Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 3/15
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2024 MEET STATS: 37 - 136 / $239.60 (-$32.40)
BEST BETS: 7 - 11 / $23.10 (+$1.10)
BEST BET: LIT DE ROSE (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: KINDA LUCKY LINDY (2nd)
Race 1: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) MISS DOTTIE MAE draws the rail tonight and it gives the aggressive Holland a chance to attempt charging down the road with this mare. Price should be good with #2 expected to take all the money. (2) FAVORITE BEACH drops in class, changes barns to Engblom, changes drivers back to Bartlett, draws well. Odds-on? (5) LUCKY ARTIST A also gets some needed class relief and should be more involved.
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Race 2: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #1 Pace
Hard to believe it's Matchmaker and Borgata time already...didn't we just crown the winners? (2) LIT DE ROSE looks like she hasn't skipped a beat coming back off hiatus. Interesting driver change here with Scott Zeron now in the bike for the now Mike Lachance trainee. I think we may be in for some more aggressive handling. (6) DELITFULCATHERIN N was dropped in for a tag in her last start and the class relief helped get her going again; mare is more than proven with these top-class types and will offer value if Stratton can get her involved. (4) MIKALA already has two wins over this surface this year and is probably ready off the brief freshening.
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Race 3: F&M NW12301 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) JENDEN STRIKE A almost got it done last week at a big price and as mentioned a couple of times recently these imports for the Cushing outfit have been doing well here. (2) TWIN B SUNKISSED gets post relief for Burke/Gingras and will be on or near the lead. (6) ROCKN PHILLY is loaded with back class and the Noel Daley trainee figures to be tighter making her second seasonal start but this is a tough spot; maybe use underneath at a price.
Race 4: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #1 Pace
(5) CREME DELIGHT has been a model of consistency in Northfield's Open for months and if the Burke outfit sees fit to give her a go in the Matchmaker I'll bite, likely at a fair price. (1) TONY'S MOM has been sensational since joining the Engblom barn and she's progressed all the way to the penthouse. Controlling speed from the rail. (3) KARMA SEELSTER has been a mainstay in the Yonkers Opens since last year's Matchmaker.
Race 5: NW10861 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) OUTSIDE THE FIRE has picked up his game recently at The Meadowlands and the Lorentzon trainee finds a good spot for his local return. (5) BARRY BLACK takes a needed drop in class and is always competitive at this level. 13YO French import can still bring it. (1) SWEET SOUL DAVID tried it off the pace last week and was a non-threatening third; we'll likely see speed tactics again.
Race 6: F&M NW8007 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) A GIRL THAT TWIRLS shipped in from Ohio last week to join the Engblom barn and she raced reasonably well for a piece. Tonight she gets some class and post relief and I expect Bartlett to be sending her. (1) HALLELUJAH HANOVER came up short to #3 last start but with the posts reversed I'll lean in her favor for a bigger share. (3) VILLAGE JADE woke up nicely in that recent start for Burke and she could build off that effort.
Race 7: F&M NW21891 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) OKINAWA BEACH A was outgamed last week in a solid try and doesn't seem to face any standouts on the bump in class; I'll give the Bako mare another try. (4) UPTOWN HANOVER is logical on the class drop but may be overbet. (1) REC TIME had a pretty solid 2 and 3YO campaigns and she makes her aged debuts coming off of three local qualifiers. Dexter Dunn is here and picks up the catch drive.
Race 8: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) KINDA LUCKY LINDY isn't that far removed from back-to back solid efforts, and he also scored in his 2023 finale. Veteran has been earning his keep at these levels for years and still seems capable of popping up with a winning effort. (4) TEXSONG SOPRANO gets class and post relief, both of which make the 4YO a logical player, but that low ML isn't that appealing. (1) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS dropped and popped last week for the live connections of Gillis and Stratton; contender.
Race 9: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #1 Pace
(3) INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW returns to Yonkers from her Delaware base, where she was a solid second last week in a needed start, and she makes her way back into the Cory Stratton barn. Mare had a good season here in 2023 and was a Matchmaker finalist. (5) INTOTHEMYSTICMOON is another from the Burke family who ships back from her Ohio base to take part in this series. She was a winner in her lone Yonkers appearance. (1) RACINE BELL needs no introduction as she's been one of the top mares in North America for a few years but I don't think she's firing on all cylinders yet.
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Race 10: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
Interesting battle of the "A" mares here, as all are designated with that letter as Down-Under imports. Is it possible that (1) ELLAS REASON A is ready to go off just one qualifier on these shores? Mare joins the Doug Dilloian, Jr. barn after an eight-win season in 2023 and these connections can send them ready. (3) MAGICAL MAYA A raced well upon arrival from Saratoga and Mark Macdonald drives again for Stalbaum. (2) NO WIN NO FEED A was a pocket-sitting winner last out from a similar spot and is clearly capable of repeating.
Race 11: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(8) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL has come up big in each start since being claimed by the DiDomenico barn; we know the eight hole is tough but I'll take a shot at a price on this gelding who very well could have been the favorite had he drawn inside. (3) PASSA GRILLE BEACH is back from The Big M and he does have four Yonkers wins in 20 starts over the last two seasons; nice driver change to Gingras. (7) SHARK PLAY has been much-improved for top connections but we haven't seen a ton of early speed from this guy.
Race 12: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot
(3) HAT TRICK MARLEAU was second best after cutting the mile on last week's drop in class and the Bucci trainee should have a clear path to the front again; maybe. (6) STREET GOSSIP has back class and versatility; veteran missed a nose last out. (2) BEERTHIRTY K rarely wins but always comes away with money.