Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 4/17
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2023 MEET STATS: 112 - 333 / $497.90 (-$168.10)
BEST BETS: 21 - 31 / $66.50 (+$4.50)
BEST BET: JACK'S LEGEND N (7th)
SPOT PLAY: PEACE OUT POSSE (11th)
Race 1: NW16291 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) ULTIMAROCA returns locally off a blowout win at The Meadowlands and he's already got two wins this year over the Yonkers surface. Burke is a master at classifying his horses and this gelding fits perfectly here. (2) OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR drops from Borgata competition into this much easier spot. Speedy Bako trainee is the obvious main threat to the top choice. (3) INDICTABLE HANOVER trailed and broke last start but that effort should probably just be tossed; he moves back to the inside half of the gate where he's always more dangerous.
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Race 2: Open Handicap Pace; 1-2,3-4 Drawn, 5-6 Assigned
(4) SPEED MAN N sat the trip last week and just got up to score versus a bit lesser, but he's been a proven Open winner in the past and his tactical speed usually sets him up in good spots. Good value expected here in this competitive affair. (1) THE IDEAL DANCER A has missed a bit of time since tiring badly in week two of the Borgata but he's reunited with Bartlett, who drove him to a nose loss a few starts back. Harris trainee is capable with a trip. (6) MOONSHINE KISSES goes for his third straight Open win but does have speed inside of him which could make things tricky.
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Race 3: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #5
(6) THIS IS THE PLAN surprisingly has come up winless through the first four legs of the Borgata series. Maybe he's not what he once was but I think he can still be competitive with the upper echelon of horses. Hopefully Gingras fires from the gate and will only have (1) LOCHINVAR ART A to deal with. The latter took last week off after suffering his first U.S. defeat and the Team Tritton import is clearly the headliner again as he looks to sharpen up for the final. (5) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N has been a longshot all through the series but hasn't been bad; chance for a good share here.
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(5) PEDRO HANOVER is in sizzling form for the DiDomenico barn and he steps up again after three straight open-length victories; stick with him. (4) GINGER TREE PETE was put in play last week and ended up a nice pocket-sitting winner. Bartlett gets the call with Kakaley opting for #6. (1) MIKEY CAMDEN steps back up to this level off what could be a confidence-building win and he draws the rail; consider.
Race 5: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) ROCKNROLL RUNA A just missed in the Open last start at Saratoga and was big in defeat in his last two Yonkers tries; Stalbaum trainee gets a local driver tonight in Stratton after being well handled by Matt Athearn and that can only help his chances. (1) ARDEN MESSI N lands the rail again after missing a nose last week and he won from a similar spot at this level five back. (4) BOILING OAR gave way under pressure upon hiking to this level; he goes back to Bartlett and should be considered underneath.
Race 6: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #5
(1) JIMMY FREIGHT has a win and three good seconds in the series so far and he goes for the fifth consecutive week to earn points. Veteran should be able to rate a comfortable pace. (3) SPLASH BROTHER has gotten so sharp that he takes a shot at the $50K Borgata purse (I guess he was eligible). His early speed could work out to a pocket trip. (4) FUNATTHEBEACH N has scored powerfully from off the pace in his last two; would be no surprise if he won another.
Race 7: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) JACK'S LEGEND N has been a disappointment this season but this is the softest field he's seen in ages. (1) JAHAN HANOVER was second best in his last two; speed from the rail makes him an obvious contender again. (3) VEL MR NICE GUY rallied decently for a mild share upon arrival last week and he moves inside a few spots tonight.
Race 8: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #5
Strong race where they all have a shot (especially the inside five). (3) NONE BETTOR A has been 'okay' throughout the series with three on-the-board finishes. Veteran gelding can make the front here and take these the distance with good rating. (1) HELLABALOU did not fire on the rim last week but his prior three Borgata efforts were all solid. Burke trainee figures to be close to the pace where he can be most effective. (5) LEONIDAS A bounced back from a couple of sub-par efforts with a solid race last week, showing good speed at both ends. Borgata veteran would be no surprise.
Race 9: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) WICHITA LINEMAN trailed throughout in his last race but was a solid winner the start prior. He's a closing type who could take advantage of a hot pace with some speedsters in here. (6) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD has won two of three at the $50K level for these connections and four of five overall; trip seems uncertain, however. (2) PRETTY HANDSOME has a recent second and a win with similar and the move inside certainly helps the cause.
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Race 10: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) FLOW WITH JOE has had trouble recently while a bit overmatched at the $50K claiming level but the drop in class and inside post can help wake him up in a hurry. (6) BB LUCKY BOY takes a needed drop in class and Stratton sticks with him but he lands another outside post and he hasn't shown much early speed recently. (7) PACE N PRIDE N was 35 cents on the dollar when he jumped it off on the lead last week; Bartlett gets the drive now and the price goes way up.
Race 11: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) PEACE OUT POSSE looked like a big contender two back but he made a costly break and last week he was a big number from the outside and got involved for a board spot. Bongiorno trainee faces softer tonight and looms a solid player. (1) CENTURY HANNIBAL folded on the front end last start when up in class; he's up another notch tonight and maybe Bartlett will look for a stalking trip. (2) TWIN B HEART THROB is very logical here with the move back inside.
Race 12: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) QUALITY BUD looked to have pace in the pocket last week but somehow never got clear and had to settle for third. Holland is back driving this veteran tonight in a spot where he can leave the gate, and he has a post edge on a couple of the main contenders in here. (6) SEMI TOUGH dropped from the Borgata after two legs and handled a softer field; he is capable of dominating these but may not offer much value. (7) BALLERAT BOOMERANG would likely be the top choice if he drew inside; this post obviously makes things more difficult.