Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 1/22

2021 MEET STATS: 8 - 20 / $42.00 (+$2.00)
BEST BETS: 1 - 2 / $3.70 (-$0.30)
Best Bet: TALK SHOW (3rd)
Spot Play: HIGHLAND TARTAN (8th)

Race 1: $12,500 Claiming Pace

(3) BLAYDE HANOVER was a game wire-to-wire winner last week in his 2021 debut and he lands in a very similar spot tonight. He's clearly the most likely winner here but won't offer much value. (1) PEMBROKE JOEY should end up sitting the pocket to the top one and can follow that one around to be second best. (2) ZOEZZ BOY HENRY paced just evenly last week never firing when asked. Bongiorno trainee could be tighter tonight coming back on consecutive weeks.

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Race 2: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) GHOST DANCE basically just toured the track last week facing better from an outside post. He gets class relief tonight and was Bartlett's choice; Blackler trainee could show more here in a race with no standouts. (3) PLAY THE FIELD moves inside a few slots and keeps Brennan; expect more involvement. (4) TISADREAM N has been facing better recently with just mixed results; Fanning trainee looks like a good fit at this NW5000 level.

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Race 3: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(1) TALK SHOW came ready to play last week and blew the doors off the field at over 9/1. A similar effort should be enough to get it done again, albeit at much shorter odds. (4) CINNABAR DRAGON drops in for a tag and is reunited with Bartlett; veteran just missed in two efforts last month while showing early speed. (6) SHOREVIEW rallied very sharply in his last two local races for Team Bongiorno.

Race 4: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) ARCHANGEL THREE raced well in defeat last month from a similar spot and his last start over at The Meadowlands was decent; expect Bartlett to be controlling the action here. (4) MY DELIGHT was facing better towards the end of last season and he qualified willingly in preparation for his 2021 debut. (6) JM'S DELIGHT has burned plenty of money recently for owner/trainer/driver Greg Merton; not sure about that 2/1 morning line but the gelding did have some good local efforts last year.

Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(6) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN dropped to NW10000 last week and jogged at a short price; classy Bucci trainee looms the one to beat again. (2) NEW HEAVEN did upset the top choice in his 2020 finale and he can never be counted out, especially from an inside post. (4) ZOOMING has lost a step or two in his old age but the millionaire is still a very serviceable money-earner for the Buters; use underneath.

Race 6: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) MY MIND IS MADEUP is far from a prolific winner but he draws inside here and should be in line for a live trip as Siegelman's choice. (3) SCRUB HANOVER just failed as the favorite last week to a rival with some back class; he should be a live contender again. (5) WIND BLAST went off the 6/5 chalk in his local return and tired chasing the eventual 1:53 1/5 winner; Justin Huckabone trainee is listed as 2/1 on the morning line but demand value if you use him on top.

Race 7: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) MCERLEAN was ready to go coming off the holiday hiatus and he gamely defeated a notch lesser than this; Classy 12-year-old faces some tough ones here but he's been known to string together solid efforts and his price should certainly be decent. (1) SILAS SEELSTER was no match for the winner last week and had to settle for second best; not sure he's at the top of his game now but he must be considered. (8) OUR MAX PHACTOR N was second best to Mach It So last week; Harris trainee is a great fit with this type but must find a way to overcome the eight hole.

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Race 8: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) HIGHLAND TARTAN went through the motions from the eight hole last week after being off for a month. Stratton drives again for his brother and I would expect this veteran to be much more involved tonight. (2) MASTERSON doesn't win all that much at Yonkers but he's always been a steady earner; he'll be included in all my tickets, but not on top. (1) OURLITTLEGENERAL A gets class and post relief but will need an expert steer from Leon Bailey, who's a legit talent but unproven here.

Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(2) LORD CROMWELL was just "okay" last week as he never seriously threatened with his two-move uncovered effort; the post relief should help him out big-time tonight. (1) EYE OFA TIGER AS has loads of talent and back class; Lorentzon trainee just needs to behave himself. (5) HILL OF A HORSE brushed and crushed last week and technically gets to drop in class off that win. Mention to (4) BARRY BLACK here as well, who looked rock-solid in last week's win.

Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(7) HEAVEN’S GAIT paced a big back half when dominating lesser last week; he's talented enough to handle the bump in class but must find a way to overcome the outside post. Can Siegelman generate some early speed? (1) SUGAR FACTORY invades from The Meadowlands for Tirella and he did win in his last two half-mile tries; tough to love him but tough to toss him as well. (4) MACH TIME N got a long-overdue victory last week and he can land a piece here moving up the class ladder.