Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 1/23
2023 MEET STATS: 7 - 21 / $42.30 (+$0.30)
BEST BETS: 2 - 2 / $5.10 (+$1.10)
Best Bet: QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP (4th)
Spot Play: TAKE A GAMBLE (7th)
Race 1: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(3) PURPLE POET finished 2022 on a high note and last week he did the best he could from the eight hole, rallying for a small share. Back in on regular rest and post improvement gives this guy as good a chance as any and he should offer a bit of value. (1) WICHITA LINEMAN could not gain when asked last week but like many of these he figures to have benefitted from that start; Kakaley should be in line for a good trip. (2) BARBADOS, like the top choice, gets major post improvement and he's a proven entity at this level.
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Race 2: NW30526 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) GENIUS MAN did nothing wrong in his seasonal debut, finishing a pocket-sitting second to a sharp rival; Bucci trainee beat similar in December and figures to be very live from this spot. (5) ULTIMAROCA double-bumps after jogging last week and he's probably talented enough to compete here. (2) FEELIN WESTERN was a winner the last time Brennan was in the bike.
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Race 3: NW15059 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) MR D'S ROCK regained some form towards the end of 2022 and last week he was 100/1 from the eight hole so obviously not much was expected. He's got good early speed which can be on display from this post. (1) ARDEN MESSI N was second best in his lone local appearance which was against a notch below these but the recent import could have more to offer. (5) MOTIVE HANOVER was collared after a good speed try last week at the $50K claiming level; Bongiorno trainee must be considered.
Race 4: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP picked up where he left off before the holidays with a big eight-hole effort in defeat. Bako trainee moves all the way inside and faces a pretty soft field here; short price looming but he looks best. (5) DIVISION BELL has jogged in three of four starts at Monti after joining the Berkeley barn and he deserves a chance to race for more money. (8) SHERIFF N plunges in price, not a good sign as his current connections paid 50K for him back in November. Bartlett drives again and maybe he wakes up though it won't be easy from the eight hole.
Race 5: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(4) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE raced well in a few starts here last season and he gets Bartlett in the bike for his local return. Barn has done good things here in limited starts. (5) ELWELL was okay in his first start in almost a month and this classy gelding should make his presence felt against these. (3) TIN ROOF RAIDER A finished belatedly last week and now moves in a few spots.
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) GREAT SOMEWHERE sailed down the road last week and gets to face much of the same tonight; Engblom trainee is the deserving favorite with Bartlett in the bike. (6) WALKINSHAW N takes a needed drop in class and was a winner when last at this level; veteran is a legit talent with over $146K earned last year and maybe he can find a good trip at a price. (2) THE REAL ONE went well in his 13-year-old debut and he can never be overlooked.
Race 7: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) TAKE A GAMBLE was a terror for the Bako barn towards the end of 2022, quickly making his way up the ranks to this NW30000 level; he hasn't raced in a month but other horses from this barn were fine coming off the mini-layoff. (3) FORTIFY got beat last start at Freehold but it was a quick mile and the Burke trainee likely needed the start. He was a winner the last two times Brennan drove. (1) FAMILY RECIPE goes from eight hole to rail in his second seasonal start.
Race 8: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) ST LADS STERLING is a legit talent as evidenced by his 1:49 3/5 mark at Mohawk as a 3-year-old. If ready to go having been off six weeks he can pummel this field. I guess that's a big 'if'. (3) FOREVER FAV is not the winning type but he fits well with these and was a game second last week. (7) ITALIAN LAD N arrives after setting a live mark up at Monti; he will be a big price and may be worth considering for a share.
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Race 9: NW20351 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) THE IDEAL DANCER A has been getting progressively better for Andrew Harris since arriving from Down Under and he lures Bartlett off a Cullipher horse. (2) SETH HANOVER gets post relief and a bit of class relief after not being involved in his 2023 debut. (5) BILL HALEY N was second best to the odds-on winner last week; a similar ground-saving journey may net him a share again.
Race 10: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) DELIGHTFUL TERROR could not sustain a run last out at The Meadowlands but he was razor-sharp in his prior two Yonkers outings facing a bit softer; Gingras is back driving and they land the rail. (4) DOUBLE UP N invades from Indiana/Ohio and must be respected from these connections. (2) REIGNING DEO was just 4 for 25 last year but the wins all came at Yonkers; Alexander trainee should be a big player tonight.