Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 2/3
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2025 MEET STATS: 18 - 52 / $174.50 (+$70.50)
BEST BETS: 3 - 5 / $8.50 (-$1.50)
BEST BET: WHATS STANLEY GOT A (9th)
SPOT PLAY: ALADDIN (6th)
Race 1: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) BENHOPE RULZ N lands a better post tonight after two consecutive six holes to start the year and the veteran figures to be put into play by Kakaley. Tactical advantage on (5) NANDOLO N? Maybe. The latter returns to Yonkers after a nice effort in a needed start at The Meadowlands and we all know what his game is by now; back to Bartlett. (1) SPLASH BROTHER was a sharp wire-to-wire winner last week but he faces better here.
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Race 2: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) VENTURESOME ARDEN N had the eight-hole blues in his local return but he was able to secure a check. Classy gelding moves in a couple of spots here and Bartlett gets the call as Stratton sticks with #3. He's legit Open-type stock at his best. (3) FUNATTHEBEACH N double-drops in class and lands a competitive post; should be a major player. (2) LUCAPELO A makes just his fifth U.S. start and has license to show more.
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Race 3: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) MUSIC HALL has put in two honest efforts so far this season for the Bongiorno barn and he does get a new set of hands in the bike tonight from a decent post. Lightly-raced 5YO gets the call. (2) CAPTAIN T HANOVER drops back to the level he's most successful at. (8) FLIP MY CHIP has been a big-time speed player at this level for months and he's cleared the field from outside posts in the past.
Race 4: NW15531 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A breezed at odds-on in his local return and the recent import gets to stay at the same level as he fits the AE condition. Blackler/Bartlett are always good together. (1) TWIN B POWERBALL was a winner at this level three back for Lachance and he moves all the way to the rail off a couple of no-chance trips. May offer value with that generous ML. (7) ROCKMYSTER N may be ready to roll in his first start after arriving from Down-Under; look for wagering clues.
Race 5: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(1) HAMMERING HANK was second best in a $50K claimer last out and now drops back to the level of his last win. Bongiorno trainee gets Kakaley catch-driving and looms the one to beat from the rail. (4) SHINE A LIGHT closed well at a price last week after being off five weeks and now gets post improvement. (2) CENTURY ENDEAVOR enters a new barn via claim and picks up a new driver; one to consider on the change of scenery angle.
Race 6: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) ALADDIN has finished close in his four starts since returning from Canada for Lachance and I feel he's just a smooth trip away from breaking through to the win column. (6) THE REGULATOR has had troubled trips recently which could probably just be ignored as this veteran from top connections faces softer here than he's accustomed to. (4) MAC'S MARVEL trailed throughout from the eight hole facing $50K claimers upon arrival from The Meadowlands and now he draws better and gets the aggressive Holland in the bike.
Race 7: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(8) J B GRAM made a strong recovery after a break last week and was narrowing the gap late; he's shown speed in all prior efforts including an eight-hole win two back. New barn, new driver, worst post, but likely an enticing price. (5) SPEEDY DOMINIC A looks for back-to-back wins and is very logical for Bartlett/Engblom. (2) TWIG raced well from off the pace last out and he also has some early speed.
Race 8: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(2) CUT N RUN N drops in for a tag off back-to-back sharp wins for a hot barn; gets top billing with the post edge on most of his main rivals. (5) ORLANDO BLUE A also goes for three straight and the ex-barnmate of the top choice moves to the Engblom barn via claim. (3) AROUND MIDNIGHT gets needed post relief after being in tough spots in his last two.
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Race 9: NW31451 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) WHATS STANLEY GOT A had late pace once shaking free in last week's Invite, his first start in over five weeks. Stratton barn lists Holland to drive again and he looks to have a class edge on these. (3) SPORT SECRET got the job done at 15 cents on the dollar in his local return but he faces better here and won't offer much value. I don't expect him to be 1/9 again but even around his 7/5 ML looks to be an underlay. (1) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A quietly shows up every week and makes money. Can be tighter off last week's race.
Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) DEETZY was overtaken in a sizzling third quarter in his first race after missing over a month and he ended up tiring badly but he finds an easier spot here; wouldn't be surprised at all if this classy veteran turned things around. (4) EVER HOPING A was a bit disappointing last week and I think he's capable of better. (2) TWIN B HEART THROB was second best after leaving out of the eight hole in his Yonkers return and now he lands a much better post.
Race 11: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) SMIFFYS TERROR N was the upset selection in his U.S. debut and I'm sticking with him. We'll see how he reacts to facing better. (3) LAYTON HANOVER was a close second at the top level in his return to the Alexander barn and he's clearly the one to beat here, but will probably get hammered in the wagering. (4) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP surely needed last week's start; Bartlett/Engblom in play again here.