The richest night of harness racing in Canada is Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park, where a pair of races worth more than US$700,000 share featured billing on a 12-race card that begins with a guaranteed Pick 5.The Metro Pace goes as race 7, and the Mohawk Million is race 9. Both finals had eliminations last week, and Saturday's races will determine the victors.
Race 1, condition pace, US$745,245 guaranteed Pick 5This card starts with a strong contender in no. 6 The Greek Freak, who moves up in class off a strong victory following a respite. He belongs against tougher and has seemed to rebound. No. 3 Sometime Somewhere could possibly be a live price factor now that he lands an improved post. He can land into a somewhat forward spot and maybe navigate his way into the mix. No. 2 Fabrizio N drops in class and has always had speed, but is incredibly quirky. He should be live to hit the number, but whether he can win depends on how much he shows up. No. 5 Write Me a Rose faces older horses and finds himself between divisions of OSS Gold, so he’ll likely try and sit an easy trip. But he has a late punch that can get him a solid check.Contenders: 6-3-2-5.
Race 2, FFA TrotInteresting race where maybe no. 4 Logan Park can get the better of no. 2 Fashion Frenzie. Given he’s drawn more towards the center of the gate, Logan Park could grab positional advantage on Fashion Frenzie, who will likely have to make a quarter move with the inside draw. Presuming Logan Park hasn’t been regressing as possibly his last few lines could also show, he’s really the only one in this field that can down a possibly vulnerable Fashion Frenzie. No. 8 Pemberton lands the right post to snag a piece with one large late sweeping move. That’s his forte. No. 6 Oney Hall could also try to messy early proceedings by pushing forward, and as long as he’s close to the speed he can keep tabs to get a share.Contenders: 4-2-8-6.
Race 3, fillies and mares preferred paceNow that she escapes some of the top Grand Circuit mares, no. 5 So Much More has an opportunity to get back to the winner’s circle. She could sneak a pace not as torrid as others she’s been part of at this level in past weeks and her grit could get her home at a possibly okay price. No. 1 Dabarndawgswatchin is in stellar form. And honestly, the post draw is the worst spot for her since she risks having to go a first-over trip. But she’s on her game and could persevere. Another mare on her game is no. 3 Intothemysticmoon, and she should be a good enough price to try in the gimmicks. No. 4 Sylvia Hanover could be a takeout reducer given she’s a 3-year-old against older. And she could crush, but these are some talented mares in their own right that could outclass her at better odds. Contenders: 5-1-3-4.
Race 4, Elegantimage final, Pick 4If she got any clearance in the lane, No. 3 Rose Run Yolanda looked ready to win her elimination. But she didn’t, so she finished second. Unfortunately, she likely won’t be a juicy price for a great contrarian strike but given the right trip she appears capable of breaking through the top ranks. No. 5 Bond is Bond is fast and consistent, but the real question is whether Ake pushes or not. I think she will. No. 8 Tactical Mounds has rounded into decent form for this Grand Circuit try and could work her way into the race from the outside post. No. 7 Pure Hope S appears a sneaky long shot for the superfecta, since I’m of the camp to fade Righteous Resolve, who looked ready to get caught in her elimination, as well as Quick Stop and Call Me Goo from the outside posts. Contenders: 3-5-8-7.
Race 5, She’s A Great Lady finalTwo fillies stand taller than everyone else – no. 5 Its A Love Thing and no. 3 Caviart Belle. After her elimination win, Gingras seemed like he wanted Caviart Belle to be more on her game since she almost got downed in the lane. So with that possible vulnerability joined by Its A Love Thing having quick legs and heart, she could be a solid counter play. No. 8 Watching You should be a middle-tier price that could come flying into the race for a piece. No. 2 Odds on Platinum almost beat Caviart Belle in her elimination, but she time and time again falls short of the challenge. But she does grab checks.Contenders: 5-3-8-2.
Race 6, FFA Pace, Pick 5Maybe I’ll get burned again, but no. 4 Linedrive Hanover may be able to work things his way. From this post, he can push forward and secure a stalking trip. That kind of cover could ready him for the type of sprint where he’ll need to be sharp footed, since no. 9 Tattoo Artist appears the fleetest footed of ‘em all here. Either Linedrive Hanover can hold him off or no one can stop Tattoo Artist. Or maybe no. 1 Powertrain can show he’s a 1:47 pacer. He has the speed and has been improving since returning in July, but it’s still a tough task. No. 3 Carbine can complete some exotics. Contenders: 4-9-1-3.
