Woodbine Mohawk Park: Thursday 1/24 Analysis
Best Bet: SANTANNA TONY (9th)
Spot Play: WIKI HANOVER (5th)
Race 1 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
PICK 5: 1,4/1,4,7,9/3,4,6/3,4,5/8 = $14.40
EARLY PICK 4: 3,4,5/8/7/1,2,3,4,5 = $15
LATE PICK 4: 1,2,3,4,5/7.9/1/2,4,8 = $30
MEET STATS: 125 - 400 / $680.50 (-$119.50)
BEST BETS: 14 - 36 / $51.00 (-$21.00)
SPOT PLAYS: 10 - 36 / $81.90 (+$9.90)
Race 1
(1) CHARMS LITTLE SIS went a tough trip and was picked off very late by (4) PROTECT BLUE CHIP, who had a much easier journey. This race will likely come down to these two again and I'll give a slight nod to the former who can win with a slightly easier trip. (2) SHADOW SPARKS will likely set the pace again and hang around for a slice. (6) BIDFORA HUG will likely improve in her second start back but a smaller share is probably what she will get.
Race 2
(1) JAYPORT DELILAH closed okay in her first start back now she gets driver McNair who is making his 2019 debut here; price play. (7) SOUTHWIND SPARTAN moves in three posts and he is a logical contender off his last start; using. (9) FAN THE FLAMES will get there one of these times, but he's not a good play at a short price. (4) BIGBOY ROSCO is another who is dangerous with his good early speed.
Race 3
(3) LYONS HEDGEABET and (4) SAND ARTIST were both driven very conservatively when coming off breaks last week, with their eye on the Final, but it's go time now and these two will likely duke it out in the lane here. I'll give the nod to the former who seems to be handier and may get the jump on her rival. (6) SPRINGBRIDGEVISION goes for three straight here and she was impressive last week. She's not out of this. (1) COSETTE figures to sit a good trip and hang around for a share.
Race 4
(3) WESTERN PASSAGE was good enough at two to beat Jimmy Freight in the OSS Superfinal, but he hasn't done much since. His recent good qualifier raced free-legged interests me, so I'll take a swing with him. (4) ALWAYS N THE MONEY paced a quick final 1/4 in defeat Monday night and he could be the one to beat here. (5) HIS BOY ELROY was sharp last time when narrowly beaten; using. (6) BIT OF LUCK raced well for Roy and he returns to drive; using underneath.
Race 5
(8) WIKI HANOVER tipped her hand two starts back with an excellent effort from post 10, then motored by late to take her second lifetime win last week. This isn't a tough spot, so I'm going to single this hot mare. (7) SIGN HERE N HERE beat maidens with a nice late burst and he should be coming late for a share again if he can stay flat. (1) MAGICS LUCKY CHARM makes sense to use on the bottom of Tris and Supers here. (10) GOLD EDITION was decent last week showing good early speed, but post is his enemy here; small share predicted.
Race 6
(7) SHOE SHINE dominated most of these last week and he looks good to repeat here. (4) REGIL TIGER looks like he may be coming back around and he gets McClure back for a second drive; using underneath. (5) CROCADILE CANYON has recaptured some of his better form, but he typically closes too late; small slice predicted. (2) SHADOW NEWTON raced decently vs. the choice last time; consider at a price.
Race 7
(5) STORMONT KATE drops and she may be able to control this race; slight nod. (3) JUSTASMALLTOWNGIRL also drops and she projects to race near the front which gives her a decent chance; using. (2) MIGHTY NICKY is capable if he can stay on stride this time. (1) BRED FOR GREATNESS comes off a solid effort and he's another I'll use in this race which looks wide-open.
Race 8
(7) PICKEM made a big middle move to the front then tired a bit late in a solid debut effort; top call. (8) ASCENDANT made a nice final 1/4 move in his qualifier and he could provide some value to the late Pick 4 here. (1) MASTER FASTER was five lengths behind the choice last time. Another small share is likely here. (4) BEACH BABY BEE should contend from close range and stick around for a slice.
Race 9
(1) SANTANNA TONY sticks out here off his solid effort in a fast race on January 17th; Pick 4 single. (4) INSPECTOR MURDOCH is on a roll and comes in off the Shepherd claim. He needs to drop several seconds to beat the choice, however. (2) RAMBLINTIME comes back quickly and he could take a piece of this. (7) BETTORBETHEONE raced okay against the choice and he could provide a boost to exotic prices here.
Race 10
(8) MORNING HAS BROKEN flew home in 55 4/5 last week. I would expect Hudon to move her earlier this time. (2) AND NOW THERES YOU couldn't keep pace late, but she still went her own final quarter in 27 4/5. She figures here. (4) SUNSHINE INN looks ready based on her lone qualifier; using. (10) SPORTJET RAY would be rated higher from a better post. (6) WARAWEE ULLA can pass a few of these to get a check.