Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 4/24
?q=100){kind=logo}
2023 MEET STATS: 129 - 364 / $584.70 (-$143.30)
BEST BETS: 23 - 34 / $76.80 (+$8.80)
BEST BET: DELITFULCATHERIN N (5th)
SPOT PLAY: CAPTIVATE HANOVER (4th)
Race 1: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(1) WICHITA LINEMAN was hustled quickly to the front last week by Kakaley and he never had an anxious moment from there. He goes for his fourth win in five races and finds a spot where he can control the action again. (3) PRETTY HANDSOME closed well to be second best to the top choice in that last race and the Bako trainee should go well again from a similar spot. (6) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD also comes out of that race and he flattened pretty badly after pulling the two-hole; Gingras figures to be leaving hard again and could end up with another pocket ride.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: Open Handicap Pace
(3) BURNHAM BOY N has been facing some good ones recently at the top levels over at The Meadowlands and he's been good in those efforts; Chris Ryder trainee returns to Yonkers and seems to have found a very live spot in this six-horse affair. (2) ULTIMAROCA takes a big step up back to the Open level but he was razor-sharp in those last two front-end wins and he has a post edge on the other speed in here. (5) RAUKAPUKA RULER N has completely turned things around since moving to the Bongiorno barn and he's been an Open winner in the past.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 3: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) SHARK PLAY didn't really fire on the rim last start but was a good second the week prior, his first for Engblom off the claim. With this improved post Bartlett can send him to the front. (6) CHANGE STRIDE N had missed time prior to last week's start coming off an injured scratch but he finished very willingly for third and now he takes a notable drop in class. Veteran should be a serious player here. (1) WAR DAN DELIGHT N closed a ton versus a bit lesser in his one start for Garcia-Herrera before being claimed again by Stratton; he moves all the way inside.
Race 4: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) CAPTIVATE HANOVER has kept up his good form for an extended period of time, even after facing better when claimed by these connections. Midpack post in this wide-open affair gives Dube options and he projects to be a good price. (4) THE REGULATOR gets post relief and it would be no surprise to see Bartlett get aggressive. (1) BELMONT MAJOR N certainly is logical moving all the way inside after having the eight hole in his last two Yonkers races but he hasn't had a very good local record over the last couple of seasons.
Race 5: Blue Chip Matchmaker Consolation Pace
(1) DELITFULCATHERIN N certainly raced well enough to not only make the final but be a major player, but alas she finds herself in the consolation. In a spot where Stratton can control the action this Gillis trainee is the clear one to beat. (4) MABALENE N has blazing speed off the gate and was a solid second to Lucky Artist A in her last start. (3) GOTTHEGREENLIGHT only picked up minor shares throughout the series despite being heavily backed in a majority of those races; I'll use her underneath only.
Race 6: MGM Borgata Pace Consolation #2
(2) AMERICAN DEALER N raced well in the first two legs of the series then was absent the last few weeks; Toscano trainee resurfaces in this consolation event and lands inside, where he figures to be right with the top flight. Worth a look if a good price. (3) BEE TWO BEE tired badly in last week's strangely-run race, where it was all powerful closers despite a soft pace. Burke trainee is capable of rebounding. (5) SPLASH BROTHER joined the party in the last leg and was shuffled; he could be firing off the gate tonight.
Race 7: MGM Borgata Pace Consolation
We've seen some wild outcomes in this consolation race in the past, and that could be the case again tonight, especially if likely favorite Tattoo Artist doesn't bring his 'A' game. (5) NANDOLO N showed up for work in every leg of the series but just never fired in any of them. Clearly he's fit enough to go a sixth consecutive week and he could be looking at a live trip from this midpack post. (6) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N was a solid second to This Is The Plan last week after leaving the gate strongly; he hasn't been bad at all throughout the series and always offers a big price. (1) TATTOO ARTIST is capable of blowing the doors off this field like he did in round two, or folding up badly like he did in the first and third weeks. Perhaps he's too risky at a short price.
Race 8: Blue Chip Matchmaker Pace Final
(3) DOUGS BABE A had the look of a one-dimensional closing type in her first few starts but the recent import showed her versatility in leg four when she flashed sharp speed at both ends of her mile, then she cruised on the front end last week. Nifty Norman trainee looks perfectly spotted here to take home the trophy. (2) RACINE BELL has actually been off the pace more often than on in her preliminary efforts and she absolutely flew home last week to nail the leader on the wire. Good inside post gives Bartlett options as she looks to avenge her nose defeat in last year's final. (1) AMAZING DREAM N is a head shy of being perfect in her four Matchmaker trials as she was collared by the top choice in her last start. She gets another crack from the rail and it will be interesting to see if Gingras is intent on cutting the mile.
Race 9: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Final
(3) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A started his huge run at the NW5000 level for the Stratton barn and now he's one of the top contenders in the Borgata final - that's just amazing. Late bloomer can do it from on or off the pace, as he's got a front-end win and two wins from far back with sub :27 last quarters. Brennan gets the call again with Stratton committed to last year's champ Funatthebeach N. (2) THIS IS THE PLAN looked like just an afterthought a couple of weeks ago, one who had seen better days, but he found a good spot last week and looked like his old self wiring the field. He sneaks into the final, lands a good post and may be peaking at the right time. (4) LEONIDAS A really has done nothing wrong throughout the series and would not be a major surprise. (8) BACKSTREET SHADOW has been overloaded with pace for weeks now and was timed in :26 2/5 finishing up in the final prelim. Is the eight hole too much to overcome?
[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]
Race 10: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(2) PEDRO HANOVER saw his winning streak snapped last week by (1) GINGER TREE PETE but with that one changing hands he gets a chance to redeem himself. The latter moves to the Forte barn now, gets a new driver in Marohn and will likely be stalking the top one again. (4) JOJO'S PLACE qualified for some reason last week and remains sharp with that winning effort. He steps up to face better and may have to settle in behind the top two choices.
Race 11: NW21001 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) SEMI TOUGH was used a bit to the lead last week and gave it up late but tonight he has a major post edge on the dropping #8; I'll give this veteran a chance to rebound. (8) THE IDEAL DANCER A had good pace in last week's Open but now he's stuck outside. Bartlett needs to generate some early speed. (4) BALLERAT BOOMERANG was a solid second in his first start off the DiDomenico reclaim but was going nowhere last week from the worst post. Move back to the inner half of the gate gives him a legit chance.
Race 12: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR was clearly second best to the sharp winner last week when dropped to this level from the Borgata and he does have the early speed to get into play; tepid call in the finale. (2) GAMBLINGTERROR was a decisive winner last out versus lesser and the sharp sort draws well again; he should be in line for a good trip. (8) GENIUS MAN takes a double drop in class and he had a series of solid efforts versus better going back a few starts; He would be the pick if not for the post.