Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 9/23
MEET STATS: 343 - 980 / $1,714.20 (-$245.80)
BEST BETS: 54 - 92 / $206.80 (+$22.80)
Best Bet: B NICKING (9th)
Spot Play: MARTY MONKHOUSER A (7th)
Race 1: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(2) MACHIAVELLI never got involved from the outside post in his first start off the Garcia-Herrera claim but now he moves inside and gets Dube back in the bike. Veteran looks like an obvious contender here. (4) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN actually rallied stoutly from off the pace in his last try, something he rarely does. Braxton Boyd has options off the gate from this spot. (1) POSH ONTHE BEACH A has been decent recently and he drops back down a notch in price tonight. Leading driver Bartlett picks up the drive with Stratton out of town.
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Race 2: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(6) ALWAYS AT MY PLACE returned locally from Indiana last week with poor form but he quickly found the fountain of youth in his first start in the Dowse barn as he beat up on cheaper. Millionaire pacer faces better but is classy enough to repeat. (4) AMERICAN BOY N hasn't been bad recently at the $50K claiming level but he drops in price looking for that long-awaited return to the winner's circle. (5) MARCO BEACH had a tough trip and failed to get involved last out; prior to that race he had won two straight.
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Race 3: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) MISSILE SEELSTER has had tough trips in a number of recent races and he seems due for some better luck. Dube gets the catch drive on the Cory Stratton trainee and he does have some early speed in his arsenal. (1) MISTER SPOT A dropped to this level last week and woke up with a much-improved try; prime contender from the rail. (6) KAUAI KING returns locally off a third-place effort at Philly; drawing outside his main competition hurts but picking up Bartlett helps.
Race 4: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) HL REVADON has impressed in two starts after moving to the Burke barn. I'm afraid he'll be overbet here despite facing better but he deserves top billing. (2) IM THE MUSCLE drops a notch, draws well and is proven with this type; he can offer some value here. (3) SWEET SOUL DAVID had no real excuse last week but that was facing better; Bartlett gets the drive.
Race 5: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) DIAMONDBEACH was aggressively handled last week when 1/5 odds and he responded with an easy score. He bumps back up a notch on the class ladder but that shouldn't be a problem for this $100K earner on the season. (1) BETTER UP plunges from $40K claimers and moves all the way inside. He should be looking at a live trip from this spot. (3) TELL THEM LOU brushed and crushed last start and Siegelman retains the drive.
Race 6: NW30000 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) INCOMMUNICADO ships into Yonkers for Svanstedt and picks up the catch-driving Dube. They have teamed up for numerous wins over the last few seasons and despite this one's less-than-stellar local record I'll give him the call. (3) IN MY DREAMS has taken three straight for Dowse/Bartlett; razor-sharp sort is likely facing a bit better competition here but obviously has a big chance. (5) LEAN HANOVER is feeling good again and can be a late threat.
Race 7: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(4) MARTY MONKHOUSER A gets Bartlett in the bike and looks like he has a clear path to the front. Oldtimer is still capable if not too roughed up. (2) GOTHIC ROCK was game for a share of second two back from a very similar spot. (3) CINNABAR DRAGON has an upset win and a good second (where he beat the top choice) the last two times Braxton Boyd drove and he should be on the scene late.
Race 8: Open Handicap Trot
(2) AMIGO VOLO put in his usual solid effort last week, coming up a bit short chasing Stormy Kromer. With the major post improvement and that one stuck outside the Nifty Norman trainee is the clear one to beat. (3) HILLEXOTIC is back from Scioto, where he was a tiring fifth in the Charlie Hill, but he's been rock-solid in all local tries. (1) GANGSTER HANOVER was off nearly a year but that didn't stop the Svanstedt trainee from blowing the field away at Pocono. Marohn gets the drive as Dube sticks with 'Kromer'.
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Race 9: NW16726 in last 5 starts Trot
(1) B NICKING added hobbles last week (which admittedly I missed...could have sworn back in the old days you had to qualify first) and Brennan drove with confidence, firing to the top and he jogged. Technically he gets to drop in class and draws best looking to wire them again. (3) HOMER HALL dropped from $75K claimers for his last start and was much-improved. He faces better here but could land a nice share. (7) BARN HALL failed at 3/5 upon arrival but now will be a big price and maybe Holland can get him involved.
Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) ITSMYCHECK GB gets major class and post relief, and has proven to be a solid player when in with this type. At his listed 12/1 on the morning line he's worth a look. (6) COALITION HANOVER was facing much better when last seen locally but the Bongiorno trainee hasn't been all that sharp since returning from a two-month break. Still looks like a major player with these. (2) MY MIND IS MADEUP and (1) SOHO CHELSEA A are both former high-priced claimers who have fallen on some hard times. At least #2 was a decent second three back.