Race 1
4 Kennedy Hanover high upside, best value
10 Sherlyn Hanover intent an issue. likely comes late
6 Green Goose showing signs. better post, more tactical this time.
2 Delightful Yankee still green. High upside, but possibly overbet
9 Press On Ballykeel bad post, likely needs one
3 Upgrade others look better at this point
1 Love Sensation first time lasix, needs more overall speed
5 My Classy Queen project horse, adds hopples, has speed
8 Goldie Lux Hanover work in progress. broke last time
7 D A Merlot hard pass
1 Love Sensation is a 3yo Walner filly for The Stable. She made 1 start last year in the KYSS, made a break and was shut down. Upon her return this winter at Mohawk she has not improved her time and has not performed. She looked very rocky gaited parading last time, and although she was up close to the pace, she faded back late. Her Trixton dam trotted in 1.54 as a 2yo, but so far, she shows no signs of that kind of ability. It didn't appear to be a gait issue, so one would presume she either does not have the speed or class to race at this track, she is a bleeder, or she tied up. As she resurfaces with lasix, first time lasix, they must have scoped her and she bled. None of that was enough for J Mac, who jumped to another horse here. Tyler Jones picks up the steer, but I will watch to see if the lasix solves the issue. At this point, she just doesn't appear to have enough speed. She was 3rd 2 back, but she only needed to trot in 2.02 to do that, which is what she has done all along. That isn't good enough when the weather warms up.
2 Delightful Yankee is a 3yo Muscle Hill filly who brought 325k at the Lexington Sale for big shooter Determination. She was seemingly ready to qualify on June 30th, but made a break and was distanced as she did the next time. She kept it together a month later, leaving and closing in 28 and change, but they didn't race her. Seven days later she was back running, and distanced. That was the end of her disappointing rookie season. She returned on March 6th and seemingly stayed flat, although it was foggy and sometimes they run in those conditions and the charter misses it, although nobody can know one way or the other for sure. She did okay otherwise, beaten by Tomboy Strong who was impressive the other day, and Upgrade, who seems like at least a viable racehorse at this stage. She came back a week later and made no mistakes, sticking with the pace and finishing well, taking her time down 2 seconds and winning. Both qualifiers were with McClure and he handles her this time. She is a very nice mover and McClure never seemed to ask her as she went forward. There appears to be a lot more under the hood. However, if there is one issue, she does toss her head slightly on the gate. That is more greenness than anything else, but it explains the gate breaks.
3 Upgrade a big ticket yearling as well, went off as the 6-5 favorite last time, which was foolish as the winner looked just as good as her on paper and they were right together when they qualified. She was floated out, then on the move after the half, but did not appear to be going forward, or backward, but just one speed trotting on the outside. Eventually others faded, she was up into 2nd, no danger at all to the winner, and then let another pass her easily in the stretch. She shows troubling signs of one who just doesn't do enough. There are other contenders this time, so she is more likely to bring 4-1 or higher. She is usable at that price, but I like others to this point.
4 Kennedy Hanover is somewhat of an inbred, in that her dam Keepsake Hanover is by Cantab Hall, and her 3rd dam is by Kenwood Scamper, the foundation dam of all the success of Angus, Conway and Andover Hall, and all the others from that family, including the dam of Cantab Hall--Canland Hall. Sometimes when you see that type of breeding, you see 3 things at the same time. Lameness, breakers when they are young, and high speed. She certainly shows the lameness, as she was vet scratched lame at Kawartha to end her year last year, and she was prone to making breaks before that. Of her 4 qualifiers and races last year, she broke and was distanced in two of them, while in the other two, she stayed at it, left well, cut the mile and finished reasonably okay. Upon return on March 13th, in the same qualifier as Delightful Yankee and others in here, she was right up tight to the gate, floated out under a stern hold by J Mac, followed well although a shade grabby but willing to go more. As they turned for home she was let loose, with loose whip taps and was moving very well, clearly a horse with some real speed and a solid gait. She trotted that last quarter in 27.3 She has potential to score right off here, as McIntosh usually sends them out ready and trying to win early. She has a legit shot if she parades sound this time. J Mac picked her over the rail horse.
5 My Classy Queen is by My MVP, the sire of Hot Coe Coe, who paces, and Hasty Bid who is a top notch horse, but he has always needed the trotting hopples. She is a big strong filly with a big gait but to this point can't seem to deal with the speed she has. At this point it just seems she wants to go more than she is able to handle. That seemed to be the case last time when Borth lost her in the turn. Borth goes elsewhere this time and noted trotting man Trevor Henry picks up the steer. She has started slow in all 6 lines on the page, and broke and been distanced in 4 of them, as she was last time. She is a project for sure, but the ability looks to be there. Not this time, but she is on my radar for any signs of maturity. She puts the hopples on this time. Let's see if that helps her.
6 Green Goose has made 3 starts now for Holding after team Bax moved her along. In the 6 starts on the page, she has drawn the 8 hole, 10 hole and the 9 hole 3 times. That is bad luck, but luck usually evens out. Here she gets the advantageous 6 hole, and when she had the 4 hole 2 starts back she left a bit better than usual and went the fastest mile of her career, although she still was a ways back. Thiessen is a good driver to bet, as he seems to put out max effort every time, and drives them hard, getting some longer shots home that you might not expect. However, he is prone to overdriving some, possibly moving a bit early, and that seemed the case last time. Sitting 6th by 7 lengths at the half, he gunned her 3 wide on the turn, turned for home on the lead but then ran out of gas in deep stretch. Still, she trotted her own back half in 59.2, which is progress for her, considering she did it 3 wide for a portion of that, on the turn. She made a similar move for Bax in her last start in that barn, although they must have realized then that her ceiling is likely as a mediocre raceway horse, not a stakes mare which they aimed to purchase, so she was sold. Under the right circumstances here...a better post, better timed move, some green failings by the big shot contenders, she could blow up the tote board. She is one of many in here that you can make a case for.
