2025 MEET STATS: 29 - 85 / $221.70 (+$51.70)
BEST BETS: 5 - 8 / $17.90 (+$1.90)
BEST BET: COVERED BRIDGE N (10th)
SPOT PLAY: ALEX TYE (11th)
Race 1: NW10781 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) ALADDIN rolled comfortably on the front end last week for Lachance and these Canadian imports for this barn often get better as time goes on so facing better doesn’t scare me off. (1) MISSED THE TRUTH A was a good second from off the pace last out and the Cushing import is clearly knocking on the door, and is overdue despite his poor win record. (6) TWIN B DELUXE was able to improve position, shake free and charge home for the upset last week; he’s got plenty of back class but another tough post to work with.
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Race 2: POP-UP F&M $40,000 Claiming Leg 3 Pace
(2) NIKASA N goes out for her fourth barn in as many starts and she’s performed well for all of them. Post edge on many of her competitors gets her top call. (4) TOBAGO TIME has also been razor-sharp with four straight wins; she too enters a new barn here. (1) HARPER SEELSTER didn’t fire her best last week but her prior effort for this barn was good and she should be looking at a nice stalking trip here.
Race 3: 3-6YO Winners 2-4 races or $60,000 LT Pace
(4) RHYDS SUPERFLY GB has easily handled his nemesis Icaco Hanover in his last two and has the post edge again this week. The plot twist for tonight is that Bartlett isn’t here driving so Lauren Tritton takes the lines. I think he jogs anyway and may pay a bit better price this time around. (5) ICACO HANOVER and (6) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N are clearly second and third best here respectively and both can find their way into the number regardless of trip.
Race 4: POP-UP F&M $40,000 Claiming Leg 3 Pace
It’s not exactly tough to come up with the chalky (1) RACEY RACH N here but she lands the rail here after rating and winning from similar circumstances last week and the Laterza trainee seems primed to repeat. (3) PASTA MOMMA doesn’t have the best resume of these but she can be excused for flattening out in leg 2 after coming uncovered into the rated pace and maybe she can save ground here close to the front and have a late run at a price. (2) NUTTINBUTHEBEST was just okay in her second try for the Alexander barn, draws well again.
Race 5: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(8) RAISE THE ANTE is stuck with another outside post but that may not matter with her early speed as she’s cleared the field from the outside multiple times in the past. Eight hole makes her a price play by default. (2) SALE EL SOL was a winner first out for DiDomenico off the claim and she stays at the winning level; logical. (1) CANNERY ROW was Stratton’s choice over his brother’s horse (#4); poor local win record over the last couple of years but she could be a board threat.
Race 6: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace
(1) AMBUSHED has won three straight for these connections and at three different venues which is interesting. Napolitano gets the catch drive tonight and figures to be the controlling speed from the rail. (6) YS SENSATIONALCITY goes for four straight and five of six but has missed a little time with that recent judges scratch; is she still at her sharpest? (4) WAITFOREVER N closed well for third in her local return, gets an improved post.
Race 7: NW5076 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) DEETZY has clearly tailed off of late (I guess that’s obvious because he fits the lowest conditioned class) but it wouldn’t surprise me to see this veteran take control and go a long way on the front end. (5) GINGRAS BEACH also has little current form but he does step in a few posts and figures to be a very healthy price. (3) METAL MAN clearly has some issues going on but going on last week’s qualifier the Alexander trainee may be able to contribute right off the bench.
Race 8: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(6) DASH N CACHE was claimed out of last week’s race for $20K despite not having much form or much of a career record but maybe the new surroundings and the fresh set of hands moves her forward. (1) BETTER WATCH IT finished close last start and is logical chalk from the rail. (7) PINE BUSH MAGA gets Kakaley again in her second start after returning from Monticello and she’s likely pointed forward off the gate.
Race 9: NW15531 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) HEZ ALLTHERAGE N went on a wild speed mission last week but couldn’t pull it off as he was run over late but that effort may keep her tight going forward as he’s right back in to go. Two back he was a solid winner after clearing the front from the outside post. (2) SURFSIDE BEACH had been sitting on a win for a while and now suddenly he’s looking for three straight; definitely possible the Stratton trainee can get it done from this inside starting spot. (5) WESTERN ERA broke two starts back but that’s sandwiched between two good speed efforts. Is Brennan forward with him again?
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Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) COVERED BRIDGE appears to be in a now-or-never spot as he finally lands a good post while dropping to new lows. He has to beat these, doesn’t he? (7) PRICELESS BEACH makes his second start coming off the eight month layoff and though he’s outside again maybe Kakaley can get him more involved. (3) OUTLAW MAN N lacks the class of others but he has been sharp; loses Bartlett though.
Race 11: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) ALEX TYE has been a complete non-factor recently but he drops to the bottom and gets to face other non-factors. In my opinion the veteran should absolutely be a player in here. (4) GREG THE LEG gets another chance here to get over the hump after finishing second and third in his last two tries. (8) EVER HOPING A is a legit talent from the capable Cushing barn but the eight hole is an obvious problem.