Woodbine Mohawk Park: Thursday 7/26 Analysis
Best Bet: BEHOLDER (5th)
Spot Play: PEPE DI JESOLO (8th)
Race 1 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
PICK 5: 2,5,6,7/3,7,8/6,7,8/1,2,6,7,10/3 = $36
EARLY PICK 4: 1,2,6,7,10/3/1,3,4/2,3,4 = $45
LATE PICK 4: 2,3,4/1,7/1,7/1,2,4,7 = $48
MEET STATS: 225 - 658 / $1,358.50 BEST BETS: 35 - 60 / $126.00
SPOT PLAYS: 22 - 57 / $138.00
Race 1
(2) CAPTAIN KOINE appeared to be making a big move last week when he locked wheels, losing all hope. Price should be there again here, and I'll give him the nod. (5) BLANK CANVAS won well, now missed almost three weeks, now facing maidens again. I get mixed signals from him. (6) LUZIANA opened up a big lead when the choice was involved in some confusion, but it was his good speed that kept him out of trouble and he's in with a shot here. (7) WHERES MY MONEY put things together in his last qualifier and if he can stay pacing, he has a shot here.
Race 2
(8) DARK AS A POCKET was simply too far out of position last time when overbet. Drawing outside, but in a smaller field, maybe he leaves this time; top call. (3) MINOR OBSESSION - a $17.5K Goshen sale purchase - showed good late trot in his lone qualifier and this seems to be a good spot for him; using. (7) FIREDBYLINDIE has a win in June that would put him right there vs. these. (1) CONFESSION SESSION made a big move but was then overtaken in a race with an unusual amount of action. He can improve off that debut effort.
Race 3
(8) JOHNNY BRAVO was flying late in his debut and if he can get in range earlier this time, he has a decent chance in this spot. (7) IMF gets McClure back here and she has some ability. She should pop soon. (10) SNEEKER HANOVER has been decent racing from this post regularly and he isn't without a chance here. (6) SPECTRE can't seem to stay flat under the lights, but if she does, she'll be right there.
Race 4
(7) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP comes right back in the same class and she should take beating if she gets put into the race off the gate. (6) QUINTS DREAM has some obvious talent but she needs a more aggressive drive and it's hard to predict if she'll get one in this spot. (2) SAULSBROOK BEAUTY exits the Gold and moves inside. She has some price appeal here. (1) CARDIFF gets a good post switch here and she may be rated a tad low but consider her when making multi-race bets.
Race 5
(3) BEHOLDER had no trouble doubling up and she faces similar here after notching a new life's mark in that race; top call. (5) EX HANOVER left for a change and she was right there, but she couldn't catch the winner. She is an exacta factor again. (6) MISS JUBILEE HILL has good late kick most nights and she can crash the exotics here. (4) LADY MACBETH is on a good roll and she never gets bet. She is another to consider for the exotics here.
Race 6
(1) WANNA HALL is without a doubt the best one in here if he trots and the rail post is tricky sometimes for young trotters, so I'll add others for this Pick 4. (3) TOWN HALL JUSTICE has come around in her past two starts and she could be the main danger here. (4) SAY YOU DO was expertly-driven to win last time but he likely won't be able to steal a 59 half vs these; using underneath. (8) EXS AND OHS can close late for another share here.
Race 7
(2) STOLEN ART has been solid beating non-winners of two twice straight at Kawartha, and he gets to face eight rivals with three total wins. He gets my nod here. (4) SPORTS BAND lasted longer last week and he could take these all the way with a similar effort. (3) SOUTHWIND GRIZZLY is improving his late speed and looks like he is putting it all together now. I'll throw him on my Pick 4 tickets despite him having had 15 chances already. (1) MASTER FASTER loves to finish second it seems although he has missed the exacta in two of his last three starts; small share predicted.
Race 8
The last time Louis-Philippe Roy drove (1) PEPE DI JESOLO was in February, and they teamed up for a lifetime-best score that night when facing tougher than these. From an inside post I think they have a big shot here. (7) THE POWER OF MANY goes for the Shepherd barn again and they have had great success together in the recent past. She's the one to catch. (8) CARMENS FLUKE requalified okay and if he can mind his manners, he fits vs. these. (5) GLENCOVE ZANI comes up tagged in a spot where he figures, but his frequent gait issues are concerning.
Race 9
(7) FLIPPING FUN goes for trainer Gallucci and picks up driver McNair here coming off a sharp qualifier down south. There's lots to like here. (1) I CHOOSE YOU is worth a look shipping in with good form and getting Roy to drive. (3) HEY SWEETIE keeps piling up losses and burning money and she will take action here again. I'll play to beat her. (2) STARTISTIC WONDER has some lines that put her right there if she produces one of her better efforts.
Race 10
(1) RUN DIRECTOR lands in a spot where he should be very tough if he can get a decent start from the tricky #1 post. (4) MAJESTIC FIRE has impressed me on a couple of occasions this summer and his best race puts him right in the mix here. (2) JULA DOWNTON is an OSS Gold winner already this year. He is another who figures if he brings his 'A' game. (7) WHAT CHAPTER broke when racing down south, prior to that he was in tremendous form. Expect much better if he stays flat here. (5) VEYRON seems to be tailing off a bit, but he can finish on the edges vs. these.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]