7 D A Merlot a 3yo Green Manalishi filly, is now 0 for 18 in her career. And its not like she has just been on the fringes. She has one career 3rd place finish, taken last year, and in the 6 lines on the page she has been beaten a total of 92 lengths. Her overall times are slow, and I dont see anything to suggest she is making any progress. She gets Dagfin as the driver this time and I would presume that is possibly for him to give some suggestions to the trainer on what he might try with her. Hard pass this time for me.
8 Goldie Lux Hanover by Tactical Landing, a lot of his take time to find their way and gait. Goldie Lux shows some ability at times, but she is a nervous, fidgety filly and very green. She is a good leaver when she can keep it together, but last time that nervousness got the best of her going to the gate, and then when she settled she jumped again. I am inclined to watch her this time, as this isn't as soft a bunch as you normally see in this class and she draws the 8 hole again. I would think the plan is to get her away clean, sit back, and brush late for a small cheque if that works out. Pass for now, watch for later.
9 Press On Ballykeel a Wheelin N Dealin 3yo filly out of a Majestic Son dam, you would expect her to be a bit hot. She raced 7 times at 2, including in some Grassroots races, which she shows a 2nd and 3rd on the page in those. She showed being a good leaver last year, but as mentioned, her breeding suggests she can be hot, and since they let her ramble out of there when she was starting out, she seems defiant about rating now. As such, Borth kept her well back in her 2nd qualifier after she made a gate break in her first one this year, and she was at least 3 lengths off the gate when it pulled away. After that, she was glued to the rail, well back, and never moved off that rail, but looked very impressive when Borth let her trot, even though he wasn't asking her, coming home in 27.3. Getting to the half in 1.05 is not a recipe for winning races at this track, or any track these days, but she shows going faster last year and finishing just as well. I'd think the goal is to teach her for now so she can compete for that good Sires Stakes money in a couple of months. She has a minor shot if she comes to hand quicker, but that is doubtful this time.
10 Sherlyn Hanover a 3yo Greenshoe filly is a half sister to 870k winner Snowstorm Hanover and 516k winner Sambuca Hanover, who didn't see the racetrack at 2 and qualified last week. She did everything right, behaving on the gate, following along, moving when asked and finishing well to finish 2nd to a big ticket prospect who she meets again here. Post 10 complicates things here and there is some talent in this race to contend with. Obviously, her owners are now prolific breeders and her pedigree screams broodmare who will sell high ticket yearlings, so there was no rush to get her to the races. Her last quarter in the prep of 27.2 suggests she is ready now, if they have the intent to race her to win. Do they?
1 Love Sensation is a 3yo Walner filly for The Stable. She made 1 start last year in the KYSS, made a break and was shut down. Upon her return this winter at Mohawk she has not improved her time and has not performed. She looked very rocky gaited parading last time, and although she was up close to the pace, she faded back late. Her Trixton dam trotted in 1.54 as a 2yo, but so far, she shows no signs of that kind of ability. It didn't appear to be a gait issue, so one would presume she either does not have the speed or class to race at this track, she is a bleeder, or she tied up. As she resurfaces with lasix, first time lasix, they must have scoped her and she bled. None of that was enough for J Mac, who jumped to another horse here. Tyler Jones picks up the steer, but I will watch to see if the lasix solves the issue. At this point, she just doesn't appear to have enough speed. She was 3rd 2 back, but she only needed to trot in 2.02 to do that, which is what she has done all along. That isn't good enough when the weather warms up.
2 Delightful Yankee is a 3yo Muscle Hill filly who brought 325k at the Lexington Sale for big shooter Determination. She was seemingly ready to qualify on June 30th, but made a break and was distanced as she did the next time. She kept it together a month later, leaving and closing in 28 and change, but they didn't race her. Seven days later she was back running, and distanced. That was the end of her disappointing rookie season. She returned on March 6th and seemingly stayed flat, although it was foggy and sometimes they run in those conditions and the charter misses it, although nobody can know one way or the other for sure. She did okay otherwise, beaten by Tomboy Strong who was impressive the other day, and Upgrade, who seems like at least a viable racehorse at this stage. She came back a week later and made no mistakes, sticking with the pace and finishing well, taking her time down 2 seconds and winning. Both qualifiers were with McClure and he handles her this time. She is a very nice mover and McClure never seemed to ask her as she went forward. There appears to be a lot more under the hood. However, if there is one issue, she does toss her head slightly on the gate. That is more greenness than anything else, but it explains the gate breaks.
3 Upgrade a big ticket yearling as well, went off as the 6-5 favorite last time, which was foolish as the winner looked just as good as her on paper and they were right together when they qualified. She was floated out, then on the move after the half, but did not appear to be going forward, or backward, but just one speed trotting on the outside. Eventually others faded, she was up into 2nd, no danger at all to the winner, and then let another pass her easily in the stretch. She shows troubling signs of one who just doesn't do enough. There are other contenders this time, so she is more likely to bring 4-1 or higher. She is usable at that price, but I like others to this point.
