Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 3/12

MEET STATS: 70 - 219 / $394.00 (-$44.00)
BEST BETS: 11 - 22 / $37.60 (-$6.40)
Best Bet: ALEXA SKYE (3rd)
Spot Play: CINNABAR DRAGON (8th)

Race 1: $12,500 Claiming Pace

(3) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY never got involved first out off the Garcia-Herrera claim but he gets some needed post relief and doesn't face any of the bottom-level claiming standouts tonight. (1) HIGHVIEW CONALL N also was hampered by the post last week and was shuffled the start prior; veteran is always a player from inside posts. (5) WAVES OF FIRE A put in a nice closing effort up the rail last out; he pick up Dunn here and could be a board threat again.

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Race 2: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mares Pace

(1) MY RUEBE STAR N wasn't used all that hard last week and finished with willing pace in a nice tune-up for this series. Shane Tritton trainee lands the rail in this open draw and should be the controlling speed here. (3) MACHNHOPE laid off the hot pace here two back and closed with plenty, and she followed that up with a nice win last week at The Meadowlands; versatile mare is in with a big chance. (5) BETTORS HEART N was well back in last week's qualifying race across the river but she did pace home well after chasing that dawdling pace; Norman trainee is a proven entity here.

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Race 3: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mares Pace

(4) ALEXA SKYE probably should have won her initial start for the Cullipher barn but it was still a good effort where she was nipped by a sharp trip-sitting rival; Todd McCarthy has tactical options from a midpack post in this short field. (1) SEASWIFT JOY N was taken back in her last start and rallied decently from a no-chance spot; mare had been showing solid speed prior to that race and she almost can't help but be on the early lead here. (6) MACZAFFAIR N paced a big back half to beat a bit lesser in last and she's another from the Shane Tritton barn that will likely make an impact on this series.

Race 4: $12,500 Claiming Pace

(3) CONTROL TOWER tripped out to win at odds-on last week and the veteran stays at the winning level off the Adamczyk claim; he may well be a one-week rental so I'm sure he'll be all-out here. (2) P H KENNY was reclaimed by Williams Hernandez off a bit of a flat effort and he also stays at the bottom claiming level. (1) GIAS BOY hit town last week and gave it a shot pulling the pocket but couldn't clear the longshot leader; he also goes for a new barn tonight and draws inside again.

Race 5: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mares Pace

(1) SOHO BURNING LOVE A has been no worse than third in her last eight tries with a few wins sprinkled in so she arrives for this series in top form. These connections always have plenty of success in the Matchmaker. (4) LADY DELA RENTA A got away last in her most recent race and had zero chance after they went :28 1/5 to the quarter but she did finish with pace; I would expect Stratton to revert to speed tactics tonight. (5) BLUE IVY has been the Queen of the Opens at Northfield and The Meadows; we'll see how she stacks up against these.

Race 6: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) VELOCITY KOMODO has been facing some decent rivals recently in the NW6 class and the DiDomenico trainee may appreciate the move to NW5000. (2) HERRICKROOSEVELT N drops in class for the fourth consecutive start and he'll undoubtedly be favored to finally get the job done; no value, however. (3) MILITARY MASTER A gets Marohn back in the bike tonight and he doesn't have much early speed to his inside.

Race 7: Open Trot

(2) LINDSEY'S PRIDE fired to the front last week and absorbed plenty of pressure before caving in. His prior start he laid right off the pace, came uncovered and pounced in a lifetime mark. Kakaley is in a good spot to try those tactics again. (6) SWANSEA earns a trip back up to the Open ranks coming off his multiple-move win. (7) MELADY'S MONET went an interesting trip last week in the race that Swansea won. He looked all done after being overtaken but he re-rallied late and narrowed the gap. Classy 12-year-old can never be counted out.

Race 8: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) CINNABAR DRAGON finished with a ton of late pace last week signaling a return to form; he deserves a long look here. (2) BABES DIG ME returns from a start at Pocono and he's a great fit at this level; Bartlett's choice. (3) SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN takes a needed drop in class tonight.

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Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(7) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN drops from the Open and historically has done great at this level; poor post and presence of inside speed may make things difficult but the price should be right. (2) EYE OFA TIGER AS recently added hobbles but it looks like he's regressed in his last couple; Tetrick drives tonight. (4) THE LAST CHAPTER should be forwardly placed and sit a nice trip but he needs to show more late; use underneath.

Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) BAKERSFIELD has been off since September but he paced a solid back half in that blowout qualifier and the Garcia-Herrera trainee could be ready for action in this tough-to-figure finale. (5) SCRAPPIN GOLD moves out of the age-restricted class where he's just been picking up minor awards and he may go better here; Kakaley sticks. (3) SOHO LEVIATHAN A has raced pretty well in his last two versus lesser.