Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 4/21
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2023 MEET STATS: 112 - 333 / $497.90 (-$168.10)
BEST BETS: 21 - 31 / $66.50 (+$4.50)
BEST BET: BELTANE A (9th)
SPOT PLAY: FOLLOW YOUR HEART (4th)
Race 1: NW5000 in last 5 starts/Opt $12.5K Clm Pace
(1) SILENT SPLENDOR is 0 for 11 and counting this year but the Garcia-Herrera trainee drops to a new low and appears to have found the winning spot. (4) GARDYS LEGACY A qualified in a fast time last week but wasn't exactly lighting the world on fire in prior starts; still in this soft field the import merits serious consideration. (3) YER SO BAD has just one on-the-board finish this season but is a steady check-earner.
Race 2: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
Solid field for five horses. (1) JIVE DANCING A hasn't put in a bad effort all year but has just one win to show for it. She can be very stubborn when put on the front end, which Dube can choose to do from the pole position. (3) MAN DONTFORGET ME drops out of the Matchmaker series where she finished well in all three attempts. Mare faces some speed inside of her but could work out the perfect stalking trip. (2) PURE SILKY has been a killer for the Lance Hudson barn and it will be interesting to see if Bartlett is denied the lead.
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Race 3: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK moves into the Gillis barn and finds a softer spot here than he's been used to. I wouldn't be surprised if he made an impact first time out for his new connections. (2) BETTER B SWIFT also changes hands via the $25K claim by Blumenfeld and he lands the leading driver. (5) ENVIRONS HANOVER was flat two starts back and broke late from the pocket last week. Making his fourth start after a long layoff it's time to get back on track.
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Race 4: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(4) FOLLOW YOUR HEART has a poor record over the last couple of seasons but he was a solid winner three back at Philly and last week Siegelman pulled him early and he attacked the heavy favorite through a quick middle half before tiring. He may be sitting on a big effort tonight. (2) TOATSMYGOATS has speed, an inside draw and is arguably the most logical selection, but he's also been coming up a bit short recently. (1) ROCK N TONY qualified effectively and figures to be close up throughout.
Race 5: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(6) MINK STREET hasn't found life as rewarding since shipping from Northfield, where he was riding a four-race winning streak, but he takes a drop in class here and the 4-year-old could be a threat to take these the distance. (5) MINGO JOEL has been huge in his last few but he goes for new connections off the claim and they stuff him right back in for the same price. He's got a built-in excuse if he fails. (2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A was trapped in last week so don't hold that against him. Oldtimer can still bring it.
Race 6: NW5881 in last 5 starts/Opt $12,5K Clm Pace
(6) GENERAL MONTANA N returns locally for Jenn Bongiorno off a blowout win in the bottom class at Philly. Bartlett's choice figures to be on the move early and if not roughed up too much he could prove hard to pass. (3) ROCK LIGHTS is one I've been stuck on for a few weeks and he finally lands a realistic post. I wouldn't be surprised to see a vastly improved effort. (2) IMSTAYINALIVE was flying home in the late stages last week.
Race 7: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(2) MACINTOSH N was dead-game in victory last week and the 14YO classmaster lands in a similar spot tonight. He's the one to beat, but won't offer much of a price. (5) DESIRE'S CAPTAIN closed very well in his last two and now goes for the DiDomenico barn via claim; he should be a contender. (1) CONBOYVILLE finds himself tagged tonight and has speed from the innermost post.
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Race 8: F&M NW20180 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) EASY TO PLEASE has been disappointing this year, as she failed to make an impact in the Matchmaker after being a finalist (and Breeders Crown participant) in 2022. Stratton trainee should be able to beat these. (1) MILIEU HANOVER has been very sharp in her last two and looks like the main threat to the top one. (4) BELLADONNA GIRL A could be the main speed in here for Bartlett/Tritton.
Race 9: NW10221 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) BELTANE A tapped into some of that back class with jogola scores in his last two. Bartlett's choice of three steps up again and can easily take another. (3) HEEZ OURPERSEUS N was a close-up second two back facing better and he should appreciate the drop in class. (6) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH also steps back up off a win but drawing outside of the top choice hurts his chances at a repeat.
Race 10: F&M NW150000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) MISS DOTTIE MAE was stubborn in defeat last out, losing to a solid mare in Violets Rainbow. Trainer Vallee enlists a catch-driver again with Brennan getting the call and the 4YO gets top billing. (3) TECHYS ANGEL A added Lasix last week and grinded out a win versus softer; import seems classy enough to be a player again versus better. (5) UPTOWN HANOVER has been facing better but without much form; good connections (Cullipher/Bartlett) deserve respect.