2025 MEET STATS: 170 - 535 / $967.30 (-$102.70)
BEST BETS: 27 - 49 / $91.60 (-$6.40)
BEST BET: HOOLIE N HECTOR (4th)
SPOT PLAY: BEERTHIRTY K (1st)
Race 1: NW10181 in last 5 starts Trot
(5) BEERTHIRTY K gets Brennan back in the bike and finds a spot where his early speed can come into play. In a race with some questionable favorites, being on or near the front can be a distinct advantage. (4) BLACK TIE BASH steps up again looking for three straight; sharp sort hasn't shown much early foot for Lachance so he may face an uncertain trip. (1) THE PRINCE has done little for these connections since being claimed for $60K but this is probably the best spot he's seen since the barn change.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: F&M NW7561 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) TRUE BLUE HANOVER showed distinct improvement last week and she seems to be inching closer towards her first seasonal win; Zeron gets the catch drive tonight and figures to be forwardly placed off the gate again. (6) FACTORY GIRL is making her second start at this reduced level after being overmatched throughout the Matchmaker series and Brennan figures to be sending her towards the front again; major threat. (2) HANGON CORWGIRL comes out of the same race as the top two last week where she didn't fire on the rim. Bartlett drives again now second-time in the Engblom barn and the recent Ohio shipper has class to her and looks to show more.
Race 3: F&M NW16501 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) KISS MY CHEEK has been on a nice run since moving to the Stratton barn and the 4YO gets another try at this level by fitting under the AE condition. Two back she jogged in 1:52 4/5 and last week she was a good second to a very classy winner. (2) UPTOWN HANOVER returned to the overnight wars last out after six starts in the Matchmaker and she was a close third in the same race as the top choice; Cullipher trainee is a major player here. (3) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND is a fresh face to the Dilloian barn and she was timed in 1:53 in that recent qualifier. Ohio shipper gets tested for class here.
Race 4: NW5201 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) HOOLIE N HECTOR is on the comeback trail for the Adamczyk barn and he returns to Yonkers after a sharp win up at Monticello. Veteran picks up Bartlett and looks good from this spot. (5) LOVE THIS BAR drops for the third consecutive start, gets some modest post improvement and figures to be more involved. (3) CAPRICIOUS ONE returns from Philly after finishing second in a lower-level conditioned race and he's got a couple of recent third-place finishes here from similar spots. 0 for 13 and counting this year but could be a player underneath with a smooth trip.
Race 5: F&M NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) PRIDEFUL has looked much better recently at Philly after the barn change to Lambert and she lands the rail in her local return. Catch driver Stratton has some tactical trip options but does figure to be aggressive in the early stages to protect position. (7) LUCKY ARTIST A has seen better days but she's still competitive when in the right spots. Not sure this is one of them but she does get Bartlett back in the bike and they teamed up for a win five starts back. Does she take a shot off the gate? (3) MIKI IN LUV has been a little slow to get underway in her 4YO season as she's been searching for the proper classification. Drop and move inside should make her competitive.
Race 6: F&M NW23751 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) CHIAPANECAS went wire-to-wire comfortably last week and she gets a free ride at this level as she still fits the NW10 AE condition. Zeron drove her to that win and gets the call again. (2) LYDEO found the winning spot in last and wired the field as the chalk. Bump up a notch shouldn't be a problem with her back class. These two are likely to be controlling the action. (5) DOUGS BABE A is always capable of with the right setup and she can be a price option here, for a board spot at the least.
[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]
Race 7: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot
(5) PC FREE WHEELING has by far been the most productive in here over the last couple of seasons and she gets major class relief tonight. Assuming she didn't get baked up too much when hung to dry last start the Stratton trainee should be good to go. (1) KASHA V has always been a quality trotter for the Corelli barn and he recently went over the $400K lifetime mark. An effort similar to last week puts him right in the mix. (2) CREATIVE VENTURE has finished third in his last four starts and has been burning money; he can round out the ticket again.
Race 8: F&M Invitational Pace
(5) FRONT PAGE STORY has quietly worked her way up to being a player at the top level and she's got versatility from this midpack post. Lachance trainee has looked good from on or off the pace. (8) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE goes from the outside assignment against five rivals to the outside assignment now facing seven others so the road to the winner's circle gets a little tougher but there's no doubt she's best in here. (6) PROMISELAND A didn't really have an excuse last week when she faltered to fourth but maybe she's better from off the pace.
Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) NOTTINGHAM recently transitioned from the NW lifetime conditions to facing more seasoned stock and so far he's passed the test with consecutive runner-up finishes to sharp winners. Could be his turn to score. (3) ABRUZZO is 2 for 26 over the last year-plus but he's raced well in all recent efforts and figures to be sent to the front with Brennan. (1) IMMIGRANT AM S finally moves back inside after three consecutive six holes; connections have to be respected.