Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 3/18

2024 MEET STATS: 68 - 224 / $400.60 (-$47.40)

BEST BETS: 11 - 19 / $39.50 (+$1.50)

BEST BET: LOUS THE ATTITUDE (1^st)

SPOT PLAY: IDEALSOMEMAGIC A (8^th)

Race 1: 3-6YO $50,000 Claiming Pace

(2) LOUS THE ATTITUDE has three starts this year facing better with a couple from poor posts, and also there have been gaps between the races. Tonight he's back in on consecutive weeks and at a more appropriate level. Clearly the one to beat. (5) AUSSIE HANOVER trailed throughout when bumped to this level but the moderate post relief can assure he'll be more involved. (4) JUST ENUFF STUFF is in for a bit higher tag tonight but is 5 for 6 in the money in 2024.

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Race 2: Invitational Handicap Pace

(6) ADAM TWELVE has been so sharp he's impossible to go against, even from the outside draw. (5) NANDOLO N is arguably best, definitely classiest, but can he generate enough early speed to go with #6 off the gate? (1) BOILING OAR is a logical one to hold off the rest.

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Race 3: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1

(3) RED RIGHT HAND has a proven winning history at Yonkers and he was tightened perfectly with that win at The Meadowlands. Bartlett picks up the drive with Gingras on the Burke trainee, and aside from that rival he's get a solid tactical edge on the other players in here. (2) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A has four wins already in seven starts since arriving in the U.S. and he gets his biggest test to date. If the connections think he's Borgata-worthy then I'll trust them. (5) DESPERATE MAN qualified three times in preparation for his seasonal debut and the Alexander trainee goes over a million lifetime with a win or second.

Race 4: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1

(4) HELLABALOU didn't offer much up in terms of winning in his 2024 debut but I'm sure it served as an effective qualifier coming into round one of the Borgata. Last year's champ will be forwardly placed tonight. (1) ROCKNROLL RUNA A has blossomed into a nice top-level horse for Stalbaum and he takes his first crack at the Borgata. Gelding should be looking at a nice trip from the rail. (5) I DID IT MYWAY ships up from Dover now second-time Lasix and Tetrick keeps the drive. Form is currently there but he did make two Yonkers starts last year and didn't pick up a check.

Race 5: $40,000 Claiming Pace **$10K Gtd. Pick 5**

(1) PINEBUSH LIVESAVER is one I've been following all year, so naturally he's 0 for 8. Gelding definitely qualifies as "knocking on the door" and can get it done from the rail. (3) MY ULTIMATE STAR A has finished third in two starts off the Dilloian claim; logical from this spot. (8) PRINCE MCARDLE N has taken two straight across the river and he may seem a bit ambitiously placed at this claiming level but we'll see. Consider for a piece at a big price from the eight hole.

Race 6: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1

(5) COVERED BRIDGE has kept busy this winter and is already 4 for 6 on the year. With #4 maybe needing a start he's clearly the one to beat. (4) THIS IS THE PLAN had an up-and-down 2023 season but he returns for another go at it and he qualified well. (2) NATURALLY GIFTED A seems to have the most upside of the rest.

Race 7: $30,000 Claiming Pace

(1) MAXIMUS RED A has certainly found a home at this $30K claiming level as the veteran goes for a third straight versus similar; Gingras picks up the drive and from the rail he's the one to beat. (4) PAT STANLEY N has finished with good late interest in his last few and he should be in line for a good trip. (5) TIN ROOF RAIDER A missed a nose to the top one last week.

Race 8: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1

(1) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A missed a neck to Covered Bridge in just his second start of the year and final tuneup for this series. From the rail he may be taking these a long way on the front end. (2) LINEDRIVE HANOVER has been overshadowed by the heavy hitters in the aged pacing division but perhaps he's ready to take his game to the next level. That 1:50 4/5 qualifier is a good start. (5) DUNKIN' was the winningest horse in 2023 with 21 tallies, from the fairs to the OH Sire Stakes and everything in between. Nick and Betty Clegg send him to Scott DiDomenico and he gets a driver upgrade to Tetrick.

Race 9: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) AMERICAN DEALER N is classiest here as he makes his way back up the food chain; Toscano trainee may face an uncertain trip here but he deserves top billing. (1) HEAVEN ON HIGH N is another live veteran from the Stablaum barn and he's got speed from the rail. (3) FORTIFY was going very well here back in December and he makes his 2024 debut off a bit of a tiring qualifier on the big track.

Race 10: $50,000 Claiming Pace

(4) MOVIN' ON UP does just that off five straight on-the-board finishes with a couple of wins. He should fit well here in a field with no proven $50K claimers. (5) THRASHER was reclaimed by the Alexander barn so that's a good endorsement; Kakaley is back driving. (2) JUDDY DOUGLAS A faces a pretty good field for the class in his local return; back in for a tag and Bartlett drives again.

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Race 11: $40,000 Claiming Pace

(6) OAKWOODNITTOWNIT IR dropped and popped two back then the connections left him in for the same tag and he was claimed out of that race where he broke as the 3/5 chalk. He's likely to be overlooked here coming off that line and be a good price. (3) SAN DOMINO A hasn't won in ages but he could be looking at a live trip here. (2) GLACIS won for his new barn last start and was claimed again; new connections logically step him up now.

Race 12: $30,000 Claiming Pace

(3) BIG SIR is not the most consistent type but he just missed last week and faces a pretty formless bunch tonight. (4) HUDSON PHIL showed a touch of life last start and maybe this veteran is trending in the right direction. (1) STATEMENT MADE A is a default selection to hit the ticket starting from the rail with Bartlett piloting.