Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 4/15
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2024 MEET STATS: 102 - 331 / $559.10 (-$102.90)
BEST BETS: 17 - 28 / $62.30 (+$6.30)
BEST BET: ROCKIN JUKEBOX (6th)
SPOT PLAY: HELLABALOU (10th)
Race 1: $30,000 Claiming Pace
Looks like a wide-open field of claimers in the opener. (4) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A is coming off one of his better races of the year last week when he kicked home nicely for second while narrowing the gap on the winner. He lands in a similar spot tonight and Joe B. has done well with him in the past. (3) WORLD FOR TWO had some stretch traffic last out after flashing good early speed for the second consecutive start and he appears overdue. (1) BALLERAT BOOMERANG is a classy veteran who always gives a good accounting of himself when drawn inside.
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Race 2: MGM Borgata Leg #5 Pace
Hard to believe it's the final Borgata prelim already. (3) ROCKNROLL RUNA A was a winner in his first two legs and hasn't disgraced himself since. Stalbaum trainee can go from on or off the pace giving driver Mark Macdonald options in this small field. Top call. (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A has overachieved in the three legs he's competed in with a win and two seconds all at good prices. Stratton trainee looks to sharpen up after taking last week off. (5) PLEASELETMEKNOW cruised last start after repelling pressure in his best start of the season but he faces an uncertain trip here.
Race 3: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) CENTURY HEINEKEN ships from Canada to make his first start south of the border for his new connections and the now Cullipher trainee looks to make an impression right off the bat. Not 100% sure what to expect here but the price should be reasonable. (2) CAPTIVATE HANOVER has been right there in five of his last six, with three wins; big player. (4) NANDOLO N is arguably best here but is usually overbet and sometimes has trouble reaching contention.
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(6) MOTIVE HANOVER has gone huge trips in practically every start this year and he's solid even in defeat. Team Bongiorno gelding deserves top billing despite the less-than-ideal post. (4) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER is 0 for 11 and counting in 2024 but he picks up Bartlett tonight and could be primed for an improved effort. (5) SAN DOMINO A also hasn't found the winner's circle yet this year but the Ron Burke trainee (yes, Ron) gets some needed post relief and it's been a while since we've seen an aggressive try from this 11YO.
Race 5: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) KERFORD ROAD A is two for two since Joe B took over the driving duties and the veteran stays at the winning level while drawing another good inside post. (2) ARTIST BEST is 0 for 11 on the season but usually gives a good accounting of himself when drawn inside; he's got a chance. (3) ROSE RUN X-CON was sent off as the favorite last week on the drop in class but faltered; better price looming this time around.
Race 6: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX was able to drop into the winning spot last week and responded, and now he gets a free ride at this level. From the rail the Bongiorno trainee can double up. (4) EUPHORIA N chased the top one and was second best in his Yonkers return. Similar trip can yield similar results. (6) PRICELESS BEACH likely needed last week's start and rallied well after missing time with a sick scratch. Bako trainee is proven with this type and would not be a major surprise.
Race 7: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) TUGGIN ON MY HEART was 2/5 and no match for #1 last week but there's another barn change here and a new driver in Brennan; maybe he gets revenge. (1) REIGNING DEO set a career mark last week, impressive because he's an 8YO with half a million banked. Clearly the one to beat again. (3) SAILBOAT HANOVER can complete a chalky triple.
Race 8: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK seemed to be overdue for a win last out and he got it done wire to window. Facing the same caliber of competition the Gillis trainee can repeat. (2) MY ULTIMATE STAR A was nowhere at the back coming out of the same race as the top one and he flew to make it close at 47/1. Now moving inside he may be the favorite. (5) DANCE ON THE BEACH showed a new dimension with that big off-the-pace score, now he moves up and may find it tougher to reach.
Race 9: MGM Borgata Leg #5 Pace
(1) BACKSTREET SHADOW paced a big back half to score last week and he needs more points in a hurry; from the inside again he looms the one to beat. Not sure what happened to (4) DUNKIN' last week but going by those prior Borgata efforts the 4YO has more than proven he belongs. Assuming he's on the gate this time around is Tetrick leaving with him? (5) COACHES CORNER has been second through all four legs of the series; tough to question his form but the post could make things tricky.
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Race 10: MGM Borgata Leg #5 Pace
(3) HELLABALOU has grinded through the first four legs of the series and despite not winning he's right there on the bubble. Last two were certainly good enough to win and he's looking at a similar trip tonight. (2) LINEDRIVE HANOVER took last week off coming off a powerful leg-three win, and he'll be odds-on in the tuneup for the final. (4) LEONIDAS A was better last week, hope for continued improvement.
Race 11: 3-5YO $50,000 Claiming Pace
(6) TWIN B DELUXE has clearly been the most consistent of these and he's got the early speed to overcome the far outside post six. (4) CLEVELAND B MIKI raced well with Lasix added and maybe he'll be a good fit here as Lachance drops him in for a tag; 12/1 ML. (3) FLIRTIN JK hails from Burke/Gingras, not much else to get excited about.
Race 12: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) WALKINSHAW N finished very well in his last two races proving that the 12YO still has what it takes to compete at a high level and he should be within shouting distance from this spot. (1) QUALITY BUD is feeling good again and it seems like I've said that a dozen times in the past as this guy just keeps producing. Holland is back in the bike and he draws great again. (2) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR returns to Yonkers off two nice wins facing softer at Pocono but his prior starts here back in December were disappointing.