Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 8/7

MEET STATS: 125 - 357 / $679.40 (-$34.60)
BEST BETS: 18 - 32 / $57.50 (-$6.50)
Best Bet: OHOKA JOHNNY N (7th)
Spot Play: MAGRITTE (1st)

Race 1 - NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) MAGRITTE returns locally after facing better recently out of town and while he's never been a prolific winner he's been competitive here at higher levels; worth a look in the opener facing some rivals with question marks. (3) ODDS ON COLUMBUS ships back in for DiDomenico looking for a wakeup call. (2) WESTERN BAYAMA hasn't been all that great recently but he does have back class and Bartlett picks up the drive from the good inside post.

Race 2 - NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) WINDSONG JACK was a legitimate $40K claimer here last season, banking almost $160K in the process. Veteran drops to the basement and he should be able to get well in a hurry. (4) ON THE VIRG loomed in the pocket last start and was outfinished in traffic; he also gets class relief and appears to be the main rival. (1) SURREAL ART was in the midst of a rally when he broke (again) last out; he remains a risky play.

Race 3 - NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(7) PEPPER GUY showed noticeable improvement last start at Philly when dropped in class and he has raced well locally in the past; Bartlett picks up the drive and he should offer a decent price. (1) CENTURY FERRARI moved to the William Mann barn, qualified nicely and I expect an aggressive try coming. (3) SHAMMA LAMMA certainly seems fast enough but it seems like finding the proper classification has been the problem.

Race 4 - Preferred Handicap Trot

(5) SWANSEA was stuck in post eight last start and never got involved. Winning the 5 through 8 draw in this handicap race should get him back on the winning track. (6) STORMY KROMER is in career form going for four straight; impossible not to include. (7) MELADY'S MONET faces an uphill climb with some good ones drawn inside of him but the classy 11-year-old can never be totally counted out; use underneath.

Race 5 - Open Handicap Pace

(7) AMERICAN MERCURY took loads of money making his seasonal debut but started a bit sluggishly and came on too late with plenty of pace. With that start under his belt the 4-year-old may be driven more aggressively. (5) JACK’S LEGEND N returns after a few months on the shelf now in a new barn but he looks ready to roll off those two qualifiers. (6) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER looks for his fourth straight local win at the Open level yet still may be ignored in the wagering.

Race 6 - NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) CARLISIMO just missed last out off a live cover trip and the Lance Hudson trainee can get it done tonight with a similar tow. (1) ABRAXAS BLUES A has always been rather inconsistent but the DiDomenico trainee has taken two straight on the front end and would be no surprise if he won another. (3) MR WIGGLE PANTS returns to the east coast off a failed stint in Ohio and he's reunited with Bartlett.

Race 7 - NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) OHOKA JOHNNY N arrived locally for Shane Tritton, left well and rode a live pocket trip coming up just a bit short; import can be tighter tonight to get the job done. (1) ARQUE HANOVER benefitted from the leader quitting last week but couldn't last the duration and was swallowed up late; Abbatiello trainee fits nicely at this level and draws best; player. (4) GALACTIC GALLEON N is probably at his best a level or two down but he was sharp last out at The Big M; consider for a share.

Race 8 - NW17500 in last 5 starts Trot

(4) MONEY MAVEN does come off a miscue last out but his prior effort wasn't bad at all and this veteran still seems capable of stepping up with a big effort from time to time; price should be right. (2) WINNING SHADOW will be controlling the action but he needs more late stamina. (1) BARRY BLACK has been in good form and should carve out another nice share from this spot. (5) OBRIGADO has tailed off a bit in his last two but that was while facing some tough competition at The Meadowlands; 10-year-old oozes class and deserves consideration.

Race 9 - NW17500 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) MOHAWK WARRIOR had all sorts of issues in a start about five weeks ago but he bounced back quickly and was a very willing third in his last try; this barn has had some live ones recently and he looks to have a big chance. (1) TREASURE MACH is up in class off a couple of losses and I'm not sure about taking him on top but he should be in line for a good trip from this spot. (5) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP debuts now for new connections (Garcia-Herrera) and he kept up well in a quick qualifier last week.