Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 3/29
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2024 MEET STATS: 68 - 224 / $400.60 (-$47.40)
BEST BETS: 11 - 19 / $39.50 (+$1.50)
BEST BET: LUCKY ARTIST A (9th)
SPOT PLAY: KASHA V (1st)
Race 1: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot
(3) KASHA V is a legit talent who has gone off the rails recently but he returns with the hobbles added and qualified sharply; hopefully he's ready to turn things around. (2) CHAMBA was good in defeat last week after cutting the mile from the eight hole; big threat moving inside. (1) MAX just missed two back at the NW7500 level with Mark Macdonald driving and he's back in the bike tonight.
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Race 2: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) GINGER TREE LIZ takes an important drop in class and gets Bartlett in the bike. This feels like a prime opportunity to get aggressively put into play. (1) COWGIRL LILLY steps up a notch off a loss but she does have plenty of back class and should be able to secure up-close position from the rail. (3) BETTER WATCH IT grinded out a win last week at the NW5000 level and she's another with class as evidenced by her gaudy record from 2023.
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Race 3: F&M NW10801 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) ROCKN PHILLY lost last week to a rival with a big late burst but it was an improved effort and she's got too much class to ignore from this spot. (3) ON THE MONEY GB went well in her first off the Garcia-Herrera claim and she's likely to offer good value again. (6) HEAVENS SHOWGIRL A drops but with little current form; she was an odds-on winner when last in this class but I have mixed feelings here; using underneath.
Race 4: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #3 F&M Pace
(5) DOUGS BABE A has raced well through two legs of the series but has had too much to do in the late stages; mare lands another poor post but I wonder if Dexter Dunn has plans on being more aggressive and sending her off the gate. (1) JIVE DANCING A has always been a quality mare and now she's a Matchmaker prelim winner; landing the rail again makes her a major player again. (2) KARMA SEELSTER figures to be situated just off the speed and is in line for a good share.
Race 5: F&M NW16131 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE has been super in two starts since moving to the Bongiorno barn and while she gets tested for class here I'll give her the call; Dunn picks up the drive. (2) FAVORITE BEACH has been a consistent player for an extended period of time and has been in form for two different trainers. Now in the Engblom barn she's got speed from an inside draw. (1) MORNING HAS BROKEN steps back up off a couple of strong efforts.
Race 6: F&M NW5651 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) BETTERB CHEVRON N has a clear class edge on these and I doubt Siegelman will want to be sitting last with her; obviously her chances will be dictated by her start. (1) SILENT CROSSING has burned plenty of money in her last two local races and is 0 for 9 and counting on the season; good luck with her at 6/5 morning line. (2) TARGARYEN EMPRESS gets much-needed post relief and can save ground to land a share.
Race 7: NW10000 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) PARISO trotted a good last half to win in her local arrival and debut for the Shane Tritton barn; mare may have more to offer. (3) HOOLIE N HECTOR drops, gets needed post relief and will be much more involved here. (1) THE LAST CHAPTER also drops a notch and has controlling speed from the rail.
Race 8: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) IMMANUEL K S had three decent on-the-board finishes to start the year then went on the shelf for five weeks but the Engblom trainee is back in action off a sharp qualifier at Pocono and regular driver Bartlett is in the bike. Moderate class drop can get him over the top. (1) GRINDER drops back to the level where had a win and a second earlier on the year and Yannick drives again from the rail. (5) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is a sharp one moving up in class and will offer a price.
Race 9: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) LUCKY ARTIST A seemed to have found the winning spot last week and the classy mare responded with a sharp front-end score. She doesn't seem to face anyone that imposing on the bump up in class as she looks to repeat. (5) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY had a clear path to the front last out and waltzed around the track with a :59 half. Bartlett won't have nearly as easy a time of it tonight as there's speed to her inside but the sharp mare from good connections is hard to ignore. (4) MC ANGEL gets Holland in the bike and figures to revert to speed tactics.
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Race 10: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #3 F&M Pace
(1) TONY'S MOM is back on the rail and in a controlling position; look for her to seat everyone and back down the pace like in round #1. (2) CREME DELIGHT has been okay so far after arriving from Northfield and the draw gives her a good chance for a solid piece. (5) LIT DE ROSE came with her usual late pace last week but it wasn't enough. What does Lachance do at the start with this near-millionaire?
Race 11: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #3 F&M Pace
(1) DELITFULCATHERIN N has a pair of second-place finishes so far in the series and overall she seems to be back in midseason form. Landing the rail looks to give her the tactical edge. (4) INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW overcame a tough trip in round one to get up by a nose but was not so lucky last week. Apparent lack of early speed puts her at a disadvantage. (2) RACINE BELL took last week off after giving way in round one; maybe a comfortable rail trip is what she needs.
Race 12: NW5421 in last 5 starts Trot
(3) STREET GOSSIP is 0 for 8 with just one board placing this year but he drops to the lowest level he's seen and should be able to wire these. (2) LUCKY WEEKEND doesn't win often but a repeat of that effort from two back puts him right there at the wire. (7) NEWSBOY hasn't been close in four starts since being claimed for $40K and he lands another poor post; figure he has to turn it around eventually.