Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 12/4
MEET STATS: 206 - 623 / $1,067.70 (-$178.30)
BEST BETS: 35 - 60 / $113.30 (-$6.70)
Best Bet: LOCKTON LUCK A (4th)
Spot Play: BETTING EXCHANGE (6th)
Race 1: $12,500 Claiming Pace
(2) KEYSTONE HONOR returns to Yonkers off a win at Freehold and gets his first good local post in quite some time; that should work to his advantage with a couple of his main rivals stuck all the way outside. (8) GUNPOWDER N wired them from the eight hole last week; Tritton-trained veteran may not be able to hit the front as easily tonight but is still a major player. (3) SAPPHIRE CITY was bottomed badly from the pocket last week; does the 12-year-old with almost $1.5 million earned have any life left? At least being right back in the box is a good sign.
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Race 2: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) AIR STRIKE was claimed earlier this year for $40,000 and obviously that hasn't panned out like the connections hoped; he gets major post relief here and this barn had a nice winner the other night. (5) KEPT UNDER WRAPS A flattened when it counted in his local return but he should be forwardly placed again. (1) WAIMAC ATTACK N hasn't done much recently but he gets needed class relief along with the best post.
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Race 3: $12,500 Claiming Pace
(3) REASONABLE FORCE is still seeking his first seasonal win but he is generally competitive at this bottom claiming level and the Stafford barn has been going well; worth a try in a race where it's tough to get excited about anyone. (1) TENACIOUS ONE A has plenty of local experience and is clearly the one to beat. (8) MR BIG LOAD drops in class but is stuck all the way outside; Stratton needs to avoid getting away last to have any realistic chance.
Race 4: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) LOCKTON LUCK A clearly needed last week's start and the Lance Hudson trainee should be good to go from this spot. (8) GOKUDO HANOVER has plenty of back class and has been showing some versatility with off-the-pace rallies; should be a player despite the post. (4) SHADY CITY didn't fire at all last week; veteran is capable of better.
Race 5: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) ROCK N BLUE was in distress about a month ago but seems to have turned it around and was actually pretty sharp last week; Bucci trainee can get the best of these. (4) ASTON HILL DAVE gets Bartlett in the bike and could show improvement. (6) MARTY MONKHOUSER A drops back to a more competitive level and Stratton's back driving.
Race 6: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(8) BETTING EXCHANGE suffered bad luck in his last two while facing better; veteran drops to a winning level and seems to loom large here despite the poor post. (3) THISJETSABOOKIN also gets some class relief and was a close second from a similar spot four back. (2) CINNABAR DRAGON certainly seems fast enough but has had little to offer recently facing tougher; he was a 1:53 2/5 winner five back with Bartlett driving.
Race 7: Open Handicap Trot
(5) MISSION ACCEPTED was parked three turns last week before finding the rail but he was all done; this is definitely an easier spot tonight and the Burke trainee should take charge. (7) NOWS THE MOMENT was second best to the runaway Stormy Kromer in his last two and he's got the early speed to get involved. (1) BROADWAY ATHENA was pretty game on the rim last week after missing time due to sickness.
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Race 8: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) LUCIANO N was game and stubborn in defeat last week and while he's moving up in class off a loss his early speed can set him up nicely and he should offer good value. (2) VIRGIN STORM has been solid in his last three. (4) HERRICKROOSEVELT N was looking good prior to that break in his last start and now he's missed time; Dilloian trainee seems capable if ready.
Race 9: NW16500 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) CASH ME OUT had a little bit of bad luck last week when jammed in the pocket as the outer flow was rolling by; classy veteran should be on or close to the lead here. (4) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN also had some traffic issues in the same race as the top one; Bucci trainee is more than capable of beating these. (3) GOES DOWN SMOOTH acclimated nicely last week for Burke.
Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) BLAISE MM HANOVER returns from Saratoga and while he's not exactly a winning machine he's been competitive with better than these in the past; veteran has some tactical speed which can set him up with a nice trip. (2) TITANIUM N picked up Bartlett last week and charged home to just miss; he can build off that effort. (6) HUNDIE N drops a notch in class and should show more.