Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 3/8

MEET STATS: 54 - 159 / $298.50 (-$19.50)
BEST BETS: 10 - 16 / $34.70 (+$2.70)
Best Bet: WESTERN FAME (9th)
Spot Play: TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER (6th)

Race 1: $15,000/$20,000 Claiming Handicap Pace

(2) VICTORIAS MAVERICK ships into Yonkers off a win with an amateur driving over at The Big M and he was Stratton's choice; gelding gets a good post by virtue of entering for the lower tag and he could be a good fit with these. (5) HEREHECOMESAROCKIN closed with pace up the rail to be second best last week and he does have good early speed to get him into play. (1) MAJOR BUCKS hasn't done much recently out of town but he does have a decent local history.

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Race 2: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(1) DRINKA BEER has been close in recent starts but has been unable to break through into the win column in quite some time; he goes for Shane Tritton now off the claim and should be the one to catch. (6) MCARDLES LIGHTNING bumped to the $20K claiming level last week and was a solid front-end winner; DiDomenico trainee goes for three straight overall. (4) ROCKNROLL CHARM ships in now in the Sodano barn and we've seen others from this outfit race well recently; worth a look at his 12/1 morning line.

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Race 3: $25,000/$30,000 Claiming Handicap Pace

(1) FOX VALLEY INFERNO is so insanely sharp it's tough to go against him right now, despite the presence of other talent in here. (7) TWIN B SPEEDO is also on an incredible form spree with his only recent loss when he was facing winners-over types; knocks here are the outside post and missed time. (5) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN was used to the front in the early stages last week and wilted late; veteran is always a threat on the front end.

Race 4: NW15500 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) BRONX SEELSTER jogged in 1:52 1/5 at odds-on when dropped to this level and the Shane Tritton trainee will be favored here to double up. (1) YANKEE ROLLER A faces better looking for his fourth straight and he's clearly the biggest threat to the top one but he's more likely to complete a chalky exacta. (6) TAM MAJOR A was in a tough spot to make his U.S. debut and he never got involved but he did pace evenly; he should be tighter off that effort and perhaps he can rally for a smaller share here.

Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) SOHO LENNON A generally does his best work a level down but he's maintained his form for an extended period of time and he draws best in a field that didn't come up that strong. (5) RESPECT OUR FLAG got going a bit too late in his last two local tries; perhaps we’ll see him driven more aggressively tonight. (3) CAPOZZO generally races as well as he draws; three hole = third best?

Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER hasn't put in a bad effort since joining the Lachance barn; veteran drops a notch in class and this looks like a perfect spot to employ speed tactics. (3) GRATIAN HANOVER was victorious in his local return and the pride of the Jenn Bongiorno barn is classy enough to handle the hike in class. (6) SPEED MAN N is clearly not the most consistent horse out there but one of his better efforts puts him right there at the wire.

Race 7: Open Handicap Pace

(3) ROCKAPELO was a winner at this Open level the last time he landed a reasonable post and after taking money from the eight hole and trailing in his last two he'll be put in play tonight and is certainly capable of coming out on top. (6) OSTRO HANOVER finished willingly in his seasonal debut and obviously he can build off that effort. (8) SOME WARATAH A elected to qualify recently at his Saratoga home base in order to remain sharp; will he be firing tonight?

Race 8: NW20150 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) MOONSHINE KISSES rated a very reasonable pace in last week's Open but he gave way when the big boys came calling; speedster takes a needed drop in class tonight and should be more competitive. (3) SPRINGSTEEN has had plenty of local success, and also plenty of erratic outings. If the good version shows up tonight, look out! (8) HEISMAN PLAYER totally dominated them last week; he's facing better and stuck in the eight hole but he does deserve a mention.

Race 9: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) WESTERN FAME returns to Yonkers off a sparkling 1:48 4/5 win at The Meadowlands and he should handle these tuning up for the Borgata. (2) HEAVEN'S GAIT was flying home last week signaling a return to top form. (1) TWIN B TUFFENUFF was stuck outside last week but he managed to pick up a fifth-place check; move all the way inside obviously improves this Burke trainee's chances.

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Race 10: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) EHRMANTRAUT took a while to get going last week but he did close decently, just missing second to the odds-on winner. He can score here with smooth sailing. (1) TYMAL PEACEMAKER always seems in with a chance but doesn't win that often; he was a good second two back to a razor-sharp rival from a similar spot. (2) DENVER SEELSTER got a long-awaited win last week facing NW7500; he does step up the class ladder but he's drawn well again and he can emerge with a good piece.