Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 2/24

2023 MEET STATS: 39 - 103 / $172.60 (-$33.40)

BEST BETS: 8 - 10 / $23.70 (+$3.70)

Best Bet: MINGO JOEL (1st)

Spot Play: SARANAC BLUE CHIP (6th)

Race 1: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(6) MINGO JOEL woke up in a big way with last week's drop in class as he sustained a long run to reel in the leader; he faces much of the same tonight and seems sharp enough to overcome the post. (3) KIMANI N was able to improve position out of the eight hole last out and now gets needed post relief; veteran hasn't done much for this barn lately but still remains capable with this type. (7) TOATSMYGOATS left from the far outside in his last local start and was a pocket-sitting second at 103/1; can he loop the field into the first turn at a big price here?

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Race 2: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(1) LETTUCERIPRITA A fired to the top last week and rated a decent clip and he stopped badly in the lane. Bartlett may be able to rate a kinder pace or even elect to sit a pocket but either way he seems capable of rebounding. (4) MARTY MONKHOUSER A was a good second to a strong winner last start and the 14-year-old keeps rolling along; he looks to score win #4 in this young season. (2) MARINER SEELSTER was able to pick off a few in the late stages last week (coming out of the same race as the top two) and the major post relief will help his cause. Combined age of the top three is 41 years old!

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Race 3: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) EDDARD HANOVER has been hinting at a better effort and last week's third-place finish was a step in the right direction; he should have some speed to chase in here and may be freshest late. (3) LADYFORD BUCK GB came up a bit short in his U.S. debut at Pocono; lightly-raced Ireland shipper could need another start or two in order to hit top gear. (7) SHOREVIEW was claimed by DiDomenico for $20K but fits this NW5000 class; poor post but he's been known to leave the gate on occasion.

Race 4: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) LYONS PEGASUS came up huge last start with his best effort in quite some time and though he steps up a notch in class Bartlett sticks with him over three others in here, including the classy (6) DRAGON SAID. The latter picks up Brennan with the catch drive and he was good last week, but not good enough to get by the leader. (1) SOUTHWIND PETYR shipped in from The Meadowlands, added Lasix and jogged; he too faces a bit better here.

Race 5: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(4) PEDRO HANOVER brushed and crushed last week to make it two straight and he finds himself in an almost identical spot tonight. I'm not betting the house on him but he does figure to win again. (3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN was a decent second to the top one and his early speed can set him up nicely here. (1) SULLIVAN was aggressively handled then watched the winner sail by; he's probably better off chasing.

Race 6: NW5746 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) SARANAC BLUE CHIP has been aggressively handled in his last few races with mixed results; he drops a notch and picks up Braxton Boyd while facing some shaky favorites; I'll give him a shot at a decent price. (2) GOTHIC ROCK was second best to Western Joe last week; Bucci trainee is clearly heading in the right direction. (3) ROLLING WITH SAM raced okay last out considering he had some dull cover but he needed to show more and he figures to be a short price again.

Race 7: F&M Open Handicap Pace

(5) DELITFULCATHERIN N gave her all but could not get by the well-rated pacesetter; Gillis trainee was off some time before that race and now is right back in the box so she could prove to be a bit tighter here. (3) DRAMA ACT looked like she couldn't lose her last start but she did, and that's not the first time she's disappointed. Obviously the Burke trainee is very talented and would be no surprise if she bounced back here as the favorite. (1) KARMA SEELSTER responded nicely when Drama Act came at her; sharp mare should make money here.

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Race 8: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) RACINE BELL returned from vacation with just one qualifier and was clearly short in her seasonal debut; logic would dictate that this near-millionaire will be tighter tonight and I expect Bartlett to send her right to the front. (2) UPTOWN HANOVER bounced back from a dull effort two back to finish a close second last week; Cullipher trainee should be looking at a good trip tonight. (6) LIT DE ROSE drops from the Open ranks but she just hasn't been sharp recently; how aggressive will Lachance be in the early going?

Race 9: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS makes her second start back from hiatus, and also goes second-time Lasix. Renaud trainee is a quality mare who won 10 races a season ago and if Stratton can get her in play she could respond at a decent price. (5) DISARONO HILL drops back to the level of her last win and she should be a major player here. (7) TUGGINGONCREDIT finished willingly in her last two from too far back and unfortunately she draws another tough post but maybe she can pass a few to hit the ticket.