Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Thursday 5/18

Top Pick Stats: 220 – 654 / $1,184.70 (-$123.30)

Best Bets: 36 – 59 / $138.70 (+$20.70)

Spot Plays: 12 – 59 / $73.80 (-$44.20)

Best Bet: DJIMON (3RD)

Spot Play: AMERICAN TICKET (5TH)

Early Pick 5: 2,8,10/4,7/1/1,5,6,9/4,5,6 = $14.40

Late Pick 5: 5,7/4/2,4,5/5,7,8/1,3 = $7.20

Early Pick 4: 1,5,6,9/4,5,6/5,7/4 = $4.80

Late Pick 4: 4/2,4,5/5,7,8/1,3 = $3.60

Race 1: 5YO and Younger NW1 or $7,000 **Gtd. $100,000 Pick 5**

I liked $65K yearling (10) LAS VEGAS HANOVER last week but he was mildly driven through slow fractions then closed evenly when the pace accelerated. The 10-hole isn’t much worse than the rail for a young trotter and it will help his price. I’ll stick with him. (8) SOUTHWIND CERVEZA trotted a big third 1/4 to make front and couldn’t sustain it to the wire. That was a strong effort and she rates highly here. (2) GLENFIDICH improved sharply last week and he is another in with a chance here. (9) DEALERS DELITE’s first qualifier showed he has the speed to go with these but he will likely be looking for a clean line in this debut after breaking in the second qualifier. I’ll use him underneath.

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Race 2: F&M 5YO and Younger NW1 or $7,500 LT

(7) RUTHY B got out of gear late in the mile last time as she was trying to go with the accelerating leader. She should have a big shot vs. these if she stays flat. (4) UNCONTROLLED comes off a big first-over effort and she figures to be the main threat to the choice; using. (2) QUITE NICE adds Lasix and she looks faster this year. Consider her for the bottom of the exotics. (3) OCCASIONALLY SHARP should close late to take another share tonight.

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Race 3: 5YO and Younger NW2 (F&M3) or $28,500 LT

(1) DJIMON impressed last week when he was patiently driven and he delivered a devastating late kick to get the job done. He is the clear pick here. (9) WARRAWEE YANG provided cover for the choice in a good effort and he can be an Exacta factor right back. (8) SWEET DETRMINATION produced her fastest mile yet when she fell just short last week. She’s in the exotics mix here. (4) SOUTHWIND COORS gets post relief and he should be good for another slice.

Race 4: F&M 5YO and Younger NW $15,000 LT Pick 4

This is a great betting race with several live options. The race looks like it will set up for a closer and I’ll side with (1) IMA DOLL, who should offer a square price coming off a maiden win. (5) ALL OF ME looked good breaking her maiden for trainer Steacy, who has been running hot. She is another that should get a favorable setup here. (6) BETTERONTHEISLAND has dominated in Ottawa but these are tougher and she will need a faster kicker vs. these. Your call but I’d demand a price. (9) PROVE EM WRONG raced tough in two straight and she should be in the exotics mix again despite drawing wide.

Race 5: F&M that have started for a purse of $9K or less in 1 of L5 AE: NW $500 L5

(6) AMERICAN TICKET raced decently at this level last week when her hand got forced early after starting from the rail. Leaving from the best post tonight, she should get an easier trip; top call. (5) DARKRSHADEOFPALE N is another getting post relief that figures to improve tonight and she will likely be much closer to the front early in this mile; using. (4) BABY BONITA showed speed at this level last week and she is another in with a chance. (10) CELIA BAYAMA comes in from Flamboro in sharp form for the leading trainer but a small share is likely her ceiling starting from the widest post tonight.

Race 6: 5YO and Younger NW1 or $7,000 LT Pick 5

(5) NORTHERN DEMI stands out here based on last week’s effort and he should be tough to beat in this spot. (7) CARDIO MUSCLE exits the same race as the choice, and he paid the price for being part of an early pace that was too fast. He is worth using at a price. (6) HEAVENS FURY has been finishing fast and she should be able to get up for a share vs. these. (2) MENSO is worth a look for the exotics being sent out by the Baillargeon barn.

Race 7: 5YO and Younger NW2 (F&M3) or $28,500 LT Pick 4

(4) WARRAWEE YES was confidently driven to win last week facing similar and she gets the call to repeat here. (3) BRACE FOR LANDING had a good sophomore debut featuring a nice late kick and he should be the main danger to the choice here adding Lasix. (7) OVERPAYMENT was too far back last week. I think McNair will put him into action earlier tonight and that gives him a chance. (2) SEEKING SALVATION is better than he showed in his 2023 debut. He could sneak into the exotics at a price tonight.

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Race 8: F&M 5YO and Younger NW1 or $7,500 LT

(4) LADY GET LUCKY raced big on the rim with the trainer driving in London She gets McNair here and a likely setup for a late charge; top call. (2) FRONT PAGE STORY fits well here and her barn has been running hot. She is another that should be motoring late; using. (5) BETTOR CALL MOM got picked off late in a fast mile last week and she figures to be a big threat right back; using. (7) CENTURY JAMILA should flash speed and land another share in this spot.

Race 9: CLM HDCP $8,000 to $10,000

(8) MACH IMPACT was picked off in the very last stride last week after doing all of the heavy lifting and he should be the one to catch again. (5) MALVOLIO was perfectly driven by McNair last week and produced at the last possible moment to get up for the win. I’m not sure he can get the same trip tonight, but he is the main threat to the choice. (7) ART OF FIRE was claimed by McQueen for himself and he gets the leading driver. He is worth using in the exotics. (3) MISTER J R should be good for another small share in this spot.

Race 10: F&M NW2 or $48,250 LT

(1) CHOCOLATE PARFAIT probably would have won her qualifier if she was sent first-up, but she was kept covered and finished full of trot in the three-wide path. She had a good record last year and she looks ready to roll here. (3) PROUD TO BE LINDY was the driver’s pick over the top choice likely with an eye to the stakes season, but she should be a threat coming off a nice maiden win. Speedball (8) LUCY WHO should blast to the front, set the pace and stay for a share. (9) NO TURNING BACK is another fast leaver that should stick around for a share. (7) DA ROYAL MIRACLE can take another check and land in the bottom of the High-5.