Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 3/17

2023 MEET STATS: 66 - 194 / $300.00 (-$88.00)

BEST BETS: 11 - 18 / $34.00 (-$2.00)

Best Bet: MIKI ROSE (7^th)

Spot Play: DELITFULCATHERIN N (8^th)

Race 1: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(2) ROBBIE BURNS N was outfinished in the late stages last week after clearing command from the outside post and sitting the pocket but I liked the effort and that's two solid races since being claimed for $15K. Veteran gets post relief and should be in the thick of the action again. (5) STATEMENT MADE A has also been rock-solid since being claimed by these connections. Bako trainee stays at the winning level looking to double up. (3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN lingered at the back as no threat last start but he finished with plenty of late interest. Maybe he's better coming from behind at this point in his career.

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Race 2: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(1) MINGO JOEL returns locally from a failed try at Pocono in their claiming series and he's priced back at the $15K level, the class he rolled over in two straight last month. (5) TOATSMYGOATS can fly off the gate and that's set him up with pocket trips and second-place finishes in his last three Yonkers starts. Veteran never gets any respect, as he was sent off at 22/1, 18/1 and 103/1 in those races. (3) MAAJAACKKOBE has been good in two starts for these connections and he looks destined for a close-up following trip from this spot.

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Race 3: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) DARK ENERGY N woke up in a big way last week with the drop in class and was just nipped late. Stratton trainee does move from the rail to the middle of the pack and could be looking at an off-the-pace try tonight. (4) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N also showed up with a better effort last out despite tiring in a race ultimately timed in 1:53 3/5. Import drops again and appears to be trending in the right direction. (3) GENTLEMANJIM II IE returns locally after a good placing over at The Meadowlands but he may be the favorite here and keep in mind he's been shut out of the win column at Yonkers for the last two-plus seasons.

Race 4: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mares Pace Leg #1

Stakes action gets underway this season with the first leg of the popular Matchmaker series. Last year's champ (4) DRAMA ACT has come back just fine this season, already with three wins and $56K banked. With the post edge on her primary rival (#7) the Burke trainee gets the call. (5) INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW didn't do much in a start here in January but she's been live recently out of town, lands in a decent spot here and could add some value. (7) RACINE BELL was nipped at the wire by Drama Act in last week's Open but she closed sharply the start prior, a vast improvement from her first start off the bench. She's got the early speed to overcome the outside draw.

Race 5: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mares Pace Leg #1

(6) AMAZING DREAM N makes her seasonal debut and the Toscano trainee figures to be tight enough coming off of three qualifiers. This looks like the weaker of tonight's three divisions which could help her get off on the right foot. (7) EASY TO PLEASE has just been okay in three seasonal starts but she had a solid run in last year's Matchmaker; she should be considered despite the poor post. (3) LIT DE ROSE has had a ton of local success recently for Lachance; player.

Race 6: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) ROCKN PHILLY was sent to the front last week and easily proved best; Daley trainee is an Open-type talent when on her game.(4) MILLWOOD BONNIE N had won four straight coming into last week's race but she faced a bit better and could not last on the front end; Gingras is back driving and she figures to be forwardly placed again. (6) PROBERT is a legit talent shipping in from Saratoga and she joins the Cory Stratton barn. She may have to pass them all, however; use underneath for now.

Race 7: F&M NW25000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) MIKI ROSE had a very useful seasonal debut and followed that up with a second-place effort behind Rockn Philly. Engblom trainee finds a good spot here and looks ready to score. (1) MAN DONTFORGET ME blasted to the front at a big price last start and steadily faded; she drops a notch and moves all the way inside looking for a live trip. (8) FADE OUT finished very strongly to nail it coming right off the bench. Outside post obviously presents a major problem but the Cullipher trainee deserves respect coming off that effort.

Race 8: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mares Pace Leg #1

(1) DELITFULCATHERIN N has been a model of consistency with numerous top-three finishes at the Open level and she lands the rail here; I expect her to be the one to catch. (3) GIA'S SURREAL had her moments with a solid 2022 campaign and she surely needed last week's start; Bartlett is back driving tonight. (5) LUCKY ARTIST A beat the top choice last week and she too has been a major moneymaker at the top levels here.

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

(1) WESTBEACH took advantage of the major post relief last week by going wire to wire; she steps up a notch but is classy enough to repeat. (3) DARBY HANOVER rallied well for the place spot last start and now she moves in a few spots which makes the Daley trainee very dangerous. (7) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS dropped and popped with a big wire-to-wire score but she's been competitive with this type in the past as well; does Stratton try blasting again?

Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) MOMENTSTHATMATTER has just been picking up minor awards of late while facing age-restricted $50K claimers but he drops to this NW7500 level and may find these more to his liking; showing some early speed would be helpful. (3) BARON MICHAEL has been third back in four out of seven races this year; he can better that placing with a smooth trip. (7) CAVIART SARGENT has been much-improved in his last two and this barn had a couple of live starters the other night; post obviously presents a problem, however.