Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 12/16
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2024 MEET STATS: 418 - 1406 / $2,245.20 (-$566.80)
BEST BETS: 58 - 126 / $206.00 (-$46.00)
BEST BET: DONTBOTHERMENONE N (11th)
SPOT PLAY: BAD BOY TOO (2nd)
Race 1: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) CAVIART SARGENT is a bit low on the win percentage but he's made a good living this year camped out in these mid-level conditioned races and he's got some early speed. He's capable of the upset with a clean up-close trip. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N dropped and popped last start and he's also proven competitive with this type; veteran is a player from the rail. (6) TWIN B DELUXE failed at odds-on when dropped in class and he's another who's been camera-shy recently.
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Race 2: 3-5YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) BAD BOY TOO was a winner for these connections off the claim at a big price from the eight hole a couple of months back and he's followed that up with a series of good efforts. Laterza trainee is best on or near the lead but he can also close crisply like he did last week. (1) LOUS THE ATTITUDE is controlling speed from the rail for top connections and he goes for another win here; he's the deserving chalk, but 4/5 on the ML? (2) UP THE CREEK was a good second from the eight hole in his debut at this level, now moves inside. He can complete some chalky payoffs.
Race 3: NW34501 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) AARDIES FLASH N is perfect in three North American tries as he climbs the class ladder. Is he ready for even better? I say yes. (4) ROCKNROLL RUNA A has been a non-factor in his last few but he gets some needed class relief and jogged when last at this level. (1) CARABAO A was second best from the rail last out, lands inside again.
Race 4: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(5) PEACE OUT POSSE won from well off the pace two back, then was second best last out as a no-match pocket sitter. Brennan picks up the drive and he'll offer some value here. (1) MIND HUNTER is another short morning-line fave who does deserve to be chalk despite bumping up in class but he doesn't HAVE to win, does he? (3) SURFSIDE BEACH is an off-the-place player who has been consistent over his last handful of starts.
Race 5: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace **$40K Gtd. Pick 5 Pool with $10K added by SOA/NY**
(5) ROCK DIAMONDS N went over the $200K mark in 2024 with his most recent win and he goes for an amazing 14th seasonal tally tonight. Classy veteran can go on or off the pace but is likely to be heading forward off the gate. (4) FUNATTHEBEACH N is still a hard-knocker who clearly finds a better spot here. (1) SOUTHWIND PETYR is just 2 for 26 on the year but he's been close a number of times.
Race 6: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(6) THE BIRD DANCE N dropped to this level last week, was sent to the front and was well-rated by Kakaley but was collared. He drives again from a tougher post but will offer a much bigger price and may be worth another try. (1) STONEBRIDGE REX won his last start easily in $50 claimers but now finds himself in $40's. What gives? (4) AROUND MIDNIGHT was a strong winner last week for the Laterza barn, which is easily having its best season in recent memory.
Race 7: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) BLUE HUNT picked up checks in three legs of the Grand Prix series and lands an inside post here facing a field that lacks star power. Napolitano drives again and he figures to be stalking from just off the pace. (1) BIRTHDAY is clearly in the best spot he's seen in ages and the Burke trainee is the likely one to catch. (8) LOU'S SWEETREVENGE faces an uphill battle from post eight but he drops in class and returns to Bartlett. He's arguably classiest in here.
Race 8: MGM Grand Prix Invitational Pacing Series Final
(7) COACHES CORNER is wrapping up a phenomenal 4-year-old season as he's knocked heads with some of the best in the land and is inching in on $600K earned in 2024. Slightly longer run into the first turn can help him overcome the poor post and the Engblom trainee will be very tough if he makes the front. (3) ADAM TWELVE is the other Engblom entrant and he's no slouch. Gingras drives again and he's got the speed to cross over inside traffic and work out a great trip. (2) SEVEN COLORS is one of two Harris trainees and clearly the more accomplished. He was an impressive winner last week but loses Bartlett to the top choice.
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Race 9: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) SADDLE UP moves to another new barn tonight (Laterza) and he's going for a fourth consecutive win. Two back was the most impressive score of the three as he drew off in 1:51 4/5. Hoping he has another run in him like that one. (1) MAXIMUS RED A dropped to $30's last week and the Bongiorno trainee was just shy, losing to #4 in here. He gets another crack at these from an inside post. (4) IM A POWERPLAY A debuts for the Sodano barn and stays at a winning level. He also keeps the same driver.
Race 10: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(2) LYRICAL GENIUS A didn't fire last week when stacked up with dull cover but he moves back inside where he has a recent win and a second against this type. (4) HAMMERING HANK has just eight starts and $15K earned this year but his lone win was with Bartlett driving. Similar effort to his latest puts him right in the mix here. (7) SHINE A LIGHT takes a needed drop in class but is stuck outside. Does Holland take a swing off the gate? I think it's possible.
Race 11: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) DONTBOTHERMENONE N ships in making his third start for the Cushing barn and he was an easy winner last week at The Meadowlands with Ron Cushing in the bike. Brennan drives tonight and he appears well-spotted here. (3) SPORTY M THREE is just 1 for 17 at Yonkers this year but he's always facing better. Burke trainee is a major player. (1) THEFLYINGROCK loses Bartlett as he also drops in class. Last out he was never involved, two back he was baked up in a duel. Prior efforts were good.