Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Thursday 8/26

Meet Stats: 180 – 520 / $988.10 (-$51.90)

Best Bets: 26 – 48 / $98.80 (+$2.80)

Spot Plays: 17 – 48 / $122.00 (+$26.00)

Best Bet: JM BETONSIX (5TH)

Spot Play: SAM MCKEE HANOVER (8TH)

Early Pick 5: 3,4/3,4,7/2,4,6,8/6/7 = $4.80

Late Pick 5: 2,4/2,5,8,9/1/4,5,6/3,4,7 = $14.40

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

Late Pick 4: 1/4,5,6/3,4,7/5,8 = $18

Race 1: 2YO NW1 or $19,000 LT **Guaranteed $100,000 Pick 5**

(4) LEXUS RANGER was bet like he couldn't lose in a Gold race last week and he performed well, but a 28-flat kicker could get him no better than third. He will likely get bet even heavier against maidens here and he is the one to beat. (3) IMA STANDUP GUY is another one that was bet heavily that made a late charge. He took a big step forward in that race and he retains the leading driver; upset chance. (2) FIGHT SONG picked up a check racing against the top rookie trotter in the province. Give him a look for the exotics tonight. (7) ROSE RUN XCALIBER can take a share if he stays flat but that possibility seems like a coin flip based on what we have seen.

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Race 2: CHAMPLAIN 2YO FILLIES

(7) RESOLVING has been tremendous in both races where she stayed flat and she still has some upside. I'll give her a slight nod over invader (3) DELILAH HANOVER, who is the obvious one to beat here and is sure to go off favored. (4) ETERNAL LEE is being brought along slowly by her connections but she has shown talent and she should get a good piece of this Grand Circuit purse. (1) NEEDA LITTLE MAGIC will likely sit a nice following trip tonight and rally for a small share.

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Race 3: 2YO Fillies NW2 or $20,000 LT

(2) EDEN HANOVER took major action off a 1:58 4/5 qualifier and she rallied impressively to shave almost five seconds off while winning at first asking. She gets the call to repeat off that sharp victory. (4) VELVET STINGER is unlucky to still be a maiden at this point and she is the one to fear tonight. (8) LET ME BE ME drops out of the Golds for this second start of 2021 and she could improve enough to put herself in contention for the win. She is another possibility is a race that offers several realistic options. (6) MORETHANMYHOMETOWN passed seven rivals in the back 1/2 to win which isn't something you see frequently at this track. She is another that is in the mix.

Race 4: CHAMPLAIN 2YO - Pick 4

(6) LETSDOIT S was first up in the Haughton racing against the best colts on the continent. McNair picks up the drive and he should be looking to control the pace throughout; top call. (5) MR FRITTER was right there all the way in a fast Gold mile last week. I can see him rounding out the Exacta here. (1) WORLD AT WAR DEO should be in the Tri or Super if he stays flat tonight. (8) RED OVERBACH was smartly driven to win Gold here last week but he won't see the front in a 59-flat 1/2 tonight; small share predicted.

Race 5: F&M 4YO and Younger NW1 or $7,000 LT

(7) JM BETONSIX takes a huge class drop tonight and I'm sure there are no Grace Hill's in this maiden race. I would think Filion will look to control things from the outset. (3) MY MOTHER PEARL has a big kick on her best day and she will get there one of these weeks but she has her work cut out facing the choice tonight. (1) GEORGIA JANUARY has improving from and she moves in nine post positions tonight. She should be in the exotics mix. (8) CHELSIS CHOICE is another closer that should be coming on late to take a share.

Race 6: CHAMPLAIN 2YO FILLIES - Pick 5

(2) ADARE CASTLE found a 27 1/5 kicker when she needed every bit of it to fend off a fast-closing rival and this filly just keeps improving. She is the one to beat in her Grand Circuit debut. (4) SAMOSA was a good 2nd to one of the best rookie filly trotters last time. She should be the main threat. (1) ELEGANT MERMAID took home a nice check while getting a needed clean line. She should share again here. (6) GYRE HANOVER is worth a look for the exotics on connections alone.

Race 7: CHAMPLAIN 2YO

(2) TWIN B ARCHIE was first up a long way last week and he looked a winner until a rival who enjoyed a much easier trip found room late the zoomed by at the wire. He will be a better price tonight and I'll stick with him. Takter trainee (8) PRETENDER comes into this race off two very good efforts and he is an obvious threat; using. (9) PERICULUM is another U.S. invader that rates highly and McNair may blast to the top and never look back. He's on my multi-race tickets. (5) ESPLOSIONE races tough every start but I prefer to use him on the bottom in this field.

Race 8: Claiming $17,000 for NW $43,000 LT - Pick 4

(1) SAM MCKEE HANOVER made a move to the front between the 1/4 and the 1/2 last week only to be overtaken by the 3 to 5 favorite who was just too good. I can see Jamieson taking control of this race and leading all the way. (6) WAGS lowered his lifetime mark by more than a second in a Kawartha Downs blowout win and he has to be considered here making his second start off the Riley claim. (4) A BETTER MAN is another coming off a win and he took a victory here at this class level six starts back. He's not out of this. (2) LIL RED SPORTSSTAR made a big move he couldn't sustain because the leader was unyielding. He has upset possibilities tonight.

Race 9: 4YO and Younger NW1 or $7,000 LT

Is tonight the night for (4) HANDSOME SEBASTIAN? I'm going to assume that Hie is leaving with him this week and answer yes. (6) KRYPTONITE gets a notable barn change here and he is worth using on that angle alone. (5) I DA PRINCESS produced her best effort yet in Grassroots company and the filly that won that race came back to win here in a NW5 or $60,000 race on Monday night. She is capable vs. these. (7) FLANAGAN DESTINY has improving form and I can see him closing for a small share here.

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Race 10: Champlain 2YO

I liked the late move that (7) STAR POWER HANOVER made last week which should set him up for this initial Grand Circuit try. His connections know how to win the big ones; call to upset. (4) DULY RESOLVED hasn't really had a tough trip yet while racking up four wins and $128K in earnings. He is an obvious threat but no lock in here. (3) TEMPORAL HANOVER showed big early speed in the Haughton final and he could be odds-on here. He could jog here but I don't think he is worth a short price. (6) GLOBAL DAYTRADER S showed some talent in limited starts south of the border and he can be in the Tri or Super tonight.

Race 11: 4YO and Younger NW1 or $7,000 LT

(8) GLOBAL CRUSH is 0 for 20, but he responded well to McNair last week and he had to overcome some brief interference going into the last turn. I'll give him the call to upset tonight with McNair retaining the drive. (5) TAKE A GAMBLE was a clear second to a dominating winner and he finished ahead of the choice. He is the one to beat. (9) PACK YOUR BAGS flashed early speed in the same race and he is worth a look for the exotics in this spot. (4) CARTIERE has taken a check in both of his last two starts. He should be part of the High-5 tonight. (3) GETYOURLICENSELIAM should pass a few of these late to grab a small share.