2025 MEET STATS: 261 - 876 / $1,457.60 (-$294.40)
BEST BETS: 46 - 85 / $153.70 (-$16.30)
BEST BET: CATALPA RESCUE A (3rd)
SPOT PLAY: PEACE OUT POSSE (5th)
Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(4) GOLIATH HANOVER made a pretty nice impression first time in the Burke barn and looks like a good fit with these going forward. 4YO seems to have plenty of upside and can mow down the speed if close enough. (1) ALTA CLASSIC A stepped up to this $40K claiming level three back and is a neck shy of four straight wins overall. Debuts for the Dilloian Jr. barn off the claim and can be the controlling speed from the rail. (5) TWIG was outfinished from the pocket versus #1 last out and he's got the early foot to work out a similar trip.
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Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) SADDLE UP has been claimed out of his last five starts and he's got four wins and a second during that time; back to Laterza tonight, back to Holland driving. They teamed up for one of those wins three back. (2) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY gave way last out at odds-on and has now missed a few weeks but he's a legit player at this level and the veteran should be in a good stalking spot. Note the barn change as well. (4) SHADOW CAT has little to offer in the way of current form but he's a classy vet and hails from the top trainer/driver.
Race 3: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) CATALPA RESCUE A breezed in 1:51 4/5 in his North American debut and followed that up with another dominating score. He does bump up again in class but I don't think that will matter. (3) CARABAO A is a consistent sort who finishes close week in and week out. He's also versatile. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N has hit the board in his last two and has a good chance again to be in the money starting from the rail.
Race 4: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(4) SCRIBBLERS has done nothing since being claimed for $40K a couple of months back by the Bongiorno barn but he's back in on consecutive weeks after a sick scratch and did show a bit more energy in that last start. (1) TWIGGS PUB is right back in where he belongs after taking a shot against better that didn't work out. (7) CHICKEN N DICE beat most of these last week yet will offer a big price because of the poor post; sharp sort is worth considering.
Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) PEACE OUT POSSE dropped to the basement three back and jogged; stepped up a notch and jogged; stepped up again and was a gutsy winner. I'm noticing a trend here with this 10YO and I think the Stratton trainee can do it again. (5) MELANION N ships in from Upstate NY and joins the DiDomenico barn. He did win a race here last year so he figures to fit in well. (4) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A is just 1 for 20 on the season but has been close in many of his recent races.
Race 6: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) LUCAPELO A was the victim of a dull flow last start and now drops to face softer. Stratton trainee is an off-the-pace type who has beaten better in the past so he may only need decent cover to get it done. (2) BOSTON BOUND also drops and draws his best post in ages; recently added Lasix for the Bongiorno barn and keeps Bartlett but will likely be an underlay. (3) FUNATTHEBEACH N has had a tough time recently but at least he's shown some life in his last couple.
Race 7: 3-6YO Open Pace
(3) VERDUN was stuck in a trailing position last week and could not get involved, but it's a whole new ballgame tonight as the Lachance trainee lands a much more reasonable post. (5) HOWLENTHEHILLS was also in a similar scenario last start and he gets moderate post improvement. Kakaley can be more involved with the 4YO. (4) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A won in this class two back from a similar spot after being well rated; it may be tougher tonight.
Race 8: Invitational Pace
(4) JAMAICAN ROCK A is perfect through five starts since arriving from Down Under for the Blackler barn, which has done well with a number of these imports. He gets the best post of the "4 thru 6" draw which makes him the one to beat again. (5) DESPERATE MAN returns from Batavia where he was second in a stakes race that was won in 1:50 1/5. He's now raced well enough to win his last three but has come up short each time. Will Kakaley be content stalking or try going all out for the top? (6) MOSSDALE BEN N is probably coming from last again and the Borgata champ is in another tough spot.
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Race 9: NW31601 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) SWEET BEACH LIFE threw in a break last out and that cost him all chance. I'll hope that was just a fluke and he'll be sent to the front tonight. If he makes the lead he'll be tough to catch. (2) DUNKIN' gets class relief and another good post; arguably the one to beat. (3) STREET HAWK N has proven more than capable of beating this type; needs a better trip than last week when trying to gain into a rated pace.
Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N is the most accomplished of these this season as most of his rivals here have been camera-shy. Post isn't the best but I'm looking for Stratton to try stepping it up off the gate. (8) DANCIN SANCHO doesn’t have much of a record the last couple of years racing most recently in Ohio but the connections ship him here to join the Travis Alexander barn and on that angle alone he's worthy of a look even from post eight. (3) CHANTEE can usually be counted on for a share when drawn well.