Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 6/14
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2024 MEET STATS: 187 - 654 / $1,023.50 (-$284.50)
BEST BETS: 27 - 56 / $103.10 (-$8.90)
BEST BET: CRUNCH TIME A (1st)
SPOT PLAY: PEMBROKE SOUTHIE (5th)
Race 1: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) CRUNCH TIME A dropped in for this tag last week and rolled down the road at odds-on. If it ain't broke don't fix it saying could be applied here as he stays right at the winning level. (7) LONG WEEKEND A has Bartlett again and maybe he's one from the outside who will take a shot off the gate looking for a trip. (3) GOTHIC ROCK is also a candidate to be forwardly placed.
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Race 2: F&M NW12681 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) LUCKY ARTIST A is in at a reduced level after finishing willingly coming off a sick scratch and we know she's loaded with back class. (1) TWIN B SUNKISSED makes a big switch back to Brennan and also faces softer than she's used to. (5) MISS LIMELIGHT N doesn't have a great state-side resume but hails from good connections and she was close last week.
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Race 3: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) JIVE DANCING A finds a much more reasonable spot tonight and seems primed to turn things around. (5) HELLO YES HI has been consistent as could be at this level for the Burke Brigade. (6) LISA LANE took all the money last start and was aggressively handled but folded like a cheap suit. She'll be off the pace now at a price. (4) FAVORITE BEACH hails from live connections.
Race 4: F&M NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) LADY NEWTON has had some troubles recently but I like that effort three back at Pocono where she paced a big third quarter and held well. Upset possibilities here vs. a camera-shy group. (5) SWEET ALI LOU gets some class and a bit of post relief for Bartlett/Engblom and she was second best when last at this level. (6) LAURIE LEE returns locally off a win and she may have the most early speed in here.
Race 5: F&M NW15391 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE has been racing well over the last couple of months without a win to show for it but the last time the Bongiorno trainee was at this level she wired the field at odds-on. (4) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY is another who hasn't seen the winner's circle in a while but she has beaten better than these in the past and looms a solid threat for live connections. (6) TRUE BLUE HANOVER has a win and a second in her last two tries at this level but the move outside severely hurts her chances; use underneath.
Race 6: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(1) YES has plenty of back class and faces the softest field he's seen in some time. If new driver Marohn can navigate him safely in the early stages he'll have a big shot. (5) YO BETH D gets a driver upgrade after breaking as the favorite last week. (2) BRAVE BY DESIGN also broke in his Yonkers return and he's another looking to get back on track.
Race 7: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(1) ROGER RABBIT raced well in his local return, missing a neck to softer rivals, but his speed and post helps him stack up well here. Veteran gets a modest endorsement. (3) CREATIVE VENTURE moves in a few slots and also figures to be forwardly placed. (4) THE GRUFFALO has been much-improved since the addition of hobbles and he probably deserved to be the favorite in here.
Race 8: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) COACHELLABOUND N just missed last week to a rival showing unknown speed and now she faces a bit softer while retaining Bartlett. Bucci trainee looks much the best here. (6) GOLDEN QUEST is back at the level where she's most effective; classy mare has six wins out of 14 tries this year. (3) CHERYLS SHADOW has been very sharp but may be up against it in here versus the top two; maybe underneath.
Race 9: NW10000 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) SEVENSHADESOFGREY has raced well in his last few while never posing a threat but with the drop in class and post improvement he figures to be much more involved. Bucci trainee always finishes well and should be close enough to strike. (5) TRUFFLES TOO missed a nose at Pocono in his first start for the Alexander barn after arriving from Canada. The only concern is the 0 for 17 record this year and he figures to take a lot of tote action. (1) GAELIHILL gets Bongiorno in the bike tonight and the Burke trainee is also an 0-fer this season.
Race 10: F&M Invitational Pace
(4) LIT DE ROSE makes her second start with a catch driver as Lachance is on the sidelines and Dan Dube has plenty of options from this post. Matchmaker champ has $266K banked already this year. (1) MAN DONTFORGET ME is back up at the top level and we know she can handle herself with the heavy hitters. Wouldn't shock me to see Holland try taking her down the road (and succeeding). (2) KARMA SEELSTER wins the 2 thru 6 draw and goes back to a catch driver after the trainer look the lines last week.
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Race 11: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(1) BARRY BLACK gets Jason Bartlett in the bike tonight so he gets one more endorsement from me. 13YO lands the rail in a pretty soft field. (4) PERRON hasn't fired at all in his last few but he moves from $40K claimers to this conditioned field and doesn't figure to be too far back. (7) NO DRAMA PLEASE was 10 cents on the dollar last week at Philly and delivered from the easy spot; note he was a winner when last in this class.
Race 12: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) VILLAGE JADE missed a nose last out at Pocono in a much-improved effort and that was with Bartlett on the catch-drive, and he's listed on the Burke mare again in her local return; top call. (4) COMMANDER CATHY N didn't get involved last week with Lasix added but she drops again and Brennan picks up the drive on the DiDomenico trainee. I suspect there's a more aggressive attempt coming here. (5) REC TIME was 9/5 in her race last week and didn't hit the board. Mare is now 0 for 11 but has been second or third over half of those times. Not sure what kind of trip she's looking at however.