2025 MEET STATS: 187 - 612 / $1,054.30 (-$169.70)
BEST BETS: 31 - 57 / $108.50 (-$5.50)
BEST BET: ALWAYS A THRILL (7th)
SPOT PLAY: MANFERNO (4th)
Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(6) MUSIC HALL has performed well for multiple barns recently and he gets Bartlett in the bike second out for Oakes; gelding currently looks a bit faster than these. (4) ITALIAN LAD N rallied well from the back last out and moves back to the middle of the gate; 0 for 22 on the season but has a few seconds and he can spice up the exotics. (1) SHAKE IT goes for another new barn and steps up in the midst of a big extended form spree. Drawing the rail is a bonus.
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Race 2: NW15171 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) SMIFFY'S TERROR N never misses a check and is on the board in half of his seasonal starts; drop in class can get him over the top. (1) SIX DEGREES has something to prove with this type but that was a willing local debut last out. (4) SURFSIDE BEACH returns from a try at The Big M and he beat a NW20000 field last month.
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Race 3: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) SHERLOCK N gets Stratton as tonight's catch driver and it's safe to say he knows how to handle Peter Tritton trainees; he was a commanding winner two back when drawn inside. (6) HUNTINGFORCHROME has not been involved in his three 2025 starts; figure the 4YO will be put in play sooner rather than later and this is a bit easier spot tonight. (3) VICI has finished third in his last two at this level and he keeps regular driver Brennan.
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(1) MANFERNO is another Adamczyk trainee that recently made his local debut and this one was a going-away winner; faces tougher but could be up to the task. (4) SCRIBBLERS beat similar last out and was claimed for $40K; picks up Bartlett for new connections and stays at a winning level. (3) LYRICAL GENIUS A has been right there in seven of his last eight in this class (but without a win) and it's hard not to include him on all tickets.
Race 5: NW23731 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) LOU'S WORLD arrives from Canada for these connections and the 4YO has some stakes experience with a third-place finish in the Juravinski at Flamboro. I have no idea how he'll acclimate here but he does draw well in a field with no standouts and is listed at 12/1. (6) ALL CLASS hails from top connections and was second best in a sharp mile last start. (5) SIMON SAYS HANOVER has been overmatched in his first three races after being off over a year and he does get written into this softer field so there could be an improved effort coming.
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR is just 1 for 17 this year but has been in with tougher practically every start; he's got a post edge on fellow class droppers which could be enough to get him over the hump. (6) SOHO DOW JONES A has tailed off a little in the results department recently but that enables him to drop in class and he should offer some value here. (7) NANDOLO N is in the midst of another big season but as usual he's at the mercy of the pace.
Race 7: 3-6YO Open Pace
(4) ALWAYS A THRILL faltered last start but the big news is Bartlett is back driving and they've teamed up for five wins in nine local starts. (3) VERDUN is an earning machine for Lachance and is in line for another big piece after winning the '3 thru 8' draw. (7) DUNKIN' rallied steadily for a share last start and is unfortunately stuck with another poor post but it's hard not to root for him as he amazingly closes in on $800K lifetime.
Race 8: Invitational Pace
(4) CHASE H HANOVER was in a great spot from the rail in last week's invite but they cancelled; he's still the speed of the speed here and should have little trouble making the top. (1) AMERICAN DEALER N didn't fire from second over last out but he's better saving ground and making a late push; can Zeron secure the pocket? (7) DESPERATE MAN was a solid second in the Battle at Northfield and he's 17 for 18 in the money at Yonkers; he's got to be moving early for his best chance.
Race 9: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A dropped and popped last out with a solid display and he's in a controlling position here from the rail. (6) RACING RAMPAGE is inching closer to top form and would be no surprise if he was right there at the wire. (4) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK is another in a long line of Schnittker veterans over the years with a ton of money on their cards. He's always had good speed which helped him pick up two upset wins over the last couple of months.
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Race 10: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) EUPHORIA N drops and moves all the way inside after being lost at the back of the pack last start; he will almost definitely be the better price of the logicals in here (namely #2). (2) THE BIGBOSS A makes his fourth North American start and has been close but no cigar in two of those three races. Like to see him actually win one before I hop on at a short price. (3) OURMATEMENKO N trailed from the eight hole last out but was third best in his prior three.
Race 11: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(4) FREQUENT IMAGE gave it a shot against better in his debut off the Engblom claim and that didn't work out so now he's right back in where he belongs; added bonus is the addition of the barn's top driver. (2) I'M THE PRINCE gets major post relief after being stuck outside in four of his last five; was an upset winner two back from the middle of the gate. (1) LAZ goes for another new barn and it's been three weeks since he raced...first a transportation scratch then a cancellation. Gelding draws best and does fit with these.