Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 8/20

Matt Rose|Aug 18, 2021

MEET STATS: 263 - 736 / $1,436.70 (-$35.30)

BEST BETS: 37 - 71 / $116.50 (-$25.50)

Best Bet: SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN (5th)

Spot Play: AFTER ALL PAUL (11th)

Race 1: $12,500 Claiming Pace

(5) BUGGER BRUISER was used in the early stages then was shuffled and tired facing better in his first start off the Fusco claim; he drops in class and should go better versus these. (2) THISISHOWWEDOIT paced just evenly upon arrival from Vernon and was quicky snatched up by Cory Stratton via claim; gelding draws well again and should work out a big piece. (1) LODI MACHETTE MAN was second best last start from a similar spot.

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Race 2: NAADA Amateur Trot Final

I hate to go chalky here but (2) KEYSTONE BLADE just looks a bit better than these with Joe P. in the bike from a good post. (1) WINNERESS lands the rail and looks second best to complete a cold exacta. (3) JUDGE KEN could prove a bit stubborn if he's able to cross over to the front early.

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Race 3: $15,000 Claiming Pace

This race looks like it will be dominated by the four inside entrants. (3) ART HISTORY went a long trip last start and can be excused for tiring; he goes for another new barn tonight and he's proven in the past to be a good fit with this type. (2) THUNDER SOME WHERE was right there at the wire at 61/1 in his last race; no reason to think he won't be a player again, at much lower odds. (4) NORTHERN SPORTSMAN returned locally last week and was ready to roll as he blew away $12,500 claimers; he takes a logical bump in price tonight.

Race 4: 3&4YO $30,000 Claiming Pace

(6) TERRITORY has looked awesome in two starts after the DiDomenico claim and his connections have picked up a quick $30K coming off the base $15K claim. He drops right back in to this class looking for the hat trick. (3) KEYSTONE DASH went on the judges list after his last start but he quickly bounced back with a sharp qualifier for his new connections. (2) LL MYSTRO brushed and crushed at this level upon arrival; can he repeat that performance? We’ll see.

Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(3) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN takes a needed drop in class tonight and Siegelman will be looking to take this field coast-to-coast. (1) P L KETCHUP was a good second last out at Philly after cutting the mile; Jeff Gregory trainee has always has good early speed and he can line up a nice pocket trip to the top one. (4) BIG BOX HANOVER has disappointed since arriving from Ohio; perhaps new driver Brennan will have more success with him.

Race 6: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) BETTING EXCHANGE was unable to get involved last week when dropped to this NW5000 level but he lands a better post tonight and the veteran is one of the top contenders in here. (1) ROCKABILLY CHARM fits this class after being taken for $15K by Dowse and he also gets much-needed post relief. (4) ST LADS NEPTUNE raced very well in his 2021 debut but has been unable to replicate that effort; class and post relief should help his cause.

Race 7: Open Handicap Trot

(7) FELICITYSHAGWELL S was expertly handled here three back by Dube, who is back driving the Svanstedt trainee; I would expect the mare to be on the move early. (4) NO MAS DRAMA moves up to the top level off an easy front-end score as the odds-on favorite; she's got two wins and two seconds in four Yonkers races this year. (8) MELADY'S MONET is an ageless wonder who already has 11 wins from 21 starts this season. Obviously the eight-hole assignment may limit him to a smaller share tonight.

Race 8: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) ESAI HANOVER was last seen locally in the first leg of the Borgata series (where he was severely overmatched) but now he returns off a winning qualifier at his home base and finds himself at the lowest conditioned level. Pantaleano has been aggressive here in his limited appearances. (1) WAR DAN DELIGHT N gets the powerful combo of class and post relief; likely favorite. (6) LETS ROLL burned money in his last two out of town and he should be competitive with these.

Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(1) MAGIC VACATION had decent trot at both ends of his mile last week and drawing the inside may give driver Joe Bongiorno the tactical edge he needs to win this. (4) DRAZZMATAZZ has quietly been racing very well of late and this barn picked up a win the other night. (3) HOMER HALL certainly is logical here getting class and post relief but those recent breaks are a bit concerning.

Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN plunges from $40K claimers and finally lands an inside post; veteran is strictly the one to catch. (3) HEAVEN'S GAIT hasn't been at his best lately for a variety of reasons but this is a spot to get well. (6) ALL HANDS ON DECK switched to the Jenn Bongiorno barn for his last start and predictably he was a winner; faces better tonight.

Race 11: NW20000 in last 5 starts Trot

(5) AFTER ALL PAUL had solid late trot last week to be second best to the odds-on winner; Lance Hudson trainee seems long-overdue. (3) WHAT CHAPTER has rallied well in his last two, could do so again for a board spot. (4) MISS MCKEE has not been able to replicate her strong win four back but she does find a seemingly better spot tonight.

Race 12: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) REDBANK BLAZE A has plenty of back class and finds a pretty soft spot to flaunt it; expect Joe B to handle this veteran aggressively. (2) BILBO HANOVER should be close to the pace throughout and that can help him land a share. (6) THE WILD CARD drops in class for the third consecutive start and he will attract attention here but he doesn't have much current form.