4 Kennedy Hanover is somewhat of an inbred, in that her dam Keepsake Hanover is by Cantab Hall, and her 3rd dam is by Kenwood Scamper, the foundation dam of all the success of Angus, Conway and Andover Hall, and all the others from that family, including the dam of Cantab Hall--Canland Hall. Sometimes when you see that type of breeding, you see 3 things at the same time. Lameness, breakers when they are young, and high speed. She certainly shows the lameness, as she was vet scratched lame at Kawartha to end her year last year, and she was prone to making breaks before that. Of her 4 qualifiers and races last year, she broke and was distanced in two of them, while in the other two, she stayed at it, left well, cut the mile and finished reasonably okay. Upon return on March 13th, in the same qualifier as Delightful Yankee and others in here, she was right up tight to the gate, floated out under a stern hold by J Mac, followed well although a shade grabby but willing to go more. As they turned for home she was let loose, with loose whip taps and was moving very well, clearly a horse with some real speed and a solid gait. She trotted that last quarter in 27.3 She has potential to score right off here, as McIntosh usually sends them out ready and trying to win early. She has a legit shot if she parades sound this time. J Mac picked her over the rail horse.
5 My Classy Queen is by My MVP, the sire of Hot Coe Coe, who paces, and Hasty Bid who is a top notch horse, but he has always needed the trotting hopples. She is a big strong filly with a big gait but to this point can't seem to deal with the speed she has. At this point it just seems she wants to go more than she is able to handle. That seemed to be the case last time when Borth lost her in the turn. Borth goes elsewhere this time and noted trotting man Trevor Henry picks up the steer. She has started slow in all 6 lines on the page, and broke and been distanced in 4 of them, as she was last time. She is a project for sure, but the ability looks to be there. Not this time, but she is on my radar for any signs of maturity. She puts the hopples on this time. Let's see if that helps her.
6 Green Goose has made 3 starts now for Holding after team Bax moved her along. In the 6 starts on the page, she has drawn the 8 hole, 10 hole and the 9 hole 3 times. That is bad luck, but luck usually evens out. Here she gets the advantageous 6 hole, and when she had the 4 hole 2 starts back she left a bit better than usual and went the fastest mile of her career, although she still was a ways back. Thiessen is a good driver to bet, as he seems to put out max effort every time, and drives them hard, getting some longer shots home that you might not expect. However, he is prone to overdriving some, possibly moving a bit early, and that seemed the case last time. Sitting 6th by 7 lengths at the half, he gunned her 3 wide on the turn, turned for home on the lead but then ran out of gas in deep stretch. Still, she trotted her own back half in 59.2, which is progress for her, considering she did it 3 wide for a portion of that, on the turn. She made a similar move for Bax in her last start in that barn, although they must have realized then that her ceiling is likely as a mediocre raceway horse, not a stakes mare which they aimed to purchase, so she was sold. Under the right circumstances here...a better post, better timed move, some green failings by the big shot contenders, she could blow up the tote board. She is one of many in here that you can make a case for.
7 D A Merlot a 3yo Green Manalishi filly, is now 0 for 18 in her career. And its not like she has just been on the fringes. She has one career 3rd place finish, taken last year, and in the 6 lines on the page she has been beaten a total of 92 lengths. Her overall times are slow, and I dont see anything to suggest she is making any progress. She gets Dagfin as the driver this time and I would presume that is possibly for him to give some suggestions to the trainer on what he might try with her. Hard pass this time for me.
8 Goldie Lux Hanover by Tactical Landing, a lot of his take time to find their way and gait. Goldie Lux shows some ability at times, but she is a nervous, fidgety filly and very green. She is a good leaver when she can keep it together, but last time that nervousness got the best of her going to the gate, and then when she settled she jumped again. I am inclined to watch her this time, as this isn't as soft a bunch as you normally see in this class and she draws the 8 hole again. I would think the plan is to get her away clean, sit back, and brush late for a small cheque if that works out. Pass for now, watch for later.
9 Press On Ballykeel a Wheelin N Dealin 3yo filly out of a Majestic Son dam, you would expect her to be a bit hot. She raced 7 times at 2, including in some Grassroots races, which she shows a 2nd and 3rd on the page in those. She showed being a good leaver last year, but as mentioned, her breeding suggests she can be hot, and since they let her ramble out of there when she was starting out, she seems defiant about rating now. As such, Borth kept her well back in her 2nd qualifier after she made a gate break in her first one this year, and she was at least 3 lengths off the gate when it pulled away. After that, she was glued to the rail, well back, and never moved off that rail, but looked very impressive when Borth let her trot, even though he wasn't asking her, coming home in 27.3. Getting to the half in 1.05 is not a recipe for winning races at this track, or any track these days, but she shows going faster last year and finishing just as well. I'd think the goal is to teach her for now so she can compete for that good Sires Stakes money in a couple of months. She has a minor shot if she comes to hand quicker, but that is doubtful this time.
10 Sherlyn Hanover a 3yo Greenshoe filly is a half sister to 870k winner Snowstorm Hanover and 516k winner Sambuca Hanover, who didn't see the racetrack at 2 and qualified last week. She did everything right, behaving on the gate, following along, moving when asked and finishing well to finish 2nd to a big ticket prospect who she meets again here. Post 10 complicates things here and there is some talent in this race to contend with. Obviously, her owners are now prolific breeders and her pedigree screams broodmare who will sell high ticket yearlings, so there was no rush to get her to the races. Her last quarter in the prep of 27.2 suggests she is ready now, if they have the intent to race her to win. Do they?
