Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 7/7
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2023 MEET STATS: 257 - 733 / $1,221.20 (-$244.80)
BEST BETS: 42 - 69 / $133.40 (-$4.60)
BEST BET: LINDSEY'S PRIDE (7th)
SPOT PLAY: LUCKY ARTIST A (10th)
Race 1: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Opt $75K Clm Pace
(2) MAN DONTFORGET ME has been sharp for an extended period of time and most of those races were at the Open level; classy mare faces softer here and moves back inside. Brennan gets the call with Bartlett on #5 and he's got tactical options. (1) MILLWOOD BONNIE N wasn't really involved in her last couple when drawn onto the outer half of the gate, but she finished well in both races and never misses a check. Bako trainee will be a big player with the move all the way inside. (5) TONY'S MOM gets Bartlett back in the bike looking to snap out of a mini slump; fires off the gate?
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Race 2: Can You Go The Distance Trot Leg #2
(2) TOCCOA FALLS has developed a breaking problem recently but he actually overcame a miscue to score two back. When he behaves himself he seems best of these. Connections list a new driver in Dube and hopefully he'll get along with the gelding. (6) PC FREE WHEELING raced well in last week's sprint to be second best despite not showing much early speed in prior efforts, which is obviously the most important trait to have in a one-lap race. Back to the traditional distance she should have an opportunity to get involved. (1) UP HELLY AA hails from top connections, has speed and draws the rail. Lots of positives here.
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Race 3: F&M Open Handicap Pace
(5) JIVE DANCING A has arguably been in career form and it took Lit De Rose sailing by to stop her five-race winning streak. She gets the worst of the 1 through 5 draw but that does help the price. (1) DRAMA ACT has come up a bit short in her last three tries but she did take last week off and maybe that helps her out. Burke mare always deserves respect. (3) MCMARKLE SPARKLE has hit the board in her last five as she rounds back into top form.
Race 4: Can You Go The Distance Trot Leg #2
(4) CANTSTOP YANKEE regressed into bad habits again last week despite recently adding the hobbles but his start two back was a solid second to #3. It's tough to fully trust anyone in this race so why not look at a price? (2) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN was a smart play last week in the one-lap event because the speedy veteran could go all out and last to the wire. Now back at the regular mile getting his fourth straight may be tougher. (3) ABRUZZO would be the clear pick if you promised he wouldn't break. He seemed to get along well in his last two with Kakaley but he gets a new driver tonight in Stratton.
Race 5: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(3) KEYSTONE DASH has been frustrating me for ages because I know the talent is there but he can't seem to get over the top. Garcia-Herrera trainee drops to meet a bit softer tonight and could be pushing hard off the gate. (6) STATEMENT MADE A bumped to this level last week for his new connections and maintained his solid form with a grinding win; veteran looks like a clear contender again despite the move outside. (1) DECOY was second best to a runaway winner in his Yonkers return and Bartlett drives again.
Race 6: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(2) FARMER'S TAN finished with alert pace from the back in his first start since January and the Bako trainee was a major presence at this level prior to the break in action. He gets significant post relief tonight and figures to be the best price of the three main contenders. (1) MACH DORO A also missed time prior to last week's return race when he was dropped in at this much lower level, and he finished willingly despite a tough trip. Bartlett drives tonight and I suspect he'll be overbet despite having something to prove. (3) HEARTLANDBANYSBRO goes for his sixth straight tonight and he can do it from on or off the pace.
Race 7: Can You Go The Distance Trot Leg #2
(4) LINDSEY'S PRIDE took plenty of money off the Devita claim and did not disappoint as he blew away his rivals last week at the shorter distance. He's more than capable of repeating. (3) DOWN THE PIKE MIKE was also a winner in leg one of this series and he paid a nice price considering his form coming into the race; big chance again. (1) NEWSBOY has Bartlett back driving for Engblom and he gets much-needed post relief.
Race 8: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) CAVIART SARGENT has been double-digit odds in all recent outings but he hasn't been racing badly, just maybe a touch overmatched. He figures to be live here with the class drop and inside post. (3) CODY HANOVER won by a nose last week at 1/9 odds, coming from off the pace. Bartlett drives the Bongiorno trainee tonight and he'll be forwardly placed. (2) IMSTAYINALIVE finishes well every week and he figures to be saving ground and coming again late.
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Race 9: F&M NW22401 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) IN THE SPOTLIGHT N arrived from Indiana for Cullpiher a couple of months back and quickly set a life mark. Overall she's been solid when not classified too high and this field should be in her comfort zone. (1) JODY is not one of my favorites but she does get important class relief and lands the rail; obvious candidate. (5) LADY NEWTON tired last week in her first start for the Gillis barn but she figured to need that race and should have more to offer tonight and in the coming weeks.
Race 10: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) LUCKY ARTIST A fell a little flat coming out of the Matchmaker but the class relief has helped her get back on track. Veteran mare has a class edge on her main rivals and can get it done with a reasonable trip. (3) HUNTRESS was derailed by the seven hole last week but the Bongiorno trainee moves back inside and returns to Bartlett. (2) TWENTY could wake up with the change in scenery; we know that Burke is great at shuffling around his stock.
Race 11: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(4) SEAFARER and (3) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N hooked up last week and finished one-two; the way this race shakes out they will likely fill the top spots again. I'll lean to #4 despite the tactical disadvantage. (2) PICARD A moves back inside tonight which makes him a live candidate to fill out the exotics.