Mohawk: Saturday 6/7 Analysis
By Greg Gangle
DRF HARNESS
Race 4: $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Best Bet: JK ENDOFANERA
Spot Play: MAJOR HOTTIE
Race 1
(3) NAT A VIRGIN finally put her game face on last week with a convincing win for trainer Jones & driver Zeron. Her ear plugs were still intact as she brushed home with a 26 3/5 final quarter. (4) BEACH GAL was too far back last week, but she overcome the obstacle with a 26 4/5 final frame to get up in the final strides. (6) UFFIZI HANOVER banked $360K last season, but hasn’t hit the board in each of her two starts this year. I believe it’s just a matter of time before she rounds into form for top trainer Takter and driver Miller.
Race 2
(5) PRECOCIOUS BEAUTY has bounced back very well this season considering her extremely tough trip in the Breeders Crown to end her freshman campaign. (6) LADY SHADOW is the other McNair entry and was a convincing winner last week in the final of the SBOA. (4) MAJOR DANCER responded very well in her trio of starts this season, but was a beaten favorite last week with a great trip by Drury.
Race 3
(5) JK ENDOFANERA put forth a gritty effort last week to fend off a late challenge from Luck Be Withyou, who pulled the pocket and attacked at three-quarters. (3) WESTERN VINTAGE was a beaten favorite in his most recent start. Two back, in his sophomore debut, he put forth a remarkable effort given he was parked every step of the way en route to victory in sub-1:50. (2) BEAT THE DRUM has only hit the board once from three starts this season, but his effort last start at The Meadowlands was terrific.
Race 4
(4) LIGHTS GO OUT has won five of 11 starts this season and was a beaten favorite last week in this class. She closed well, but was too far back turning for home. (1) REQUEST FOR PAROLE draws a favorable post once again, comes out of the Johnson barn and certainly has the speed. (2) ITS NO SECRET has a patented late kick and has been finishing off her miles very strongly in each of her last three starts.
Race 5
(7) ALWAYS B MIKI was overdue for a victory until he got the job done last week in his division of the Somebeachsomewhere. (4) LETS DRINK ON IT faced his toughest test of the season last week and was a beaten favorite. You can expect the fractions to be more honest this week for young driver Smith, who will team up with a veteran trainer. (1) MCWICKED comes from the Coleman barn, which can’t be overlooked. He draws well once again, gets Miller in the bike and paced home very strong to finish second last start in the Somebeachsomehwere.
Race 6
(6) MICHAELS POWER hasn’t been at his best yet this season, but he comes out of the Coleman barn, has excellent gate speed and has over $1.6 million of back class to his credit. (1) SING FOR ME GEORGE hopefully won’t be too far back with a post one start. He’s paced home in sub-:27 fashion in each of his last four starts, but has had too far to come. (3) COUGAR HALL drops in class and won at this level just three starts back. He also draws inside and had too far to come last week.
Race 7
(6) MODERN LEGEND gets a major driver improvement in here with Tetrick listed to drive. (2) ELLIS PARK was spectacular in his season debut to finish third with a 25 3/5 final quarter last week. He was charted 20 lengths off at the start and was beaten less than two for the win. (3) LUCAN HANOVER drops in class and gets post relief. He faces older horses for the first time in his career this season and it is taking him a few starts to adapt.
Race 8
(1) ANNDROVETTE will be the top choice in here for many handicappers with her recent winning effort in the Betsy Ross against the top pacing mares in the sport. (2) JERSEYLICIOUS has adapted well facing older mares as a four-year-old and hasn’t missed the board in each of her four starts this season. (4) CHARISMA HANOVER has been much better in her last two starts for trainer Burke.
Race 9
(1) HES WATCHING was spectacular last week with a bounce back effort from his disappointment in the Art Rooney. He silenced all critics with an open length score for Menary and Jamieson in 1:49 3/5. (3) TELLITLIKEITIS might be the ‘dark horse’ in this year’s Cup after his sizzling effort in his lone start of the season. (2) LUCK BE WITHYOU received an aggressive steer last week from driver Pierce and the son of Western Ideal responded with a second-place finish while dropping three seconds off his qualifying time.
Race 10
(5) THEPANINSULA HOTEL draws better this week and is overdue for a victory. (3) DONAU comes out of the Auciello barn and performed well last week despite tiring down the lane. (8) UP THE CREDIT closed very strong last week from a post 10 start. He was charted 18 lengths back at the opening quarter and was beaten four lengths on the end.
Race 11
(3) SOMWHEROVRARAINBOW is arguably the top older pacing mare this season with her three straight wins and impressive victory in the Bluechip Matchmaker. (4) MONKEY ON MY WHEEL might offer a price in this event. She’s fresh off a victory, comes out of the Coleman barn and is ready to tackle the best free-for-all mares. (2) ROCKLAMATION closed well in her latest to finish second in the Betsy Ross.
Race 12
(4) RAYS SAN drops in class, which played a key factor in my selection process. (2) GENESEE will get a lot of attention in here as he’s been racing very consistently at this level for many weeks. (3) RAVE ON has won three of his last five starts and moves back onto this circuit. He has a terrific overall record this season and will need to step up his game in this contest.
Race 13
(9) MAJOR HOTTIE likely will provide a price in the finale. He was game at the wire in his latest, only beaten by a neck for the win. (4) BETTOR THAN YOU starts from a good post once again and has hit the board in each of his last two starts. (10) CHAMPAIGN PHIL was an impressive winner last week in a new career best for MacDonald & Auciello.