Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Thursday 2/25

Meet Stats: 12/37 - $50.30 (-$23.70)

Best Bets: 4/4 - $11.60 (+ $3.60)

Spot Plays: 1/4 - $8.40 (-$3.60)

Best Bet: LMC MASS OAK (2ND)

Spot Play: APOSTLE PETER (8TH)

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

Late Pick 5: 2,4,5/3,4/2,3,5/2,6/4,5 = $14.40

Early Pick 4: 1,2,3/1,5,8/2,4,5/3,4 = $54

Late Pick 4: 3,4/2,3,5/2,6/4,5 = $24

Race 1: Claiming $15,000 for NW $44,000 LT $100,000 Pick 5**

(3) SPORTSNEST beat handicap claimers when last seen in December and he should appreciate this conditioned claiming class as he makes his return. Top call in the opener. (1) JUSTA BANDIT paced two strong miles in a row after being claimed three starts back. He appears to be driver Jamieson's choice over the one listed above and he is in with a good shot against these; using. (6) COME FROM AWAY is better than he showed at London last week and getting the best post and McNair won't hurt. He's on my Pick 5 ticket. (4) MAGNUS SEELSTER should show speed and being fresh he may stick around for a slice at a price.

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Race 2: CLAIMING HANDICAP $10,000 to $12,000

(6) LMC MASS OAK had a race and now he drops into a claimer where he should fit much better. He should have a big shot against these as the likely favorite. (7) ZEUS LIGHTNING is always around at this class level it seems and he should get an aggressive steer; exacta factor. (4) MONTALBANO BI is a classy veteran who changes barns that is worth a look for the exotics in this spot. (3) FLUFF ME UP was game in victory at Flamboro last week, but these are tougher and a smaller share is likely his ceiling vs. these.

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Race 3: 4YO and Younger NW1 or $7,000 LT

(2) JIMMY CONNOR B turned heads in his debut last year by pacing his own back 1/2 in 53 1/5, but he had issues in his subsequent starts and he was put away. If trainer McNair has him right, he could crush these. (8) MAJOR MAKOVER showed some talent last year in New York Sires Stakes action and his fast kicker paced in his 2/19 qualifier over a track rated three seconds slow indicates readiness. He is the other one I'll use in the early Pick 5. (3) THINKING OF SLIM should benefit from his long trip at Yonkers and he can enter contention for a share here. (5) IMAMAJORPLAYER should be better than he showed last season. He can sneak onto the ticket here in his first start back.

Race 4: 5YO and Younger NW2 or $17,500 LT Pick 4

(2) NO PLAN INTENDED was good last fall and I like his 27 1/5 kicker over a track rated three seconds slow on 2/18. Driver Jamieson has been hot since racing resumed; top call. (3) BETTOR IN CASH is another who qualified well for this and 'O Sullivan usually has them ready to fire off a break; using. (1) MAJOR BEAN, stablemate to the choice, beat a highly-regarded pacer in his 2/18 qualifier and he is another possibility in a race with many options. (7) LOUS DELIGHT should be closing late for a slice as is his custom in many races.

Race 5: NW $3,000 L5 or $7,600 L10

(5) DAWSON SPRINGS was no match for a class-dropping 1-9 shot last week, but that was an improved effort and he looks as good as any in this wide-open race; slight nod. (8) HEMI SEELSTER dropped and led to midstretch when last seen. He should be one of the main contenders here; using. (1) TOTALLY RIPPED is one that might roll by them all late if he is close enough at the 3/4 pole; price look. (9) VICTOR INVICTUS figures to improve in this spot but he is hard for me to back on top starting from the worst post.

Race 6: CLAIMING HANDICAP $15,000 to $18,000 Pick 5

(2) PORTRSTOWNCHRIS IR was claimed out of last week's win and the horse he passed late has already come back to win by the length of the stretch in London on Tuesday night; call to repeat. (4) D GS SHALLWEDANCE went a big trip on the rim to win in London and Roy will put him in play here; using. (5) DO YA THINK qualified well over an off track and he is the other multi-race possibility to consider. (6) CHIEFS BEACH was allowed to control things by three other rivals last week and he converted. I'll play to beat him in this spot.

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Race 7: CLAIMING HANDICAP $8,000 to $10,000

(4) ALWAYS N THE MONEY was claimed out of a good effort on 2/21 by trainer Bako, who has sent five starters out since the break and all five have finished in the top four. He gets top call here. (3) HP PATRIOTE can be expected to improve having had a start back and getting out of the second tier. He will be on my multi-race tickets. (7) NO TIME AT ALL paced a strong back 1/2 over Flamboro Downs to take a win and he is another in with a chance here. (1) TICO TIME dug in gamely to repel a stretch challenger at Flamboro and he should be in the exotics mix tonight.

Race 8: 5YO and Younger NW2 (F&M3) or $20,000 (F&M $25,000) LT

(5) APOSTLE PETER was trying to close into a 28 2/5 final 1/4 last week which was mission impossible. I see a more aggressive try coming this time and he gets top call. (2) HP STARLETTE finished ahead of the choice in a sharp effort and she is an obvious contender tonight; using. (3) RJS INVICTUS was a sharp winner in this class when last seen in late December. He is hard to toss off that strong effort. (6) GROSSETO AS is an interesting Team Steacy entry that might make some noise at a price; using underneath.

Race 9: 5YO and Younger NW2 or $30,000 LT

(6) HES SWIFT was lights-out on the engine here last week and he looks good to repeat in this spot. (2) DAVID LLOYD GEORGE was first-up in the same race. I can see him turning the tables if he can work out a better trip, possibly racing in the choice's pocket. (7) MAKE IT COME TRUE was showing signs of improvement when racing stopped. He is likely going to be far back early so I'll use him underneath only this time. (5) SAULSBROOK KAISEN will be put into play early and he should stick around for a small share.

Race 10: CLAIMING HANDICAP $15,000 to $20,000

(4) LEADER TONIGHT raced evenly in his first start back as they all followed a big chalk. I see a more aggressive steer coming here and he gets my nod. (5) KEEP COMING was motoring late but the heavily-favored leader had the race sewn up. He should contend here; using. (2) A BOY NAMED SUUZZ is capable at this level and the tote board may provide some clues with him. (3) REAL WICKED is always in the mix but he seems better used underneath in this spot. (1) QUAN BLUE CHIP has won racing higher than this and he could enter contention for a slice tonight at a price.