Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 12/18

MEET STATS: 206 - 623 / $1,067.70 (-$178.30)
BEST BETS: 35 - 60 / $113.30 (-$6.70)
Best Bet: P H KENNY (3rd)
Spot Play: ARQUE HANOVER (5th)

Race 1: $12,500 Claiming Pace

(6) GUNPOWDER N absorbed loads of pressure on the front end in his last two and gamely found the wire first both times; Pete Tritton-trained veteran goes for the hat trick tonight. (1) SEELEY MAN has been the one battling with the top choice and was denied both times; interesting to see what Holland does here with the post edge. (2) THEREISAPACEFORUS rallied well last out in his local return and is definitely a player here.

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Race 2: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(4) MVP LUKE has shown solid improvement in his last few at Philly and he should be a decent price returning locally into this competitive field; he could be right there late with a good trip. (2) PAPPY GO GO has come up a tad short in his last three, including getting beating by the razor-sharp Homer Hall in his last local try. (8) OBRIGADO was second best after escaping a shuffle last week and he's got the early speed to overcome the outside post.

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Race 3: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(2) P H KENNY went a tough trip last week and actually held pretty well to the end; this barn has had live runners recently and this veteran deserves top billing with the move inside. (1) PEMBROKE JOEY moves up in class off a sharp front-end score. (4) PURE ROCK has been aggressively handled in his last three at Philly with poor results; perhaps the venue change helps him out.

Race 4: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) FIREBALL has been saddled with poor posts in all of his recent races at Freehold; he returns locally with the pole position and meets a pretty soft field. His lone win this season came here in 1:54 1/5. (4) ROCKIN M was a good second here four back facing better and he gets Bartlett back in the bike for the Harris barn. (3) THISISHOWWEDOIT ships in from Northfield and the 4-year-old could be a decent fit here.

Race 5: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) ARQUE HANOVER was shuffled and tired last week facing better than these; Abbatiello trainee gets Holland back in the bike tonight and he seems like one of the prime contenders here. (6) WARDAN EXPRESS A was sent down the road last out as the favorite and was nailed by a rail-skimming rival; he should be a big player again. (5) ART HISTORY isn't a prolific winner but he should be good enough for a share versus these.

Race 6: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) TEXAS TERROR N shipped out to Ohio and had just limited success in a claiming series at Northfield; classy veteran has had plenty of success here in the past and he can top these with smooth sailing. (7) ARCHANGEL THREE dropped to this NW5000 level last week and was collared after battling on the front end; big threat if Bartlett can fire him out smoothly. (1) CAVIART SKYLER drops in class and should be in line for a live trip.

Race 7: Open Trot

(3) PAT MATTERS raced decently in a local try two back then was a solid second in the TVG over at The Meadowlands; mare lands a good spot in this open draw and deserves a long look. (5) STORMY KROMER made an uncharacteristic break last week while vying for the lead; he can be forgiven for that. (2) MISSION ACCEPTED has been a bit disappointing in recent local efforts and the Burke trainee should be better than that.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 8: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) ON THE VIRG isn't all that appealing at that 6/5 morning line but he does get important class and post relief tonight and he beat better than these a couple of months back. (3) TOM ME GUN N did the best he could to pick up small checks in his last two from the eight hole; move inside will help immensely. (5) AMERICAN BOY N does have some early speed and that can help set him up with a live trip close-up.

Race 9: NW20000 in last 5 starts Trot

(4) THE VETERAN was no match in the Open last start (which was almost a month ago) but he does show two recent wire-to-wire wins and he figures to be heading to the front tonight. (6) LORD CROMWELL just missed last week after popping the pocket early to challenge the leader; he also gets class relief and Bartlett gets the drive. (2) FASHION CREDITOR returns locally off two nice wins at Philly and he draws well.

Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) SPORTS BETTOR has been in relatively good form and he's a nice fit at this NW7500 level; worth considering from this good inside post. (1) SILAS SEELSTER drops in class for the fourth consecutive start and he did finish a decent third versus better last out. (4) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N dropped to NW5000 and earned a confidence-building victory; he's got the back class to be competitive here.