2025 MEET STATS: 187 - 612 / $1,054.30 (-$169.70)
BEST BETS: 31 - 57 / $108.50 (-$5.50)
BEST BET: SWEET BEACH LIFE (4th)
SPOT PLAY: WHATS STANLEY GOT A (9th)
Race 1: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N is tailor-made for this class and is always live from inside posts. 6YO import wired similar two back and always offers value. (5) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS was a tad overmatched in his last two at the Open level as his off odds would indicate but he didn't race badly in either race. Devita trainee will certainly welcome the class relief. (7) CHIMICHURRI N wired a notch lesser in his local return as the favorite and now he's probably third or fourth choice because of the post. Stratton gets the drive and I'm not sure how much he can improve position in the early stages, which obviously is crucial.
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Race 2: 3-6YO Open Pace
(3) ALWAYS A THRILL is 9 for 12 this year and most of those wins were with Bartlett in the sulky, and he returns to the bike tonight. Post edge on #4 is huge. (4) DUNKIN' could not overcome the outside starting spot last week and he does move in a couple of slots tonight; main threat. (1) RACING RAMPAGE seems to finally be rounding into top form; last month's class reprieve and addition of Lasix really got him jump-started.
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Race 3: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) OURMATEMENKO N is winless this year through six starts but he drops in class and meets a camera-shy field. Stratton trainee has never shown a ton of early interest but I'm thinking driver Jordan needs to get aggressive in the early stages for his best chance. (1) EUPHORIA N also drops to a more enticing level and draws best to boot. Holland's back driving and will probably be taking this veteran down the road. (2) SPORTY M THREE is best suited a level or two down but he should be away in good order with the move back inside and can sit close up.
Race 4: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
Every horse in here is in relatively good form but (4) SWEET BEACH LIFE may be a touch faster than them. 4YO is winless in eight tries as a 4YO but has been second four times; he's sat the pocket in six consecutive starts but I'm expecting Kakaley to fire to the front and cut the mile, hopefully wiring these. (3) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A is up in class again off a good placing and he too has some early speed; perhaps he's the one looking at a pocket ride. (1) MULLINAX has earned his keep since the $40K claim last month and he's back to Bartlett tonight.
Race 5: NW15501 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) KOPI LUWAK was thought highly enough of the Burke barn to dip in for $60K last month but he's only picked up a couple of scraps since. 5YO gets some class relief here and has plenty of speed from a good post, and interestingly Buter is listed to catch drive. I'm thinking he may be overlooked in the wagering as a result. (7) NANDOLO N just keeps chugging along as the 11YO nears $100K in seasonal earnings. Bartlett's choice in here needs some help from the outside post but he'll be motoring late. (4) SURFSIDE BEACH beat a NW20000 field four starts back but hasn't done much since; he can pick up a minor share here.
Race 6: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) MUSIC HALL went a tough trip in his first for the Oakes barn off the claim but the significant post relief and addition of Bartlett can help the 8-time winner this year get back on track. (4) CENTURY ENDEAVOR has won four of five and stays at the winning level off the Laterza claim. (6) LYRICAL GENIUS A likes to hit the board, like he did last week from a similar spot at a big price.
Race 7: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A dropped in class last start and blew away the field in a career-best 1:51 2/5. Bartlett stays with him and without a ton of early speed to his inside (at least on paper) I figure he won't have much trouble repeating. (1) FINVARRA A drops from the Invitational ranks, lands inside and is looking at a live trip. (2) BLUE LOU didn't fire last out as the big chalk after winning his prior start first time on Lasix. Engblom trainee gets Buter tonight and figure to sit around to pick up a share.
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Race 8: Invitational Pace
Interesting matchup here with the open draw as the featured pacers landed inside. (1) CHASE H HANOVER had no realistic chance in the Battle at Northfield but he's back at Yonkers and reunited with A Nap. He's the speed of the speed in here and will almost certainly offer a better price than the returning (2) DESPERATE MAN. The latter was second best after cutting the mile in the Battle and he held gamely for that spot after being steamrolled by Ken Hanover. (5) STREET HAWK N has worked his way up to the top level for the Blackler barn and he deserves a look.
Race 9: NW10751 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) WHATS STANLEY GOT A has quietly been very good recently for the Stratton barn and it seems he's recapturing that form that earned him almost $240K last year. He generally offers an honest price as well. (4) THE BIGBOSS A is coming off his best effort since arriving from Australia and the import figures to attract plenty of attention from the bettors. (1) ALL ALONE had little to offer in those last two at Philly after being off a couple of months but he's back at Yonkers where he's done most of his winning.
Race 10: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) MANFERNO shipped in to Yonkers last week and made it two-for-two since joining the Adamczyk barn. Gelding stays at the winning level looking for the hat trick. (7) FREQUENT IMAGE tried tougher off the Engblom claim and stopped badly; he's back down in class and has the speed to fire from the outside. (2) AMERITRIC makes his debut for the Forte barn off last week's claim and he moves back inside where he figures to be more involved.