Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 8/30
MEET STATS: 276 - 784 / $1,502.40 (-$65.60)
BEST BETS: 38 - 75 / $119.60 (-$30.40)
Best Bet: TONY TOO TALL (5th)
Spot Play: RAUKAPUKA RULER N (11th)
Race 1: $25,000 Claiming Pace
(3) MARTY MONKHOUSER A goes back to the Cory Stratton barn via $25K claim and the classy veteran stays at this level, where he's most effective. Brother Jordan is back in the bike and he's always aggressively handled when drawn well. (1) IN SPADES also changes hands, now going to the strong Devita barn, and he draws the rail; expect a live trip. (4) BLUEBIRD RECON has some early speed so he should be sitting close to the pace and he could be a late factor.
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Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) CHRISTEN ME N goes for another new barn tonight (Daguet) and the 13-year-old is still bringing it every start; there's a pretty short price looming here but he is the most likely winner. (3) LATE MAIL N had a tactical edge on the top one last start and that led him to an easy win; he also was claimed out of that start and he figures to take a backseat tonight. (5) DREAMFAIR CHARRO moves back into claimers for DiDomenico and he figures to land a nice piece here given his current form.
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Race 3: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) EHRMANTRAUT lost contact from the back of the pack in his last start but that was facing much better than what he sees here; Dube should be pointing this guy down the road tonight. (3) DARLING'S DRAGON has taken two straight for Donald Dupont, and he’s looked good doing so. He may be sharp enough to handle another hike in class. (6) DEEDENUTO A has pretty soft current form, save for a win three back in a cheap field, but he's yet another veteran that moves to the Jenn Bongiorno barn and if he wins this race I may give up for good (unless I cash).
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(6) DESIRE'S CAPTAIN was floundering in lower levels back in Ohio but since moving to the Bongiorno outfit he jogged in $12.5's, $20's, $30's and then two-moved to win in $40's. It really is amazing! With that said, he's got some work to do if he wants to win again but if he makes the front without too much trouble he'll take his fifth straight. (4) DAVIDS COMING HOME is another recent success story as he's ascended the class ladder while in razor-sharp form. (5) REAL LUCKY N has been good in practically every start since moving to the Gillis barn.
Race 5: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) TONY TOO TALL successfully dropped and popped last out but now he's back up at the $40K level off the Team Bongiorno claim; gelding should gave a clear path to the front and he can take these the distance. (5) CHANGE STRIDE N has raced well in all recent, including his current stay in the DiDomenico barn; he's been better than his 1 for 25 record this year indicates. (4) AMERICAN BOY N is in for a tag after winning first out off the Garcia-Herrera purchase.
Race 6: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(6) ROBBIE BURNS N raced decently first out for these connections; he doesn't face the strongest field here and figures to be a decent price. (1) KEYSTONE PHOENIX tripped out to post the upset last start and he lands in a great spot again tonight; deserving favorite. (4) UPTOWN FUNK has tailed off in his last few and will likely benefit from a drop in class but he doesn't have much to beat here to land a decent share.
Race 7: Open Handicap Pace
(7) SHOOBEE DOO A had a tough time reaching last out from the eight hole and with the slight post improvement Stratton may be able to guide this guy to the front. He can beat these if not used too hard in the early stages. (3) PYRO is unproven at this level but is currently sharp enough to do some damage. (4) LYONS KING is another with limited top-level success but like most of his barnmates he's going well now.
Race 8: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(5) WEONA SIZZLER N finally put it all together last out with a dominating brush-and-crush victory; Gillis trainee can repeat with a similar effort. (3) JUST PLAIN LOCO is arguably in career form and should be included. (1) SOHO LEVIATHAN A has been a model of consistency lately with six straight on-the-board finishes; drawing the rail will give him an opportunity to setup a winning trip.
Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) OSTRO HANOVER weakened a bit from the pocket last out facing better than these; he lands the innermost post in a field with no standouts and this classy veteran is the one to beat. (3) GENIUS MAN was a good second from a similar spot last start. (4) SKIP TO MY LOU recently moved from the Chindano barn to the Burke Brigade but he was terrible in his debut for these new connections; we'll see tonight if they have him figured out yet.
Race 10: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) STARS ALIGN A returned locally for the Jenn Bongiorno barn and went down the road as the heavy favorite; despite the rise in class tonight he doesn't face any standouts and he really should be able to repeat. (4) ROCK THE DEVIL has been going well of late for the Nifty Norman barn but he returns to Yonkers now in the care of Ed Hart; we'll see if he can maintain his good form. (2) AINTNOBETTOR A gets post relief and also switches to Bartlett.
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Race 11: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) RAUKAPUKA RULER N has had numerous fine moments this season in the Open ranks and while he faces some talented rivals on the dropdown he has to be considered a serious threat, assuming Stratton is firing from the gate, which in somewhat frustrating fashion isn't always the case with this veteran. (1) AMERICAN HISTORY clearly needs no introduction but he isn't the most consistent performer; he does have two recent front-end wins in 1:48 2/5 and 1:47 4/5. (4) SUGARTOWN jogged last start but will have to be even better here to repeat.
Race 12: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) GRAY DRAGON was last seen finishing second in the Charna at Northfield to Ocean Rock; 4-year-old lands in a winning spot for his local return. (3) ROLLWITHPAPAJOE was hung the mile last out but to his credit he didn't tire all that badly; gelding is a proven commodity with better than these and must be respected. (1) ANTHEM N doesn't figure to beat these but he's certainly capable of hanging around for a share.