Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 2/7
MEET STATS: 23 - 101 / $124.50 (-$77.50)
BEST BETS: 3 - 9 / $9.60 (-$8.40)
Best Bet: GINGER TREE PETE (3rd)
Spot Play: MIGHTY SANTANA N (10th)
Race 1: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) FLYING FINN N was overmatched at the $75K claiming level then was stuck in the eight hole when dropped to this level; gelding gets major post relief tonight and could trip out behind likely leader (3) GENIUS MAN. The latter was well-meant on the front end last week but could not last and was nipped by a nose. Chance to make amends here. (1) SO MANY ROADS finished close up last week from a similar spot.
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Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(5) CHANGE STRIDE N was 122/1 two starts back but went off the favorite last week and he delivered the goods. Debuts now for Dowse off the claim looking to repeat. (1) BEVANS CULLEN N goes for yet another new barn tonight and was a sharp winner last out. (3) JIMS PERFECT TEN was bottomed by the insane Machiavelli last week but managed to hold second; Ruiz trainee is a good fit with these.
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Race 3: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) GINGER TREE PETE didn't have the easiest trips last week but he kept coming and almost got there. A front-end try or pocket ride tonight can get it done. (1) MACHIAVELLI blasted from the eight hole with the talented Luke Hanners and forgot to stop. He's up in class now off the Dowse reclaim. (5) WESTERN HILL came up rather dull last start for some unknown reason; Stratton trainee was rock-solid the start prior.
Race 4: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) VELOCITY KOMODO had trouble reaching last week from the seven hole when the winner was rating the pace up front but he gets some post relief and will be within striking distance. I thought about putting (5) MAGRITTE on top so I could end his big winning streak, but since he won't offer a ton of value I spared him. Veteran has been insane of late. (1) TONY TOO TALL goes back to Gillis, bumps up a level and has speed from the best post. Former $7K claimer should be sitting no worse than the pocket.
Race 5: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) SONNY WEAVER N has been doing good things over at The Meadowlands for live connections and I have to believe that Bartlett will be getting him into play. (1) JJ FLYNN returns from Delaware in decent form and he's done good things locally in the past. (4) SHADOW CAT is back up in class off a win and he can be right there with a live trip.
Race 6: NW15275 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) MELODIES MAJOR failed to enter contention last week from the eight hole but he drops into a softer spot tonight and lands an improved post. (2) BIG SIR was content to the sit the pocket last out while the winning Benhope Rulz N waltzed around the racetrack. Perhaps we'll see a more aggressive try like three back. (5) IM SIR BLAKE A gets class relief as well as moderate post relief and the Erv Miller trainee would be no surprise.
Race 7: $100,000 Claiming Pace
(3) ALEX TYE has been very sharp in all four of his 2022 starts and he's already banked over $41K; Chris Height trainee is in a great spot to win another. (5) JESSE DUKE N went a horror trip last week when he broke vying for the lead, then got hung the mile and still held for a board spot; Dube picks up the catch drive with Bongiorno steering his sister's horse. (4) CAVIART LUCA is back from a failed try at The Meadowlands and the classy Burke trainee was a winner here versus NW20000 types two back.
Race 8: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) J B MAUNEY N finds his first legitimate spot in ages and he seems to have the ability to come up with a big effort. (5) WESTERN FAME is arguably best but also a risky play at a short price coming off a sick scratch. (3) UNCLE JORD A could not sustain a two-move effort last out; trip figures to be smoother tonight.
Race 9: Open Handicap Pace
(3) SAVE ME A DANCE returns to Yonkers where he was the Open winner two back from a similar spot. Post edge on many of his main rivals makes him the logical choice. (2) PYRO has proven in the past that he can go with this type, especially from inside posts. He likely needed last week's start. (8) LEONIDAS A has returned razor-sharp but he figures to have to work much harder tonight.
Race 10: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(2) MIGHTY SANTANA N took sneaky money last week and raced accordingly, putting in a good effort to be second best. Recent Devita-claimed veteran can build off that effort. (1) REGAL SON went an insane trip last week and almost ran second after all was said and done; he goes back to the Alexander barn tonight and steps up a notch while drawing best. (6) BELTANE A won rather easily last start, can obviously repeat.
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Race 11: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(5) SWEET N FAST N had no visible excuse last start, which was disappointing considering how good he was the start prior. Bartlett gets the drive tonight and I'll give him another chance at an improved price. (7) ELWELL was always a quality horse all these years but he's really elevated his game over the last few months; he goes for five straight wins. (4) LOU'S SWEETREVENGE was a game uncovered winner last week and he's a clear contender again.
Race 12: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) AWESOMENESS toured the track from the outside post in a much-needed start off the bench; Garcia-Herrera trainee moves all the way inside and figures to be tighter. (6) ROBBIE BURNS N wasn't bad last start, though that was three weeks ago. He drops in class for the fourth consecutive start and figures to be aggressively handled. (5) CHICKEN NUGGET has been a solid claim so far for the Alexander barn and he comes in from The Meadowlands looking to make a local impact; consider.