Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 6/22

MEET STATS: 81 - 223 / $465.30 (+$19.30)
BEST BETS: 12 - 20 / $36.90 (-$3.10)
SPOT PLAYS: 3 - 20 / $20.10 (-$19.90)
BEST BET - CASH HIT (7th)
SPOT PLAY - DEE DEE KAY (3rd)

After an extended hiatus from racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we'd like to welcome Yonkers Raceway back into the fold this evening.

Race 1 - C&G NW2/25000LT Pace

(1) DARBIE'S IDEAL was second as the favorite in the Excelsior Series final as a rookie, so I think that gives him a leg up on this group, and he has the pole position too. Qualified fine behind some solid competition at Gaitway both times, and that 27 1/5 final kicker on 6-8 catches the eye. (7) FLAMEPROOF HANOVER had a good 2-year-old campaign that included a stakes win in the Geers, but he didn't make a single pari-mutuel start as a sophomore. That appears to be a useful qualifier at Gaitway, and this one was Bartlett's choice in this contest. (4) BREAKOUT SESSION is now in the Rob Harmon barn to start his 3-year-old season. He was fourth in the Excelsior Series final a year ago and prepped well enough up at Tioga to threaten these.

Race 2 - NW5000L5/Starters for a Base Claiming Price of $12,500 or $10,000 in Last Start Trot

(3) BATTLE MAGE has beaten better than these before at Yonkers, and that was a good-enough qualifier down at Gaitway behind a stakes-level horse in Lucky Weekend. (6) MUZZY'S MUSCLES was stuck in against open-type horses, including Atlanta, in his Gaitway qualifiers, so I wouldn't hold those well-beaten lines against him. DiDomenico takes over the training, and I can envision Brennan firing out. (5) WILD SMILE was Stratton's choice in this event, and this veteran is capable of threatening when this low on the class ladder.

Race 3 - F&M NW2/25000LT Pace

(8) DEE DEE KAY might have a bit of an advantage on the others here as she's made a pari-mutuel start since the racing hiatus, finishing eighth against NW2's at the Meadowlands. I'm going to hope Buter feels like firing out given the lack of apparent speed and can either find a hole or make the lead. (2) SWELLOOKINBEACH makes her debut tonight off a winning qualifier at Gaitway. She has a barn change since that event, with Corelli taking over for new owners, and she's drawn inside to aid her cause. (4) REBA DOBIE won a race as a 2-year-old and should be race-ready coming off two qualifiers at Goshen.

Race 4 - NW10000L5/Winner in Last Start Of Base Class NW5000/NW7500L5/Starters for a Base Claiming Price of $20,000 or Less in Last Start Trot

(1) ADAGIO DE LA TOUR normally fares pretty well in this type of spot, gets the pole position, and I like that he sharpened his speed and stamina in the qualifier at Magical Acres. (4) EXS AND OHS was in deep water in the qualifier at the Meadowlands against stakes mares. It should serve as a useful-enough trial, and she has a pretty good affinity for Yonkers on her resume. (5) SHOWMEYOURGUNS is usually a major contender when he gets in this class, and when he's paired with Brennan, it's even better for his cause. With no lines since back in February, I'll slot underneath, but he's definitely capable of winning this race.

Race 5 - F&M NW4/50000LT Pace

(5) MILLWOOD BONNIE N did beat NW4's after coming over from Australia last September, and then was competitve at the level after that. I like that Stratton sent her in the qualifier at Goshen and hope similar tactics are ahead tonight. (7) GOLDEN QUEST N is Brian Sears's one drive on the card, so he must have liked her race at the Meadowlands where she closed strongly to finish second. This is a little bit of a class hike, going from their NW2 to NW4, but I think she's usable. (4) BOLT OF BEAUTY won a New York Sire Stakes division early on last year and appears to have come back in fine fettle based on those qualifiers. She does have bigger fish to fry ahead with the sire stakes program getting underway

Race 6 - C&G NW4/50000LT Pace

(3) CROSSCUT should be ready for a high-level effort tonight after closing well from a bad post against some stout foes at the Meadowlands. I think Bartlett will try and wire these. (1) GAMBLINGTERROR rolled right down the road in nice fashion at Gaitway and has an extensive history of good efforts at Yonkers. He's a horse I like to use underneath given his racing record (2-13-7), and that's what I'll do here. (4) HYSTERIA won against NW6's when last seen locally and really couldn't have been more impressive after coming down from Atlantic Canada. The Bongiorno horses I've seen at the Meadowlands since racing resumed have looked like they need a start, and I'll hope this horse does too, otherwise he's definitely capable of taking the victory.

Race 7 - NW10000L5/Winner in Last Start Of Base Class NW5000/NW7500L5/Starters for a Base Claiming Price of $20,000 or Less in Last Start Trot

(3) CASH HIT ended up in a very fast race at the Meadowlands and lost ground in a quick last quarter, but should find these more to his liking from a good post. Expect a short, short price. (7) STARLIGHT AS won in this class back in January from the outside post and first-over, so he does have a good history. I like that he was aggressively driven in the qualifier, and I expect he'll be sharp enough. (8) LIMERENCE made one start at the Meadowlands and now is back at Yonkers in the class where he does his best work. I've seen Smith leave with him from outside slots before, so if he does here, he can definitely get in the mix to hit the board.

Race 8 - NW5000L5/Starters for a Base Claiming Price of $12,500 or $10,000 in Last Start Pace

(3) ROCK N BLUE owns local wins over NW7500L5's and NW10000L5's in his past, so he lands in a soft spot for his return. It is a bit concerning that Bartlett went elsewhere after qualifying him up at Goshen, but I'll give him a shot. (4) KEYSTONE HONOR rolled home in 26 seconds flat in the last qualifier at Gaitway, which certainly stands out in this type of field. He was grinding out wins from first-over before the racing break, and will probably look to do the same here. (2) IDEAL ONE A is still in search of his first win since coming over from Australia. He qualified in good fashion at Magical Acres after bobbling behind the gate at the Meadowlands.