Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 9/14

MEET STATS: 148 - 429 / $886.80 (+$28.80)
BEST BETS: 25 - 44 / $88.20 (+$0.20)
SPOT PLAYS: 8 - 44 / $55.00 (-$33.00)
BEST BET - WESTERN VACATION (5th)
SPOT PLAY - SECRECY (3rd)

Race 1 - NW5000L5 Pace

(1) MEADOWBROOK FLASH shifts to the pole position this time after gaining ground in the last quarter when he dropped down to the NW5000L5 group on 9-4. He might be able to get a pocket trip tonight and can hopefully pounce. (4) ORILLIA JOE defeated NW17500L5's back on 7-9 but has gotten only one check since. He was favored against NW10000L5's most recently, and though he didn't deliver, he'll probably get bet again and switches to Bartlett. (2) LUCIANO N came in third in a NW10000L5 race on the 3rd and slides down a notch. He was second in a NW25000L5 and then raced in the Open back in late June and early July, so he seems pretty logical.

Race 2 - NW5000L5/12500CLM Trot

(4) CHECKMATE HILL aimed pretty high against the $25,000 claimers at Pocono on 9-1, but I think this is a much more reasonable spot tonight. He was third in Pocono's NW6000L5 class two back and won at their NW3000L5 level in late June. (5) TIDQUIST finally gets out of post eight tonight after drawing it in his last three starts and drops down from the NW10000L5's. (6) MISS YOU KELLY is just two-for-26 over the last two years, but she has been facing better both here and at the Meadowlands in recent tries. She did pick up a win at Yonkers earlier this season.

Race 3 - NW5000L5 Pace

(7) SECRECY races for trainer Paul Stafford, who is on a good run of late, including a hat trick on the Wednesday (September 9) card at Yonkers. This looks like a pretty wide-open dash, so I'll hope Dube can work out a trip and the horse fires like others from the barn. (3) MEETYOUATMIDNIGHT was idle from October 1 of last year to July 23 of 2020. He hasn't shown much in the comeback thus far, but he gets some class and post relief, adds Bartlett, and the trainer had a winner on Thursday night. (4) NATIONAL SEELSTER showed improved in his second start against NW5000L5's, closing to get second. There doesn't seem to be much early speed in this event, so maybe Brennan will gun him.

Race 4 - NW5000L5/12500CLM Trot

(2) EXS AND OHS made front from post seven and just missed by a head when last seen on September 1. She gets another chance against the NW5000L5's tonight, and although she wasn't Bartlett's choice, she gets a solid replacement in Scott Zeron. (1) WATKINS is another Stafford trainee on the card. He gets another rail draw to work from but hasn't been able to win back in February. (5) KABANG won six times at Monticello during the winter months and gets to slide down from the NW10000L5 class off a fourth-place finish.

Race 5 - NW4/50000LT Pace *$7,500 GTD Pick-5 Pool*

(1) WESTERN VACATION has a second and a third against a couple pretty tough groups since stepping up to the NW4 class. Brennan picks up the steer with Zeron going to another horse, and I think he might be able to control the race with his speed from the inside draw. (2) ROLLINWITHAMBITION invades from Saratoga with only one off-the-board finish in his last six starts. That was a lifetime-best clocking in the victory in his last try on 8-31, and he might get a similar up-close, inside journey here. (6) WYATT J looked pretty fired up on the track prior to his effort on 8-31 but won anyways. He gives the NW4 class a try for the first time, and I'll play against from the outside draw.

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

(2) MR VICKTOR sat back and never got involved last Tuesday when he moved over to this class from the NW8's. I'm going to hope Buter is more aggressive with him this week like in the win two back and use. (6) PILGRIMS TIDE owns a win and a second against the $25,000 claimers over at Pocono recently, so he certainly fits against the optional $20,000 claimers at Yonkers. Brennan might be keen to take advantage of driving a horse from the Tritton barn. (7) TOP FLIGHT ANGEL scored despite getting parked all the way from post eight last time out. He does move up a level here, but kept Stratton and owns a ton of back-class.

Race 7 - NW10000L5/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5 Pace

(2) YAYAS HOT SPOT N topped NW17500L5's at Yonkers back on 6-23 and drops out of that class tonight after finishing a gaining third on the 4th of September. (1) SOHO WALLSTREET A returns to Yonkers here after making his last four starts at Harrah's Philadelphia. He raced well against NW10000L5's in Westchester on 7-16, rallying well to take a runner-up finish. (5) ZACH MAGUIRE N is another horse in this race who has beaten NW17500L5's this summer. He has both class and post relief.

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

(4) CLASSY GUY is winless thus far in 2020 but finished a good second behind a well-meant Andy Ray at Yonkers in his last try and should offer some continued value. (1) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN will likely get a lot of attention since he draws the rail and gets Brennan back in the bike, but I'm unwilling to take a short price on him and will slot underneath. (2) SECRET BRO slides down from the NW17500L5's and did trot a good final quarter in that appearance.

Race 9 - NW10000L5/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5 Pace

(3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN last won against NW10000L5's back on June 23 and gets to return to that class here after taking a bunch of shots against NW17500L5's. He also draws a better post than he had in his most recent appearance. (1) BABES DIG ME owns a 0-for-10 record in 2020 but was beaten by just a nose against NW17500L5's at Yonkers on August 6. He should be in play from the pole position. (5) JET ROCK scored against NW5000L5's two back and then was a closing third when he moved up in class to the NW10000L5 group on the 3rd of September.