted his final 3/4 in 1:24-flat after breaking before the start of the NJJS Final and he will be tough to beat here if he stays flat. (8) EXTENDED SESSION ran at the start of the Millard Farms Final as the 2 to 5 favorite, but he was racing great coming up to that race. He could threaten the choice here if he behaves. (4) MARYLAND comes in off a strong closing effort in the slop and his big late kick should get him a share here. (1) LOOKATMEGOAMIGO is another strong closer that should be an exotics player in this spot.

Race 9: PREFERRED - Pick 4

(6) OAKWOOD ARDAN IR was a very impressive first up winner on Hambletonian day and he is clearly the one to beat here; top call. (3) TAURASI looked like the best version of himself again last week, but I don’t see the choice gifting him a 1:24-flat 3/4 here; Exacta factor. (1) JABBERWOCKY hasn’t missed the Exacta in several weeks, but that streak will likely end here. He will likely sit a trip and round out a chalky Tri. (4) WHATCHULOOKIN AT takes a big class jump here but he couldn’t be any sharper. I can see him closing to take a share.

Race 10: WILLIAM WELLWOOD ELIMINATION: 2 YEAR OLD OPEN

(2) NORDIC CATCHER S crushed his foes in the NJSS Final despite having to circle dead cover on the final turn and I can’t find a way to beat him here. (5) EMOTICON LEGACY tripped out and jogged in his debut, but he will have his hands full with the choice here who has a recency edge and is likely just faster; using underneath. (1) CIVILIAN DRONE is a Takter trainee that has shown some talent. He should get a good piece of this if he stays flat. (6) YOU GOT IT KEMP has done nothing wrong so far, but this is a tougher spot. I see him getting a small slice tonight.

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Race 11: NW $9,995 L5 or $15,500 L10 AE: OPT CLM $50,000 AE: Starters for a purse of $11,000 or less L5

(1) HAIL CHRISTIAN N comes in off two good tries, and he has Dunn listed to drive here; top call. (7) BOSTON BOUND was given an easy trip last start from the widest post after missing a week and he draws better tonight. I think he gets more aggressive here and he is in with a chance at a price. (8) ORDER ONE TO GO flies home every week and he only needs to get a reasonable trip to contend for the win here. (6) TREACHEROUS TOM has a similar profile as the choice, and he moves from the worst post to the best one here. He is another that should get sent forward leaving the gate; using.

Race 12: 5YO and younger NW2 or $31,500 LT

(6) BET ON SUNSHINE was motoring when the wire hit last week, and he faces some rivals here that might be in to stay tight between sires stakes starts. I’ll take a price swing with him. (10) THE VICAR is likely the best one in here, but he gets mired in the 10-hole after drawing inside for several weeks in a row. Let price be your guide here. (1) LAKERS BANK just took a new life’s mark and he is an obvious threat starting from the inside. (3) WALLACE HARTLEY rarely misses the board, and he typically gets a good trip. He is in the exotics mix. (5) MCPLEASANT is another that takes frequent shares that should take at least a check in this spot.