Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 11/17

2023 MEET STATS: 414 - 1161 / $2,162.70 (-$159.30)

BEST BETS: 61 - 108 / $201.90 (-$14.10)

BEST BET: KILMANJARO NL (3^rd)

SPOT PLAY: GENIUS MAN (4^th)

Race 1: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot

(1) BANK BOX TREASURE draws the rail against a mixed bag of trotters with few wins combined over the last few months. Veteran has speed and could rate this mile or settle in just behind looking to shake free. (3) REIGN OF HONOR is inconsistent with breaks in two of last three but good efforts otherwise; Bongiorno gets the drive tonight and maybe he gets along with the Bako trainee. (2) CREATIVE TREASURE is a consistent late-closing type who does drop to face lesser; he should be a board threat.

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Race 2: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) SPORTS FLIX goes second out for the Bako barn off the $20K base claim and she's been a rugged performer for years. She does have some speed and if close enough I think she can take this. (2) CHUPPAH ON was second best in her last two at this reduced level and is likely the one to catch. (6) WESTBEACH returns from Pocono off a win and she's had some moderate success here in the past while generally facing better. She'll be a price to spice up the exotics.

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Race 3: NW10603 in last 5 starts Trot

(5) KILMANJARO NL finished close at The Meadowlands in his initial U.S. start and now the European import tries the half for trainer Engblom. Stratton drives this week and he'll take plenty of action at the windows. (3) BULLY BOY HILL figures to be conservatively handled coming off the multiple breaks but he'll finish well if he minds his manners. (1) B MEDITHREE has speed and the rail but clearly needs to pick up his game.

Race 4: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) GENIUS MAN may be overlooked in the wagering but he's had pretty solid back-to-back seasons for the Bucci barn and that was always facing better than he sees today. Worth a serious look. (8) PAT STANLEY returns again now in the Scran barn off a winning qualifier and Stratton is very familiar with him but will he get involved from post eight? (4) C BET HANOVER rallied crisply last week at The Big M and this midpack post gives Brennan some options.

Race 5: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot

(1) KOSHER MAHONEY figures to try going down the road as the chalk in this forgettable event. (3) LUCKY WEEKEND returns to Yonkers and lands in a good spot to make some noise. (2) CREDRENA finished well from third to just miss last start and he figures to be sitting close again.

Race 6: F&M NW15221 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) SWEETEST BELLE raced well to just miss in debut at Philly for the Cullipher barn after arriving from Canada; filly looks like she's a good fit here in Yonkers debut. (2) EASY TO PLEASE has been a big disappointment this year but at least she did win when last at this level. (1) STAY HAPPY is another filly in here going third-time Jenn Bongiorno and she's 16 for 33 lifetime-yes many at the PA fairs but wins are wins.

Race 7: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(7) ABRUZZO has held it together in his last two, including an easy win last week out of the eight hole; stick with the hot commodity. (1) B NICKING gets post relief and should be a major player. (4) BLACK TIE BASH has been tearing it up at Rideau Carleton and now he finds his way to the Lachance barn. Keep an eye on him, if not for this week then definitely for future starts as others from Canada have traditionally performed well for this barn.

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Race 8: F&M NW21001 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) GOT THE GOLD ships up from Rosecroft where she has been a live player most weeks at their top conditioned levels and she could be a fit here. Should be a good price to try right off the bat. (6) TWIN B SUNKISSED has been sharp recently for Burke and figures to be heading off the gate. (8) DELITFULCATHERIN N is the class here and she certainly remembered that last week as she fired from the eight hole and scored out of the pocket (over #6 in here). Would be no surprise if she repeated.

Race 9: F&M NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

About a year ago (5) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N looked like she was going to be a top mare for years to come but unfortunately it hasn't worked out that way. She gets one more chance from me to score at this bottom conditioned level. (4) LADY NEWTON dropped from $50K claimers to this class last week but didn't really threaten; here's another one who looks like she should be better than she's showing. (2) VOELZ DELIGHT was a big earner at 2 and 3 and now at 5YO she’s 0 for 22. Maybe change in scenery helps.