Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 4/18
MEET STATS: 102 - 318 / $514.10 (-$121.90)
BEST BETS: 19 - 29 / $66.90 (+$8.90)
Best Bet: LEONIDAS A (4th)
Spot Play: POSEIDON SEELSTER (6th)
Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(6) REGAL SON got needed post relief in his second start after dropping to this level and he responded with a well-earned win. He moves back outside now but has flashed speed in the past and faces no standouts. (1) MAJOR CROCKER A has been racing well in all recent but both this veteran and his trainer have yet to win in 2022. (5) BLACK CHEVRON N was in distress in his last start but qualified back very effectively and dropped right back in the box. Veteran also faces softer.
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Race 2: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(1) ELWELL was second best last week to the pumped-up Runrunjimmydunn N and now he moves inside to a controlling spot; deserving favorite. (4) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N comes out of the same race as the top one where he was invisible at the back; he gets some post relief and is a past winner at this level. (6) MONEYMAN HILL has blasted off the gate in the past; will we see it tonight? It wouldn't surprise me to see Siegelman take a shot.
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Race 3: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) PICARD A had to drop all the way to the basement to regain winning form and now he bumps back up a notch and is more than capable of taking another. (8) LONG WEEKEND A closed well in his first local try for new trainer Jenn Bongiorno and now he's stuck outside again. I doubt Joe B wants to be sitting last again. (2) REAL LUCKY N can save ground near the front and hold for a share.
Race 4: 2022 Borgata Pacing Series Open FFA Pacers Leg #5
(2) LEONIDAS A has six wins and two seconds this season and the gelding seems better than ever as he tunes up for the final. Hard to go against him here. (1) DRAGON SAID was shuffled out last week in the race the top choice won. Expect him to fire out to secure the front, then eventually release the favorite. (7) CHASE H HANOVER blasted to the front last week, then finished up well after being kicked back two spots. Does Kakaley try it again?
Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace **$10K Gtd. Pick 5**
(4) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH has been picking up smaller shares recently versus better but he drops to a more competitive level tonight and may be handled more aggressively. (1) MYSWEETBOYMAX didn't fire at all last start, when facing mostly more seasoned stock. Bartlett returns in the bike looking to show more. (3) THEFLYINGROCK had the eight hole in back-to-back starts after exiting age-restricted company; he gets some needed post relief and Yannick drives again.
Race 6: 2022 Borgata Pacing Series Open FFA Pacers Leg #5
(2) POSEIDON SEELSTER was sent to the front last week and used hard to secure that position, then he set a solid pace before fading late. He may be sitting just off the speed tonight and can charge home like he did two back. (1) JACK'S LEGEND N missed a half length to Leonidas A last start and he looks like the one to catch here as he tries to secure a spot in the final. (3) NICHOLAS BEACH could have something to say in the early going as he goes for two straight after taking last week off.
Race 7: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(5) ROLLING WITH SAM recently moved to the Dowse barn and blew away a NW7500 field. He's back in with claimers and seems sharp enough to take another. (3) TONY TOO TALL goes for yet another new barn and stays at the same level; Stratton gets the drive and he figures to be heading to the front. (1) BETTOR BE OSCAR A was a good second two back versus similar and he moves all the back inside; import should be a player.
Race 8: 2022 Borgata Pacing Series Open FFA Pacers Leg #5
(5) THIS IS THE PLAN got back down to business last week with a hard-fought win where he held off Nandolo N. Burke trainee does have some legit speed inside of him which may make things a bit tricky but this classmaster deserves top billing. (2) TATTOO ARTIST broke through into the win column last week with a multiple-move win and the speedster may be more effective from off the pace; driver Dunn has options from this spot. After following (6) FUNATTHEBEACH in the first two legs of the series I jumped off board so naturally he upset twice with big-time stretch rallies. Will he be too far back tonight? Probably.
Race 9: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(3) OZONE BLUE CHIP is so sharp right now it's hard not to seriously consider him despite bumping to the $75K level, especially from the decent starting spot. (2) FEELIN WESTERN put in a nice bid before flattening in his Burke debut and the four-year-old may prove to be a good fit with this type. (5) REVELRY can be excused for last week's tough trip but he was solid before that in four tries after being claimed by Dowse.
Race 10: Open Handicap Pace
(4) SPEED MAN N is a proven Open Handicap winner and the rest of these aren't; to the front. (7) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N set a life mark last week first time out for the Dowse barn and he's got more than enough speed to improve position after starting from the far outside. (1) ROCK CANDY hung when it counted last week but he was still timed in 1:51 3/5; he should get a good trip again from his generously assigned rail post.
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Race 11: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(6) CHANGE STRIDE N was reclaimed by the Ruiz barn and finds a pretty soft field of $50K claimers; sharp veteran can do it from on or off the pace. (4) I'M BENECIO A dropped in for this price last week but never got into the action from the seven hole, trailing all the way. He finds what I think is a much more reasonable spot tonight. (7) JUST PLAIN LOCO closed with a purpose in his last two but he may be too far out to reach here. Consider underneath at a price.
Race 12: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
In a wide-open finale, (6) MOVIN' ON UP had been a model of consistency down at Dover and held well at the Open level here in his last start. He gets Stratton in the bike tonight and seems capable with a good trip. (1) BIG SIR was on cruise control last week versus much softer but he's so sharp now he may be good enough with these. (4) PRICELESS BEACH arrived from Canada for Bako and exploded home from behind dull cover to nail the win; he too double-bumps in class and figures to be forwardly placed with Gingras.