Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 9/26
MEET STATS: 343 - 980 / $1,714.20 (-$245.80)
BEST BETS: 54 - 92 / $206.80 (+$22.80)
Best Bet: ALWAYS AND AGAIN (9th)
Spot Play: BETTOR BE OSCAR A (6th)
Race 1: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(2) MACH DORO A had multiple wins this year facing this type of competition, including last week's wire-to-wire romp from a similar spot. No reason why he can't repeat, and he should be an okay price. (4) WICHITA LINEMAN earned over $20K in his last four starts facing $75K claimers but I guess that wasn't good enough so Dowse drops him to this level. Note that he's missed three weeks of action. (1) SAILBOAT HANOVER closed with plenty from behind bad cover last week and the connections bump him up in class for the third consecutive start looking to protect him. He seems to have a legit chance with Kakaley getting the drive.
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Race 2: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) NANDOLO N has proven that he can hang with some of the top aged pacers around and clearly he needed last week's start at The Meadowlands after some time on the shelf. Bartlett is back in the bike after Lauren Tritton steered in his last and he should be ready to roll. (2) BRAEVIEW BONDI A is two for two since moving to the Alexander barn upon his return from Canada and he bumps up in class again but the sharp sort can contend. (5) NO LOU ZING has a win and a close second in his last two local starts.
Race 3: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(5) VENIER HANOVER finished dead last in a NW5000 less than two months ago but that's before Gareth Dowse and his team got their hands on him. Now he's the favorite in a $75K claimer, and my top pick as he goes for five straight. (1) AIR FORCE HANOVER initially raced well when entering the Gillis barn before throwing in a poor effort followed by a sick scratch. He wasn't awful last week and now he lands the rail and should be in line for a live trip. Both (7) BLUEBIRD RECON and (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP are equally sharp but #8 figures to be cancelled out by #7's early speed. 'Recon' has a chance if not used too hard in the early stages.
Race 4: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) BALLERAT BOOMERANG has done little wrong in all recent starts for his 33% trainer and despite speed directly to his inside he should be set up well in here and can score. (1) BENJI'S BEST recently worked his way all the way up the claiming ladder to the $75K level, but now he makes his second start back in with 50's and he lands inside; Alexander trainee is an obvious player. (3) KEYSTONE DASH was reclaimed two back by Garcia-Herrera, who paid a $20K premium to get him back, and he was a strong winner last week. He has something to prove with this type, however.
Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace - $10K Gtd. Pick 5 Pool
(5) WALKINSHAW N was second best two and three back from similar spots, then was stuck with poor outside posts. His move in a few notches can make the difference for this veteran, and his barn has been going well, with a few live ones the other night. (2) CAN B PERFECT drops, draws well and picks up the leading driver. (6) SOUTHWIND PETYR has talent but he hasn't shown much early speed lately, which can compromise his chances here.
Race 6: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) BETTOR BE OSCAR A was claimed out of his last start for $40K by the Dowse barn, and they had success earlier in the year with this import. He fits NW7500 and seems impossible not to use. (1) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK is on the comeback trail for Schnittker and last week's race at The Meadowlands was a big step in the right direction. (3) DINA BOLT N hasn't won in quite a while but he's picked up some decent shares along the way.
Race 7: $50,000 Claiming Trot
(5) STEUBEN HANOVER has raced pretty well in all recent outings and he seems due for some luck. Price should be decent. (2) MUSCLE JACK seems like he races on a thoroughbred schedule, with just six starts since the beginning of June, but all he does is win, and his connections keep stuffing him in for the same tag. He'll be odds-on to take another. (3) LADY'S IMAGE has had a nice season out of town and could land a piece here facing better.
Race 8: Open Pace
I hesitated putting (4) LEONIDAS A on top coming off the bench but the reality is if he brings his usual effort he'll beat these. (1) NONE BETTOR A was a winner in his first start after moving to the Travis Alexander barn and he's proven in the past he can go with these. (3) AMERICAN DEALER N hasn't won at the Open level here recently but he lands a decent post and should come away with a nice share.
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Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) ALWAYS AND AGAIN drops to a winning level, draws better and gets Bartlett back in the bike. Lots to like here. (6) SOHO LENNON A makes his second start back returning from a three month layoff and while he often has trouble getting involved from outside posts there doesn't seem to be a ton of speed inside of him. Does new driver Brennan take a shot? (2) DELIGHTFUL TERROR has been third best in his last three tries against better but he is coming off a sick scratch.
Race 10: $50,000 Claiming Trot
(6) COCKTAILS N DREAMS went evenly in his debut at this level and closed well the prior start. Bartlett drives again and may be worth a look in a field with no standouts. (2) GEMOLOGIST broke last week as the favorite in his return to the Devita barn; price figures to go up tonight. (4) JUST MAYBE THE ONE gets post relief making his fourth start back from the layoff and perhaps he has more to offer.