Race 3
5 Totally Iconic troubled trip, possibly good value
9 P L Talladega big win in qual.,does he behave, 9 hole issue
4 Steinbeck nice prospect. bad value this time if he goes off short odds
2 Thrufireandflames coming around,needs to do more now
6 Brain Power has potential. fts. Intent this time?
3 Up To No Gouda McClure picked another. Has to start better.
10 Had To Know, bad post, hasnt shown the speed of these
1 Jonny Cracker 2nd start new connections, project horse
7 Talbot Patriot havent seen anything positive to date
8 Coolcalmncollected one qual, fts, month off already, pass.
1 Jonny Cracker is a 3yo Father Patrick gelding out of a Deweycheatmnhowe mare, so you would expect him to be hot. With only 2 lifetime starts he changed hands from Graham Kirby to Etsell on Ongait for 10k USD after qualifying poorly on February 13th. However, Etsell chose to race him right away rather than qualify him again, as he does a lot, so he took him to Flamboro for a test drive, as he didnt go fast enough for Mohawk. He got around and finished in 30.1, so at least that is somewhat positive, but he was 6th of 6th, so that is not good. He was entered for Mohawk 4 days later but scratched sick and now he races here. He was 3 to 4 lengths off the gate, so the plan was to not fight with him but teach him to race off the pace, as he cut the qualifying mile and stopped badly. After the half, he was running up on horses a bit, so Etsell moved him out, and while he didnt stop, he didn't go forward either and gapped a bit. He is a project for sure, but Etsell likes and does well with those.
2 Thrufireandflames makes start number 6 of his career for team Green. This will be his 3rd start of the season. Last time he left out a little bit, tucked in 5th due to many breakers behind him, pulled first over and ground his way to the top, heading the leader, but then was passed right away by one riding his cover then tired a little bit and actually re passed the one that passed him at the top of the stretch. Better post this time and more fitness, he has a reasonable shot to win this if the trip works out. He will need to do more though. He has a tendency to hang or float next to horses.
3 Up To No Gouda will lose McClure to the 5 horse, who showed more ability and upside last year and I guess in his return qualifier. This one is 4 starts into his 3yo campaign and career, slightly improving as he goes along as you would expect from his trainer. Scotty Young will take over here and he gets off the rail start after having that position in the last two. However, he hasn't shown to be a good leaver from any post at this point. I like that he closes ground each time. Now, he has to start better to keep him in closer range.
4 Steinbeck is a 3/4 brother to Special Way, a 2yo sensation a few years ago by Walner, while Steinbeck is by Walner's sire Chapter Seven. He has shown flashes of ability all along, but seems to have been a project to get him to the point he is more of a racehorse. There was no beating Thor B Good last time, and clearly the plan is to teach this one how to race from behind, and learn to finish strong, which he did last time passing Upgrade for 2nd money. While he is probably more talented than most if not all of these, and his breeding suggests there is more speed under the hood when the time comes to ask for that, right now I'm not sure they want to let him ramble out of there and spoil the progression. Spotting some of these 7 or 8 lengths at the 3/4s likely means he will fall short again, although maybe only getting beat 2 to 3 lengths. I think he is bad value if you have to take 2-1 or less.
5 Totally Iconic raced 9 times at 2 for Barrieau and now surfaces in the barn of Fellows while drawing McClure away from a family horse. He was competitive in the Grassroots last year and shows some 57 miles, which certainly plays with this bunch. In that return qualifier, he did finish 5th by 12 lengths but that was no fault of his own. He was taken back at the start, in no hurry following to the half, in the meantime the leader stopped to a dead walk, while the outer flow had its share of stoppers and breakers, and then up the inside where Totally Iconic went had another one who wasn't going forward and he couldn't get around that one fast enough. McClure being the pro he is, did not panic, just kept him safe, waited for room in the lane and then went forward but was not being asked. I can see a much different scenario tonight for the race. He is likely to leave, then search out a 2 hole follow, then try to pop in the lane and see if he is good enough. He will meet P L Talladega here, who missed all the commotion in that qualifier and romped by 11 lengths, but I dont know that there is actually that much between these two and Totally Iconic draws the better of the two this time. He has a big shot and possibly a very good price.
6 Brain Power is a 3yo Muscle Mass gelding out of an Explosive Matter mare. He has a license based on his breeding to be hot headed and difficult, as some of the Muscle Mass's are, but almost all of the Explosive Matters are. As such, he has had 3 qualifiers this winter, the first two of which he made an early gate break and was well back or distanced. He took no prisoners on March 13th in that 3rd qualifier, blasting to the top from post 9 and clearing before the first turn. He led from there until a few steps from the wire, where he gave way to two very good looking prospects who will race earlier on this card. MacDonell wasn't exactly asking him when they went by, as I doubt he cared. The goal was to get around clean and finish well, which he did despite being passed. He will need to take his time down to win this, which I'm not sure is the goal anyway. He still needs to prove he can behave and I would expect he is still out to learn, and show good habits not the ones he is prone to and showed the first two times out. I give him a very minor shot this time as he learns the ropes of the game.
