Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 6/5
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2023 MEET STATS: 182 - 513 / $853.30 (-$172.70)
BEST BETS: 30 - 48 / $96.70 (+$0.70)
BEST BET: NIGHT HAWK (10th)
SPOT PLAY: MARLBANK ROAD (1st)
Race 1: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) MARLBANK ROAD gets much-needed class relief and moves all the way inside to the rail. He's just 1 for 16 on the year but that win came facing better than he sees tonight. (3) LONG WEEKEND A also gets to drop and was in a tough spot his last two from the 6 and 7 hole; he was second best from a similar spot four back. (5) ARDEN MESSI N has had some good efforts here this season and the switch to Bartlett is interesting, but his low morning line is a turnoff.
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Race 2: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) GINGER TREE PETE was reclaimed by Blumenfeld out of last week's race, where he raced well after flashing customary speed from his outside post. Bartlett is in the bike again, and this driver/trainer tandem has won together with him the last two times. (1) POINTOMYGRANSON goes for new connections again off the $40K claim by Devita and he looks to get back on the winning track after seeing his streak snapped last week. (2) DELIGHTFUL TERROR never got involved coming out of the same race last week (as all five in here did) but he draws better and only has to beat a couple to hit the board.
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Race 3: $30,000 Claiming Pace
Another short field of claimers here. (4) CONBOYVILLE has finished close up in all recent efforts, hitting the board in 8 of his last 9, but with only one win to show for it. Brennan should be able to make the top with this gelding and may prove tough to catch. (1) BRACKLEY BEACH is 0 for 15 after winning 8 races a season ago but he finished close last week and Boyd can work out a live stalking trip. (2) BETTER B SWIFT has taken two of three, including last week where he two-moved for command and won easily. He clearly has a live chance here
Race 4: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) SHINE A LIGHT just missed last start to a classy rival and overall the Engblom trainee has been sharp. From the rail Bartlett has options, as he can look to cut the mile or stalk possible pacesetter (4) JACK'S LEGEND N and get clear to pounce. The latter woke up in a big way last week with a 1:48 2/5 mile at Pocono but his prior races leave a little bit to be desired. (2) WALKINSHAW N battled bravely to hold his challenger at bay and win as the best bet last week but he's probably looking at a smaller share tonight as he faces better.
Race 5: Can You Go The Distance? NW15000 in last 5 starts 1/2 Mile Pace - $10K Gtd. Pick 5
(6) ROCK DIAMONDS N not surprisingly has been able to work his way back up the class ladder since being acquired by the Bongiorno barn. Veteran should have enough early speed to make his way near the front in his one-lap event. (1) SAN DOMINO A isn't as reliable as he used to be but he's still competitive with this type and he's the other logical one in here, especially starting from the rail. (5) BLANK STARE gets Holland in the bike for his local return and he can gain late if not jammed up too much.
Race 6: Can You Go The Distance? NW15000 in last 5 starts 1/2 Mile Pace
(2) GAMBLINGTERROR gets needed class relief and is a good leaver off the gate when drawn inside. Dube's choice here over a Garcia-Herrera trainee who he won with last week. (3) LOU'S BEACH makes his second start in the Dilloian barn (ignore that line to be announced, he was scratched) and Brennan picks up the drive. 4YO is also forwardly placed with regularity. (1) IGNATIUS A had burned tons of money in his last two; he'll be there near the wire but is tough to take on top.
Race 7: Can You Go The Distance? NW15181 in last 5 starts 1/2 Mile Pace
(4) MR DS ROCK has speed and plenty of Yonkers experience. Travis Alexander trainee gets Boyd in the sulky tonight and will offer up a nice price in this 1/2 mile sprint. (2) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD didn't fire his best last out but all prior efforts were solid; Bartlett drives tonight. (1) PYRO sometimes gets lost at the back when he's relegated to outside posts, like what happened last week, but now he's all the way inside and also faces softer. Not much value here, though, and he may be vulnerable.
Race 8: Open Pace
(2) SPEED MAN N is a favorite in this column because of his consistent speed and value he provides. Bartlett drives tonight and he's had success with the gelding in the past. (5) FUNATTHEBEACH N returns from Canada, where he never got involved in the Camluck Pace. Has he tailed off a bit? Probably, but you can never count him out. (1) CAPTIVATE HANOVER was a great claim for Garcia-Herrera and he was the Open winner two back before having to rough it first up last week.
Race 9: Can You Go The Distance? NW16771 in last 5 starts 1/2 Mile Pace
In the final 1/2 mile race it seems hard to predict where the most speed will be coming from. Maybe (6) FORTIFY will be blasting with Brennan. Burke trainee wired a higher class from the rail last week, and I guess he was eligible at time of entry as he gets to "drop" to this level. (2) SECOND BRUISER has been solid in three local starts since arriving from Canada to join the Engblom barn. (4) FEELIN WESTERN could be a closing type who won't have that far to come.
Race 10: NW10501 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) NIGHT HAWK was well meant last week but could not get past the classy Walkinshaw N in the 1:51 4/5 mile. With something close to that effort the 4-year-old will crush this field. (2) ODDS ON CAPITALISM pulled pocket last start and evaporated last. Like the top choice he faces softer but needs to show more. (7) ROCK THE DEVIL fits well with these class-wise but finds a tough spot to make his third start back from extended time off. Maybe he can close for a piece.
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Race 11: NW21501 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) AIR FORCE HANOVER had been super since moving to the Daguet barn as he rose up the class ladder, then was derailed a bit trailing from the seven hole in a paceless race last start. Veteran finds a spot to get more involved and he'll offer good value. (3) SPLASH BROTHER is logical here dropping and moving back towards the inside. Expect Zeron to be rushing to the front. (7) NANDOLO N returns to Yonkers and gets Bartlett back in the bike but unless he changes tactics in a hurry I don't see how he can get involved.
Race 12: 3-5YO $50,000 Claiming Pace
(5) COALITION HANOVER failed pretty badly last week when odds-on but he's a proven commodity at this level and can bounce back as he moves back to the Stratton stable. (1) KING JAMES EXPRESS rated and cruised in the same race the top choice ended up uncovered; Bongiorno drives again here for Burke looking for two straight since moving to this level. (4) SILENT SPLENDOR moves to the four hole after two consecutive outside draws and that makes him logical enough to use in the bottom positions.