Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 10/17
MEET STATS: 391 - 1107 / $1,936.70 (-$277.30)
BEST BETS: 62 - 105 / $230.20 (+$20.20)
Best Bet: JACK'S LEGEND N (4th)
Spot Play: SHINE A LIGHT (3rd)
Race 1: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) SOHO LENNON A has underwhelmed since returning from his latest break in action but the veteran drops to a new low tonight and if he's got some life left in those legs he should be able to wire these. (1) MISTER DONALD A was unable to make any headway when sent to the rim last week but now he lands the rail and Holland gets the call; more aggressive early handling can set him up with a live trip. (2) MIGHTY SANTANA N gets another shot at this reduced level after failing on the front end last week.
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Race 2: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
Five of the six in here are technically dropping and looking to awaken, as none have particularly good form. (4) ALEX TYE has been a favorite of mine dating back to the big run he went on earlier in the year facing high-end claimers. Bartlett picks up the drive tonight and he could be aiming for the front. (2) FAMILY RECIPE was odds-on last week but never got close to the winner in a race timed in 1:51 3/5. It's unlikely they go that fast tonight. (3) WALKINSHAW N is a consistent sort and he won't ever be too far back in here; another legit possibility in here.
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Race 3: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(4) SHINE A LIGHT jogged on the front end last week and that's four solid efforts in a row since arriving from Rideau Carleton for the Dowse barn. (1) ONE OFF DELIGHT N was claimed two back by DiDomenico, bumped to this level and raced well to be second best; he draws well again and figures to be in the thick of the action. (2) TIN ROOF RAIDER A is a consistent presence but just 3 for 41 over the last two seasons; consider that stat if planning to use on top.
Race 4: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) JACK'S LEGEND N has a major class edge on these as he is a regular Open participant and was a Borgata finalist earlier in the year. I'm not in love with him here but expect him to win at 2/5 odds. (4) UNCLE JORD A also drops in class and can pick up the pieces to complete the exacta. (3) REIGNING DEO was the 6/5 favorite last week but never made a bid; hard to see him winning here but he can land a share.
Race 5: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(5) WHITECOOKIE has been right there in all recent Pennsylvania races and the Burke trainee has raced well here in the past; he should offer a better price than the streaking (1) THE DOWNTOWN BUS. The latter jogged in 30's, 40's, 50's and now draws the rail in 75's. Dowse trainee is the logical favorite here to make it four straight. (2) BRAEVIEW BONDI A has been solid in three of four since arriving from Canada and the Alexander trainee deserves serious consideration.
Race 6: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) LONG WEEKEND A was able to convert at a nice price when dropping in class last week. Bongiorno trainee moves back up a peg and perhaps has the newfound confidence to repeat. (3) RAUKAPUKA RULER N drops from the $75K claiming level, picks up Bartlett and figures to be heading down the road, but it's been a long time since his last win and he won't offer much value. (4) ROCKATHON is reunited with Brennan, who had success with the gelding a few starts back.
Race 7: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) SAILBOAT HANOVER is so sharp it's scary; gelding figures to take another. (3) KERFORD ROAD A was okay in his first start for the DiDomenico barn and now he moves in a couple of spots; veteran could add some value to the exotics. (5) CLEVER CHARACTER is fresh stock arriving from Canada to join the Bako barn and he has a 1:53 3/5 mile over the half at Grand River; Bartlett picks up the drive but he has missed some time.
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Race 8: Open Handicap Pace
(6) JOESTAR OF MIA A never got involved in his return to the Open ranks but Bartlett sticks with the Dowse trainee over a legit contender in here and I can see him utilizing his early speed to reach contention. (2) SPEED MAN N is a proven entity at this level and he lands a good post but Bartlett bailed; Marohn gets the drive and he should be able to carve out a nice piece from the inside. (4) BUDDY HILL is a neck shy of a four-race winning streak; sharp sort can go with these.
Race 9: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(1) BENJI'S BEST has two wins, two seconds and a third in his last five tries at the $50K claiming level, a sharp second with $75's, and has earned over $80,000 in just 13 starts this year. Why is he dropping 20% in price tonight (from 50 to 40)? Do we key him at 2/5? I don't know. (3) CHANGE STRIDE N was a bit improved last week when he got class relief. Classy veteran wouldn't be a surprise. (5) GHOST DANCE was aggressively sent down the road by Holland in his last start and he ran out of gas late. Most of his prior starts from off the pace were good.