Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 3/3
2023 MEET STATS: 48 - 134 / $213.40 (-$54.60)
BEST BETS: 9 - 13 / $26.50 (+$0.50)
Best Bet: LIT DE ROSE (2nd)
Spot Play: L DEES JACK LOPEZ (10th)
Race 1: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) DISARONNO HILL hasn't really fired her best recently but her last win came at this level from an inside post; Holland should be able to work out a live trip from this spot. (7) VIOLETS RAINBOW hasn't been at this low a level in quite some time and the Bako trainee has been competitive with better recently; only problem is the outside post but that helps the price. (3) ROSE RUN VANTAGE turned things around in a big way last week and while she steps up to face better she appears sharp enough to be a big player. The 8/5 on the morning line hurts any chance at some value with her.
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Race 2: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
I hate to endorse (1) LIT DE ROSE at a very short price with a barn that's still shut out on the season but this classy mare should be able to dominate these. (3) VILLAGE JADE looks like the other main speed in here and Brennan will likely be looking to work out the pocket ride behind the favorite. (7) TECHYS ANGEL A needs help from out there but she's a nice closer and could sneak onto the ticket at a big price.
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Race 3: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(4) MAAJAACCKKOBE has always been an inconsistent sort but the 11-year old has grinded over $240K in earnings and he's raced well in two starts this year. He's sure to attract plenty of attention tonight with move into the Bako barn via last week's claim. (7) UNICO LEGEND N was an afterthought for ages but is suddenly a winning machine since Bartlett took over the lines. Post is a concern but aside from the top choice there doesn't appear to be a ton of early speed in here. (1) CASHNCAM returns from Freehold where he raced well in his last couple; he hasn't had much success recently when tagged for $15K but he can work out a live trip from the innermost post.
Race 4: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) SHOREVIEW finished with alert pace from far back in his first start off the DiDomenico claim; he gets major post relief as he's back in with claimers and he's been competitive with this type for a long time. (6) MINGO JOEL steps up in class off two solid wins and the sharp Engblom trainee is more than capable of taking another with Bartlett. (5) MARINER SEELSTER hasn't been at his sharpest recently as maybe age is catching up with this 14YO war horse but he still merits a mention with these.
Race 5: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N was dead-game on the front end in last week's upset score and he paid a big price considering two starts prior he was second best in a 1:53 3/5 mile. Gelding steps up a notch in class but doesn't face anything particularly special and perhaps Brennan can take these down the road again. (5) EDDARD HANOVER has rallied decently in his last couple and could do so again with Bartlett taking over the lines. (4) AIR FORCE HANOVER was baked up early getting to the lead and gave way under hard pressure last start; prior two resulted in decent second-place finishes.
Race 6: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) SEZANA N lacks the class of others in here but she has won three of her last six local races, including two back at the popular $50K claiming level; Braxton Boyd gets the call tonight and he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time with price horses. (5) UPTOWN HANOVER was run over by two class horses last week but did hold for a share; she hasn't won in a while but she's come close. (2) MORNING HAS BROKEN is most logical in here dropping back from the Open ranks and landing a good inside post but she won't offer much of a price.
Race 7: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A has been super to start his 14-year-old campaign and he's actually being protected by stepping up in claiming price. If he can get away on the front and rate a sensible pace there's no reason why he can't win again. (5) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN is another classy and speedy oldtimer who has been going pretty well of late and Bartlett figures to have him forwardly placed. (6) PEDRO HANOVER failed last week at 15 cents on the dollar and was claimed; price goes up if you're looking to recoup some of those losses.
Race 8: F&M Open Handicap Pace
Competitive affair here for only five horses. (3) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY was a non-factor last week but raced pretty gamely in her prior start, the first for the Engblom barn off the $50K claim. Bartlett has options from this spot and even with the short field she can offer some value. (4) LUCKY ARTIST A is at her best when on or near the lead, which definitely could be the trip tonight. (1) EASY TO PLEASE may be ready to show a little more in her second start off the bench.
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Race 9: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) BARON MICHAEL has just been "okay" in his last few but he lands the rail facing a pretty soft field and I can see the aggressive Holland trying to take these down the road. (4) I DRAINTHESWAMP A has been facing better recently with mixed results and has been burning money along the way; he'll take money again here as one of the main contenders. (2) CAVIART SARGENT is tough to endorse based on his current form but he's clearly capable of better, judging by his record last year.
Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) L DEES JACK LOPEZ was a well-driven and easy winner last start facing NW5000 types; recent addition to the Erv Miller steps up a level but doesn't seem to face that much tougher and he figures to be close to the front throughout. (1) LYONS PEGASUS clearly has problems as evidenced by last week's break while on the lead and the fact that the 7-year-old only has 58 lifetime starts but he does have talent and can be a player if he minds his manners. Bartlett opts to #3, however. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM has been burning all sorts of cash recently; use caution.