2025 MEET STATS: 242 - 817 / $1,353.80 (-$280.20)
BEST BETS: 41 - 79 / $137.20 (-$20.80)
BEST BET: DISTANT LOVER (5th)
SPOT PLAY: WOODMERE HARRIET (3rd)
Race 1: 3-5YO Winners of 2-4 races or $60,000LT Pace
(4) ALL OUT HANOVER had a chance to be put in play last start and he put in a solid effort in defeat. Pete Tritton trainee has another reasonable post to work with and figures to be a better price than a couple of the NY-bred rivals. (5) SILKY CHOICE is clearly the one to beat as he takes a break from the NYSS and he returns to Kalaley but these types tend to be overbet. (1) ALABAMA LUCKY is just 1 for 19 lifetime but this year he's 7 for 12 in the money and the Schnittker trainee figures to be taking advantage of the rail slot to flash speed and be close up.
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Race 2: $60,000-$75,000 Claiming Pace
(6) SLING SHOCK has been rolling since moving to the Adamczyk barn via $40K claim last month and he deserves the call to make it three straight despite being at a post disadvantage. (2) TRENDY TEEN had too much ground to cover in his two starts for the Stratton barn after the pricy claim at the end of July but he finds a much better spot here and should be a major player. (4) TWIN B DELUXE is back to the Bako barn via reclaim and he's the other obvious one in here.
Race 3: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(3) WOODMERE HARRIET stepped up in class for two starts after being claimed by these connections and she proved a bit overmatched but she's back at the level that suits her best; she was a blowout winner in her last race versus the $20K claimers. (7) JIVE DANCING A has had a long and successful local history and though she draws another awful post she closed well last week and we also know she can fire off the gate. (4) WHO'S PERFECT has been just okay recently for the leading trainer; picks up a new pilot in Buter.
Race 4: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) AMERICAN DEALER N has raced well enough to win in a majority of his races this season but is just 2 for 17. Classy Toscano trainee recently went over $900K lifetime and is way overdue. (2) COPPERFIELD gets Kakaley with regular driver Bartlett not in the mix tonight and hasn't gone a bad effort since arriving from Kentucky. (5) HIMSELF N dropped and popped last week with a two-move effort; maybe that return to form holds up as he steps back up the class ladder.
Race 5: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) DISTANT LOVER never got involved when up in class in her first start off the Adamczyk claim but she's right back in at the winning level and figures to be trying to control these from start to finish. (1) SALE EL SOL is back inside and she finished second in her last two races from inside posts; second start for this barn looking for a return to form. (4) NITE TIME DEAL stopped badly on the lead in her first start for the DiDomenico barn but she's right back in and figures to return to stalking mode.
Race 6: 3-5YO Winners of 2-4 races or $65,458 LT Pace
(6) IMA PERFECT CHOICE has had a strong season on the NYSS and Excelsior circuit and while I'm usually against these types this Travis Alexander trainee seems a bit better than these. (5) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N woke up with his lifetime best last week and both of his wins came with Bartlett in the sulky; she's back to Colin Kelly tonight and the price figures to go way up on a horse looking to repeat at basically the same level. (2) IKNOWBETTER had the eight hole here last week and was caught up in some fast miles in prior starts.
Race 7: F&M $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) LADYCORONA moves to her third barn in as many starts and was a good winner last week for the Bako connections; mare is now with Laterza and that outfit has done a strong job playing the claiming game. Post edge on main rivals gives her the edge. (4) DW'S DARLENE is up in class another notch going for her third straight, to go along with her 10 runner-up finishes. (2) DELITFULCATHERIN N has loads of back class and also a much better post. Looks like a price play to consider underneath.
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Race 8: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(1) THATS A HUGE BEACH wasn't the most impressive winner last out but it was a win nonetheless and she's in a very good spot to repeat. (2) YOU BEDA ROCK draws the best post she's seen in weeks; last time she drew well she finished second. (7) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT is a sharp "rent a horse" but the worst post probably relegates her to a smaller share.
Race 9: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A clearly isn't what he used to be as he's midway through his 11YO campaign but he's getting Stratton in the bike for his brother after getting parked out the last two starts. Obviously another bad post doesn't help things but still it's hard to pass on him in this soft field.(2) SPLASH BROTHER is another classy vet who is inching towards $900K lifetime for Schnittker. He's back after a couple of months off and a solid qualifier at Monti. (4) MYSWEETBOYMAX is back from The Meadows and he does have a local win this year.