Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Sunday 1/25

Top Pick Stats: 41/129 (-$49.60)

Best Bets: 4/11 (-$6.10); Spot Plays: 6/12 ($10.70)

Best Bet: MR BLUEBIRD (Race 9)

Spot Play: HOWYOUPLAY THEGAME (Race 5)

Early Pick-5: 1,4,6/1,4/6,9/4,5,8/8 $7.20

Late Pick-5: 1,4/6,9/2,4/1,4/2,8 $6.40

Race 1: FILLIES & MARES CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $6,000 LAST 4 STARTS. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(6) HOT COE COE was given every chance last week and produced a sharp win. A repeat looms if gate speed is used again. (4) STAY PUMPED hasn’t been forwardly placed lately and I think it has cost her. She can grind into contention. (1) TELLS BELLS doesn’t like to pass horses, but the win two back caught my eye. McNair could get her in a stalking spot.

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Race 2: POP UP SERIES: STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS IN L3 STARTS (W/O $50,000 IN 2025 INELIGIBLE). AE: NW $20,000 IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS) LEG 1.

(1) HAZEE COAST gets a key driver change that could unlock more tonight. He should have enough trip options. (4) TACTICAL SEELSTER has been grinding out decent finishes as of late and finds a group that can produce cheap speed. (3) MACH STEADY is a classy veteran who gets some post relief tonight. He could add value underneath.

Race 3: CLAIMING HANDICAP $18,000 TO $24,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000.

(6) VERTICAL SQUIRT paced a big final quarter off the bench and swept the field. Hard to imagine him not stepping forward after that. (9) SHANES DREAM has the gate speed to overcome the wide draw. He continues to race well. (3) CANT STOP LOU is a decent little horse that I got to know well when he raced in PA. He got a trip around the track last week.

Race 4: CLAIMING HANDICAP $8,000 TO $11,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000.

(4) HES SWIFT comes back in just three days after repeating at Flamboro. He has his quirks, but is racing well right now. (5) NO PLAN INTENDED was caught up in a quick pace last week. Look for him to be forward again with better fractions. (8) ALWAYS B SWEETEST produced a nice off the pace win last week. Similar tactics are likely in store with this draw.

Race 5: POP UP SERIES: STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS IN L3 STARTS (W/O $50,000 IN 2025 INELIGIBLE). AE: NW $20,000 IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS) LEG 1.

(8) HOWYOUPLAY THEGAME was unleashed on the lead two back and romped. A stalking trip could spell trouble for the rest. (2) STONE CARVER got a confidence boosting win last week and finds a similar group tonight. I trust J-Mac to guide him to a good trip. (5) CHASING BISMARCK has returned with some sharp efforts and draws a good post. He has enough gate speed to allow him to hold on for a piece.

Race 6: HORSES & GELDINGS CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $5,000 LAST 4 STARTS. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

I’ll give (1) GLORYVIEW IMAGE another try with a big post switch this week. A stalking trip could see him rebound. (4) TITANIC HANOVER races off the claim after a good third in his Mohawk debut. Basically a must-use on tickets. (9) DARRELL ran away and hid after a sharp middle move. He will have to navigate the high draw, but he has versatility.

Race 7: POP UP SERIES: STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS IN L3 STARTS (W/O $50,000 IN 2025 INELIGIBLE). AE: NW $20,000 IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS) LEG 1.

(9) BEACH TOUR gets a key driver change which could see him be activated from the high draw. He should be tighter this week after racing from off the pace. (6) OUTLAWGRANDETORINO was a strong second last week after making two moves. Galliers deserves some praise for his start to the year. (2) PUNCHESINBUNCHES clearly needed some time off. He has come back with two sharp efforts including last week’s wire-to-wire win.

Race 8: HORSES & GELDINGS CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $5,000 LAST 4 STARTS. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(4) JINGLE INMY POCKET has already shown his ability at this level. I expect him to be forwardly placed and post a good showing. No chance he goes off at 8-1. (2) THE COLT had the unenviable task of racing first over. He ended up towing the eventual winner right into contention. A different scenario from off the pace could see him get up in the late stages. (6) ST LADS BEAT IT has plenty of staying power at these lower class levels. He seems overdue for a win.

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Race 9: OPEN.

Plenty of questions surround this week’s top level trot. (4) MR BLUEBIRD really should have gone by after a trip like that, but had to settle for second. Will he get a perfect setup again? And if he does, will he go by this time? (1) SID THE KID answered the call last week, albeit nobody really bothered to challenge him until the stretch. His win from two starts ago practically fell into his lap. (5) USAIN HANOVER broke when the gate was rolling last week and ended up being a pari-mutuel refund. He gets his regular pilot back, but how can you trust the horse now?

Race 10: NW $1,250 LAST 4 OR NW $6,750 LAST 8 STARTS (W/O $8,500 LAST 8 STARTS N/E). AE: N/A $700 P/S IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS).

(8) CENTURY INSPECTOR went on a speed mission last week but had to settle for third. Similar tactics seem likely tonight. (2) TORONTO capitalized on some early battling and got the job done from off the pace. Another well positioned trip could see him get another big piece. (5) ABOVEMYPAYGRADE was better last week with J-Mac in the bike. The post relief makes him logical.