Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 2/20
2023 MEET STATS: 39 - 103 / $172.60 (-$33.40)
BEST BETS: 8 - 10 / $23.70 (+$3.70)
Best Bet: SOHO LENNON A (10th)
Spot Play: DIAMONDBEACH (6th)
Race 1: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) PYRO was in a tough spot again last week but he came home swiftly to narrow the margin considerably late. Garcia-Herrera trained veteran has had plenty of success over the last few years with better than these and he deserves top billing again despite another outside post. (3) QUALITY BUD is as game and gutsy as they come and though he steps up in class again there's really no standouts in here and he looms as a major contender. (4) STRETCH THE LINE paced a big back half before understandably tiring late last week; lightly-raced 4-year-old appears to have some upside.
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Race 2: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
Interesting mix of pacers here. (5) AMERICAN DEALER N has burned plenty of money in his two local starts this season but we know what he's capable of when on his game and he should offer better value tonight with the imports figuring to attract most of the attention. Driver change to Stratton is interesting. (6) ROCKIN WITHELVIS A has looked very good since arriving in the U.S. and now he gets a bigger test while up in class. Interesting to see what tactics Gingras employs. (4) LOCHINVAR ART A recently arrived from Down Under for Team Tritton and the highly-regarded pacer was a winner at first asking over at The Meadowlands. The very capable Lauren Tritton drives again.
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Race 3: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) CHANGE STRIDE N recently changed trainers to Berkeley and he pretty much started over at the bottom to get things straightened out. Veteran is back in for a tag and he finds a very reasonable spot here. (5) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD never got involved last start but was dead game in his prior efforts and he goes now for the Daguet barn off the claim; Bartlett drives again. (8) CAPTIVATE HANOVER may be done in by the bad post but the Burke trainee deserves consideration. Gingras is back driving.
Race 4: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(8) CAN B PERFECT was outmuscled last week by a classy rival who had a sudden wakeup call. Stafford trainee lands outside again but he's proven capable of overcoming that in the past; may be trouble with #4, #5 and maybe even #7 leaving but the price should be good. (5) B LIKE CRUISER sailed down the road last start and a repeat effort will make him tough. (4) AIR FORCE HANOER finished second in his last couple and he doesn't seem to win as often as he should but he's an obvious candidate to hit the board.
Race 5: $50,000/$75,000 Claiming Pace - $10K Gtd. Pick 5 Pool
(7) OZONE BLUE CHIP lands the outermost post as the only entrant for the $75K tag but that shouldn't be a problem with his early speed. I expect him to make the front without too much trouble and he should prove difficult to catch. (4) BARBADOS, like the top choice, has been on a huge run at his regular $50K claiming level but he goes out for a new barn tonight and gets a different driver. (1) FLOW WITH JOE steps up to face better but he may be currently good enough to hold his ground with these.
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) DIAMONDBEACH has been sharp off the gate in his last couple to set up live pocket trips and he chased home second best in both races. Bucci trainee has been knocking on the door and figures to be a decent price from this spot. (1) DEAN B HANOVER is clearly the one to beat but he'll probably be wildly overbet. (4) SOUTHWIND SANDOR arrives from The Meadowlands for the Cullipher barn and gets Bartlett in the bike; connections must be respected. We'll see how he stacks up class-wise.
Race 7: NW33126 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) BURNHAM BOY N was a 1:49 winner with a :25 2/5 kicker across the river in his U.S. debut and followed that up with another big try, just missing to another heralded import. Recent sick scratch could be a concern but I'm still willing to play him. Let's see how 'live' he is in the wagering. (3) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A has completely dominated in four straight as he rises the class latter for the Cory Stratton barn. This is another test for him as he was written in here to face better. (5) BAD TOTHEBONE N has hit the ticket in his last three, and two back was a particularly good effort.
Race 8: Open Handicap Pace
(2) FUNATTHEBEACH N has worked his way back up to the top level by virtue of three consecutive wins. He draws well and should be close enough to strike. (5) LEONIDAS A is back from vacation and making his 2023 debut off an easy winning qualifier. Siegelman may not push him 100% but he may not have to in order to win or at least come close. (1) OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR absolutely waltzed around the track last start at almost 9/1 but could not make it to the wire (as my top choice). That race was his best chance to be an Open winner again and I could see him regressing a bit now.
Race 9: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) FORTIFY takes a much-needed drop in class and also lands a better post. Expect Brennan to get aggressive with the Burke trainee. (1) THEFLYINGROCK lands the rail again after wiring NW7500's; he seems good enough to repeat if the top choice doesn't bring it. (2) TIME TO DANCE is also up in class and is perfect in two starts since moving to the DiDomenico barn. He loses Brennan to #5 and gets Marohn in his place
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Race 10: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) SOHO LENNON A showed his back class last week by digging in for the win after rating well. He still seems capable of stringing multiple good efforts together, as long as he doesn't end up too high up in class. (2) GALANTE A was a good second to the top choice last week after leaving for a pocket trip. He may not be in the two-hole tonight but still has a chance from this close-up spot. (5) JD still seems to be searching for the right classification coming off his good 3-year-old season. He did finish in under 28 seconds while being uninvolved last start so maybe he tries to get into play tonight.
Race 11: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(4) LYONS JOHNNYJNR has been a consistent player at this level for an extended period of time now for the Alexander barn and he should have an easy path to the front from this spot. (3) SHARK PLAY logically bumps up a notch in price off last week's solid uncovered effort. (7) ITALIAN DELIGHT N was dropped in for a tag last start and was snatched up by the Engblom barn. He gets the leading driver in the bike but must navigate the outside post; interesting though at 12/1 ML.