2025 MEET STATS: 242 - 817 / $1,353.80 (-$280.20)
BEST BETS: 41 - 79 / $137.20 (-$20.80)
BEST BET: SLING SHOCK (6th)
SPOT PLAY: SWEET BEACH LIFE (9th)
Race 1: NW10801 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) VENTURESOME ARDEN N had become kind of stale so he took some time off for a freshening and paced willingly first back facing better. He's a quality horse who is overdue. (4) SPECULATING A had the eight hole in his North American debut and could not get involved but now with the post improvement for his second outing the import must be considered. (8) NONE BETTOR A is the classiest in here and was stubborn in defeat last week against a notch higher. 12YO is a clear contender in here despite the post.
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Race 2: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(7) AMERITRIC is as good as any in here and will offer a big price despite being right there at the wire in his last four races. He just needs to find a way to overcome the outside post but there could be a live flow in this competitive race. (1) TWIGGS PUB raced well last week when bumped to this level for his new connections and now he moves to the rail; major player. (5) SCRIBBLERS hasn't functioned for the Bongiorno barn and now he drops 25% below the level of the claim. If he can get things straightened out then obviously he can beat these.
Race 3: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(4) IDRAINTHESWAMP A has been a consistent presence at this level and he was claimed out of his last by the Stratton barn who leaves him where he fits best. Even the slightest of improvement can be enough to win this. (3) DONTTELLMENOW bumped to this level for these new connections off the claim but could not sustain a rally from the rear. He gets significant post relief and may be more aggressively handled tonight. (6) SAILBOAT HANOVER is back with Brennan who already has multiple wins with this veteran in 2025.
Race 4: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) ENDOFSTORY won in 1:48 3/5 two back over the speedy Pocono surface and was facing better when we last saw him at Yonkers. Legit chance to take this field down the road. (5) MANFERNO does have some speed to his inside but if he can get off the gate in good order like he's proven capable of doing he can sit the livest of trips. (2) HIMSELF N has been a fringe player in his last few but he should stay close from this spot and can land a nice piece.
Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N does bump up in class off a loss again but he's rounding back into top form and has been as fast as any in here over his last few races. Vallee trainee goes back to Kakaley and has a legit chance to trip out from this post. (4) TWIN B POWERBALL should appreciate the class relief here and figures to be more involved that he has been recently. (6) SHERLOCK N dropped to a winning level last week and took control at odds-on but prior to that easy win he had consistently been finishing with strong last quarters; sharp import from the Pete Tritton barn deserves serious respect.
Race 6: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(4) SLING SHOCK was a nice winner two back off the Adamczyk claim then gave it a shot against much better and gave way late in that 1:51 1/5 mile. He's back at the right level with a chance to do serious damage here. (1) SHAKESPEARE has been a nemesis of mine for a long time though I did catch him a few starts back; he's been close in his last two and should go well from the rail. (6) TWIG is a half-length shy of a four-race win streak and he's done it for multiple barns; he changes hands again and should be looking to fire hard for his best chance.
Race 7: 3-6YO Open Pace
As I've mentioned previously (3) VERDUN may be the claim of the millennium as he was taken about a year ago for $50K plus allowances by the Lachance barn and has earned about a trillion dollars since; I think he needs to be forwardly placed to clear the inside two for his best chance to win here and I'm hoping that's the case. (5) HOWLENTHEHILLS followed up his good effort in the Gerrity with a rated win here but that was from the rail and now he moves to the outer part of the gate; still, this Travis Alexander trainee is more than capable of repeating and he can do it from on or off the pace. (6) TIP TOP CAT returned from Kentucky and may have needed that first start back at Yonkers; Buter drives the Burke trainee and perhaps he can rally late for a share at a big price.
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Race 8: Invitational Pace
(6) SOHO FIRESTONE A has been ultra-consistent for an extended period of time and he's been at his best since arriving from Down Under; needs some help from this post but should offer an honest price. (1) ADMIRAL HILL was a Borgata fringe player earlier this year and he's back up facing the top ones on the strength of that recent 1:51 4/5 score; Engblom trainee is assigned the rail here and that starting spot is why I'm considering him. (5) CHASE H HANOVER got all discombobulated recently but it looks like he's sorted things out with that recent qualifier at Pocono; he's got loads of early speed.
Race 9: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) SWEET BEACH LIFE has jogged in three straight and finally has to step up in class but I'm hopeful Kakaley can fire him to the front again and if so he may be tough to catch. (2) AMERICAN DEALER N is back inside which helps the cause and he is overdue. (1) MAC'S DELIGHT was a solid two-move winner out of the seven hole last start and he gets another crack at the same level; also lands a rare inside post.