Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 3/19
MEET STATS: 87 - 249 / $487.10 (-$10.90)
BEST BETS: 12 - 25 / $41.30 (-$8.70)
Best Bet: BETTOR’S HEART N (3rd)
Spot Play: BAKERSFIELD (6th)
Race 1: $12,500 Claiming Pace
(1) WAVES OF FIRE A has just been pacing evenly of late and hasn't won a race in the last year or so but he was claimed last week by DiDomenico and this veteran had plenty of success in that barn a couple of seasons ago. (2) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY returned to the win column last start and the Garcia-Herrera trainee is a clear threat to repeat. (8) P H KENNY was claimed again and now starts for the Devita barn, which has been live with most of their stock; eight hole is a problem but perhaps he can land a piece.
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Race 2: Blue Chip Matchmaker Pacing Series
(3) ALEXA SKYE was a powerful winner last week in round one of the series and she'll be heavily favored to repeat. (1) MY REUBE STAR N folded badly on the front end after rating a comfortable pace and she was one of a few Shane Tritton trainees who underperformed last week; clearly she's talented enough to rebound. (2) KEEP ROCKIN A was scratched out of the first leg (says late for Lasix…don't quite understand that) but the Jim King Jr. trainee is right back in the box looking to make up for lost time.
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Race 3: Blue Chip Matchmaker Pacing Series
(2) BETTOR'S HEART N closed with plenty of pace last week but was stuck behind stale cover and had too far to some. Trip shouldn't be a problem tonight. (4) BLUE IVY made her local debut a winning one with a strong late charge at 6/1. Sharp mare can repeat. (6) SOHO BURNING LOVE A was no match for Blue Ivy last week and now is stuck in the worst post; she's capable if things go her way.
Race 4: Blue Chip Matchmaker Pacing Series
(3) MACHNHOPE drew away with ease in round one and the Noel Daley charge should have little trouble repeating with a similar effort. (2) CAVIART CHERIE has been all over the class map in her career but she's going very well now and should be in line for a smooth trip. (6) MACZAFFAIR N didn't fire at all last week (like her barn-mates) and she's stuck outside again but she has closed powerfully in prior efforts over the last couple of months.
Race 5: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) VELOCITY KOMODO dropped to this level last week, loomed but made an untimely break; gelding deserves another chance. (7) CHACHING HANOVER certainly fits well with this type and can be considered despite the poor post. (1) ROCK N BLUE raced pretty well last out in what was certainly a needed start and now he draws best.
Race 6: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) BAKERSFIELD tried taking a better field down the road in his first start off the bench and he came up a bit short late; veteran should be tighter tonight and deserves top billing. (1) SOHO LEVIATHAN A was a good second at this level two back from the eight hole and he figures to be in line for a live trip. (6) ARTMAGIC also drops to the NW5000 level and he's got back class to call upon; Bartlett's choice.
Race 7: Open Handicap Trot
(2) SWANSEA earned a trip back up to the Open ranks and finished well after being reserved early. DiDomenico trainee is sharp again and is a proven commodity with these. (3) MELADY'S MONET lands an improved post and gets Stratton back (with Brennan driving the Burke entrant); 12-year-old can never be counted out. (7) STORMY KROMER took a week off after encountering a brutal trip; probably looking at a price on him tonight.
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Race 8: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) AMERICAN BOY N returns from The Meadowlands and is generally accustomed to facing better than these; classy import lands a good inside post and has plenty of early speed. (4) HERRICKROOSEVELT N finally got the job done (at 1/5 odds) last week and Stratton seems to get along well with him; player. (1) CAROLINA MAGIC raced okay in his last two but was just too far back to threaten; post relief helps.
Race 9: NW16500 in last 5 starts Trot
In a tough race to figure, (4) LIFETIME ROYALTY broke last week at The Meadowlands but his prior local efforts certainly seemed fast enough and he does have some early speed. Dube's choice is worth a look at his listed 20/1 morning line. (1) WHETHER OR NOT FI does have two wins here this year, though against lesser. Move all the way back inside figures to help. (2) BARRY BLACK was dull in his last start, and that was three weeks ago; mixed feelings.
Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A has underachieved a bit this year but he generally races well from inside posts and he should be a decent price in this wide-open finale. (6) EPIC ACE seems to be on the improve and he gets some class relief. (1) IDEAL WHEEL closed crisply to be second best at a big price last out; he faces better but it's hard to ignore anything from this barn.