Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 3/15
MEET STATS: 70 - 219 / $394.00 (-$44.00)
BEST BETS: 11 - 22 / $37.60 (-$6.40)
Best Bet: TWIN B SPEEDO (2nd)
Spot Play: KEEP ON ROCKING A (8th)
Race 1: $15,000-$20,000 Claiming Handicap Pace
(3) BLAYDE HANOVER was a solid uncovered winner last week and paid a decent price as well in that competitive event; DiDomenico trainee lands in a similar spot tonight and can repeat with a live trip. (1) MILLIONDOLLAR WAVE finished third behind the top choice in last week's race and overall he's been pretty good since the claim. (4) GUNPOWDER N is entered for the lower tag tonight so he gets slight post improvement; veteran was in a bad spot last out but should be within striking range tonight.
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Race 2: $25,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap Pace
(5) TWIN B SPEEDO had to settle for second best last start as the winner had the jump on him but he finished well once shaking free; Alexander trainee has been on an extended form spree and he can begin a new winning streak tonight. (4) MAGRITTE has also been razor-sharp and he looks to maintain his form for his new barn off the claim. (3) CLASSIC PRO was able to make the front easily when the leader quit last week but he was still game to the wire; he faces a bit better here but may be able to land a share.
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Race 3: MGM Borgata Pacing Series
(4) LET IT RIDE N had the benefit of a start (and a win) over this surface this year and he sharpened up nicely with that early-evening trial recently at The Meadowlands. Norman-trained import is perfect so far in the U.S. and could be even better than what we've been seeing. (1) THIS IS THE PLAN won the Borgata invitational here last November and he's right up there with the top aged pacers in the land; I suspect the Burke trainee will be 100% ready to go off that lone qualifier. (3) AMERICAN HISTORY has had a number of huge local efforts the last couple of seasons. Alagna trainee also makes his 2021 debut off one qualifier.
Race 4: MGM Borgata Pacing Series
(3) LYONS STEEL flies under the radar a bit as a rock-solid aged pacer and he's had a good season so far with over $30K banked; with a smooth trip he seems capable of the minor upset. (6) NONE BETTOR A has done good things here in the past and he qualified strongly twice in preparation for his 2021 debut; import is now in the care of Nancy Takter and is clearly the one to beat. (5) MAC'S JACKPOT finally got back on the winning track last start (though he was DQ'ed) and the veteran moves to the Stafford barn and gets Holland back in the bike.
Race 5: MGM Borgata Pacing Series
(4) SAN DOMINO A is another recent addition to the Takter barn and also has a strong local history; last week's tightener at The Meadowlands hopefully helps his cause. (5) PAT STANLEY N toured the track last week in that merry-go-round of an Open; Shane Tritton trainee stormed home in prior efforts. (8) ROCKAPELO hails from Burke, who can never be overlooked in this series; Brennan needs to find a way to get involved from out there.
Race 6: MGM Borgata Pacing Series
(1) HESA KINGSLAYER N has quickly proven himself more than capable with the top-notch pacers and he returns to Yonkers after sailing home in under 26 seconds last out at The Big M; gelding should be in line for a live trip from this spot. (4) SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN got roughed up in his last Yonkers race but all other recent efforts have been solid. (5) OSTRO HANOVER finished willingly in his seasonal debut then failed to get involved last week; he finished 2020 on a major hot streak and he can be competitive with this type if he can revert to that late-season form.
Race 7: MGM Borgata Pacing Series
(4) BACKSTREET SHADOW has been mentioned with the top aged pacers in North America over the last couple of years and he looks ready off that qualifier across the river; Burke trainee figures to have a tactical edge on the mighty (5) LEONIDAS A. The latter ended last year winning the Potomac and breezed by late despite chasing a slow pace in his seasonal debut. Import looks like the real deal. (2) WESTERN FAME faltered in his local return at 50 cents on the dollar, probably not the way his connections wanted to come into this series. Don't forget, he was the 2019 Levy champ.
Race 8: Preferred Handicap Pace
(4) KEEP ON ROCKING A has been solid in three local starts and he could offer a bit of value in this watered-down non-stakes feature. (3) CARLISIMO is arguably in career form and must be included. (6) PYRO was left alone on the front end to score in last week's Open and that's four solid starts since moving to the Garcia-Herrera barn.
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Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
It took a few starts but (7) BILL HALEY N finally found his stride and he charged home to just miss last week. Outside post looks tough for a horse that hasn't shown much early speed but he may be worth a try if the price is right. Zeron's choice. (3) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N finds a much softer spot tonight and could be headed to the front. (4) MCMIKE finally found a field he could beat last out (NW6); let's see if the Burke trainee has more to offer.
Race 10: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) TWIN B TUFFENUFF came up a touch short chasing from the pocket last week but he's certainly eligible of rebounding. (2) SPRINGSTEEN returned locally last week, brushed to command, stayed on the gas and was on fumes late; don't know what the game plan will be tonight but we know this erratic 6-year-old is more than capable. (5) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP never got close from the eight hole last out; does Dube try leaving tonight?