Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 10/31
MEET STATS: 391 - 1107 / $1,936.70 (-$277.30)
BEST BETS: 62 - 105 / $230.20 (+$20.20)
Best Bet: NANDOLO N (8th)
Spot Play: I'LL DRINK TO THAT (4th)
Race 1: NW10000 in last 5 starts
(1) WICHITA LINEMAN was better when dropped to this conditioned level, his second start after being claimed for $50K by the Alexander barn. Veteran moves all the way inside and gets the call. (5) MYSWEETBOYMAX always takes a ton of money but doesn't always deliver; he gets Bartlett back in the bike tonight and they teamed up for a win two back. (4) MARLBANK ROAD was a solid winner in his last two and bumps up another step on the class ladder.
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Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(4) BRACKLEY BEACH has been good since returning locally and now he goes for new connections off last week's claim. Perhaps he can turn the tables tonight on favored (1) SOUTHWIND ONYX. The latter was a well-rated winner holding the top one at bay and the Harris trainee is right back in a winning spot; short price looming. (6) SULLIVAN gave way on the front end in his last start but he rallied well in his prior three and he'll be off the pace tonight; worth considering for a share at a price.
Race 3: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(5) SHERIFF N was quickly reclaimed by the DiDomenico barn and he stays at the level where he's most competitive; he can win from on or off the pace. (1) MACINTOSH N was second best to the top one last week from a similar spot; classy oldtimer is still going strong and figures to come away with another nice piece. (3) CAVIART SARGENT moves up in class off an upset win and Stratton gets the call again.
Race 4: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) I'LL DRINK TO THAT gets some much-needed class relief and the 4-year-old does have the early speed to get into play. (1) SAVE ME A DANCE has not been at his best recently despite a win three back and he figures to take a ton of money from this spot; use caution. (4) ALWAYS ROCKIN invades from Indiana and gets Bartlett to drive; he does have a 1:49 1/5 mark from a win three back.
Race 5: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace - $10K Gtd. Pick 5 Pool
Interesting race with multiple class-droppers, and of those (3) SEMI TOUGH is the most accomplished this season. He seems difficult to get motivated sometimes and can be trip-dependent but from this spot Brennan can get him moving early. (1) ALWAYS AND AGAIN lands inside and could be the controlling speed. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N faces tougher but he's been good in all recent starts and Kakaley is back driving.
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) BELTANE A was no good last start trying to rally into a rated pace but he drops back to a more competitive level tonight and he was second best in his last two tries with similar; worth a look in this competitive race. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM rolled down the road on the dropdown last out and he had been facing tougher in prior starts. (6) PRETTY HANDSOME does fit well with these and has shown good early speed on occasion.
Race 7: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(4) AMERICAN BOY N has had too much to do from outside posts in his last few but the veteran was a winner five back from a similar spot and he can be close enough to reach tonight. (1) CHANGE STRIDE came up just short in his last two and gets another chance here to wire them. (3) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD gets his best post since being claimed by the DiDomenico barn and we'll see if he has more to offer.
Race 8: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) NANDOLO N never got involved in the Aria Invitational on Int'l Trot day but he's back at the NW30000 level looking to make amends for that loss at 1/5 odds. Shane Tritton trainee will be heavily bet again but should be able to handle these. (4) DON DOMINGO N was never a threat in last week's Open but he did pick up a small check; he was a winner the start prior. (8) FORTIFY is a solid fit with these but has to find a way to get involved coming out of the eight hole.
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Race 9: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(5) BARBADOS had been on a monster form spree before disappearing for a month; he returns with a serviceable qualifier and a drop in price from the 100's to $75K claimers and while I'm not in love with him I think he's the one to beat. (3) SMOKIN BY N is arguably in career form and I expect him to be more involved tonight. (1) MIKEY CAMDEN gets much-needed post relief and should be working out a live trip.
Race 10: $40,000 Claiming Pace
Ever since (5) ALOTBETTOR N aired it out on the front end and folded versus much lesser in August the classy veteran has totally turned things around. He does move outside a bit on the gate but he faces a field with questionable form and deserves top billing. (2) PURPLE POET arrives from Pocono in a new barn and he's had a nice season; Bartlett drives. (4) TIN ROOF RAIDER A doesn't win often but always gets a check.