Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 6/16
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2023 MEET STATS: 182 - 513 / $853.30 (-$172.70)
BEST BETS: 30 - 48 / $96.70 (+$0.70)
BEST BET: RACINE BELL (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: BLOOD BROTHER (7th)
Race 1: F&M NW20,271 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) ROCKN PHILLY has had a spotty local record this season but that was a nice win last week at Philly that this classy mare can build off of and she gets Bartlett in the bike for her YR return. (1) TECHYS ANGEL A has been in good form and should be able to handle the slight bump in class. Lance Hudson trainee is in line for a good trip. (4) VALAR DOHAERIS ships in for Svanstedt and gets Dube in the bike. That driver/trainer combo is almost always live here.
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Race 2: F&M NW30,151 in last 5 starts Pace
While (1) RACINE BELL faces a quality field of mares here she's accustomed to meeting (and beating) the cream of the crop. She really has no excuse to fail from this spot. (3) MILLWOOD BONNIE N came up short in the late stages last week and uncharacteristically faded to fifth. Kalaley is likely to send her to the front again and probably end up with the pocket behind the top choice. (5) JIVE DANCING A has been on quite a roll for Garcia-Herrera and she goes for her fourth straight tonight.
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Race 3: F&M NW15,000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) HUNTRESS added Lasix for her latest start and rolled down the road at five cents on the dollar. Jenn Bongiorno-trained mare is 8 for 8 in the first or second spot this year and has only missed the top three once in her 36-race career, and she doesn't face much tougher on the bump in class. (3) BETTER DOUBLE FLIP is fresh Burke stock who was making a nice living down in Delaware; she's an interesting option here. (2) MAGICAL MISTRESS was third best at a price last week and can hit the board again with a smooth trip.
Race 4: NW5201 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) HEISMAN PLAYER hasn't been all that great this year considering he banked over $164K in 2022 but he has been facing much better most of the season and he should also appreciate the post relief as his last three local starts he had the seven hole. (2) GINGRAS BEACH has also been underachieving but he figures to be more involved here with Brennan back driving. (5) OUR CORELLI N is another veteran with class who has a recent six-figure season; Holland drives again and I can envision him trying to get agressive off the gate.
Race 5: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR is one of a handful of Canadian shippers recently into the Bako barn and they have all been winning. This veteran faces some better stock on the class bump but I'm sticking with him. (3) LOUIE THE HORSE N was a good second last week at Philly and raced well here four back versus better; Cullipher trainee has the looks of a live player. (4) SAUVIGNON BLUECHIP came close to a life mark in his Yonkers return and Brennan gets along well with him.
Race 6: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(4) HEART ON MY SLEEVE has taken three straight while making his way up the claiming ladder, and he's changed barns a couple of times. He now goes for the Adamczyk barn and they leave him at the same $25K level. Top call in reasonably competitive race. (3) MISSILE SEELSTER does face better here but he has good tactical speed and may be able to work out a live run on or near the lead at a price. (5) LYONS JOHNNYJNR debuts now for DiDomenico off the claim and gets Brennan but he lands outside of his main competition.
Race 7: $15,000 Claiming Pace
Classy veteran (2) BLOOD BROTHER has been live since returning locally and was claimed last week by DiDomenico. He could be sitting on a big effort. (1) PICARD A is logical chalk with good form and the rail. (5) MARTY MONHKOUSER A took a trip to Monticello and wired a field of optional $12.5K claimers. 14YO is back at Yonkers in a spot where he can save ground and land a share at a price with trainer Cory driving again.
Race 8: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(3) ZIGGY SKY figures to be more involved in his second return start and the veteran should be an honest price option in this competitive field. (7) STATEMENT MADE A showed more of what was expected of him last week after his first start for these connections when he bobbled and left the course. Post can present a problem but he has left the gate in the past. (4) JOINT ACCOUNT shipped in last week and rolled down the road at 37/1 before tiring. Maybe Holland gives it a shot again on the front end.
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Race 9: F&M Open Pace
Five horses for $36K...(1) VIOLETS RAINBOW took a trip to Northfield last week for a $50K stake and she was good to go once Kakaley got her to the lead. Bako trainee is right back in to go and currently seems as good as any in here. I'll bite if she projects to be somewhere close to her 2/1 morning line. (5) MAN DONTFORGET ME is razor-sharp and needs some luck but is capable. (3) LIT DE ROSE stormed home to win last week and is always a threat no matter where she draws. Don't forget that she can also leave the gate, and if she does it could make things troublesome for #4 and #5.
Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(8) BARON MICHAEL is just 1 for 18 on the season but meets an equally camera-shy group at this bottom level. Veteran finished okay from an outside post last week and while stuck in the eight hole maybe Holland takes a stab and tries to rev him up off the gate. (5) RJ SPORTS IMAGE raced well in his first start off the long layoff when he was second best in a one-lap event at Philly. Steve Smith catch-drives the Engblom trainee which ensures a good price. (2) TIN ROOF RAIDER A has done very little of late but this is the best spot he's seen in some time.
Race 11: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) ONTO EL DORADO N raced well in defeat last week when #5 in here got the best of him and that's two good efforts since arriving locally for the Ruiz barn. I'll take a look at him to cap off this wide-open late double. (6) LONG WEEKEND A drops in class and picks up Kakaley with Siegelman opting for #3. Maybe the new driver helps wake him up. (3) ICE HOUSE figures to attract some attention off last week's willing local debut.