Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 1/20
FINAL 2022 MEET STATS: 465 - 1334 / $2,322.30 (-$345.70)
BEST BETS: 75 - 128 / $271.60 (+$15.60)
Best Bet: MAN DONTFORGET ME (5th)
Spot Play: LUCIANO N (9th)
Race 1: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(8) PICARD A is a proven commodity at this level and he's overcome outside posts in the past with his early speed. Assuming Kakaley is leaving with him if he's not too hard used he can offer good value here. (1) JAFFA JOSH N was in the midst of a tremendous form spree at Philly to end his 2022 season and he's well-spotted here for a barn that's had some local success over the last couple of seasons. Short price looming, however. (4) REYS N A RUCKUS also has some early speed which could be on display from this post; interesting to note that trainer Garcia-Herrera is back in to go with his stock much earlier than usual this year.
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Race 2: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(3) AWESOMENESS always seems to end up with a tough trip due to his somewhat erratic nature but he does fit with these and trainer Blumenfeld already has a couple of winners here over the first two nights of the meet. (2) P L LEEROY is another Akins trainee arriving from Philly in mighty-good form; he does step up a bit in price, but draws well and could be the one to catch. (5) APEX SEELSTER qualified effectively last week up at Monticello and he had two wins here towards the end of 2022.
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Race 3: NW5137 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) QUALITY BUD has had some recent issues but he finds himself at the lowest conditioned level tonight and maybe the month off did him some good. (3) ONE OFF DELIGHT A raced respectably last week at The Meadowlands and he just missed here the start prior; very logical contender. (5) REVELRY also finds a softer spot tonight and Bartlett is back in the bike.
Race 4: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(3) LATE MAIL N has been a major disappointment lately but he does have some back class to tap into and he meets a field with a questionable favorite. What the hell, I'll use him looking for a double-digit price. (2) KENRICK N is another Koch trainee on the card who seems to have landed in a good spot. (5) UPTOWN FUNK blew away better in two starts after being claimed by these connections, but he was scratched sick last start at The Meadowlands and finds himself priced to sell. Maybe he jogs here at odds-on but I'll pass on top at a short price.
Race 5: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) MAN DONTFORGET ME returns to Yonkers after a couple of starts across the river and she seems to do her best running here, with 11 local wins over the last two seasons. Stratton will probably have her on the front. (4) GOT SEXY SCARS is an interesting shipper who also likes to win; she could fit well here. (5) BABS JANSEN makes her seasonal debut after a solid 2022 campaign for the Virgil Morgan Jr. barn; main problem here is drawing outside her main competition.
Race 6: F&M NW22501 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) MORNING HAS BROKEN gets to drop to face a bit softer, draws well and returns to Bartlett. Bako barn has been good so far in this young season. (6) VILLAGE JADE was a winner in her last local start and the Burke trainee has the benefit of a recent race under her belt (1/13 at Med). (4) DISARONNO HILL also drops a notch to a more suitable level.
Race 7: F&M Open Handicap Pace
(2) DELITFULCATHERIN N has been a rock-solid performer at this top level for the better part of two seasons and she finds a good inside spot to make her 2023 debut. (1) UPTOWN HANOVER has won at this Open level in the past and the Cullipher barn has been pretty live with their returning stock. (7) LIT DE ROSE goes for six straight for Pat Lachance but will being off a month and being assigned the outside slow her down?
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Race 8: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(5) MARTY MONKHOUSER A started his 14YO campaign with a flat effort at The Meadowlands but it should serve as a good tightener as he returns to his favorite venue; classmaster jogged from a similar spot in December. (1) BUNGALOW BILL N returns locally and figures to be on the lead or in the pocket to the top one. (6) JK LUCKY CHARMS ships in from Monti for the Berkeley barn and picks up Kakaley; he could be a late player.
Race 9: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) LUCIANO N is a classy veteran who can still bring it at these lower conditioned levels and Holland isn't shy about sending him off the gate. (1) ROCKATHON drops in class and jogged when last at this level. (2) FOX VALLEY REN has a win and a second in his last four starts here but like many others on the card the missed time could be a concern; Kakaley picks up the drive.