1 Jonny Cracker is a 3yo Father Patrick gelding out of a Deweycheatmnhowe mare, so you would expect him to be hot. With only 2 lifetime starts he changed hands from Graham Kirby to Etsell on Ongait for 10k USD after qualifying poorly on February 13th. However, Etsell chose to race him right away rather than qualify him again, as he does a lot, so he took him to Flamboro for a test drive, as he didnt go fast enough for Mohawk. He got around and finished in 30.1, so at least that is somewhat positive, but he was 6th of 6th, so that is not good. He was entered for Mohawk 4 days later but scratched sick and now he races here. He was 3 to 4 lengths off the gate, so the plan was to not fight with him but teach him to race off the pace, as he cut the qualifying mile and stopped badly. After the half, he was running up on horses a bit, so Etsell moved him out, and while he didnt stop, he didn't go forward either and gapped a bit. He is a project for sure, but Etsell likes and does well with those.
2 Thrufireandflames makes start number 6 of his career for team Green. This will be his 3rd start of the season. Last time he left out a little bit, tucked in 5th due to many breakers behind him, pulled first over and ground his way to the top, heading the leader, but then was passed right away by one riding his cover then tired a little bit and actually re passed the one that passed him at the top of the stretch. Better post this time and more fitness, he has a reasonable shot to win this if the trip works out. He will need to do more though. He has a tendency to hang or float next to horses.
3 Up To No Gouda will lose McClure to the 5 horse, who showed more ability and upside last year and I guess in his return qualifier. This one is 4 starts into his 3yo campaign and career, slightly improving as he goes along as you would expect from his trainer. Scotty Young will take over here and he gets off the rail start after having that position in the last two. However, he hasn't shown to be a good leaver from any post at this point. I like that he closes ground each time. Now, he has to start better to keep him in closer range.
4 Steinbeck is a 3/4 brother to Special Way, a 2yo sensation a few years ago by Walner, while Steinbeck is by Walner's sire Chapter Seven. He has shown flashes of ability all along, but seems to have been a project to get him to the point he is more of a racehorse. There was no beating Thor B Good last time, and clearly the plan is to teach this one how to race from behind, and learn to finish strong, which he did last time passing Upgrade for 2nd money. While he is probably more talented than most if not all of these, and his breeding suggests there is more speed under the hood when the time comes to ask for that, right now I'm not sure they want to let him ramble out of there and spoil the progression. Spotting some of these 7 or 8 lengths at the 3/4s likely means he will fall short again, although maybe only getting beat 2 to 3 lengths. I think he is bad value if you have to take 2-1 or less.
5 Totally Iconic raced 9 times at 2 for Barrieau and now surfaces in the barn of Fellows while drawing McClure away from a family horse. He was competitive in the Grassroots last year and shows some 57 miles, which certainly plays with this bunch. In that return qualifier, he did finish 5th by 12 lengths but that was no fault of his own. He was taken back at the start, in no hurry following to the half, in the meantime the leader stopped to a dead walk, while the outer flow had its share of stoppers and breakers, and then up the inside where Totally Iconic went had another one who wasn't going forward and he couldn't get around that one fast enough. McClure being the pro he is, did not panic, just kept him safe, waited for room in the lane and then went forward but was not being asked. I can see a much different scenario tonight for the race. He is likely to leave, then search out a 2 hole follow, then try to pop in the lane and see if he is good enough. He will meet P L Talladega here, who missed all the commotion in that qualifier and romped by 11 lengths, but I dont know that there is actually that much between these two and Totally Iconic draws the better of the two this time. He has a big shot and possibly a very good price.
6 Brain Power is a 3yo Muscle Mass gelding out of an Explosive Matter mare. He has a license based on his breeding to be hot headed and difficult, as some of the Muscle Mass's are, but almost all of the Explosive Matters are. As such, he has had 3 qualifiers this winter, the first two of which he made an early gate break and was well back or distanced. He took no prisoners on March 13th in that 3rd qualifier, blasting to the top from post 9 and clearing before the first turn. He led from there until a few steps from the wire, where he gave way to two very good looking prospects who will race earlier on this card. MacDonell wasn't exactly asking him when they went by, as I doubt he cared. The goal was to get around clean and finish well, which he did despite being passed. He will need to take his time down to win this, which I'm not sure is the goal anyway. He still needs to prove he can behave and I would expect he is still out to learn, and show good habits not the ones he is prone to and showed the first two times out. I give him a very minor shot this time as he learns the ropes of the game.
7 Talbot Patriot is a 3yo Six Pack gelding for Hughes and a partner. Another in a long list of project horses for Hughes, this one is 0 for 10 so far who shows a lot of X's on the page and thus had to requalify last time, and did that, although he started well and faded as they went along. He was the one on the rail when Totally Iconic got caught up in traffic. I have to see something positive which I currently dont. No thanks tonight.
8 Coolcalmncollected yet another 3yo Muscle Mass gelding, the 4th in fact in this race, plus another one who is a 3yo colt, this one shows one qualifier, a month ago now, and it wasn't that good. He will have to be seen as to what he brings to the table. His Kadabra dam made 42k and took a mark of 55 at this track. His second dam is Filly At Bigs who made 818k, and his 3rd dam was Mombasa who made 416k when that was a lot of money. While he has royal breeding, he is more Prince Andrew than Prince Charles to date. At this point, he doesn't really have a seat at the table and is looking to prove he at least belongs. His qualifier didn't give any evidence as to how much he can go.
