Tonight, Breeders Crown weekend begins at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The headliners are 2-year-olds competing in 4 Crown Finals. The Middle Pick 5 has a $100,000 guaranteed pool. The sequence starts in Race 6, it contains the 4 Finals that roll in races 6-9, and it will be my focus. There also are a few carryovers tonight to chase: $46,241 (CAN) Pick 5 Carryover (Races 1-5) and a $15,970 (CAN) Pick 6 Carryover (Races 4-9).
Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.
Race 6 (8:55 PM EDT)
2-Nezuko Kamado S (5/2)-The last race was a confident victory by a sharp horse and a crafty pilot. Tried a different method last week after winning the previous 3 starts by taking control early on and not looking back. Won't be 8 lengths back at the half pole this week. Will be closer to the leaders at the head of the stretch and has a big chance of continuing the winning streak.
6-Bingo Night (10-1)-Finished a good 3rd in the Elim after being parked to the quarter pole before finding the rail. Then was 1st to pull down the lane, finished gamely considering the trip and could be double-digit odds tonight.
9-Sryoursightshigh (7/2)-The Marcus Melander trainee wasn't driven aggressively in the Elim and was off about 3 weeks between starts. Was caught by a longshot (5-Storybook Love) down the lane who had more go late in the mile. This race will set up differently, and the post helps the price.
Race 7 (9:25 PM EDT)
3-Loua Dipa (1/5)-The daughter of Sweet Lou has been great all year winning 8 of 11 starts. But in the last 3 races has looked freakishly good. If the Burke pupil gets a fair trip, she should crush this field and end the season a perfect 4 for 4 at Mohawk.
Race 8 (9:55 PM EDT)
2-Spencer Hanover (6-1)-Apex is the 7/5 chalk for good reason and had last week off. Many will single but my play is to fade and look to cash a profitable ticket. The chalk took last week off while Jason Bartlett provided a sharp drive on this freshman and the Marcus Melander entry sped home in 153.4 with a 26.4 last panel. Could surprise at a solid number.
3-Diabolic Hill (9/5)-The second chalk could offer a little value but hasn't been able to solve Apex yet. This colt drew off in its Elim, is sharp as a tack, and in my view is the one to beat.
4-Nix Nacken (8-1)-This is another who could offer a good return, and raced well last week with Yannick Gingras in the bike for the 1st time. Gingras can be aggressive to a fault at times but in this situation he could be a perfect fit for the Melander pupil. This is a one-move type, that should benefit from spicy fractions and could be stalking close to the leader.
Race 9 (10:25 PM EDT)
6-Beau Jangles (8/5)-In my view the Dr Moore trainee is in the same freak category as Loua Dipa. The son of Cattle Wash hasn't left Canada where he is a perfect 11 for 11 on the season and 10 of the wins happened at Wbsb. Would he be as dominant racing on the Grand Circuit...maybe or maybe not? But none of that matters because at Mohawk the colt should remain undefeated when this race is over.
(Race 10) (10:50 PM EDT)
7-Grit N Grace (7/2)-Knows how to dance with this kind and will look for better this week. Regular pilot Jody Jamieson is back at the controls and that should help. Got a bumpy trip in an odd race where longshots raced near the top early on. This mare raced wide past the quarter and ended up 3rd on the rail. Couldn't shake loose down the lane and raced better than the line looked.
8-Seaclusion N (3-1)-Made its debut in North America last week, raced from the back and was buried on the rail turning for the wire. Shook loose and Jene Rene Plante weaved his way down the lane to come a nice 4th. Left from the 10-hole in last and sizzled the back half in 52.3. Should be in play once the wings fold and could win with a smooth trip.
$1 Pick 5
2,6,9/3/2,3,4/6/7,8
Total Bet=$18
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PHOTO: Courtesy Woodbine Mohawk Park
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