Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 2/14
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2025 MEET STATS: 29 - 85 / $221.70 (+$51.70)
BEST BETS: 5 - 8 / $17.90 (+$1.90)
BEST BET: GOLDEN QUEST N (4th)
SPOT PLAY: LYDEO (6th)
Race 1: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) MUFASA AS was a non-factor over his last few but he has had excuses, especially his last two where he was stuck starting from the worst post. With the drop and the move inside this veteran can be up close to the lead. (6) RITSON returns from a stint at The Meadowlands and was facing better when last seen here; just 1 for 10 locally in 2024 but seven on-the-board finishes. (3) FULL STRENGTH finished with late trot from too far back his last two, he’s another who will be more active with the post relief.
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Race 2: F&M NW5776 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) IDEAL COVER finished close at a price last week in a good try and now he moves all the way in to the rail. Mare was a five-time winner here over 19 starts last year in a $100K season. (6) PRIDEFUL shows up from Delaware and joins the Alexander barn with Kakaley now driving; she’s a must-use from these connections. (5) ELLAS REASON A is another invader, this one from Canada, and she’s going from Auciello to Engblom. Only has one win over the last year-plus but like #6 the barn change is a big angle to consider.
Race 3: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(1) BELLISSIMO FACE S has just one start since December 20 and he was a non-factor over at The Meadowlands, but now the Engblom trainee returns to Yonkers and he’s done plenty of damage here in the past. (5) WINDSONG PIONEER has always been a consistent performer here and his early speed sets him up nicely. (4) TORRONE was competitive at the Invite level here towards the end of 2024 but he’s been off time so he may need a start or two to reach top form.
Race 4: F&M NW12051 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) GOLDEN QUEST N has made a ton of money here over the years and drops to a winning level off a good tightening effort; one to beat on class alone. (2) AWESOME HILL has been lightly raced but is back in on consecutive weeks with significant post relief. (1) ALTA MADIERA N should be a board threat from this inside post.
Race 5: NW10321 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) ARCHERY SEELSTER had some traffic issues from the pocket last week in his bid to make it two straight for the Cullipher barn; trotter draws well again and returns to Bartlett. (7) GOLDEN COMPASS showed vast improvement upon arrival from The Meadows and into the Alexander barn; gelding may be a decent price here despite beating #2 in that local debut. (4) HOWLINGATHEMOON DK was sluggish in his U.S. debut for Lachance; let’s see if he shows a little more tonight.
Race 6: F&M NW11736 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) LYDEO is a classy mare who makes her way back to Yonkers and qualified sharply for her new connections. Now in the Dilloian barn and with Kakaley driving I suspect she’ll be ready to fire right off the bench. (2) CRÈME DELIGHT is always a contender but doesn’t seem to win as often as she should; Burke trainee should be feared from this good draw, however. (4) NITE TIME DEAL woke up in a big way in her local return and Bartlett drives again while facing better.
Race 7: F&M NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) UTE BLUE CHIP ships across the river with just ‘okay’ current form but we recently saw a Fanning trainee relish the return to Yonkers so maybe this one can follow suit. (3) FAVORITE BEACH hasn’t functioned at all recently but she returns to the Alexander barn and gets Kakaley back in the bike; mare is definitely a ‘must consider’. (5) TRE TA TA doesn’t exactly have the most stellar career record but she ships in from Ohio and joins the Cory Stratton barn, with brother Jordan driving. Finale in the Midwest was a winning qualifier.
Race 8: F&M Invitational Pace
I understand that (7) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE will be a heavy favorite from the far outside post assignment and usually the objective is to find someone to beat her but I just can’t back anyone else for the top spot with confidence, so I’ll take the short price. (2) LLOYD’S LOVES has been on what seems to be a year-long form spree and she moves inside after chasing the top one home last out. (5) COACHELLABOUND N is a proven commodity and has the speed to make the front.
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Race 9: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) DELITFULCATHERIN N hasn’t done anything of note since before last summer but she did bank over $100K in an abbreviated season and she has such a class edge here it’s tough to look past her. (1) SILKY STRIDE drops from the $50K claiming ranks, draws the rail, picks up Bartlett. (4) JENDEN STRIKE A went a tough trip last week from the eight hole; Cushing trainee does land an improved post but is still outside her main competition; maybe underneath.
Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot
(6) AQUARIUS FACE S was good two back at The Meadowlands and really built on that effort in his local return. Engblom trainee takes a slight bump in class looking to double up. (1) DW’S POINT MAN was unable to capitalize on a drop to the NW5000 ranks and had to settle for a non-threatening second. Tonight from the rail he should be more aggressively handled. (4) B NICKING is always a speed threat but has trouble finishing.