Race 7, Metro Pace finalI wish I had something more constructive to say than no. 2 Legendary Hanover is the best in the field here, but I really don’t. I’m not sure how he loses this race, but I also am not entirely sold that he has it in the bag because of the inside post draw. He has the most talent and smarts of what’s been demonstrated, but everyone else already knows this. I could see no. 4 Captain Luke somehow taking another step forward to maybe do something since he has finished strong seconds in back-to-back starts. No. 8 Remember The Alamo could also take a strong step forward to do good here. And no. 5 Storm Shadow is a possible live horse for the underneath spots, but I’m totally against Captains Quarters. He seems like a decent horse, but off the miles he’s gone he’s just going to scorch money. Could he make Legendary Hanover a more digestible chalk? Time will tell.Contenders: 2-4-8-5.
Race 8, Canadian Trotting Classic finalI really thought no. 7 Winners Bet was going to win that elimination, but seeing as he still uncorked a sub-27 second final quarter I can maybe forgive he didn’t pass a game Celebrity Bambino. But with the speed likely from horses like Up Your Deo and Little Expensive and possibly even Tuscan Prince and Chapercraz, Dunn might be able to get this guy a major win on his sophomore season. No. 4 Up Your Deo is an obvious factor given his connections and he’s likely going to be in a good spot to be productive. No. 6 Little Expensive should also try to fire just so he can suck along and grab a good check. No. 5 Celebrity Bambino may be put into a tough spot given the connections want to try him more from off the speed, but the trip might not necessarily work out well for him given this setup. Contenders: 7-4-6-5.
Race 9, Mohawk Million Final, Pick 4This race is going to go fast. I am not trusting most of the speed to last here. Same time, that poises no. 5 Drawn Impression for a big opportunity. She moves so naturally and pounces with such ease that she could just catapult over her rivals. Yet, she’s coming into this race off a sick scratch, so that’s an added variable. But the ability is there. Same with no. 3 Allegiant, who could have speed that can last. I’m not sure why she didn’t hold onto the lead at Lexington, but her win at Oak Grove earlier this season was impressive enough to say she’s got some kind of spunk. No. 10 Emoji Hanover could work into the race from the outside post given the possible loads of speed that can unload. And all that speed puts no. 8 T C I in a weird spot. Dave Miller has said they’ve wanted to try him from off the speed, and this might be a race they’ll have to try that. Not sure how well it will work, though. Or maybe he just fires down the road? Freshmen are weird.Contenders: 5-3-10-8.
Race 10, conditioned paceDespite broken equipment, no. 6 Rockabilly Rebel N went a good race against this group last out. Wardrobe malfunctions aside, he’s worth giving another chance. No. 3 Cold Creek Queso likes to just make one push in the lane and driver Jody Jamieson seems well paired for that, nearly landing in his most recent start. He belongs at this level. No. 1 Livinthebeachlife should be a bigger factor from this post. He’ll likely be closer to the pace than he was last out and that should make the difference. No. 5 Century Heineken is consistent and can hit the board, but he’s an obvious one. At the very least, he’s a play against for win.Contenders: 6-3-1-5.
Race 11, conditioned paceNo. 1 Verdun uncorked a massive race in an OSS Gold division last out to tire and finish fifth. But in these between races on the OSS calendar, sometimes horses like this can bounce and not fire with the same kind of fervor. But he has the talent and the ability to crush, it's just a matter of if he puts it together from this draw. No. 2 Better Bold has ability, but doesn’t tend to work productive trips. The day he gets a good trip, he can win. But he’ll be too short a price to take that gamble on win, though he’s a strong possibility to hit the number. No. 5 Bettor Than Pride draws a prime spot to fire and stay involved at a decent price. No. 9 Brookdale Miki could come charging onto the ticket, but he tends to hang in his bids. Getting a check is possible.Contenders: 1-2-5-9.
Race 12, conditioned pace, jackpot high 5A humdinger of a finale. I scratched my head bloody by this point, so maybe no. 7 Highlandbeachlover gets back on a groove after several decent efforts that were not paired with good draws or ideal trips. But this post and being against this group could be the right pairing for him to get a photograph. No. 9 No Free Lunch can pack a whopping gut punch in the lane, but sometimes that’s enough to win and sometimes it’s not. No. 3 Highlandbeachsbest is better than this class level at his best, but he seems like he’s trying to rekindle that ability he possessed months, even years prior. He’s coming in off a positive qualifier behind a good one in Powertrain, so maybe he’s a live long shot. No. 2 Respect Our Flag gets the right draw to secure positioning and find a way into a check.Contenders: 7-9-3-2.
Ray Cotolo writes for Harnessland
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