2025 MEET STATS: 88 - 286 / $511.70 (-$60.30)
BEST BETS: 14 - 27 / $44.40 (-$9.60)
BEST BET: ATREACHEROUS A (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: TEXSONG SOPRANO (5th)
Race 1: F&M NW17411 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) CHIAPANECAS paid $26 last week despite being in raging form for top connections because she was out of the eight hole. Tonight she moves to the rail so one could assume she won't have to work hard to secure the front or a pocket ride; tradeoff is there not being much of a price. (5) ZUMA BEACH has been impressive in three starts for the Harris barn but she steps up to face a bigger test; clearly the main threat to the top one. (4) TWIN B SUNKISSED finished third in her last two and moves in a couple of slots; Tetrick is here tonight and picks up the catch drive.
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Race 2: F&M NW10916 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) ATREACHEROUS A hit the board in her last two but tonight she seems to catch an easier group and looks to have a bit of a class edge on these; Bartlett is back driving. (1) BETTA WATCH OUT N has been a model of consistency when racing at Yonkers for Shane and Lauren Tritton but that was against NW age-restricted foes; likely to be the main threat starting from the rail. (2) LADYCORONA moves back inside for Lachance and figures to be sitting a ground-saving trip.
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Race 3: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) OKINAWA BEACH A gets significant class relief tonight and figures to be close enough to strike if she lands a favorable trip. Maybe she can run down deserving favorite (1) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK. The latter has been good since returning despite not having a victory to show for it. This does look like a winning spot. (5) MORNING HAS BROKEN is kind of similar in style to #3 as she's capable but probably doesn't win as often as she should; use for a piece.
Race 4: Blue Chip Matchmaker Series Leg #1
It's the start of the 2025 Matchmaker series...where has the time gone? (5) COACHELLABOUND N has some spotty recent form but she's excelled in this series in the past and meets a field where the main contenders are coming off layoffs. Bucci trainee has enough early speed where Gingras could make the front. (1) TALK CURDY TO ME has raced well here in the past and if ready to go she can work out a live trip; Todd McCarthy is here to drive. (6) AARDIE B MIKI N arrives from Down Under where she was a big earner and that qualifier was nice but is she ready to dive into the racing wars or will she need a start or two?
Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(7) TEXSONG SOPRANO has good speed but hasn't been finishing enough lately; trotter drops back down to the level of his last win and should be a player here despite the post. (3) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM steps back up in class off his recent brush-and-crush win. (4) DIAMANTE TRIO IT escapes the FM Invite level where she had little to offer in her last few; back to Brennan.
Race 6: Blue Chip Matchmaker Series Leg #1
(1) MILLWOOD BLISS N was a nice second in her recent Yonkers debut after the Nifty Norman raced twice at The Meadowlands finishing well each time. Mare gets Dave Miller back in the bike and figures to be much closer to the pace starting from the rail. (5) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE was a killer here in three starts earlier in the season and freshened up with a sharp qualifier at The Big M. Pelling mare is the one to beat. (3) LIT DE ROSE is back to defend her title and makes her 10YO debut off three qualifiers so she figures to be tight at first asking.
Race 7: Blue Chip Matchmaker Series Leg #1
(1) LLOYD'S LOVES recently got her first win of the season after a 19 win campaign in 2024. Mare has come a long way from former $15K claimer to legit contender in the Matchmaker. I'll give her the edge starting from the rail. (5) SILK CLOUD A is a Yonkers veteran and her early speed can set her up with a nice trip. (4) ROCKET DEO makes her 4YO (and half-mile) debut against some tough veterans after a sophomore campaign that saw her earn almost $500K. Maybe we should see one first.
Race 8: Blue Chip Matchmaker Series Leg #1
(1) SEASIDE DIVA is one of a couple of Midwest invaders for the Burke barn and this 4YO comes in off a useful tightener at Hoosier. Rail and plenty of half-mile success works in her favor. (5) GRACE HILL is already a proven winner at Yonkers and she too is debuting this season off three Meadowlands qualifiers; figure she's ready to roll. (2) LYDEO has taken two straight against lesser and let's not forget she won a leg of the Matchmaker two years ago as a 4YO.
Race 9: NW7551 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) DW'S POINT MAN has underachieved this year for Lachance but no time like the present to turn things around. Drop in class and good post help the cause. (4) CROWN MONARCH showed little last start at Pocono but was decent the start prior when Bartlett drove, and he's back in the bike on the Engblom trainee. (5) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS is better than he's shown in his last couple.
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Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot
(8) NO DRAMA PLEASE stacks up well with these class-wise and his last three races have been good, including last week when he left out of the eight hole for a tuck and held decently for a share. I can't find anyone else in here to get excited about so I'll take a stab at 20/1 on the ML. (5) ICE BREAKERS K failed last out at 45 cents on the dollar; much better price tonight. (1) JULA MUSCLE PACK took advantage of a soft spot last week to dominate as the lukewarm favorite. Engblom trainee will probably be odds-on tonight.
Race 11: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) ENERGY KING has rather dull current form but he drops to the bottom conditioned class and the Lance Hudson barn looks like it's waking up. (5) KASHA V turned things around with a much better effort last week and the Corelli trainee has always been a nice trotter. (7) STREET GOSSIP also drops to the bottom and is likely showing early speed.