Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 9/30
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2024 MEET STATS: 300 - 975 / $1,621.70 (-$328.30)
BEST BETS: 43 - 84 / $152.60 (-$15.40)
BEST BET: MIND HUNTER (9th)
SPOT PLAY: SINBAD N (6th)
Race 1: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(3) SADDLE UP has been competitive recently at the $40K claiming level despite not winning in a couple of months. Engblom trainee takes an important drop in class into $30K claimers which can get him over the top; price may be okay as well with the presence of #2 to his inside. (2) SAN DOMINO A also drops back to the level he was claimed at four starts back and he's got a class edge on the rest of these. (5) KOOTENAY SANTANNA was hammered to 2/5 odds in debut off the Dilloian claim and he got beat despite an easy half. Price goes way up tonight.
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Race 2: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) ADAM TWELVE steamrolled the field last week and he basically gets a free ride at this level, and draws the rail to boot. Short price looming again but he's clearly the most likely winner. (7) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has been very sharp in his last two for the Alexander barn which claimed this gelding back in August. He moves up a class again and draws outside but if Kakaley can get him involved he can offer major value to the exotics. (5) CADILLAC BAYAMA drops back down to a level where he fits better and he can be a late player.
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Race 3: NW30631 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) ROCKIN JUKEBOX raced well at the Invite level last out though he wasn't a serious threat. Back down at a more reasonable level the Bongiorno trainee figures to prosper. (1) NANDOLO N was just shy last week in a game effort and drawing the rail will keep this veteran close. (2) EUPHORIA N can't be considered a major threat on the win end this high up in class but he's more than capable of staying close and landing a nice share.
Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(5) IM A POWERPLAY A won at first asking off the $30K Bongiorno claim to make it two straight overall and he could have a clear path to the front again looking to win another. (3) TWIG picks up Bartlett tonight and does have some early speed; pocket trip? (6) JUST ENUFF STUFF was flat in his last couple but that was against $50K claimers and he drops a level tonight; drawing outside many of the main contenders may relegate him to a smaller piece.
Race 5: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
It's been a while since (5) POUND FOR POUND was handled aggressively but that strategy has worked in the past so maybe Holland gives it a shot off the gate facing a bit softer. (1) PEACE OUT POSSE shipped to Pocono and found a good spot to pick up his first seasonal win and he's accustomed to facing better at Yonkers; rail draw makes him tough. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N gets needed class relief and switches to Kakaley, who has won with the veteran import in the past.
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) SINBAD N hasn't been able to show what he's capable of in two starts at this higher class level due to the outside draws but last week he finished with plenty to narrow the gap late. Moving to the rail this Pete Tritton trainee deserves a long look. (4) ULTIMAROCA has just one fifth-place check in his last five races but he drops to the lowest level he's seen in ages and is overdue for a wakeup call. (7) BIG GULP wasn't put in play last week on the class drop and that's three consecutive dull efforts for this Engblom trainee. He draws poorly again but maybe Bartlett takes a swing off the gate.
Race 7: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(5) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK was reclaimed out of his last start by the Laterza barn and he was a winner when last with these connections (and with Holland driving). Should be a live price in this competitive affair. (3) OZONE BLUE CHIP gets some needed post relief and this veteran figures to be more involved. (7) BECHERS BROOK A just missed from a similar spot last week and he was reclaimed by DiDomenico. He's raced well for multiple barns lately.
Race 8: Invitational Pace
(2) HIMSELF N was a strong upset winner last week first time with Anthony Napolitano and was one of three wins on that card for this trainer/driver combo. He may be looking at a similar trip tonight and there's no reason he can't repeat. (3) AMERICAN DEALER N was too far back to threaten last out but the post improvement gives him a much better chance. (5) ACT FAST is a speedy 4-year-old making his local debut for the Burke barn and he should fit well here.
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Race 9: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) MIND HUNTER is coming off a sizzling 1:51 2/5 win last week and while he steps up in class he faces no standouts and has a post edge on many of his main rivals. (5) JUSTASEC N has been racing well of late and now debuts off the claim for connections who have had some success here. (6) WICHITA LINEMAN has won three of four for Bongiorno after being claimed for $30K.
Race 10: NW5091 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) ROLL WITH THE FLOW returns to the U.S. after an underachieving season up in Canada and he lands in a good post facing a formless field. He raced well here as a 3YO and in the NYSS so maybe the return helps get him back on the winning track. (7) QUALITY BUD has done little of note over the last few months but it's not like he's been bad; Holland drives again and this is the softest field he's seen in a long time. (1) SPLASH BROTHER also drops to the bottom but this classy gelding needs to show vast improvement.
Race 11: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) BLANK STARE seemed to regain his form with that win up at Tioga last weekend and he's accustomed to facing better than he sees here. (1) SHINE A LIGHT drops from the $50's and moves all the way inside looking to show more. (2) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK is very similar to barnmate Splash Brother as they are both uber-classy Ray Schnittker trainees. If he's ready to go he can take these a long way on the lead.