Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 7/18
MEET STATS: 251 - 759 / $1,281.20 (-$236.80)
BEST BETS: 37 - 70 / $150.20 (+$10.20)
Best Bet: I'LL DRINK TO THAT (3rd)
Spot Play: ROLLING WITH SAM (7th)
Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) BLUEBIRD RECON gave a decent accounting of himself last week when hiked to this level. From this spot Bartlett can hustle the Dowse trainee to the front and never look back. (2) GIVENUPDREAMING has hit the board in all three starts since moving to the Devita barn and the veteran should be close to the pace throughout from this good starting spot. (6) BOLT OF LUCK returns to Yonkers and does have a win at this level from a couple of months back. With a favorable trip he can hit the ticket.
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Race 2: NW7516 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) LUCIANO N is overmatched at the $75K claiming level at this point in his career but the veteran still has good speed and is competitive with this type; Holland should be gunning him to the front. (2) ON THE VIRG gets class and post relief which makes him a contender. (1) HURRIKANE KING JAMES was shuffled in his first try off the claim; deserves another look.
Race 3: NW15251 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) I'LL DRINK TO THAT returns locally to face much softer and he figures to blast down the road at a short price. (4) HIGHLANDBEACHSBEST managed to lose his last start at 10 cents on the dollar and now has missed a month; use caution. (2) RHODENA ROAD should be able to get away third or fourth and he can sit the rail and pick up a share.
Race 4: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(5) MOTIVE HANOVER hasn't done anything wrong in his five starts since shipping in for Jenn Bongiorno and he's won three of those races, and goes for a third straight tonight. If he makes the top without much trouble he'll be tough. (4) DELIGHTFUL TERROR hasn't had the easiest of trips lately but he's been racing well; Stratton sticks with him over his brother's horse. (1) MARK WITHA K is feeling great lately and has worked his way back up to the top levels; big threat from the rail.
Race 5: NW20001 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) ST LADS BEAT IT never seriously threatened last start but hung around late for a board spot in a mile that went in 1:51 2/5; I think he's proven to be competitive with this type and can get it done with a favorable trip. (1) SHADOW CAT does his best work with a notch lower but he lands the rail, gets Bartlett and will be part of the pace scenario. (2) MYSWEETBOYMAX is always right there when drawn well.
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) IM A GIGOLO N returns to Yonkers and lands in a pretty soft field of NW15000 pacers; Garcia-Herrera trainee did beat comparable five back and is one of many who have a live chance in here. (1) WATERWAY has been going well of late and he gets major post relief; Greg Merton picks up the drive and he does know how to win here. (7) THE REAL ONE has slowly made his way back up the class ladder and if not too far back he can finish strongly and reach for a board spot.
Race 7: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(2) ROLLING WITH SAM finds his best spot since being claimed by these connections last month and he should be handled more aggressively. (1) MAJOR BETTS had hit the board in his last four from inside posts, and he draws best again. Bongiorno trainee is an obvious threat to take this. (5) REAL PEACE has picked up a check in every start since shipping up from Pompano and Bartlett picks up the catch drive for the Burke stable.
Race 8: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) HELLABALOU looked ready for more after that sparkling 1:51 2/5 win last start, so here's his chance as he double-bumps in class. 4-year-old won't offer any value but will be tough to pass once he makes the front. (8) AMERICAN DEALER N is a legit talent from Toscano and he drops from the Open where he's been racing well but he's stuck outside again. Can he generate enough gate speed to get involved or will he be relegated to the back of the pack? (3) PYRO chased a tough one last week and was second best.
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Race 9: Open Handicap Pace
(4) SEMI TOUGH grinded his way to over $100K in earnings through all six legs of the Borgata series and then he went on vacation. If sharp off the bench the Burke trainee is well-spotted for a good trip. (7) FUNATTHEBEACH N can obviously win this but he needs a pace scenario to close into. (3) NO LOU ZING got to draw for the inside three posts and he may be sent to the front by Bongiorno.
Race 10: $50,000 Claiming Pace
Oldtimer (6) MACINTOSH N has been razor-sharp since the Dowse claim and the addition of Bartlett. He's always had good speed but now he's sustaining it better, so if he makes the lead here he'll be tough to catch. (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW has been a decent claim for Scarpias and he drops back to the $50K level, where he was a solid second four back with Kakaley driving. (1) EL JACKO N has raced well recently, finishing third best in his last three, and now he moves inside; Merton keeps the drive.