Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 8/23
MEET STATS: 263 - 736 / $1,436.70 (-$35.30)
BEST BETS: 37 - 71 / $116.50 (-$25.50)
Best Bet: EHRMANTRAUT (3rd)
Spot Play: SHADOW CAT (12th)
Race 1: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(4) IN SPADES debuts for the Devita barn off the claim and is certainly eligible for improvement; hoping for a favorable trip at a price. (2) EFFORNTE A threw in a clunker last start and immediately plunges in claiming price looking to awaken; he's the one to catch. (3) BLUEBIRD RECON will be close up throughout, perhaps sitting the pocket to the favorite.
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Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(5) CHRISTEN ME N came calling way to late in his last start and could only get second as the odds-on favorite; 13-year-old goes for another new barn off the claim (Daguet) and Dube should be able to handle him more aggressively from this spot. (2) EGOMANIA moves to a barn that's had success here recently and he draws well; contender. (7) LATE MAIL N has fired hard from the gate in his last six races; one would assume the same tactics will be employed tonight by Bartlett.
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Race 3: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) EHRMANTRAUT gets needed class relief and a reasonable starting post; he's clearly the one to beat. (1) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP moves all the way inside and will be in line for a live trip. (3) FULLBACK has always had the ability as evidenced by that 1:50 1/5 win two back at Philly; consistency has been a problem.
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(2) DESIRE'S CAPTAIN earned almost as much in his last start than he did all of last year in 24 attempts; overall he's gone from $12,500 claimer to favorite in this $40K event for Team Bongiorno. (5) IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N didn't get involved from the eight hole last out but otherwise he's been very consistent; goes now for Renaud off the claim. (3) PICARD A also goes for a new barn after being an ATM machine for Milici.
Race 5: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) PACING MAJOR N gave it a solid try in defeat last week and Stratton sticks with the Pete Tritton-trained veteran; he appears ready to win. (5) GINGER TREE PETE has successfully climbed the claiming ladder and although he was a little short last week it certainly wasn't a bad effort. (8) TONY TOO TALL seemed to be sitting on a big effort last week and he converted with a solid uncovered effort; he goes for Jenn Bongiorno now and we'll see if has the early speed to improve position.
Race 6: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) ROBBIE BURNS N left well to make the top last week, yielded and ended up just shy for second. A similar effort here can produce a victory. (2) KEYSTONE PHOENIX ended up with a perfect trip in last and scored the mild upset; he lands in a similar spot tonight. (3) BEACH BOOGIE reverted to off-the-pace tactics last week and he swept past a high-conditioned field; he's back in for a tag looking to double up.
Race 7: Open Handicap Pace
(6) SHOOBEE DOO A had a tough trip last week trying to overcome post eight; he moves in a couple of spots and gets Stratton back in the bike. (5) LYONS KING replaces Dragon Said as the Jenn Bongiorno entrant this week and while he's in good form he does have something to prove at this top level. (3) PYRO is certainly fast enough and he finished close to the top two last week after stalking from a few lengths back.
Race 8: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) RAUKAPUKA RULER N drops in class after a long (and reasonably successful) run in the Open ranks; he needs to be moving fast off the gate for his best chance. (3) SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A moves back to the inner half of the gate and should be in line for a live trip. (1) CAVIART LUCA can still bring it after all these years and he can certainly win here; just don't take too short of a price.
Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) THE WALL isn't what he once was (think Levy finalist…) but he still seems plenty fast enough to compete with these and from the pole position he can work out the winning trip. (3) GLOBALDOMINATION N drops back down a notch in class and he's been very consistent for Pete Tritton despite just one win on the season. (2) SKIP TO MY LOU was awful in his first start for the Burke barn after the purchase from Chindano but I'm confident they will get him figured out.
Race 10: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(2) WEONA SIZZLER A finally put it all together last week after knocking on the door for some time and he's classy enough to come right back and win another. (4) FUNATTHEBEACH N didn't fire off a covered trip last out; shows speed tonight? (7) JUST PLAIN LOCO is stuck with a tough outside post but he's been sharp for ages and could find a way to sneak into the number at a big price.
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Race 11: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(7) STARS ALIGN A returned locally and easily handled a bit softer at very short odds; Bongiorno trainee should be firing to the front and may prove tough to handle again. (3) BETTOR MEMORIES missed a nose from a similar spot three back. (1) AINTNOBETTOR A raced well from off the pace last week and now he draws the innermost post.
Race 12: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) SHADOW CAT has been rock-solid in his last two and figures to have smooth sailing from this spot, maybe even on the front end. (2) TWIN B TUFFENUFF took a couple of months off and came back fresh at Philly with a couple of good efforts for the Burke barn. (6) GRAY DRAGON was a solid second in the Charna at Northfield and he raced well in prior local starts; he faces an uncertain trip from this spot, however.