2025 MEET STATS: 222 - 753 / $1,218.40 (-$287.60)
BEST BETS: 37 - 72 / $125.70 (-$18.30)
BEST BET: MISSISSIPPI STORM (10th)
SPOT PLAY: UNEVERGONNAGETTHIS (8th)
Race 1: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(6) NOTTINGHAM didn't pick up any late ground last week but the race went faster than we'll probably see tonight and I think this Bako trainee is trending in the right direction. Also Canadian driver Colin Kelly has quickly fit in well here. (1) FOR A DREAMER should appreciate the move back inside and can track closely throughout. (5) SWAN SO FINE is a fresh face from Indiana and she joins the Engblom barn. Mare appears to have some talent and must be considered.
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Race 2: F&M NW5601 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) BIG BETTOR HANOVER shifts from $20K claimers to this conditioned field so in theory she's facing easier. Stratton trainee has early speed as evidenced by her last two races so she could get the jump on these early. (1) KAT draws best so she should be in line for a live stalking trip, either from the pocket or three hole. (4) TWO PISTOL ANNIE was a good second in her local return and driver Marohn will almost certainly be pointing this mare forward off the gate.
Race 3: NW8551 in last 5 starts Trot
(3) SEVENSHADESOFGREY is back with Siegelman tonight, who generally gets along well with this veteran, and he's proven to be better than he's been showing. Good post and good price in this hard-to-figure race makes him worth a play. (2) FULL SCALE has missed a bit of time after a sick scratch but he's got speed from an inside draw which clearly makes him dangerous. (6) NO DRAMA PLEASE is 0 for 22 this year but he's a classy and well-mannered oldtimer so it wouldn't surprise me to see him sneak in there at a price.
Race 4: NW6486 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) OPTICAL ILLUSION N was competitive in opt. $60K claimers and the like not too long ago, and now he's at the bottom conditioned class, also finally with a good post. Stafford trainee has a clear class edge on these. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM gets the best post he's seen in a month and a half so he figures to be much more involved. He finished close last week at a big price. (3) ALBERT ALPHA arrives from Canada without much of a career record but he's picked up by the Burke barn; interesting.
Race 5: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
Two horses I've been stuck on with little success collide here (#1 and #4) but I'll stand with the speedy (2) ABSOLUTE POWER, who makes his half-mile debut for the Cancelliere barn and gets a new driver in Brennan. I sense she'll fit well here, assuming she takes to the smaller track. (5) PRESSURE COOKER arrives for the Toscano barn after a stint in Kentucky and then Pocono, where she's been competitive. I'll trust that the connections also think she'll be okay over the half. (1) LUCKY ARTIST A had little to offer last week, gets another crack at the pole position.
Race 6: F&M NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) RACIN HUNGRY has turned things around recently with two sharp front-end scores. Colin Kelly picks up the drive on the live Bongiorno trainee and she may not be stopped by the bump in class. (8) MALUKA MISS N gets significant class relief and a big chance to wake up, but she's stuck in post eight; regular driver Brennan is back in the bike and can be a player at a price if she can get involved. (7) HUNTING HULA hasn't been bad since moving to the Lachance barn; also needs help from the outside though.
Race 7: NW10001 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) WARRIOR ONE is back rolling again as he bumps up looking for his fourth straight; faces a couple of interesting shippers but I'll stick with this classy veteran. (3) WARRAWEE WHISPER recently arrived from Minnesota for the Dilloian barn and qualified in a sharp 1:55 4/5. He'll attract plenty of warranted attention. (5) EXCALIBUR BI is lightly raced but has talent. He arrives locally off a win in a NW5 event at Philly and fits the AE class here.
Race 8: NW16146 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) UNEVERGONNAGETTHIS has been fine since switching to the Cullipher barn and this is his best local spot at Yonkers in some time. Stratton drives again and I expect an aggressive steer. (5) GOLDEN RAIN S failed to deliver last week at 50 cents on the dollar after a strong win in her prior start; Buter gets the catch drive and the price now goes up. (1) FULL OF MUSCLES was a good second last out for the Daley barn but he faces significantly better here; use underneath.
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Race 9: F&M NW20221 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) FACTORY GIRL has hit the board in her last three facing better and tonight's class drop should be more than enough to get her over the top. (2) PASS AND STOW woke up with last week's 'drop and pop' and draws well looking to repeat. (3) CHIAPANECAS hasn't won in a while but is a solid earner; 16 for 18 on the board this year.
Race 10: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) MISSISSIPPI STORM is getting up there in age but he can still bring it at a high level. Millionaire trotter returns to his preferred venue at a softer level, returns to Holland and draws well. (1) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is another well-mannered veteran and he's hit the board in five of six; from the rail he should be looking at a live trip up close. (4) WILLY WALTON has been somewhat erratic recently but he gets a new driver in Buter and maybe the Burke trainee can relax and make one late run.