Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 9/12
MEET STATS: 322 - 930 / $1,588.90 (-$271.10)
BEST BETS: 51 - 87 / $197.60 (+$23.60)
Best Bet: SAVE ME A DANCE (8th)
Spot Play: WINDSUN RICKY (1st)
Race 1: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) WINDSUN RICKY drops back to the NW15000 level where he was a winner four back with the red-hot Brent Holland in the bike. He should be leaving the gate from this spot to get the jump on his outside rivals. (5) OAKWOODNITTOWNIT IR has tired in his last three local tries but note the barn change here to Bako. Maybe that wakes him up. (6) BETTERROCK also drops and fits nicely with these but the Bongiorno trainee draws outside all of his main competition which makes things difficult.
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Race 2: $50,000 Claiming Pace
Tough race here for six horses. (2) SHERIFF N has been sharp and consistent all season for multiple barns and now he steps up a notch off the Travis Alexander reclaim. Kakaley has tactical options from this starting spot. (4) TROJAN BANNER N hit town last week for Jim King, Jr. and was a pretty game front-end winner. Connections drop him back in for the same price. (5) BLUEBIRD RECON has six wins and two seconds in his last eight races, including a win last out off the Garcia-Herrera claim. Despite this resume he figures to offer a decent price.
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Race 3: $50,000 Claiming Trot
(2) GEMOLOGIST was aggressively handled last week when dropped in for this tag and he was taken by the Bako barn. He draws well again and could return some quick dividends with smooth sailing. (5) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO is back to Kakaley after being used hard last out; trotter figures to be firing from the gate. (4) ZIG ZAG has been consistent in all recent efforts.
Race 4: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(1) KEYSTONE PHOENIX has clearly tailed off recently but he takes an important drop in price and draws best. Dowse trainee can take this field coast-to-coast. (6) ELWELL also hasn't been at his best but the veteran is more than proven with this type. (2) MIKEY CAMDEN was game holding second in his last start and he figures to be close to the leader throughout, perhaps even in the pocket.
Race 5: $50,000 Claiming Trot
(4) IN SECRET makes his way back to Yonkers for the first time in two years, and he's had loads of success over this oval in the past (he was even in the International Trot in 2017). After a long run with Burke he's now in the Dowse barn and finds a pretty soft group of claimers; just don't accept too short of a price on him. (7) EMOTIONS RICHES has been solid at this level; only problem is the outside post. (5) JUST MAYBE THE ONE trotted evenly last week in a needed start and he may have more to offer in his second try off the bench.
Race 6: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(6) ROLLING WITH SAM was a winner four back when drawn inside and he finished well in his last three but just had too much ground to cover. If Kakaley can manage to find a good early spot the Alexander trainee can beat these. (2) RUNRUNJUMMYDUNN N has been MIA for four months but he's returning off a winning qualifier and draws best of the main contenders. (4) CHANGE STRIDE N didn't fire last out but closed well in his prior two; veteran could be a late player.
Race 7: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) BELTANE A was monstrous beating cheaper three back then never got involved in his last two from tough spots. He's all the way inside tonight and should work out a live trip. (4) SMOKIN BY N has done nothing in two starts after being claimed for $75K but this is serious class relief and he should be a major player. (6) MAXIMUS RED A has been very sharp in his last three at Pocono and the Erv Miller trainee picks up the hot Holland.
Race 8: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) SAVE ME A DANCE basically toured the track in his last two from outside posts at the Open level but that should have tightened him up some for his class drop tonight. I expect Kakaley to be on the move early with this gelding. (2) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N was in with some tough ones last week in that Philly Invite but was solid in prior starts and the Team Bongiorno charge is a big player here. (4) SEMI TOUGH also drops and is more than capable but the general lack of early speed tends to hurt him sometimes.
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Race 9: Open Handicap Pace
(5) AMERICAN DEALER N has had some local success this season and Joe Bongiorno seems to get along well with this import; Toscano trainee gets top billing. (2) FUNATTHEBEACH N hasn't been a serious threat in his last few but it's not like he's been bad either. He wins the 2 through 7 draw (why #1 is assigned the rail here is a story for another day) which should help his cause. (1) I'LL DRINK TO THAT appeared to have pace in traffic last week and just missed the start prior. Ryder-trained 4YO should be close to the pace throughout.
Race 10: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) PRICELESS BEACH seemed invincible when he first hit town a few months ago and he seems to be rounding back into top shape when he's gotten class relief; good draw should make him a major player. (6) NONE BETTOR A loses Bartlett but gains Kakaley on the barn change to Travis Alexander and if he can hustle him from the gate in good order he should land a nice share. (3) FORTIFY sat the pocket through a criminally slow half last week then was outfinished with no excuse; he seems better than that.