Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 8/10

MEET STATS: 118 - 345 / $691.10 (+$1.10)
BEST BETS: 20 - 35 / $56.80 (-$10.80)
SPOT PLAYS: 7 - 35 / $45.00 (-$25.00)
BEST BET - READY SET ROCK (1st)
SPOT PLAY - SEVEN KNIGHTS (4th)

Race 1 - F&M NW2/25000LT Pace

(6) READY SET ROCK makes her second start from the potent Nick Devita barn tonight and now has a race over the track. I think we may see a change in tactics to a more forwardly-placed style. (3) BABY GOT BACK finished with some interest in her first appearance for trainer Juan Cano on July 27 and is another filly who has shown more early foot in previous races. (5) PRAY THE ROSARY came in third in the same race my top two selections exit and gets some post relief tonight after drawing the eight hole in that contest.

Race 2 - NW5000L5/12500CLM Trot

(3) QUICK SUMMER draws inside tonight after having post seven and post eight in her last pair. The last time she had a good starting spot, she was a close second at this level. (7) BLUE AND BOLD kicked home with some trot on 7-27. He's stuck outside again, but does get a drop and hopefully can build on that clean line. (4) TOUGH GET GOING also stayed trotting in his last race, and I think is probably rounding into form for DiDomenico.

Race 3 - NW2/25000LT Pace

(5) GARRETT'S GUIDE owns a win at Pocono over NW2's and gets to drop into the Yonkers NW2 class off one appearance against NW4's at Pocono. The "injured" scratch on 7-26 is a bit of a concern, but I assume it was minor since he's back in the box already. (4) MV OK PALACIO BR has a prior victory over NW2 locally and gets post relief off that closing third at Pocono last time out. (7) WYATT J chased down a heavy favorite in Mister Rebbily A to win in his return to the Toscano barn. He gets another crack at NW2's, but moves outside and I will attempt to beat him.

Race 4 - NW5000L5/12500CLM Trot

(8) SEVEN KNIGHTS leaves the NW8 class to try this level tonight, and I think it's a significantly easier spot. Obviously he has to overcome post eight, but he'll probably offer some value he wouldn't otherwise. (4) EXPLOSIVE beat the optional $12,500 claimers at Monticello before the shutdown and has closed well in both of his recent efforts at the Meadowlands. (3) WATKINS couldn't get by a well-rated Madman Hall a couple weeks ago but remains a threat in this class, especially when drawn inside like tonight.

Race 5 - NW4/50000LT Pace

(8) CROSSCUT is another post eight starter who I think is worth a look. He was a good second to The Moonshadow N most recently, and that foe went on to win over NW6's in his next start. He showed enough speed to get near the front from post six, and I'll hope he can out here too. (3) MISTER REBBILY A steps up to NW4's for the first time off what appeared to be a no-excuse defeat to Wyatt J at the NW2 level. He could rebound, but I'd be unwilling to accept a short pirce. (2) HUDSEN A was well-meant and well-backed on 7-27, going to the lead and finishing second. He draws inside again and remains against NW4's, so I assume he'll be a threat again.

Race 6 - NW10000L5/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5/20000CLM Trot

(5) NEW HEAVEN came in second against NW25200L5's at Yonkers back in June and then has been in a series of fast miles where he hasn't had a chance. I think this is a more realistic spot tonight on the drop and I'll look for him to perform better. (1) NEWCASTLE beat similar company two back at Pocono and gets a chance with Bartlett tonight from the pole as Joe Bongiorno isn't here. (2) CON AIR HALL surprised almost everybody with a big upset from post eight. He gets Brennan to drive tonight and drew a much better post.

Race 7 - NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace

(3) HIGHLANDBEACHYCOVE woke up with a much better performance last time at Harrah's Philadelphia when dropped to the $15,000 claimers. He continues to slide down tonight, going against the optional $12,500 claimers, and although he rarely wins, he has been victorious at Yonkers each of the last two years. (2) MACHIAVELLI is another one who has been win-shy this year, but he lands in a soft spot tonight from an inside draw, and I imagine Brennan will be sending out of there. (1) ROCK N BLUE will probably get some notice going from the pole tonight after a rallying fourth back on the 28th of July, but I'll only use underneath.

Race 8 - NW10000L5/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5/20000CLM Trot

(1) ZAGSTER will hopefully appreciate getting to start from the pole tonight after having a series of dreadful posts going back to prior to the racing shutdown. I think Harris will have him much sharper tonight and will use. (3) CASA PALMERA was second to a well-meant Casino Cutie IT when last seen as Yonkers back in July and hit the board in two subsequent starts. (2) PERFECT STICK raced conservatively last time out at Harrah's Philadelphia, but was second in their NW14000L5 class in June, and anything like that performance would definitely make her competitive.

Race 9 - NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace

(3) ABERDEEN HANOVER defeated NW5000L5's at Yonkers in March before racing ceased and has been racing pretty well against NW10000L5's as Harrah's Philadelphia and the Meadowlands since coming back. (1) LONE RAIDER enters tonight off a throw-out line where he got parked. He was a good third against $20,000 claimers at Pocono back in June and shifts to the pole. (2) BETTOR REASON N absolutely stomped that group on 7-24, but had a great trip that included a speed duel in front of him. I'll hope he isn't as sharp tonight and go against.