Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 6/17

2024 MEET STATS: 187 - 654 / $1,023.50 (-$284.50)

BEST BETS: 27 - 56 / $103.10 (-$8.90)

BEST BET: VENTURESOME ARDEN N (2^nd)

SPOT PLAY: HIMSELF N (9^th)

Race 1: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) B COOL FOOL is a rare Engblom trainee who has been underwhelming as he's failed to hit the board in his last five tries but he drops from claimers and is reunited with Bartlett. They teamed up for a win a couple of months ago. (2) JACK'S LEGEND is back from Ohio looking to recapture some of his prior glory and he'll likely offer some value with Lauren Tritton taking the lines. (1) KARLOO BRADLEY N has missed some time with a sick scratch but this is the lowest level he's seen recently and he does land the rail so he should be near the front.

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Race 2: Invitational Pace

(3) VENTURESOME ARDEN N is three for three when Bartlett drives, including winning the Borgata consolation. Smaller field and major post relief makes him the one. (1) HEMSWORTH N lands a rare inside post and he just missed last week with a sharp close. (6) COVERED BRIDGE returned from a break in action with a front-end win from an easier spot than he sees here, but he's a legit top-class talent and can find a way into the number.

Race 3: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) HOPNROLL HEAVEN and (5) TWIN B DELUXE both haven't done much recently but they were up against a recent killer in Pound For Pound. Drop in class make them both focal points here. (1) KIMBLE A was atrocious last week but he's right back in and goes from the 8 hole to the rail. Prior starts were good.

Race 4: 3-5YO $30,000 Claiming Pace

(3) TWO FACED may be a fresh face now that he's in a new barn via claim. Legit angle in competitive race. (4) LAZ has been solid for multiple barns and he has a major post edge on the rival that defeated him last week. (2) ON DAYBOO set a decent clip on the engine and faltered late while facing similar last start; good post gives Joe B a chance to take control again.

Race 5: $30,000 Claiming Pace

(6) OZONE BLUE CHIP just missed in his last couple after showing good speed off the gate; super-classy veteran still has what it takes to get it done whether on or off the pace and he's likely to offer the best price of the main contenders. (5) GENIUS MAN didn't fire at all in his first start for this barn but then fired home with plenty in his last two; big threat. (3) KERFORD ROAD A was poor in his first start off the Alexander claim but he gets Kakaley now from an improved post.

Race 6: NW33011 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) MOONSHINE KISSES is a beast when well-placed at levels just under the Open/Invitational ranks and he can take this field a long way on the front end. (2) BACKSTREET SHADOW faces softer here than he's seen all season and you would think he'll be much more involved than he was last week. (1) TAKE A GAMBLE was a bit overmatched in his last couple judging by his off odds but it's not like he was bad. Bako trainee can save ground and pick up a share.

Race 7: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) ROCKNROLL RUNA A didn't have much of a chance last week from the outermost post but he was beaten less than three lengths when all was said and done. Stalbaum import lands a much-improved post and should be primed for a big effort. (5) SEMI TOUGH was home in :27 last out but could not reel in the well-rated winner; he's got loads of back class so the step up here won't bother him. (1) SONNY WEAVER N wired cheaper from a similar spot two back and now he's back inside though facing better. Tough to love on top but he's an on-the-board candidate.

Race 8: 3-6YO Open Pace

(2) ITS A ME MARIO's last four losses total a combined 2 3/4 lengths as the Tritton trainee brings it every week and he's due for a top effort. Post edge on main rivals gives Bartlett options. (3) POUND FOR POUND has never been better as he's been on an insane form spree - 1:50 and 1:49 4/5 wins in his last two, by open lengths. He was reclaimed by Laterza and they paid a $25K premium to get him back. (5) DUNKIN' has two wins and two seconds in his last four, both defeats by a neck. It's amazing how good he's been.

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Race 9: NW15381 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) HIMSELF N took a while to find 'himself' but he's hit top gear and seems sharp enough to handle another hike in class. (6) LEONIDAS A is running out of excuses and is now winless in 16 starts this year. Victory will come eventually for this veteran - probably tonight because I hop off. (4) TASTE OF HONEY returns locally and is now in the Engblom barn, meaning Bartlett gets the call; 4YO gets a bit of a class test here.

Race 10: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) SPEED MAN N gets needed class relief and moves back towards the inside. If new driver Kakaley can make the front he's a threat to go all the way. (4) WHATS STANLEY GOT A is extremely logical here but that's means a short price is looming. (6) VICI seems fast enough but he gets a class test here; Bongiorno trainee is 13 for 16 on the board this year.