Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Sunday 11/16

Top Pick Stats: 326/939 (-$333.00)

Best Bets: 40/85 ($2.10); Spot Plays: 17/84 (-$48.00)

Best Bet: LAKERS BANK (Race 8)

Spot Play: MYFRIENDJOSE (Race 2)

Early Pick-5: 3,6/1/4,5/5,6/5,7 $3.20

Late Pick-5: 2,6/2,8/7/2,3/4,6 $3.20

Race 1: NW $2,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $9,000 LAST 8 STARTS.AE: N/A $1,060 P/S IN 2025.

(3) UNCLE SHANK A hasn’t gotten anything close to his type of trip in recent starts. I could see J-Mac waking him up with a down the road steer. (6) ITS MAJOR MAJOR A tried to wake up last week but had a tough task from the high draw. Look for him to rebound tonight. (2) SERGEANT SLAUGHTER should get a setup from off the pace, which plays to his grinding ability. He should be heard from late in the mile.

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Race 2: NW $6,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $13,250 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $30,000.

(1) MYFRIENDJOSE can stand out against this bunch when he brings his “A” game. We could see an aggressive steer tonight. (3) ALL GAS NO BRAKES tracked for the entire mile but had to settle for second. A similar trip and result could find him tonight. (7) TACTICAL STRIKE will likely be one of the fastest closers if she works from off the pace. She can work into the race with any trip; I’ll use her underneath.

Race 3: HORSES THAT STARTED FOR A PURSE OF $8,000 OR LESS IN LAST 3 STARTS. (W/O $15,000 LAST 8 STARTS N/E).

(5) HOWMAC CHARMER has been a win machine over the last couple of seasons in PEI. His Canadian and McNair barn debut should see him step forward in a big way. (4) WILCAT ROCKY has stayed sharp since his first win of the season, and was a very good second in last weekend’s blizzard. I expect him to sit close. (9) BEACHIN LINDY has plenty of staying power when grinding into the race and could be heard from late in the mile at a price.

Race 4: NW $9,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $18,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000.

(6) BELLA CAVALLA came up short again when being heavily supported. That came off the claim for a barn that has been taking significant support for months now. Tonight, she races off the claim for another strong barn and got McNair’s nod. She could torch money again, but I’ll take my chances. (5) SID THE KID has been picking up checks as of late but is a Preferred level trotter on his best day. Roy could get a little more out of him. (2) MYRETIREMENTDREAM has hit the board in over half of his starts this year. He should sit close tonight and hit the ticket.

Race 5: CLAIMING HANDICAP $18,000 TO $24,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000.

(7) VERTICAL SQUIRT has had a solid 2025 campaign, and will look to get another win when shipping to Mohawk after two solid starts at Flamboro. The driver change is key. (5) YVC ON THE HORIZON is the other Malik Smith trainee, but both could stand out here. I could see these two controlling the tempo. (6) LETS GET ROCKED didn’t lose by much after setting the pace two starts ago. These top three could easily be the fastest off the car.

Race 6: NW $13,750 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $27,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. AE: NW $115,000 LIFETIME.

(6) PEMBERTON is usually reliant on a setup, but is slowly working his way to a better post which will have him closer to the action. He has not lost any pop since adding Lasix. (2) HANDSOME SEBASTIAN is another who can stand out on his best day. He came up a touch short last time out, but that was after nearly a month off. (8) PASSARINO returns to Mohawk Park where he has had plenty of success in the past. Both of his morning preps were solid; be cautious of him potentially needing a start or two.

Race 7: HORSES & GELDINGS STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $10,000 OR LESS IN LAST 3 STARTS.

(2) P L OZZY gets significant class relief after some upper level tries. He looks as a down the road threat. (8) BATTERUP HANOVER has rattled off three straight wins at Flamboro and hasn’t missed the board in his last six starts. He has enough gate speed to balance out the post draw. (4) WINMEBAK has also won three straight, but in his situation, it was after being claimed. He draws well tonight and should be put in play.

Race 8: NW $1,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $4,500 LAST 8 STARTS (W/O $12,750 LAST 8 STARTS N/E). AE: N/A $700 P/S IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). AE: NW $16,500 IN 2025.

(7) LAKERS BANK gets a significant drop in class tonight. He should be driven like the best horse, and is one who is hard to look past. (10) BUDDYVILLE continues his streak of poor post draws, but showed some life on the end of his mile last week. Roy sticks and could get more out of him in the early stages. (3) ARMOR SEELSTER usually finds his way onto the ticket at the bottom level. I would look for him to take an inside trip and pass a couple of horses late to land in the money.

Race 9: OPEN.

(3) MR BLUEBIRD has been excellent in Pennsylvania as of late, and now debuts for the Jodie Cullen barn. I think this is a deserving shot at Mohawk’s top trotting class; I’ll try the new shooter. (2) USAIN HANOVER bailed out Roy last week after he elected to stay inside. The rail opened up, as it so often does, and he slipped through to win. He is racing like a top level trotter. (4) NEW RULES got a sharp steer from Christoforou last week en route to a win. Doug McNair is back in the bike tonight and could be looking to work out a first over trip.

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Race 10: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 RACES OR $80,000 LIFETIME. AE: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER OPT. CLM. $60,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(6) BRUNO NO NO NO took advantage of a perfect trip last week and looked very strong when edging away to a multiple length win. He can work out a similar trip tonight. (4) RIPASSO continues to grind out checks and usually puts himself in a contending spot when turning for home. Despite a shorter field, he should still get pace to chase. (5) CAPTAIN HURLEY looked very strong last week when closing from well back. He has versatility which can allow him into work into the race with any trip.

Race 11: POP UP SERIES FINAL: FILLIES & MARES CLAIMING $8,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(3) MY ONLY SUNSHINE got a great setup last week in the blizzard conditions and went on to draw away. That style can make her susceptible, but she draws better tonight. I’ll take my chances. (4) STAY PUMPED likes to get away in decent order but doesn’t always have the most on the end of her miles. I can see her working out a decent trip and fighting for second. (5) JUST ONE BITE pulled off the upset win last week and is a mare who has a similar style to the #4. Those two could be battling for spoils at the wire.