Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 5/5
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2023 MEET STATS: 129 - 364 / $584.70 (-$143.30)
BEST BETS: 23 - 34 / $76.80 (+$8.80)
BEST BET: STATEMENT MADE A (1st)
SPOT PLAY: CAN B PERFECT (4th)
Race 1: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(1) STATEMENT MADE A drops in price for a very live outfit in the Bako barn and he lands the rail in this much softer spot; veteran should have little trouble disposing of this field. (5) TOATSMYGOATS was an easy winner last week and faces much of the same, except for the top choice. He'll be getting out of the gate in good order and is an obvious contender. (2) HEART ON MY SLEEVE was a no-match third best last start, looks third best again from this inside post.
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Race 2: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(4) DESIRE'S CAPTAIN was quickly reclaimed by the Temming barn after one start and he maintained his good form by winning last week in the slop; he should offer some value as he looks for the repeat with #1 expected to take all the money. (1) DIVISION BELL stormed home last out to nail the pacesetter; he steps up a notch and looms the one to beat. Interesting to see how close up he is with little early speed in his arsenal. (5) SOUTHPORT BEACH's night ended early last week after the break and subsequent broken equipment. He's shown good speed in all prior starts.
Race 3: NW5931 in last 5 starts Pace
I hate to take a short price on the 1 for 13 (3) PRO BEACH but he was second best to a well-meant winner last week and now he drops in class again to the bottom level. From this spot he looks best. (2) ON THE VIRG pops up now and then with a live effort and the post relief he gets tonight helps the cause. (1) SILAS SEELSTER hasn't done much in his four starts this year after coming back from a long layoff but he faces softer while landing the rail.
Race 4: NW10166 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) CAN B PERFECT shipped over to The Meadowlands and woke up in a big way when he won out of the pocket in 1:49 4/5. He returns at a lower level than he's been used to and looks like a legit player from this inside post. (6) MOTIVE HANOVER didn't make an impression in his last two Philly starts but three back he rolled to an easy win. Bongiorno trainee also was facing better when last at Yonkers and Bartlett's choice figures to be moving early. (1) EUPHORIA N went a huge parked-out trip to score upon arrival from Freehold but he faces much better here.
Race 5: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts; AE NW10 races lifetime Pace
(3) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL basically went through the motions in her last two from outside posts and although technically she faces better here in this handicapped race there are no standouts, and Braxton Boyd has proven capable of being in the right place at the right time with longshots. (2) MCMARKLE SPARKLE is arguably the best horse in here but she hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire recently and she figures to be overbet. (5) LAURIE LEE wired a field of $50K claimers in a fast time last week; loses Bartlett but gets Kakaley.
Race 6: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
I guess (5) AIR FORCE HANOVER appreciated the move back into the Daguet barn with that wicked 1:51 1/5 score last week; he moves up in class but doesn't face much stronger here and should repeat. (4) SHAKESPEARE was a solid off-the-pace winner last out beating a classy rival in the process. Alexander trainee is the clear main threat. (3) BLUEBIRD RECON is far removed from the Dowse era but he's still a serviceable lower to mid-level veteran pacer. He's got speed to utilize.
Race 7: $20,000 Claiming Pace
Interesting battle of the 14-year-olds with #1 and #2 combining for 593 starts and 90 wins. (1) MACINTOSH N has been game in defeat his last two, picked off in the late stages both times. He figures to be controlling it again and deserves another chance. (5) LYONS JOHNNYJNR has been on the shelf for a couple of months after being claimed for $30K and now returns at a lower level. Worth considering if the price is decent. (2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A suffered a tough beat last week when nailed by an airborne rival. Oldtimer has been lucky with the post draws recently and he lands inside again.
Race 8: F&M Open Handicap Pace; 1-4,5-8 drawn
(5) LUCKY ARTIST A looked to have an outside chance in the Matchmaker final but she ended up uncovered into the rated pace and was outfinished; she draws inside a couple of her stakes rivals and Boyd can have her revved up at the start from this midpack post. (1) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY has raced pretty well in all her starts after being claimed by these connections and she could be looking at a very live trip here. (3) MAN DONTFORGET ME is another possible speed player and if she doesn't leave then she'll be saving ground midpack and can emerge late for a share.
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Race 9: NW5041 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) LYONS LIBERTY raced well two back at a big price facing $30K claimers and her last start from the eight hole is a toss; Garcia-Herrera trainee gets major class relief and looms a big player. (3) GINGRAS BEACH has back class and seems overdue to awaken. (5) EPIC ACE hasn't done much in four seasonal starts but time-wise he stacks up well with these.
Race 10: NW13431 in last 5 starts Trot
They snuck a trot onto the card and made it the getaway race...(3) SWEET SOUL DAVID got class relief for his last start and raced well out of the seven hole after showing good speed; I'm not running to go bet him but he does seem the most logical in here, especially with Bartlett driving. (1) HAT TRICK MARLEAU should get away close-up from the rail and could threaten with a live trip from Boyd. (5) MEMO returns from Pennsylvania and has raced well here in the past; he picks up Kakaley, who finished second with him a couple of months back.