Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 1/27

2023 MEET STATS: 7 - 21 / $42.30 (+$0.30)

BEST BETS: 2 - 2 / $5.10 (+$1.10)

Best Bet: IDEALSOMEMAGIC A (3rd)

Spot Play: MARINER SEELSTER (5th)

Race 1: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(3) PEDRO HANOVER never got close when saddled with the eight hole in his first start in over seven months. He's got plenty of back class and a much-improved post, and Bartlett drives again. (2) POSH ONTHE BEACH A was a solid uncovered winner last week in his 2023 debut and the Cory Stratton trainee is an obvious threat to repeat. (1) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER had some good local efforts towards the end of last year and he's looked good in his last two at Monticello.

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Race 2: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) ROSE RUN VANTAGE arrives from Ohio for the Cullipher barn, where she was having trouble getting involved at the Open level. This should be a bit of a class reprieve as she draws well and picks up Bartlett. (4) KARMA SEELSTER announced her return locally from Mohawk Park with a sharp eight-hole effort. Class hike may not present a problem for this classy mare. (1) TECHYS ANGEL A was very good in her seasonal debut; she steps up a notch but could contend.

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Race 3: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A is another Cory Stratton trainee that came out firing in his Yonkers return as he blew away a base NW5000 field. A similar effort could be enough to beat a bit better. (5) CROCKETS CULLEN N is one in a long line of veteran imports for Larry Stalbaum that seem to consistently make money. This guy shows up off a wire-to-wire score at Batavia. (1) OUR MAJORDAN A has speed from the best draw and while he's tough to endorse for the top spot he can sit close up and land a share.

Race 4: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(1) AWESOMENESS was conservatively handled last week but did finish with some pace and he looked pretty comfortable out there; inconsistent gelding is way overdue for a win. (3) ROCK N TONY was a bit short in his seasonal debut but he was a winner the start prior from a similar spot. He's been showing speed lately and drawing inside of #4 helps the cause. (2) MINGO JOEL gets much-needed post relief and moves to Bartlett in the bike; Engblom trainee is very logical but won't offer any value.

Race 5: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(2) MARINER SEELSTER drops back to a more competitive level and gets important post relief; 14YO classmaster should go well from this spot. (6) UPTOWN FUNK had me second-guessing last week but he jogged; connections drop him right back in for the same tag. (1) LOVE THE BLUES N drew away for fun in his 2023 debut, now faces a bit better.

Race 6: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) TIME TO DANCE has had little to offer of late out of town but his connections send him to DiDomenico looking for a wakeup call. Can he improve enough to beat these? (1) GINGER TREE PETE drops to the basement level tonight and moves from the seven hole to the rail; He's another who logically should show improvement. (4) FLYING ART A has not had a good start to his North American career but these connections have to be respected.

Race 7: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) UPTOWN HANOVER worked out a great pocket trip in last week's Open, shook free late and was gaining on the winner; mare has a post edge again on her main competition which may be enough to get her over the hump. (8) LIT DE ROSE was relegated to the back of the pack in her seasonal debut and finished with plenty of pace but had too far to come. If Lachance can somehow get her forward off the gate, or if there is pace to chase, she'll be right there. (3) DISARONO HILL raced well last week and could be a longshot worth including underneath.

Race 8: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(3) SAMSON BLUE CHIP blasted from the seven hole and surprised the field last week at 25/1. Price obviously comes way down as the Blackler trainee remains at a winning level. (5) STATEMENT MADE A was favored at The Big M in his first start off the DiDomenico claim but faded to near the back; prior to that he was sharp for his former barn facing similar at Philly. (7) SHOREVIEW drops back to the level of the claim from December; he does fit with these and will be a huge price...maybe 3rd/4th with some luck?

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Race 9: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) ROCKNROLL ANNIE went back-to-back tough trips at The Meadowlands but prior to that she was on a pretty good form cycle with a string of board finishes; Braxton Boyd is back driving and does have a post edge on a few of the main contenders. (4) MAN DONTFORGET ME steps up off a well-rated win but she's won at this level (and higher) in the past. (5) VILLAGE JADE failed on the front end last week but the Burke trainee can't be counted out.

Race 10: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(3) IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N had been tiring in all of his recent races but maybe a couple of months on the shelf did this veteran some good and that qualifier last week was fine. He could be a decent price in this shaky finale. (1) MUSCLE MACH A debuts for the live Bako barn and draws the rail; Kakaley drives. (4) ODDS ON DELRAY has class but also likes to burn money and he was just 1 for 31 last year. He starts 2013 in a new barn (Devita).