Veteran handicapper Frank Cotolo breaks down tonight’s Pepsi North America Cup card at Mohawk.

by Frank Cotolo

In some events for tonight’s Pepsi North America Cup program at Mohawk I choose as many as four contenders. However, there are other races where I may only note two or three, assessing the remainder of the finishing positions to be cases of general chaos, which is an opportunity for players to go with exotic partners that close with high odds.

Race 3 – $253,000 Armbro Flight

7 BROADWAY DONNA – She’s getting better with every race at four and will be a major threat to the top the division this season, as well as worth her price here.

3 CHARMED LIFE – Ready to challenge her main rivals off great elim win.

9 CAPRICE HILL – Should be in the thick of all exotics, more dangerous than will be displayed through odds.

4 HANNELORE HANOVER – She has a tougher season than the majority would agree to this early in the season.

Race 5 – $100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup

6 GREAT VINTAGE – He has grown into a tough older pacer and could be a deserving price in total command of the mile. There will be too much money on Dr J Hanover due to his opportunistic Canadian record two back.

1 NIRVANA SEELSTER – All things being equal, clearly the second best in this lot.

Race 6 – $75,000 North America Cup consolation

1 HURRICANE BEACH – Don’t penalize him for not making the final. He was a gift in his Somebeachsomewhere division and rules here.

2 STEALTH BOMBER – Could suck along and complete the exacta and for price’s sake, is probably better there than Normandy Beach, whose absence from a trifecta will raise its price substantially.

Race 9 – $440,000 Fan Hanover

7 AGENT Q – A top member of this division expected to be under-rated here, thus offering a price better than her chances.

4 IDYLLIC BEACH – The obvious and probably over-bet public choice.

Race 10 – $251,000 Goodtimes

1 SHAKE IT OFF LINDY – Primed to take this second of his season and go on to be a threat in the Hambletonian division.

10 GUARDIAN ANGEL AS – Either a speed move to a good position early or picking up tired ones late, he may complete a pricey exactor worth the shot.

Race 11 – $365,000 Roses Are Red

6 CALL ME QUEEN BE – Looking for a powerhouse season, the conquest begins here and at a fair price considering the popularity of her competition here.

2 LADY SHADOW – The obvious.

Race 12 – $1 million Pepsi North America Cup

4 FEAR THE DRAGON – Before the season began it was documented that I had no trouble making this guy the division’s best despite the swarm of votes for Hunstville. Even with his short mistake in the elim he won. He is tons the best against his biggest rivals (one of which may be off the board in this), which will afford him a fair price, albeit low, to win.

2 DOWNBYTHESEASIDE – The obvious.

Pick 4s

There are three Pick-4 wagers on tonight’s card, an Early Pick-4 (races 4-7, guaranteed at $50,000), and All-Stakes Pick-4 (races 9-12, guaranteed at $100,000) and a Late Pick-4 (races 12-15, no guarantee).

EARLY PICK-4 TICKET
Race 4: 6, 10
Race 5: 6
Race 6: 1
Race 7: 4, 8
cost: $8 (or $1.60 for $0.20 option)

ALL STAKES PICK-4 TICKET
Race 9: 7
Race 10: 1, 10
Race 11: 6
Race 12: 4
cost: $2 (or $4.80 for $0.20 option)

LATE PICK-4 TICKET
Race 12: 4
Race 13: 5
Race 14: 1, 6
Race 15: 4, 9
cost: $4 (or $0.80 for $0.20 option)

Bet for profit or don’t bet at all and luck to everyone because no matter how well you handicap, luck counts.

For more handicapping picks, check out the special handicapping section that will be in the tonight’s Mohawk race program.