Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 6/9
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2023 MEET STATS: 182 - 513 / $853.30 (-$172.70)
BEST BETS: 30 - 48 / $96.70 (+$0.70)
BEST BET: ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR (9th)
SPOT PLAY: HEART ON MY SLEEVE (6th)
Race 1: NW5000 in last 5 starts AE $12,500 Clm Pace
(2) ONTO EL DORADO N was a good third facing better upon arrival. Granted he just chased along but he held well late, and facing somewhat weaker tonight he can be primed to break his seasonal maiden. (4) GALANTE A was stuck in the eight hole his last two tries, once here and once at Freehold. Three starts back he raced well to be second best from a similar spot and he'll offer some value. (1) SOUTHWIND BRONN has been in too tough recently in his local races but he lands the rail again and picks up Bartlett at a level where he can prosper.
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Race 2: NW10831 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) SAILBOAT HANOVER returned locally to join the Bako barn and we've seen a few others ship back and be very live. This veteran was facing better when we last saw him and he missed a nose last week. (4) GROOVY JOE was another one who returned locally to face softer and he won out of the seven hole in 1:51 4/5. Cullipher trainee is clearly the one to beat again. (1) RHODENA ROAD moves inside and if Dube can get away third or fourth he can hit the ticket.
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Race 3: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts AE $75K Clm Pace
(4) MILLWOOD BONNIE N has won an incredible nine races already this year and all with these high optional claiming tags. I'll ride her until she begins showing some vulnerability. (1) PURE SILKY drops from the Open ranks where she definitely held her own and the Lance Hudson trainee should be set up with a live trip from this spot. (8) TONY'S MOM was super in defeat last week to #4 and that ended her winning streak. Bartlett blasted from the outside in that start, so why not again?
Race 4: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(2) PICARD A was able to find a seat in midpack last week while up in class but he could not make up any ground into the rated pace. Veteran drops back to the $15's where he was a winner two back. I expect Kakaley to take control early and look to wire these. (4) HEARTLANDBANYSBRO was hopelessly buried in traffic last start but was able to slide out late on the far turn and he exploded home to win going away. Devita trainee is sharp and an obvious contender. (3) BLOOD BROTHER looked home free in the race #4 won; classy vet can still be competitive with this type and figures to be forwardly placed with my top choice.
Race 5: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) STATEMENT MADE A was making his first start off the Garcia-Herrera claim but something went wrong in the first turn as he made a brief miscue and bolted inside the pylons. From a similar spot I'll give him another chance. (5) MISSILE SEELSTER left the gate well and has been second best in his two races for this barn. There's not much speed inside of him so I expect Boyd to be moving early again. (7) ZIGGY SKY returns to Yonkers after touring the Midwest and he picks up Bartlett. He's a proven fit at this level.
Race 6: $25,000 Claiming Pace
Trainer DiDomenico paid a premium to reclaim (3) HEART ON MY SLEEVE and he goes for his third straight tonight. (4) LYONS JOHNNYJNR came up with a huge mile out of nowhere last week at Philly and he'll offer some value as Lachance catch drives. (5) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N found the $25K level to his liking but don't forget these connections claimed him recently for $40K. He's stuffed in the same class and Bartlett drives again
Race 7: F&M NW16639 in last 5 starts AE NW9 races Pace
(2) SILK CLOUD A pretty much followed the line of horses passing the spent pacesetter last week and she finished with a :27 kicker. Now with the important post relief and Bartlett hopping aboard this recent import is clearly the one to beat. (3) TECHYS ANGEL A dropped and popped last start and the bump back up a notch should not be too difficult. (1) I LOVE ONGAIT clearly has talent for strong connections and the 4YO has a nice win here from back in March but she's missed time after being scratched sick.
Race 8: F&M Open Handicap Pace
(1) MAN DONTFORGET ME was a fringe player most of the season but she picked up her game four races back and followed that up with multiple sharp efforts. She lands the rail in this talented field and can upset if Siegelman can work out a smooth trip. (3) RACINE BELL last started in the Betsy Ross at Philly and used hard in the early stages. She was a winner here the start prior after rating kind fractions and she can go on or off the pace. (6) DELITFULCATHERIN N goes for three straight but she has to overcome the outside again and she loses her regular driver.
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Race 9: NW5000 in last 5 starts AE $12,500 Clm Pace
Here's another Canadian invader that joins the Bako barn and had an effective local qualifier. Looks like (5) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR is automatic selecting for me. (1) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN gave it shot from the eight hole last week but tired from the pocket. He lands the rail now making his second start at the basement condition and he'll be on or near the lead throughout. (4) OUR CORELLI N gets Holland to catch drive and he needs to up his game.
Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) TOPVILLE SOMROCKET returned locally for Cullipher, picked up Bartlett and got the job done at odds-on. He bumps up a notch but lands a good spot and may be live enough to repeat. (4) SO MANY ROADS had been pacing just evenly lately for Lachance but he should appreciate the class relief. (7) TYGA HANOVER returns from Canada and rejoins the Harris barn. He's accustomed to facing better so maybe keep an eye on him, if not tonight then for future starts.