Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 8/9

Matt Rose|Aug 06, 2021

MEET STATS: 239 - 676 / $1,316.50 (-$35.50)

BEST BETS: 33 - 66 / $105.50 (-$26.50)

Best Bet: DRAGON SAID (7th)

Spot Play: PYRO (12th)

Race 1: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A never got involved from the eight hole last out on the Bongiorno reclaim but he drops back down to the $25K level and moves inside; routine selecting here. (3) BLUEBIRD RECON failed to sustain a second move in last but if he can get away in the pocket here he'll keep up to the end. (1) UNICO LEGEND N finally put things together last week (at 41/1); let's see if this import can repeat that type of effort.

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Race 2: Excelsior A 3YO Filly Trot

(3) JUST JOSHING has done it quite easily on the front end in her last two half-mile races; Julie Miller trainee is well-mannered and has the speed to control these. (5) IZZY DEMSKY also has good early foot and has been very dependable; Melander trainee is clearly the main threat. (8) YOU MAKE IT EASY certainly "doesn't make it easy" from the eight hole but Bartlett will have a clear shot to improve position early, assuming a couple of gappers and breakers.

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Race 3: $30,000 Claiming Pace

(5) CHRISTEN ME N looked great winning his last start and interestingly Peter Tritton dipped in to claim this 13-year-old classmaster; he's up a notch in class but a repeat of that last effort will get it done. (3) MAJOR CROCKER A regressed a bit last start but he lands another good post and can come away with a big share with smooth sailing. (1) GHOST DANCE is back in for a tag while in good form and he should be in line for a live trip.

Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace

(3) CHANGE STRIDE N has only one win on the season in 24 tries but he always gives an honest effort and last week's race versus similar was pretty good; he should be a good price option in this open event. (1) TOWNLINE FLIGHT has proven he can go with this type and Clegg has a legit chance from this spot. (5) YANKEE OSBORNE moves to Adamczyk off last week's claim and he could be eligible for some improvement.

Race 5: $40,000 Claiming Pace

(4) WEONA SIZZLER A isn't the most reliable bet out there (especially as one of the favorites) but he closed very well in his first start off the Gillis claim and hopefully he's kept closer to the action tonight. (1) PICARD A may be tailing off after a huge run; drop and overall softer spot can help. (2) SUGARTOWN dropped and popped off the Alexander claim and now he's back in for a tag, and lands a good inside post.

Race 6: NYSS 3YO Filly Trot

Just one division here so they go for a whopping $153,900. (4) MONI FOR LINDY has never been on a half before but overall her form has been great and Yannick comes in to drive her. Let's hope she handles the turns. (3) SPLASH BLUE CHIP is the logical one to catch here with Svanstedt at the controls. (5) TITANS HOPE has some catching up to do in terms of career accomplishments but she did win over this surface three back (at 71/1!) and her last race wasn't bad.

Race 7: Open Handicap Pace

(5) DRAGON SAID went a second consecutive huge effort in defeat last week and the Jenn Bongirono success story should be taking command from this spot. (6) RAUKAPUKA RULER N is more than capable of beating these, if he is put into play at some point by Stratton (4) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N hiked to the top level three back and has certainly held his own; Todd McCarthy picks up the catch drive tonight and he's another that's shown early speed on occasion.

Race 8: $50,000 Claiming Pace

(3) FOREVER FAV came up short in the late stages cutting the mile last start but did go coast-to-coast the start prior; Team Bongiorno trainee has a legit chance to redeem himself tonight from this good starting spot. (5) EFFRONTE A has gone from NW5000 to successful high-end claimer in a matter of just a few weeks for the world-class Gareth Dowse operation; if he makes the front he'll be trouble. (7) JUST PLAIN LOCO goes for a new barn tonight off the $50K claim and he'll be coming from the back of the pack. Perhaps he can pick off a few late.

Race 9: WO30000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) BRANQUINHO lacks the pure speed of some others in here but he's been incredibly sharp since arriving, and last week's loss was at the hands of a good one (Elver Hanover). Schnittker trainee deserves a chance here. (5) SIMPLE KINDA MAN has also been super in all recent and he faces a bit softer here from a manageable midpack post. (6) LYONS KING is more solid Bongiorno stock who is hard not to include.

Race 10: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

Not only does (3) TIGER BARON take a needed drop in class, he finds a very soft and questionable NW15000 field. Joe B is back driving and he can get well in a hurry from this spot. (8) CARLISIMO needs some help from all the way out there but he also faces softer and is more than capable if he can get involved. (5) MYKINDACHIP has just one win in 20 starts this year, but he does have some tactical speed which could set him up with a live trip.

Race 11: NW20000 in last 5 starts (AE: NW10 Life) Pace

(8) SPLASH BROTHER is a super-talented 4YO from the Schnittker barn and he comes into this race off back-to-back sub-1:51 wins. He does face some more established rivals here but as long as Buter can get away in good order (I better see an ATTEMPT to fire from the gate!) he's sharp enough to top these. (2) JJ FLYNN was no good here three back but his last two at Philly were great. (5) I'M BENICIO A has turned it around since the barn change from Renaud to Daguet (?) Lackey (?); fill in the blank…

Race 12: NW30000 in last 5 starts

(3) PYRO has been a bit dry in the win column recently but he's certainly been racing well enough to win; he can get it done from this spot. (5) ROLLWITHPAPAJOE and (6) KEEP ON ROCKING A both had some traffic issues last week. I'll lean to 'Joe' for the place spot, coming from these white-hot connections.