Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 12/12
MEET STATS: 427 - 1217 / $2,122.20 (-$311.80)
BEST BETS: 68 - 117 / $249.10 (+$15.10)
Best Bet: UPTOWN FUNK (2nd)
Spot Play: BUDDY HILL (8th)
Race 1: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) PEACE OUT POSSE has been improved in his last couple and the Jenn Bongiorno barn is going well lately. He moves all the way inside to face a pretty soft field for this level and is clearly the one to beat. (8) SAVE ME A DANCE was poor in his last couple facing better but he did jog when we last saw him at Yonkers; if Kakaley can get him away in good order from the eight hole then this classy gelding will be right there. (3) IMSTAYNALIVE figures to be saving ground midpack and he usually finishes well.
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Race 2: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(4) UPTOWN FUNK was very sharp in his debut for new connections and the bump up in class doesn't figure to derail him at all. (2) THRASHER also raced very well in his debut for Garcia-Herrera though that race went two seconds slower than the top choice went. He lands another good post and looks second best. (1) FLOW WITH JOE has yet to make an impact at this $40K claiming level but he wasn't far off last week and he figures to be close to the front throughout tonight.
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Race 3: $30,000 Claiming Pace
In this wide-open race (3) ASTON HILL DAVE has had a nice season with over $80K banked, four times what he earned in 2021. Versatile veteran can be used early to hit the lead or the pocket, or maybe he gets lucky with a live cover tow. (4) SECRECY dug in to beat a soft field last out and Boyd figures to have him rolling again. (7) SOUTHWIND ONYX was second best to the runaway Uptown Funk last week after leaving well from the six hole; maybe Brennan also takes a shot off the gate tonight.
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(5) BRACKLEY BEACH has always been a nice horse but he's really picked up his game these last few months and he's been razor-sharp at this level for these connections; gelding deserves top billing. (2) BLACK CHEVRON N gets Kakaley in the bike for his local return and he's won plenty of races here in the past. (4) GENTLEMANJIM II IE was bet down to 3/5 on last week's drop in class and switch to Gingras but he finished third. At least there will be a better price looming tonight.
Race 5: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace - $10K Gtd. Pick 5 Pool
(5) AMERICANLIGHTNINGN was off more than a month prior to his last start at The Meadowlands where he came up short. Tritton import faces softer here, picks up the leading driver and note he's got a 1:51 2/5 mark at Yonkers from earlier this year. (3) GINGRAS BEACH gets some much-needed post relief and figures to be more involved; he wouldn't surprise me at 12/1 ML. (6) SOHO CHELSEA A gets class relief and is probably capable of better.
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) BRAEVIEW BONDI A has been pretty competitive since being claimed by these connections for $75K a couple of months ago and he's hit the board in his last three facing much better. Veteran is the one to beat. (6) CARLISIMO was also facing better when we last saw him at Yonkers and he has a recent win and a third at Philly; Bartlett gets the call tonight. (4) SARANAC BLUE CHIP has quietly picked up nine wins and almost $120K in his four-year old season. He's probably best suited a level or two down but he should be able to land a share here.
Race 7: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(5) B LIKE CRUISER gets away from the streaking Ozone Blue Chip and lands a slightly better post; there could be live cover to be had from this spot (perhaps from #3 or #4) and he should offer a decent price. (3) FEELIN WESTERN was second best to the aforementioned Ozone Blue Chip in his last two and the four-year-old has proven he can hang with his more seasoned rivals. (1) SETH HANOVER looks like the main speed from the innermost post; not a bad spot to be in.
Race 8: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) BUDDY HILL takes an important drop from the Open class and he was a winner when last at this level. He may be at a tactical disadvantage drawing outside his main rivals but that will help his price. (5) DRAGON SAID charged home from the back last week but we all know he can also be sent to the front; Bongiorno trainee looms large in his third start back from a two-month vacation. (3) NANDOLO N burns money more often than he delivers; use caution if keying on top.
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Race 9: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(4) LYONS JOHNNYJNR was hinting at a win three back when he dropped to this reduced level and finished with plenty from last. Since then he's taken two straight and is a major threat to get the hat trick tonight. (1) MACHIAVELLI has turned things around with the barn change to Camilleri and he lands the rail and Bartlett in his local return. (3) CHANGE STRIDE N drops below the level of the claim five starts back despite not racing all that badly.
Race 10: $50,000 Claiming Pace
It took a couple of starts and a drop in claiming price to get (2) BARBADOS back on the winning track and now he goes for two straight; top call as deserving chalk. (3) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE makes his second start back after an injured scratch and three month break; surprisingly he steps back up to the $50K level. I just have a feeling he'll be live. (5) SHERIFF N gets a bit of post relief in his second start for these connections.