Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Sunday 3/8

Top Pick Stats: 105/369 (-$184.50)

Best Bets: 12/33 (-$20.70); Spot Plays: 11/35 (-$4.40)

Best Bet: TELLIT RUSS TELLIT (Race 7)

Spot Play: WHITE TIGER (Race 6)

Early Pick-5: 6,8/1,3/5,8,10/2,3/6,9 $9.60

Late Pick-5: 1,4/1,4/6,7/3,4/3,7,8 $9.60

Race 1: NW $12,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $24,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: NW 10 RACES LIFETIME. AE: NW $32,500 IN 2026 (MIN 5 STARTS).

(6) R PEAKY BLINDERS has had a bit of hard luck when it comes to trips in the Open. He was losing ground in the final 20 strides last week, but that doesn’t concern me. I would look for aggression and a drop and pop. (8) WAYS AND MEANS should take more support tonight in his second start back. McNair getting the call already says a lot in my opinion. (2) VERACRUZ was hard to see in the pan shot because he was so wide, but he was moving well in the late stages. A similar cover trip can see him hit the ticket.

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Race 2: OPEN.

(1) SAFE CONDUCT was mired at the back last week in what became a final quarter sprint, which to be fair, most Opens are these days. I would look for him to rebound this week. (3) DEVILS ARCH may have made a new home in the Open. His two starts at the top level have been just as good as anyone else in here. Roy gets a lot of gate speed out of him. (4) HASTY BID nailed Mr Bluebird last week after a pocket trip. He can be a bit tricky to read from week to week, but draws well and should get a piece.

Race 3: **INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY** HORSES & GELDINGS CLAIMING $8,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(3) YVC ON THE HORIZON has been saddled with trips from well off the pace, but now gets a sharp drop in class and draws well. (5) THE COLT tried different tactics last week and raced well at this level. He is another who draws well and should have plenty of options off the car. (10) EARLY PLAY had some sneaky pace last week, but now has to navigate the high draw. Multiple moves will need to be made.

Race 4: NW $9,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $18,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. AE: NW 7 RACES OR $95,000 LIFETIME.

(3) WILLYS HOME RUN makes her return to action after a couple of morning preps. She had started to tail off at the end of last season; I think the time off did the millionaire some good. (2) COVER BAND gets the nod from J-Mac in what is his first start on Lasix. He is better when away from the rail, but I’ll count on J-Mac getting him in the right spot. (8) MYFRIENDJOSE was looking to make a second move, but hooked wheels with Ritchie Rich and was taken out of contention. I would expect him to rebound here.

Race 5: POP UP SERIES FINAL: H&G STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS IN 2026 (W/O $50,000 IN 2025 N/E). AE: N/A $1,000 P/S IN 2026 (MIN 5 STARTS).

(6) CHEDDAR BAY produced a nice rally to get the job done last week, and he should be able to find some live cover if the cheap speed types leave out. (9) PUNCHESINBUNCHES has been right in the mix nearly every week in the Pop-Up ranks, and his price should be a touch higher because of his outside draw. He is a versatile horse. (1) THE WRITER enjoyed his first foray in the Pop-Up Series. He swooped from eighth at the half and was able to get the job done. I’ll use him underneath in a potentially wide open final.

Race 6: NW $6,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $14,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $30,000.

(1) WHITE TIGER takes another drop in class and really should wake up here. He doesn’t quite have enough pop to stick with the upper echelon, but fits well here. (4) MY BUDDY SAM had to settle for third after leading for a majority of the mile. He draws well again and should be in the mix. (9) CRYSTAL BALLER spoiled his chances after making an early miscue. He may be used a bit too hard from the high draw if forwardly placed, but I think he can hold on for a piece.

Race 7: HORSES & GELDINGS CLAIMING $8,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(1) TELLIT RUSS TELLIT was an easy winner last week when dropping to this level. He is the obvious horse to beat in this spot. (4) IMA RUM RUNNER made a decent enough rally last week which showed signs of progress. If he steps forward tonight, I can see him making a big impact. (6) HES SWIFT continues to be tricky to read from week to week. He was better last week in the conditioned claimer, and his gate speed is likely to have him in a good spot.

Race 8: NW $1,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $4,850 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: NW $35,000 IN 2025-2026.

(6) SOUTHWIND SAMBUCCA gets another shot at the bottom level after making a miscue in his latest. He showed good pace on the end of his previous two miles, and I think Roy will have him in a winning spot. (7) STORMALONG might need one for the new barn, but he should be tight enough after just one morning prep. This field isn’t much. (3) CRAZY WORLD gets to take a couple steps down the class ladder and got the nod from J-Mac over another rival. He will need to show more though.

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Race 9: FILLIES & MARES CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $7,000 LAST 4 STARTS. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(3) PRETTY MISSY MAY made a successful second move last week and won by nearly three lengths. She has in good form right now and should give these claimers another strong effort. (4) HOT COE COE draws much better tonight after what was mainly a trip around the track. Her gate speed is what makes her a threat, and I think it will be used. (8) JOB HUNTER missed a check at Flamboro the other day, and now has to navigate the high draw. She has been burning a fair amount of money in recent weeks.

Race 10: POP UP SERIES CONSOLATION: H&G STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS IN 2026 (W/O $50,000 IN 2025 N/E). AE: N/A $1,000 P/S IN 2026 (MIN 5 STARTS).

(8) THAI TOUR went a huge mile last week when taking a ton of air on the outside. If that effort didn’t take too much out of him, he should be a strong contender in tonight’s finale. (3) SAULSBROOK IAN had to make multiple moves in what turned out to be a quick race. Thiessen might look to work from further off the pace this week. (7) DELIGHTFUL LEADER is another horse I liked throughout the Pop-Up Series, and I thought he battled gamely to only lose by a length. It wouldn’t surprise me if he worked out a winning trip.