Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 2/23

2024 MEET STATS: 37 - 136 / $239.60 (-$32.40)

BEST BETS: 7 - 11 / $23.10 (+$1.10)

BEST BET: JUSTASEC N (7^th)

SPOT PLAY: MISS DOTTIE MAE (8^th)

Race 1: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot

(3) FRANK THE ELDER returns to the races now in the Bongiorno barn and time-wise that qualifier last week was plenty fast enough to compete here. (2) JACKED gets Kakaley in the bike tonight and he's generally been facing better; gelding should be a good fit. (1) B MEDITHREE has offered up nothing over his last four starts as stamina seems to be a serious issue but he does drop with early speed from the rail draw and we know he's capable of better.

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Race 2: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot

(4) TIMESTORM has been in the business of burning money recently but his last two over at The Meadowlands have been decent and perhaps the recent addition of hobbles is helping. Harris trainee has beaten much better than what he meets tonight. (7) HUNTING AS drops for the fourth consecutive week and is now in the basement; I have to believe new driver Buter will look to be aggressive early. (3) EXPLOSIVE RIDGE was run over at a big price last week and a similar effort puts him right in the mix.

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Race 3: NW10000 in last 5 starts Trot

(2) BLACK TIE BASH drops in class and will be much closer to the action than he was in his last couple when stuck outside; Lachance student can make one late run to get there. (1) STREET GOSSIP also takes a needed drop and is in a controlling spot from the rail. (4) SWEET SOUL DAVID faltered after being used and pressed last start but he's got class as evidenced by the $128K earned last year; he does have speed to his inside so he faces an uncertain trip tonight.

Race 4: F&M NW16171 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) I'm not surprised at all that the classy (5) MILLWOOD BONNIE N has been able to win three straight while climbing the conditioned ladder and I'll stay on board with her. (1) TALENT TO SPARE A recently switched to driver Mark Macdonald and she's reeled off two straight; Lance Hudson trainee looks like the main threat to the top one. (7) RACEY RACH N drops in class making her second start for the Burke outfit and she's got sub-28 second final-quarter speed, so she could be a late player here at a price.

Race 5: F&M NW23141 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) GOLDEN QUEST N raced well to be second best in her first start for the Bako barn off the claim and while she faces some good ones here she's no slouch herself with over $150K earned over the last 13 months. Veteran could trip out at a fair price. (3) LUCKY ARTIST A gets some post and class relief which likely makes driver Holland handle her more aggressively. (2) NO WIN NO FEED A and (4) MAN DONTFORGET ME are both solid mares who merit a mention here and either would be no surprise.

Race 6: F&M Invitational; 1-3 drawn, 4-8 drawn Pace

(4) TONY'S MOM has been right there in eight of her last nine races and her early speed from this midpack post can give her the tactical edge she needs to get the job done against this solid field. (3) COACHELLABOUND N steps back up to the top level and regular driver Holland figures to be forwardly placed as well. (8) RACINE BELL gets Joe B in the bike for her Yonkers return and second overall start of 2024. Does she fire off the gate?

Race 7: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) JUSTASEC N qualified sharply then was stuck outside against better in her seasonal debut. Move to the rail gives this Garcia-Herrera trainee a legit chance. (6) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK missed a head last week when dropped to this level and he's accustomed to facing much better than he meets tonight. Dangerous if the veteran can get on or near the lead. (5) DANCE ON THE BEACH steps up off last week's front-end score and can be considered.

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Race 8: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) MISS DOTTIE MAE makes her second start at this reduced level and the move all the way inside should make her a major player, either on the lead or right in behind. (6) FORGOT THEWALLET A took the money in her U.S. debut and looked good to go from the pocket but got tight trying to find room up the non-existent passing lane and ultimately broke. Clearly she deserves another chance. (4) COWGIRL LILLY has hit the board with regularity at this level and the $400K earner has plenty of back class.

Race 9: $30,000 Claiming Pace

(8) ALOTBETTOR N tired in his first start off the claim and now he moves all the way outside but he faces a pretty soft field for this class and figures to be totally ignored in the wagering, and we know he's capable. There are worse longshots out there you could play... (1) GLACIS won last week from a similar spot, can he make it two straight? With the right trip, yes. (6) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP has raced well to be second best in his last two and could be a closing threat again.