2025 MEET STATS: 133 - 414 / $805.40 (-$22.60)
BEST BETS: 20 - 37 / $68.70 (-$5.30)
BEST BET: AARDIE N MIKI N (5th)
SPOT PLAY: MISSISSIPPI STORM (10th)
Race 1: F&M NW5981 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) FREESTAR FLIGHT showed some forward progress last start to be second best and she faces a soft field here at the lowest conditioned class; Stratton trainee did crack $100K last year as a 4YO. (5) TRICK OF THE LIGHT drops down to a spot where Brennan figures to be more aggressive; she's also trying to find her way after a nice season in 2024. (1) VIBRANCE gets major post relief but doesn't have a whole lot else going for her; is the move to the rail enough to get this Burke trainee into the winner's circle?
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Race 2: Blue Chip Matchmaker Pace Leg #5
(2) COACHELLABOUND N moves back inside where her speed could be dangerous against this softer division; Bucci trainee is a candidate to wire these. (3) TALK CURDY TO ME was aggressively handled through the first three legs then was stuck with the eight hole last week. Todd McCarthy has been here to drive every start and she's legit from this spot. (6) BEAUTIFUL SEASIDE took last week off after winning the first two legs; she's outside and hasn't shown much early speed so she's likely trip-dependent.
Race 3: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) DREAM BIRD is 0 for 7 this year but the Burke trainee gives Yonkers a try for the first time and as we know he's the master at classifying his stock so I'm confident this 4YO fits well here. (4) ALADDIN work up with a better effort upon dropping to this level and he can build off that race. (3) POINTOMYGRANSON is very tough to endorse based on his current form but he's got so much back class that he deserves a look.
Race 4: NW11551 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) VINNY DE VIE missed a neck two back when odds-on from a similar spot he sees here and with the move back inside he figures to be handled aggressively. (1) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE draws the rail and picks up the leading driver; he hasn't been a major threat recently but the veteran is an established winner over this surface. (5) WARRAWEE YANG is back from Pocono off a sharp score but he hasn't hit the board here in four seasonal tries; again if Burke brings him back here then I figure he;ll be live.
Race 5: Blue Chip Matchmaker Pace Leg #5
(1) AARDIE N MIKI N was a big earner Down Under and she's sure looked the part here with three dominating wins so far; Engblom trainee will be heavily favored again looking for a fourth. (4) SILK CLOUD A has great tactical speed which should set her up right on the early lead or in the pocket. (6)WALKIN ON SUNSHINE has two wins and two seconds through the first four legs of the Matchmaker but faces some adversity here as she draws poorly.
Race 6: Blue Chip Matchmaker Pace Leg #5
(2) SEASIDE DIVA finally put it all together in round four with a well-rated score and maybe now the 4YO has some more confidence heading into the final prelim. Good draw affords Gingras the opportunity to take control again. (1) TURN THE PAGE N has hit the board in all four series starts for Team Cushing and from the advantageous draw she should be right there again. (5) ROCKET DEO goes for three straight and this 4YO can work it from on or off the pace. Rallying from behind here is the more likely scenario.
Race 7: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) IDEAL COVER has raced well enough to win over her last four starts but can't get over the hump however a repeat of last week's effort will get it done vs. these. (2) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY is kind of in the same boat as the top choice as she was nailed in her last two. Engblom trainee is likely the one to catch. (6) GOLDEN QUEST N could complete the trifecta of classy mares who have been camera shy; veteran gives up points to the top two with the move out to the six hole.
Race 8: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(8) PASS AND STOW picked right up where she left off at the end of her 3YO season as she's now perfect in two seasonal tries, both easy wins at odds-on. Harris trainee faces a major test out of the eight hole but if anyone can get it done it's Bartlett. (1) CHIAPANECAS has been no match for the top one her last two but obviously has a major tactical edge tonight; is it enough to turn the tables. (6) FRONT PAGE STORY is another one who keeps pumping out good efforts and last week she showed sharp speed off the car to make the front before yielding to #8.
Race 9: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot
(6) QUEEN OF ALL has been off to a slower start this year than I'm sure her connections would have hoped after banking over $150K in 2024 but she's been better over her last three and does land a mildly improved post here. (5) WINDSONG PIONEER has been coming up a little short recently but that early speed always makes him dangerous. (8) TACHYON is clearly as talented as any in here but the eight hole can be a killer; McCarthy hangs around to catch drive him again.
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Race 10: NW16751 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) MISSISSIPPI STORM was bet down to odds-on last week but only had enough to rally for third; classy 10YO still looks like a major player at these higher levels and likely is much closer to the pace tonight. (5) DOROTEA TRIO IT has done nothing wrong in her last three as the recent import is climbing the class ladder; goes for four straight. (1) TEXSONG SOPRANO was improved last week after a couple of tiring efforts.
Race 11: NW5281 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) IMMIGRANT AM S got away near the rear and never got close in his Yonkers debut, just his second U.S. start. Engblom trainee drops with major post relief and I'm confident we'll see a much better effort. (7) THE LAST CHAPTER finds himself back at the NW5000 base level where he's always a player and this classy vet does have the early speed to be involved. (1) BEERTHIRTY K just missed in his last couple and is an obvious contender here.