Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 4/14
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2023 MEET STATS: 101 - 301 / $448.10 (-$153.90)
BEST BETS: 18 - 28 / $57.50 (+$1.50)
BEST BET: MAJESTIC KIWI N (5th)
SPOT PLAY: B LIKE CRUISER (9th)
Race 1: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(1) SULLIVAN failed to fire in two starts while up in class for his new connections but he drops back to the level of the claim and he's been most successful with this type; Dexter Dunn picks up the drive and he can be in line for a live trip. (3) MACINTOSH N is back in the pari-mutuel wars off a winning (but unnecessary) qualifier and the 14YO is still going strong. (2) DESIRE'S CAPTIAN shook free with decent pace last week from a similar spot; veteran could be a board threat.
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Race 2: F&M NW32251 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) PURE SILKY must have felt loaded with pace to Bartlett last week because he swung out wide to avoid potentially getting trapped in and she did rally well but spotted the winner too much ground. 4-year-old mare faces some equally sharp rivals here but may have a tactical edge. (2) MILLWOOD BONNIE N has been a cash machine with nearly $85K banked in 9 starts this year and in this short field she's primed for another prosperous effort. (5) ROCKN PHILLY is probably coming from last in this small field but she's as good as any class-wise and could grind into the top three.
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Race 3: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mares Pace Leg #5
(2) LUCKY ARTIST A has raced well in every leg of this series and she gets a post edge on her main rivals; Bucci trainee deserves top billing. (6) MABALENE N has fired off the gate in every start but has faltered late in most of them. If she can show some more late stamina then watch out! (5) GOTTHEGREENLIGHT was bet down to the favorite last week but didn't really fire from the pocket. 4-year-old has made money through the series but the best she's done is finish third one time. Not sure what kind of trip she's looking at here.
Race 4: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(3) MINGO JOEL looked very strong winning last week and he faces much of the same tonight; repeats. (2) DIVISION BELL had late pace but got going way too late coming out of the top choice's race; logic would dictate he'll be closer tonight. (1) MARTY MONKHOUSER A gave way under intense pressure from #4 but we've seen this 14YO bounce back from a tiring effort numerous times.
Race 5: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(5) MAJESTIC KIWI N almost got to the tiring winner last week in a greatly improved effort; Dunn drives again tonight and this veteran is clearly the one to beat. (7) TOATSMYGOATS gapped a bit chasing the leader last out and that's a couple of starts in a row where he's tired but his early speed still makes him a legit player. (2) AWESOMENESS gets post relief and doesn't have much to beat to finish third.
Race 6: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mares Pace Leg #5
(1) DOUGS BABE A was finally put in play in the early stages last week and responded by rolling by a sharp rival from the pocket; Norman import will prove tough again with a similar effort. (5) LIT DE ROSE flew past the field for the score last week; Lachance trainee has been closing a ton in all recent but don't forget she's got speed off the gate as well. (3) KARMA SEELSTER was nailed by #5 last week after a good try and Kakaley may have his sights set on the early lead tonight.
Race 7: F&M NW22751 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) VIOLETS RAINBOW rated a comfortable pace last week for the second start in a row but she proved no match for the pocket rocket (#6 in here). With another inside post the Bako trainee should be able to make amends. (3) BELLADONNA GIRL A was a decent second in her seasonal debut, obviously a needed start after time on the bench. Shane Tritton trainee figures to be forwardly placed again, perhaps stalking the top choice. (6) CHERYLS SHADOW has been extremely good though four starts this year for the Dilloian barn but she gets a bigger test tonight having drawn outside her main competition.
Race 8: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mares Pace Leg #5
We have another matchup here with rivals Drama Act and Racine Bell, but I'm taking another stab with (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N. Gillis trainee almost got to the $2.10-paying Drama Act last week and I think she's nearly as talented as the top mares in here, and will clearly be the better price. She needs the points as well. (2) RACINE BELL took last week off and will be tuning up for the final tonight. Obviously can win if things shake out for her. (1) DRAMA ACT will coast into the final after having raced in all the prelims. Does Brennan insist on the front tonight?
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Race 9: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) B LIKE CRUISER was put in play last week from the outside but it didn't work out; gelding now limps into the basement condition desperately looking for a wakeup call, and note he was a 1:53 3/5 winner when last in this class. (1) SOUTHPORT BEACH arrives from The Meadowlands, where he's been just okay recently; Bongiorno charge gets Bartlett in the bike facing a bit softer. (7) ROCK LIGHTS draws the worst post again for Stratton. I looked at him last week at a big price, so I might as well again.
Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) ROCKIN JUKEBOX raced well in his last two starts at this level and the gelding appears overdue for a local win. (5) BELTANE A found an easy spot last week and converted at odds-on. Classy veteran bumps back up a notch and is definitely capable of stringing a couple of wins together. (2) ENVIRONS HANOVER was bet to even money making only his second start in almost a year and he didn't fire at all. Price goes up tonight if you want to give him another chance.
Race 11: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) MCMARKLE SPARKLE moved to the Engblom barn before last week's Matchmaker start and she didn't rally on the rim in a race dominated by the frontrunners. She's a legit Open-level mare when right and she should be able to beat these. (7) MILIEU HANOVER was well driven to the win last start and Boyd drives again but has to contend with the outside post; maybe underneath. (3) GINGER TREE LIZ woke up with last week's class drop and maybe she can build on that effort despite losing Bartlett to the favorite.