Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 9/21/26
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2026 MEET STATS: 259 - 810 / $1,433.30 (-$186.70)
BEST BETS: 48 - 86 / $164.88 (-$7.12)
BEST BET: TRICKY CAPTAIN N (4th)
SPOT PLAY: THE IDEAL DANCER A (9th)
Race 1: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(2) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK is 0 for 13 but last start he wasn't far off and he draws best in this very shaky field; maybe new driver Kelly can have some luck with him. (1) ARTIST BEST cut the mile last out and folded, now he's off almost a month but who knows maybe that helped him. (8) SETH HANOVER has Bartlett for good connections and does have early speed. He has to blast and make the front without too much resistance.
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Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) YOROKOBI N has never been a prolific winner and needs a trip but he'll offer a much better price than he did last week, maybe good enough odds to take a chance. (4) MISSED THE TRUTH A was a winner first off the Dilloian, Jr. claim, now gets Bartlett and is certainly a logical repeater. (1) MIND HUNTER moves all the way back in and two back he almost went the distance.
Race 3: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(5) STELLAR YANKEE was a winner two back at this level off the Engblom claim then stepped up to 50's and found that too tough. Buter picks up the drive and will offer a much better price than the logical (1) HIMSELF N, who debuts for the same connections as #4 in race two, and they both came from the Adamczyk barn. Gets Bartlett looking to repeat. (4) PAXAMILLION won in this class four back then had tough outside posts in his last three.
Race 4: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(1) TRICKY CAPTAIN N gets major post relief after a solid try in his first local outing. Holland drives again and likely looks to take these down the road. (5) SHAKE IT is by far the most accomplished of these in 2026 as he's just shy of the $100K earnings mark for the season. Off the Ruiz claim he's stuffed right back into 15K claimers. (4) FRANCO NANDOR N seems to be overmatched when it comes to winning in this class but he's been third a few times recently and can add value underneath.
Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS jogged when Bartlett hopped aboard and it was a form reversal on the class drop. He drives again looking to repeat facing a little bit better. (1) ITS A ME MARIO is better than he's been showing recently and now he's off some time after a sick scratch but from the rail I'm going to give the Shane Tritton trainee a look. (3) VENGEANCE BLUECHIP finished close last week from a similar spot.
Race 6: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) GORGEOUS BIG GUY gets major post relief plus departs from the rail. Burke trainee looks like a pretty solid favorite. (4) RESILIENT N was an odds-on winner when last at the NW20000 level. (7) LYONS FRANKY J steps up to an unproven level and draws outside but he's got some speed and Bartlett in his corner.
Race 7: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) VOUKEFALAS has been an infrequent visitor to Yonkers throughout his career though he should fit well here and he's just a classy animal. 6YO went over the million dollar mark earlier this year. (5) FIFTH AND FIVE was most recently a non-factor in the Aria but you have to be pretty good to be invited in the first place. 4YO was the Cup & Saucer winner last month. (1) CATALPA RESCUE A has been right there in his last three and now moves in to the rail; Blackler trainee should be a big player.
Race 8: Invitational Pace
(1) BOURBON COUNTY finished close to Sweet Beach Life in his last two Invitational races and he's back from Philly after a strong effort as a longshot in the #Senditin pace. Drawing the rail, returning to Bartlett make him the one to beat. (4) CHASE H HANOVER has sharp early speed which enables him to cut the pace or work out live stalking trips. Either way he's a part of this. (5) GO GO GRASSHOPPER was most recently third in the added-distance Aria pace and that's four on-the-board finishes including a win at Yonkers for the 4YO Burke trainee. Could be off the pace though with the speed signed up inside of him.
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Race 9: NW7561 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) THE IDEAL DANCER A drops to a softer level and gets major post improvement after a recent eight and seven hole. Lachance veteran is a logical play here. (1) EVER M hasn't fired in three starts off the $30K Laterza claim but he moves into a softer conditioned event and draws the rail. (6) NANDOLO N finally picked up that long-awaited win and with his class he must be considered but from this post will he have trouble entering contention?
Race 10: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(5) ALWAYS B ELITE N seems priced to sell as he's tagged for $30K despite finishing close in all recent races, including last start in an optional $60K claimer. He has been lightly raced but gives 100% and should appreciate the class relief. (3) OVER THE HORIZON has a win and a second in two starts after being claimed by the Stratton barn. (6) QUOTE ME NOT N really hasn't done much of late but the Engblom trainee gets Bartlett in the bike, who has won with the gelding in the past.