Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 1/29
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2024 MEET STATS: 9 - 23 / $56.30 (+$10.30)
BEST BETS: 1 - 2 / $5.50 (+$1.50)
BEST BET: HURRIKANEKINGJAMES (7th)
SPOT PLAY: SETH HANOVER (4th)
Race 1: 3-5YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(6) JUST ENUFF STUFF was so much the best last week that despite breaking off the final turn while tipping from the pocket he was able to recover and still won going away; only negative here is the move outside so he may have to work a bit harder in the early stages. (2) BIG DREAM FELLA was overpowered by #6 in his 2024 debut and if he looks to turn the tables he'll do it for a new barn and with a new driver. Now in the Sodano barn the 4YO stays at the proper level. (3) URIEL BLUE CHIP returns off a win at The Meadowlands for Engblom and co-owner Gingras. Prior races at Yonkers were nothing to write home about.
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Race 2: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER was well driven by Macdonald to a second-place finish in his seasonal debut at a big price; Daguet trainee looks as good as anyone else in here and may offer value again. (4) MICKY GEE N was put on the front end last week for the first time in recent memory and he set a decent clip before tiring. Veteran figures to revert to off-the-pace tactics and can be a fresh threat off a ground-saving trip. (2) POINTOMYGRANSON was claimed off last week's win by by DiDomenico and this gelding has done well for this barn in the past.
Race 3: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) ROLLING WITH SAM was a solid winner in his Yonkers return taking his third straight overall and the Adamczyk trainee doesn't seem to face that much tougher on the slight hike in class. (4) THE REGULATOR was the one worn down by the top one's harsh pressure but he remains a threat for top connections, especially now back in on consecutive weeks. (2) WINDSUN RICKY was off six weeks prior to last week's race and he went nowhere from the eight hole. Major post relief makes him a contender.
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) SETH HANOVER closed willingly last week in his first start off the holiday break and the Devita trainee was racing well at this level towards the end of last year. He's one of a few in here with a legit chance and should offer a fair price. (2) OSTRO HANOVER was never in a good spot last out and only beat tired ones; veteran moves in a couple of posts and picks up Bartlett. (7) SAN DOMINO A fits with these and can be used if you think Yannick can get him in play from the outermost post.
Race 5: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) IMSTAYNALIVE hasn't won since the end of 2022 but the recent addition to the Burke outfit found himself with terrible posts in his last two races. The move inside makes this 9YO an obvious contender. (1) HYPNOTICDREAM raced pretty well in his return to Yonkers and may be able to build off that effort. (8) THRASHER has too much class to ignore, even from post eight. Can Kakaley get him involved early?
Race 6: NW10281 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) UP THE CREEK exits the age-restricted claimers and tries this class for the Bongiorno barn; perhaps he's better classified here. Gelding draws well enough to be on or close to the front. (5) BURNHAM BOY N drops in class again and he was an Open Handicap participant not too long ago. (8) TWIN B HEART THROB left well from the outside for a trip last week and finished close to two rivals who would be big players in here; likely Bartlett tries the same tactics tonight.
Race 7: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(4) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES has raced huge for multiple barns over the last few months, including for DiDomenico, who claimed him back last week. Gelding remains at the same level. (6) LUCIANO N likely needed last week's start and Holland likes to leave with these types. (3) PAT STANLEY N has become too inconsistent for my tastes, however with a post edge on many of his rivals and Bartlett driving he can be close up and land a share. Consider (8) ROCK THIS WAY as he’s second-time Burke.
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Race 8: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) LOU'S BEACH was used pretty hard in his 2024 debut and faltered late; Dilloian trainee is capable with this type and will offer much more value tonight. (2) SPORTY M THREE looks like the clear one to beat with the needed class and post relief as he makes his second seasonal start. (5) KING JAMES EXPRESS did the best he could out of the eight hole last week and the Laterza barn has come out looking decent to start the year.
Race 9: NW30541 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) CARABAO A added Lasix for his second U.S. start, took no money and broke late while behind a dull flow. Lance Hudson import finds a much better spot here and maybe we see something more from him. (2) FAMILY RECIPE raced very well the last two times Gingras was in the bike. Big player from this post. (4) TYPHOON BANNER N could not sustain a two-move effort in his 2023 finale; missed time may lead to more conservative handling here, and the Bongiorno trainee seems capable of landing a piece.
Race 10: 3-6YO $50,000 Claiming Pace
(1) SHAKESPEARE was a willing third from the eight hole last week in his first start in over a month. 11-time winner from a year ago moves all the way inside and looks like the one. (4) RJ SPORTS IMAGE was hammered to 1/9 coming out of the same race as #8 and he was no match for the pocket rocket. Bartlett will be heading to the front again. (5) TUGGIN ON MY HEART returns from a stint in Ohio and is up a notch in price here; big problem here is drawing directly outside of the main speed.