Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Saturday 9/2

Top Pick Stats: 389 - 1186 / $1,993.20 (-$378.80)

Best Bets: 62 - 111 / $219.40 (-$2.60)

Spot Plays: 20 - 111 / $120.60 (-$101.40)

Best Bet: BYTHEMISSAL (10TH)

Spot Play: GAINES HANOVER (9TH)

Early Pick 5: 1,2,4,5,8/2,6/2/2,3,5/4,5,6,7 = $24

Late Pick 5: 2,5/7/2,6,7/7,8,9,10/6 = $4.80

Early Pick 4: 2,3,5/4,5,6,7/2,5/7 = $4.80

Late Pick 4: 7,8,9,10/6/1,2,3/3,5 = $4.80

Race 1: NW $23,500 L5 **Gtd. $100,000 Pick 5**

(4) EMMETTS BUDDY took a new life's mark last week and he should get another good setup here. The jump in class ensures he will offer another square price; call to repeat. (8) AMERICAN HISTORY returns from the east coast and there are no killers like Covered Bridges or Funatthebeach N in here. He should contend despite drawing widest. (5) CADILLAC BAYAMA gets McNair here coming off a failed first-over try. He will probably get more aggressive, and he is another in with a shot. (1) UNCLE SHANK N is another dropped but I don't love the rail post for him with other quick leavers signed on. I'll use him underneath.

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Race 2: Winners of 4 but not more than 6 or $80,000 LT AE: 4YO and 5YO to be claimed for $60,000

(6) SOUTHSIDE EDDY was first-up trying to close into a 26-flat kicker last week and that was mission impossible. He should be tough in here. (2) MATAI LOUIS N finished just behind the choice, and he can be a speed threat in this spot; using. (5) ACAPULCO SUNBURN can improve enough to get a share in this second start back following a vet scratch. (3) P L OCTAVIUS steps up off a nice win and he is sharp enough to contend for a share despite facing tougher.

Race 3: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GOLD LEG 4: 2YO PACING COLTS & GELDINGS

(2) MIRAGE HANOVER will be a huge favorite here facing sires stakes colts coming off a Grand Circuit win and he is the obvious one to beat. (1) ALWAYS A THRILL was a good 3rd behind the choice, and he can complete a chalky Exacta tonight. (7) NIJINSKY shows two matching 25 4/5 kickers and he can close for a share here. (3) CRUSH KILL DESTROY keeps Dunn in the bike and he should be in the exotics mix tonight.

Race 4: SIMCOE: 3 YO FILLIES - Pick 4

(5) RIGHTEOUS RESOLVE was better last week but she came up against a filly that was taking a ninth straight win. She can get back on track here. (2) CLIMB THE POLE beat the choice two starts back and fired right back with a Grand Circuit win. Jamieson has been a perfect partner for her, and she will be heard from late again. (3) HP EXTRA ICE was better last week now she gets Gingras in the bike; upset chance. (1) BARONESS HILL is always around the money, and she should be part of the Tri or Super again.

Race 5: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GOLD LEG 4: 2YO PACING FILLIES

Good betting race here with a few options. I'll side with (5) IT’S A LOVE THING who followed a monster home last week in Grand Circuit action and should offer a decent price tonight. (6) PASS LINE has done nothing wrong all year and she gets Gingras tonight with Macdonald sticking with the choice. She's hard to leave off multi-race tickets. (7) RESILIENCE took a new life's mark and showed some grit racing in the slop, and she is another in with a shot. (4) ODDS ON PLATINUM is right there every week. She should be in the Tri or Super again.

Race 6: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GOLD LEG 4: 2 YO PACING COLTS & GELDINGS - Pick 5

(5) TOTAL STRANGER gets to avoid Mirage Hanover here, but he meets up with rapidly improving (2) FUNTIME BAYAMA who won comfortably last week despite running in down the lane. This should be a good tilt and the choice should offer more value. (4) DO BETTER has done nothing wrong all year but he hasn't been able to go with Funtime Bayama the last two starts. A slice is likely here. Unbeaten (8) CHAIN GANG steps into the deep end here and he will likely find a couple of these too tough; using on the bottom.

