2025 MEET STATS: 88 - 286 / $511.70 (-$60.30)
BEST BETS: 14 - 27 / $44.40 (-$9.60)
BEST BET: TWIN B SUNKISSED (5th)
SPOT PLAY: KASHA V (10th)
Race 1: NW11251 in last 5 starts Trot
(6) AQUARIUS FACE S returns to Yonkers now with the hobbles added, and he's stayed flat the last two starts with the new equipment. Looks like a legit threat from top connections. (5) ABRUZZO is up in class off a sharp score and could be ready for more. I didn't really like (1) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS last week so of course he jogged. Gonna pass again tonight at 8/5 on the ML, though obviously he can repeat.
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Race 2: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #2
(1) ROCKET DEO put in a big effort in defeat making her first start as a 4-year-old and against this softer field from the rail she's clearly stamped herself as the one to beat; short price however. (4) HIGH FLYIN' FILLY didn't really fire off cover in her local debut for Burke; I suspect we may see a more aggressive try coming in her second Matchmaker try. (3) ARIZONA finally lands a better post after a string of seven-hole tries.
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Race 3: F&M NW8931 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) MORNING HAS BROKEN has been tough to use in the top spot but she closed well last week and one could argue that she's way overdue. Hopefully Kakaley keeps her close to the front against a nondescript field. (1) MISS CHANTILLY N gets an interesting driver change to Tetrick and also a better draw; barn always merits respect. (3) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK has burned money in her last couple as she's been unable to hang on in the late stages and she figures to be one of the favorites again.
Race 4: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #2
(1) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE is perfect here in four starts this year and has dominated each time. Very difficult to pick against her from this spot. (5) SILK CLOUD A worked out a great trip in round one of this series and she converted with a last quarter in :27 1/5; Tritton trainee seems to be peaking now at the right time and will look to complete a chalky exacta. (2) BEAUTIFUL SEASIDE rolled home last week at a price and will offer value again on top.
Race 5: F&M NW17226 in last 5 starts Pace - $20K Gtd. Pick 5 Pool
(2) TWIN B SUNKISSED has been racing well enough to finish third in her last three and she gets away from a couple of sharp rivals tonight. Burke trainee seems more than capable of handling this field. (3) RESURRECTION DAWN is a fresh face arriving from Ohio and she's in a new barn; mare looks like she fits well here class-wise. (6) ATREACHEROUS A has been good recently for top connections but she's up in class now and moves outside. She may just be looking at a smaller share here.
Race 6: F&M NW6631 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) LUCKY ARTIST A is no longer a Matchmaker contender but she's still a solid player as a 12YO and the drop in class to the bottom conditioned level should be just what she needs to get things going again. (7) JIVE DANCING A has as much class as the top one but it's the missed time that's a concern; veteran makes her seasonal debut off a couple of front-end qualifiers. (2) OKINAWA BEACH A drops again desperately looking to awaken. Bartlett gets the call tonight from a good post.
Race 7: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
It's tough to ask for much more from a horse making her first start in a new barn off over four months but (8) BRAVO ANGEL S was super in winning last week at The Meadowlands and the only thing standing in her way tonight is the horrid post. Bartlett almost has to be firing from this spot. (3) TORRONE has hit the board in four of six while still looking for his first win. Fanning trainee looks like a legit speed threat here. (6) THE HAZELTON never offered a bid when first over last start but the Burke trainee goes back to Gingras tonight and they teamed up for good efforts in prior races.
Race 8: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #2
(1) LIT DE ROSE lingered on the rail throughout and finished with pace though not a threat in her 2025 debut. Prior champ draws the rail here and figures to be primed for a more aggressive try. (4) SEASIDE DIVA came up a bit short in her Matchmaker debut but the Burke trainee has license to improve. Maybe off the pace tonight? (5) MILLWOOD BLISS N didn't threaten when chasing a rated pace last week; Norman import is another who would be no surprise if she stepped it up with a much bigger effort in round two.
Race 9: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #2
(5) AARDIE B MIKI N was in a tough spot to make her North American debut but no worries! Engblom import was a big earner Down Under and she made 3/5 odds look like a steal as she handily swept from last to first. We're undoubtedly going to see more from her as the series goes along. (2) GRACE HILL was also odds-on in the first leg but didn't fare as well as she finished third. She's certainly capable of some improvement making her second seasonal start. (6) LYDEO has looked good since returning to Yonkers though was not a player in round one last week. She'll be a huge price here and maybe can save ground to sneak into the number
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Race 10: NW8021 in last 5 starts Trot
(5) KASHA V has been a quality trotter for a long time for the Corelli barn and he's really turned things around in his last couple. I'll go with the "sharp horse moving up" angle here at a price. (1) THE LAST CHAPTER drops, draws the rail, picks up Bartlett and is a legit threat to take these down the road. (4) DW'S POINT MAN was a good second last week, chance for more tonight.
Race 11: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(5) STREET GOSSIP hasn't done much worth mentioning lately but he's always been a well-mannered trotter with some early speed and he meets a pretty questionable field. Could be the "safe" play in the finale. (8) INTL BLOCKADE hasn't been bad with better recently and will be a big price from post eight in a race where numerous scenarios could develop. (3) DOROTEA TRIO IT drops again making her third U.S. start; time-wise so far she's as good or better than most of these. Could also be overbet.