Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 3/14
MEET STATS: 47 - 170 / $223.10 (-$116.90)
BEST BETS: 6 - 16 / $22.40 (-$9.60)
Best Bet: DINA BOLT N (6th)
Spot Play: BELTANE A (2nd)
Race 1: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) PICARD A basically toured the track last week having little chance from the eight hole while facing better. He moves all the way inside tonight, keeps Kakaley and should be in line for a live trip. (2) MAJOR BETTS was second best to the well-meant winner in last, his second start coming back from vacation. Jenn Bongiorno trainee lands a good inside post again and looms the one to catch. (3) KERFORD ROAD A was in the same boat as the top choice last week and he'll be more involved with the move inside.
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Race 2: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(7) BELTANE A was stubborn on the front end last week just getting nipped by the pocket sitter. He was reclaimed by the Bako barn, stays at a winning level and has the early speed to overcome the outside draw. (2) REGAL SON comes off a sick scratch but was dropped right back in the box so it's likely the 11-year-old will be ready to give 100%. (3) CHANGE STRIDE N hasn't put in a bad effort in ages and though his winning streak was snapped when he hiked to this level he did have willing late pace; Ruiz trainee should land a piece of this.
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Race 3: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(2) ELWELL raced his last three at the $100K claiming level and while he raced well he was denied the winner's circle all three times. Veteran drops down in price tonight, draws well and gets the call to start a new winning streak. (1) LYONS KING is back from a failed try at The Big M but his prior two local starts resulted in a nose win and a neck loss; Bongiorno trainee is a major contender from this spot. (4) AIR FORCE HANOVER has raced very well this season and speed is his best weapon but I'm not sure if he'll be able to cross over to the front with the two top choices looming inside.
Race 4: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) ON ACCIDENT is back from Freehold and he raced well here in two recent starts; he may be worth a swing as the likely third choice as the other contenders have some question marks. (2) REIGNING DEO made his 2022 debut last week at Pocono and paced evenly in a needed start; gelding did have a win here last season as well as a couple of big wins down at Freehold. (3) SPRINGSTEEN always attracts plenty of attention and is more than capable but consistency is not his strong suit.
Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) THE WILD CARD put in a game effort in defeat last out and does move up a notch in class off that loss but we've seen some Lance Hudson trainees go big efforts recently. (2) ITSMYCHECK GB was run down last week by the super St Lads Beat It (who is stuck in the eight hole here) and he should be on or near the lead again. (3) THINKBIG DREAMBIG took some money from the outside post with Cory Stratton driving in his last start but never rallied; he moves inside and gets Kakaley tonight.
Race 6: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(1) DINA BOLT N fended off hard pressure to score in his local return and he remains at a winning level while drawing best; he'll be favored to repeat. (2) I GET THAT has been very sharp in his last few, including last week where he finished strongly to be third best; Devita trainee should be placed somewhere close to the front and can land a big share. (7) JOJO'S PLACE was a strong winner first out for Dowse off the $30K claim; he steps up and lands outside but could find a way to sneak onto the ticket.
Race 7: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) ROCKAPELO is rounding back into top shape for Burke and he has a major post edge on the ultra-classy Western Joe. Gelding figures to take control from the outset or yield to one and retake, then take them the distance. (3) OSTRO HANOVER paced in sub-1:50 in his seasonal debut at The Meadowlands and he figures to be tighter tonight. (8) WESTERN JOE sparkled in his local return but now he's stuck all the way outside. With the Borgata around the corner I'm just not sure what to do with him tonight.
Race 8: $100,000 Claiming Pace
(3) JOESSTAR OF MIA A took all the money last week and powered past a good rival in Elwell; Dowse trainee lands in a similar spot tonight and should repeat. (2) LOU'S SWEETREVENGE closed very nicely in his first two starts off the Bucci claim then had trouble reaching last out from the eight hole. Move inside makes him a player. (6) ALL HANDS ON DECK had plenty of finishing pace once clear in his Yonkers return. Unfortunately the post probably limits him to a smaller share tonight.
Race 9: Open Pace
(3) DRAGON SAID jogged in his second start off the winter break and now lands the three hole with this open draw. Bongiorno trainee is clearly the one to beat. (1) SEMI TOUGH had the outside post blues last start but was the Open winner two back from an inside slot; versatile Burke trainee should come out of this with a big piece of the purse. (4) SPEED MAN N has fired off the gate in all recent races and logic would dictate he does so again, even with the favorite to his inside.
Race 10: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) VENIER HANOVER crushed in his last three when switched to the Bako barn, and now he goes for the equally sharp Dowse barn off the claim, while drawing best versus a soft field. (5) DESIRE'S CAPTAIN has raced well in his last three and the Shane Tritton trainee can be a closing threat. (3) IT'SGOODTOBEDAKING seems to have tailed off recently but still merits a mention from this spot.
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Race 11: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(1) NEXT BIG THING has worked his way up the claiming ladder since arriving from Florida (with a pit stop at Monti) and he was a solid second last week to the odds-on winner. Sharp sort looms the one to beat. (4) YANKEE ROLLER A has disappointed in his last two but was a solid closing second at this level three back. (5) SHOREVIEW flew home to nail it last start and he also steps up for the crafty Camilleri barn.
Race 12: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(7) TONY TOO TALL beat similar from the pocket last week and can blast off the gate if Siegelman desires. Price figures to be decent due to the outside post. Is (3) MAGRITTE's insane run over, or did he have valid excuses in his last three races? I guess we'll find out tonight if he's still got his mojo working. (1) WESTERN HILL earns a bump up in class off last week's very strong front-end win.