2025 MEET STATS: 209 - 717 / $1,147.40 (-$286.60)
BEST BETS: 36 - 68 / $123.40 (-$12.60)
BEST BET: JENDEN STRIKE A (1st)
SPOT PLAY: IMA PERFECT CHOICE (3rd)
Race 1: F&M $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) JENDEN STRIKE A is a classy mare who has been live recently for both the Bako and the Laterza barns. She was claimed again last week by Dilloian and stays at the winning level while drawing best; not looking at any price but she's a logical key to lead off the popular early Pick 4. (7) TOBAGO TIME is equally classy and has been good, though stepping up in class off the claim and drawing poorly she's got early speed and a driver in Holland who likes to utilize it. (2) ONEDERFULBEACH was pretty good last week despite missing time with a sick scratch.
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Race 2: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) BE DAZZLED LOU A was not a factor in his debut for the Shane Tritton barn but he now comes over from The Meadowlands and picks up Bartlett. Expecting him to be put in play from the outset. (1) COVERED BRIDGE is clearly the class in here and he drops to the lowest level he's seen in some time. Mark Ford owned/trained veteran is likely the one to beat. (2) GREG THE LEG will be sitting close to the front and he's proven with this type.
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Race 3: 3-5YO Winners of 2-4 races or $60,000 LT Pace
(5) IMA PERFECT CHOICE has recently blossomed into a nice-looking 3YO with solid efforts in the Excelsior and even at the top NY-bred level. Alexander trainee is back with Kakaley and may actually offer some value in here. (1) HAZARDOS is perfect at Yonkers in three starts and jogged last out in his debut at this level. He's clearly the one to beat. (6) FEDERER hails from the top Pelling barn and has the leading driver again but he's stuck outside and faces an uncertain trip.
Race 4: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N was close up in the pocket last week at a big price against better and now the Vallee trainee drops down to a winning level; top call. (2) AROUND MIDNIGHT was game second in his debut at this level after dropping from $40K claimers and he'll be right there again with a similar effort. (1) DONTLIKEITLEAVE has earned barely $5,000 after being claimed for $50K back in March. He does get major post improvement tonight but seems shaky at a short price.
Race 5: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) YS SENSATIONALCITY was collared at the wire last week after rating the pace but this mare has multiple wins at this level and deserves a chance to make amends. She's best on the front but has won from off the pace. (1) RACEY RACH N sat the pocket and beat the top one in last week's start and the Stratton trainee draws best again. Would be no surprise if she repeated. (3) AMBUSHED goes back to Laterza again and the oft-claimed pacer has won her last two with these connections.
Race 6: 3-5YO NW2 races or $30,000 LT Pace
(7) CAPTAIN MOORE A showed no ill effects from his first U.S. start where he collapsed at 1/9 as he followed that up with back-to-back strong wins. Blackler import should take another. (3) P A PIPER has looked better with Lasix added and was second best to the top one last week before the placing. (5) RYDINGTOTHEWIRE makes his second start for the Tritton barn and last week wasn't bad.
Race 7: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) ESCAPE TO AMERICA is the textbook definition of "sharp horse moving up" while facing a probable favorite dropping down who hasn't been at his best. I'll go with the 4YO for the third consecutive win. (4) HUNTINGFORCHROME is the aforementioned logical dropper who's looking for his first seasonal win and the moderate post relief should help. (5) WASA HEAT SEEKER N took money upon arrival from Down Under and picked up the win, then was not a factor out of the seven hole last week. Import deserves a look.
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Race 8: $60,000-$75,000 Claiming Pace
(2) DEETZY was sent down the road as expected last week but could not last; we've seen him bounce back from that many times through his long and successful career and he should offer a price. (1) TRENDY TEEN has been a consistent presence basically all season at this level and now with the move to the rail the Engblom trainee is the one to beat. (5) TWIN B DELUXE beat these last week and has been very sharp over the past month but he does move to a new barn via claim and needs to prove he can keep it up for his new connections.
Race 9: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) TAIPO N drops to the lowest conditioned level to meet a shaky field and he does draw significantly better. Three back he was a good second from the pocket to a classy winner and I'm hopeful he gets put in play much earlier tonight. (1) CHANTEE is 0 for 19 for Lachance but none of these are prolific winners and he's always close when drawn inside. (5) OUTLAW MAN N drops and the Blackler trainee gets Bartlett back in the bike. I'm guessing those two variables plus the low morning line equals overbet.