Woodbine Mohawk Park: Friday 8/10 Analysis
Best Bet: QUINTS DREAM (4th)
Spot Play: PRECISION HANOVER (6th)
Race 1 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
PICK 5: 5,6,7/1,6,9/5,7/1,5/1,4,6,8,10 = $36
EARLY PICK 4: 1,5/4,6,8,10/3,6/2,5,7 = $48
LATE PICK 4: 5,6/3,7,11/4,6,9/5,8 = $36
MEET STATS: 248 - 754 / $1,477.60 BEST BETS: 39 - 68 / $136.90
SPOT PLAYS: 25 - 65 / $148.00
Race 1
(7) THE POWER OF MANY showed a new dimension last week, firing a 28-flat final 1/4 when racing first-off-the-claim. I'll stick with her off that effort. (6) STIRLING BOUDICA drops to the bottom claiming level and she is sure to have a say in the early pace and outcome of the race. (5) AVUNCULAR merits a look having won at this level two starts back. (3) AMICUS is interesting starting his year off in the lowest class for a barn that is very capable of sending one ready.
Race 2
(6) THE MAGIC NUMBER could reverse form quickly here if he can work out a better trip. I'll give him the nod in a race where it's hard to separate four or five of them. (1) IMF looks good again, but she keeps coming up a little short. What price would you take? (9) SOS MESMERIZE gets Jamieson back here and she's another who has had several chances who could convert in this field. (3) CHIEF JUSTICE can contend here if he can overcome previous gait issues.
Race 3
(5) ACTION MAJESTY drops back to a level where she should be more prominent as she was three starts back when she won; slight nod. (7) REQUEST FOR PAROLE brings lots of class to the table, but she has only won fewer than 10% of her starts this year. She's a contender here, but she may get overbet. (2) JET TO THE BEACH has been sharp for several weeks and she can rally again for a piece of this. (3) PERCY BLUE CHIP doesn't appear to be the same filly she was last year when she earned $440K, but her best effort would be good enough to beat these if she could find it.
Race 4
(5) QUINTS DREAM paced a 27-flat third 1/4 to take control last time, but she couldn't seal the deal as a big chalk. This looks like a spot where she should also win as a big favorite; top call. (1) SAULSBROOK BEAUTY was in a bad spot last time trying to rally into an accelerating pace late. She's capable and may be a good alternative to the choice here. (6) VINES TO HEAVEN should provide an early pace presence and she can stick around for a share here. (9) RUBY HANOVER knocked several seconds off last week when she won at a huge price, but a smaller share seems likely this time stepping up a level and drawing poorly.
Race 5
(4) PRESTO CHANGE O put it all together in the slop last time and he should be tough right back here. (10) ABSYNTHE HANOVER was carefully driven first time out and missed the board but with that race under her belt I can see her being put into play by McClure at a price here. (8) CAMBRIDGE KATE was a winner when she broke last time and she gets Jamieson back here and she should contend. (6) ANGIES LUCKYLADY races tough every week and she may be slotted a little low here; consider using on multi-race tickets.
Race 6
(6) PRECISION HANOVER cut a big 1/2 then re-moved to beat a 1-9 shot last week. She can repeat here with a similar effort. (3) CENALTA CALL GIRL is maintaining excellent form and she may be the one to beat here, but her racing style sometimes works against her. (1) DREAMFAIR ETERNITY has been on a roll out of town and the daughter of a Hall of Fame sire and dam can get a piece here. (5) TURBO DIVA comes in from Grand River off a sharp effort and she's another for consideration on the bottom of Tri and Super bets.
Race 7
(7) DOMITIAN HALL qualified faster than his rivals have been racing, making him an automatic play for me. (5) TOUCHDOWN AS had a horrific trip last time when bet down. A better journey here would make him a contender. (2) GLENCOVE ZANI is going to put it all together one night soon and take his first win of the year; maybe tonight? (4) MAJOR MUSCLE is a speed threat who has some exotics appeal here.
Race 8
(5) WITCH DALI has developed a lethal late kick which should play well in this short field. I'll give her the nod over (6) FIREBBY A, who is an obvious threat off her sharp win in this class last time when racing in the slop. (3) BETTORS UP has recaptured her best form and she isn't out of this. (4) LAY LADY LAY is a good one to use underneath in this spot as she should be passing mares late.
Race 9
I'll swing for the fences here with (11) MADAM SHAZAM, who hinted at having some ability in the final 1/4 of her debut. (7) TEDDYS LITTLEANGEL is hard to fault off her perfect record and aggressive style; using. (3) HP TITANIA RUNNER has one start and it was a monster win. She's hard to leave out, but it's also hard to accept a low price with her coming off a vet scratch. (2) PETRO HALL has a win and a 2nd racing at the Gold level and if she gets left alone up front she could get brave again.
Race 10
(6) LEAVING A LEGACY comes off a much-improved effort and although she steps up, she should get a solid early pace to chase. (8) P L HURRICANE drops again and she's hard to leave off Pick 4 tickets racing at this level. (4) BIG CHUTE is another who can close sharply on her best day that could mow these down at a price. (2) FILLY FORTY SEVEN can rally late, too and she should share here.
Race 11
(5) SUDDEN PASSING was an easy winner at this level two starts back and aggressive pilot McNair fits her well; top call. (8) MANHATTAN AGAIN flew home to take a new life's mark last time and I'll use her here in Pick 4 bets. (1) FOR THE RECORD is always around the money and she should contend at a price here. (2) PLAY THE BELL help set the table for Manhattan Again last time and she should be part of the early pace here again. (4) JAN rarely misses the ticket and she could better this placing; use underneath.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]