Finger Lakes – Pick Pony Handicapper Report & Tip Sheet – News, Analysis, Expert Picks, and AI Predictions for October 21, 2025

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The Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack presents a competitive nine-race card on Tuesday afternoon with challenging weather conditions that will play a significant factor in race outcomes.​

Track Conditions and Weather

Racing conditions at Finger Lakes are less than ideal with a sloppy track surface and deteriorating weather. Current conditions show cloudy skies with strong winds at 26 mph from the northwest and temperatures holding steady at 55°F. The persistent wind and track moisture will favor horses with proven wet-track form and those that handle off-going conditions. Speed figures will likely be compromised, making pace positioning and class evaluation more critical than usual.​

Race 1 – $14,000 Claiming (5½ Furlongs)

Key Contenders: Khali’s Dream (#8) enters as the Racing Dudes top selection at 5-2 odds with jockey Andre Worrie aboard. The Chris Englehart trainee brings solid recent form and the meet’s leading rider. Image of Quality (#2) represents consistent value for the Joel Cruz/Harold Alvarez combination.​

Secondary Choices: Hair on Fire (#3) shows recent improvement for Paul Barrow, while Smile Takes Charge (#5) could benefit from the inside speed bias on a wet track.

Pace Analysis: This appears to be a moderate pace setup with several horses showing early speed tendencies. The sloppy conditions may allow a stalker to capitalize late.

Wagering Angles: Use Khali’s Dream in exactas with longer shots like Production Credit (#6) and Gandy Dancing (#7).

Selection: Khali’s Dream to win, exacta 8 with 2,6,7.

Race 2 – $17,000 Maiden Claiming (1 Mile)

Key Contenders: Otto Nipoti (#7) gets the nod as Racing Dudes’ choice at 2-1 with jockey Keiber Coa for trainer M. Anthony Ferraro. The distance and class level suit this 3-year-old gelding.​

Secondary Choices: Salty Ryan (#3) brings tactical speed for the hot Perez/Bartlett combination, while Hal Away (#2) shows improvement in recent workouts.

Longshots: Cada Dia Mejor (#4) at longer odds could provide value with Andre Worrie switching mounts to this Ralph D’Alessandro trainee.

Pace Analysis: The mile distance on a wet track favors horses with proven stamina and tactical speed to position well early.

Selection: Otto Nipoti to win, trifecta 7 with 1,3,4 with ALL.

Race 3 – $13,500 Maiden Claiming (5½ Furlongs)

Key Contenders: Real Eleve (#1) stands out as the Racing Dudes selection at 8-5 odds. The Chris Englehart/Andre Worrie combination has been dominant at the meet, and this appears to be their strongest play of the day.​

Secondary Choices: A Knight’s Courage (#2) brings consistent efforts for Paul Barrow, while Ten Run Rule (#3) could improve with the surface change.

Pace Analysis: Short field sprint where speed should hold up better on the wet surface. Early positioning will be crucial.

Selection: Real Eleve to win, exacta 1 with 2,3,6.

Race 4 – $18,100 Claiming (1 Mile 70Y)

Key Contenders: Spettro (#6) gets the Racing Dudes selection at 5-1 odds with Andre Worrie for trainer Charlton Baker. The class relief and distance extension could unlock improvement.​

Secondary Choices: In a Minute (#1) shows consistent form for the Miller-Saul barn, while Majestic Frontier (#2) brings tactical speed.

Longshots: America’s Justice (#4) at longer odds has shown flashes of ability and could capitalize with the right trip.

Pace Analysis: The extended distance on a wet track will test stamina. Look for horses with proven route form and strong closers.

Selection: Spettro to win, trifecta 6 with 1,2,4 with 3,5,7,8,9.

Race 5 – $11,200 Claiming (6 Furlongs)

Key Contenders: Dorothys Happiness (#1) enters as the Racing Dudes favorite at 2-1 with Luis Perez for trainer M. Anthony Ferraro. The class drop and proven wet-track form make this gelding the one to beat.​

Secondary Choices: Don’t Poke the Cat (#2) brings experience, while Ribbons and Medals (#5) could improve with the surface change.

Deep Longshots: Beach Boy Al (#7) with Andre Worrie could provide exotic value at longer odds.

