Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 3/25
MEET STATS: 60 - 202 / $286.90 (-$117.10)
BEST BETS: 9 - 19 / $36.00 (-$2.00)
Best Bet: KEEP ROCKIN A (7th)
Spot Play: FROMASHESTOASHES N (1st)
Race 1: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) FROMASHESTOASHES N gets major post relief in his second start at this bottom level and the Garcia-Herrera trainee figures to be aggressively handled by Dube. (5) MOHAWK WARRIOR missed last week's race with a transportation scratch but he's right back in and the veteran should go well with this type. (3) SMOKIN BY N moves to the inside of the gate tonight but he really hasn't shown enough to justify his low morning line.
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Race 2: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) MICKY GEE N has finally seemed to have found his stride and Bartlett gets the drive tonight. I know he'll be overbet but I'll be a sucker and hop on board. (1) STELLAR YANKEE is more Garcia-Herrera stock that has woken up and he should be in line for a good trip from this spot. (3) MAJOR BETTS has really disappointed in his last two as the favorite and the Bongiorno trainee will take money again.
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Race 3: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(5) IN SPADES has recent wins at the $30K and $40K claiming levels and now he drops in for a reduced tag coming off a lame scratch but that qualifier seems to indicate he's good to go and Bartlett sticks with the Dowse trainee. (4) PACING MAJOR N has found the winning level and the Pete Tritton-trained veteran import goes for three straight. (1) MACH TIME N has been a totally different horse this year though he did give way under pressure last out.
Race 4: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mare FFA Leg #2 Pace
(1) SCARLETT HANOVER was forced to come uncovered in her first start of the season last week and can be excused for tiring. Burke-trained 4YO now draws the rail and the trip will be much more favorable. (7) RACINE BELL saved ground and flew up the rail to just miss in round one; she's got the speed to overcome the outside draw and Bartlett will have her in play. Seems like a crapshoot for the rest but (2) DELITFULCATHERIN N should be sitting close to the front and can hold for a piece.
Race 5: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mare FFA Leg #2 Pace
(6) DRAMA ACT was on cruise control in round one, never having an anxious moment. She does face some legit speed to her inside but if not roughed up too much she can repeat. (1) DRAGON ROLL successfully pulled off the wire-to-wire win last week, just holding over rivals on both sides. Todd McCarthy can decide the trip tonight. (4) EASY TO PLEASE has come a long way for the Cory Stratton barn and they were rewarded with a Matchmaker win. It figures to be a bit tougher tonight.
Race 6: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mare FFA Leg #2 Pace
(2) SIESTA BEACH finished with plenty of pace last week after slipping out third over late in the mile. Devita trainee is a proven talent and with a favorable trip she seems capable of the mild upset. (4) MISS YOU N put in a big effort in defeat in round one and now finds a better spot. She obviously has a huge chance to win this but will offer no value. (3) LIT DE ROSE has been a big money earner since shipping in for Lachance and she's clearly the best of the rest here.
Race 7: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mare FFA Leg #2 Pace
(4) KEEP ROCKIN A paced a huge back half and just came up a little short last week upon arrival; Cullipher trainee draws a bit better in this six-horse affair and seems primed for a victory. (3) MACHINHOPE was too far back last week and never got involved. Last year's champ lands in a much better spot. (1) MYSTICAL CARRIE draws best giving driver Marcus Miller options as the mare looks to upset again.
Race 8: Open Handicap Trot
(3) MISSISSIPPI STORM was a confident winner last week on the dropdown and now he lands the best post of the main contenders; he's more than capable of repeating. (5) WARRIOR ONE is back from The Meadowlands after a failed try there and he figures to be hustled away from the gate. (2) HAYEK finished in behind the top one last week and he's been good for an extended period of time despite still being shut out of the win column; Engblom trainee can come away with a good share.
Race 9: 3-5YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(4) BOLT OF LUCK was in a little too tough last out facing straight $40K claimers and he had missed time prior to that start. This level is more to his liking. (1) MOONIGHT SHADOW also shifts back to this age-restricted event and draws best. (6) KEYSTONE DASH has done nothing in his last three but he does have some ability and we've seen him fire from the gate in the past. With Bartlett driving for Dowse I'll give him a peek at what should be a good price.
Race 10: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) SECRET BRO makes his second start back off a two-month layoff, finds a pretty soft field and is reunited with Joe Bongiorno. (7) STEUBEN HANOVER debuts for Burke off the $75K claim and I wonder if we're going to see some early speed from this one. (2) HOCKEY HANOVER is in great shape and goes for three straight overall.
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Race 11: 3-5YO $50,000 Claiming Pace
(1) SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL showed solid improvement in his second seasonal start for Jenn Bongiorno, finishing second in 1:53 4/5 at Freehold. 4-year-old may be ready to tackle these. (4) AIR GUITAR went down the road from the eight hole last week and Bartlett drives again off the Mark Ford claim; if he maintains his form for new connections he'll obviously have a big chance. (3) FEELIN WESTERN returns from Monticello for Cory Stratton and Jordan is back in the bike; consider.
Race 12: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) AWESOME TRIX was looming late but broke in her last pari-mutuel try and followed that up with a solid 1:55 3/5 qualifier. Talent is obviously there if she can mind her manners. (3) B NICKING recovered well from a break last week and is a big threat to take these all the way. (6) THE LAST CHAPTER is a classy veteran bumping up off a win and he's capable of stringing multiple good efforts together.