2025 MEET STATS: 194 - 640 / $1,099.30 (-$180.70)
BEST BETS: 32 - 60 / $111.70 (-$8.30)
BEST BET: SOHO DOW JONES A (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: THAT DOG WILL HUNT (11th)
Race 1: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N passed some tired ones last week from the outside post but won easily the start prior and still gets another crack at this level as he fits the NW10 condition. Top call moving to the rail. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that (4) MULLINAX has been a solid earner off the Engblom claim and he's now back in for the $40K tag off last week's blowout score. (6) SHERLOCK N finished a close third last start though he was the even-money favorite. Price goes up tonight as does the degree of difficulty with the tactical disadvantage starting from the six hole.
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Race 2: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) SOHO DOW JONES A hasn't won in a few months but he continues to race well, including last week's effort where he finished close after a long uncovered trip. Tonight he drops, lands the rail and picks up Bartlett. Lots to like except the price. (2) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP is 0 for 18 on the year but has been second or third in ten of those races. He too moves back inside and can land a nice share. (3) LAYTON HANOVER has also been camera-shy this year but the Alexander trainee is a fit with these.
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Race 3: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) COPPERFIELD returns from Oak Grove in Kentucky where he was a fringe player in their Sire stakes program but he's three for three locally and most importantly Bartlett goes with him over the veteran Nandolo N despite that one moving in to the rail. (1) NANDOLO N gets that needed post relief and driver Lauren Tritton has won with him multiple times in the past. (4) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR went off favored last week on the class drop but gained too late. Price goes up here but at 1 for 18 on the season he looks better underneath.
Race 4: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) HUNTINGFORCHROME was put in play last week from an outside post and gave it a good try before getting nipped. That was just his fourth start of his 4YO season and it seems to indicate that he's primed for another big effort to get into the win column. $400K earner obviously needs another alert getaway from Kakaley. (2) THE IDEAL DANCER A hails from a top barn and fits with this type, especially from an inside post. With Bartlett opting off he may be totally overlooked here. (4) TYPHOON BANNER N is where the leading driver landed and he qualified well but overall has been a bit shaky this season.
Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) SOUTHWIND CELCIUS has had legit last-quarter speed in his last three local tries but was unable to make an impact; tonight he faces a bit softer from an improved post and seems worthy of respect. (2) THE BIGBOSS A took four starts to break into the win column and the recent import now steps up looking to show more. (7) CHIMICHURRI N was a non-factor from the seven hole last week but I have a feeling Bartlett will be trying to get in play early tonight.
Race 6: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(2) CENTURY ENDEAVOR finished with good pace in his first off the Laterza claim and now he goes to the Alexander barn looking to stay sharp. Veteran does remain at the level where he does the most damage. (5) SHAKE IT bumped up off the Adamczyk claim and set a seasonal mark; he keeps Buter but does move out from the rail to the five hole so he may face an uncertain trip. (7) TWIG was quickly reclaimed last start by the Devita barn where he had been in solid form and he is protected by moving up from $30's to $40's. Post and class is a concern but he's got early speed.
Race 7: NW34251 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) RACING RAMPAGE hasn't won in his last three as he ascends the class ladder but he's been getting progressively faster and should be able to flaunt his speed from this spot. (4) ALL CLASS steps up a notch and is almost certain to be firing out with Bartlett looking to win another. (5) ENDOFSTORY had zero chance last week from the eight hole in the age-restricted Open especially after they walked to the half. Being charted with a :26 2/5 kicker will open some eyes.
Race 8: 3-6YO Open Pace
Looks like a wide-open race here. (3) HOWLENTHEHILLS has knocked heads and more than held his own facing tops in his division over the last year and a half and he's also shown nice versatility. Kakaley draws into a pretty live spot here and has options when it comes to speed off the gate and also trip. (2) ALWAYS A THRILL was forced to come uncovered into a well-rated pace as the big favorite last week and was shaken off. Devita trainee loses his main driver but Holland gets the call and he's now got a post edge on most of these. (7) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR was a Borgata finalist and recently won three straight at the Invite level. He's off a couple of weeks but that's probably not a concern. Plenty of early speed to overcome the post assignment.
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Race 9: NW34216 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) AMERICAN DEALER N hasn't won since the middle of April but he's been a contender in every race since and draws well here on the drop from the Invite. Buter catch drives tonight with regular driver Zeron not here but this veteran is all class and has raced well for numerous drivers throughout his career. (6) STREET HAWK N wired similar three back from the eight hole and I expect Brennan to be on the move early with this import. (1) DIEGO N seems more than capable of holding position from the rail and can land a nice piece.
Race 10: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) SHAKESPEARE is one who I think I've never guessed right on but with that said he gets significant post relief in his second start back in claimers and overall he's been better since the switch to the Bako barn. Kakaley picks up the drive tonight and he should be a fair price in this competitive race. (6) FLIP MY CHIP stepped back up to this level last week and was a good second after cutting the mile from the seven hole. He should be a player again. (1) WALKINSHAW N is still going well at age 13 and lands yet another good post.
Race 11: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
In a race with no standouts I'm taking a stab at a potential price here with (4) THAT DOG WILL HUNT as he gets away from the eight hole into a spot where Dube may be able to leave the gate. Gelding hasn't scored in a while but does have six wins here this year. (1) FREQUENT IMAGE is likely the controlling speed but he did falter last week at odds-on; goes for the Stratton barn now off the claim. (6) I'M THE PRINCE has a win and a second in his last three, albeit from better posts. He does fit with these but needs to find a way into it.