2025 MEET STATS: 242 - 817 / $1,353.80 (-$280.20)
BEST BETS: 41 - 79 / $137.20 (-$20.80)
BEST BET: JENDEN STRIKE A (6th)
SPOT PLAY: WHATS STANLEY GOT A (7th)
Race 1: NYSS Excelsior 2YO Filly Trot Leg #5
(5) ELQUEEN has the look of one of those "can't lose if she doesn't break" types for Purple Haze and the Ducharme barn. Jeff Gregory drove last start at Vernon and jogged, and he's listed again. (1) STEALING BANKSY and (1A) MODESTY BLAISE hail from Melander and Svanstedt respectively and these connections must be respected. (2) LUCKY ELLIE has flashed good speed, when she stays trotting. Hold your breath heading into the first turn for all of these youngsters.
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Race 2: NYSS 2YO Filly Trot Leg #5
(3) OVERALLS has shown speed and manners in her brief career, and I like how she was already won twice over the half. Looks like Stratton has a nice one here. (5) I'LL HAVE THE RED has also looked good for Rick Zeron and he's listed again to drive. Unlike the top one she's debuting on the half mile. (2) GRACE IN HEAVEN has three lifetime starts and finished third in each. Have to respect the barn.
Race 3: NYSS Excelsior 2YO Filly Trot Leg #5
(4) SAPARILLA SAL broke last out at Vernon but three back cruised over the half at Buffalo. Dan Daley has had a long and successful career in the NYSS of all types and levels and I'm trying her on top strictly on that angle. She'll also be a much better price than #1. (1) MAKEITTOTHEBELL is clearly much the best on paper for Ducharme/Gregory and has been behaving herself but that first turn has wiped out many champions starting from the rail over the years. If she comes away unscathed then yeah she probably wins. Good luck at 1/5. (2) MYTHS AND LEGENDS comes from the Marcus Melander barn and they again they enlist Brett Beckwith to drive their stock.
Race 4: $60,000-$75,000 Claiming Pace
(4) SAMHARA N is tested for class here as he drops in for a tag but he's been racing well recently and he picks up driver Colin Kelly, who has been very live since arriving from Canada. I can see him working out a cover trip and firing home at a price. (1) DONTLIKEITLEAVE debuted at this level last week after winning two straight but he failed to make an impact from post six; now he moves all the way in to the rail and should be looking at a live trip. (3) TWIN B DELUXE was reclaimed by the Bako barn and he had been sharp for that outfit but he's missed three weeks.
Race 5: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) HARPER SEESLTER has been a good fit at this $20K claiming level and he stays put off the claim by the Dilloian, Jr. barn. From this good draw driver Buter should be getting aggressive. (5) QUICK MENU had no rally from post seven last out after a winning trip from post two; DiDomenico trainee splits the difference tonight from the five hole and I can see Brennan moving forward off the gate. (7) ONEDERFULBEACH debuts for Laterza after dropping last week; tough post and needs to step it up but she's capable.
Race 6: F&M $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) JENDEN STRIKE A bumped up to $50K claimers off the Laterza reclaim and got hung the mile. Veteran mare now drops back down to a more comfortable level where she had been on fire and she draws the rail to boot; very logical. (4) STAY HAPPY has early speed and just missed from a similar spot three back. (2) WOODMERE HARRIET steps back up for new connections after a powerful win last week but she's done little in recent tries at this level; I'll consider her underneath due to the good draw.
Race 7: NW11321 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) WHATS STANLEY GOT A has been racing pretty well of late without a win to show for it so it can argued that he's overdue. Veteran does have early speed at his disposal and figures to be an honest price. (1) AMMO got nipped in the last strides in his local return but gives it another shot here with Buter driving again for the Burke barn. (5) LAYTON HANOVER gets Kelly in the bike, could be a closing threat.
Race 8: 3-5YO NW3 races or $33,461 LT Pace
(5) ROCKIN JAMES makes his local (and half-mile) debut for the Nifty Norman barn off two dominant wins up at Tioga and he faces a pretty stale group. 3YO just seems a bit faster than these. (1) BEANZY FRESH has done nothing in his last three but he faces softer here and does draw best; Beckwith gets the catch drive. (6) P A PIPER has the look of an underachiever for the Noel Daley barn but he does have early speed.
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Race 9: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) FORTUNADA put in a pretty good effort in his first start after being on the shelf for three months and she's got a post edge here on her main competition. (3) DISTANT LOVER has won two of her last four for the Engblom barn; logical. (4) NORTHERN HALO recently returned locally, dropped in for a tag and rallied for second; Bongiorno trainee gets Buter on the catch drive and can pick up a piece.
Race 10: NW5101 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) PEACE OUT POSSE has been competitive with much better and now drops to the bottom conditioned class and draws the rail. He pretty much has no excuse to fail. (3) COVERED BRIDGE has clearly seen better days but he's another who should go well from this spot. (2) SPORTY M THREE has missed a little time off a sick scratch but with a smooth ground-saving trip he can work out a piece.