Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Sunday 8/23/26

Top Pick Stats: 460/1455 (-$752.60)

Best Bets: 56/131 (-$46.00); Spot Plays: 29/134 (-$91.70)

Best Bet: MIKE ME UP (Race 10)

Spot Play: P L ROBERT G (Race 6)

Early Pick-5: 6,8/2,6/7,8/3,8/3,7 $6.40

Late Pick-5: 8/1,3,9/4,6,9/1,4/5 $3.60

Race 1: 2 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS: NW 1 RACE OR $10,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(8) TUFF GONG drops back to the maiden ranks and avoids two stakes-caliber colts this time. (6) SUMMIT BID is a colt who I feel is progressing and could show us more if gate speed is applied. (9) KING OF THE SOUTH tends to sustain his grinding moves to get him into contention. Can’t win it from last, however.

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Race 2: NW $12,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $29,500 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: MARES.

(2) STORMONT BEAUTIFUL finally finds a field that isn’t likely able to bottom her out with early speed. Plenty of these could provide reasonable cover. (6) TACTICAL STRIKE had no business pulling first over against Osceola but that rival isn’t here. This is a good middle ground for a mare previously at her career best. (7) RIGHT HERE HANOVER parlayed a first over move into his first win of the season. Look for him to continue his strong form.

Race 3: NW $1,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $9,550 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: N/A $700 P/S IN 2026. AE: OPT. CLM. $12,500.

(7) CONTROL THE POWER has had trouble finishing miles in the past but could pace this bottom level group right off their feet. (8) BELMONT BLAZER should be better against this level of claimers. He comes off a nice win at Georgian. (3) TIME TO DANCING has been left chasing in recent starts but his last Mohawk effort wasn’t bad. He could suck along for a piece.

Race 4: NW $6,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $13,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $30,000. AE: N/A $2,235 P/S IN 2026.

(8) FAITH STEP makes her first start in the Cullen barn. She has been holding her own against upper-level types for the most part. (3) NOTHINGBUTADREAMER should appreciate the class relief. I think he will try to be forwardly placed with this draw. (9) MAXIMUM EXPOSURE produced a sharp rally from the back to only miss by a length. I can see some live cover towing him into contention again.

Race 5: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 4B. 3 YEAR OLD TROTTING COLTS & GELDINGS. STARTING FEE $400 CDN ($315 USD).

(7) MAIZE AND BLUE adds Lasix after a near miss at Kawartha. He should put forth another quality effort tonight. (3) TAVERN ONTHE GREEN was out of position last week but still closed nicely. His bread and butter is working off a helmet from up close. (1) WOLVERINE LEGEND gets a big post switch and could add value to exotics with the right trip.

Race 6: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, WINNERS OF 3 (FM 4) BUT NOT MORE THAN 5 (FM 6) OR $80,000 (OS $100,000) LIFETIME.

(8) P L ROBERT G was making up ground on the winner when given a lane in the stretch. I’ll look for another forward trip but a flip of the results. (3) GETTHEGREEN made a powerful first over blitz to the front and couldn’t be caught. The connections have finally figured him out. (5) EXACTLY ships back to Canada after getting a wide trip and decent finish in Lexington. He might need one before getting back to top form.

Race 7: 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES: NW 1 RACE OR $10,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(1) QUEEN G has been hit and miss because of her own mistakes but if she minds her manners, I expect her to be a main player here. (9) OUTLAST is another in that same boat but has an added challenge of an outside post. This race could fall apart quickly. (3) GEORGIA BLUFFS hasn’t been making miscues and has gate speed which should carry her towards the front early. Maybe that’s all it takes.

Race 8: 2 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS: GRASSROOTS STARTERS.

(4) GREAT WHITE NORTH got off the schneid in his latest under a big hold by McClure. I’ll give him the nod to repeat. (6) BALIUS is 1 for 1 for Menary when he stays flat. He gets away from the rail which could help. (9) BLACK SHANK pulled off an upset wire-to-wire win in his latest. If he gets a good trip without too much trouble, he could provide value again.

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Race 9: NW $1,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $9,550 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: N/A $700 P/S IN 2026. AE: OPT. CLM. $12,500.

(1) HESINCONTROL battled gamely to finish second after making an early move and being slightly gapped around the final turn. (4) ELLIOT MOOSE is third back after two solid grinding miles. His back class could shine through here. (6) BAYFIELD BEACH prefers to be near the lead but doesn’t finish miles all that regularly. Post works in his favor.

Race 10: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 4B. 3 YEAR OLD TROTTING COLTS & GELDINGS. STARTING FEE $400 CDN ($315 USD).

(5) MIKE ME UP went down the road from post ten in what was an impressive score. He is in career-best form right now. (8) STONEBRIDGE WINGS couldn’t catch Mike Me Up and might be left chasing again if that rival gets the jump. (2) GO ROSSCO is back quickly after a sick scratch. He is typically a check getter but I’ll look for him to show a bit more.