Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Thursday 2/18

Best Bet: P L IDAHO (8TH)
Spot Play: LEVY TAYLORE (4TH)
Early Pick 5: 4,5,7/1,2/1,2,5/2,3/1,4,5 = $21.60
Late Pick 5: 1,4,5/2,4,5,6,7/3,6/4,6/1,5,6 = $36
Early Pick 4: 2,3/1,4,5/2,4,5,6,7/3,6 = $60
Late Pick 4: 2,4,5,6,7/3,6/4,6/1,5,6 = $60

Race 1: 4YO and Younger NW1 or $7,000 (F&M $9,500) **$100,000 GTD Pick 5**

(5) REGAL SEVEN went off at 2 to 5 in his first start for Vanderkemp and broke while on the move. He shows plenty of "X"s on his card but if he stays flat tonight, he has a good chance to wire this group. (4) LADY TITAN, the only winner in the field, drops back to the NW1 level and she should be a player vs. this group, (7) POWERFUL SPIRIT flew home to miss narrowly when last seen and while he is obviously one of the main contenders he may go off as an underlay considering he may try to pass them all again. (3) JACKSON STORM shows a couple of races over this track that suggest he could be part of the exotics; using underneath.

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Race 2: CLM $15,000 for NW $40,000 LT

(2) KEVMARVALOUS was facing tougher in Massachusetts and he picks up 2020 'O Brien award winner Bob McClure to drive here. If he is ready to fire, he should be tough in this short field. (1) BLAKES CHIP has the gate speed to get position early and he could be the one the choice will be looking to fend off down the lane. (6) CARD SWAP's performance two starts back at London makes him a contender here for at least a small share. (4) BETTER THAN CASH should improve with the post switch and he should be in the Tri or Super tonight.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Mohawk Park card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 3: 5YO and Younger NW2 or $19,500 LT

Tough race in the middle of this Pick 5 sequence. Maybe #18 is the charm for (2) LOUS DELIGHT who appears to fit well and is likely to be cranked up by the Fellows barn. (5) CANTFINDABETTORMAN was developing a strong closing kick before the forced Covid-19 break and he could be hard to hold off vs. these; using. (1) MAKE SOME WAVES picked up a check in the Western Canada Pacing Derby and he should fit well enough vs. these to contend for a slice. (4) SAULSBROOK KAISEN rarely misses the top four; using in Super bets tonight.

Race 4: CLM $8,000 - Pick 4

(2) LEVY TAYLORE could provide some exotics value here making his second start for trainer West after faltering racing over a very sloppy track last time; top call. (3) CROCADILE CANYON is always in the hunt and hard to leave off multi-race tickets; using. (4) ART OF FIRE has a recency edge over his rivals here but he hasn't notched a win in the last two seasons. I'll use him on the bottom. (8) ALWAYS N THE MONEY is frequently on the board and he should be closing for a piece tonight.

Race 5: NW $3,000 L5 or $7,000 L10 - Pick 5

(5) IM THE MUSCLE drops to the bottom conditioned level here and he Roy should get aggressive with him in this spot. He is the one to beat. (4) NEON LIGHTS also takes the plunge and he looks like the main danger; using. (1) MUSICAL SPELL races best at this level and every now and then he trips out and scores an upset. I'll use him as a potential multi-race payoff booster. (6) WIKI HANOVER was third here at this level when last seen; consider using underneath.

Race 6: NW $3,000 L5 or $8,500 L10 - Pick 4

(5) OSBORNE SEELSTER came close to notching a big upset at this level with McNair driving and he gets that teamster back for this 2021 debut; slight nod. (6) HP I GOT TOPLAY should fare better in this spot and he is one of several in with a chance in a wide-open race. (7) MIKEY CAMDEN's local debut was good and he could take this if he improves slightly; using. (4) PREMIER JOY A is hard to count out based on his most recent sharp effort at this level. This is a race that demands deep coverage.

Race 7: NW2 (F&M3) or $20,000 (F&M $25,000)

(6) MODERN MASS has shown the speed to get the job done against this field and if he gets an aggressive steer, he should be tough to beat. (3) DAY AT THE GYM was hammered down to 1 to 5 for his debut and he delivered with a big winning mile. He is hard to exclude from late multi-race tickets. (4) TUCKERS OUT is 1 for 19 yet he is tempting based on his good form. I'd demand a price here. (5) WILLY WALTON has shown some talent in his 9-race career and I wouldn't be surprised if he crashes the exotics at a price here.

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Race 8: CLAIMING HANDICAP $15,000 to $20,000

This looks like a soft spot for quirky (6) P L IDAHO. If he is on his best behaviour, he should be tough to beat. (4) SNAP TEST goes first time for Team Cullen here and on that barn change angle, I'll throw him on late multi-race tickets. (2) LEADER TONIGHT comes off several brutal trips in a row. A more conservative steer could put him right there vs. these. (1) REEL, making his second start for Moreau, merits exotics consideration.

Race 9: CLAIMING HANDICAP $10,000 to $12,000

(6) PORTRSTOWNCHRIS IR has a recency edge, the best post and he picks up McNair. I'll give him top billing here to close out the late multi-race bets. (5) SPORTSMANSHIP was good in his lone start here in December and he should be a threat tonight. (1) ON CRUISE CONTROL is well-situated to work out a trip and he may pounce late; using. (10) H P PATRIOTE was very sharp winning here before the break and he is another in with a shot in a tough race. (2) VENENO improved for trainer Waxman and he should contend for a share at least here.