2025 MEET STATS: 261 - 876 / $1,457.60 (-$294.40)
BEST BETS: 46 - 85 / $153.70 (-$16.30)
BEST BET: EASY TO PLEASE (7th)
SPOT PLAY: BIG CITY DAISY (10th)
Race 1: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) BULLY BOY HILL steps up again in class looking for three straight and while the razor-sharp trotter will be at a tactical disadvantage to the favorite he'll offer a much bigger price so it may be worth taking a shot. (1) CECIL HANOVER returns locally off a blowout score at Pocono and he's clearly the one to catch, but 3/5 on the morning line? Probably accurate. (7) B NICKING likes to be forwardly placed off the gate so maybe Brennan can find an early tuck.
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Race 2: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) CHERYLS SHADOW finished willingly from a tough spot in her local return and now she moves all the way inside where driver Colin Kelly can be controlling the action. (3) COACHELLABOUND N had needed more in the late stages over her last few races but she's never out of it by any means; not sure how the trip goes tonight but maybe being off the pace works out better. (5) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY beat all of these last week as the lukewarm favorite from a bit off the pace. New driver again in MacDonald and will need a trip.
Race 3: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) ENERGY KING hasn't seen this good of a post in almost two months so that angle alone seems to give this Lance Hudson trainee a legit chance in this dull field. (3) NO DRAMA PLEASE is somehow 0 for 25 on the season, hard to believe for this classy veteran. He just missed from a similar spot four back. (1) MUSCIAL RIDE drops to the bottom conditioned level for Lachance after being up against a 1:54 2/5 winner last out.
Race 4: NW16276 in last 5 starts Trot
(7) MY MAN PETER recently arrived from Ohio to join the Engblom barn and in his Yonkers debut was big in defeat from the eight hole. Steps up a notch, draws outside again and loses Bartlett, but I'm still going to follow up with him. (1) OLIVER THE GREAT crushed the field in his last start and goes for three straight overall. (5) TORRONE has a win and a second in his last two races at this NW15000 base level.
Race 5: NW10301 in last 5 starts Trot
(1) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS has had a strong 5YO season after showing little of note in his younger years and he gets major post relief in his second start at this reduced level; overdue. (4) SHES A SHOE IN is a 3YO filly for the Schnittker barn facing elders but she did win the Grade 3 NY NY Mile here back in June. (8) IMMIGRANT AM S really turned things around in his last two at The Meadowlands for the Engblom barn. Tough spot here but maybe he can sneak in there somewhere for a piece.
Race 6: F&M NW20301 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) LYDEO is a legit Open-type participant when at her best and she has a post edge on the other one in here who can boast that (#6). She's got some tactical speed which I hope Kelly will be showing off tonight. (6) DOUGS BABE A steps back up a notch after an easy win, and that was after having to qualify coming off a couple of breaks. Talented mare has always been hard to gauge. (2) RACEY RACH N races well when drawn well; should be good for a nice share.
Race 7: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) EASY TO PLEASE is back from Saratoga for the Stratton barn where she was a winner at five cents on the dollar. She's just classier than these and should find a way to get it done. (8) AMBUSHED rallied for third when dropped to this level but she can also leave the gate, which Holland likely has to do in order to get involved. (3) HUNTING HULA figures to be a late threat for Lachance.
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Race 8: F&M NW37001 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) SILK CLOUD A came up just short last week when she was collared late but I'm giving her another chance despite the poor draw. Pete Tritton trainee has plenty of speed but can do it from off the pace as well. (3) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND earned a trip up to these top levels after three straight sharp wins and she's been close in her last couple; Dilloian Jr. trainee is arguably in career form. (4) HUNTRESS just missed last week in her local return but that was after an easy trip; may have to work harder here.
Race 9: NW8248 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) WHEELZABLAZIN returns locally to Yonkers where he's winless as a 4YO but has hit the board in four of seven races here. You could argue he's overdue and it helps to be facing an equally camera-shy field. (5) AIRMANS JACKPOT was a non-factor against better in her first start for Lachance after the reclaim. She should be a main player here. (3) EPOS OSTERVANG DK returns locally for Engblom after racing decently over at Pocono.
Race 10: F&M NW7626 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) BIG CITY DAISY has had a modest career up to now but she now makes her debut for the Dilloian Jr. barn and local debut off a lively qualifier; I'm thinking she's ready to fire right off the bat. (2) BOUT DAMN TIME A drops from $30K claimers into a class that often has $15's written in; time for the Stratton trainee to show more. (3) TALENT TO SPARE A is capable of so much better but has been underachieving like many of these. Post relief helps.