2025 MEET STATS: 170 - 535 / $967.30 (-$102.70)
BEST BETS: 27 - 49 / $91.60 (-$6.40)
BEST BET: SHAKESPEARE (3rd)
SPOT PLAY: HAZARDOS (5th)
Race 1: NW20711 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) LYONS STEEL has been a solid performer for years as he's grinded out close to $850K in earnings. He may have slowed down a step or two but is still plenty competitive at these levels. Holland figures to have him on the lead or stalking from just in behind. (4) TRENDY TEEN has been first or second in all recent races when Bartlett drove, and he's paired with the Engblom trainee again. (3) RACING RAMPAGE steps up off a grinding win and he's been more consistent recently. Also (2) NIGHT HAWK is a legit talent from Burke.
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Race 2: NW15011 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N failed to make a serious impact last week as he was stuck uncovered but his overall body of work since arriving from New Zealand has been superb. Gingras gets the drive tonight and hopefully won't have too much trouble overcoming the outside post. (2) MIKI SHAN N wasn't bad throughout the Borgata series and he is back to Bartlett for his local return. (5) NO CONTROL arrives from Mohawk Park and joins the Victoria Stratton barn. He's 0 for 11 this year but has been racing well recently.
Race 3: NW10801 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) SHAKESPEARE has done a complete form reversal in two starts after moving to the Bako barn and I'm sticking with him despite the step up in class and outside post. (4) THE BIGBOSS A will attract plenty of attention with the class drop and post improvement in his third U.S. start. Kakaley gets the call as Zeron opted for #6. (5) ESCAPE TO AMERICA finished with interest in his last two and he was a runaway winner the last time he was in the NW10000 base class.
Race 4: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) MUSCLE BART A has been very inconsistent overall but has looked better after three starts in his new barn. Lambert trainee faces a very soft field and I don't think he would be a major surprise. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP finished third in his last couple of tries and should go well from the rail. (2) MY CARBON COPY N is hard to use on top especially with his low morning line and the fact he's 1 for 30 over the last two seasons, but he was a good second last week when dropped to this level.
Race 5: 3-5YO NW2 races or $30,000 lifetime Pace
(6) HAZARDOS brushed and crushed in his local debut and gets another crack at this NW2 level; won't be a big price this week but he deserves the repeat call. (1) GANSBAAI was a nice second for the Whelan barn upon his return from Canada and he's a must-use drawing the rail again. (3) BEANZY FRESH moves back to the inner half of the gate and was just a bit short two back from a similar spot for top connections.
Race 6: 3-5YO winners of 2-4 races or $60,000 lifetime Pace
(8) ODDS ON NO LIMIT is five for six in the top two this year and he's been put in play early over his last few in Pennsylvania. Alexander trainee needs to hustle off the gate from the eight hole (which is becoming even harder to do lately at Yonkers) but should be an honest price. (3) YANKEE CLOUT is another one from the Whelan barn who always seems to do well when they ship down here. (1) WORLD OF WISHES arrives locally for the Chris Ryder barn with a driver change to Bartlett and he's certainly a major player departing from the rail.
Race 7: F&M $30,000 Claiming Pace
(5) CREME DELIGHT dropped in class last week and was claimed away from the Burke barn. That may turn off some players but will make for a healthy price on a mare who may just need a change in scenery. (1) DISTANT LOVER represented herself well on the bump up to this level; Bartlett is back driving for Engblom. (3) BEANTOWN BABE is back in for a lower claiming tag now after just missing in a NW10000 event last out.
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Race 8: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(3) RACIN FOR ROYALTY has raced pretty well in two starts after the most recent claim by the DiDomenico barn. Mare gets significant post relief and seems overdue for a win. (1) REAL LADY SADIE lands the rail and figures to be a speed player as a result. (6) BOUT DAMN TIME A folded on the lead against $25K claimers last week but she finished sharply in her three prior and the Stratton trainee can be coming late.
Race 9: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace
(5) SALE EL SOL didn't fire in her last three when up in class off the Ruiz reclaim. Mare has had a solid season overall and drops back to the level where she can do the most damage. (3) BIG BETTOR HANOVER also drops back to the level of her win two back and draws well enough to make an impact. (6) ONEDERFULBEACH goes for her fourth straight win but will have to do it for a new barn and against better rivals who mostly have a post edge on her.