Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 7/15
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2024 MEET STATS: 224 - 753 / $1,246.10 (-$259.90)
BEST BETS: 32 - 65 / $120.40 (-$9.60)
BEST BET: VERDUN (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: IM A POWERPLAY A (3rd)
Race 1: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) WALKINGSHAW N was stuck in the seven hole in his last three races and finished with pace in each while never a threat. Tonight he gets some needed post relief and the classy veteran should offer a good price with a couple of shaky class droppers in here that will attract the attention. (5) SAN DOMINO A plunges in class from the $40K claimers making his second start for the Shane Tritton barn and though he hasn't shown it in a while this veteran does have early speed; should be a big player. (2) TWIN B DELUXE just missed when last at this level but he hasn't won in some time and will be a short price.
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Race 2: 3-6YO $50,000 Claiming Pace
(1) VERDUN was a nice two-move winner in debut for the Alexander barn and he deserves the call to repeat. (5) TWO FACED stepped up in class off the DiDomenico claim and was a decent third to the top choice after saving ground. Perhaps we see some early speed tonight to set up a trip behind the favorite. (3) JUST ENUFF STUFF debuts for Devita off the claim and gets Bartlett in the bike but he's been lacking a bit in the late stages.
Race 3: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(8) IM A POWERPLAY A leaves the gate every week and he's won three of the last five; there doesn't seem to be a ton of speed to his inside and the outside post promises a good price. (1) PAT STANLEY N is back with the Height barn via reclaim and three back he just missed from a similar spot. (4) KERFORD ROAD A has surprisingly done nothing in three starts off the Alexander claim but at least last week he finished in :27 4/5.
Race 4: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N is better suited for this level and Bartlett is back with the Tritton trainee, choosing him over an Engblom entrant. Import is overdue for a win. (3) LOU'S SWEETREVENGE lands a much better spot than he's seen recently and he's sure to improve on his recent string of 6th place finishes. (6) MELANION N took the money in his second U.S. start and converted but it gets tougher now.
Race 5: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) TIP TOP CAT came up a bit short upon arrival from Kentucky but the Burke trainee could have benefitted from that acclimating start; 4YO now gets some class relief and could prove a touch faster than these. (1) JAHAN HANOVER draws well again and always finishes close when starting from the inside. (4) AMMO has been tearing it up at Ocean Downs and the connections ship him north coming off last week's sizzling 1:51 1/5 win.
Race 6: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) ULTIMAROCA came from nowhere in a paceless race and swept past in :27 to nail the win last week; Gillis trainee gets another crack at this level from an improved post. (6) POUND FOR POUND gets some class relief after facing some tough ones in the age-restricted Open and he figures to be firing off the gate, though he does have some speed inside of him (#1 and #5). If he doesn't get roughed up he can take this. (8) AMERICAN DEALER N is classiest in here and looks for four straight but the eight hole does him no favors.
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Race 7: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(6) SHINE A LIGHT was 20 cents on the dollar and a winner last week; Engblom trainee figures to take money again and will be firing in his quest to repeat but won't be that short on the board. (1) OPTICAL ILLUSION N was a winner two back from the pocket but couldn't withstand a two-move effort last start; Dube gets listed on the Burke trainee again and from the rail he'll be protecting position early. (2) REAL WILLEY steps up off a win for trainer/driver Joe Bongiorno and I'm sure he'll be looking forward off the gate but it remains to be seen if he can cross over the rail horse.
Race 8: NW32551 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) BACKSTREET SHADOW didn't gain on the rim in last week's Invite through a wicked back half but he should resume his winning ways back down at the NW30000 level. (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A? Stanley's got the rail which makes him a major player. (3) BIG GULP also gets class relief after racing well recently at the top level and Bartlett chooses the Engblom trainee over Nandolo N; that's a big endorsement.
Race 9: 3-5YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK takes a significant drop in price considering his connections reclaimed him for $40K plus allowances last month. Obviously the Alexander trainee can take this, as he was a winner the last two times Kakaley drove. (1) DEMPSEY HANOVER has been a reasonably good earner since finding a home at this level for Burke and with the move all the way inside perhaps Brennan gets a little more aggressive with the Burke trainee. 4YO looks to break his 2024 maiden. (6) LYONS PRIDE and (7) HE'S SPECIAL are both racing well but are hampered by outside posts; either or both could rally for shares.