Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 6/23

2023 MEET STATS: 221 - 643 / $1,073.50 (-$212.50)

BEST BETS: 37 - 61 / $116.20 (-$5.80)

BEST BET: ANNABELLE HANOVER (9^th)

SPOT PLAY: TRAFALGAR (5^th)

Race 1: Park MGM Filly Pace Elimination

(1) EARTHWINDFIRE had a solid freshman campaign with over $300K banked and the Pelling trainee is a perfect two-for-two in NYSS action this season. Tough to go against from this spot. (5) ALEXA'S FANTASY missed a nose last week in local overnight action and that acclimating mile should help her chances tonight. (4) LISA LANE blew away a softer field at Philly last start and outraced her odds in NJSS action her prior three.

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Race 2: Park MGM Filly Pace Elimination

(3) VIVIANS DREAM was in a bit deep in the Fan Hanover at Mohawk but she certainly didn't disgrace herself. Matron winner from last year has local experience as she was second best here (to Earthwindfire) in a 2YO NYSS test. (1) UCANDOIT BLUE CHIP also exits stakes action in Canada for top connections and she makes her half-mile debut tonight. Obvious threat to win if she takes to the turns. (2) TURN ON THE CHARM is 4 for 5 already this season, with three straight NYSS scores.

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Race 3: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) RACINE BELL was collared by a razor-sharp rival last week who was bet strongly right into her; classy mare should be able to rebound. (2) TONY'S MOM never got involved last out but she had been good in all prior efforts and the move back inside helps her cause; Andrew McCarthy gets the catch drive. (1) KARMA SEELSTER faces softer (with the exception of the top choice) and should respond.

Race 4: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(3) ZIGGY SKY was used hard in his second start since returning to Yonkers and he wilted under pressure. He drops in class and will likely be off the pace, where he may be better suited. (1) LETTUCERIPRITA A is back with Bartlett in a more realistic spot and is a live contender for sure, but does tend to get a bit leg-weary late. (4) HEARTLANDBANYSBRO is in raging form and stays at a winning level, but drawing outside the top three contenders here makes things a bit more difficult.

Race 5: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) TRAFALGAR ships down from Canada, where she had been racing well, and joins the Burke barn. She could be ready to pay immediate dividends tonight with co-owner Gingras driving. (4) UPTOWN HANOVER dropped to a much softer level for her last start and prevailed at odds-on; she bumps back up a notch and is a logical player. (6) I LOVE ONGAIT tired badly last start but she had missed time coming off a sick scratch. Noel Daley trainee is better than that.

Race 6: MGM Yonkers Trot Elimination

(4) UP YOUR DEO ships in to make his half-mile debut coming off a good display in the NJSS final and Ake Svanstedt has a very successful local history so I'm confident this Walner colt will be ready to roll. (3) CROWN has plenty of NYSS experience and a win already over this surface as a freshman. Top connections here deserve plenty of respect. (6) CHAPERCRAZ recently joined the Burke barn and has shown some improvement; Gingras will likely be forward off the gate looking to improve position.

Race 7: MGM Yonkers Trot Elimination

(1) KIERKEGAARD K had a reasonably productive freshman campaign and has come back ready to fire this season as he's a perfect two-for-two including a 1:50 3/5 win last week in the EBC at Vernon. Colt looks to be the second half of a powerful one-two punch for Svanstedt. (4) KENOBI is another Melander entrant in the Trot and this guy has been a bit slow to develop but he was decent last start in an overnight field at Pocono; Tetrick drives again. (7) ARI FERRARI J is a legit talent from Alagna but the outside post could make things difficult. Could be that driver Dexter Dunn is a little less aggressive tonight to stay safe and qualify.

Race 8: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

In a race with very little current form I'll look for prices. (7) PURPLE POET has just one win on the season but he's been facing better in every start, and he has a proven history here. At 15/1 on the morning line he's worth a look. (4) ROSE RUN X CON hasn't done much recently but he does have $51K banked on the season so there is ability there. (2) NOWHERE CREEK A was third best last week after leaving from the eight hole and now he moves inside. Veteran is a logical player.

Race 9: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) ANNABELLE HANOVER went a big effort in defeat last week and was only run over late by the insane effort of a classy Svanstedt trainee. Bartlett is back driving and a similar effort takes this. (1) CHERYLS SHADOW seems to need a drop in class to bring her best effort but she figures to get a good stalking trip and can hold for a good share. (5) LUCKY ARTIST A has tailed off after having a big run at the Open level and in the Matchmaker; class relief should help her perk up.

Race 10: F&M Open Handicap Pace

(2) MAN DONTFORGET ME has been live for an extended period of time and she lands an inside post while picking up the services of Bartlett. She's a smooth trip away from taking this. (4) DRAMA ACT was run over by Lit De Rose last week, but with that mare in post seven Brennan probably doesn't have to worry about her tonight and he'll probably be aggressive with the Burke trainee again. (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N threw in a clunker last start but she took a week off and is reunited with Stratton.

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Race 11: $20,000 Claiming Pace

It figures that after I followed the Garcia-Herrera trainee (2) STATEMENT MADE A for his first two starts off the claim I dismissed his chances last week and he swept the field at 14/1. Veteran can repeat moving back inside. (4) SEAFARER gets post relief and will be more involved. (5) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N was claimed for $25K by the Shane Tritton barn out of his last start and he's now entered for $20K. This is the second time in the last couple of months this speedster was entered for a discounted price off a claim. Red flag again?

Race 12: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(3) MINGO JOEL was better in his last start so hopefully he's now trending in the right direction. Gelding should be a fair price in the finale. (5) LYONS JOHNNYJNR was reclaimed by the Daguet barn last week and gets the leading driver back in the bike. (2) MISSILE SEELSTER has been productive for this low-profile barn and he may get first call off the gate.