2025 MEET STATS: 170 - 535 / $967.30 (-$102.70)
BEST BETS: 27 - 49 / $91.60 (-$6.40)
BEST BET: CAPTAIN MOORE A (3rd)
SPOT PLAY: RACIN FOR ROYALTY (10th)
Race 1: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace
Very competitive start to the Pick 4 and Double where a case can be made for all of them. (5) JENDEN STRIKE A dropped down to this class last week but was unable to make an impact from the seven hole. Veteran mare moves in a couple of slots and regular driver Zeron may have a path towards the front this time. (7) TOBAGO TIME steps up off the Dilloian, Jr claim and goes for two straight. Winner of almost $500K lifetime should also be pushing from the gate. (2) WOODMERE HARRIET goes first time for Laterza off the claim and is a neck shy of a three-race winning streak, including winning from a similar spot two back.
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Race 2: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) AMBUSHED has been the Queen of this claiming class as she goes for her ninth seasonal score. New driver/trainer combo but no reason to think she won't fire her best again. (3) JIVE DANCING A seems to have righted the ship a bit while facing softer up at Saratoga; 11YO has a ton of back class and I just have a good feeling about her. I'll consider at a price with Gingras. (6) RACEY RACH N has pretty much been right there with the top choice all year but does face an uphill climb from this post.
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Race 3: 3-5YO NW2 races or $30,000 Lifetime Pace
(2) CAPTAIN MOORE A is the latest Down-Under import and these connections have had recent success with these types. This gelding has just 12 lifetime starts so he can be slotted at the NW2 level, where he's likely to control things as the favorite. (5) FATEFUL TWIST was a strong winner last week at Philly in a Stallion Series event and blew up the board in the process. He certainly has license to be competitive here. (6) BEANZY FRESH has been very live here in two seasonal starts but he does pick up a new catch driver with Bongiorno.
Race 4: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) SARANAC BLUE CHIP has been competitive here numerous times in the past and should appreciate the decent post draw; picks up a new driver with Zeron and figures to be an honest price. (4) MARLBANK ROAD drops back to the bottom condition and Holland figures to be more aggressive from this spot. (5) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N returns to Yonkers where she's 5 for 12 over the past year and a half.
Race 5: F&M $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) STAY HAPPY was a winner last week for Bongiorno and she stays at the winning level while drawing best. Mare goes for three straight overall when at this $30K level. (5) CREME DELIGHT recently added Lasix but that hasn't seemed to help. Maybe the drop in class wakes her up. (6) STORMY SERENA lands outside her main competition but does pick up the leading driver.
Race 6: NW15461 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) EUPHORIA N is most dangerous a level or two down but he draws best here and was Bartlett's choice; Vallee trainee figures to be looking at a live stalking trip. (4) NIGHT HAWK has been right there in all of his Yonkers starts and he leaves the gate every week; Burke trainee is a clear contender. (2) RACING RAMPAGE has had a bit of a bumpy road starting off his 5YO campaign and he may be overbet with the major post relief.
Race 7: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) TRENDY TEEN had a tough time being a factor last week when bumped to this level but he lands an improved post and returns to his regular driver Bartlett. Engblom trainee can make the front and gets the call. (4) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N has been huge since arriving from Down Under with five wins and two narrow defeats in his seven local starts but he loses his regular driver to the top choice. That does help the price however after being hammered at the windows in his previous races. (5) BOILING OAR has raced very well from off the pace in his last two and can be a late threat again.
Race 8: 3-5YO Winners 2-4 or $60,000 Lifetime Pace
(7) STATESIDELCKDWN GB is perfect in two starts at Yonkers and the Burke trainee seems to have the speed and overall talent to overcome the worst post. As long as Gingras isn't roughed up too much this import can earn the hat trick. (5) SNACK ATTACK hasn't done a whole lot wrong over 12 starts in his brief career and he's enjoyed being close up in his recent PA stakes events. Bongiorno trainee makes his Yonkers (and half-mile) debut. (4) CHIEF BOGO also makes his debut on the half after numerous speedy efforts but he does show a miscue last out.
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Race 9: 3-5YO NW2 races or $30,000 Lifetime Pace
(3) STARE ME DOWN recently moved to the Alexander barn and has shown some improvement though has yet to hit the board as a 3YO. This is a much easier spot, however. (1) GANSBAAI ships in from Canada for the Whelan barn and he was second in his lone Yonkers start last year. (4) SUMMIT SEELSTER arrives for the Harris barn and gets Bartlett. 3YO is first-time Lasix tonight.
Race 10: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(7) RACIN FOR ROYALTY was a decent second in his debut for the DiDomenico barn off the claim. She does move most of the way outside but four back she did clear the front from the eight hole so maybe Brennan will be pointed forward. (1) JILLIAN JIGGS was used hard to secure the lead last out and eventually gave way under pressure; Stratton trainee is back in claimers and from the rail could trip out for her first seasonal win. (4) I LOVED HER FIRST lands an improved post in her second start for Bongiorno.