Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 4/7
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2023 MEET STATS: 101 - 301 / $448.10 (-$153.90)
BEST BETS: 18 - 28 / $57.50 (+$1.50)
BEST BET: VIOLETS RAINBOW (10th)
SPOT PLAY: DELITFULCATHERIN N (6th)
Race 1: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) PURE SILKY faltered last week with no real excuse, ending her winning streak. 4-year-old has set up shop on the front end in her last eight races but I wouldn't be surprised if Bartlett elects to yield to a rival and try it from the pocket tonight. (5) MILLWOOD BONNIE N has been absolutely super this year with 6 wins in 8 starts but note her one loss over the last two-plus months was with Kakaley in the bike, and he drives tonight. (6) ROCKN PHILLY is at a severe disadvantage landing the outermost post but in terms of talent she's right up near the top in this field; she can rally for a nice piece here.
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Race 2: F&M NW26001 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) JIVE DANCING A was really good in defeat last week as she fired off the gate, sat the pocket, angled into the stretch once the winner took over and charged home to just miss; Garcia-Herrera trainee deserves top billing. (1) DARBY HANOVER never got involved last start on the step up in class but she moves all the way inside and should be looking at a very live trip. (6) ANNABELLE HANOVER surprised many last week as she fired from the eight hole at a big price and held gamely for second; if she can get out of the gate smoothly again she can win this.
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Race 3: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #4 Mares Pace
(4) MABALENE N missed the first round of Matchmaker action when she came up sick again but she bounced back with two solid speed efforts and it's encouraging to see her right back in to go; she should have a quick lead again from this spot. (2) KARMA SEELSTER is the only mare in here to have a Matchmaker win to her credit and she should have clear sailing at some point from right behind the leader. (1) GOTTHEGREENLIGHT lands the rail which gives Dexter Dunn options; could he get aggressive with the 4-year-old? Seems possible.
Race 4: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A has been great this year as the 14-year-old has won 5 of 10 starts. As long as he isn't used too hard in the early stages he's in a good spot to take another. (5) MINGO JOEL closed well last week behind the top choice coming off the claim and bump in class. He's been first or second in his last five Yonkers starts and Bartlett stays with him. (7) DIVISION BELL returns to the Berkeley barn for his local return and gets class relief after being a player in the claiming series at Pocono. He does have a recent breaking problem so use caution.
Race 5: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(5) CASHNCAM has been consistent all season without a win to show for it. With some questionable speed types in here perhaps he can reach late at a decent price. (3) TOATSMYGOATS had no visible excuse last week when he tired after rating a comfortable pace. Stratton picks up the drive tonight with Kalaley opting to the Bako horse (#2) and looks to make amends. (7) LETTUCERIPRITA A was reclaimed by Blumenfeld after a third-place finish last start and Bartlett is back driving.
Race 6: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #4 Mares Pace
(5) DELITFULCATHERIN N put in a huge effort two back before ultimately breaking and last week she was away last and never got involved. Regular driver Stratton is back aboard and we saw these connections pull off a big upset in round three of the Borgata with last year's champ Funatthebeach N. Mare is capable with a trip. (1) DRAMA ACT will be a short price here and certainly deserves to be the heavy favorite from this controlling spot. (6) MCMARKLE SPARKLE deserves a mention on the barn change from DiDomenico to Engblom. When right she has a big closing kick.
Race 7: NW5531 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) ENVIRONS HANOVER was a winner down at Freehold in his first start in nearly a year and now he ships back to Yonkers and finds a pretty soft field; big chance to take another but will likely be heavily bet. (8) ROCK LIGHTS was facing much better when we last saw him locally and he seems eligible for improvement in just his third seasonal spot. If he shows a pulse in the wagering then consider him. (2) MULLINAX also faces softer after a rugged try last week at The Meadowlands; Andrew McCarthy keeps the drive.
Race 8: Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #4 Mares Pace
(1) AMAZING DREAM N has been just that through three perfect Matchmaker legs and trainer Toscano sends her out for a fourth consecutive week, perhaps planning for a week off before the final. She's in a controlling spot to take another. (4) MAJORCA N was a decent second in defeat last week and she seems to be in a good spot to leave the gate looking for the pocket ride to the favorite. (5) DOUGS BABE A took a ton of money again last start and she delivered with a powerful stretch kick. Will she be too far back here or can Dunn get her going earlier?
Race 9: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(6) WAR DAN DELIGHT N missed a nose last out at Pocono and he returns locally to find a formless field of claimers. Bartlett's choice here may need to be aggressive early for his best chance and if not used too hard he can get it done to give veteran trainer Peter Tritton his first seasonal Yonkers win. (2) AIN'T HE SPECIAL dropped to this level last week and woke up with a better effort to be second best. (4) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP has done nothing for these connections after being claimed for $30K back in January; good spot to try and wake up.
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Race 10: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) VIOLETS RAINBOW successfully dropped and popped last week and looked good doing it; Bako trainee steps back up a notch, returns to Kakaley (with Bartlett sticking with #6) and will look to double up. (6) MIKI ROSE has not come back all that sharp in her 4-year-old campaign but she seems capable of much better; there are some potential speed types inside of her but if Bartlett feels like he can get out of the gate he will. (1) CHERYLS SHADOW was solid winning her last at odds-on and she technically stays at the same level but these are arguably tougher.
Race 11: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) LATE MAIL N has a pretty good local history and he returns with no current form but with a barn change to Blumenfeld. Veteran has speed, Bartlett and an inside draw. (3) CONBOYVILLE was second best in his last two at the NW5000 level; he bumps up but looks competitive here. (5) ROCKIN JUKEBOX raced well for a board spot when dropped to this class and he can contend for a nice share again.