Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Thursday 12/26

Top Pick Stats: 635 - 1973 / $3,430.70 (-$515.30)

Best Bets: 94 - 181 / $301.20 (-$60.80)

Spot Plays: 41 - 177 / $352.00 (-$2.00)

Best Bet: ARAGONITE (4TH)

Spot Play: WALLACE HARTLEY (9TH)

Early Pick 5: 3,6,7/3,6,8/2,5,9/7/1,5 = $10.80

Middle Pick 5: 1,2,4/1,2,4,8/3,9,10/1,4/2,3 = $28.80

Late Pick 5: 3,9,10/1,4/2,3/5,8,10/3,5,7,12 = $28.80

Pick 6: 7/1,5/1,2,4/1,2,4,8/3,9,10/1,4 = $28.80

Early Pick 4: 2,5,9/7/1,5/1,2,4 = $3.60

Late Pick 4: 1,4/2,3/5,8,10/3,5,7,12 = $9.60

Race 1: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $8,500 LIFETIME **$75,000 Pick 5**

$50,000 Harrisburg sale buy (3) MUSCLE BRANCH, a 1/2 to 29-time winner Meadowbranch Ricky ($454K, 1:54 M) lands in a good spot for her debut, and I like that she fired a 28-flat kicker in her lone qualifier; top call. (7) GREEN MONSTER keeps drawing poorly, getting too far back, and moving late for a share. One of these times, Hudon will try leaving with him. Maybe that will be tonight; using. (6) SPEED OF SOUND cost only $6K and she looks like she might have been a bargain. She is in the mix on debut here. (9) SUSHIE BAR likely closes for another small share starting from a wide post tonight.

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Race 2: FILLIES & MARES, CLAIMING $20,000 TO $25,000 FOR NW $35,750 (OS $45,500) LIFETIME. AE: N/A $1,210 P/S IN 2024. AE: NW OF A RACE LAST 10 STARTS

(8) IDEAL ENTRY tripped out to blow up the tote board last week and she will likely offer a decent price here because of the wide draw. There is plenty of speed to chase for her and I’ll take a price stab with her. (3) SAUSBROOK ANNIE was stubborn in defeat to the choice, and she should be right there again. The defection of Vendetta Blue Chip should work in her favor. (6) GRAND CIRCUIT can be better in this second start racing out of the Cullen barn. She is worth considering for the early Pick 5. (2) P L RINCHENIA had position on the choice on the final turn last week, but she couldn’t go with that one late. A small share is likely for her tonight.

Race 3: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $8,500 LIFETIME - Pick 4

(2) NEVELOSE FELIX showed enough late in his debut mile to suggest that he can win here in this second start; top call. (9) C KAN TROT was bet like he couldn’t lose last week coming off an injury absence and moving into the Vanderkemp barn. He was put into play, and he will likely be pointed to the front again leaving the gate. He would be no surprise in this spot. (5) SEQUENCE HANOVER was raced aggressively when overbet last week and he couldn’t see it through on the lead. He will likely offer a better price tonight and look for a trip. He is worth using in the Pick 5. (8) GAELIC PIPER raced well from post 10, but he is 1 for 37 with 16 slices and I will play to beat him in the multis as the morning-line choice.

Race 4: CLAIMING $20,000 TO $25,000 FOR NW $56,500 (OS $69,750) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000 - Pick 6

This race introduces the new 20-cent non-jackpot Pick 6 bet that features a 15% takeout and 100% carryover. I’ll kick it off with a single, (7) ARAGONITE, who set a good pace and crushed at this level last week. A threepeat looms for him. (9) HAPPY NEIGHS races great for Jamieson and he comes off a strong winning effort. He should be an Exacta factor here. (2) HESTONATOR tries hard every week, and he is in the exotics mix again. (3) SPEEDY BLINDERS gets post relief which should facilitate him taking a slice vs. these.

Race 5: POP UP SERIES: FILLIES & MARES NW $30,000 IN 2024 (MIN 15 STARTS). AE: NOT AVERAGING $1,500 PER START IN 2024 (MIN 15 STARTS). LEG 1

This is a good spot for (5) CHARMBO STORMY, who draws perfectly in search of a fourpeat; top call. (1) MYSTIC WILD ROSE returns in five days making this second start back following a four-month break. She should be sharper for this start, and she is the other one that I’ll use on multi-race tickets. (4) SHARE THE MOMENT has finished close to the choice in her last two starts. She can get a piece of this. (6) CHELSIS CHOICE goes from worst post to best and she should be positioned to take a share tonight.

