Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 3/7
MEET STATS: 47 - 170 / $223.10 (-$116.90)
BEST BETS: 6 - 16 / $22.40 (-$9.60)
Best Bet: OZONE BLUE CHIP (3rd)
Spot Play: PRETTY HANDSOME (7th)
Solid 13-race card offered tonight that should be well supported at the windows.
Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(5) DINA BOLT N returns from The Meadowlands for Jenn Bongiorno and Joe is back in the bike; note that back in December first out for this barn he jogged. (7) CHICKEN NUGGET is a bit on the cheap side but he's quickly proven that he can go with these; gelding will offer a good price with the outside post. (2) MAJOR CROCKER A goes from a good barn to one that is shut out on the season; use caution.
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Race 2: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) IM SIR BLAKE N was a strong second last week and has quickly proven his worthiness at these upper levels; pacer needs a bit of trip luck here but it's certainly not impossible. (1) ROCK CANDY didn't threaten coming out of the same race as the top choice but he managed to finish in :27 flat; he must be considered from the rail slot with Bartlett driving. (4) CASUAL COOL steps back up in class off a solid front-end score and Dexter Dunn is listed.
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Race 3: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) OZONE BLUE CHIP goes to Team Bongiorno after yet another claim and he lands in a controlling spot facing a soft group; no value but likely winner. (3) NEXT BIG THING is razor-sharp and steps up in class again. (2) STARK HANOVER finds his first legit spot for these connections; worth including at 20/1 ML.
Race 4: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(2) TONY TOO TALL has strong early speed, good form and a good post; gelding was a winner from a similar spot three back. (5) THE BOOK OF LIFE returns to Yonkers after a decent run at The Big M and he's been flashing early speed lately as well. (8) MAGRITTE is stuck in the eight hole and he doesn't really have blastaway speed off the gate; tough spot tonight.
Race 5: NW10801 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) TWIN B TUFFENUFF dropped to this level last week and Brennan sent him to the lead from the eight hole; he should be cutting the mile again tonight and is good enough to take these the distance. (2) REDBANK BLAZE A will be getting away close up and seems to have a legit chance to be freshest late from just off the pace. (1) YAYAS HOT SPOT N moves all the way back inside and will sit a trip but he's not a prolific winner.
Race 6: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(5) WESTERN HILL seemed to tail off after that nice win five back but he showed willing late pace start and Jordan Stratton is back driving for his brother. (4) BRACKLEY BEACH is back in for a tag for Team Bongiorno after coming up just short in that wild finish last week. (1) MAJESTIC KIWI N has charged home in all three starts since the Blumenfeld claim for $15K and he's protected by bumping up in price again; legit board threat with a smooth trip.
Race 7: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) PRETTY HANDSOME has failed to get involved in his last four starts facing better from outside posts; this is a much better spot tonight and it's hard not to consider anything from these connections. (4) MONEYMAN HILL dropped from the $100K claiming level last out and blasted to the front from the outside, then chased willingly from the pocket. Similar effort makes him a major player. (2) NVESTMENT BLUECHIP just missed last week in that wild scrum to the wire and was third best the start prior; veteran is another board threat tonight.
Race 8: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) GINGER TREE PETE was in an impossible spot in his first try off the Laterza claim but he was beaten less than three lengths finishing in :27 2/5. He moves in a few slots on the gate and figures to be more involved here in this competitive event. (2) REGAL SON also gets away from the eight hole and he had a win and a close second in his prior two starts; he'll be a major speed threat here. (7) KINNDER JACKSON successfully dropped and popped last week; hard to say if he'll be able to get involved here but if he improves position off the gate he can compete for the top spots.
Race 9: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(4) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N was dead-game winning on the front end last out and that's four straight solid efforts; can he do it again? (2) VELOCITY KOMODO is also razor-sharp for Burke and he'll look to take another here. (1) MIGHTY SANTANA N steps up in class off the Cory Stratton claim and he may be in too deep here but he does draw best and can come away with a nice share.
Race 10: Open Handicap Pace
A field of five here going for $39,000...what a time to be alive! (5) TATTOO ARTIST is back from vacation and seems ready to roll off that 1:50 2/5 qualifier at The Meadowlands. He should be heading to the front and probably only has (3) RED RIGHT HAND to hold off. The latter has been nothing short of awesome since arriving at Yonkers for Takter; impossible not to include. (4) FUNATTHEBEACH N bumps back up to the top level off two wins and is clearly best of the rest.
Race 11: $100,000 Claiming Pace
(2) ELWELL saw his winning streak come to a halt when bumped to this top claiming level but he was still right there at the wire in his last two. It's tough to guess who will be cutting the mile tonight with the four inside horses all very speedy. Perhaps Kakaley will take his charge slightly off the pace. (4) JOESSTAR OF MIA A tripped out last week, could do so again with crafty handling by Bartlett. (3) ALEX TYE was left extra crispy by the top one in his last start; I could see Stratton taking it easy tonight and try to rally late.
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Race 12: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(5) DESIRE'S CAPTAIN figured to be good last week after being loaded with late pace the start prior at 50/1 and he missed a nose when run over by Shoreview. I'll give him another chance. (6) VENIER HANOVER was a monster in his last two after moving to the Bako barn and he's now back in for $30K; any takers? (3) RECORD YEAR moves to a new barn via claim; shows improvement?
Race 13: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) EDDARD HANOVER hasn't been functioning very well in his last few starts but the Bako trainee gets class relief along with a better post and he seems capable of turning things around. (4) MICKY GEE N was finally going in the right direction last week and maybe he can build off that effort. (2) MAJOR BETTS gets needed post relief in his second start off the bench and the Jenn Bongiorno trainee is definitely the logical favorite here.