Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 8/31

MEET STATS: 135 - 402 / $809.70 (+$24.50)
BEST BETS: 23 - 41 / $79.30 (+$0.10)
SPOT PLAYS: 8 - 41 / $55.00 (-$27.00)
BEST BET - WYATT J (1st)
SPOT PLAY - ACTING OUT (9th)

Race 1 - NW2/25000LT Pace

(1) WYATT J already owns two wins over NW2's at Yonkers and gets another shot at them due to his earnings. The last one was accomplished in rather facile fashion, and he even shifts to the pole tonight to boot. (3) PLAY THERAPY was a solid third to a couple decent-looking prospects in his Yonkers debut back on 8-3. He's difficult to recommend on top given his 0-for-16 record, but certainly is a candidate to hit the ticket. (6) SUMTHINBOUTIM qualified well down at Freehold to fill a gap in his racing schedule. He was second over the oval back on 7-20 and then was stuck outside against that same group Play Therapy competed against in a subsequent appearance.

Race 2 - NW5000L5/12500CLM Trot

(3) THISISSHE won nicely from first-over two back and then was second to the back-class horse Omaha Omaha on the 17th. I'll hope she remains in good form tonight and put on top. (6) TT'S D-JAY is having a solid 6-year-old campaign with five wins from 19 starts. He comes off a confidence-building victory up at Saratoga and catches a beatable group shipping down to Yonkers. (2) BABY MAKER HANOVER sat up close and held third most recently. I could see him doing something like that again here as he remains inside and keeps Tyler Buter.

Race 3 - NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace

(1) ASTON HILL DAVE is just one for his last 34, but I think he's the one to beat among this bunch. Trainer Dennis Laterza has been able to take advantage of spots like this with some of his other horses to collect a number of wins since racing resumed. (2) GRAND MASTER looks like the carbon copy of my top pick as he rarely wins but catches the right type of group here to make an impact. He did beat NW7500L5's at long odds at Yonkers back in February, so at least he has that going for him. (3) ROZEWOOD was fourth a week ago in a much deeper NW5000L5 race. He might be able to sit another inside trip here and add a price in tris and supers.

Race 4 - NW10000L5/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5/20000CLM Trot

(4) CASINO CUTIE IT wound up three-wide going to the quarter and paid the price in the final panel a week ago. I'll hope for a smoother trip tonight with Dube taking over and give her another shot at what should be a better price. (5) THE LAST CHAPTER continues to slide down the class ladder here after finishing second against NW17500L5's. He likely to be the favorite, but is just one-for-12 in 2020. (1) PERFECT STICK made a break in his last appearance on the 21st but was second against NW10000L5's prior to that. Hopefully he minds his manners this time.

Race 5 - NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace **$7,500 Guaranteed Pick-5 Pool**

(6) SPORTSKEEPER drops to the bottom NW500L5 class tonight after meeting up with better both here and at Pocono in the last couple months. I don't mind that he gets a new set of hands tonight with Brennan taking over, and maybe we'll see a more aggressive approach. (2) TWIN B SPEEDO defeated NW5000L5 in June and lost all chance in his most recent appearance when he suffered broken equipment. Starting from post two might allow Buter to keep him somewhere near the action. (7) SHOW THE FASHION has a trainer change to Devita and did keep Siegeleman over others, including my top pick. He was a runner-up for former trainer Ty Pena in a NW5000L5 event on the 6th of July.

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

(5) ANDY RAY has had the misfortune to run into a couple well-meant winners in this class in his last two tries. Brennan got to know him last time out and maybe he'll give him a try on the engine tonight. (4) BARNEY MAC took his last victory in a NW10000L5 on the 22nd of June and gets to drop here after several unsuccessful attempts against NW17500L5's. (2) CINNAMON STICK showed some interest finishing his mile last Monday and switches back to Scott Zeron, who steered him to a win two back.

Race 7 - NW4/50000LT Pace

(1) MISTER REBBILY A blew away a NW4 group two starts back and then wasn't overmatched at the NW8 level last Monday, finishing third to the likes of Globaldomination N and The Moonshadow N. He gets to slide back down to the NW4 class tonight and I will put on top. (2) WESTERN VACATION almost stole that race a week ago but got run down by Buddy Hill in the lane. That was his third straight solid effort and he might have enough early speed to get around Mister Rebbily A. (4) PATRIOT NATION drops out of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes company to take a shot in this overnight event. This is his first start on a half and the Harris barn is a little chilly right now, so I'll take a stand against.

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

(4) HILL OF A HORSE charged home to finish second to millionaire Obrigado on August 21 and gets to slide down a notch on the class scale here. He dominated a group of NW20000L5's back in the winter at Yonkers and has made it as high as the Open before, so against this type of field, I think he's going to be tough to beat. (3) ZOOMING rebounded after breaking stride on 8-3 to finish third in his subsequent effort. I think he might be one level too high to be considered a win threat, but the veteran is usable underneath. (2) CHASIN' DREAMS was no match for a well-meant In My Dreams last Monday, but he was sent off as the favorite and remains in against NW10000L5's. You'll get a better price on him here.

Race 9 - NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace

(7) ACTING OUT picked up checks against the optional $20,000 claimers at Harrah's Philadelphia in his last two, so this should be an easier spot. I'll go value shopping and hope Siegelman can get him involved from an outside post. (4) MILLIONDOLLAR WAVE hasn't shown much since he started racing again in July but retreats to the NW5000L5 group and can maybe get a wake-up call. His last two races have had wild fractions that he should avoid in this spot. (6) HE'S ELECTRIC had every chance to wire that field when he switched from the NW8's to the NW5000L5's but couldn't hold on in the lane. He does land Bartlett's services tonight.