Woodbine Harness: Saturday 1/25 Analysis
By Greg Gangle
DRF HARNESS
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Best Bet: SAMIRA HANOVER (3rd)
Spot Play: RANDOM MAJORITY (5th)
Race 1
(4) ILL BE THERE made a miscue last week and recovered well. He's been very consistent in recent starts. (6) HOLY MOLIE MAGIE has a terrific record, comes out of Menary's barn and is a major threat even on the class jump. (2) MOPEY COREY draws inside, has excellent gate-speed and hasn't missed the board yet this season.
Race 2
(1) GENESEE draws the rail again and can't be overlooked at this level. He'll take a lot of money and will look for a better effort than last week. (2) CHEYENNE MOISHE draws inside and has been racing at his best in recent starts. He's a major contender. (3) BLENDED WHISKEY provided the minor upset last start and will look for the same type of trip.
Race 3
(8) SAMIRA HANOVER raced well last week considering it was over three weeks since her last start. She should be much better this week and gets Zeron. (7) MAGIC WILL WORK has been knocking on the door in recent starts and remains in the same class. (4) ROCKIN WITH DEWEY draws well, shows versatility and has the speed for this group.
Race 4
(4) AVATARTIST has terrific gate-speed and gets McNair. That's the main reason for my selection. (9) SPEED AGAIN has the speed, but tends to be inconsistent. He races better on the front and raced well last week. (10) ALEXAS JACKPOT closed well in his latest and has a good overall record over the past two seasons. He's a major threat as well.
Race 5
(8) RANDOM MAJORITY comes out of the Moreau barn, has terrific gate-speed and may provide a price. This is a wide-open race. (1) FIVE TOWNS won at this level two starts ago and draws inside. McNair is in the bike and likely will get an aggressive steer. (5) FLIGHT OF THE KIWI gets post relief and has hit the board in two of his last three starts.
Race 6
(9) WAZZUP WAZZUP has been a perfect two-for-two since arriving in the Johnson barn and scored a sizzling 1:51 4/5 effort in his latest. (6) THORN IN YOUR SIDE has a terrific overall record and hasn't missed the board in six starts. (10) IDEAL RACE is a classy veteran and is capable of overcoming post 10. He has the speed and back class in his favour.
Race 7
(7) J C ONTHEBEACH raced very well to finish second last week. He's back on a seven-day rotation and should be that much better. (2) BILBO HANOVER was hard-used in his latest and draws inside once again. He'll likely be put in the race and is a good option in here. (3) PAPPYS PAL draws well and comes out of the Brethour barn. He's versatile and may offer a fair price.
Race 8
(4) STONEBRIDGE ON ICE is a classy veteran who gets McNair in the bike. That's the main reason for my selection. (5) PEENIE draws well and has been racing well in this class for the past four starts. (3) MONTE CRISTO gets major post relief and drops in class. That sets him up well in here.
Race 9
(4) DELCREST JULIAN drops in class, gets Filion in the bike and shouldn't get away too far back from post four. (8) WINE PHOTO raced well last start after a long layoff. He should be that much better in here at the same class. (1) STRIKING LINDSEY gets the rail, has back class and should receive an inside trip.
Race 10
(5) MYSTICIAN raced well last week and drops in class. He looks like the horse to beat. (2) GRANDE SEELSTER draws inside and is very versatile. He comes out of a good barn and drops out of the Preferred. (3) MCKINNEY is fresh off a win and comes out of the Johnson barn. He has hit the board in five of his last six starts.
Race 11
(4) KEEPING OPTOMISTIC is certainly in top form and now moves into the Johnson barn. He moves up in class and onto this circuit and will likely offer a low price. (9) KINMUNDYS STRYKER draws outside once again, but has gate-speed. He has the speed, but will need a trip. (7) WEST COAST BREEZE has been racing very well at The Meadows in recent starts and will now enter this circuit. He has the speed and likely will provide a fair price.
Race 12
(6) WORLD AWAY is fresh off a win and has been racing well in his last two starts. He gets Christoforou back in the bike and likely will be put in the race once again. (4) IN COMMANDO draws inside and has hit the board in two of his last three. (9) DONEGAL GERALD likely will offer a price and will have to overcome the outside. He's hit the board in each of his last two starts and races at his best when he's put into the race.