2025 MEET STATS: 88 - 286 / $511.70 (-$60.30)
BEST BETS: 14 - 27 / $44.40 (-$9.60)
BEST BET: I DID IT MYWAY (4th)
SPOT PLAY: CADILLAC BAYAMA (3rd)
Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace
Tough opener where you can make a case for all of them, so I'll look for a decent price with (3) CENTURY ENDEAVOR, who dropped back to the appropriate level second start off the Stafford claim and ended up a steady second. Veteran has a last-to-first sweep and a wire-to-wire win over his last seven starts so his versatility should work in his favor from this post. (2) SHAKESPEARE had been racing well in $50's prior to being bottomed out last start. Daguet trainee drops in class and gets an interesting new driver in Bartlett. (5) PRICELESS BEACH takes a logical step up in price after winning three of four.
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Race 2: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(5) BB LUCKY BOY tired on the lead last start and was unable to replicate his prior two sizzling wins but he could have a clear path to the front again and maybe catch-driving Bongiorno doesn't need to go as fast tonight. (2) SCRIBBLERS has really responded to having Gingras in the bike and he steps up looking for three straight. (1) TWIN B DELUXE moves in to the rail and that could help him sit a smooth trip and land a share.
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Race 3: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) CADILLAC BAYAMA was caught uncovered into a well-rated pace last week and failed to fire but didn't lose ground either. Clearly that's not his preferred trip but tonight Lachance may be able to save ground behind the frontrunners and be freshest late. (2) LAYTON HANOVER was second best to a good rival in his Yonkers return and he's beaten this type in the past. (7) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP was unable to secure a win as the odds-on favorite two straight starts when down in class but the price goes way up tonight for proven connections.
Race 4: Invitational Pace
(5) I DID IT MYWAY hasn't had much success at Yonkers in the past but last year's Borgata participant finds a softer than usual Invite in his local return, and just third start of the year. Alexander trainee figures to be ready for more off those recent Pocono efforts. (4) SOHO DOW JONES A has done little wrong since arriving in the U.S. and he steps up looking for three straight. (7) NANDOLO N has been legitimately awesome this year but this is a tough spot for a horse without much early speed.
Race 5: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1
(3) CHASE H HANOVER has always been a solid, hard trying speed threat and he may have found the right spot in this Borgata opener to make the front while also discouraging outside rivals from leaving the gate. Stratton trainee could be sharp enough to go the distance. (4) CHARLIE MAY is still bringing it at a high level this year for his new barn and Dave Miller is here to drive the $2.3 million earner. (7) HELLABALOU is back looking for the Borgata threepeat and last week was a solid tightener in his Yonkers return. Can Gingras improve position early to get close enough to threaten?
Race 6: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1
(2) DUNKIN' threw in one of his occasional breaks last week but hopefully the bad behavior is out of his system as he starts his Borgata quest. Clegg owned/DiDomenico trainee was a finalist last year as a 4YO and the major post edge on the accomplished (7) COACHES CORNER could be enough to get him home. Tetrick is back driving. The latter had a tremendous 2024 season with $645K earned and returns off one tightener at The Meadowlands where he had pace but was too far back; assuming Bartlett is forwardly placed here. (4) FOR ONCE INMY LIFE has a Yonkers win already this year and is another major speed threat.
Race 7: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1
(4) HIMSELF N was very good at Yonkers last year and looks to be rounding to form heading into this series. Seems to find a good spot here. (8) HUMBLE A was a perfect seven for seven here in 2024 and after two qualifiers he's likely ready to roll but the eight hole is tough for a horse making his first start of the year. (1) ACT FAST lands the rail and is better than he's shown so far over two starts in 2025.
Race 8: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1
(6) MOSSDALE BEN N gets a major test here as he puts his perfect record on the line in round one of the Borgata. Connections know a little about winning in this series, however...think of Bit Of A Legend N. Question tonight is if he can generate some early speed so he doesn't have too far to come. (3) DESPERATE MAN has three qualifiers under his belt but would have liked to have seen an actual race before jumping into the deep end. Alexander trainee is clearly capable though. (4) ITS A ME MARIO does have a 2025 start and it was a good one as he finished second in the Open here 11 days ago.
Race 9: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1
(1) TYPHOON BANNER N gave it an aggressive try in his second seasonal start and though it didn't work out perhaps it tightened him nicely for round one here. MGM Grand Prix winner from this past December has Joe Bongiorno back in the bike with a live chance starting from the rail. (5) WHY NOT NOW has had a tough go of it for these connections after dipping in to buy him but he has shown more life since shipping east into the Alexander barn and he enters tonight off a win. (8) MIKI SHAN N is yet another talented recent Down Under shipper, and other who is stuck in post eight. I'm sure Bartlett will do all he can to avoid getting away last.
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Race 10: NW22251 in last 5 starts Pace
(8) ALWAYS A THRILL has won his last two in most impressive style and the lightly raced 4YO basically gets a free ride in this class as he has just nine wins. Bartlett sticks with him over a live Engblom trainee from an inside post. (2) BLUE LOU gets a worthy replacement in Gingras and he's been good on the front end in three of his last four. Big chance if he can avoid an uncovered trip like two starts back. (1) QUALITY BUD was never a factor last week but still paced home in :27 1/5. He won his prior start from well back and this 12YO just keeps chugging along.
Race 11: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) WALKINSHAW N won going away last week on the class drop and he's an off-the-pace type anyway so post six may not be a major problem as he looks to repeat. Now 13 years old the Lance Hudson trainee can still bring it. (2) SPLASH BROTHER drops to a more competitive level and draws well again; legit speed threat. (4) KOMODO BEACH had the eight hole in his first start off the bench and he had a nice view of the field. Should be more involved tonight.
Race 12: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) VICI faltered at 35 cents on the dollar on last week's class drop but I won't hold it completely against him as the winner was also dropping and had a nice stalking trip. Now that rival has post eight so I'll give the Bongiorno trainee another chance. (6) ROCKMYSTER N has been facing better, draws outside but does have some speed and Stratton chose him over a horse he won with last out. (2) MISSED THE TRUTH A doesn't win often but gets an improved post and should be close to the pace.