2025 MEET STATS: 187 - 612 / $1,054.30 (-$169.70)
BEST BETS: 31 - 57 / $108.50 (-$5.50)
BEST BET: YS SENSATIONALCITY (6th)
SPOT PLAY: IKNOWBETTER (8th)
Race 1: F&M $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) CRÈME DELIGHT went forward for the most part in debut for new connections so I think the mare is worthy of following, especially with the improved post. (5) STORMY SERENA has a couple of wins and a second over her last few facing similar and she should be a contender again. (2) ONEDERFULBEACH was claimed for $20K two back and won powerfully for her new barn at the $25K level; sharp sort is moving up again but draws well and keeps Gingras.
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Race 2: $60,000/$75,000 Claiming Pace
(2) THE IDEAL DANCER A has tactical speed and a good post for top trainer/driver connections; 10YO veteran gets the call. (1) LUCAPELO A won his last two and he draws well again as he steps back into claimers; Stratton trainee should be tough in here. (5) TWIN B DELUXE rallied well for second last week from a similar spot and he’s a six-time winner already this year. Bako trainee loses his regular driver in Zeron but picks up Brennan and should be good for a nice piece.
Race 3: 3-5YO NW2 races or $33,987 Lifetime Pace
(6) STARE ME DOWN took advantage of a softer spot when he shipped in and got the job done for his first seasonal win. Alexander trainee will have to be even better tonight to repeat but he does figure to offer plenty of value over his inside rivals. (1) BEANZY FRESH gets away from a tough foe and from the rail he’s clearly the one to beat. (4) JMS BEST BET had no realistic chance from the eight hole in his debut for new connections but he gets some post relief and figures to be more involved.
Race 4: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace
(3) JENDEN STRIKE A picked up her second victory for these connections last week since the claim a few months back and faces much of the same tonight. New driver in Gingras with her regular driver Zeron not here and she can be kept closer from this post. (2) TWIN B ECHO gets major post relief and she just missed when last drawn inside. (1) MORNING HAS BROKEN also moves back inside and this veteran is another one in here who gets a new pilot tonight (Stratton).
Race 5: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) WHO’S PERFECT gets the deadly combo of both class relief and major post improvement for her live connections and she’ll prove tough in here. (1) PARADISE ROCK L debuts for the Bongiorno barn off last week’s claim and she’s looked better in her last couple of starts. (4) GINGER TREE LIZ gets Holland in the bike and she’s been known to leave the gate on occasion; not out of the question that she can clear the front.
Race 6: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace
(1) YS SENSATIONALCITY is a proven fit at this $50K claiming level and she always looms the one to beat when she’s got the post advantage. (5) RACEY RACH N hasn’t won in a while but she does have six tallies and $80K earned this season. Mare can grind her way into contention. (2) MALUKA MISS N was left alone on the front last start and posted the upset. She’ll be chasing from in behind this time and is sharp enough to land a piece.
Race 7: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) NIGHT HAWK came up just short from the pocket last week when the favorite (#1 in here) got the jump on her. Burke trainee has been a major presence in all recent races and that should be the case again tonight. (1) TRENDY TEEN has four wins in his last six starts when Bartlett has driven and he’s a deserving favorite from the rail. (5) TOBINS CHESTER faces tougher here but he’s been super for this barn since arriving from Canada; definite upset chance.
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Race 8: 3-5 Winners of 2-4 races or $60,000 LT Pace
(5) IKNOWBETTER blew away a soft field at The Meadowlands first time for the Bongiorno barn after arriving from Western Canada and there may be more in the tank as he gives Yonkers a try. (3) TAHUYA DEVIL also recently arrived from the same region of North America and he scored his first time out after being a winning machine at Fraser Downs; big chance to repeat. (4) FEDERER makes his Yonkers debut for the Pelling barn with pretty good credentials. Well-bred 3YO was decent in the Weiss and the PA Stallion series.
Race 9: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(1) AT THE HOP drops down in class after being stuck in the seven and eight hole in her last two while facing $25K claimers. Combination of the move inside and the seemingly softer competition should make her tough; also gets Gingras on the catch drive. (6) RACIN FOR ROYALTY has a win, a second and a third since being claimed by DiDomenico last month and she stays at the level she’s most competitive at. (2) DUCK INTO THE NITE moves in a few spots in her second start after returning from The Meadowlands and she seems capable of saving ground to land a share.