Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 9/17

MEET STATS: 318 - 903 / $1,705.00 (-$101.00)

BEST BETS: 43 - 85 / $135.20 (-$34.80)

Best Bet: WINNING LINC (4th)

Spot Play: UNICO LEGEND N (1st)

Race 1: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(1) UNICO LEGEND N had loads of finishing pace last start and Stratton's driving again, and it seems he gets the most out of this import. Worth a shot in this rather dull field. (2) EGOMANIA has shown little since the Bako claim but he does drop into a softer spot and he moves inside. (5) SPORTSNEST ships in from Plainridge off a win versus their $20K claimers and Bartlett gets the drive.

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Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace

(2) CLASSIC PRO was reclaimed at a premium by Devita so obviously he likes something about this gelding. I'll use that angle and take a stab at what should be a good price. (4) MARINER SEELSTER was used to the lead last start and faltered late, getting nailed at the wire by the sharp pocket-sitter. Team Bongiorno trainee deserves plenty of respect here. (6) PACING MAJOR N has come back looking very sharp and the Pete Tritton-trained veteran has to be included despite landing the outermost post.

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Race 3: $15,000 Claiming Pace

This race plays more like a $12.5K claimer than a $15K one. (1) AMERICAN SONIC arrived locally last week from Philly in stellar form, drew best yet was still sent off at 6/1 and proved a strong pocket-sitting winner. He draws best again and despite Bongiorno opting off I'll give him the nod with Bartlett getting the catch-drive. (2) THEREISAPACEFORUS moves back inside and this veteran is always competitive from good posts. (7) YS SUNSHINE debuts for Garcia-Herrera off the claim and improvement could be expected. Outside post obviously makes things difficult but helps the price.

Race 4: $12,500 Claiming Pace

(2) WINNING LINC looked awful last start but he was claimed by connections that had success with this veteran in the past. Hoping for a quick turnaround here. (8) IDEAL SON was on a big roll for the Diconstanzo barn then he was claimed away and quickly turned into mush. He now resurfaces in the Jenn Bongiorno barn and jogged in that qualifier at Philly. (5) THUNDER SOME WHERE raced very well the last two times Merton drove, and that was against $15K claimers.

Race 5: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(6) RYCROFT N is yet another addition to the Bongiorno outfit as he treks east after a long run at Northfield Park. I suppose he's routine selecting here. (4) OFFICIAL DELIGHT jogged last week off the Williams Hernandez claim and he stays at a winning level. (3) RISKY MILLION faces a bit better here off the claim but he was a winner last out and he keeps Brennan.

Race 6: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(3) SHOREVIEW found the going a bit too tough at the $25K level so he drops down a notch and finds a much more competitive spot. (4) ASTON HILL DAVE returns locally, gets dropped in for $20K and has had success over this track in the past. (1) MASTERSON also gets some class relief while moving all the way inside; he was a winner three back with Kakaley in the bike.

Race 7: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(7) ROCK N BLUE had a substitute driver in Stratton last start and he ended up too far back to seriously threaten. Bongiorno is back in the bike tonight and should be on the move early. (1) WESTERN REDHOT goes for Renaud now off another claim, draws inside and should work out a live trip. (3) BUSH MAN N almost pulled off a wire-to-wire upset last week; he loses Bartlett to #4, however, and Siegelman gets the drive.

Race 8: 3&4YO $30,000 Claiming Pace

(3) LL MYSTRO was claimed out of this class by Gillis, added Lasix then tried straight $40K claimers which didn't work out. He's back at this age-restricted level where he had been racing very well. (1) BOLT OF LUCK was bet like a good thing moving into this class off the $12,500 claim by Milici and he ended up second best; he'll be in the thick of the action from this spot. (4) SAILBOAT HANOVER was used hard securing the lead from post eight last start and wilted late. If the Burke trainee behaves himself he can win this.

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Race 9: $40,000 Claiming Pace

(5) REAL LUCKY N was stuffed into the pocket last start and failed to muster a late rally. If he's aggressively handled here by Stratton and can make the front he may prove tough to catch. He's also had some success from off the pace as well. (1) PRO BEACH drops in for a tag for the Burke barn, draws the rail and he could prove a good fit with this type. (5) HUNDIE N was pretty much locked in for the duration last start and had to settle for a minor share; his prior start he was strong from off the pace.

Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN moved back to semi-familiar connections for his last start (ok…the younger Tritton not the elder one) and he went down the road with ease, like old times. Bump up in class won't necessarily prevent him from repeating. (1) MISTER SPOT A hasn't earned a penny in his last four starts but now he faces softer coming off the DiDomenico claim and he should loom large here. (3) MR KELLY was a good second in his debut for Burke; he lacks the class of some of the others in here but he's still only four and figures to get better.