Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 3/20

2023 MEET STATS: 66 - 194 / $300.00 (-$88.00)

BEST BETS: 11 - 18 / $34.00 (-$2.00)

Best Bet: CENTURY HANNIBAL (8th)

Spot Play: TWIN B HEART THROB (12th)

Race 1: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) RAUKAPUKA RULER N was a very easy winner out of the pocket in his local return and the veteran has more than enough class to repeat here facing slightly better. (3) BRAEVIEW BONDI A also comes into this event off a 'drop and pop' win and he can carry that momentum into another live effort here. (6) BENHOPE RULZ N is a consistent earner and he was a winner the last time he was at this level; drawing outside the two favorites hampers his chances on the win end but obviously helps the price.

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Race 2: Open Handicap Pace

(5) PYRO has always been a streaky horse and he bumps up into this watered-down Open event going for four straight. I say to ride the wave here and take this gelding on top again. (2) OZONE BLUE CHIP has also been on a major-league form cycle having won six of eight; he's a must-use. (1) THE REGULATOR was a solid wire-to-wire winner last week at the NW15000 level and normally this is a big jump up in class and he would be an afterthought in the Open but versus this field I think he fits.

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Race 3: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1

I seem to say this every year but I can’t believe it's the start of the Borgata (let’s not forget Levy) series already! (3) ROCKIN WITHELVIS A has made less of a splash than other recent imports but he’s been solid for the most part and from this much-improved post he should be within striking distance late. Dave Miller picks up the drive and he should offer value here. (5) LOCHINVAR ART A has been as advertised as he’s gone 3 for 3 so far in North America, including the last two right here at Yonkers, but he wasn't really tested in either of those wins. Team Tritton import figures to have to work a bit harder tonight. (1) SOARING NOW was way overbet in his trial run over this surface last week and while he did rally well in the back half he still finished well back, barely holding fourth. We’ll see if the 4-year-old has more to offer from this improved post.

Race 4: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1

(2) JIMMY FREIGHT had too much to do in his last start at The Meadowlands but overall he has been superb since returning from his second career at stud duty and he's proven that handling the half-mile isn't a problem. I'm curious to see what tactics driver Zeron employs but he's versatile enough to overcome any trip. (1) HELLABALOU returns off a nice freshening in that Meadows qualifier and the Burke trainee will look to take these down the road. (7) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N was a solid second in his seasonal debut and despite drawing outside the Tritton trainee has plenty of early speed to get into play.

Race 5: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) CERTIFIABLE has looked like a sharp claim so far for these connections with a win, second and third in three tries. Last week he chased in vain as a better horse scooted clear, and he may be looking at a similar trip and he'll look to run down (4) GREAT SOMEWHERE. The latter has also been great all year and he’s looking to make it 6 of 7. (7) MOONSHINE KISSES fits great with this type but unfortunately is stuck outside again.

Race 6: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1

(3) NONE BETTOR A was on a huge run the second half of 2022, culminating with his upset win the MGM Aria Invitational. He returns from a well-earned vacation and had two very similar qualifiers over at Pocono. I suspect he'll be ready to fire at first asking. (4) TATTOO ARTIST also had two qualifying preps and clearly looked sharper in the second. Chris Ryder trainee earned almost $900K last year, including a tough-luck 4th place finish in the Borgata final. (5) FUNATHEBEACH and (7) LEONIDAS A are a couple of locals who have a seasoning edge on the top ones, but also may be compromised by landing outside of those rivals.

Race 7: $30,000 Claiming Pace

(4) SHARK PLAY debuts for Engblom off the $25K claim and he was very good for his prior connections. Modest bump up in class may not derail him. (2) MACH DORO A grinded out almost $120K in earnings last year for the Garcia-Herrera barn and the 12-year-old could be ready to go off that qualifier over at Pocono. (5) PICARD A is probably best suited a level or two down but Kakaley hops back aboard and he’s got some early speed.

Race 8: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) CENTURY HANNIBAL was run over by a classy rival after an eight-hole speed try first time locally in the Engblom barn. He moves inside, comes back on normal rest and keeps Bartlett; that adds up to a short price, but likely win. (4) TIGER BARON drops in class and Joe B has always handled this veteran well; second best. (6) STATE SENATOR appeared to have pace in his first for Blumenfeld off the claim but he was jammed in late traffic; Dexter Dunn picks up the drive tonight and he’s also dropping a notch.

Race 9: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #1

(5) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A may be an unconventional selection considering he was in NW5000 not that long ago but what he's done since then has been spectacular. Here’s a chance to prove he can hang with the big boys. (3) SEMI TOUGH finished third in last year's final and is a proven entity with this type. His effort last out may indicate is rounding back into form. (2) AMERICAN COURAGE should be ready to fire in his first start since the Breeders Crown on the strength of three winning qualifiers. (4) NANDOLO N needs no introduction and he's more than capable of beating these with a good setup.

Race 10: $40,000 Claiming Pace

(3) CAPTIVATE HANOVER has done everything right recently, except win. That has a solid chance of changing tonight as the Burke trainee lands in a great spot. (1) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N has turned things around recently and now drops in for a tag. DiDomenico trainee can last a long way on the front end. (5) CHANGE STRIDE N was shuffled back last week as the outer flow was in full flight but overall he’s been in good shape and he should offer some value here.

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Race 11: $50,000 Claiming Pace

(5) TIN ROOF RAIDER A went well to be second best last week off the claim by the rejuvenated Paul Blumenfeld barn; Bartlett drives again with seemingly a legit chance to score. (7) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD also bumped to this level off the claim and was a solid winner first-out Engblom, beating the top choice in the process. He may have to be used a bit harder tonight from the outside post. (1) LONG WEEKEND A must be so confused as he moves to his sixth barn in as many weeks; he should stay close to the front and can pick up a piece at a price.

Race 12: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) TWIN B HEART THROB closed a ton last start and almost got to leading Speed Man N, who is a legit Open-type horse. Cullipher trainee drops to a better level and should have targets up from to aim at. (4) ROCK CANDY has still been shut out of the win column for an extended period of time but he's going well now. (3) BUDDY HILL has been facing better stock in all recent races; drop in class will help the cause.