Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 5/6
MEET STATS: 137 - 443 / $661.30 (-$224.70)
BEST BETS: 24 - 40 / $81.30 (+$1.90)
Best Bet: YAYAS HOT SPOT N (3rd)
Spot Play: HOPETOBEFIRST (8th)
Race 1: W.N. Reynolds 3YO C&G Pace
(7) GROOVY MAN had an abbreviated freshman season but he was a sharp winner in his 3-year-old debut taking a $100K stakes race at Plainridge. Takter trainee lands a tough post but that should help bolster the price. (1) PLEASELETMEKNOW qualified just evenly at Pocono for his seasonal debut but he raced very well here as a 2-year-old, including winning the MGM Springfield Pace. (5) PJ LOU acclimated nicely last week with a sharp score in a NW4 event; Brennan gets the drive tonight.
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Race 2: W.N. Reynolds 3YO Filly Pace
(2) AMERICAN TICKET was aggressively handled up at Mohawk in two overnight events tuning up for stakes season and she does have some local experience with a NYSS try last season. With a smooth inside trip she could be looking at a nice payday. (6) GOTTHEGREENLIGHT went 8 for 12 in her freshman season (including the NYSS final) and is far and away the most accomplished in here but she does get the outermost post making her 2022 debut and will be a short price. (5) WINE N DINE ME took her seasonal debut at Philly from off the pace and could have more to offer; closing threat.
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Race 3: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) YAYAS HOT SPOT N returns locally into a soft spot and more importantly gets leading driver Bartlett back in the bike. (3) J B MAUNEY N does have some talent somewhere but I feel like I've said that a dozen times already as he's running out of excuses; still an 0-fer this year. (1) CINNAMACK drops to the lowest level he's seen in ages and looks to be a legit speed threat from the inside.
Race 4: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) MUSKINGUM had a nice acclimating mile last week and she almost ran second to Mostinterestingman. Mare could be an off-the-pace threat with some unproven speed to her inside. (2) TOCCOA FALLS won two legs of the John Brennan series before coming up flat in the final; Bartlett gets the drive on this gelding who already has five wins on the season. (1) P L OSCAR debuts for the Bucci barn after a good showing in the Brennan series and he draws best.
Race 5: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(6) BOURBANS COURAGE finished well from behind dull cover in his first start for the Dowse barn. Do we see some speed from him tonight? (2) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN found the $20K claimers a bit too tough; he drops back to a level where he's been more successful. (3) P H KENNY was better in his last two and was claimed out of that last start; classy veteran could contend here.
Race 6: $12,500 Claiming Pace
(3) BLATANTLY BEST was a well-rated winner last week in a soft field and he faces much of the same tonight; veteran has loads of back class with over $800K earned. (2) BETTOR'S WESTERN finished evenly in behind the top one last start and he may be looking at a similar trip here. (6) LOTTERY WINNER was much better last start but he still remains way too inconsistent for my tastes.
Race 7: NW20000 in last 5 starts Trot
Tough race here with a couple of bonafide contenders drawn outside. (4) SO LONG HANOVER was an upset winner three back in his local return then was claimed for a hefty $75K his next start by connections with a goose egg in the win column here this year, but he did finish well last week. At 20/1 I'll look like a hero if he somehow trips out. (7) HAYEK was well positioned in the pocket last start then broke for no reason, and he's now 0 for 11 this year. With an alert getaway he'll be a player. (3) B NICKING was live in the John Brennan series and should go well here.
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Race 8: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) HOPETOBEFIRST has been racing well with comparable over at Pocono and the 14-year-old with 441 lifetime starts (and his life mark as a 2-year-old!) lands in a good spot here and keeps Kakaley. (6) IN SPADES was a bit disappointing last week as he tired after inheriting the lead but he still must be respected from these connections. (8) LETTUCERIPRITA A has been a cash machine for the Gillis barn but may get slowed down a bit by the eight hole.
Race 9: NW30000 in last 5 starts Trot
(1) FANATIC jogged last week at 1/5 odds and he lands the rail again in the same class; he'll have to work harder tonight for his new listed trainer but he'll also offer a much better price. (6) SEVENTIER picked up Bartlett for the John Brennan series final and blew them away; Smedshammer trainee is a big, big player here. (4) NEW HEAVEN was knocking on the door so it was no surprise to see him win his last start; he faces better but may be sharp enough to land a share.
Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) WEONA SIZZLER A runs hot and cold but he does get major class relief dropping from the claimers and he's reunited with Stratton. (3) MAGRITTE found a soft spot last week to get back on the winning track; is this the start of a new streak? (1) TURBO HILL was used in the early stages last week and gave way; he can land a piece with a more relaxing trip.