Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 3/21
MEET STATS: 60 - 202 / $286.90 (-$117.10)
BEST BETS: 9 - 19 / $36.00 (-$2.00)
Best Bet: ROCKAPELO (10th)
Spot Play: MACH DORO A (2nd)
Race 1: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(3) NEXT BIG THING's first local start here back in early February he was 108/1 in a $15K claimer. Now he's being selected on top with a $50K price tag. Devita trainee has been super as he's risen the class ladder and he'll be within striking distance from this post. (1) KINNDER JACKSON goes from one live barn to another and figures to be controlling the action looking for three straight. (4) CRUZING HILL can be excused for his last three races where he had two 7-holes and an 8-hole.
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Race 2: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(3) MACH DORO A gets post relief in his second start back at this claiming level and the Garcia-Herrera barn is alive again after a poor start to the season; definitely worth a look at his 12/1 ML. (2) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N was outkicked to the lead, had to tuck and didn't rally from there in his last start; prior efforts from this gelding were solid. (6) VELOCITY KOMODO is versatile and a bonafide threat with this type, as long as he is able to get involved.
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Race 3: Borgata Pacing Series Open FFA Pace
And so it begins! 2021 champ (5) THIS IS THE PLAN is coming off a stellar season with over $800K banked and that second Big M qualifier last week sure seems to signal that the Burke trainee is 100% ready to go for round one. (3) CHASE H HANOVER was a solid 3-year-old who earned $369K chasing the top of his class most of the season. He makes his seasonal debut now in the Virgil Morgan Jr. barn and has proven early speed. (7) AMERICAN HISTORY already looks to be in midseason form but the outside post could present some problems.
Race 4: Borgata Pacing Series Open FFA Pace
(4) ELVER HANOVER tuned up with a couple of big half-mile efforts at Northfield and Burke obviously has confidence in this 5-year-old by nominating and entering in this series. As far as tonight's race he should have a clear path to the front from this spot and either cut the pace or yield to one rival for a trip. (5) DRAGON SAID disappointed last week by showing no fight as the pocket sitter sailed by but he still went a 1:51 3/5 mile which is probably faster than the rest of these can currently show. He's also proven he can be an off-the-pace threat. (1) I'LL DRINK TO THAT makes his 4-year-old debut off a single qualifier and the Chris Ryder trainee was the NYSS champ here last season.
Race 5: Borgata Pacing Series Open FFA Pace **$10,000 GUARANTEED PICK-5 POOL**
I think that (1) WESTERN JOE's race last week can just be tossed out, as he tried to leave from the eight hole and ended up taking back before being stacked about 6 wide into the first turn. Prior start was a strong 1:51 4/5 win and this veteran is proven in this series. (6) COVERED BRIDGE was top dog recently in the Preferred class at The Meadowlands and the Burke trainee figures to be on the move early. (3) GROOVY JOE has plenty of speed and may be trying to take this field as far as he can.
Race 6: Borgata Pacing Series Open FFA Pace
(1) LEONIDAS A has already banked $78K in five Open starts this year and he was given a little time off in preparation for this grueling series. He deserves top billing from this inside post. (7) TATTOO ARTIST came from off the pace despite only facing four rivals in his seasonal debut and he did race well. Tonight he fires from the gate. (8) JACK'S LEGEND N is a winning machine and figures to make his presence felt throughout this series, but having the eight hole is a tough way to start his campaign. Can Kakaley get him in play?
Race 7: Borgata Pacing Series Open FFA Pace
(1) NANDOLO N was a winner in 1:50 flat in his last local race back in November and he should be plenty tight off that recent effort at The Meadowlands. With the inside draw he's clearly the one to beat, but won't offer much value. (3) BELMONT MAJOR N returns from Saratoga off a nice effort in defeat and he's in a different barn off what looks like a private purchase. He has hinted at serious ability at times. (6) LYONS STEEL is a Borgata/Levy veteran and he's coming off a nice front-end win here last week.
Race 8: Open Handicap Pace
(6) RED RIGHT HAND has quickly proven that as a 4-year-old he can go with this type and he does have tactical speed to get into winning position. (1) JOESSTAR OF MIA A takes a shot at the Open level after being a big player with the $100K claimers. He draws best here and keeps Bartlett. (7) SPEED MAN N was a pocket-rocket winner last week and obviously early speed is his biggest weapon; Gingras gets the catch-drive and we'll see what he can do with his outside post assignment.
Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) THE WILD CARD has raced well in all recent and this barn has had some very live starters recently. Lance Hudson trainee should be close enough to reach from this improved post. (1) JESSE DUKE N has also been racing well and now gets some class relief and moves all the way inside; he's the one to beat. (6) SPRINGSTEEN has always had the raw ability but is just so erratic; last week he ripped out of the pocket like he was a monster but he refused to pass.
Race 10: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) ROCKAPELO was worn down by a sharp Ostro Hanover last week so there's no shame in losing that race. He appears to have a class edge on these. (5) REVELRY loomed large off live cover coming out of the same race as the top one and he finished evenly to be third best; overall he's been very sharp since the Dowse claim. (2) SOHO LENNON A will be close up throughout, perhaps in the pocket, perhaps on the lead at some point. Classy veteran should be included.
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Race 11: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(3) TONY TOO TALL is always right there stalking and waiting to pounce; sharp sort goes for Bongiorno now off the claim and will be forwardly placed as usual. (2) AMERICAN BOY N had no chance last week but likely needed the start after missing a bit of time with a sick scratch; he moves back inside and should be a player. (1) WESTERN HILL hiked to this $50K level coming off a strong win but he was unable to muster a serious rally. Connections give him another shot with these and he draws best again.
Race 12: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) PRETTY HANDSOME woke up in a big way when dropped to this level as he drew clear at odds-on; Bako trainee gets a free ride at this level and is certainly capable of repeating. (4) HUDSON PHIL has been paying his way recently at his home base in Saratoga and he picks up Bartlett for his local return. He's had his moments here in the past while generally facing better but he's missed a bit of time. (1) MARK WITHA K got hung to dry last week but now he drops from claimers and draws best; he can land a large share if not used too hard.