2025 MEET STATS: 187 - 612 / $1,054.30 (-$169.70)
BEST BETS: 31 - 57 / $108.50 (-$5.50)
BEST BET: LUCKY ARTIST A (9th)
SPOT PLAY: JD CAMDEN GB (2nd)
Race 1: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(3) BLACK TIE BASH moves up the class ladder for the fourth consecutive start, coincidentally going for his fourth consecutive win. Does the Lachance trainee have another level in him? I say yes. Good post as well for his grinding style. (1) TORRONE also steps back up in class on a mini streak of his own and is most likely the one to catch again. (8) FINITE moves from the NW lifetime ranks to face mostly more seasoned foes but he's got early speed and the Burke trainee also switches to Brennan; worth a look despite the poor post.
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Race 2: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) JD CAMDEN GB was a winner in his debut for Burke but that was all the way back in December and he's failed to hit the board since then, but this seems to be one of the better spots he's seen of late and mild improvement from last week's effort can be enough to get it done. (1) MARLBANK ROAD figures to be the pacesetter in this abbreviated field and he's certainly fast enough to go the distance. (5) THONG CONTROL was a sick scratch in his local debut for Lachance which is a bit concerning but he's right back in to go; French import had been tearing it up in Quebec.
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Race 3: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) UPTOWN HANOVER is still winless on the season but she was close in two races after exiting the Matchmaker then got hung to dry last week; Cullipher mare gets a new driver with Stratton, a drop in class and an improved post. (4) MC ANGEL took some time off then qualified sharply in 1:55; she too faces softer and maybe she's ready to show more. The ability is there as she banked over $130K in 2024. (5) DEFIINGTHE MOMENT broke leaving the gate in her Yonkers debut after arriving from The Meadowlands off a win; Brennan drives tonight looking to land a piece at a big price.
Race 4: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) CHIAPANECAS has been a model of consistency all season as she's only finished out of the top three once in 15 starts. 4YO gets a new driver in Mark MacDonald and figures to be pointed forward off the gate. (4) LYDEO is a good fit at this level and she's also got early speed at her disposal; even if she can't get near the top she'll be close enough to strike. (6) LIT DE ROSE draws another poor post and is likely to be coming from last but we know it's entirely possible this classmaster can sweep the field.
Race 5: NW8451 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) PASSIONATE PROMISE was a nice pocket-sitting winner last week and the bump up in class doesn't figure to slow her down any; she loses Holland to #3 but Buter successfully qualified her last month. (3) RITSON drops again and finally lands a better post; Noel Daley trainee is probably better than he's been showing. (1) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE hasn't been better than third through 11 starts this year but from the rail he can save ground and land a piece.
Race 6: F&M NW16876 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) KISS MY CHEEK didn't fire last out as the odds-on favorite but the Stratton trainee was solid in all previous tries and the move to the rail may make the difference tonight. (2) FACTORY GIRL dominated in her last two and figures to be tough again despite the bump up in class. (8) ELEKTRA A may face a near-impossible task out of the eight hole but she was competitive against better here earlier in the year and will offer value if she can sneak into the triple or super.
Race 7: NW10321 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) DJIMON didn't make much of an impression last week in his local return as he suffered broke equipment and was pulled up as the 6/5 second choice. Mark Steacy trotter was 4 for 7 at Yonkers last year and deserves another chance. (2) JUST MIKE MAGIC was bet down to the favorite in his first start for the Engblom barn despite being off almost a month and he tired badly. Now back in on consecutive weeks perhaps he can show more. (6) P L OSCAR has been battling sickness on and off lately but that was a good qualifier and Holland likes to fire from the gate with this guy.
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Race 8: F&M Invitational Pace
(1) SILK CLOUD A has a major post edge on the current Queen of the Invitational who is assigned the eight hole and that gap may make the difference tonight. (8) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE loses her regular driver as she looks for her fourth straight; Buter is in the bike tonight and needs another alert getaway. (6) FRONT PAGE STORY was a solid winner last week on the drop in class and she was second from a similar spot four back in the Invite.
Race 9: F&M NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) LUCKY ARTIST A drops to the basement and draws best; I'm hopeful this classy veteran still has what it takes to get the job done. Bucci trainee dominated when last in NW5000. (8) TWIN DELIGHT ships up from Delaware and joins the Engblom barn; mare cruised in that qualifier but obviously needs an alert getaway to avoid being buried at the back. (3) NIKASA N was outfinished from the pocket last out but finished third in her prior two at the $20K claiming level. She should be a player from this decent starting spot.