2025 MEET STATS: 141 - 449 / $834.50 (-$63.50)
BEST BETS: 23 - 40 / $75.00 (-$5.00)
BEST BET: HIGH FLYIN' FILLY (5th)
SPOT PLAY: QUEEN OF ALL (4th)
Race 1: F&M NW11761 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) LUCKY ARTIST A gave her usual solid try last week and held for third after clearing the front from the eight hole; Brent Holland gets the call again on this classy mare and I think he's a good option for getting the most out of her. (1) KISS MY CHEEK was a fast-closing third at this level two back and finished second last out in an age-restricted event; 4YO fits nicely but beware as she was odds-on in those last two and failed to convert. (8) GOLDEN QUEST N is another classy oldtimer and she's competitive every week but the eight hole is a killer. Consider underneath.
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Race 2: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) PASS AND STOW was left with a little too much to do out of the eight hole last start and had to settle for second to the well-rated winner; improved post and smaller field is just what she needs to get back to winning ways. (1) LLOYD'S LOVES dropped and popped out of the Matchmaker and she's classy enough where the bump back up a notch won't hurt her; not sure what to make of the trainer change, however. (2) CHIAPANECAS draws well again and is the most logical candidate to complete a chalky triple.
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Race 3: NW5701 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) GALANTE A was right there in a 1:49 2/5 mile last week at The Meadowlands when he finished second and he draws well here while keeping Bartlett. I suspect he'll be overbet off that race but does look like the one in this questionable field. (1) SHOCK TROOPER hasn't done a whole lot in three Yonkers tries but he definitely seems fast enough to keep up with these and should be looking at a live trip from the rail. (3) DEALERS TURN hasn't had the easiest of trips lately but the post improvement should help.
Race 4: NW16701 in last 5 starts Trot
(7) QUEEN OF ALL has been so sharp in her last two that I don't think the bump in class or outside post is going to stop her in the quest for three straight. New driver in A. Nap as Zeron owns #1. (3) WARRAWEE YANG went a very tough trip after breaking last out and held for third. Obvious player if he stays trotting. (1) TEXSONG SOPRANO has been close in most recent but can't seem to get over the hump; definite chance here, however.
Race 5: Blue Chip Matchmaker Consolation - $20K Gtd. Pick 5
(2) HIGH FLYIN' FILLY was a sharp winner in the second leg and then was the victim of tough trips on the rim in her last three. Burke trainee draws well again into a spot where it's likely that Gingras will get more aggressive to either cut the mile or stalk from the pocket. (4) COACHELLABOUND N has been coming up short in recent races when she's sent on or near the lead; maybe a small change in tactics can help this talented mare out. (8) LIT DE ROSE deserves a look as last year's champ. Lachance trainee raced in all five legs and did have a win but missed out on the final, and draws an awful post for this consolation. Still, maybe she can slide in there at a big price.
Race 6: MGM Borgata Pace Consolation
(2) MIKI SHAN N got a late start to the series when he was scratched sick in the first leg and he performed admirably from then on but it seemed like he was a bit outclassed. Oakes trainee lands in a spot here where Gingras can get much more aggressive and I would love to see him cutting the mile. (5) HEMSWORTH N left the series to race in an overnight at Philly and scored in 1:50 4/5 with Dexter Dunn, who picks up the drive again. He has options from this midpack post. (4) CHARLIE MAY didn't win any of the five prelims but banked over $32K and he keeps chugging along and performing at a high level. Ron Cushing takes the lines again.
Race 7: Blue Chip Matchmaker Final
(1) AARDIE B MIKI N basically dominated this series so far and she's perfect in four tries since arriving from Down-Under. Engblom trainee now lands the rail, as if she needed any additional help to win the final. Very short price looming as she's in a controlling spot. Of the other contenders (4) SILK CLOUD A is always forwardly placed and can clear the front into the first turn, then sit a trip as the top choice is likely to brush to command. (2) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE has done absolutely nothing wrong throughout the series and through eight overall races at Yonkers. I do think she deserves to be second choice. (6) ROCKET DEO comes into the final sharp with three straight wins but with the less-than-ideal draw she may be on the outside looking in.
Race 8: MGM Borgata Pace Final
(1) VERDUN has blossomed into a top-class pacer for Lachance ever since he claimed the 4YO last season for $50K plus allowances. He's now raced 24 times for this barn and has NEVER put in a poor effort. Tonight with a plethora of speed to his outside and the potential for a sizzling pace he can sit just in behind and hopefully get set up to make his patented late burst. (6) CHASE H HANOVER looked super in the final prelim with his 1:51 score and :27 2/5 sprint home. Veteran gelding has even shown a different dimension recently by winning from off the pace. He's got a post edge on the two speedy outside rivals which figures to work to his advantage. (5) MOSSDALE BEN N has been drawing some comparisons to Peter Tritton's star Bit Of A Legend N and he certainly hasn't disappointed. As mentioned a couple of times recently he's yet to show us early speed and will that hurt him in the early stages and leave him with too much ground to cover? Certainly something to think about. (8) COACHES CORNER was great all of last year and has picked up right where he left off as the Engblom trainee has basically breezed his way into the final, and then he lands post eight. 5YO gelding will have to be otherworldly to win this.
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Race 9: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) CREATIVE VENTURE was the play last week and he finished well at a price for third; now he drops again and moves inside a couple of slots. (2) CREATE MYSTIQUE has looked much better in her last two and at 0 for 14 she's clearly knocking at the door. (1) BLACK TIE BASH is a rare Lachance shipper from Canada who hasn't performed all that well. Major post relief figures to help.
Race 10: F&M NW5271 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) BIG BETTOR HANOVER has not shown much since being claimed for $25K down in Delaware but she raced okay in her local debut and barn change to Stratton and though outside again she gets to drop into a softer spot. (1) COWGIRL LILLY tried taking the field down the road last week at a price and tired to third. She's got the rail again and maybe Holland tries the same thing. (5) CRUISE ALERT is 1 for 29 over the last two seasons but usually isn't that far off.