2025 MEET STATS: 150 - 476 / $865.20 (-$86.80)
BEST BETS: 25 - 43 / $80.70 (-$5.30)
BEST BET: COALFORDSNSHINE GB (11th)
SPOT PLAY: LENNON HANOVER (4th)
Race 1: NW8681 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) GREG THE LEG was hung the mile last week versus better and to his credit he didn't tire that badly; with the move to the rail Dube should be able to cut the mile or stalk right in behind. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N cut the mile in the same race as the top one and came up just short in his first start for his new barn; major threat to get it done. (2) KINGSVILLE just doesn't win enough to consider seriously for the top spot but he's obvious in the top three.
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Race 2: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace
(1) YS SENSATIONALCITY has raced well enough to win in her last three but hasn't gotten it done; mare gets to move back to the rail where Bartlett can control things. (3) AMBUSHED is back with Oakes on the reclaim and she goes for six straight tonight. (4) BEANTOWN BABE hasn't won yet since bumping up to this $50K claiming level but she's been paying the bills. Alexander trainee gets a new driver with Holland getting the call but she's at a clear tactical disadvantage with the top two choices inside of her. I'll slot her in third.
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Race 3: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(5) TYRA MAKES BANK tired after being aggressively handled in both her starts after the claim for these connections. Mare has proven to be a good fit with this type despite the 1 for 12 record this season and perhaps she's ready for an off-the-pace try tonight. (6) NIKASA N showed some forward progress last week for the first time since the Stratton claim and she can build off that effort. Top two choices here should both offer an honest price. (3) JUST ROSAS LUCK is probably the one to beat but will also be overbet. This field looks too evenly-matched to take a short price on anyone.
Race 4: 3-5YO NW2 races or $30,000 LT Pace
(6) LENNON HANOVER finally broke through into the win column last week at Pocono and the Schnittker trainee looks like a good fit with these. MacDonald picks up the drive and I hope for him to be forwardly placed off the gate. (1) BEANZY FRESH has been facing better out of town and also faced better in a Yonkers try last month but do note that he's still a maiden. (3) EA YANKEE HUSTLE has been much-improved for his new connections after arriving from Ohio; Yannick drives.
Race 5: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace
(2) BOUT DAMN TIME A has improved big-time since shipping in from Saratoga including swift finishes in her last two, and now she finally lands a good post. Steps up a notch but feels ready to score. (3) NUTTINBUTHEBEST two-moved and folded late in her last start but her prior effort from off the pace was good and she may be looking at a similar trip tonight. (1) LAZIN ON THE BEACH enters another new barn via claim and draws best but her last couple haven't been that inspiring.
Race 6: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(3) VEL I'M A WINNER and (6) ONEDERFULBEACH are both coming off wins and face an otherwise mostly camera-shy field; slight edge to #3 with the better post. (8) QUICK MENU was having a strong season for Burke and now goes to Stratton via claim. Mare would have been first or second choice if not for the eight hole.
Race 7: NW15071 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) ESCAPE TO AMERICA has raced well in practically every start this year despite having only one win to show for it, and that was a blowout score three back; last week he paced a solid back half while having no real chance. I think the 4YO has a legit shot at a price here. (2) NIGHT HAWK put it all together last start with a pocket ride worked out from the seven hole; steps up again looking to repeat. (3) YOROKOBI N doesn't win much but is good at hitting the board.
Race 8: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(4) DISTANT LOVER ships in from Indiana to join the Engblom barn which means she picks up Bartlett; wouldn't surprise me to see this fresh face score at first asking. (8) SUGAR BRITCHES is one of the sharpest in here and the Burke trainee looms a solid threat despite the awful post. (2) REAL LADY SADIE was much-improved last week after a dreadful outing her prior start.
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Race 9: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N has won six of seven starts since arriving from New Zealand and in his lone defeat he was just a neck shy. Bucci barn has a real nice-looking import here who deserves top billing again. Just don't expect much of a price as $2.70 was the biggest mutuel we've seen. (5) LOU'S SWEETREVENGE is hard to gauge sometimes but he's raced well recently out of town and we know he's loaded with back class. Maybe he can pick off a few to complete the exacta. (2) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP was a good second to the top choice last week after being overwhelmed the start prior.
Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) SHAKESPEARE is 0 for 14 and counting so far in a disappointing season but he now finds himself at the bottom conditioned level and more importantly gets a barn change from Daguet to Bako. Maybe he wakes up. (3) DANCE IT OUT finished third in his two Yonkers starts; gets Bartlett tonight and maybe steps it up a notch. (6) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A gets loads of class relief and it wasn't that long ago that he crushed a NW10000 field.
Race 11: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) COALFORDSNSHINE GB returns to Yonkers after a stay in Delaware and then Maryland; import raced well here the previous two years when in the Burke barn and she draws well here for new trainer Adamczyk. Yannick's choice here over #3, who he was a good second with last week. (3) BEE OKAY A woke up with that better effort last out and now draws better. (8) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT and (7) HARPER SEELSTER both came from off the pace to upset in their recent races but could have a long way to come here. Maybe use one or both for smaller shares.