9 P L Talladega the last 3yo Muscle Mass gelding, this one out of the Majestic Son mare P L Indyanaca, who was somewhat of a troublemaker in her racing career, actually falling once and generally she was a bad actor. She also made 119k while she raced. Talladega is a half brother to P L Spencer, who was a top shelf OSS horse the last few years. While P L Spencer ended up being the 3yo Super Final winner last year and won in 151.3, as a two year old he made 3 breaks in 4 starts. So, Talladega fits the profile of his mother and big brother. He shows some talent, but also the young colt breaks and ups and downs on his way to hopefully a nice career. Team Bax paid 90k for him at the London sale and the trainer qualified him but hands the lines to Ratchford.
He was the one that got the benefit of getting out ahead of the trouble that affected Totally Iconic. Nevertheless he made his own luck by leaving out and then pulling and going forward. He draws the 9 hole here, and that can be troublesome for one like this, especially for one who likely is being pointed to bigger things with high expectations of his family guiding that hope and dream. Does he behave tonight or is this just a part of his story and where it begins? Hard to say. I wouldnt take a short price to find out.
10 Had To Know, a 3yo Marseille gelding, an Ohio bred for the Stable, made one start at two at Northfield in July, was 4th but unimpressive and shut down. Like many of those, like Tomboy Strong, he starts this season at this track, possibly in search of a bigger oval to get around. In his return qualifier, with J Mac driving, he floated out near last, on the back of Totally Iconic to the half. While he got jammed up as well, he angled out earlier and was able to have the entire stretch to go forward. He held his own in the pack for 2nd, 3rd and 4th, getting 3rd but hanging a little. He didn't seem to have any issues getting around this track, but he is in the classic bind. Maybe he has trouble getting around the tighter B tracks, but he isn't fast enough to benefit from the bigger tracks and the long stretches. He draws the 10 hole here anyway, so, let's see what he can actually do. I don't view him as a win candidate, but he has a shot at a small cheque if things go his way.
10 Had To Know, a 3yo Marseille gelding, an Ohio bred for the Stable, made one start at two at Northfield in July, was 4th but unimpressive and shut down. Like many of those, like Tomboy Strong, he starts this season at this track, possibly in search of a bigger oval to get around. In his return qualifier, with J Mac driving, he floated out near last, on the back of Totally Iconic to the half. While he got jammed up as well, he angled out earlier and was able to have the entire stretch to go forward. He held his own in the pack for 2nd, 3rd and 4th, getting 3rd but hanging a little. He didn't seem to have any issues getting around this track, but he is in the classic bind. Maybe he has trouble getting around the tighter B tracks, but he isn't fast enough to benefit from the bigger tracks and the long stretches. He draws the 10 hole here anyway, so, let's see what he can actually do. I don't view him as a win candidate, but he has a shot at a small cheque if things go his way.
Race 6
7 Hercules contender off the variables, price?
4 Southview Aviator tactical style, has upset potential
2 Capitalist rounding into form, must do more now
8 Just Business looks like bad value to me.
5 Crypto Hanover needs to be better this time, class drop
1 Hadley one of these days, likely not this time
9 Charlie Cheeks layoff, barn change, bad post
3 Lmc Little Chips too slow, hard to like here
6 Hobnob Hanover doesnt race to win
1 Hadley is a very athletic looking dark mare who always looks like she is going to break through. She was a bit of a bad actor when she was younger, but she has settled down a bit as she has gone on. Her issue now is going a bit faster to be more competitive in this class. Jones jumps off for a seemingly liver and better drive, so she will get Thiessen this time. That might not be a bad thing. Maybe he can get more out of her. This is her 3rd start back off a layoff, so maybe she will start to show more. She has to. I wouldnt toss her.
2 Capitalist seems to be rounding into form, but he has to do more than make one big late move to be a win candidate. Last time he lucked into 3rd, when he was destined for 4th in a 6 horse field when one in front of him jumped it off and he went by. He was off almost an entire year, so maybe it's just taking him some time to get back up to race speed. He seems like one who will find his groove at some point. He will remain a bit player until he steps up.
3 Lmc Little Chips ships in from the B tracks where he was only okay last time, trotting Flamboro in 2.01. Normally that would translate to a 58 or better mile at this track, but he could just be one who goes the same speed at any track. He has raced here before and not gone faster than he has been going lately. He does get to drop from nw3 at Flamboro to nw2 here, but you could debate how tough the nw3 is at Flamboro relative to the ones that race in the nw2 here. I cannot currently see him being anything but one who sits a soft trip and hopes for 5th money.
4 Southview Aviator did what he does best last time. Leave well, follow along, stay at it, and finish evenly. That got him 2nd money last time in a mediocre field where the winner was by himself, and the other contender angled out but took off running mid stretch. These dont look any tougher, and without that winner from last time returning, look even softer. He has a legit shot at the ticket again, and it isn't a big stretch to think he can win it if enough things go his way. His tactical style plays with this bunch.
5 Crypto Hanover gets McClure back here, and he won with her 3 back in this class. From there she was forced to move up to the much tougher nw3 class, and she met a currently streaking Seeking Salvation in those. Crypto gets some salvation here in that she is allowed to move back down to this class, which she is proven at. The racing office added a special condition on the end of the class just for her. With that lucky devine help, she is a legit contender if she can maintain that good form she had. She did look a little wonky behind parading last time, so I will be watching for any signs of that. She didn't leave well last time and while she was probably overmatched anyway, the pack for 5th money was well back of the 4th place horse and should have been in her wheelhouse, but they all out rotted her. Maybe she will be better this time. Maybe not. Of the 6 lines on the page, she only left out once and she made a break doing that, so maybe she just doesnt leave, but when she was good she finished much better than last time.