Pace Analysis: Full field of 11 horses creates pace complications. Horses that can rate kindly early will have the advantage late.

Selection: Dorothys Happiness to win, exacta 1 with 2,5,7,10.

Race 6 – $18,100 Claiming Fillies & Mares (5½ Furlongs)

Key Contenders: Open Soul Autism (#6) gets Racing Dudes’ selection at 3-1 with Andre Worrie for Chris Englehart. The powerful trainer/jockey combination has been clicking all meet.​

Secondary Choices: Tasty Wave (#1) brings consistent form, while Poseidon’s Mist (#2) shows improvement for John Grabowski.

Pace Analysis: Filly and mare sprint where early speed should be respected on the wet surface.

Selection: Open Soul Autism to win, exacta 6 with 1,2,4.

Race 7 – $13,700 Claiming Fillies & Mares (1 Mile 70Y)

Key Contenders: Lucky and Gorgeous (#6) gets the Racing Dudes selection at 4-1 with Andre Worrie. The route distance and class level appear ideal for this Baker trainee.​

Secondary Choices: Digital Currency (#1) brings tactical speed, while Alley’s Song (#2) shows recent improvement.

Pace Analysis: Route race for fillies and mares where stamina and track handling will be premium.

Selection: Lucky and Gorgeous to win, exacta 6 with 1,2,9.

Race 8 – $26,500 Allowance (6 Furlongs)

Key Contenders: Rockinmoney (#1) stands as Racing Dudes’ selection at 5-2 with Keiber Coa for M. Anthony Ferraro. The class level and connections suggest strong win potential.​

Secondary Choices: Cadillacjoe (#2) brings speed for the Bartlett barn, while Allofasuddenlee (#3) shows tactical ability.

Pace Analysis: Highest purse race of the day attracts quality horses. Expect honest pace and strong finish.

Selection: Rockinmoney to win, exacta 1 with 2,3,5.

Race 9 – $13,700 Claiming Fillies & Mares (5½ Furlongs)

Key Contenders: Hypnotic Flair (#3) gets Racing Dudes’ selection at 5-2 with Kevin Navarro for Jonathan Buckley. The form and connections suggest strong win probability.​

Secondary Choices: Artemis Girl (#1) brings early speed, while Honey in the Bank (#2) shows improvement.

Selection: Hypnotic Flair to win, exacta 3 with 1,2,6.

Jockey Notes and Insights

Andre Worrie leads the meet standings with 81 wins from 414 starts, good for a 19.6% win rate in 2025. His six mounts today represent excellent wagering opportunities, particularly when paired with trainer Chris Englehart. Worrie excels on wet tracks and has strong tactical ability in route races.​

Luis Perez brings consistent form and has shown improvement in recent weeks. His mount on Dorothys Happiness (#1) in Race 5 represents solid value.

Keiber Coa handles the M. Anthony Ferraro stable effectively and should be respected on Otto Nipoti (#7) and Rockinmoney (#1).

Trainer Notes and Insights

Chris Englehart maintains a career 22% win percentage at Finger Lakes with over 3,229 wins at the track. His three starters today with Andre Worrie represent the day’s strongest trainer/jockey combination. Englehart excels with claimed horses and tactical placement.​

M. Anthony Ferraro brings consistent quality and has multiple strong chances throughout the card. His horses typically show improvement with class relief.

Paul Barrow horses often show improvement with equipment changes and surface switches.

Best Wagering Strategies and Value Plays

Daily Double (Races 1-2): Khali’s Dream/Otto Nipoti ($20 investment)

Pick 3 (Races 3-4-5): Real Eleve/Spettro/Dorothys Happiness ($24 investment)

Late Pick 4 (Races 6-7-8-9): Use Open Soul Autism and Lucky and Gorgeous as singles with Rockinmoney and Hypnotic Flair ($36 investment)

Best Single-Race Bet: Race 3 – Real Eleve to win ($50 investment)

Value Exacta: Race 4 – Spettro over America’s Justice ($10 investment)

The sloppy track conditions favor horses with proven wet-track form and tactical speed. The Englehart/Worrie combination represents the day’s strongest angle with multiple opportunities throughout the card. Focus wagering on races where this duo appears with class relief or favorable pace scenarios.​

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