Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 8/18

2023 MEET STATS: 314 - 903 / $1,564.60 (-$241.40)

BEST BETS: 49 - 84 / $158.60 (-$9.40)

BEST BET: COLD CREEK FELIPE (11^th)

SPOT PLAY: DIAMONDBEACH (10^th)

Race 1: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(4) BARRYWHITE HANOVER was stuck in poor spots in his two races so far off the Ruiz claim as both were dominated by front-end speed. Post improvement, smaller field and softer overall competition makes him attractive. (2) JK LUCKY CHARMS couldn't reach faster pace last week; prior was game uncovered win. (3) ZIGGY SKY doesn't win much anymore but he's been competitive.

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Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace

(4) LYONS JOHNNYJNR has been coming up short in the late stages but now he returns on Lasix and meets a beatable field. (1) DECOY stepped up last week on the Temming re-claim and win again, and was taken for $30K by the Laterza barn; obvious threat if he maintains his good form. (2) WON LAST FEELING draws well again in debut for the DiDomenico barn; he's been much-improved lately.

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Race 3: F&M NW21301 in last 5 starts Pace

(7) AMAZING DREAM N faces the softest field she's seen in recent memory and the classy mare should be able to handle these, despite the outside post. (1) ANNABELLE HANOVER is in good form and lands the rail. (4) LUCKY ARTIST A isn't nearly as sharp as she was earlier this year but she's freshened up and should come away with a good share.

Race 4: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(1) PICARD A scored from the pocket first-out for these connections last week and is in a friendly spot to repeat facing much of the same. (4) BRACKLEY BEACH was collared by the top one in last week's race and now stands at 1 for 24 on the year. Stratton picks up the drive tonight and figures to be forwardly placed as usual. (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES raced well in defeat first out for the DiDomenico barn and steps up a notch

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

(1) HUNTRESS has been in the money 12 of 13 starts this year including four wins for the Bongiorno barn; Sieglelman has the catch-drive again and he's got options departing from the rail. (2) MISS DOTTIE MAE had been knocking on the door for some time now and finally picked up a win last week in game style. Sharp sort should be right there while facing a bit better. (4) SHESASHARPSHOOTER never got close last week at Hoosier but she was a winner from a very similar spot the start prior.

Race 6: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(3) SHANWAY N is always a major player when drawn well and he's inside his main competition tonight. Good spot to score but won't offer much value. (6) SULLIVAN has been good for an extended period of time at the $15K claiming level and he gets protected by these connections as they move him up a level; needs an alert getaway. (7) WHAT ABOUT BOB was much-improved last start at Philly as he set a rather tepid 1:54 1/5 career mark; maybe some room for more improvement.

Race 7: Pop-Up F&M Final 1 1/4 Mile Pace

(1) COACHELLABOUND N has blitzed through this series and he's paid $2.10 in each of the three legs. Will the extra 1/4 of a mile make a difference? I'm guessing no. (2) COALFORDSNSHINE GB has looked good when he doesn't self-destruct; he and (5) TALLCHIEF HANOVER are the main competition.

Race 8: F&M Open Handicap Pace

(5) KARMA SEELSTER has come up a touch short in her last three after winning three in a row; classy mare is still in fighting form and deserves another chance. (4) MAN DONTFORGET ME has been live for an extended period of time and can add value underneath. (2) DRAMA ACT is hard to love but impossible to toss; Burke mare goes for three straight.

Race 9: F&M NW30335 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) SILK CLOUD A looked to be in a good spot last out and was hammered at the windows but was used early and came up dull late. Stratton is back driving the Pete Tritton-trained mare who is probably better off stalking. (1) HOT MESS EXPRESS is still trying to work her way back to top form and who knows if it will ever happen. Contender again from the rail. (7) OKINAWA BEACH A may be a bit inconsistent but we've seen her close a ton and she'll be a big price.

Race 10: NW10576 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) DIAMONDBEACH has some ugly-looking lines in his last four but five back he wired a similar field from the six hole. Can he come up with an effort like that one? He should be a good price if you believe. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP gets Brennan to drive tonight (his regular driver Siegelman owns #7) and he should be in line for a good trip, maybe even on the front end. (3) ROCKIN MARTY A closed well last start when dropped to this level.

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Race 11: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(1) COLD CREEK FELIPE has been solid in all four starts since being claimed by the Choate barn though he doesn't have a win to show for it. That could change tonight as he stalks likely pacesetter (5) TOATSMYGOATS. I'm confident he can roll by late. The latter goes for four straight on the engine at this level but he is in a new barn off the claim. That's a built-in excuse if he falters. (3) MY MIND IS MADEUP has been chasing #5 lately and couldn't reach. He's winless over an extended period of time but the veteran is capable.

Race 12: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) MACHEASY A isn't exactly a winning machine but he's used to keeping company with better than he sees here; he should be setting up somewhere midpack and may have the strongest late charge at a fair price. (5) THINKBIG DREAMBIG has underwhelmed since returning but he too faces a bit easier and he should make his presence felt at some point. (2) TJ'S INDY PACER is a speedy Northfield shipper now under the care of Travis Alexander; we'll see how he fits in here.