Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 4/19
MEET STATS: 114 - 309 / $598.70 (-$19.30)
BEST BETS: 15 - 31 / $49.60 (-$12.40)
Best Bet: SOHO BURNING LOVE A (5th)
Spot Play: CAN B PERFECT (10th)
Race 1: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) MIKE'S POWERHOUSE has raced pretty well in his last three local races with not the best of trips; veteran has proven he can hang with these and is certain to be a big price with young Tyler Miller at the controls. (1) CONTROL TOWER goes for another new barn off the claim and lands the best post again; Bill Rhoades trainee is the one to beat. (4) SO SO DE VIE has made a nice living over at The Meadowlands this year and we'll see how he fits in here.
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Race 2: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) EHRMANTRAUT has really developed into a solid high-conditioned pacer and he deserves top billing landing another good inside post. (5) SPEED MAN N has recently added consistency to his game which should make him a big threat again as he faces better. (2) WALKINSHAW N drops from the Open ranks and figures to be more involved tonight.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 3: $30,000-$40,000 Claiming Handicap Pace
(4) TREASURE MACH dropped in for a $30K tag last week and was snatched up by DiDomenico, who is usually live off claims. He's worth a long look here in a race with no standouts. (2) MAGRITTE came back to earth with two poor efforts facing Winners-over and Preferred types. He drops back in for $30K and is reunited with Stratton. (1) UPTOWN FUNK has been a steady performer versus similar recently at Pocono and should be heard from starting from the innermost post.
Race 4: Borgata Pacing Series Eligibles
(2) NONE BETTOR A was disappointing in the three Borgata legs that he competed in but this mixed bag of eligibles is probably the softest spot he's found so far and he can take this field wire-to-wire. (1) IDEAL JIMMY is probably looking at a pocket trip behind the top choice which makes him a contender. (4) YAYAS HOT SPOT N wasn't terrible in his two preliminary appearances but he was unable to hit the board last out in NW7500 and he's missed some time; perhaps he can ride the rail here to grab a smaller share.
Race 5: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mares Pace Consolation
(1A) SOHO BURNING LOVE A and entrymate (1) KEEP ROCKIN A have both been disappointments throughout the series but 'Soho' actually did race pretty well last week and she's reunited with Tetrick. (3) MACZAFFAIR N also underwhelmed (as did the entire Shane Tritton barn) but she qualified decently with Lasix added. (5) BETTORS HEART N raced very well in round one then regressed quickly; Norman trainee should be much better than she's been showing.
Race 6: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Consolation
(3) SAN DOMINO A was a first-leg winner and is one of the more accomplished also-rans in here. From this spot I would expect Todd McCarthy to be aggressive off the gate to cut the pace or sit the pocket to (1) WESTERN FAME. The latter raced very well last week for new connections and the rail draw here makes him the likely favorite. (7) LET IT RIDE N returns to Yonkers for the consolation and he certainly has been enigmatic; I assume with any sort of reasonable setup he can pace by all of these late.
Race 7: Blue Chip Matchmaker Mares Pace Final
(6) ALEXA SKYE breezed through her four preliminary races and is a nose shy of being perfect since moving to the Cullipher barn. Landing outside of her main competition in this open draw will make things a bit more difficult, especially with a big speedster next door to her, but I think she's good enough to overcome whatever trip comes her way. (1) MACHNHOPE has done little wrong throughout the series (with the exception of getting run over from behind two back) and the Noel Daley trainee gets rewarded with the innermost draw. She's got a legit chance here as the likely third choice. (3) BLUE IVY has picked up over $71K showing up for all five legs, and she hasn't even had to work that hard. Interesting to see what kind of trip Buter works out for her. (5) SNOBBYTOWN is the main speed here and could carry these a long way but there will likely be fresher rivals gunning for her late.
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Race 8: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Final
(5) WESTERN JOE has been fantastic throughout the series, and even with his well-documented disdain for some of the turns here he's proven resilient by finding a second wind late to storm home. His win three back over rival Backstreet Shadow comes to mind as particularly impressive when he was in full flight at the wire. From this midpack post Dexter Dunn has some tactical options and let's not forget he's got plenty of early speed. (8) THIS IS THE PLAN is extremely versatile and will offer good value being stuck in the worst post. If Gingras can improve position at the start he's got a big shot. (2) HESA KINGSLAYER N has three wins in the series, draws inside yet still may be overlooked a bit in the wagering. Deters trainee is as capable as anyone with the right trip. (6) BACKSTREET SHADOW figures to be firing off the gate and could be trouble if able to clear the lead. (7) LEONIDAS A is perfect on the season but gets his biggest test to date as there's a strong possibility he gets away last here. Great race!
Race 9: Open Handicap Pace
(5) KEEP ON ROCKING A has been good in every Yonkers start this year but he was just too far back in his last two to seriously threaten; this seems like a slightly better spot tonight to get on the move earlier. (7) TWIN B TUFFENUFF blasted off the gate and looped the field into the turn last week, then kept on going and held game to the wire; similar effort makes him a contender again. (6) PYRO was just short to 'Tuffenuff' last out; he has had some trouble from outside posts, however.
Race 10: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) CAN B PERFECT has finished with solid interest in all of his recent starts, including an eight-hole sweep of the field when he graduated out of the age-conditioned ranks a few back; Stafford trainee will eventually reach the wire in time. (1) CHRISTEN ME N got shuffled back last week; oldtimer deserves another chance. (5) ARTIE’S IDEAL was clearly overmatched in the Borgata but he does fit well with this type.