Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 4/22
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2024 MEET STATS: 102 - 331 / $559.10 (-$102.90)
BEST BETS: 17 - 28 / $62.30 (+$6.30)
BEST BET: MAN DONTFORGET ME (5th)
SPOT PLAY: CAPTIVATE HANOVER (3rd)
Race 1: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(6) HUDSON PHIL was stuck with brutal posts his last two and while the six hole is no picnic it still affords the opportunity for Kakaley to fire from the gate with the classy vet, like he did three back. (1) YS DO IT RIGHT was better last week and may be rounding back into form. (2) BIG SIR has a win and two narrow losses in his last three at this $30K claiming level; Yannick won with him the last time he drove.
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Race 2: 3-5YO $50,000 Claiming Pace
(5) THAT DOG WILL HUNT put in a nice outing in his debut at this level and the Bongiorno trainee seems capable of showing more; that morning line is a turnoff, however. (4) POUND FOR POUND hasn't won yet this season but has put in some decent efforts at this and comparable levels. (6) AUSSIE HANOVER debuts for Burke off the $40K claim and while he lands the outside post here this isn't a particularly strong field and maybe we see some speed from new driver Gingras.
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Race 3: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) CAPTIVATE HANOVER has been super since returning as he's picked up where he left off ending 2023; rail gives him a tactical edge and he can go down the road. (3) NANDOLO N was left with too much to do last week (as usual); should be closer here looking to turn the tables on the top choice. (4) EUPHORIA N does his best work a level or two down but he can sit close up and land a nice piece.
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(2) SAN DOMINO A finally broke through with a win last week and now he gets a significant post edge on most of his main rivals; classy Burke trainee can repeat. (4) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER is 0 for 12 and counting this year but he's never far back; Bartlett drives again. (5) DANCE ON THE BEACH has been very sharp for Team Bongiorno and is a must-use.
Race 5: Blue Chip Matchmaker Consolation
I've been a fan of (6) MAN DONTFORGET ME for a long time and I'm going to get her home eventually. Mare was flying last week from third over and don't forget she's got early speed too. (3) RACINE BELL hasn't come back as good as her connections hoped and it keeps her out of the Matchmaker final but she can still leave with the car and will have every opportunity to wire these. (4) EASY TO PLEASE has been no worse than 3 1/2 lengths back at the wire through all five legs; Stratton is back driving for his brother.
Race 6: Borgata Consolation
(5) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A raced well in four legs of the series and took last week off, perhaps to land in the consolation. Gingras chooses to drive him over This Is The Plan, despite that one having a post edge. I suspect he'll be very live here. (3) BACKSTREET SHADOW seems to be getting stronger as he gets more starts under his belt, despite being collared last week. Tetrick gets the drive from a serviceable post. (1) FUNATTHEBEACH N is capable of a huge unexpected effort at any time. 2022 champ can never be counted out.
Race 7: Blue Chip Matchmaker Final
(1) LIT DE ROSE has come back as a 9YO as strong as ever for Lachance and landing the rail gives her options, and makes her the deserving favorite. Will she be cutting the mile? I think it's very likely. (2) COACHELLABOUND N has been a nice mare from day one when she arrived in the U.S., and now she's got a legit chance to be Matchmaker champ. From this post she can leave hard to protect position and work out a live trip. (7) MIKALA has gone off favored in all four legs she competed in and she scored twice. Naturally those wins were from inside posts so she'll have to work overtime to get it done tonight.
Race 8: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Final
(2) LINEDRIVE HANOVER has been nearly perfect though the four prelims he raced in and his only defeat came at the hands of his main rival in here #4. For what it's worth he has the fastest mark so far in the series at 1:50 4/5. Does the post edge on most of his rivals mean Zeron is going to take control of the front end? Will be interesting to find out. (4) DESPERATE MAN went over the million mark lifetime early in the series and he blasted through the first four legs before resting up for the final. Those were all front-end rated efforts however and it might not be so easy getting the lead. (3) WHATS STANLEY GOT A has a win and three runner-up efforts in the series earning a bid into the final. He's likely to be overlooked in the wagering despite drawing well and a close-up trip combined with a little racing luck can land him a share. Speaking of racing luck, poor (8) DUNKIN' lands post eight and is seemingly on the outside looking in. 4YO Northfield-based horse has two prelim wins to his credit and has been a great story for owners Nick and Betty Clegg.
Race 9: NW11121 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) ALEX TYE is 20/1 on the morning line and doesn't have the greatest post but he drops from $50K claimers back into the base NW10000 class where he was an upset winner in early March. Gelding has been decent overall since being claimed by these connections and Dexter Dunn hangs around to pick up the drive. (4) SHINE A LIGHT steps back up a notch after beating lesser at 20 cents on the dollar; Bartlett/Engblom deserve respect. (5) QUALITY BUD gave way on the front end last week but he was a winner at this level two back; oldtimer can still bring it.
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Race 10: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) GROOVY JOE drops back to the level of his dominating win three back and gets a narrow call. (1) SHADOW CAT always represents himself well when drawn inside and he also has a recent win in this class, a couple of months back with Gingras driving. (4) SEVEN HUNDRED makes just his fourth start of the season and is inching closer to a win for Megan Scran and Scotty Z.
Race 11: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(4) LOORRIM LAKE A is listed at a paltry 2/1 on the morning line shipping in from The Meadowlands but I think the price will be reasonable on a horse who went 5 for 19 here last year. He keeps Bartlett, who was driving him on the big track. (2) THRASHER goes for another new barn now in Cameron Capone, who has had some success here. Move inside makes him a major player. (1) MAXIMUS RED A steps up off a big win but has missed a couple of weeks.