Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 9/15

2023 MEET STATS: 338 - 961 / $1,680.70 (-$241.30)

BEST BETS: 53 - 89 / $172.40 (-$5.60)

BEST BET: ROCKAPELO (11^th)

SPOT PLAY: LETTUCERIPRITA A (3^rd)

Race 1: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(1) PRESTIGE SEELSTER rallied well last start for third in his debut with claimers, and likely proved that he belongs with this type. Drawing the rail in this competitive event is a big plus as it gives Kakaley options. (4) BRACKLEY BEACH is still sitting on just one win this year but with his early speed he's always close; we'll see if he can maintain his good form for his new barn. (2) ARTIST BEST was stuck with outside posts in his last two and wasn't involved while going off at long odds. The move back inside should make him a contender again.

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Race 2: NW7526 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) COPPER TEEN recently moved to the Bongiorno barn and was a winner two back before failing to get involved last start. Joe B is back driving and he'll be a good price here to maybe take a swing. (2) SHINE A LIGHT was strong two back, dull last start. Engblom trainee drops another notch and keeps Bartlett. (1) RB leaves the NW age-restricted ranks and should fit well here. (3) MUSCLE FACTORY A will take money.

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Race 3: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(5) LETTUCERIPRITA A has been dull recently but he meets an equally formless field tonight and we know the oldtimer is a proven winner at this level; Holland drives tonight and maybe that helps wake him up at a price. (1) MY MIND IS MADEUP has speed and the rail; likely the one to catch. (2) FOX VALLEY INFERNO has hit the board in his last two since returning to Yonkers and is logical.

Race 4: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(4) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES has raced well enough to win recently but has come up just short. Last start he was run over by a rival on a barn change who went an insane mile. He too changes hands here and tries Stratton. (2) SHANWAY N was a winner first out off the Blumenfeld claim and he meets similar here from a good inside post. (5) WHAT ABOUT BOB bumps up off a win and a nose loss; formful gelding does draw outside of his main competition which could make things a bit tricky.

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

(1) MAN DONTFORGET ME has been racing at a high level for an extended period of time and mostly at the Open level. Classy mare meets some legit rivals but she's the one to beat. (4) JIVE DANCING A has tailed off a bit but also drops from the Open and finds a good spot to be aggressive. (3) MORNING HAS BROKEN hasn't been at her best recently but we know she's more than capable of turning things around.

Race 6: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY needs some luck with a good setup but the mare has a strong move in her and would be no surprise here as the third or fourth choice. (3) I LOVE ONGAIT added Lasix for last week's start at Philly and just missed at 44/1; she fits well here. (1) BETTERB CHEVRON N lands the rail and should be good for a share.

Race 7: F&M Open Handicap Pace

(4) LIT DE ROSE dropped and popped last start at 1/9 odds and now she's back in the Open where she's capable of winning any given week. Lachance trainee can leave the gate giving her options from this midpack post. (2) MADRID A was a solid earner Down Under and swept the field at Philly in her U.S. debut. Bongiorno import gets a real test here. (5) KARMA SEELSTER has been sharp as a tack but has also missed a little more time than the others in here; will that make a difference?

Race 8: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(3) MARINER SEELSTER is winding down a stellar career as the 14YO makes his 424th lifetime start. He returns to Yonkers now at a lower level than he had been facing here previously and those last two Pocono efforts were fine. (2) CENTURY HANNIBAL has only one start over the last few months and it was a poor effort facing better. Bartlett is back driving, however, and he's won with this guy in the past. (1) TOATSMYGOATS is an iffy proposition here but if he's good to go he can take this field down the road.

Race 9: F&M NW23901 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) COACHELLABOUND N saw her winning streak come to an end at The Meadowlands where she charged home but was too far back. Bucci trainee gets another acid test tonight facing some tough rivals. (3) ATREACHEROUS A faltered in the late stages last out where she was nipped by #4; talented import gets a chance to redeem himself. (4) HUNTRESS sailed by late to nail it for Joe and Jenn B but it may be tough to repeat having drawn outside the top two.

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Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) DRAGON SAID has really fallen on hard times but he comes back to Yonkers where he's had lots of success, draws the rail at the lowest conditioned level and is reunited with Joe B in the sulky. Can he take this formless field down the road? (4) DELIGHTFUL TERROR has done little since the $30K claim by the Stratton barn but he finds a much easier spot tonight. (5) AIR FORCE HANOVER is another veteran with class trying to find his way.

Race 11: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) ROCKAPELO gets a hugely important driver change from the owner to Joe Bongiorno as he makes his second start for this barn trying to turn things around. (1) TALBOTCREEKWHISKY has gone numerous big miles at Yonkers in the past and I can see him performing well tonight with Bartlett. (3) STOP STARING hails from good connections and is another one in here trying to right the ship.