Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 3/3

2025 MEET STATS: 45 - 146 / $283.80 (-$8.20)

BEST BETS: 7 - 14 / $22.20 (-$5.80)

BEST BET: SPEED MAN N (5^th)

SPOT PLAY: VENTURESOME ARDEN N (9^th)

Race 1: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) SHAKESPEARE was an improved second last out, as expected with the class drop. Veteran pops up with a big winning effort from time to time and he figures to offer one of the best prices of the main contenders. (1) SHERLOCK N was deservedly odds-on last week but faltered late. Tritton trainee lands a similar spot looking to make amends. (4) QUALITY BUD is going well now and just needs a clean trip to pick up a nice piece.

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Race 2: $40,000 Claiming Pace

(2) MIND HUNTER stepped back up to $50's off the Laterza claim and gave way late after a speed try. He's back at the $40K level and with the good draw in this abbreviated field he gets the tepid call. (5) BILL HALEY N charged home last week to nail it on the wire and he may be looking at a similar trip tonight with Bartlett on the return drive. (1) TWO FACED was outbattled late in a good try last start and overall he's done well for this barn over the last six starts, but has failed to pick up that elusive victory. Rail draw again.

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Race 3: $50,000 Claiming Pace

(5) I DRAINTHESWAMP A has lost his last two races by a head and a neck, and prior to that was a winner by just a quarter length. DiDomenico trainee has proven to be a solid fit at this level and just needs a live trip to score at an honest price in this wide-open event. (2) PEACE OUT POSSE has been coming up a bit short recently but trainer Bongiorno calls on Bartlett to drive tonight and maybe that helps get him over the top. (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION N makes his debut for the Stafford barn off the $50K claim and he bears watching, not just tonight but future weeks as well (if he stays in this barn).

Race 4: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace

(5) LOUS THE ATTITUDE has failed to get involved in his last few from outside posts but he finds a better spot tonight, one where it seems there isn't much early speed inside of him. I expect he and (6) FLIP MY CHIP to be firing out and they could sit one-two. The latter enters yet another new barn hoping to stay sharp. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL was a winner two back at this age-restricted level, then just an even fourth against open $30K claimers. Not sure how much a difference there is between the two classes, but still worth mentioning.

Race 5: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) SPEED MAN N has been a favorite of mine over the years and despite doing nothing of late and landing another outside post the softer competition here and switch back to Kakaley (who won with him the last two times he drove) should make him a MAJOR player here. (3) AROUND MIDNIGHT is another dropper in here who has the potential to wake up big-time. (1) OUTLAW MAN N had no chance last week from the eight hole, now drops back to NW7500 and moves all the way inside.

Race 6: NW10971 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) FUNATTHEBEACH N was second best last week to a tough winner and the Gillis-trained millionaire is way overdue for a win; let's get it done. (4) MYUNTIMATEBAXTER N is another fresh face from Down Under, this one debuting for the Vallee barn off a willing qualifier. As usual, watch the board. (5) RENAISSANCE DEO was scratched sick last week but is right back in; prior two races were good.

Race 7: NW15501 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) BACKSTREET SHADOW continues to frustrate but does just enough to keep me on board, so here we go again...(2) BLUE LOU was in a winning spot last week coming out of the same race as the top one but he could not last; gets another crack here from a similar spot. (3) ULTIMAROCA gets post relief and has hit the board in four of his last five.

Race 8: Invitational Pace

(5) FINVARRA A gets the best of the "5 thru 8" draw in this handicap event and figures to be heading out to the front (and dissuading the outside speed from going). Dilloian import and (3) AMMO may be the top two controlling the action. The latter was collared by the razor-sharp Nandolo N, no shame in that. Burke trainee is up to the top level but in a very good spot. (7) VERDUN finished well last week and appears to be back in fighting form for Lachance. Post is obviously a concern.

Race 9: NW21501 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) VENTURESOME ARDEN N switches back to Bartlett, and this import jogged the last time they hooked up. Despite the presence of bonafide talent inside of him this Bucci trainee deserves top billing. (2) ROCK DIAMONDS N reminded everyone last out that he's not done winning; Brennan drives again. (1) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A scored from the pocket last week and from the rail he's got a big chance to make it three straight, and four of five.

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Race 10: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace

(2) TWIGGS PUB was caught first over each of the last two weeks after stepping up a notch off the Engblom claim. He's clearly due for a better trip tonight. (3) BIG DREAM FELLA made his first start in almost three months last week at Pocono in their claiming series and finished well after a bit of a shuffle. Laterza trainee is back at Yonkers and in for a slightly higher tag rather than staying there. Gelding was a $120K winner locally in 2024. (1) FINAL CHEESERECIPE enters the Adamczyk barn via claim and he's looking to double up.

Race 11: $30,000 Claiming Pace

(3) SADDLE UP took the rail route last week in his return to the Devita barn and finished with pace in traffic. Post improvement and switch to Bartlett gives him a legit shot to return to the winner's circle though he doesn't figure to offer much value. (1) JUST PLAIN LOCO returns from Saratoga and was a good second in his last local try. He figures to be no worse than the pocket from this spot. (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP has been racing well recently as he's been third best in his last three Yonkers tries. Veteran clearly fits with these and will be a huge price from post eight. Maybe Siegelman can somehow sneak him into the number,