Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 3/4
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2024 MEET STATS: 37 - 136 / $239.60 (-$32.40)
BEST BETS: 7 - 11 / $23.10 (+$1.10)
BEST BET: GREG THE LEG (11th)
SPOT PLAY: PRETTY HANDSOME (1st)
Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(1) PRETTY HANDSOME has not fired in his two starts off the Gillis claim but they were from outside posts so there's an excuse. Veteran moves to the rail and these connections have had major success the last few years with their acquisitions. (5) TUGGIN ON MY HEART drops back to the level where he's most successful, gets post relief and goes back to Joe Bongiorno driving. (4) ALEX TYE was a good second in a much-improved effort off the John Grasso claim and the local horse can land a nice share again.
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Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(2) FLOW WITH JOE was a solid runner-up in his seasonal debut and the Garcia-Herrera trainee finds a good spot to end his winless drought. (5) STATEMENT MADE A takes a needed drop in class and equally importantly leading driver Bartlett is back in the bike. Will we be seeing a more aggressive effort? (4) PAT STANLEY N frustrates me sometimes but the fact is the classy veteran is in a spot where he should come away with a good piece.
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Race 3: NW11311 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) PHOENIX OF FLUZZY was a winner from a similar spot two back when he was put on the front end and aside from #1 there doesn't seem to be a ton of early speed in here. (1) JAHAN HANOVER supplies that speed, now from the rail facing softer, but he doesn't seem to be winning as often as he should. Last year: 35 starts 5 wins 11 seconds. (2) THREE GRAND lacks the class of others but hits the board with regularity.
Race 4: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(6) BIG SIR is finally paying some dividends for these connections and he's the pick strictly on the 'Bartlett driving for Blackler' angle, which has been pretty good over the years. (4) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N is logical dropping in class for live connections. (3) IM A POWERPLAY A deserves a look on the barn change angle, as he goes for Adanczyk now off last week's $30K claim.
Race 5: Stake Your Claim $40,000 Final Pace
(1) AUSSIE HANOVER is two for two this year for the always late-arriving Garcia-Herrera, and he won those races with some speed to spare. Chance to trip out in this competitive claiming final. (3) MOVIN ON UP has done just that: after being claimed two back for $30K he's a neck shy of two wins at this level. Holland will be heading to the front. (5) THRASHER was reclaimed last week by the Camilleri barn and he's been live in every start this year. Gelding can be a closing threat with Yannick back in the bike.
Race 6: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) OCEAN RIDGE N has a recent win at this level while others do not; veteran was in tough his last three and should appreciate the class relief. (2) BOILING OAR finished close up last week after securing good position from the seven hole; moves back inside now. (1) BURNHAM BOY N steps up a notch off some good tries and he's got speed starting from the rail.
Race 7: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(2) STRIKING IMPACT looks like he's tailed off significantly and that may be true but a couple of those starts were after a claim and he didn't function for new connections, then his old barn took him back and he had a couple of outside posts. Should offer some value despite the move back inside. (5) FULSOME has been hard to fault in all recent starts and deserves to be the favorite; Bartlett picks up the drive with Gingras sticking with (1) AS ALWAYS, who may be setting sail from the rail to control things.
Race 8: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) HEMSWORTH N wasn't a serious threat when up in class last start but he was in against some sharp ones; Bako trainee draws well enough here and is capable of making an impact, likely from just off the pace. (6) COACHES CORNER was shuffled back last week, ending his streak of on-the-board finishes. He's got enough early speed to overcome the six hole. (4) FUNATTHEBEACH N steps up again off two solid placings and can never be overlooked despite his high ML.
Race 9: Invitational Pace 1-3, 4-5 drawn
(2) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A closed sharply in his seasonal debut to be second best to a streaking rival. Stratton trainee hikes to the top level, where he's obviously proven, and should offer value despite facing just four rivals. (5) COVERED BRIDGE lands outside again but hopefully he won't get away last this time; Stratton's strategy could change depending what #4 does off the gate. (3) NANDOLO N has returned to the races in top form and he's up in class going for three straight.
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Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE and (1) BRAEVIEW BONDI A both drop to easier spots and may very well be controlling the action from the two inside posts. Slight edge to #2 who has more upside after a useful 20243 debut last week. (7) LEVINE failed last out at 25 cents on the dollar. Scott Zeron returns to drive his own horse and he's capable of a piece at a price.
Race 11: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) GREG THE LEG was grinded down by Nandolo after a good seven-hole speed try last out and now he finds an easier spot. Holland can go on or off the pace with this gelding, depending on how #1 plays it. (1) FAMILY RECIPE is back up a notch after successfully dropping and popping; he clearly has the class to repeat. (3) DEETZY cut a hot clip and gave way two weeks ago, though he did win his prior start from off the pace. Now 12YO was super last year with 11 wins in 40 starts and is still going strong.
Race 12: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(2) MY ULTIMATE STAR A raced pretty well in his first start off the Dolloian Jr. claim and now he moves inside and Bartlett drives again. Looks like he's in a spot where he can take control of these. (5) OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR is interestingly in for a tag tonight after last week's useful start coming off the bench. Bako trainee does seem to have a class edge over these. (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF almost wired a field of $40K claimers two back and now lands the rail; obvious speed threat.