2025 MEET STATS: 261 - 876 / $1,457.60 (-$294.40)
BEST BETS: 46 - 85 / $153.70 (-$16.30)
BEST BET: RENALDO N (5th)
SPOT PLAY: MYSWEETBOYMAX (4th)
Race 1: F&M $30,000 Claiming Pace
(5) YS SENSATIONALCITY is back in with claimers and at a reduced $30K claiming level; she's done good things all year long with better and perhaps most importantly she's reunited with Bartlett. Look for early speed to be in play. (6) TOBAGO TIME was claimed again and now goes for the Dilloian Jr. barn. Post hurts but she can be dangerous if she finds her way into contention. (1) COALFORDSNSHUNE GB is a bonafide speed player from the innermost post.
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Race 2: $60,000-$75,000 Claiming Pace
(3) TRENDY TEEN has won two of her last three and those victories sandwich a start where she came up just shy. She's been coming from just off the pace recently but can also go to the front if needed. (4) TWIN B DELUXE was outkicked home last week but all prior starts in this barn have been good. (6) VICIOUS gets the worst of the draw but she's cleared the front from outside posts in the past.
Race 3: 3-5YO NW2 races or $35,361 LT Pace
(4) VICTORY JOE ships over from the big track off a couple of decent efforts and picks up the leading driver from a reasonable post. Tepid call here. (3) DANCININTHEFIRE, much like the top one, may enjoy the change in scenery. (6) MATAI PHIL N is another fresh one from Down Under they all automatically deserve instant respect. This guy debuts for the Abbatiello stable off a decent qualifier where he was second best in 1:55 4/5.
Race 4: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) MYSWEETBOYMAX has something to prove facing better but he is a $500K career earner and he's really awakened with the move to the Daguet barn; 10/1 ML. (4) HEAVEN ON HIGH N goes from the Stalbaum barn to Bongiorno and will probably fit in nicely with these, but he is just 1 for 21 on the season. (6) ITZA DANGERZONE A is yet another Down Under horse, this one coming in for the Shane Tritton barn and Lauren jogged with him in a 1:54 4/5 qualifier here.
Race 5: 3-5YO Winners 2-5 or $60,000 LT Pace
(1) RENALDO N made his North American debut recently at The Meadowlands for Shane and Lauren Tritton and ho-hum he blew away a NW2 field in 1:50, paying $3.00. If they bring him right over to the half then I'm confident he'll glide over this surface. (3) BETTOR'S DESIRE paced a big back half last week to win for the Daguet barn and Colin Kelly. Could be ready for more. (8) COLLECTIVE WORKS A was a good second in his initial try for the Medeiros barn after coming from Australia. If only he had a better post to work with...
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) IKNOWBETTER steps up to face more seasoned foes coming off that 1:52 4/5 score in an age-restricted NW life event, draws well enough and picks up Bartlett. Probably fast enough to make the front and repeat. (4) THIS IS THE PLAN is one I find myself rooting for because I want him to still be competitive with these mid to upper-level pacers. He does seem to find a better spot in his second start since returning to Yonkers. (7) IMA PERFECT CHOICE is a talented youngster in raging form coming off a win in the Excelsior final; tough post.
Race 7: 3-5YO Winners 2-4 races or $60,000 lifetime Pace
(1) FORWARD FLASH has done very little wrong in his young career and it's hard to look past him from this spot, despite Bartlett jumping ship to #3. (3) INFLATION PROOF is just 2 for 26 lifetime but with a bunch of runner-up finishes. He too has been solid, mostly on the PA circuit. (2) YANKEE CLOUT returns from Canada for the Whelan barn and was respectable when last here.
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Race 8: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace
(3) YUENGLING had won two straight at the $20K claiming level and bumped up a notch last week and just missed as the $1.86 favorite (seems weird to say that huh). Adamczyk trainee lands a bit better post here and figures to be prominent throughout. (1) BOUT DAMN TIME A had zero chance last start but goes from the eight hole all the way inside. Can't get better post relief than that. (8) MACHS LEGACY A makes her debut for the Engblom barn off last week's claim and steps up a class. Tough spot but still worthy of a look.
Race 9: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(5) QUICK MENU gave it a better effort last out despite being outfinished and I suspect the DiDomenico trainee can build off that race. She has won with this type in the past. (1) DEFININGTHE MOMENT didn't enter contention first start off the Stratton claim but from the rail expect a much more aggressive effort. (4) MIKI THE CLOWN hasn't done anything of note since returning from a break in action but she lands an improved post and gets a new driver in Kakaley. She's had a respectable career up until these last few starts.