Race 7: FREE FOR ALL

(7) TAURASI missed the Pacing Derby final, and he gets a better post here. He should go better tonight, and his wicked late speed should play vs. these; top call. (8) WARRAWEE VITAL probably blasts here and leads for as long as he can. He might take these on a merry chase; using. (9) COVERED BRIDGE couldn't be going much better right now but he draws wide, and he seems to be better racing on smaller tracks. He could be an underlay in this spot, but he is obviously capable. (3) CARBINE’s speed always makes him a threat, but these are tougher. He will likely land a small share in this spot.

Race 8: MAPLE LEAF TROT FINAL: 3 YO & OLDER

(2) ALRAJAH ONE IT has shown in the past that he is clearly the best in this division when he’s at his best. He might need one coming back from an injury, but I think his price tonight will make him worth the risk and I'll climb aboard. (6) ITS ACADEMIC is having an outstanding season and he has shown he can win from anywhere. He is the one to knock off starting from the best post. (7) VENERATE raced great in defeat in the Cashman and we know he likes it here, having won the Mohawk Million in 2020. He is a threat in a great field. Local star (5) FASHION FRENZIE is a tough customer, but he might be in a little deep here. I'll use him on the bottom.

Race 9: SIMCOE: 3 YEAR OLD OPEN - Pick 4

(8) GAINES HANOVER was passively driven prepping for this Grand Circuit race, and he powered home in 26-flat which should set him up perfectly. It's go time now. (10) WINNERS BET fell into a perfect trip in the Hambo and he had no pop which makes me think being off Lasix had an effect on his performance. He gets that medication back now and he should be a big threat despite drawing widest. (7) OSCEOLA jogged over Gold rivals and he could provide some value for the multis here with his 8 to 1 morning line; using. (9) GHOSTLY CASPER gets Gingras here which likely means a much more aggressive steer is coming. He is another in with a shot in a good betting race.

Race 10: CANADIAN PACING DERBY FINAL: 3 YEAR OLDS & OLDER

(6) BYTHEMISSAL, who won his elimination under a Gingras death grip in 1:47 3/5 and he has looked like the best aged pacer on the continent in every start since he returned from a spell as a result of sickness. That domination should continue here. (4) TATTOO ARTIST produced a huge late kick for a hot barn last week, but the leader might be long gone when he makes his move tonight; Exacta factor. (9) LINEDRIVE HANOVER looked gone last week then he got nailed by a flying Tattoo Artist. He's in the exotics mix here. (8) LOUS PEARLMAN can close for another slice at a price.

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Race 11: NW $14,000 L5 or $27,500 L10 AE: OPT CLM $65,000 AE: Ont. Sired 4YO who are NW 8 or $140,000 LT

(1) LAWLESS SHADOW takes a big class plunge tonight and he will likely look to control this race from the outset; top call. (2) COMMANDING OFFICER was an easy winner last time he raced at this level and drew inside, and he could trip out racing close to the front, then pounce late; using. (3) NO FREE LUNCH should improve by default moving off the 10-hole, but he will likely find the top two choices too tough. I'll use him underneath. (8) RON should fly late and land in the exotics.

Race 12: NW $8,800 L5 AE: OPT CLM $45,000

Class plungers (3) HIGHLANDBEACHLOVER and (5) CENTURY HEINEKEN should dominate this race. I foresee the former landing in the latter's pocket then vaulting past him in the lane. (2) NAUTICAL HANOVER raced okay in defeat last week and Macdonald sticks with him, but he will likely find one or both of the top choices too tough; using underneath. (9) ROCK AND TWIST races for Auciello off the claim in good form and he is worth a look for the exotics at a price. (6) HP MOMENTUM can close for a small share here.