Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 11/12

Matt Rose|Nov 10, 2021

MEET STATS: 373 - 1113 / $1,991.60 (-$234.40)

BEST BETS: 52 - 104 / $161.40 (-$46.60)

Best Bet: EYE OFA TIGER AS (11th)

Spot Play: AVATAR J (10th)

Race 1: $12,500 Claiming Pace

(5) WINDSONG JACK raced better last week when dropped to this basement level and the classy veteran was claimed by the Bongiorno outfit; he stays at the same level and I'm expecting good things despite drawing outside of his main competition. (1) EGOMANIA really picked up his game when double-dropped in class as he ran second to the sharp winner. Big threat tonight from the rail. (4) FASHIONONTHEBEACH has been away three months but he qualified back effectively and he was facing better over the summer.

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Race 2: 3&4YO $30,000 Claiming Pace

(5) IMMA BE found a pretty soft field last week when transitioning to this claiming class and he blew them away. Obviously a repeat of that performance will make him mighty tough here. (2) BET ON BLAKE also went wire-to-wire last start; wasn't as flashy as the top one but still effective. (3) SCHWARTZ BROS PAT arrives from Hoosier riding a three-race win streak in their conditioned claimers; Kakaley picks up the drive for the Oakes barn.

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Race 3: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(4) IN THE HUDDLE jogged in his second start out for the Bako barn and I would expect another front-end try here. (2) CASINO BAGS ANSO drops back down to the level of his last dominating win and young driver Luke Hanners has looked really good in limited appearances as he seems to have a knack for the wire. (5) BLACKTREE drops back to $15's for the Bongiornos after being a non-factor last week.

Race 4: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(3) HILLEXOTIC had a tough trip last start but still finished strongly to get up for second. Class relief and improved post will make this Smedshammer trainee awfully tough. (4) PATRIARCH HANOVER was rebuffed by the 50/1 winner in the same race as the top choice; Burke trainee deserves another chance. (5) DUTCHESSPEDIA was wildly overbet last out when facing tougher, more experienced rivals and the filly got weakly parked. Price goes way up tonight on the Bongiorno charge.

Race 5: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) TERRITORY plunges in class and draws best in a weak field; Joe Bongiorno has done good things catch-driving for the Koch barn. (2) YANKEE ROLLER A also gets class and post relief but has missed time due to a sick scratch; Nifty Norman trainee still seems like the main threat to the top one. (4) MCCLINCHIE N has been racing steadily in all recent without a win to show for it; consider on the bottom of the ticket.

Race 6: 3&4YO $30,000 Claiming Pace

(3) HEART ON MY SLEEVE has had a nice run recently facing conditioned claimers at The Meadows and he ships in to join the Cory Stratton barn; connections must think the 4-year-old gelding could be a good fit here racing for almost four times the money. (4) MOONLIGHT SHADOW was a decent second at this level last out. (2) DIG DANNY DIG also arrives from The Meadows and joins a new barn (Rob Harmon); pacer was a nice winner there recently.

Race 7: NW20000 in last 5 starts Trot

(1) MAGICAL JOURNEY had no realistic chance in his last two from outside posts but the move inside should make all the difference for the Daguet trainee. (2) BIZET was scratched sick last week at Dover but his prior start at Yonkers he was a fast-closing third from the eight hole. (6) ALL CHAMPY rallied mildly in his last couple while facing better.

Race 8: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(4) BRANDON HANOVER was outfinished in his first start for the William Adamczyk barn and while he stays at the same $20K claiming level this field is full of question marks; gelding seems as good as any and should be a decent price. (2) CAPTAIN HILL steps up in price off a nice second-place finish last start. (3) DENVER SEELSTER gets some needed post relief in his second start back from a three-month break but that race was three weeks back; use caution if playing as one of the favorites.

Race 9: Open Handicap Trot

(8) REFINED had some road trouble in the Breeders Crown final after racing very well in the elimination. Mare was a terror recently in overnight events in Ohio overcoming outside posts with regularity and hopefully Kakaley can get her in play. (1) LEAN HANOVER was second best from the pocket in last week's Open and he has an obvious tactical edge leaving from the rail. (7) THANKFUL NO was also a Crown finalist and was a winner here three starts back.

Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) AVATAR J gets an interesting driver chance to Bartlett, who is generally live on Blackler trainees. (3) WHITE HAIR ROCKS drops all the way to the basement in the hopes of awakening. (1) BEACH FIRE K ships in off a potentially confidence-building victory at Philly.

Race 11: NW30000 in last 5 starts Trot

(2) EYE OFA TIGER AS was unable to get involved in his last three but if you look at his prior efforts from inside posts he's a big contender; Bartlett picks up the drive. (6) SECRET BRO closed willingly last week in a needed start; maybe he can sneak in there with a smooth trip. (4) BARRY BLACK is back at his preferred venue after a failed attempt at The Big M.

Race 12: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) MISSILE SEELSTER gives up a class edge to some others in here but it's hard not to take notice of the recent barn change to Team Bongiorno. (4) ROCK KING DEO really picked up his game in his last two at Philly. (7) PICARD A has tailed off after being on a big run earlier this season; he lands another tough post but is certainly a closing threat.