Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Thursday 10/9

Top Pick Stats: 271/787 (-$249.20)

Best Bets: 35/72 ($13.70); Spot Plays: 15/72 (-$35.20)

Best Bet: OUT OF ICE (Race 9)

Spot Play: GO ROSSCO (Race 5)

Early Pick-5: 2,6/4,7/3,5,6/1,4,9/9 $7.20

Late Pick-5: 3,7/6,7/5,8/5/7,10 $3.20

Race 1: FILLIES & MARES, CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $55,000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE.

(6) ONEFORMYBABY got a slick steer from leading driver James Macdonald last week which saw her split horses and get up for the win under a big hold. I would expect her to be driven like the best horse this week. (2) INUKSHUK SALLY was first over in that same race and just missed after watching J-Mac measure the win. She is rounding into winning form. (8) DEAR ABBEY has two recent efforts at this level that are solid. She got out second over, but was immediately gapped a couple of lengths. She grinded out a third place finish while nearly being interfered with by the winner. She could add a little value to exotics.

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Race 2: 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES: NW 1 RACE OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(4) WHT BLONDE HANOVER took a strong step forward in her latest, showing the most pop at the end out of anyone and rallying for third. She should be able to work a little closer to the leaders and can rally for the win. (7) TH TRIX R FORKIDS took some support on debut which I thought was noteworthy. I also thought she trotted home nicely in the stretch despite being well beaten. My concern is that she will have to race from last. (1) MY GHOST has been the most consistent filly at this level without picking up a win. Last week’s race was her best, and she has the ability to show gate speed from inside posts.

Race 3: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $35,000) LIFETIME.

(5) TRIX UP MY SLEEVE loomed up second over and ended up getting a perfect trip behind the heavy favorite who was unable to get to the lead until the horse inside of him made a break. He looks for three wins in a row, and I’ll give him the nod to do so. (6) IMA DINOSAUR is slowly but surely getting better at this NW2 level, and has the ability to get into contention with a mid-pack trip. (3) HOUSTON SEELSTER was well beaten last week, but that was against a much tougher group of horses. He has every right to return to form when dropping in class.

Race 4: POP UP SERIES: OS 3 YEAR OLD FILLIES NW $100,000 IN 2025 AS OF OCT 1ST. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000 FOR OS 3 YEAR OLD FILLIES. LEG 1.

(4) TALL DARK LADY was bet like she couldn’t lose in the Grassroots consolation and cruised to a win in a career best time. She is in top form right now and draws well again. (9) COLD CREEK FUEGO produced a sharp rally to win at a double digit price after the heavy favorite made a break at the top of the stretch. I’m not quite sure how she successfully gets into the race from post nine, but she has five wins in nine starts this year; She can handle it. (1) THE LIES WE TELL has won two in a row in impressive fashion, and now draws the rail again. It’s a little trickier to get momentum going from that draw at Mohawk, but if she can get away in decent order, she should be set up for a solid placing.

Race 5: 2 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS: NW 1 RACE OR $8,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(9) GO ROSSCO gets a significant driver change to the leading driver on the grounds, after a race in which the horse looked just even. He is taking steps forward with each start, though. I think J-Mac gets more out of him. (4) COMMANDER SAUL is a horse you just have to keep using and, in my case, writing about, because he doesn’t do much wrong; He just doesn’t win. It’s another good post draw for him, and he will take advantage sometime. (2) MASSCHETTE was a fine second in his morning prep behind One Belle, and has looked like a horse who can put up a big effort if he is in the right spot. I’m on the fence about using him in multis.

Race 6: 2 YEAR OLDS: NW 2 (FM 4) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $25,000) LIFETIME.

(3) ONE BELLE looked like a special filly right away when she won the Pure Ivory, but a break in the Peaceful Way spoiled her unbeaten streak, and she was empty in the Champlain. However, her return qualifier was very strong, and she could get right back to her winning ways tonight. (7) LAND THE PLANE was half in, half out around the first turn in the 2YO Open, and ended up having to make a long, uncovered journey once the big favorite easily cleared to the lead. He ended up just getting picked off for second in that effort, but he showed improvement again. He deserves a use on most tickets. (8) RARE LEGACY has been better in her last two efforts, and it’s no surprise that they have come when she has been put in play. She may have an unfamiliar driver with J-Mac choosing One Belle. I’ll use her underneath tonight.

Race 7: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $8,500 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES.

(7) ELLICE ISLAND appeared to have some trot as they went under the wire last time out, as Rick Zeron had a big hold of his horse, but a path never opened up for him and he had to settle for a minor check. If he can work out a cleaner trip from up close, he could pull off an upset. (6) P L SLIM has finished in the money in eight out of 12 career starts, and usually shows some early gate speed. With a middle pack post, he should use that early speed to great success, and look to stick around for a big piece. (8) RESOLVED ISSUES showed his quirks during the mile when making his career debut. His gait was not the cleanest at the top of the stretch, but he found his best stride in the final eighth and was moving well. He appears to be a project type, but one that could step forward and snag a piece.

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

(5) STAY PUMPED got what can only be described as a tightener under her belt last week, which should keep her fresh for tonight. We haven’t seen much early gate speed from this mare in recent starts, but Plante could be pressing the pedal early this week. (8) LISAS ALL IN got away in mid-pack before having to wait for room. Once she angled out, she visually looked just even, but others had gotten the jump on her. She has just two wins this season, but could be in a spot to trip out if handled aggressively. (7) CODYS MOMENT adds Lasix after winning three of her last four at Kawartha Downs, but now hasn’t raced in over a month. She may be a step short tonight; I’ll use her underneath.

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Race 9: POP UP SERIES: OS 3 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS NW $100,000 IN 2025 AS OF OCT 1ST. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000 FOR OS 3 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS. LEG 1.

(5) OUT OF ICE had a tough task in the Grassroots Final when trying to make two moves from post ten. There were some salty horses in that race, and Time Passer ended up running away with that race. He gets a significant post switch, and should not have to work nearly as hard this week. (7) BRUNO NO NO NO made a brief miscue at the start of that same Grassroots Final, and that was basically the end of his race. The start before that was his first on Lasix, and a quality third place finish. If he can get into the flow, he can add some value. (1) SILVERWALLS has not been as sharp in his last two outings, but finds a short enough field that can allow him to sit an inside trip and finish in the money.

Race 10: FILLIES & MARES NW 3 RACES OR $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. AE: NW $2,650 LAST 4 STARTS.

(10) ESME was trotting some decent miles in Lexington, and now makes what could be considered a lateral move into this condition. The debut for the new barn could be a winning one if she is put in play from the far outside. (7) IBELIEVEINANGELS was unable to clear to the lead after making an outside move at the half, but was given a break when the horse she was dueling with made a break. She was tracked down in the late stages and got a little bumpy-gaited in the stretch. She is likely to go off as the favorite again, but feels a little vulnerable. (6) DAFFY HANOVER made a sustained rally in the back half to finish in the money at a big price. I would expect her to work from off the pace again and be passing horses late. She can hit the ticket again.