2025 MEET STATS: 242 - 817 / $1,353.80 (-$280.20)
BEST BETS: 41 - 79 / $137.20 (-$20.80)
BEST BET: FRONT PAGE STORY (9th)
SPOT PLAY: IDEAL COVER (7th)
Race 1: NW10000 in last 5 starts Trot
(5) AQUARIUS FACE S dominated against one level down in his last start and the Engblom trainee faces a very camera-shy field here; not much of a price looming but he figures to get the job done. (1) BE DIFFERENT has been a good earner this year and he figures to improve on his recent string of fourth-place efforts. (3) DRAW THE LINE gets class relief and also a much better post to work with; Lachance mare looks like a solid candidate to hit the ticket.
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Race 2: F&M NW5001 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) TALENT TO SPARE A drops to the bottom conditioned level, gets major post relief and a notable switch to Bartlett; the veteran Hudson trainee should be able to handle these. (4) TWIN B SUNKISSED was facing tons better when last at Yonkers; Buter gets the drive on the Burke trainee. (7) LAURIE LEE has some speed and fits with these. Post is obviously a concern but she will be double-digit odds and can add some value to the exotics.
Race 3: F&M NW11776 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) TRUE BLUE HANOVER is 0 for 13 on the season and faces some tough rivals but she's a talented mare and does have a post edge here on her main rivals; Colin Kelly picks up the drive and should be sitting close up, hopefully in the pocket. (5) ODDS ON PLATINUM was one of the top 2 and 3YO fillies in North America who is still trying to find her place as she transitions to an "aged" mare. She arrives from Canada now in the Scott DiDomenico barn and obviously looms large here. (6) ELEGANT A is 0 for 6 locally this year but picks up the leading driver tonight.
Race 4: NYSS Excelsior 3YO Colt & Gelding Leg #6 Pace
(4) MR HUGGINS did break in his last start up at Batavia which may scare off some people but prior to that was a solid winner at Monticello in an Excelsior event. Stalbaum trainee has eight wins already in his sophomore season and should offer an honest price in this competitive event. (1) XPERT has done well in NY sired events for Lachance and has the benefit of the rail so he should be looking at a smooth trip. (7) BALEVILLE BOMBER overcame the outside post to be second best last week at Batavia and recently won at Goshen in 1:52 2/5 with Bartlett driving. He would have been the top choice if not for the post.
Race 5: NYSS Excelsior 3YO Colt & Gelding Leg #6 Pace
(6) DIGGING FOR GOLD added Bartlett up at Batavia and dominated with a two-move effort. I think this 3YO gelding is just a touch faster than these and will find a way to get it done. (1) IMA PERFECT CHOICE has blossomed this year after shipping down from Canada and the Alexander trainee looms as the main threat. Ridge Warren picks up the catch drive here (and on a few other contenders on the card). (2) ALABAMA LUCKY is tough to consider for the top spot at just 1 for 17 lifetime but he's in a good spot to sit close up and land a nice share.
Race 6: NYSS 3YO Colt & Gelding Leg #6 Pace
One NYSS dash here for $174K. (1) DANDY IDEAL has won three in a row, including his last two at odds-on in the NYSS, and he's in a controlling position here departing from the rail. Oakes trainee was an NA Cup finalist and just missed here in the Messenger final. (2) COURTS ON FIRE hasn't had much luck in his last two but he's reunited with Gingras, who drove him to a win at Yonkers in last year's NYSS final for 2-year-olds. (4) SILKY CHOICE takes a big step up from the Excelsior level after winning his last two by a combined 11 lengths; can he compete with these?
Race 7: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) IDEAL COVER has done everything well recently except win, but she's clearly knocking on the door. Move back inside gives her a legit chance. (4) FACTORY GIRL has also been going well but has also been burning money. Brennan's probably heading to the front again. (6) TALK CURDY TO ME gets major class relief after facing the likes of Sylvia Hanover and Twin B Joe Fresh recently but she's at a post disadvantage here.
Race 8: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) EXCALIBUR BI is lightly-raced but very talented and he goes for three straight tonight. I don't think facing a bit better will be a problem. (5) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS faltered late on the front end last week as the pick but he's probably back to stalk mode tonight and can land a nice piece. (1) HAT TRICK MARLEAU was outkicked for second behind the classy winner last out but he gets another chance from the inside to make some noise.
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Race 9: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) FRONT PAGE STORY is back at Yonkers where she's done her best running - as a matter of fact she's 11 for 32 here lifetime. Her last local start she was a close second to Walkin On Sunshine. Lachance has options from this post but I think moving forward early suits her best. (1) UPTOWN HANOVER also does well here and she lands the best post she's seen in weeks. (5) MISS DOTTIE MAE is back up significantly in class but may be able to land close up and can pick up a share at a price.
Race 10: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) ATREACHEROUS A freshened up nicely after a couple of months on the sidelines and maybe the time off is just what she needed; Engblom trainee also faces softer and should be an honest price. (6) MALUKA MISS N drops for the third consecutive start and was a second third from the eight hole last week. (1) PURAMERI pops up with a decent effort from time to time; maybe she can hang around from the rail for a piece.
Race 11: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) SWAN SO FINE didn't fire in her first local start after arriving from Hoosier but if her connections thought enough of her to send her here in the first place they must think she'll fit in. Improved post should help. (1) NOTTINGHAM has had some early speed in his last few so he may be the one to catch from the rail. (3) KASHA V threw in a break last week then flattened; he gets a new driver tonight and we know the $400K lifetime earner has talent.