2026 MEET STATS: 152 - 456 / $855.45 (-$56.55)
BEST BETS: 27 - 47 / $88.20 (-$5.80)
BEST BET: OVER THE HORIZON (9th)
SPOT PLAY: KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A (1st)
Race 1: NW10981 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A has raced pretty well while facing better so this drop in class is very important for his chances, though the outside post may cancel that out; I'm willing to take a chance at 12/1 ML however. (1) MUSIC HALL has major post and is back at the NW10000 level, where he fits much better. (3) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A picks up leading driver Bartlett, an important angle. Veteran wasn't far off last start.
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Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(2) ROLLING WITH SAM is back in with claimers, has a better post, returns to Bartlett. Veteran is only 1 for 16 on the season but meets an equally camera-shy field for the most part and he gets a tepid call. (4) SAMHARA N was sent to the front in his first start for the Laterza barn and gave way under pressure. He's probably better off stalking and that figures to be the case tonight. (1) EVER HOPING A has hit the board in five of his last six races.
Race 3: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(2) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH enters another new barn off the Ruiz claim from a week ago and he switches to Holland in the bike. He's won his last three races at this age-restricted $30K claiming level (for what that's worth). (5) LYONS BENJAMIN moves to the fourth barn in as many starts and now with Dilloian Jr. he's well overdue for a win. He could a speed player, as could (3) TELITONTHEMOUNTAIN, who is reunited with (enter leading driver's name here...) for (enter leading trainer's name here...). As always these types command respect.
Race 4: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) BACKSTREET SHADOW can still bring it at a high level and figures to fit very well here in his local return. (3) COALFORD TOPGUY GB hasn't been able to win recently at this NW15000 level but he's reunited with the one and only Bartlett and to nobody's surprise the gelding was a winner three of the last four times they teamed up. (4) MAC'S MARVEL was hinting at a breakthrough score coming into last week's race and he did win at odds-on but by just a nose. Lachance trainee is sharp and can compete for a share facing better.
Race 5: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(3) HIMSELF N dropped in for a $40K tag by the Hudson barn, the only place he's called home since arriving from across the planet, and was snatched up by the Adamczyk barn. He steps up a level to find some tough competition and I'm willing to take a double-digit price to see if he can go with these. (2) SOHO SANTORINI A faltered in his return to Yonkers after being a solid earner at Pocono but he draws well again with a top driver and deserves another look. (4) KEAYANG TACO A was game in defeat last week and that effort proves he belongs.
Race 6: $40,000 Claiming Pace
Legit case can be made for all of these. (2) ORLANDO BLUE A may not be the most logical one with his current form but after a couple of miscues last month he qualified back fine and then was okay in that latest race. He's reunited with Kakaley who has done well with this veteran in the past and he may be overlooked in the wagering despite the inside draw. (6) OVERTHINKING dropped and popped for top connections and looks to carry those vibes back to this $40K claiming level. (4) ZEB'S KRAFTY has been super since shipping in from Canada and the connections understandably protect him by moving him up in class. Sharp sort can do well again.
Race 7: Invitational Pace
(3) HOWLENTHEHILLS draws an improved post tonight, one that may help him control outside leavers. If he makes the front it's a big bonus but I'm thinking he doesn't have to. (6) DANDY IDEAL didn't make his 4YO debut until the end of May and he picked up right where he left off with a 1:49 4/5 score at Pocono. Outermost post hurts but this Hunter Oakes trainee went over a million lifetime with that 2026 debut and MUST be respected. (1) REDWOOD HANOVER loses Bartlett and gets a new driver in Kelly; he's proven that he can go with this type and landing the rail makes things more interesting for him.
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Race 8: 3-6YO Open Pace
(5) SWEET BEACH LIFE has been so sharp at Yonkers recently it seems impossible for me not to have him on top. Decent enough midpack post is a plus. (3) VERDUN was able to kindly rate his way to victory in last week's Invite and all he does is make money week after week, month after month etc. for Lachance. (1) CAPTAIN MOORE A has dominated in two of his last three against softer and deserves a shot back in with the creme of the crop.
Race 9: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(7) OVER THE HORIZON has been a successful "rent-a-horse" and he keeps getting stuffed into this class. Back in the Fusco barn and they teamed up for a win two back. Doesn't appear to be a ton of speed to his inside. (1) FULL SUPPORT lands all the way inside and Holland figures to be protecting position for another live stalking trip. (2) LETSMAKELOTSOFMONEY is 0 for 17 this year but has been second or third 11 times.