Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 9/1

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

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

BEST BET: MAN DONTFORGET ME (7^th)

SPOT PLAY: LUCKY ARTIST A (9^th)

Race 1: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(6) PRESTIGE SEELSTER drops in for a tag tonight and while he's been a bit unpredictable for these connections there does seem to be room for improvement. He'll offer a fair price from this spot. (3) PICARD A goes for three straight for this barn off the claim and five in a row overall. Veteran is logical selecting here. (1) SULLIVAN bumped up to this class last week and went down the road from the seven hole only to give way late. Connections leave him at this claiming level rather than dropping him back down; perhaps a good sign.

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Race 2: F&M NW20351 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) BETTER WATCH IT has been a model of consistency for the Garcia-Herrera barn despite not winning a race recently. Mare is in a good spot in this short field to grind them down. (4) IN THE SPOTLIGHT N was overmatched in her last two at Philly but the Cullipher trainee fits with these; Kakaley picks up the drive tonight. (1) TWIN B SUNKISSED steps up considerably in class coming off a sharp win and she may be controlling the pace from the outset.

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Race 3: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(3) MAJESTIC KIWI N finished belatedly last week once clear and the veteran can certainly build off that needed start. Blumenfeld barn has been going well recently. (1) WHAT ABOUT BOB was nipped on the wire last out after rating kindly most of the way. He should be in the thick of the action again starting from the rail again. (6) MY MIND IS MADEUP has been tiring recently and now loses Brennan to #1 but he does have early speed at his disposal which always makes him dangerous.

Race 4: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) ATREACHEROUS A has won her last two in dominating fashion and the recent import continues her ascent up the class ladder. She won't offer much of a price but the Dilloian trainee is quite appealing. (1) CASH ROLL raced okay last week versus better and she gets to drop back down a notch tonight. Schnittker trainee has quietly had a decent season. (2) HUNTRESS was aggressively handled last start to no avail; Bongiorno trainee gets Kakaley back for the catch drive and she figures to be close up throughout.

Race 5: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(5) HURRIKANE GEORGIE was plucked out of last week's race for $20K by the Engblom barn despite having zero form. I guess they are banking on a return to prior glory, like as a 4YO when he made $156K. I'm curious to see where he ends up off that 20/1 morning line. (4) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES has raced very well in his last couple off the DiDomenico claim and he's very logical from this spot. I generally don't like these "Hurrikane" horses so it's funny that I have them 1-2 here. (3) ROCK LIGHTS showed some good improvement last week; Boyd gets the drive tonight for Stratton.

Race 6: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(3) LYONS JOHNNYJNR has been competitive recently without a victory to show for it; his early speed always makes him a player and he may have an easy time making the front. (5) COLD CREEK FELIPE has been razor sharp and now double-bumps in class off the claim. We'll see if he can maintain his form. (6) BRACKLEY BEACH is now just 1 for 26 on the season but he's hit the board 16 other times. Tough spot to get involved but he has to be considered.

Race 7: F&M Open Handicap Pace

(3) MAN DONTFORGET ME has been sharp for an extended period of time and she can go from on or off the pace. That powerful win from five back still sticks in my head as an indicator of how talented she is. (5) DRAMA ACT was outbattled by Karma Seelster last out and both she and the top choice don't have to face her tonight. Burke trainee is ALWAYS a player. (4) UPTOWN HANOVER gives the top level a try on the strength of three consecutive strong finishes. We'll see if new driver Marohn can keep it up.

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Race 8: NW11201 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) KARLOO BRADLEY N makes his U.S. debut off a steady qualifier with the trainer in the bike. Kakaley gets the call looking to win one right off the bat. (2) TYGA HANOVER returns to Yonkers off a narrow win at Pocono and he does have back class. I'd like to see the catch-driving Steve Smith get aggressive with the Andrew Harris trainee, especially from this inside post. (6) ROLLING WITH SAM hasn't won much lately but likes to hit the board. Post could present a problem, however.

Race 9: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) LUCKY ARTIST A paced a big back half en route to an easy uncovered win last week and while she bumps back up in class she's a proven Open-quality pacer and will offer a much better price than #1. (1) LIT DE ROSE is able to drop from the Open ranks and lands the rail. Deserving favorite. (5) OKINAWA BEACH A goes back to Kakaley, who was a winner with the import a couple of months back. Bako trainee will be a closing threat.