2025 MEET STATS: 88 - 286 / $511.70 (-$60.30)
BEST BETS: 14 - 27 / $44.40 (-$9.60)
BEST BET: SWEETHOMEALABAMA N (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: CREME DELIGHT (5th)
Race 1: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) PINE BUSH MAGA has been popular at the claim box recently between two barns and now a third one enters the fray. Stays at the same level, draws well, picks up the leading driver. (1) CANNERY ROW has finished up close in all recent starts and has hit the board in a majority of those. (6) SHEIKH YABOOTY N has left from the outside in the past, needs to do so tonight for her best chance.
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Race 2: 3-5YO Winners 2-4 races or $60,000 LT Pace
(5) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N rallied with plenty last start but it was only good enough to pick up a third. I suspect Stratton will be looking to be more forwardly placed in this smaller field. (1) BEANZY FRESH makes his first start as a 3-year-old off a good winning qualifier and lands the rail for top connections. (4) AVENGER FORCE goes second-time out after being on the bench over a year. First start wasn't terrible.
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Race 3: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(3) DELITFULCATHERIN N had little to offer late when facing a bit better first start for new connections but this classy mare drops back down and is capable of so much more than she's been showing. (2) BROOKDALE JESSIE is hard to make a case for in the top spot but she's hit the ticket plenty of times facing similar and will be close up to the action for co-owner Austin Siegelman. (5) FORTUNADA has a good record so far this year and she's with another new barn tonight; Bartlett picks up the drive.
Race 4: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) MUSCLE BART A has been an erratic sort but he just qualified in 1:57 at Monticello with Lauren Tritton driving and I'm hoping these connections have him figured out. (3) KIMBLE A returns from Pocono off a much-improved effort. (4) REIGNING DEO is still trying to find his footing this season after banking over $100K in 2024. New driver in Gingras tonight and maybe the fresh set of hands helps the cause.
Race 5: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) CREME DELIGHT is a talented mare from Burke who doesn't seem to win nearly as often as she should. She gets an improved post after finishing well from the back last week and this looks like a good spot. (1) YS SENSATIONALCITY tired after cutting the mile last out but she's had too many good efforts recently to discount her chances here, especially departing from the rail. (6) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE couldn't overcome the eight hole last start ending her sharp run; Joe B is in the bike tonight.
Race 6: F&M $30,000 Claiming Pace
(6) CELCIUS has been the most consistent of these so far this year with 9 of 11 on the board; Bartlett drives again for Engblom and she gets the call despite not having the best starting spot. (3) JENDEN STRIKE A lands a much-improved post third time out off the Bako claim and she should be a major player here. (7) BOORAA N raced well for third last week with Stratton in the bike and he's catch driving again; chance for another piece at a big price.
Race 7: NW10401 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) COPPERFIELD was a very professional winner in his 4YO debut and despite facing more seasoned foes here he deserves a chance to repeat. (1) GREG THE LEG drops back down to a level he should be much more comfortable at and he lands the rail again. Gingras can work out a live stalking trip with the gelding. (6) HUNTING ZONE was caught uncovered in his two races after returning from Delaware but now he's more likely to be looking at an easier trip where he'll be covered up.
Race 8: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) IRIS SEELSTER was a winner against one notch higher last month and also has an upset win over this type in 2025; Ruiz trainee drops back down to the $20K level and draws well; worth a look in this competitive event is she's around her 8/1 on the ML. (7) REAL LADY SADIE has the speed to overcome the outside draw and it’s likely that Holland will be blasting. (1) JUST ROSAS LUCK enters another new barn via claim and she keeps Bartett. Likely favored from the rail.
Race 9: NW7621 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) PATRONUS STAR N has raced willingly in his last two despite boxed-in rail trips so perhaps new driver Stratton will be looking to cut the mile tonight; that's entirely possible starting from the rail. (5) FAMILY RECIPE has rather dull current form but he does take a needed drop in class and despite not showing it recently he's got some early speed. (6) POP IT has finished in under 28 seconds in four of his last five; Schnittker trainee may be on the scene late again.
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Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) TUGGIN ON MY HEART returns to Yonkers where he was 8 for 23 over the last two seasons while generally facing better than he sees tonight. Gingras drives and he's a threat to take these wire to wire. (8) WHY TOMORROW RAY returns to the East coast and is now in the Engblom barn; eight hole is no picnic but still these connections must be respected. (2) STAY GROUNDED draws well again which gives him a big chance to hit the board.
Race 11: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace
(1) QUICK MENU just missed at 8/1 as my spot play last week and while she steps up a notch she does move from the seven hole to the rail; Gingras figures to be cutting the mile or sitting no worse than the pocket. (3) AT THE HOP has earned almost as much in seven starts this year than in all of 2024; sharp sort was a good third last out. (6) WHO'S PERFECT also steps up one class as she goes for three straight for Engblom/Bartlett.