Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 8/2
MEET STATS: 239 - 676 / $1,316.50 (-$35.50)
BEST BETS: 33 - 66 / $105.50 (-$26.50)
Best Bet: ALOTBETTOR N (5th)
Spot Play: DRAGON SAID (7th)
Race 1: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(2) BRACKLEY BEACH goes for another new barn now (Burke) off the claim and while he's up a notch in class he finally gets post relief and will be in line for a much smoother trip. (4) MARINER SEELSTER has also been a hot commodity at the claim box but now he goes for unproven local connections; we'll see if he can maintain his decent form. (8) RAPTORS FLIGHT N faces an uphill climb from post eight as he's never shown much early speed but he hails from a hot barn and should be motoring late.
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Race 2: NW31000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) FUNATTHEBEACH N is one of about 100 recent additions to the Jenn Bongiorno barn who have been razor-sharp; he was a winner last week facing $50K claimers and is a neck shy of three straight overall. (1) BRONX SEELSTER draws the rail and is a must-use but I'm not thrilled about having him on top at a short price. (6) MISTER DONALD A was aggressively handled last week and paid the price, snapping his win streak; he projects to be a big price tonight and will probably lay back and try to rally late.
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Race 3: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) DESIRE'S CAPTIAN was floundering in lower-level conditioned races at Scioto, then came out east to join Team Bongiorno; you know the rest of the story. Gelding is up in class again going for a third straight. (4) ROUGH ODDS is another recent success story as Dowse has him firing on all cylinders; he did get nipped last week, however. (5) TIME OUT I'M TIRED faltered as the favorite last start and now is drawn outside his main competition; use underneath.
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(4) REAL LUCKY N has raced very well recently for connections that have been successful with the Yonkers claiming game; with a little luck he can turn the tables on rival (2) IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N. The latter changes hands again off the claim and stays at a winning level. (3) TOWNLINE FLIGHT was overmatched last week in an age-restricted handicap that went in 1:50 4/5; Clegg trainee hit the board in all previous tries racing in claimers.
Race 5: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) ALOTBETTOR N returned to the Jenn Bongiorno barn two back and guess what? He jogged in two straight! Veteran is up a notch in class again but certainly faces no standouts in here and Joe B will be looking to take these down the road. (4) DANCIN DRAGON has been uninvolved recently facing much better; obviously the class relief will help his cause. (3) ALEPPO HANOVER never wins but he should be close to the pace and can be used as a price underneath.
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) ELVER HANOVER is still trying to find his way this year after a solid 3-year-old campaign; Burke trainee acclimated decently last week versus some good ones and he could be hard to catch here if he makes the front. (2) PEACE OUT POSSE is more live stock from Team B and he'll be right on or near the lead throughout. (3) BRANQUINHO has looked razor-sharp in three straight for the Schnittker barn but he gets a serious test tonight facing better.
Race 7: Open Handicap Pace
(6) DRAGON SAID has been one of the most incredible success stories in harness racing history as he went from Freehold auto-toss to Open Handicap winner in a matter of months. Jenn Bongiorno trainee went a big effort to be second best last week in the age-restricted Open and he can start a new streak tonight with a reasonable trip. (3) SAN DOMINO A is feeling good again, lands a decent post and can be a value play here. (8) ROCKAPELO almost pulled off a 52/1 upset in the Gerrity last week; this is a tough spot tonight but the Burke trainee deserves a mention.
Race 8: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(4) TONY TOO TALL has had some tough trips recently for a low-percentage barn but he's proven capable with the right setup and should be a decent price. (3) REVELRY drops from $50's to $40's and lands a better post; Gillis trainee seems like a logical player (and possible favorite). (1) LINCOLNJAMES likely needed last week's start after missing some time with a sick scratch; veteran should be in line for a good trip.
Race 9: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) UPTOWN FUNK found the going a bit too tough in the Open/Preferred so he's back in a high-end claimer, where he had been racing very well, outperforming his odds. This may be a good spot to flash some early speed. (3) BARBADOS has been ridiculously good in three starts for these connections after they dipped in for $30K; obvious threat to take another. (2) SOHO LEVIATHAN A gave way under pressure last week but went wire-to-wire the start prior; he should have early control again tonight.
Race 10: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) CAVIART LUCA drops back to a winning level and draws a good inside post; Burke-trained 10YO has a lot of miles on the odometer but can still get it done. (6) OAKWOODNITTOWNIT IR debuts for the Alexander barn and keeps Kakaley; he gets tested for class but the good form is certainly there. (1) BILL HALEY N finished third from a similar spot two back and he figures to have a similar ground-saving trip.
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Race 11: NW31000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) KEEP ON ROCKING A raced decently last out from just off the pace but he may be able to revert to front-end tactics tonight, which have proven very successful in the past. (6) MAJOR BETTS was racing pretty well prior to the barn change to Bongiorno but not surprisingly he's stepped up his game; he faces an uncertain trip but must be included. (4) FUNKNWAFFLES isn't the most consistent type but one of his better efforts can land him a nice share.
Race 12: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) ROLLWITHPAPAJOE drops from the Open ranks into this slightly easier spot and he's capable of capping off another huge night for the Jenn Bongiorno barn. (1) NONE BETTOR A seems to have found his stride and he's good enough to handle the rise in class. (5) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER does have solid early speed; does Lachance take a shot off the gate?