Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 4/2
MEET STATS: 87 - 249 / $487.10 (-$10.90)
BEST BETS: 12 - 25 / $41.30 (-$8.70)
Best Bet: MELADY’S MONET (9th)
Spot Play: SILAS SEELSTER (10th)
Race 1: $12,500 Claiming Pace
(1) MILITARY MASTER A was a good second in his last two and the Lance Hudson-trained veteran now drops in for a tag; facing similar, if not easier from the best post clearly makes him the one to beat. (2) ARI ALLSTAR returns locally and is reunited with Brennan, who has had success with him in the past. Like the top choice, he’s also in for the $12,500 tag. (5) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY was completely wiped out last week; prior to that race which can just be tossed he's been performing well.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: Blue Chip Matchmaker Pacing Series
(2) KEEP ROCKIN A was conservatively handled last week but did finish with good energy. From a better post in this small field will Tetrick take control? (3) CAVIART CHERIE has sat close up in the first three rounds of the series and finished well in each; similar trip looms tonight so she can be counted on for a nice share. (5) BLUE IVY has been great and is pretty much locked up for the final so from this outside post I'll use her underneath tonight.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 3: Blue Chip Matchmaker Pacing Series
(4) MACHNHOPE took last week off but in round two she eyeballed Snobbytown and edged by late. Repeat performance tonight? (3) SNOBBYTOWN was solid on the front end last week and Brennan will be looking to wire these again. (5) SIESTA BEACH hasn't put in a bad effort in ages and has turned out to be a great claim (for the base of $20K a few months ago) but she gets unlucky again tonight drawing outside.
Race 4: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) BAKERSFIELD was very disappointing two back when he stopped on the lead but he came from off the pace last week and finished well; Garcia-Herrera trainee finds a pretty soft field and I'll get sucked in again. (8) DEETZY didn't get involved last out and draws outside again; I have to believe Tetrick will take a shot leaving the gate. (1) CHANGE STRIDE N draws the innermost post and figures to be sitting a nice trip.
Race 5: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) MAJOR BUCKS tried taking the field down the road last week in his debut off the Jenn Bongiorno claim and held them all off but one; he draws best here and I'm sure the strategy will be the same. (4) ALEPPO HANOVER has just one win over the last two seasons so it's hard to get excited about him in the top slot but this looks like a good spot here for Brennan to be aggressive early and look to work out a live trip close-up. (5) AWESOMENESS also isn't the most prolific of winners but he does fit well at this level.
Race 6: Open Trot
(3) LINDSEY'S PRIDE failed to get involved in his last two from poor posts but he lands a much-improved spot here in this open draw giving Kakaley some tactical options; I'll give him top billing. (1) ARABELLA'S CADET isn't the smoothest-looking trotter and she did jump it off two back but she was a solid winner last week grinding by the rating leader; Jenn Bongiorno trainee draws the best post making her the one to beat. (6) SWANSEA has worked his way back to the Open ranks and he came up just shy to Stormy Kromer last out; he does have early speed if Siegelman wants to go that route.
Race 7: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) GIVENUPDREAMING has been in tough spots in a number of recent races but tonight he gets to drop in class and lands a better post; he deserves a serious look with Brennan picking up the drive. (2) BILL HALEY N also drops a bit and seems way overdue; maybe the new pilot Stratton will have better luck with the Lance Hudson trainee. (3) GENIUS MAN shifts over from the NW6 ranks and has some early speed; Bartlett's choice.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 8: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) BETTOR THAN SPRING returns locally off a win at The Meadows and seems to have a bit more class than these but beware that barnmate Dancin Dragon followed the same pattern the other night and was no good. (2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A dropped and popped last week; he's back up to NW7500 but should be competitive from this good post. (3) BELTANE A has been "ok" recently and he gets a new driver tonight in Marohn, Jr.
Race 9: NW16475 in last 5 starts Trot
(5) MELADY'S MONET dominated similar last week at odds-on and he pretty much gets a free ride tonight; another short price looming on this ultra-classy trotter. (3) IN MY DREAMS recovered well from a gate break last week and overall he's been good lately; Laterza trainee can fill out the exacta. (4) BARRY BLACK hasn't been at his best but last week's effort was better and he's right back in to go, and from an improved post.
Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) SILAS SEELSTER was uncovered into a well-rated odds-on frontrunner, could not threaten but held well, just missing second. He can get there with a better trip. (1) KEYSTONE PHOENIX drops to NW7500, draws best and is supposed to beat these, but I just don't trust him at a short price. (6) CENTURY FURY beat a weak field last week for Team Bongiorno and didn't look all that great doing it, but he was off time and an injured scratch, so maybe he can have more to offer now facing better.