Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 5/24
MEET STATS: 188 - 513 / $1,054.50 (+$28.50)
BEST BETS: 26 - 52 / $82.80 (-$21.20)
Best Bet: OUR MAX PHACTOR N (6th)
Spot Play: TWIN B TUFFENUFF (8th)
Race 1: $20,000 Claiming Pace
(2) GUMPTION didn't fire at all here in three starts for Bill Rhoades but he enters a new barn tonight off the claim and perhaps that can wake him up. (5) MARINER SEELSTER was a wire-to-wire winner last week and the veteran is clearly a perfect fit at this $20K claiming level. (4) REAL LUCKY N comes from Team Bongiorno; merits respect.
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Race 2: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(2) TOWNLINE FLIGHT interestingly has Brennan listed tonight to catch-drive for Clegg; he faces a bit better coming off a win but does land in a good inside spot. (1) ROCK THE NITE goes for Renaud off the claim off a good try last week and he stays at a winning level. (3) FOX VALLEY INFERNO also goes for new connections and he's way overdue for a win; trainer Kelley has been having a good season.
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Race 3: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) PRAIRIE PANTHER is a quality animal from the Deters barn and he does have some local experience (and a win); he arrives from Tioga off a nice 1:51 score. (1) POINTOMYGRANSON went too fast last week and folded up; he drops a notch and will probably change tactics here. (6) IMSTAYNALIVE was sent to the front by Lachance last week as the 1/5 favorite and took care of business; facing better now from an outer post expect him to be motoring late.
Race 4: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) CAROLINA MAGIC is tested for class at this level but overall the Milici barn has been producing and there's no real standouts here; worth a look if he's a decent price. (2) BAKERSFIELD went on the judges' list when claimed by Lance Hudson but came back four days later with a ridiculous qualifying win; he'll probably be overbet now. (5) ROCK ON LINE hails from live connections and is a closing threat.
Race 5: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(2) CHANGE STRIDE N takes a healthy bump in class and meets some sharp rivals but he looked really good winning last week with solid speed at both ends and maybe the veteran will be up for the challenge. (7) LYONS WILLIAM has made over $23K in two starts off the $20K claim by Gillis and Stratton sticks with him; only problem here is the post. (1) PICARD A has looked like a new horse since the Milici claim; he's back in for a tag and Kakaley drives tonight.
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) OUR MAX PHACTOR N takes a needed drop in class and finds a reasonably soft group of NW15000 pacers; Harris trainee draws the innermost post and clearly seems the one to beat. (3) WARDAN EXPRESS A didn't fire on the rim last week when chasing the well-rated frontrunner; Brennan sticks with him and they should be in line for a live trip. (7) ELWELL pulled off the 26/1 upset coming right off the bench for Laterza; historically he hasn't fared as well from outside posts but maybe Stratton can sneak him into the number.
Race 7: Open Handicap Pace
(5) MOONSHINE KISSES almost got to Leonidas A last week and that's two big efforts in a row since Bartlett hopped aboard; he won the "5 through 8" draw and deserves a shot at the top spot. (7) RAUKAPUKA RULER N went wire-to-wire three back then toured the track in his last two; will he actually show up to race tonight? (3) SPEED MAN N was a good second two starts back from a similar spot…that's enough to consider him tonight.
Race 8: WO20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) TWIN B TUFFENUFF really wasn't given a chance to succeed in his last two starts facing Open competition but he faces a bit softer tonight and I'll hope that Brennan gets him in play. (1) SHERIFF N was run over at the wire by Moonshine Kisses, who came back with another big effort; Peter Tritton trainee will have a chance to redeem himself. (3) SHADOW CAT was a solid pocket-pulling winner last week for the Fanning barn.
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Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) MIGHTY SANTANA N hasn't put in a bad effort pretty much all year and he may offer the best price of the contenders. (1) BETTOR MEMORIES gets needed class relief as well and major post relief; classy Burke trainee just missed at this level four back. (5) LEVINE graduates to face "Monday night" horses and he'll get tested for class.
Race 10: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) PEACE OUT POSSE hit town two starts back for Team Bongiorno and promptly won from the pocket, then he paced a steady effort on the rim in the Preferred for a small share. He's missed a bit of time but should be expected to be a big player from this spot. (2) SAN DOMINO A returns locally after his failed try in the Borgata and he's back with Harris; also an obvious player. (3) PYRO comes back after two sharp efforts at Philly. This race looks like it will be dominated by the inside speed.
Race 11: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A took a while to get going last week then was flying in the late stages to make it close; I suspect Dube will try controlling the action tonight. (5) SKIP TO MY LOU took money last week and left alertly but then Chindano stayed in and he got shuffled; gelding is a legit talent who fits with these. (6) I’M BENECIO A seemed a bit overmatched last week but Buter drove him aggressively with two moves…I found that interesting, and I've been a fan of this horse (when the owner isn't driving).