Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 1/30
2023 MEET STATS: 7 - 21 / $42.30 (+$0.30)
BEST BETS: 2 - 2 / $5.10 (+$1.10)
Best Bet: DRAGON SAID (11th)
Spot Play: SARANAC BLUE CHIP (7th)
Race 1: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) MISTER DONALD A went a surprisingly good effort in defeat, going down stubbornly late after being parked past the quarter. He has a bit to prove facing better but could be sharp enough now to get it done. (5) TJ'S INDY PACER picks up Bartlett and figures to be firing from the gate. (6) SMOKIN BY N is up in class again looking for three straight but moving outside hurts.
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Race 2: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) MOTIVE HANOVER was very sharp going wire-to-wire last week and the Jenn Bongiorno barn has been looking good recently; he's up in class again but does move to the rail and may be the controlling speed again. (3) ULTIMAROCA got very rough on the final turn while preparing for the stretch drive last start and he was swallowed up. Good spot to try and make amends. (4) BRAEVIEW BONDI A was second best to the classy Funatthebeach N last week.
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Race 3: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(2) OSTRO HANOVER fired to the top in his local return, yielded to the winner and chased willingly from the pocket. Jenn B trainee has class and can build off that effort. (4) LONG WEEKEND A was a winner in his 2023 debut then was stuck in the eight hole last week. He figures to be more involved tonight. (6) BARBADOS was able to quarter-move to command en route to an easy win last out, beating #2 in the process. Move to the six hole makes things much more difficult as he's not really a sharp leaver.
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(5) BRACKLEY BEACH could not get involved last week from the seven hole but he does move in a couple of spots tonight and he's more than proven at this level. Could be a decent price option with Braxton Boyd. (1) CAPTIVATE HANOVER faltered late despite having an open lead last start; draws great again but the Burke trainee needs more late. (2) ARRHTYHMIC SURGE gave way badly in the late stages last week and barely held third as the favorite. Joe B drives tonight and he may be better from slightly off the pace.
Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts
(5) WALKINSHAW N finished with very willing late pace at a big price last week and it seems like he's found an easier spot tonight; classy Lance Hudson trainee deserves top billing. (2) ODDS ON PICK SIX faces better coming off a loss in his seasonal debut but he draws well again and figures to be a big part of the action. (7) THE REAL ONE may have trouble reaching from this spot but he'll be coming late.
Race 6: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) LYONS JOHNNYJNR should be tighter making his second start back from the holiday break and he finds a pretty soft field of claimers; Alexander trainee should control these from start to finish. (4) BETTOR BE OSCAR A returns to Yonkers and does have a couple of second-place efforts already at The Big M this month. (5) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES won last start by a head and just missed the prior two; sharp sort deserves some consideration.
Race 7: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) SARANAC BLUE CHIP was well-meant last week but could not get by the stubborn leader. Off that effort I expect him to be very live tonight. (1) B LIKE CRUISER'S last effort was a complete debacle but he came right back four days later with a solid qualifier so everything seems fine; he drops again and should loom large from the rail. (3) AMERICAN BOY N hasn't shown much recently facing the 30 and 40K claimers but he hasn't been beaten by that much in those races; oldtimer deserves respect.
Race 8: Open Handicap Pace
(5) AMERICAN DEALER N made his first start of 2023 last week at The Meadowlands after being off a few months and he went an absolutely brutal trip parked out behind a :52 4/5 half but to his credit he hung in there very well. Toscano trainee returns to Yonkers into a decent spot and looks to have a very legit chance. (4) NANDOLO N took a career mark coming out of the same race as the top choice and he was going very well here towards the end of last season. I suspect he'll be an underlay here, however. (7) SEMI TOUGH needs some help from the worst post but he can land a share with a good trip.
Race 9: NW32341 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) THE REGULATOR raced decently last week and he lands a good enough post here in this seemingly wide-open event. Worth a try at what should be a decent price (5/1 or higher). (5) MOONSHINE KISSES makes his seasonal debut of an even qualifier and he's a legit Open talent. If ready he certainly can make some noise here. (1) PEACE OUT POSSE was a non-factor last week in a needed race and now moves all the way inside for Bongiorno.
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Race 10: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) ROCKIN WITHELVIS A makes his U.S. debut for the hot Bako barn coming off a very nondescript qualifier but watch the wagering for some signs of life in a race with no standouts. (2) BAD TOTHE BONE N wasn't bad last week and now he gets major post relief; Bartlett picks up the drive. (1) HEISMAN PLAYER also moves inside and should have a bit more to offer.
Race 11: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) DRAGON SAID hasn't really been on his game recently but this is the softest field he's seen in ages and he draws the rail to boot. Joe B will look to blast down the road at a short price. (3) JAHAN HANOVER was a nice two-move pocket-sitting winner from the eight hole in his local return. Bartlett will probably be looking for a stalking trip. (5) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK has been facing mostly better in all recent and hasn't been bad, but hasn't been great. He wouldn't be a major surprise here.