Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 5/12

2023 MEET STATS: 157 - 428 / $738.70 (-$117.30)

BEST BETS: 25 - 40 / $82.00 (+$2.00)

BEST BET: GENIUS MAN (5th)

SPOT PLAY: ROCK N TONY (7th)

Race 1: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(5) STATEMENT MADE A was patient in the pocket on last week's dropdown and reeled in the leader late; veteran stays at a winning level and can gun down the speed again provided he's not too far back. (4) LETTUCERIPRITA A has won three in a row for this barn and is an obvious candidate to take another. (6) TOATSMYGOATS leaves the gate strongly every week but seems to come up a bit short in the late stages more often than not; he can win under perfect circumstances but seems best used underneath.

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Race 2: NW5241 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) ROSE RUN X-CON was in age-restricted $75K claimers not too long ago and he's descended all the way down to the lowest conditioned class; last week's race wasn't bad as he was chasing a rival that would be odds-on in here. He gets top billing here despite Bartlett opting to #3. (3) C BET HANOVER has been a workhorse for Mark Ford as he makes his 18th start of the season though he hasn't won in a while; change in venue could help his cause. (4) GARDYS LEGACY A moves to the Forte barn via private purchase and he does have some early speed.

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Race 3: F&M NW22101 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) MAN DONTFORGET ME cut the mile in last week's Open and gave way in the lane; mare drops to a softer level and could work out a live stalking trip. (7) CHERYLS SHADOW has been sharp in every start this season and she's got the early speed to overcome the outside post. (1) MISS DOTTIE MAE is bonafide speed from the rail and Brennan may look to control these; I'm not convinced she can make it to the wire over these classy rivals, however.

Race 4: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) LYONS KING was facing tons better when we last saw him at Yonkers and he returns from The Meadows off a race where he was used up in a 1:49 2/5 mile. Veteran is now in the DiDomenico barn and if ready he can handle these. (3) ROCKATHON has also been facing better with just limited success but he was a winner here at the NW10000 level a couple of months back; Boyd will be leaving with him. (4) ON THE VIRG gave it a good uncovered try before tiring last week.

Race 5: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) GENIUS MAN finally gets some post relief after being stuck outside for a number of starts while facing much better. Marohn picks up the drive tonight on the Bucci trainee and is strictly the one to catch. (1) NIGHT WATCHMAN is fresh Burke stock arriving from Canada and he's got a couple of recent wins over the 'B' circuit. (4) THE REAL ONE also drops, draws better and figures to be coming late.

Race 6: F&M NW17181 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) DARBY HANOVER successfully dropped and popped last week at Philly and she seems to have a class edge on these; picking up Bartlett doesn't hurt. (5) TECHYS ANGEL A drops back down a notch and was a winner the last time Stratton drove. (4) VILLAGE JADE also steps back up off a win and Brennan likely will be forwardly placed with the Burke trainee.

Race 7: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(3) ROCK N TONY was claimed two back by Cory Stratton and ended up with the eight hole in his first two starts for this barn. Veteran gets needed post relief while facing a smaller field and driver Jordan will definitely have him in play tonight. (5) BLOOD BROTHER has been awful for this barn but the near millionaire returns to Yonkers looking for a wakeup call. Not impossible. (1) HEART ON MY SLEEVE has raced evenly for show money in his last two and he figures to land another share tonight.

Race 8: F&M Open Handicap Pace; 1 assigned, 2-5 drawn

(3) DRAMA ACT gave it a good try from the eight hole in her return to the overnight wars and while I usually try to avoid having her on top this just feels like the winning spot. (2) LUCKY ARTIST A had a nice showing in the Matchmaker then got hung to dry last week. Veteran mare is obviously in a better spot here and it will be interesting to see if she can clear the rail horse or settle in behind. (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N came close to winning multiple times in the Matchmaker and she finally got it done when able to rate in the consolation. She's got the early speed if Stratton chooses to use it.

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Race 9: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

I've been stuck on (5) KEYSTONE DASH for a while with little to show for it but he may never find a better spot than what he sees tonight. (3) HURRIKANE GEORGIE seems to be better than he's been showing and he should be more involved from this post. (6) ALTA BLUES A gets Bartlett in the bike for good connections and he can show some improvement.

Race 10: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(3) SULLIVAN hasn't been that great since getting claimed by the Daguet barn a couple of months back but he did finish third in his last two starts and maybe he's turning the corner. (5) SEAFARER has been MIA since getting claimed for $40K last August by Berkeley but I like how he qualified back twice and the latest one makes it appear he's ready to go. (4) ALWAYS BETTER drops, draws a touch better and the catch-driving Lachance can save ground here and show some late life.