Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 2/16
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2024 MEET STATS: 28 - 89 / $187.60 (+$9.60)
BEST BETS: 5 - 8 / $16.40 (+$0.40)
BEST BET: WINDSONG PIONEER (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: MISS DOTTIE MAE (12th)
Race 1: NW10001 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) GREAT SOMEWHERE returns from The Meadowlands off a sharp 1:50 front-end score and he lands the rail as Stratton's choice. Big earner from a season ago seems to have relished the time off. (6) JUSTASEC N is the first of the Garcia-Herrera trainees to make their 2024 return and he qualified sharply. Gelding has been successful versus better in the past. (2) SLING SHOCK steps up off a couple of wins for the Vallee barn and Bartlett is catch driving again.
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Race 2: NW10851 in last 5 starts Trot
(3) WINDSONG PIONEER dominated last week in 1:55 2/5 one level down and a similar effort can net him another win despite facing a bit better; clear tactical edge on his main rivals. (4) HAZYSHADEOFWINTERS was a distant second to the top choice last start and the mare has been showing steady improvement. (1) ITSONEOFTHOSE fired at first asking up at Monticello off a few months and he gets a big driver change with Brennan listed tonight.
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Race 3: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(2) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL is still looking for that first Yonkers win and maybe the barn change to DiDomenuico via last week's claim and the good draw will get him over the top. (8) DEAL THE CARDS has been having issues staying on the track but he's back in on consecutive weeks and though he's stuck outside again I can definitely see Bartlett trying to fire off the gate. (4) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP can land a piece of this at a price with a smooth trip.
Race 4: NW18361 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is back to Bartlett tonight trying to get back on track and he does have some early speed to work with; hopefully to the front. (5) DRACO S was dropped in for a tag last week and was snatched up by Cory Stratton for $40K; veteran lands in a similar spot here looking for two straight. (1) QUIKSILVR BLUECHIP tired in his first start off the claim but he draws inside again looking to improve; Gingras picks up the drive.
Race 5: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) SCUBADAN missed a head and a nose in his two Yonkers starts after arriving from The Meadows and joining the Alexander barn. He doesn't have the proven class of others in here but is clearly sharp enough to win. (2) HUNTING AS drops, lands a good post and picks up Bartlett. Should be forwardly placed along with #1. (6) RACEACE is another Monticello shipper for Alan Schwartz who gets Brennan in the bike; worth a look on the driver change alone.
Race 6: F&M NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) TWIN B SUNKISSED drops to the lowest conditioned level and will most likely be forwardly placed by Gingras; tepid vote in competitive race. (5) CASH ROLL has not really fired in his three Yonkers starts this season but the Schnittker veteran should be capable of better. (1) IM PRINCESS BELLA A has underachieved since arriving but her last couple have been competitive and the move all the way inside could help.
Race 7: F&M NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) TALENT TO SPARE A put it all together last week and at a big price as well. Recent import keeps Mark Macdonald on the bump up in class looking for another. (4) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL has raced very well in her last couple to hit the board at long odds, a vast improvement over her putrid start three back. Should offer value again. (6) FORGOT THEWALLET A is another in the recent wave of Down-under shippers and she qualified in 1:56 3/5 up at Monticello with a :27 1/5 kicker. Watch the board for any live cues.
Race 8: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) UPTOWN HANOVER has been third best in her last four outings, all at levels tougher than what she faces tonight. Switch to Bartlett may get her over the top. (4) LAURIE LEE gets post relief and certainly could be moving early with Brennan. (3) MADRID A has ability for the Bongiorno outfit and the qualifier was decent enough to think she'll be competitive off the bench.
Race 9: F&M NW24241 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) MAN DONTFORGET ME is starting to frustrate me as she only wins when I'm not on board. With that said she draws well enough and is proven competitive with this type so she can pop any given week, and at a decent price. (1) GOLDEN QUEST N has been very sharp and she's protected by Bako and connections after the recent claim out of the Stake Your Claim series. (2) COACHELLABOUND N finally gets a better post to work with and should be right there at the wire.
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Race 10: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) DELITFULCATHERIN N is a legitimate Open (or Invitational these days) mare and she's certainly trending back in that direction as she goes for four straight. Stratton is in a controlling spot. (5) LUCKY ARTIST is in the same boat as the top one with her class (remember Matchmaker finalist last year) and will offer value starting on the far outside in this bulky five-horse affair. (4) SWEETEST BELLE failed to make the top three last week in the first time in months, but it was nothing to be ashamed of as she was close up versus tough ones. Bartlett drives.
Race 11: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(5) EVERLASTINGFASHION has been handled aggressively in her last couple with tiring results. She lacks some of the back class of others here but would not surprise me if she stepped up for Joe B; 15/1 ML. (1) BLUEBIRD JESSE lands the rail in a mostly formless race and her latest effort wasn't bad. Barn has a couple of wins already this young season. (6) STARLIT RAMBO kind of "looks" the best here as he has been competitive over at The Meadowlands and he gets paired with Gingras tonight.
Race 12: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) MISS DOTTIE MAE has been a non-factor in her first two seasonal starts but this is a mare who won five races here last year and was in the money 16 of 25 local starts. I expect Holland to be sending her off the gate. (3) TWIN B ECHO steps up to face better off a nice pocket-sitting win; Bartlett drives again. (6) SILK CLOUD A is a major talent coming into her seasonal debut for Pete Tritton off a sharp qualifier; watch out.