2026 MEET STATS: 122 - 356 / $688.79 (-$23.21)
BEST BETS: 23 - 36 / $74.26 (+$2.26)
BEST BET: SUNDAY SHOES (8th)
SPOT PLAY: MANFORCE (7th)
Race 1: NW5071 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) BOOKEM DANNO jogged on Tuesday night with the drop in class and addition of Lasix, was eligible at time of entry for this race, draws well again; deserving favorite with Holland picking up the catch drive. (4) HIMSELF N raced better last week when facing softer and drops again; Hudson trainee figures to be the main threat. (5) VICI woke up with a much-improved effort last start despite being outfinished; he can rally for a share again.
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Race 2: F&M NW5301 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) MISS DOTTIE MAE returns locally and meets a pretty soft field at the lowest conditioned level. Vallee trainee has beaten better than these in the past and has also shown the ability to leave the gate. Not the worst 20/1 ML I've ever seen. (2) SPIRIT OF PEARL A just missed against a notch better two back, and that Yonkers effort was the only good race she's put in since January; Stratton trainee fits well here. (7) TH RIZZO drops to the bottom for top connections and must be considered despite the poor post.
Race 3: F&M NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) SCHNAPPS has generally been going a bit faster than these recently and a reasonable trip against this dull group could be enough. (4) STEPABOVETHEREST gets Bartlett in the bike for her local return and was a decent third two back. (2) ALLEGRA HANOVER raced pretty well last week and now gets a much-improved post; she's the one to beat but won't offer any price.
Race 4: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(6) OLIVER THE GREAT has put in four solid efforts in a row and has been beaten a total of one length in all of those races. Well-mannered trotter needs to get a bit lucky from this spot but does have early speed and will be an honest price. (1) MADE OF DREAMS has been much better since the hobbles were added and she lands the rail here for Bartlett/Engblom. (2) DURANTE HANOVER gets to stay at the same level off his last race, a winning effort. Good to see Brennan back in the mix and he picks up the drive on the Burke trainee.
Race 5: NW7821 in last 5 starts Trot
(1) VINNY DE VIE put in an honest effort in defeat last week and now the veteran drops to the level of his last win, which was a wire-to-wire effort from the rail seven starts back. (6) ONCE IN A LIFETIME raced well two back with Lasix added then was caught in a fast race last start. In a race that has some suspect speed he could be a closing type at a big price. (2) DW'S POINT MAN is winless through 11 tries this year but the Lachance trainee usually picks up a share.
Race 6: F&M NW13791 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND was outclassed in the McIntyre series and now has missed three weeks but Bartlett gets the call tonight on the Dilloian Jr. trainee and she may currently be a little faster than these. (4) STRUTSVILLE gets needed class and post relief; 4YO mare seems very logical from this spot. (2) FASHION TERROR faces much tougher here but was a strong winner last week.
Race 7: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(7) MANFORCE shifts from the NW lifetime conditioned ranks to this soft NW5000 field and Holland likes to get aggressive off the gate from outside posts. If the 4YO can improve position off the gate into the top flight of horses he'll have a big chance to get it done. (2) ENERGY KING is by far the most accomplished of these so far in 2026; gets a new driver in Gingras second start for a new barn and may be the one to catch. (6) NO DRAMA PLEASE gets the back-class call to sneak in there at a huge price. Not impossible if he hugs the rail and a couple of them tire or break.
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Race 8: NW10926 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) SUNDAY SHOES added the trotting hobbles last week and dominated. Steps up a notch and can come right back to make it three of four since arriving from Canada. (1) NYMERIA had the eight hole against better last week coming off a sick scratch so not much was expected, but she did pick up a check. Alexander trainee moves all the way in to the rail. (6) SCUDO HANOVER was even-money at this level last start and narrowed the gap for second. Tonight she's a price.
Race 9: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(4) OVER THE HORIZON was off a month after a sick scratch coming into last week's start and he was noticeably short. He had won his prior two starts and may be ready to revert to that form now back in on regular rest. (1) CYRUS N was empty in four 2026 starts but took a little time off and came back with a winning qualifier. He drops tonight and any horse from the Pete Tritton barn must be respected. (3) HUGH HESTON gets post relief after three consecutive awful draws.