2025 MEET STATS: 133 - 414 / $805.40 (-$22.60)
BEST BETS: 20 - 37 / $68.70 (-$5.30)
BEST BET: AYE AYE CAPTAIN N (10th)
SPOT PLAY: JUDDY DOUGLAS A (7th)
Race 1: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace
(2) PARADISE ROCK L took money last week when dropping back to this level and was too far back to threaten. Tonight she should be close up and figures to offer some value. (4) ROCKNROLL ANNIE was a good second with the return to Bartlett and he drives again. (8) LAZIN ON THE BEACH is one of the sharpest in here and does have early speed to overcome the outside post, like she did three and four back. If she gets near the front without too much trouble she can legitimately take this at a price.
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Race 2: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) YOROKOBI N often picks up shares but isn't the most prolific winner. Pete Tritton trainee lands Bartlett with an improved post facing a fairly soft field for this class. (2) OPTICAL ILLUSION N steps up looking for his second straight as he starts to pay dividends on that recent $50K claim. (1) SOUTHWIND PETYR makes his 2025 debut having missed time but does have the benefit of two qualifiers. He's a good fit here and can make an impact if ready.
Race 3: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace
(2) MORNING HAS BROKEN had been hinting at a win and finally got it done last week. I haven't had much success with this veteran mare but I'll be stubborn and gave her the chance to repeat. (7) WOODMERE HARRIET went a super effort in victory when dropped in class; another tough spot but she can be considered. (3) SALE EL SOL missed a nose last start after winning the week prior; she stays at a winning level off the Dilloian claim.
Race 4: F&M $30,000 Claiming Pace
(4) JENDEN STRIKE A has done well for these connections through four starts off the $30K claim and she does have a slight post edge on nemesis (5) CELCIUS which may be enough to get it done. The latter has been Mr. Consistency for top connections and figures to be right there again. (2) TOBAGO TIME has plenty of back class but has been a notch below these recently but still can land a piece from the inside.
Race 5: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace
(1) CREME DELIGHT seems to have found a home at this level for the Burke Brigade and she's always a major player when drawn inside. (4) BEANTOWN BABE was in $20's earlier in the year but now looks like a legit $50K claimer. She's been good for multiple barns from on and off the pace. (5) IDEAINFUN successfully dropped and popped last start but had been rather flat in prior efforts at this level. Maybe that win perked her up.
Race 6: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(4) DELITFULCATHERIN N stays at this $20K level despite how sharp she is and don't forget her loads of back class. Veteran is the most logical here but that obviously equates to a short price. (8) QUICK MENU tired last week but her prior two local races were good. Eight hole hurts this Burke trainee but the drop back in class helps. (2) GINGER TREE LIZ is back with Stratton and they teamed up for an upset win last month.
Race 7: NW5241 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) JUDDY DOUGLAS A has been dull his last two starts but he drops back down and lands the rail facing a pretty blank field. With Holland driving he's a candidate to take this field down the road. (3) BALLARD EINSTEIN had good speed in his first start since last December and the 4YO can build off that effort. (6) ALWAYS ROCKIN found the pocket from the eight hole the last time Bartlett drove.
Race 8: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(1) LINE EM UP was up against a tough one in her last couple but she managed to hit the board at a big price in both. She's trending in the right direction and is as good as any in here. (4) RAISE THE ANTE just missed in her last two and she's now 0 for 12 and counting but figures to be right there again. (5) ONEDERFULBEACH is also shut out of the win column but has hit the board in 8 of 10.
Race 9: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) DEETZY is just a winning machine and is at his best when he can rate up front or stalk in behind which is a likely scenario tonight from this post. Offers value as well. (3) SMIFFY'S TERROR N had too much ground to cover as the favorite last week but did narrow the margin late; price goes up here on a horse that is capable with these. (8) BLUE LOU needs an alert getaway to have any chance here but he's done it before from the outside.
Race 10: 3-5YO Winners 2-4 or $60,000 lifetime Pace
(4) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N blitzed similar fields in his first two U.S. starts and last week he was five cents on the dollar. Gets a free ride and will pay $2.10 or $2.20. (1) HURRIKANE MIKI started his 4YO campaign with a win down at Philly for Lachance; late bloomer likely has a bit more to offer. (6) CUPID SHUFFLE has shown early speed in some prior local tries for Gingras/Burke.
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Race 11: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) SHADOW CAT is loaded with back class as he's got over $600K in the bank and it looks like he's racing himself back into shape. Engblom trainee should have a significant tactical edge on (6) THUNDER HUNTER JOE, one of the other main contenders in here. The latter is up in class again looking for three straight. (3) SPLASH BROTHER is another veteran with plenty of class and he's got the speed to stay close.
Race 12: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) SEMI TOUGH has failed to hit the board in three seasonal tries but the Burke millionaire drops again and meets the softest field he's seen in years. It's 'now or never' time. (1) SHAKESPEARE drops from $50K claimers and was a close second the last time at this level. (2) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A has a win and a second already this year at higher levels and seems eligible to improve; 20/1 ML.