Mohawk: Saturday 8/9 Analysis
By Greg Gangle
DRF HARNESS
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Best Bet: SHAMBALLA (1st)
Spot Play: THUNDER SEELSTER (8th)
Race 1
(1) SHAMBALLA has won three straight impressively with his sizzling late kick, gets the rail and remains at this same level. (7) STEADY WARRIOR recently entered the McNair barn following a private purchase and may offer a price. (6) COBBLE BEACH has been racing very consistently as of late and once again poses as a main threat in this class.
Race 2
(6) MINESTRE HANOVER has won back-to-back races at this level for trainer Nixon. (1) BUDDYS HOPE enters the Beelby barn, has been very consistent this season and is capable of the class jump. (8) SUMMONS has hit the board in each of his last two starts and comes from a high percentage barn. He'll offer a low price and is a logical triactor play.
Race 3
(3) CHARMED LIFE has been racing at her best in recent weeks and has scored back-to-back wins. (2) WINDSONG GEANT is starting to look like his old self. He's racing very consistently, draws inside and is certainly capable in here. (6) CATCH THE DREAM hasn't missed the board in many weeks, has back class and offers a lot of versatility.
Race 4
(7) REQUEST FOR PAROLE comes out of the Johnson barn, is fresh off a win at this level and gets Waples in the bike. (3) FERRARI SENA draws inside, drops out of the Fillies & Mares Preferred class and comes from the Moreau barn. (8) JENNA CASIMIR may offer a price like last week, but she's been at her best in here last three appearances.
Race 5
(3) FRIEND OR FOE was a winner last week in this class, draws well and gets Christoforou back in the bike. (6) NOBLE FLIGHT has been the picture of consistency this season and has a terrific late kick. (5) DOUBLEDOWN GASS has only missed the board once this season, has terrific gate speed and is a top threat once again.
Race 6
(6) MACHAL JORDAN remains at this level, continues to pace in the 1:50-range and may offer a fair price in this wide-open contest. (1) THE REV gets the rail, comes from McNair's barn and finished second last week in this class. (5) FOREGO THE CIGAR just missed last week and Nixon's barn has been terrific this season. He has the speed and is capable of the class jump.
Race 7
(1) POCKET TRIP has terrific gate-speed and is a logical option in this class. Goodwin's barn has been terrific this season and this gelding will offer a low price. (4) HOME TURF is fresh off a win and has won three of his last four. (6) NORTHERN BULLET comes from the Larocque barn and is making just his second start back after a successful 2013 campaign.
Race 8
(10) THUNDER STEELER will need to overcome post 10, but he drops to this bottom level and may command a price. (5) LENNON BLUE CHIP enters the condition ranks, draws well and has been racing much better as of late. (4) DRAIN DADDY is due for a big effort sooner or later. He comes from good connections and went a tough trip last week.
Race 9
(9) ELLIS PARK commanded a price last week en route to victory. I'll back him again against many of the same rivals. (8) SUNSHINE BEACH recently qualified in 1:50 2/5 and faces a much easier field. (5) CAPTIVE AUDIENCE has suffered a pair of unfortunate steers as he was loaded with pace and nowhere to go. With a clean trip, he's a top candidate.
Race 10
(8) E L TITAN won three of five starts last season, qualified strongly and appears ready to begin his 2014 campaign. (4) DAMFOORRMILLIONAIR comes from the Maxwell barn, has won back-to-back races and is capable of the class jump. (1) OLE JACK MAGIC draws the rail and has hit the board in two of his last three.
Race 11
(4) ODYSSEUS BLUECHIP draws well for trainer Johnson and just missed last week in this class. (3) JDS CALEB MAN has a patented late kick, is fresh off a career best mile and draws much better in here. (1) THEPANINSULAHOTEL gets the rail, has all kinds of back class to offer and gets Christoforou back in the bike.
Race 12
(10) BAD BOY MATT has been racing well as of late and was a beaten favourite last week in this class. (2) TENDTOWIN draws inside and has won six of nine this season. He has the speed and may offer a price like last week. (9) JACKSON BRADY was a winner two back for trainer Wallace and is capable of the class jump. McNair is in the bike this week and will likely offer a price.