2025 MEET STATS: 209 - 717 / $1,147.40 (-$286.60)
BEST BETS: 36 - 68 / $123.40 (-$12.60)
BEST BET: WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH (3rd)
SPOT PLAY: SWEET BEACH LIFE (5th)
Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) CENTURY ENDEAVOR goes back to Dilloian off the reclaim and he's had plenty of success in that barn this year with four wins over the last couple of months; Bartlett is back driving. (1) SHAKE IT has been a killer in his last two at this level after Adamczyk claimed him for $30K and he obviously looms large from this spot. Colin Kelly has done well here and he's starting to pick up more live drives. (4) NUTTIN BUT FINESSE returns from Pocono where he got well in a hurry facing softer and he's also going for his third straight.
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Race 2: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) GRETZKY THE GREAT broke before the start last week effectively ending his night but note two back at this level he was a solid winner, and that was his first race in over seven months. Assuming he minds his manners he should be a live contender. (4) FLIP MY CHIP has tired on the front end in his last two but that was against straight $40K claimers; he's also now back at the level of his dominating win. (5) MUSIC HALL drops below the level of the claim after a couple of poor efforts for this barn; wakes up?
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Race 3: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH left the Mohawk circuit last week and dominated a field at Buffalo in 1:52 3/5. Veteran now makes his way back downstate and picks up Bartlett and the rail. (6) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK drops back down to a level where he's much more effective which means we may be seeing that speed off the gate; Schnittker veteran is definitely one to consider and always offers value. I finally caught (4) SHAKESPEARE last week so maybe I won't press my luck and just slot him in underneath.
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(1) TWIG was a good second in his initial start off the claim and the Devita trainee lands the rail in a pretty soft field of claimers. Probably overbet but a strong candidate to wire these. (3) JUST ENUFF STUFF has finished third in three of his last four and can improve off that with a smooth trip. (8) SCRIBBLERS would be one of the favorites in here if not for the dreadful draw; consider at a price.
Race 5: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) SWEET BEACH LIFE was hinting at a big effort before blowing away the field last week. Sharp sort can handle the moderate bump in class. (2) THE IDEAL DANCER A was stuck in the pocket and outfinished in last; he draws well again and returns to Bartlett. (1) MANFERNO was in a bit too tough last week against the likes of Dunkin' so he'll appreciate the class relief. He's the likely pacesetter.
Race 6: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) MULLINAX has almost made back the $40K it took to claim him on the strength of three wins in six starts. Engblom trainee faces tougher and draws outside but Bartlett stays with him over a couple of other very worthy opponents so I'll hop on board. (3) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A didn't fire in last week’s Open but jogged in his prior two; Brennan gets the catch drive. (5) JUMPINGJACKMAC N is the latest Down-Under wonder - this one for the Doug Dilloian barn - and he was a big earner back home. Qualifier (with Bartlett) suggests he's ready to go but this is a tough spot to make his debut; Stratton drives.
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Race 7: Invitational Pace
(1) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR was a victim of the post last week so he saw his win streak come to an end; move all the way inside likely makes him the one to beat. (7) DESPERATE MAN clearly needs no introduction and the outside post probably doesn't slow him down any; only recent losses have come in the Borgata and the Battle of Lake Erie. (2) AMERICAN DEALER N probably sits no worse than third in here and can come away with a nice piece.
Race 8: NW15241 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) SOHO DOW JONES A looked like a 1/9 shot on paper last week and he delivered with ease. Veteran steps up a notch and moves outside but he does keep Bartlett, who was listed on three-quarters of the field. (1) THE BIGBOSS A loses his regular driver and picks up Holland; import should be looking at a live trip. (8) COPPERFIELD raced well in his local return and he's now got three wins and a second through four Yonkers races this year. Post is a killer but his price balloons up.
Race 9: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(7) LYONS BENJAMIN has been razor sharp for an extended period of time and he now returns to the Laterza barn via reclaim. He's been using speed as a weapon recently but his one start for this barn he swept the field from last. (1) WHY TOMORROW RAY is always right there but doesn't always win, and he figures to be bet heavily; using underneath as a result. (3) WELL THAT'S MARKY has a win, a second and a third in his last three and moves back to the inner half of the gate.