6 Hobnob Hanover doesnt need much analysis. She is what she is, and she will be hunting for 4th or 5th money again, to continue to pay her way until they have enough horses that she will need to race at Grand River or Georgian to make money. No shot for the win.
7 Hercules a 5yo Lookslikeachipndale gelding ships west from Rideau and Three Rivers to make his debut at this track with a new trainer, Turcotte, who has done well lately. He was a decent horse at the B tracks, although he could be erratic at times. He ended 2025 with two 2nd place finishes at Rideau, then with a short winter break, he has qualified twice at Mohawk. By the time he qualified the second time on March 13th, the snow had blown in, the track was snow covered and it was hard to see much. He didn't seem bothered by any of it though, as he left out well, let a few go, and then was shuffled way back, to the point he might have run if he didnt angle out, which he did, then picked up good cover, angled off that one coming off the last turn then finished well, and that last quarter was 27 flat for him. He looked very good doing it, and certainly he looks like contender with this bunch if he can do that again off the layoff. The two qualifier return sometimes mitigates racing off a layoff with only one prep. He is possible.
8 Just Business is a 3yo filly by Muscle Mass taking on some older ones and some males here. On paper so far you cannot fault her, as she broke her maiden easily at first asking, was a good 3rd 2 back when coming up the inside, and she cut the mile last time to only get beat very late by a shipper who showed stakes ability last year. However, she continues to have trouble with the turns, and as she rises in class and meets tougher as the better ones, like some in here, show up with the warmer weather her faults will likely be exposed. Losing a length or two on the turns is how you get beat, as she ended up doing last time when she looked like a winner most of the way. If she is a short price, which I expect this time, I will play elsewhere. Both the track handicapper and the DRF handicapper pick her on top, so I have to presume she is coming in at post time at 2-1 or under. That should create value elsewhere.
9 Charlie Cheeks shows 1 for 24 the last two years, and draws the 9 hole off a layoff here. He has exited Ben B's barn to go to Weber, suggesting that he is going to be aimed for a place like Grand River when that opens in a couple of months. Cant see him in this spot.
Race 8
3 None Shall Pass has upside, better value than the heavy fave
4 Dont Chang My Naam been knocking, better post, better trip?
5 Check Master gets Roy back, has the ability when good
6 Wolfpack Crown very short price, bad value, still could win.
1 Trudybird likely to sit put, pick up some pieces
9 Frenchmoni Hanover poor win percentage, bad post
2 Southview Abraham too slow for these, company on the truck
7 Divine Love has to show a lot more
8 Acrobatic in deep now that she is out of maidens
1 Trudybird was rested for the winter after a vet scratch lame in December, and returned last week with a good, even, workmanlike qualifier that got the job done. She was 1 for 18 last year in a season that showed nice promise at times but also a lack of vigour for finishing the job and winning. The plan to start this year is to race her off lasix. We will see how that goes. Other than the likely very heavy favorite, this is a light bunch and she is good for 3rd or 4th if she is ready to go right away.
2 Southview Abraham returns to the track where he has raced 3 times on the page, all in which he made a break in stride. His last two, at London in nw3 class, he was good for 3rd money. They go a lot slower there, and that seems to be in his wheelhouse and comfort zone. Its no big deal to try him again here. Maybe he can snag 5th money, almost a thousand bucks while they bring the better one, Southview Aviator to race anyway earlier on the card. Don't see him as any sort of threat for the win, and unlucky to make the ticket. He is just too slow for these.
3 None Shall Pass is a team Melander reject who is a project for noted project taker Dagfin H. Dagfin qualified him, no hopples, got him around, then handed the lines to Henry, and he broke in that mile. Dagfin drove him last time, put the hopples back on, he looked very good in the post parade, then raced tough to score the 24-1 upset. Now he moves up to nw2, he must go faster, and he hooks another who was dominant in maidens and appears ahead of him at this stage. But, he has top shelf breeding, so there is likely more there if he can keep it together. He has a shot if he does that, and the other one doesnt perform.
4 Dont Chang My Naam leaves hard and comes to play each week. She gets off the rail now, which should help a bit, but she still likely needs a following trip where she saves her one move for the end. I can see her getting a 2 hole following trip behind Wolfpack Crown, and who knows what happens in the stretch. For that, she has a legit shot for the upset.
5 Check Master never looked comfortable last time. He was edgy in the post parade, on a full run well before the start, caught the gate, then just rolled off stride shortly after the wings opened up. He is prone to do that, but this time he draws to the middle of the gate and gets Roy back, who seems to know how to handle him to get performance. I'm on the fence as to whether he is just off form, but that is just guesswork. If he is better this time, if the post switch helps, and Roy can make him go, he has a shot to turn the tables here at likely a big price off two bad efforts in a row.
6 Wolfpack Crown wasn't much at two, when he made 9 starts with no wins and just 13k made. He has come back with Tyler Moore handing the lines to Bob McClure, who is very, very good with young trotters, and whatever it is, he was extremely dominant last time. He left out from the 8 hole, cut his own mile, the entire mile, opened up daylight in the stretch and never wavered. However, he is by Six Pack, and my notes on that sire is that sometimes the progeny goes huge for a start or two, then they just regress without much reason you can see to explain that. That I keep in mind. If he is as good as last time, I will be on the same bandwagon as all the handicappers who think he is close to a slam dunk. I think he is iffier than that, but I want to see him parade. Keep in mind the two that finished behind him. One has issues and ran off the gate last time, the other one has made a lot of breaks in his short career and did so in Wolfpack Crown's race. He didn't beat much, even though he clobbered them.
