Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 8/28

2023 MEET STATS: 314 - 903 / $1,564.60 (-$241.40)

BEST BETS: 49 - 84 / $158.60 (-$9.40)

BEST BET: CERTIFIABLE (1^st)

SPOT PLAY: WHATS STANLEY GOT A (9^th)

Race 1: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) CERTIFIABLE is always a player, always in the mix, can't seem to win. With the drop and rail draw he may be controlling the action and that could make the difference. (3) STRIKING IMPACT also hasn't won over the last handful of starts but he always finishes with good action and he'll pose a serious threat here. (4) SOHO LENNON A picks his spots to be aggressive and he's come home with pace in his last couple after winning against lesser three back. Classy 13YO has been a hard-hitter for years.

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Race 2: $50,000/$75,000 Claiming Pace

(2) TOPVILLE SOMROCKET put in a decent effort last week in his local debut, proving he's a good fit in this class. Cullipher trainee draws better in this wide-open event and should be a reasonable price. (5) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER is in the midst of an extended form spree and he's been live for multiple trainers. 5YO goes for two straight. (4) BB LUCKY BOY is a complete unknown as he arrives from Indiana for a trainer with no local experience. He seems fast enough though, and having Bartlett doesn't hurt.

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Race 3: NW11431 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N drops, gets some post relief and goes from the owner in the bike to Joe Bongiorno. Import looks to improve on that 1 for 23 record. (1) KINGSVILLE dropped and popped last out with a career effort; big threat to repeat. (5) SHINE A LIGHT has offered little in his last three but he does face a bit easier and can be moving late.

Race 4: $50,000 Claiming Pace

(2) DEETZY is in razor-sharp form and even though he didn't win last week that was a solid runner-up effort to an equally live rival. Veteran is the one to catch. (4) ROCKIN JUKEBOX is two-for-two since the Bongiorno claim and he takes a logical step up in price. Finding the pocket behind the top one is a distinct possibility, (1) MICKY GEE N should benefit from the move inside but it's tough to predict if he'll take advantage of the rail draw; not much early speed.

Race 5: $40,000 Claiming Pace

(2) STATEMENT MADE A always gives an honest effort and tonight's major post relief clearly makes him the one to beat. (5) BALLERAT BOOMERANG has been good since moving back into claimers and he gets away from the rival who beat him the last two weeks. Brennan likely has the veteran rolling early. (3) DECOY has won three straight for three different trainers; was claimed again last week and steps up in price. Definitely has a shot but the top two classmasters are tough.

Race 6: $30,000 Claiming Pace

(1) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD is one of a few in here dropping in class looking for wakeup calls and the Ruiz trainee may be the one who benefits most as he's in a spot to utilize his early speed. (7) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR may be overlooked due to another outside post but he's raced very well in three starts for Garcia-Herrera. Bartlett may look to fire off the gate. (2) FLOW WITH JOE has a win in 40's four starts back and is always a live player at this level.

Race 7: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N gets much-needed class relief as he was toiling at the Open level. Shane Tritton trainee should be able to handle these tonight. (5) SAVE ME A DANCE made the same drop as #1 for his last start and was just okay as he finished second. Stratton picks up the drive and his chances would be greatly improved if he leaves the gate effectively. (6) JUSTASEC N's lone off-the-board start was when he bumped to this level three back and got tortured on the rim. He's back up in class off the Garcia-Herrera reclaim and drawn outside of his main competition. Mixed feelings but will include.

Race 8: NW21751 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) FORTIFY was given a couple of weeks off after a dull effort at Pocono and the Burke trainee finished very willingly in his Yonkers return to be third best at 60/1. Class drop can help get him back over the top. (1) QUALITY BUD put in his usual quality effort last week to be second best and he's in a live spot for another nice payday. (6) CAPTIVATE HANOVER has been a solid earner for Garcia-Herrera and he gets to stay at this level off last week's win. Hard to say if he can be involved here but he should offer some value.

Race 9: Open Pace

(1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A didn't take long to elevate to the top level and he chased home #5 second best. Tonight he lands the pole position in this open draw and Stratton can control the action. (5) BACKSTREET SHADOW always gives an honest effort (except for that debacle at Northfield) and he's been a class horse since his early days in Canada. Deserving, but not overwhelming favorite. (6) LEONIDAS A hasn't seen the winner's circle in a while but it's not impossible with a live setup.

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Race 10: NW31201 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N has been live since the first day he arrived for Bako and Kakaley should be able to protect position early and work out the winning trip. (4) FEELIN WESTERN can kick home well given the right scenario and he should be a decent price for the Strattons. (3) AMERICAN MERCURY was pointed a bit high in last week's Open and got the eight hole to boot. This is a more realistic spot.

Race 11: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) HAMMERING HANK hasn't been able to replicate his 2YO season but he's been looking better lately and this is an interesting barn change from Pelling, who has had him since start #1, to Jenn Bongiorno. We'll see how he fits here facing seasoned foes. (3) THE REGULATOR went down the road last week, still fits this class; logical favorite. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N is usually good for a share when drawn well.