Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 8/9

2024 MEET STATS: 274 - 898 / $1,503.40 (-$292.60)

BEST BETS: 40 - 77 / $145.10 (-$8.90)

BEST BET: KEG STAND (9^th)

SPOT PLAY: MASONS DELIGHT N (1^st)

Race 1: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) MASONS DELIGHT N has only picked up minor shares since arriving from Northfield but he faces softer here and time-wise his recent races have been faster. Last week he hung around after a tough trip and still paced in 1:53 1/5. (1) FOREVER FAV goes second-time Bongiorno with Joe B. now driving and he'll be aggressive from the rail. (2) B LIKE CRUISER drops from $20K claimers and moves from the eight hole inside to post two; logical.

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Race 2: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) TALENT TO SPARE A steps back up a notch off a loss but she's been close in all recent and the Lance Hudson trainee may be looking at the best trip in here. (3) TWIN B SUNKISSED faces a smaller field with an improved post. Burke trainee is logical. (4) FAVORITE BEACH finished third last week at a million to one and now drops a notch. Lots of positives here as well.

Race 3: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot

(3) VALI HANOVER has been dull recently at Pocono but a closer look over his last couple show tougher fields and tough posts. Bartlett is back driving and they teamed up for a win here in June. (6) THE LAST CHAPTER was in an amateur race last week at The Meadowlands. Toss that line and this veteran should be a big player here at 12/1 morning line. Speed and back class. (1) EEE Z WOW ships down from Tioga off a decent placing.

Race 4: F&M NW10151 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) VILLAGE JADE makes her third start now off the $50K Dilloian claim and she drops and returns to Bartlett. Classy mare is a candidate to go down the road. (1) TAKING THE MIKI A invades for the Cullipher barn and the recent import looks like a good fit. (4) ROCKN PHILLY lands outside the top two which limits her chances but she can close for a share.

Race 5: F&M NW21951 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) OKINAWA BEACH A can close a ton with the right setup and from this post she may end up with a live trip; hoping for a speedy pace to get this longshot there. (2) LLOYD'S LOVES has been on fire and she looks for five straight. (1) ELEKTRA A is also streaking but she faces the toughest field she's seen in some time. (5) LIT DE ROSE always merits a mention for trainer/driver Pat Lachance.

Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(4) BEERTHIRTY K has always been talented and he started off well when moved to the DiDomenico barn but his last three he was in too tough. He can thrive at this level. (3) P L OSCAR is a speed threat which should ultimately set him up with a live stalking trip. (2) HOOLIE N HECTOR was a winner the last time Buter was in the bike.

Race 7: F&M NW16741 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) EASY TO PLEASE hasn't been a factor in her last few but hasn't been far off either. While not as sharp as she once was she's proven to still be competitive with this type and she can convert with a smooth trip. (1) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY gets another chance here after failing last week as the heavy favorite (according to the charted line she was one cent on the dollar!). (3) IN THE SPOTLIGHT N found an easy spot to convert last week at Tioga and she finished close in a start here last month.

Race 8: F&M Invitational Handicap Pace

(5) SILK CLOUD A showed her versatility last week by coming from off the pace and grinding her way to a win; Pete Tritton trainee goes for her fourth straight facing much of the same. (6) COACHELLABOUND N was the pacesetter who was collared by the top one in her latest race. Landing outside all but one of her contenders may prove difficult but she should be a reasonable price. (3) DOUGS BABE A broke in her local return so she figures to be a longshot here but she does have the ability.

Race 9: NW15661 in last 5 starts Trot

(5) KEG STAND returns to Yonkers off an easy front-end win at Pocono and he was a player at the Invitational level here most of the year. Note that Bartlett chose this one over an Engblom trainee who is going for three straight. (3) KINDA LUCKY LINDY also returns from Pocono and he's got a long and rather successful history at Yonkers. (2) HELPOFTHESEASON is the aforementioned Engblom entrant and he gets Joe B. catch-driving. He'll be on or close to the lead.

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Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES drops to the lowest conditioned class in his second start after being claimed for $30K by Bongiorno and this veteran has done well here over the years for multiple trainers. Gelding looks like the one to beat. (2) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER jogged the last time we saw him at this level. (3) NOME HANOVER hasn't produced since the $30K claim last month; have to assume he's better than he's been showing.

Race 11: F&M NW5541 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) ELISES DELIGHT gets needed post improvement for good connections and she lures Stratton off his brother's horse with whom he just missed with last week. (5) ONEDERFULBEACH gets Brennan to catch drive and she's clearly knocking at the door. (4) COWGIRL LILLY was third best from a similar spot two back and Holland is back aboard.