7 Divine Love by Love You, is 1 for 18 lifetime, breaking her maiden in start 16 two back when she just made a wide move at the 3/4 and then held them off once she gained the lead. In her next two in this class, she has been handily outclassed and I see nothing to suggest tonight isn't more of the same. She will have to show she can step up and go with winners, many who broke their maiden long before their 16 start and took until their 4yo season to do it. Pass for tonight until she shows me something more than I have seen.
8 Acrobatic paraded okay last time but never looked good in the race and finally rolled off stride at the 3/4s. She had a nice if unspectacular win the week before in a maiden race, but now her leaving ability doesn't help her as much when she needs another move and more speed she doesn't seem to have. As well, she draws outside this time and I can see her having to take back and come late if that is even in the cards. She will have to prove me wrong and show me she belongs in with these.
9 Frenchmoni Hanover is 2 for 33 lifetime with a win in this class 2 back when she was close to the pace and that pace slowed in the stretch. That was just enough to get her up in time. Her January 26th mile from the 9 hole is probably more indicative of what we will see tonight. She was 3rd in this class last time, but that was from closer up, which is very unlikely here. She could be value down the road if she keeps adapting and draws better. Very long, longshot tonight.
1 Trudybird was rested for the winter after a vet scratch lame in December, and returned last week with a good, even, workmanlike qualifier that got the job done. She was 1 for 18 last year in a season that showed nice promise at times but also a lack of vigour for finishing the job and winning. The plan to start this year is to race her off lasix. We will see how that goes. Other than the likely very heavy favorite, this is a light bunch and she is good for 3rd or 4th if she is ready to go right away.
2 Southview Abraham returns to the track where he has raced 3 times on the page, all in which he made a break in stride. His last two, at London in nw3 class, he was good for 3rd money. They go a lot slower there, and that seems to be in his wheelhouse and comfort zone. Its no big deal to try him again here. Maybe he can snag 5th money, almost a thousand bucks while they bring the better one, Southview Aviator to race anyway earlier on the card. Don't see him as any sort of threat for the win, and unlucky to make the ticket. He is just too slow for these.
3 None Shall Pass is a team Melander reject who is a project for noted project taker Dagfin H. Dagfin qualified him, no hopples, got him around, then handed the lines to Henry, and he broke in that mile. Dagfin drove him last time, put the hopples back on, he looked very good in the post parade, then raced tough to score the 24-1 upset. Now he moves up to nw2, he must go faster, and he hooks another who was dominant in maidens and appears ahead of him at this stage. But, he has top shelf breeding, so there is likely more there if he can keep it together. He has a shot if he does that, and the other one doesnt perform.
4 Dont Chang My Naam leaves hard and comes to play each week. She gets off the rail now, which should help a bit, but she still likely needs a following trip where she saves her one move for the end. I can see her getting a 2 hole following trip behind Wolfpack Crown, and who knows what happens in the stretch. For that, she has a legit shot for the upset.
5 Check Master never looked comfortable last time. He was edgy in the post parade, on a full run well before the start, caught the gate, then just rolled off stride shortly after the wings opened up. He is prone to do that, but this time he draws to the middle of the gate and gets Roy back, who seems to know how to handle him to get performance. I'm on the fence as to whether he is just off form, but that is just guesswork. If he is better this time, if the post switch helps, and Roy can make him go, he has a shot to turn the tables here at likely a big price off two bad efforts in a row.
6 Wolfpack Crown wasn't much at two, when he made 9 starts with no wins and just 13k made. He has come back with Tyler Moore handing the lines to Bob McClure, who is very, very good with young trotters, and whatever it is, he was extremely dominant last time. He left out from the 8 hole, cut his own mile, the entire mile, opened up daylight in the stretch and never wavered. However, he is by Six Pack, and my notes on that sire is that sometimes the progeny goes huge for a start or two, then they just regress without much reason you can see to explain that. That I keep in mind. If he is as good as last time, I will be on the same bandwagon as all the handicappers who think he is close to a slam dunk. I think he is iffier than that, but I want to see him parade. Keep in mind the two that finished behind him. One has issues and ran off the gate last time, the other one has made a lot of breaks in his short career and did so in Wolfpack Crown's race. He didn't beat much, even though he clobbered them.
7 Divine Love by Love You, is 1 for 18 lifetime, breaking her maiden in start 16 two back when she just made a wide move at the 3/4 and then held them off once she gained the lead. In her next two in this class, she has been handily outclassed and I see nothing to suggest tonight isn't more of the same. She will have to show she can step up and go with winners, many who broke their maiden long before their 16 start and took until their 4yo season to do it. Pass for tonight until she shows me something more than I have seen.
8 Acrobatic paraded okay last time but never looked good in the race and finally rolled off stride at the 3/4s. She had a nice if unspectacular win the week before in a maiden race, but now her leaving ability doesn't help her as much when she needs another move and more speed she doesn't seem to have. As well, she draws outside this time and I can see her having to take back and come late if that is even in the cards. She will have to prove me wrong and show me she belongs in with these.
9 Frenchmoni Hanover is 2 for 33 lifetime with a win in this class 2 back when she was close to the pace and that pace slowed in the stretch. That was just enough to get her up in time. Her January 26th mile from the 9 hole is probably more indicative of what we will see tonight. She was 3rd in this class last time, but that was from closer up, which is very unlikely here. She could be value down the road if she keeps adapting and draws better. Very long, longshot tonight.
