Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 4/26
MEET STATS: 114 - 309 / $598.70 (-$19.30)
BEST BETS: 15 - 31 / $49.60 (-$12.40)
Best Bet: MARTY MONKHOUSER A (2nd)
Spot Play: SO SO DE VIE (1st)
Race 1: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(4) SO SO DE VIE hit town last week and tried leaving but broke in the first turn, then recovered and actually finished decently. In this wide-open and tough race to decipher I'll give him another chance at what should be a good price. (6) KEPT UNDER WRAPS A was a bit of a disappointment in his last couple but he goes for another new barn tonight and should be forwardly placed again. (2) VICTORIAS MAVERICK also goes for a new barn and is up in class looking for three straight.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A didn't fire last week from a tough spot but he faces a more manageable field tonight and is reunited with Stratton; top billing. (6) OHOKA JOHNNY N returns from a solid try at Freehold and Siegelman sticks with him despite the outside post here; Hernandez trainee could offer some value. (1) CONTROL TOWER was nipped by the razor-sharp (5) RECORD YEAR last week but he gets another crack from the innermost post.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 3: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN popped pocket last start and gamely wore down the sharp frontrunner. Generally he doesn't like to pass horses so that effort from this oldtimer was particularly impressive; big chance to repeat. (1) CHRISTEN ME N went evenly last week in behind the top ones; 13-year-old is in for a tag tonight and looms large from the rail spot. (4) CRUZING HILL moved to the Jenn Bongiorno barn for his last start and maintained his good big-track form by closing sharply for second; obviously these connections deserve respect here.
Race 4: $40,000-$50,000 Claiming Handicap Pace
(4) ALBERGO HANOVER returns locally off a win facing $30K claimers at Pocono and overall the Burke trainee has been going pretty well; he lands a decent enough starting spot in this mixed bag of pacers and could get it done with smooth sailing. (5) TWIN B SPEEDO managed a fifth-place check last week in his first start for the Quevedo barn. Veteran has been sharp for ages and could make some noise with a good steer from Tyler Miller. (3) YANKEE OSBORNE drops in for $40K and should be more involved with the post improvement.
Race 5: NW10100 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) TALBOTCREEKWHISKEY was pretty much invisible last week but he had some solid efforts facing similar a month or so back and he should be a good price in this wide-open event. (2) VIRGIN STORM drops in class after finishing second to the sharp veteran Orillia Joe; logical. (7) GUMPTION was awesome in his last two Northfield starts for Bill Rhoades; we'll see how well he fits in here at Yonkers.
Race 6: NW20250 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) NOCTURNAL BLUECHIP makes his second local start after shipping down from Canada and he could have more to offer after that acclimating mile. (6) MICKY GEE N makes his long-awaited 2021 debut off a winning qualifier and he's probably best here but will he need a start or two to hit top gear? (1) EHRMANTRAUT was jammed in the pocket last week and it's hard to tell how much finishing pace he had; he loses Siegelman tonight but does draw best again and can be considered.
Race 7: Open Handicap Pace
(2) TWIN B TUFFENUFF pretty much went through the motions last week when stuck in the worst post; prior efforts from this Burke trainee have all been solid and he looms large here with the move inside. (4) ROLLWITHPAPAJOE earns a trip back to the top level off his 'brush and crush' score and as mentioned in the past this Jenn Bongiorno trainee has added consistency to his game; watch out! (6) IDEAL JIMMY may be rated higher with a better post but perhaps he can sneak into the number at a price.
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Race 8: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) CAN B PERFECT didn't have the easiest of trips last week but was still gaining coming to the wire; with smoother sailing the Stafford trainee can get it done. (8) WALKINSHAW N put in a gutsy uncovered effort versus NW20000 types after dropping from the Open; he's stuck in post eight but Zeron sticks (over his father's horse). (1) ROCK THE DEVIL has gone steady trips in his last two; he draws best now and Todd McCarthy picks up the drive.
Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) HIGH IMPRESSION arrives from Pennsylvania where he's had some good recent efforts, especially in age-restricted events. He faces some classier foes here but Burke is pretty good at classifying so I suspect this four-year-old will go well here. (5) CHIEF MATE must be very frustrating for his connections with some bad luck since shipping east. He can blow these away with a top effort. (1) DRINKIN AGAIN has raced well here in the past and he lands the innermost post.