Race 6: NIAGARA CONSOLATION: 3 YEAR OLD FILLIES IN 2024, NW $60,000 LIFETIME AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2024. NO ALLOWANCES - Pick 5

(4) ABSOLUTION tried to bottom out the field last week and it almost worked. A similar strategy can work here; top call. (1) COCCO PUFF POWER is 1 for 1 with J Mac driving and he will likely find her a better trip tonight. She will probably be the one to fend off late; using. (2) QUIET ASSURANCES finished with pace last time, but she was forced to spend most of the stretch angling from the pylons to the far outside. I could see her prevailing in this spot with the right trip. (3) WOODMERE DELTA should close for another share vs. these.

Race 7: NIAGARA FINAL: 3 YEAR OLD FILLIES IN 2024, NW $60,000 LIFETIME AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2024. NO ALLOWANCES

This Niagara series final is a great betting race with four or five of them having legitimate chances to win. I’ll side with (4) OH A LEGEND, whose versatility might be the difference maker. (2) FOX VALLEY TESSA has done nothing wrong since shipping north and she is hard to leave off multi-race tickets. (1) MIKKI SIXX raced well in defeat from the 10-hole, but she will be under the gun here, too, leaving from the rail. She can win, but I think she will probably get over bet. Your call. (8) MOTHER MARY has a nice late kick, and she could be the one that makes the last, decisive move if there is lots of mid race action; price look.

Race 8: FILLIES & MARES, CLAIMING HANDICAP $8,000 TO $11,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000 - Pick 5

(3) DEL DIGGITY, a winner here three starts back with Borth in the bike, projects to get the best stalking trip here and she gets top billing. (9) GOLDEN LEADER won well when claimed and she is in top form, but I wonder if she and (10) FEARLESS SHELIA will cancel each other out blasting from the outside and peppering the early pace. (2) KEEN CATHY should be able to pass a few of these and land in the bottom of the exotics.

Race 9: VALEDICTORY FINAL: 3 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS IN 2024, NW $60,000 LIFETIME AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2024. NO ALLOWANCES - Pick 4

(1) WALLACE HARTLEY was impressive in Leg 2, re-rallying to win after making a backstretch move to the front then getting passed on the turn; top call. (4) BRUDON is an obvious contender being that he was a scant nose short of winning five straight. He should be right there again. (5) SOUTHWIND INFUSION made an aggressive move and just failed to see it through when nailed late by the choice. He is another in with a shot. (8) BETTHEBEACH YANKEE finishes 4th in most of his starts it seems. He is a good one to round out your Super.

Race 10: POP UP SERIES: FILLIES & MARES NW $30,000 IN 2024 (MIN 15 STARTS). AE: NOT AVERAGING $1,500 PER START IN 2024 (MIN 15 STARTS). LEG 1

(3) SILENT CROSSING gets critical post relief here and I’ll side with her in a race where a few of them gave a chance. (2) ONE LAST BET comes in off a solid effort last Saturday and she has won 27% of her starts in 2023-24. She figures to be a threat racing from close range. (5) ROYAL TELL is on a good roll for Team Cullen and she doesn’t look out of place in here. She is in the exotics mix. (4) STONEBRIDGE DRAMA should be good for a share racing close to the front throughout.

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

This looks like a good spot for a stranger, and (8) THATSWHATISAID N fits the bill coming in fresh off a sharp qualifying effort and debuting for a new barn. (5) CEREAL KILLER gets both class and post relief and Young will likely put him into play early; using. (10) BETTORHOLDONTIGHT seems to fit well here, but he typically has zero gate speed and things might be tough for him starting from the worst post. Demand a price. (1) OFFICER JONES last line is a toss due to broken equipment. He can take a share in here.

Race 12: CLAIMING $20,000 TO $25,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000 **MANDATORY PAYOUT JACKPOT HI 5**

(3) D A CAPTAINOBVIOUS was used up early last time after starting from post 10. He gets a key driver change to Henry tonight and that can make the difference in this large High-5 carryover (with mandatory payout) field. (12) D A MAGIC MIKE has some of the best form in here and he attracts the leading driver, but I don’t believe I have ever seen a winner from the 12-hole at this track. That the #2 is not a leaver gives further pause, but if Macdonald can find mid pack position early with this one, he could do. (5) SPORTY BEE comes off a solid effort from post 10 and he is another that could be used on top in this High-5. (7) AMBITIOUS MIND avoids Aragonite this time and he is in the mix for a high placing. (2) RISE N GRIND comes up tagged here and I could see him closing for a piece of this at a price.