Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 6/30

MEET STATS: 10-3-3-2 / $19.20 (-$.80)

BEST BETS: 1-0-1-0 / $0.00 (-2.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 1-0-1-0 / $0.00 (-$2.00)

BEST BET: SADIE HANOVER (5^th)

SPOT PLAY: OKINAWA BEACH A (11^th)

Race 1: $25,000 Claiming - Pick 4

(1) LYONS JOHNNYJNR failed on the front in each of the last two starts but perhaps had to go a bit faster than he will in this spot with the short field. If Brennan can put up a 57+ half the race could be over. (2) DESIRE'S CAPTAIN is probably in line for another perfect pocket trip this week after missing by just a nose last time; just needs room late. (4) MINGO JOEL beat the top pair a week ago and is certainly a threat off perhaps live cover from Statement Made A.

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Race 2: Open Handicap Pace

(3) LIT DE ROSE won consecutive Opens before getting stuck with post seven last time and simply touring the track. Classy mare is back in mid-pack and should prove tough. (4) JIVE DANCING A put a new lifetime mark on her record after sitting a perfect trip last Friday. Import has now won five straight and is certainly dangerous. (5) MAN DONTFORGET ME hasn't missed the board since early May. She was out-kicked by #4 last time.

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Race 3: $25,000 Claiming

(5) IMMA BE double bumps in claiming price off an easy victory where he was shut down in the late stages. Berkeley, who owns a 30% win rate, seems to have this guy figured out. (1) MISSILE SEELSTER and (2) BETTER UP have done better work at the $20,000 claiming level but they are drawn well and should be sitting good trips near the front.

Race 4: $20,000 Claiming

(3) SEAFARER sat off a pretty quick pace and pounced last time. Here is seems likely Brennan will put him on the engine and let him roll a bit. (5) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N dropped off the claim last time and the effort was just ok. He'll be firing again here and maybe the new barn will get more out of him. (1) ZIGGY SKY has good speed and pylon position. Winless veteran is probably playing for a smaller slice but could get lucky.

Race 5: $100,000 New York New York Mile - Pick 5

If you've watched some of (2) SADIE HANOVER's races this year there is no doubt she will be very difficult to defeat here. Expect Zeron to have her fired up early and force others to reconsider their early moves. (4) WALNER PAYTON got away from the gate well in her Yonkers start last time, which was good to see. Walner filly is like a cash machine that rarely misses a board showing. (8) SECRET VOLO was second to Special Way last time and that filly is conceivably the Hambletonian favorite right now. She's missed four week of action but is trained by an outfit that is sure to have her ready.

Race 6: $115,000 Park MGM Filly Pace

(6) VIVIANS DREAM hasn't quite been on the top of her game lately but in all fairness winning wasn't important last week and she had no shot in the Fan Hanover from post 10. For my money she is the fastest filly in the field when at 100% and I'll roll the dice at a fair price here that she awakens. (2) UCANDOIT BLUE CHIP parlayed a perfect trip into an elimination victory and she's already a NJSS champion. Filly from the classy older horse Keystone Velocity has been a good story and I expect her to be forwardly placed here after seeing her get away strong last week. (5) EARTHWINDFIRE comes off a nice win even though she was tiring a bit in the final strides. It's unlikely she gets her own way on the top this time and she'll be the favorite, so betting against her seems logical.

Race 7: $250,000 MGM Grand Messenger Pace

What this race lacks in star power it certainly makes up in terms of competitiveness. Much is going to come down to the early decision-making of some of these drivers and I'm putting my faith in a man who is very familiar with this oval. (5) CAPTAIN BATBOY prepped for this race with a sparkling 1:52 2/5 win over this track and followed it up with a very sharp qualifier at The Meadowlands when eliminations weren't needed. He's versatile enough but I expect Stratton will utilize the winningest post at the track to fire out hard and ensure position. (1) ANNAPOLIS HANOVER has been very consistent with the exception of when he tried the elite of the division in the NA Cup. With rail position Myers also seems likely to push away hard. (2) SEVEN COLORS is the fastest horse in the race by virtue of a 1:48 1/5 win over a sizzling Philly surface on May 28. The question with him is trip in a race with two trailers. If Tetrick figures it out he has a big shot. (6) THUNDER HUNTER JOE has a win over the track and remains undefeated this year. Will Buter leave hard or hope for the best from behind?

Race 8: $300,000 MGM Yonkers Trot

(2) UP YOUR DEO made the briefest break you'll see last week in his elimination and I'm ignoring the miscue altogether as an outlier. For my money, he's displayed the most depth in the field by proving he can handle adversity and win. (3) KIERKEGAARD K has yet to lose this year but he's also had everything go his way. His viability as being playable comes down to how heavily he is bet with MacDonald taking over the lines. I'd want no part of him at under 2-1. (1) CHAPERCRAZ just missed in his attempt to bottom out the field last time. Gingras almost has to gun again to avoid the two Svanstedt horses from controlling the race. (5) ARI FERRARI J will need some pace help to win but he most certainly could beat these if things go well.

Race 9: Non-winners $30,000 in last 5 or 12 races life/Opt. $75,000 Clm. - Pick 4

(2) KARMA SEELSTER worked out a perfect trip last time to be victorious and only wasn't odds-on that night because she faced Racine Bell. She gets a free ride in the same class and should be up to the task. (5) LADY NEWTON returns in a new barn and with Lasix added. The qualifier was good and I wouldn't be shocked if she stepped up, especially considering Stratton chose off #2 to drive. (6) BETTER WATCH IT had no shot last time and she’s stuck outside again. She has a chance but needs help. (3) MCMARKLE SPARKLE has the class to make some noise.

Race 10: Non-winners $5,000 in last 5/Opt. $12,500 Clm.

(1) PURPLE POET dropped to this level last time and raced ok for third from an outside post. Seven-year-old draws the pylons this week and should be pointed down the road against a formless group. (4) WON LAST FEELING arrives in town for a good barn and perhaps the change of scenery and class move out of claimers will be a difference maker. (7) VEOLCITY KOMODO drops down but has his work cut out for him from the outside post. (3) HIGH ST CORRIDOR gets a driver change to Brennan and certainly should show more.

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Race 11: Non-winners $15,181 in last 5 or 9 races life

(5) OKINAWA BEACH A had no chance in her U.S. debut starting from post eight but still motored home in the final sixteenth to finish third. She draws a more favorable spot now and I'm expecting a big mile despite the tough field. Just don't expect anywhere near the listed morning-line; not happening. (4) LUCKY ARTIST A is a classy veteran dropping in class; expect early speed. (1) GINGER TREE LIZ doesn't entice on the win end but should sit close to the action and get into the exotics.

Race 12: $15,000 Claiming

(1) COLD CREEK FELIPE has a decided advantage from post one and will assuredly use it. (4) SULLIVAN raced very well in the class drop last time. Will he keep that form for the new barn? (5) MY MIND IS MADEUP gunned out and raced nicely last time. Not sure you can count on those tactics again. (7) HEARTLANDBANYSBRO owns a four-race win streak in this class but the task will be tougher from the outside post.