Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Sunday 5/24

Top Pick Stats: 253/813 (-$349.10)

Best Bets: 30/74 (-$25.90); Spot Plays: 18/76 (-$48.90)

Best Bet: RBSTENACIOUS T (Race 10)

Spot Play: VICTOR INVICTUS (Race 4)

Early Pick-5: 4/1,4/4,6/2,5/4,9 $3.20

Late Pick-5: 8/6,7,9/8/2,3,5/4,6 $3.60

Race 1: NW $9,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $18,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: NW $45,000 IN 2026 (MIN 10 STARTS).

(4) GAINES HANOVER should take tons of support due to a steep drop in class. He is clearly improving with each start and draws well. (8) DISTANCE LEARNING got back to his winning ways last week with his preferred trip. Look for him to leave out and settle up close. (5) ROYALTY BEER was scratched last week after a sharp front-end score. This draw should give him options.

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Race 2: CLAIMING HANDICAP $30,000 TO $40,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000.

(4) SOMETIME SOMEWHERE took plenty of air last week when making multiple moves. He shouldn’t have to be used as hard in the early stages, allowing for a sustained outside bid. (1) WANNABEABIGSTAR was a sharp second last week, mainly helped because of his typical final quarter kick. He should fit just fine at this level. (7) JJ XAVIER got a setup last week, but at least he took advantage and got the job done, which he had been failing to do previously. I still don’t quite buy this form cycle.

Race 3: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GOLD LEG 1. 3 YEAR OLD TROTTING FILLIES. STARTING FEE $900 CDN ($700 USD).

(6) BLUE JEAN GAL stamped herself as a major player in the provincial program last week and now draws a post that gives her plenty of trip options. (4) TH TRIX R FORKIDS gets a deserving shot at the Gold level off the strength of both efforts this season. She should fit here, especially with another step forward. (2) CHER HILL made an extended move to get to the lead, but faded in the stretch. I would expect her to try and leave again.

Race 4: NW $2,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $5,000 LAST 8 STARTS. (W/O $17,000 LAST 8 STARTS N/E). AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000. AE: NW $45,000 IN 2025-2026.

(2) VICTOR INVICTUS gets my nod in a race that looks way too logical on paper. The middle of the gate appears to have the likely leavers, so a little nudge in the first eighth could allow him to work out a grinding trip, which is fine for him. (5) COVER BAND is logical on the drop in class, but he is a type that doesn’t usually fire out, even in a situation like this. That can leave him susceptible if he isn’t at his best. (6) MISTER MAGIC continues to post quality efforts in a row and is getting to the point where he deserves some more recognition given his age. He draws perfectly for another forward trip.

Race 5: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GOLD LEG 1. 3 YEAR OLD TROTTING COLTS & GELDINGS. STARTING FEE $900 CDN ($700 USD).

(4) MIKE ME UP looms as an upset threat if he can step forward again. His main rivals are lined up on the far outside, which could set him up perfectly when it matters most. (9) STROBE LITE was always going to be tough in the SBOA Final given his tightener to kick off his season. He could easily step forward again and cruise by multiple lengths. (5) DREAM FOR PEACE might wind up with the best trip in the race if he is fired off the car again. Stalking from up close has favored him in the past.

Race 6: CLAIMING HANDICAP $12,000 TO $16,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000.

(8) BETTOR B GOING was a complete runaway last week and won by two touchdowns. It looked like he won by a football field, at the very least. Is it repeatable? I have no idea. These claimers can be extremely volatile from week to week. (3) ULYSSES, just like everyone else, was left chasing Bettor B Going. He managed to snag a piece of it though. The hope is that he uses enough gate speed to sit a similar trip. I’m interested in how (9) FOREFATHER does off the claim, but he’s going to be racing from last again. He can pace home extremely fast, but can also be a handful.

Race 7: NW $6,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $12,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: NW $34,000 IN 2026 (MIN 10 STARTS) AE: OPT. CLM. $30,000.

(6) MYFRIENDJOSE gets away from the rail and reunites with a driver who usually handles him aggressively. Given those positives, I think he will post a winning effort tonight. (7) TACTICAL STRIKE got a week off after looking like she wanted to grab a hot dog with the fans in her latest. She bore out badly and was in about the nine path at the wire, but still somehow hit the board. She is a versatile type that should be in the mix if she’s right. (9) DJIMON was an underlay again last week, but I respect his dominant win. I don’t know if Cullen will try to purely bottom them out again, but it wouldn’t hurt his chances if he blasted off the car.

Race 8: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GOLD LEG 1. 3 YEAR OLD TROTTING FILLIES. STARTING FEE $900 CDN ($700 USD).

(8) FLOWING TRIBUTE not having two races under her belt adds some level of uncertainty, but this is a group she really should beat. I like that she comes right back this week, meaning the sickness was minimal, or at the very least has passed. (4) MY GHOST has really taken a step forward so far this season, and last week’s second place finish showcased her versatility. I would expect her to leave out this week and get a big piece. (3) CUPID HALL comes into this race with questions given last week’s early miscue. She has been a filly that has been on the cusp in the past, but I think she has to settle for an underneath spot tonight.

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Race 9: NW $6,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $12,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: NW $34,000 IN 2026 (MIN 10 STARTS). AE: OPT. CLM. $30,000.

(2) PASSARINO just missed in his latest in what seemed like a successful drop and pop until the very end. I would expect similar tactics with his recent familiar pilot. (5) CRYSTAL BALLER got late pulled on in his latest, and that stymied any kind of momentum he potentially had. It wouldn’t surprise me if he left out this week. (3) PESO HANOVER appears to be falling out of form, but didn’t get a fair shot last week after making an early miscue. I still think he can provide value at a big number.

Race 10: NW $2,650 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $5,500 LAST 8 STARTS.

(4) RBSTENACIOUS T was never going to win from a dozen lengths off the pace but showed more pop than even I thought he would. I’ll try again, knowing the post relief will have him settled in a much better spot. (6) FRANCO SANTANA N deserves a look considering the class relief. He is another who can be extremely fast when he is on his game. I wouldn’t overlook him in this spot. (7) STORM SHADOW could make a big jump in his second start back if positioned properly. It won’t happen if he takes back again. We know how fast and classy he can be when he is right.