2025 MEET STATS: 293 - 979 / $1,627.58 (-$330.42)
BEST BETS: 50 - 96 / $164.82 (-$27.18)
BEST BET: CHIAPANECAS (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: ALBERGO HANOVER (10th)
Race 1: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) INTERNATIONALCRAZE was okay upon arrival for his new barn and could be a bit tighter now back in on consecutive weeks; good post, shaky field, hopefully reasonable price. (7) ALTUS HANOVER draws poorly again but he does have six wins and $50K earned this year so he fits well class-wise with these; maybe Dube can get a live tow. (1) WILD BILL KELSO raced evenly last week after airing it out the start prior. Stratton trainee will probably be the favorite here.
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Race 2: F&M NW6481 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) CHIAPANECAS has had a strong season with over $100K earned and returns locally off a win at Philly. She's used to facing much better than these and seems to be clearly the one to beat in here. (5) KATIES UP has perked up somewhat in her last two starts and a similar effort to last week puts her right in the mix. (1) CREME DELIGHT doesn't seem to win as often as she should and has burned plenty of my money over the last couple of seasons; using underneath.
Race 3: NW5721 in last 5 starts Trot
(1) KASHA V hasn't won all that often over the last couple of seasons but he's able to step it up when in the right scenario. Siegelman could work out a live stalking trip and be freshest late against this very camera-shy field. (5) WINDSONG PIONEER is one of a few droppers in here and he's the only one in here to have a local win over the last few months; that was against a NW10000 field as well. (6) BLACK TIE BASH raced well last week to be second as the chalk and he'll take money again tonight.
Race 4: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) PREMIER VICTOR broke before the start in an added-distance event last out but his prior start was a solid win at Monticello in a career best 1:57 1/5. Stratton gets the call and could be tough to catch if he makes the front. (3) IM AN ANDOVER drops to a more competitive level and he's got proven early speed, but is just 1 for 21 on the year. Dupont trainee is a good one to use underneath. (2) CREATIVE VENTURE was a close third last week in an amateur event. He's another camera-shy type.
Race 5: F&M NW8361 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) MISS DOTTIE MAE drops a notch to a level she's more comfortable and though we haven't seen it in a while she's got good early speed and if Buter sends her to the front she may prove difficult to catch. (1) KISS MY CHEEK also drops and gets the best post she's seen at Yonkers in two months; she's not that far removed from a second-place finish in 1:52 4/5 at the NW20000 level. (2) TRUE BLUE HANOVER is 0 for 18 and counting this year but she should be close up and can land a piece.
Race 6: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) CHERYLS SHADOW came up a bit shy last start after setting an honest tempo and overall the mare is just 2 for 25 this year but she's got a class edge on these and Brennan has done well with her in the past. (1) PASS AND STOW finds a better spot here and has won 10 of 18 lifetime at Yonkers. (7) MY RED SEA was a winner in a snappy 1:53 in her return from Ohio but she steps up and moves outside tonight.
Race 7: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) LYDEO has been knocking on the door of late and note that her last win came with Brennan in the bike and he's back driving tonight. (1) COACHELLABOUND N hasn't produced this season like she did in 2024 when she banked almost $300K but she's still a legit upper-class mare and drawing inside again makes her a major player. (6) MALUKA MISS N has been right there in her last six races but she loses Brennan to the top choice; DiDomenico trainee will be a big price and could spice up the Tri or Super.
Race 8: F&M Invitational Pace
(6) AARDIE B MIKI N returns from a break in action with two legit qualifiers and the Matchmaker winner does have a post edge on the Pelling 4YO beast tonight. Maybe new driver Kelly is ready for an aggressive steer with that tactical edge. (7) ROCKET DEO goes for four straight and six of seven overall. She too gets a new driver in Stratton and is the one to beat despite the tough post. (4) FRONT PAGE STORY may be a touch outclassed at the top level but she's a rock-solid mare who can come out of this race with money.
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Race 9: NW16071 in last 5 starts Trot
(3) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS has been racing well without a win to show for it but maybe tonight's the night from this live spot; Stratton picks up the catch drive. (1) FULL OF MUSCLES dropped last week and put it all together with that win; Noel Daley trainee draws the rail again and is certainly capable of repeating. (2) STREET GOSSIP never wins but when drawn inside he's always good for a share.
Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) ALBERGO HANOVER has bounced around for a few years with just limited success but he's back at Yonkers and reunited with the Bongiorno barn, where he did plenty of winning as a youngster. Last week was a good tightener. (5) KIMBLE A woke up with the drop in class and he should be a player again. (1) CAPTAIN BATBOY is also coming off a good runner-up effort after a series of dull tries and now he moves in to the rail; Siegelman drives again and he won with this Fanning trainee a couple of months ago.