Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 11/8
MEET STATS: 364 - 1089 / $1,942.20 (-$235.80)
BEST BETS: 50 - 102 / $155.60 (-$48.40)
Best Bet: CHANGE STRIDE N (7th)
Spot Play: BRACKLEY BEACH (2nd)
Race 1: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) MARTY MONKHOUSER A had a pretty nice run at the $40K claiming level but gave way in his last start after being used too hard. Cory Stratton trainee drops in class and draws well looking to rebound. (5) CLASSIC PRO also tired on the front end in his last start with little excuse. Connections have to be respected here as the freelegged pacer also looks to right the ship. (2) ALLGONOWHOA finished alertly last start with Kakaley driving after saving ground and he's possibly looking at a similar trip tonight.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(8) BRACKLEY BEACH scored first time out for Jenn Bongiorno after being snagged for $30K and bumping to $40K. This gelding has always had some good early speed, which will obviously have to be on display tonight from the eight hole, but it doesn't seem impossible. (2) ARTISTS RUFFLES has been on an extended form spree over at Pocono, including in two starts for current trainer Sowers, who took this one off Burke for $30K. Inside post should make him a player. (3) FOX VALLEY INFERNO is up in class again off the Capone claim looking for three straight.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 3: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) PYRO threw in one of his occasional miscues last start when bet down to the 6/5 favorite. That incident should help to improve the price on this gelding that we know fits well with these. (2) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N gets needed post relief and will be much more involved tonight. (4) SOMEBADDUDE was a winner in his first start after switching to the Jenn Bongiorno barn; he faces much tougher here any may only be able to land a small share.
Race 4: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(5) AMERICAN BOY N has been on quite a roll recently, including sweeping the field last start, taking advantage of the hot pace. Brennan gets the call on this 10-year-old veteran tonight. (2) GIVENUPDREAMING seldom wins but almost always comes away with a share, especially from inside posts. (1) OUR CORELLI N has failed to pick up a check in three starts for his new connections, but he was stuck with three brutal outside posts. Obviously he deserves consideration moving all the way inside.
Race 5: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(2) BELTANE A double-jumps in price up to the $75K claiming level after setting a lifetime mark in his first start out for the Bako barn. (1) ROBBIE BURNS N moves inside and is a legit threat to take this field coast-to-coast. (5) I'M BENECIO A has always appeared to have ability (when his owner isn't in the bike). Perhaps he's fresh after a couple of months off.
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) SANTAFE'S COACH sucks me right in with the driver change to Jordan Stratton, subbing for his trainer Pat Lachance. That's it, that's my angle. (7) SPEED MAN N is obviously feeling good now, as he's reeled off back-to-back front-end wins. He can take another if not used too hard. (6) BALLERAT BOOMERANG is an interesting claim for $50K when you consider his record over the last couple of years; can his new trainer Jenn Bongiorno improve him? Possibly.
Race 7: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(2) CHANGE STRIDE N failed to get involved last out after wiring the field first out off the Bako claim; he drops back down in price tonight and is clearly the one to beat. (5) ALOTBETTOR N certainly got a lot better in his last few, so predictably he was claimed. Bartlett drives again for new connections. (6) AMERICAN WIGGLE proved last start that you can never ignore a Burke trainee, as this gelding finished second at 55/1 in that wild race. Perhaps Brennan can work out another board spot at a price.
Race 8: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(4) TELLITSABB finally found the winner's circle last week for the first time since returning locally and he's capable of taking another with smooth sailing. (2) AINTNOBETTOR A has been right there in every start when he's drawn well, which is the case tonight; he seems like a must-use here. (5) BARBADOS just missed to the top choice last out and he should be coming late as usual.
Race 9: Open Handicap Pace
The only thing that makes this race a handicap is #1 being assigned, so therefore (3) TATTOO ARTIST ends up with the three hole. With his speed it probably doesn't matter what post he starts from as he looks to rebound from that loss last out. (2) NANDOLO N bumps back to the top class off a nice win and he too is drawn well. (5) LEONIDAS A missed time with a couple of sick scratches and qualified back fine; if sharp he'll be rallying late.
Race 10: $100,000 Claiming Pace
(6) WESTERN FAME makes his second start off the $100K claim by DiDomenico and Brennan gets the call; do we see some early speed from him tonight? I say yes. (3) JOESSTAR OF MIA A is clearly the sharpest in here and he goes for three straight overall. (1) LYONS KING gets another crack at the pole position and he's capable with a perfect trip.
Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter
Race 11: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) ALL HANDS ON DECK bounced back from that debacle on 10/5 with a decisive score last week and he pretty much gets a free ride at this level (fitting the NW9 condition). (2) ENVIRONS HANOVER jogged in an age-conditioned claimer last start and now is protected by also fitting the NW9 lifetime condition; he seems to have the best shot at taking down the top one. (3) DECISION DAY is a reliable veteran to hit the ticket.
Race 12: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) CLOSING STATEMENT ships in from Pennsylvania to join the Edward Hart barn and he appears to be a pretty good fit here; worth a try in the finale. (3) SHINY BLACK BEAMER fired down the road to beat a notch lesser for DiDomenico/Brennan and that was a life mark for this four-year-old. (2) LIKE CLOCKWORK shipped in for Abbatiello and overcame stale cover to nail it at the wire; he too steps up looking to take another.