Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Tuesday 8/27

Top Pick Stats: 463 – 1340 / $2,518.80 (-$161.20)

Best Bets: 65 – 125 / $203.90 (-$46.10)

Spot Plays: 30 – 122 / $283.20 (+$39.20)

Best Bet: SOAR HIGHER (9TH)

Spot Play: STELLRMANIPULATION (6TH)

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

Late Pick 5: 3,4,7/1,4/3,7,8/6/4,6 = $7.20

Early Pick 4: 2,6/1,3,5,7,8/3,4,7/1,4 = $12

Late Pick 4: 1,4/3,7,8/6/4,6 = $2.40

Race 1: 2YO fillies NW1 or $8,000 LT **Gtd. $100,000 Pick 5**

(5) EXQUISITE TASTE comes back in seven days after setting too fast of a pace last week when racing with 15 days between starts. She should be sharper here and she holds a recency edge of many of her rivals; top call in the opener. (4) WINGS OF GREEN was an impressive first-over winner, but she has missed three weeks now. She could win here if she is sharp enough, but that’s not easy to predict considering the stale date. Your call. (9) P L SAPPHIRE was better last week but no match for the winner. She can take a slice if she stays flat. (6) EARTHA K has taken shares in every start, and she figures to be part of the exotics again tonight.

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Race 2: F&M Claiming $20,000 for NW $30,000 LT

(5) ALWAYS A CATCH has found her best level in these conditioned claimers, and she should be tough to beat here as the likely chalk as she looks to repeat. (7) NO MONEY HONEY traded decisions with the choice in the last two starts and she figures to be the main rival to that filly again tonight. (2) ALLCHEEKIESOFF got a clean line last week when facing the top two choices and she will likely lay closer to the front; using underneath. (1) ALLSMOKEANDMIRRORS finished fast last week. She should be part of the exotics tonight.

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Race 3: 2YO colts and geldings NW1 or $8,500 LT

(9) COOKIE AIR looked live in the lane last week but as he was trying to angle three-wide a closing rival briefly put him in a blindswitch. He was closing once he got clearance, and he should be better tonight; top call. (6) WICKED EXPRESS keeps coming close and he fits well vs. these. He figures to be the main threat. (1) BUNKHOUSE BOSS had no chance in the mid-season Gold Final starting from the widest post. He should go much better vs. these; price look. (7) OFFICERSOLDIERBOY comes off two game wins at Grand River, but he will need to be much faster here. I’ll use him underneath.

Race 4: 3 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS: GRASSROOTS STARTERS - Pick 4

(6) SID THE KID looked like the winner for most of the mile last week and when he popped the pocket on the final turn and sailed past the odds-on favorite, he left no doubt; call to repeat. (2) GRAMBLING HALL was similarly impressive winning last week, and he is the obvious threat. (4) MARKET BANKER was no threat to the choice, but he raced well to get 2nd. He should be in the exotics mix again. (8) THE CANAM BANKER has been a consistent check earner, and he figures to get another one here despite drawing widest.

Race 5: 2YO colts and geldings NW1 $8,000 LT

This is a wide-open race where it makes sense to spread on multi-race tickets. I’ll take a price swing on (8) THE BEAR A CUDA who closed well last week and will offer some value with Macdonald choosing (3) GASLIGHT HALL over him. The latter wasn’t disgraced in KYSS action when he went off at 143 to 1 and he should be right there vs. these. (1) ARTFUL DODGER came close to winning a Gold race three starts back and he should be much better tonight facing maidens; using. (7) WILDTURKEY HANOVER has trotted fast kickers in every start, and he showed a bit more gate speed last week which led to a better result. He is another price horse to consider here.

Race 6: 2YO fillies Prospect series starters in 2024 - Pick 5

(7) STELLRMANIPULATION got out and moving past the 1/2 last time but she was immediately stalled by a rival that pulled out of 4th and went nowhere. She had no choice but to pull wide early then she went wider than needed and got a little bumpy. Once she straightened out her gait she was flying late. The smaller field should benefit her, and she gets the nod. (3) CENTURY LUNAR was gifted a 100 1/5 opening 1/2 and there was no catching her. You know what her strategy will be here, and she is the one to catch and beat. (6) NIGHT DANCER has been firing home quickly and this should be an easier spot for her than the Grassroots race that she exits; using. (4) TOP CUT gets J Mac, but she will need to be faster by at least a couple of seconds here. I’ll use her underneath.

Race 7: NW $2,000 L3 AE: OPT CLM $20,000 AE: Starters for a purse of $9K or less L4 AE: NW $9,500 in 2024 - Pick 4

There are several horses in here that exit a very fast mile trotted by winner Quebec Hanover and of those (4) NORTHERN CHARLOTTE finished closest. She should have a big shot to take her first win of 2024 in this spot. (1) SWAN DIEGO gets important post relief, and he should be much closer early in the mile. That gives him a chance tonight; using. (5) EXPLOSIVE MOTION keeps J Mac tonight and he should be in the exotics mix here. (6) YANK MY HALO will likely be passing some rivals late; using underneath.

Race 8: 2YO fillies NW1 or $8,000 LT

(8) SHE PREFERS GIN paced a 55-flat back 1/2 after missing some time now she returns quicker in a spot where she should get an honest pace to chase; top call. (3) BEACH GAMES comes in sharp from Grand River and I can see her getting a good trip following the one-dimensional front-ender #6 horse in this spot. (7) SIDE EFFECTS is improving for trainer Brethour, who can pop with these types in spots like these; using. (2) BETTER IN HEELS gets Jamieson here and she should be along for a share.

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Race 9: 5YO and younger NW3 or $50,000 LT

(6) SOAR HIGHER faces much easier and gets Macdonald in the bike tonight and he should be tough to beat in this spot. (8) SCINTILLATING TOM is another that’s in easier and McNair will likely put him in play from the widest post in this spot. He could get brave if he is allowed to clear; Exacta factor. (3) CRAIGIEBURN showed some grit beating (2) CAPULET last time. They are both in the exotics mix here.

Race 10: 3YO colts and geldings Prospect series starters in 2024

(6) LAMBORGHINI LOU jogged and took a new life’s mark when Macdonald drove two starts back and that teamster returns tonight. He’s the one to knock off here. (4) TRICKY MCWICKY came back to win after finishing 2nd to the choice and he should get another good trip here. He could do if the choice gets hooked into a third 1/4 duel; using. (3) ONYX BOVINO is a good colt but maybe a notch lower than the top two choices. I’ll use him underneath here. (1) ROCKET FREIGHT comes off a nice maiden win and while he faces tougher here, I think he can sit a covered trip and land in the Tri. (2) LOTTO MAX should close for another slice in this spot.