Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 10/16
?q=100){kind=logo}
2023 MEET STATS: 392 - 1109 / $2,065.30 (-$152.70)
BEST BETS: 59 - 103 / $196.80 (-$9.20)
BEST BET: HUDSON PHIL (1st)
SPOT PLAY: MACHIAVELLI (9th)
Race 1: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(5) HUDSON PHIL has loads of back class and after a bit of a lull he's back in fighting form; I expect aggressive early handling and the veteran gets top call. (2) ROAN COLOR was racing well prior to folding on the front end last start. He can offer value now coming off of that race. (4) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE clearly fits with these and Joe B is back driving.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) CAPTIVATE HANOVER has tailed off over the past month while facing better than he sees here; class drop and rail draw should be just what the doctor ordered for this Garcia-Herrera trainee. (7) JAHAN HANOVER can fire off the gate and hit the lead or settle in behind. Either way the Engblom trainee is a big threat with Bartlett at the controls. (6) KINGSVILLE also gets major class relief and will be more involved; Brennan is back in the bike.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 3: 3-5YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(7) UP THE CREEK went a big eight-hole try two back at a million to one odds and just missed, and followed that up with a closing effort at Pocono. Joe Bongiorno is back driving for his sister and figures to offer a square price again. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL hasn't won yet since arriving locally but he always brings an honest effort; Bartlett picks up the drive. (4) COLD CREEK FELIPE has elevated from $15K claimers up to this $30K level for these connections though he hasn't won yet since the claim, but he's a consistent board threat.
Race 4: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(6) DEETZY has always been a nice horse but now he's a winning machine. Camilleri trainee goes for his sixth straight front-end win. (2) ROCKIN JUKEBOX took full advantage of that post relief in his last start as he wired the field; Bongiorno trainee draws well again and is probably the main threat to the top choice. (1) MICKY GEE N looks like he's settled into his role of consistent mid to upper-level claimer and despite just one win on the season he's always capable of the score with a live setup.
Race 5: Open Handicap 1 assgnd, 2-6,7-8 drawn Pace
(2) HEMSWORTH N was actually very good in his last start down at Lexington as he just missed finishing second to Bythemissal at a big price. Bako trainee is back at Yonkers where he lands the best post of the 2 thru 6 draw and he's capable here with a solid steer by Lachance. (7) BACKSTREET SHADOW remains in top form and the classy vet recently went over $300K for the season. He's a deserving favorite here but this isn't the easiest spot. (3) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A has worked his way back to the top level but he loses Stratton to #8 Covered Bridge, who ironically is the most accomplished in here at 15 for 31 and almost $500K banked this year, but is severely hampered by post eight.
Race 6: 3-5YO $50,000/$75,000 Claiming Pace
(8) RJ SPORTS IMAGE leaves the age-restricted Open ranks and is back in claimers, and though he lands outside by virtue of the higher price tag I don't see a major problem with Bartlett getting him to the front. (2) FULSOME has finished a good second in his last two starts for a barn that has done well so far in limited engagements. He can offer some value here. (5) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER has just been 'ok' of late but I have a hunch that he'll be better here and he can hit the ticket at a price.
Race 7: 3-5YO $50,000 Claiming Pace
(5) JK STANDINGOVATION faced a softer field last week when he moved to the age-restricted claimers and he rallied well to finish a close third. Daguet trainee can build off that effort and does seem way overdue. (2) ARTIST BEST steps up a notch in price but has landed in an easier spot. After two consecutive eight holes he gets major post relief which makes him a player. (4) HURRIKANE GEORGIE was better last week and Holland drives again.
[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]
Race 8: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) ROCKNROLL RUNA A has been a legitimate Open contender over the last few months and he returns locally off two sharp wins upstate at Batavia and Saratoga. Main problem is that he really hasn't shown any gate speed in his Yonkers starts but if Brennan can coax him off the gate and land somewhere near the front then watch out! (2) ROCK DIAMONDS N likely needs a class drop for his best opportunity to win but he's a certain board threat from this spot. (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW just missed in his latest try and Bartlett drives again for Engblom.
Race 9: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(6) MACHIAVELLI makes his first local start since the beginning of the year but when we last saw him he was a major player at this level for this barn, so despite stepping up in price he meets a relatively soft field that looks beatable. (4) STATEMENT MADE A raced well for second in last week's sprint and he's hit the board with regularity in prior engagements. (2) BALLERAT BOOMERANG didn't do much in debut for these connections but he lands the best post he's seen in ages.