2025 MEET STATS: 242 - 817 / $1,353.80 (-$280.20)
BEST BETS: 41 - 79 / $137.20 (-$20.80)
BEST BET: SWEET BEACH LIFE (7th)
SPOT PLAY: MY ULTIMATE BYRON A (3rd)
Race 1: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) TRICKY MIKI A was a big earner Down-Under but failed to get involved in his first race in the U.S. over at The Meadowlands, but his sub :26 last quarter will open some eyes here. Vallee trainee gets Bartlett in the bike facing softer and gets the call. (5) KINGSVILLE isn't the most prolific winner but he's been close in his last two and he descends the class ladder again. (2) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A broke last week at Pocono but was a close third the start prior against NW10000 types.
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Race 2: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(1) SHAKESPEARE took command early and cut a quick pace before wilting. Veteran is better off stalking, which he's likely to do tonight, and will offer a better price than the other contenders. (5) TWIG was unable to make the front last week and didn't fire from there; he's back to Dilloian on the reclaim, gets Bartlett in the bike and shouldn't have a problem making the lead. (3) ALTA CLASSIC A just missed last out when bumped up to this $40K claiming level and he lands in a similar spot tonight.
Race 3: NW15051 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A takes a needed drop in class and that might just be what this veteran needs to improve on that 1 for 19 seasonal record. (4) LUCAPELO A shipped over Pocono for major class relief and got the job done, and now the Stratton trainee returns still at a lower level than he was accustomed to. He should also have a big shot here. (7) NONE BETTOR A has been rounding into form after an extended break in action and he's got the class to consider him at a potentially big price.
Race 4: Invitational Pace
(3) JAMAICAN ROCK A has been awesome since arriving in the U.S. and he ships in to Yonkers on the strength of a 1:48 1/5 win at The Big M where he wore down a Milstein starter (for what that's worth). I'm thinking he could be good enough to beat these for the Bartlett/Blackler hookup that's worked well for years. (4) CHASE H HANOVER is the speed of the speed but can he last the duration? Does he even end up cutting the mile here? (2) SOHO FIRESTONE A flew home last week to nail it and has done nothing wrong basically all season for the Dilloian Jr. barn.
Race 5: NW10501 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) CATALPA RESCUE A is the latest import for the Blackler barn and that winning qualifier would have us believe he's ready to fire in start #1. Despite talent in this field he'll probably get crushed at the windows. (5) PANETTONE HANOVER was game in defeat last week and now drops again to NW10000; should be a major player. (1) SPECULATING A is another recent import but this one hasn't hit his stride yet. He went on a speed mission last week to no avail.
Race 6: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(5) SADDLE UP went a quicker clip last start than he had in previous weeks and he was collared late ending his win streak; rent-a-horse is back to the Odza barn where he was a winner three back. (1) WHY TOMORROW RAY grinded and just missed last start; rail, Engblom and Bartlett make him an obvious contender and probable favorite. (3) ROCKIN N TALKIN has closed well in all recent and finally got there last out; back in a similar spot yet will still offer value.
Race 7: NW35501 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) SWEET BEACH LIFE missed a nose last out in a tough-luck beat and ended his three-race win streak; razor-sharp Alexander trainee moves back inside and can control the action. (3) ENDOFSTORY was a dominating winner in NW20000 with Brennan picking up the drive and he's in the bike again from a very reasonable post. (5) TYPHOON BANNER N gets Bartlett back and they teamed up for a win last month.
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Race 8: 3-6YO Open Pace
(5) DUNKIN' is back from a stakes race at Northfield where he held stubbornly for third after a tough trip when he was parked most of the mile and he's always a competitor at this age-restricted Open level. He can do it from on or off the pace but this may be a spot for Brennan to be looking forward early. (3) VERDUN put in his usual solid effort last week though he was set back out of the money; very hard not to include this Lachance trainee, especially from a good draw. (7) HOWLENTHEHILLS was 6/5 last week and stuck from off the pace. Bad luck with the 2 thru 7 draw but maybe Kakaley takes a stab firing off the gate.
Race 9: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) STREET HAWK N loses the top driver tonight but gets a very live replacement in the bike; good post and drop in class is probably enough to get him back over the top. (6) ADMIRAL HILL is where Bartlett landed for the Engblom barn, and he was a touch outclassed last week in the Invite but blew away a softer field the start prior. (2) JUMPINGJACKMAC N makes his fourth U.S. start and is getting better but probably needs a drop in class to pick up a win.