Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 8/7
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2023 MEET STATS: 280 - 802 / $1,347.50 (-$256.40)
BEST BETS: 45 - 75 / $141.70 (-$8.30)
BEST BET: JK STANDINGOVATION (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: C BET HANOVER (10th)
Race 1: 3-5YO $50,000/$75,000 Claiming Pace
(3) CERTIFIABLE was used early last week for position then ended up third late in a race that favored closers. Tonight he figures to be looking at a similar trip but the results could be different, especially if #2 is rating the pace. (2) IMMA BE is always the one to catch and if not roughed up at all he can go the distance. (5) GREG THE LEG was a solid winner last week at 20/1 and may still offer a decent price in the 5/1 range.
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Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(1) JK STANDINGOVATION has a couple of seconds and has picked up checks in last five facing better. Tonight the Bongiorno trainee drops back down to the $30K claiming level where he was a dominating winner on 6/19. (4) KEYSTONE PHOENIX has just been going evenly of late but he tries Kakaley in the bike and seems capable of stepping it up a notch. (2) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR was claimed by Garcia-Herrera and is coming off an uncharacteristic break. Minor bump in class here but he should be competitive.
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Race 3: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(1) NEVER SAY NEVER N arrived from Delaware two starts back to join the Alexnader barn and seemed a touch outclassed at the $50K level, though he finished close up in both races. Drop to the 40's, rail draw and switch to preferred barn driver Kakaley can advance him to the winner's circle. (5) STATEMENT MADE A has been a dream claim, taken for $20K and has won five straight, now at the $40K level. Win or lose the veteran is always very close. (3) DEETZY tries his luck against better first out for the Camilleri barn.
Race 4: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) BENHOPE RULZ N seemed to have regained some confidence two and three back facing softer and last week he was all the way outside and trailed. Tonight he finds a more realistic spot and will be a price in this competitive field. (2) SARANAC BLUE CHIP has been in tough in all recent starts and should really appreciate the class relief; big chance. (6) THRASHER also drops to what would normally be considered a winning level but outside draw and apparent lack of early speed may do him in.
Race 5: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) MOONLIGHT SHADOW was looking for two straight last week but was used early and pressed late, wilting to sixth. Engblom trainee gets another chance from a similar spot looking for different results. (5) JUSTASEC N has been on a big-league run lately and he steps up in price going for his fourth straight. His early speed always makes him a major player. (3) FAMILY RECIPE is best a level or two down but he finished fast last week at a price; should be in the number again.
Race 6: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(3) SHERIFF N has a long and successful history here at Yonkers so the veteran should be well-placed early from this post. Last week in his return to this level he finished a close third. (1) WYATT J returns locally from Saratoga and is entered for a tag. Tough to say where he fits best but he does like this track, as well back here as a 3YO he won four straight. Bartlett and the rail helps. (2) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD was scratched lame a couple of weeks back but raced in a qualifier at Philly a few days ago and performed well.
Race 7: NW30631 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) AMERICAN DEALER N was stuck all the way outside in his last three at the Open level but to his credit the Toscano trainee rallied for a check each time. Tonight he gets class relief and a much better draw so that clearly makes him the one to beat. (3) NONE BETTOR A is back up in class looking for his fourth straight and if he can somehow make the front without too much trouble he may prove stubborn late. (1) TAKE A GAMBLE has been good for an extended period of time at the age-restricted Open level and now he shifts to this class and switches to Bartlett; another obvious contender here.
Race 8: Open Pace
(2) ROCKNROLL RUNA A returned locally last week for Stalbaum and he gamely prevailed to post the 9/1 upset. Tonight he lands in a similar spot with Brennan driving again. (6) HELLABALOU was outbattled by the top one; Borgata champ has the speed to clear the front again looking to turn the tables. (5) AMERICAN COURAGE makes his second start back from a couple of months on the bench. Kakaley can make things interesting here if he decides to be more aggressive.
Race 9: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(2) SAILBOAT HANOVER is back with Bako after racing last week for Berkeley. If he's kept a bit closer to the leader he could edge by late. (3) POINTOMYGRANSON has Bartlett driving again and the gelding is the one to catch. (1) FLOW WITH JOE doesn't figure to threaten for the win at this level but he only has a few outside rivals to hold off for a board spot.
Race 10: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) C BET HANOVER has quietly proven that he belongs with this type and the 4YO catches a rather soft grouping of NW15000 pacers; maybe. (1) WICHITA LINEMAN has plenty of class and he's inching back up the ladder. I would expect Stratton to be aggressive enough to secure position from the rail. (5) JAHAN HANOVER is overdue for a win and he does have early speed in his arsenal, though it's been a while since he's shown it.
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Race 11: 3-5YO $50,000 Claiming Pace
(2) HE'S SPECIAL quickly proved that he belongs with these age-restricted claimers and Engblom and co. dipped in last week for $62,500 to take the 4YO. Bartlett now gets the call and he's the one to beat. (5) SHAKESPEARE is the obvious main threat as he's been live in every start at this level, for multiple barns. (1) COALITION HANOVER should hang around close enough to land a share.
Race 12: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) SETH HANOVER faces a camera-shy bunch and he comes off a win at the NW5000 level. Three back he just missed from a similar spot. (5) BALLERAT BOOMERANG has loads of back class and his last two races at the lowest conditioned level were perfectly fine; he fits well here. (1) PRESTIGE SEELSTER was game in defeat two back and a similar effort puts him right in the mix.