Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 10/24
MEET STATS: 391 - 1107 / $1,936.70 (-$277.30)
BEST BETS: 62 - 105 / $230.20 (+$20.20)
Best Bet: SAILBOAT HANOVER (2nd)
Spot Play: BRACKLEY BEACH (6th)
Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) GINGER TREE PETE gets significant post relief in his second start at this level and he meets a field without much current form. Kakaley drives tonight and he looks as good as any in here. (1) DESIRE'S CAPTAIN was better last week after saving ground and note three back he just missed; Bartlett picks up the catch drive. (2) KEYSTONE DASH has really fallen out of form in his last three starts but he's capable of taking this field a long way on the front end.
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Race 2: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(3) SAILBOAT HANOVER is in the midst of an insane form spree as he goes for four straight tonight and five of six overall since the Berkeley claim; tough to go against him. (1) MACINTOSH N gets a driver change to Bartlett and draws best; oldtimer should be sitting a live stalking trip. (4) SHERIFF N changes barns via claim as he goes for two straight; the very capable Braxton Boyd gets the call.
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Race 3: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) FORTIFY has been good in all recent starts and the Burke trainee gets much-needed post relief; he'll be a better price than the dropping (5) FUNATTHEBEACH N and maybe he can get the jump on that rival. The latter gets away from Open and Stakes foes tonight and is very tough not to include, but obviously won't offer any value. (1) SHADOW CAT does his best work a level or two below these but he should be able to land a piece underneath.
Race 4: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) MARINER SEELSTER hasn't been at his sharpest recently but he drops out of claimers into a seemingly easier spot; his early speed should come into play tonight. (1) REAGAN BLUE CHIP was Bartlett's choice here over a horse he won with last out. (3) MYSWEETBOYMAX found an easy spot to convert recently but as mentioned Bartlett bails; still a player, especially from this decent post.
Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) HERRICKROOSEVELT N makes his second start back after some time on the shelf and gets major post relief. With the right setup he can beat this wide-open field at a decent price. (6) SAVE ME A DANCE woke up with a wire-to-wire score two back then trailed throughout from the eight hole last start; Alexander trainee gets to drop in class and will be a major player with an alert getaway. (4) SETH HANOVER also shows speed on most occasions but he went well from off the pace last week when dropped to this level.
Race 6: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(6) BRACKLEY BEACH was a sharp winner in his last two facing $25K claimers so the gelding earns a little bump up in price. Braxton drives again for the Bongiorno barn and he figures to be firing from the gate. (1) ROLL WITH JR was dull in his last start but he drops back down to the level of the recent claim and the Tirella trainee fits better here. (2) SOUTHWIND ONYX gets Bartlett in the bike for his local return and he draws well.
Race 7: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(4) WHITECOOKIE was a game front-end winner last week in his local return and the Burke trainee faces much of the same here. (5) SMOKIN BY N isn't helped by starting outside of the top choice but he's been very sharp in his last few races. (3) BRAEVIEW BONDI A was a neck shy of the top one last out and now he goes for the DiDomenico barn via claim.
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Race 8: Open Pace
(6) LEONIDAS A was aggressively handled in last week's added-distance stakes event and can be excused for tiring. He faces a bit of a challenge with the outside draw but deserves top billing. (4) COVERED BRIDGE grinded his way to a game win in his return to the top level and he's certainly sharp enough to repeat. (1) THE WILD CARD was a close second from a similar spot last out and while he lacks the class of others in here he should be looking at a live trip.
Race 9: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(1) MARCO BEACH was a solid second last week in his second start for lower-profile connections and he lands a good inside draw facing similar. (4) GHOST DANCE has been a solid earner of late though hasn't won over his past five starts; Bartlett gets the call. (6) BENJI'S BEST burned plenty of money last week when he dropped to this level; insist on a better price tonight.