Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 2/13
2023 MEET STATS: 39 - 103 / $172.60 (-$33.40)
BEST BETS: 8 - 10 / $23.70 (+$3.70)
Best Bet: BARBADOS (2nd)
Spot Play: DELIGHTFUL DUDE N (6th)
Race 1: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
Still not sure what to do with (7) PYRO. I liked him last week and he was bet down to 5/2 but failed to get involved. He drops again to face a field with little in the way of current form and if Dube can somehow get him near the front he should be able to beat these. If he doesn't try to leave hard then the chances of (8) THE REGULATOR go way up. Engblom trainee has Bartlett driving again and he's been facing much better in all recent. (5) FOREVER FAV gets a touch of post relief and should be able to land a share.
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Race 2: $50,000/$75,000 Claiming Pace
This race is really a $50K claimer with an enhanced purse, as five of the six are in for the lower tag. (3) BARBADOS overcame a long uncovered trip last week to win again and the Bako trainee will be odds-on to take another. (2) LONG WEEKEND A was a good second to Ozone Blue chip last start and was nipped by the top choice the week prior; he'll look to complete a chalky number. (6) DELIGHTFUL TERROR was a decent third when moved into claimers last week but he's hampered by the outside post as the lone entrant in for the higher price.
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Race 3: $30,000 Claiming Pace
I haven't been a fan of these ex-Dowse horses but (7) BETTOR BE OSCAR A raced willingly last out and finished a close third. Bartlett drives again and he's got speed to overcome the draw. (2) BETTER B SWIFT closed a ton two back then didn't really fire last week. He gets significant post relief and could be looking at a live trip. (3) LOVE THE BLUES N has been solid in two 2023 starts for the Cory Stratton barn.
Race 4: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) SOHO LENNON A has been okay recently but just hasn't been in good spots. Super-classy 13YO faces softer and may be able to hustle away from the gate. (2) THE REAL ONE has been his usual consistent sort and should land a big piece of this. (4) GALANTE A had little chance from the eight hole upon arrival from Freehold but the post relief should get him more involved tonight.
Race 5: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(1) FLOW WITH JOE appeared well-meant last week and raced well but could not hold off the trip sitter. He has a post edge on that rival tonight and with a couple of other main contenders drawing poorly the Devita trainee gets the edge. (5) TIN ROOF RAIDER A collared the top one last out and he looks to make it three straight; obvious player here. (7) OSTRO HANOVER was empty from the pocket last week but he drops a notch in class and the Bongiorno trainee has some early speed.
Race 6: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N has hit the board in his last seven tries, including his last two at this NW30000 level. Braxton Boyd picks up the drive from a decent midpack post in this competitive event and I can envision him riding a live cover trip. (6) COVERED BRIDGE finished willingly last week from a trailing position and now his regular driver Stratton is back in the bike; he has shown solid early speed on occasion and overall fits well with these. (2) SMOKIN BY N is up in class for the fifth consecutive start and that's because he's been racing well and making money. He's another in here with a legit chance.
Race 7: NW17751 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A has been a killer for Cory Stratton in three Yonkers starts this year and while he faces better tonight brother Jordan sticks with him over a Gillis trainee. (2) BILL HALEY N drops a notch, draws inside, picks up Bartlett. Lots to like. (4) DEAN B HANOVER fits with these but has just one win in 2022-23, covering 24 starts.
Race 8: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) VESPA N had some speed in his local return but didn't threaten late; Erv Miller gets Holland in the bike tonight while drawing much better and he could be a player at a decent price. (4) VIVA LAS VEGAS N finished fast for second at a big price two back at this level and he goes back to the catch-driving Lachance. (1) MAJOR DESIRE gets the leading driver back in the bike and starts from the rail for a barn that has been good this season.
Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N returns locally off a series of rugged speed tries at The Meadowlands and he will undoubtedly be handled aggressively here by Bongiorno. (4) ADREN MESSI N raced well for a minor share versus better last out and was second best the start prior at this level. (5) DIAMONDBEACH was a pocket-sitting second to the favorite last week and hopefully his breaking problems are behind him.
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Race 10: NW30851 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) BAD TOTHE BONE N was used hard every step last week and was very stubborn right to the end; if he takes control again and is allowed to rate a more comfortable tempo he could pull off the minor upset. (1) PRETTY HANDSOME was a safe winner versus lesser last out and he figures to be looking at a good trip here. (4) FUNATTHEBEACH N circled wide off cover and looked like he would win much easier than he did but top choice #2 didn't quit. Obviously he can make it three straight here but he's often at the mercy of the pace.
Race 11: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) OUR CORELLI N has gone steady yet unspectacular efforts in his last three and he is overdue for a sharper, more aggressive race; maybe it happens tonight with Kakaley taking over the lines. (8) INDICTABLE HANOVER has been facing better in all recent races and obviously it's up to Bartlett to improve position after the start because he won't be winning from last. (3) TIME TO DANCE brushed and crushed first-time DiDomenico; faces better here. (4) KING TRITON A also brushed and crushed last week for Jenn Bongiorno; needs more late though.