Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 9/5
MEET STATS: 322 - 930 / $1,588.90 (-$271.10)
BEST BETS: 51 - 87 / $197.60 (+$23.60)
Best Bet: ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N (9th)
Spot Play: FORTIFY (8th)
Race 1: $50,000 Claiming Trot
(1) BIG BAD SWAN was a solid winner last week from a similar spot and he's a likely repeater here as the deserving chalk. (3) BLUEBIRD JESSE and (4) PLUMB were both no match for the top one last out but they both enter new barns via claim and either one has a license to improve.
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Race 2: $100,000 Claiming Pace
(6) JOESSTAR OF MIA A had one start a couple of months back where he lost his action and stopped badly but other than that he's been a total model of consistency this year and he's proven at this top claiming level. His gate speed should give him a big tactical edge on rival (7) BARBADOS. The latter is arguably in career form and he did beat the top one last week but he now moves all the way outside. (4) THE WILD CARD had a decent debut at this level when he closed nicely for third and the Burke trainee could be a speed player from this spot.
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Race 3: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) ROCKATHON plunges in class and lands an inside post after being stuck in the eight hole in three of his last four; Bucci trainee returns to Brennan and should be fully cranked from this spot. (3) FULLBACK grinded his way to a nice win last week at Freehold and he's had plenty of local experience. (5) WF EEYORE arrives from Ohio for new connections and picks up leading driver Bartlett but he is 0 for 20 on the year.
Race 4: $75,000 Claiming Trot
(3) IN MY DREAMS has taken his last two at this level for the tandem of Dowse and Bartlett and the veteran figures to make his way to the front and may be too tough to catch. (1) ALTUS HANOVER does have a recent win at this level and was an okay third last start. (4) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN chased the top one from the pocket last week and never threatened but his early speed always sets him up well and he'll come away with his usual nice piece.
Race 5: $50,000 Claiming Pace - $10K Gtd. Pick-5
(6) EL JACKO N has failed to hit the board in two starts after being claimed by Dowse but this looks like a spot where Bartlett can take a shot off the gate and if he hits the lead he could prove tough; watch the board. (1) MARINER SEELSTER is always right there but can't seem to get over the hump at this $50K claiming level; classy 13-year-old will be in line for a winning trip, however. (3) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE was a winner two back at Philly and gamely dead-heated for place in his last local try.
Race 6: $50,000 Claiming Trot
(2) GEMOLOGIST was going nowhere from the eight hole in his last two races but now he gets serious post relief as he enters claimers; Devita trainee could work out a live trip at a price. (4) MUSCLE JACK has taken five straight and keeps getting stuffed into the same class but there have been no takers. On paper he can't lose but he's also been MIA for three weeks...there's just something about him that makes me nervous. (3) ALL CHAMPY just missed last week in a good try.
Race 7: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(4) OZONE BLUE CHIP blew away the field two back but was outbattled in his last try; Bako trainee gets a chance to make amends. (2) DON DOMINGO N put in a big effort to beat the top one last start and the veteran is obviously capable of repeating. (5) WICHITA LINEMAN never got involved in his last two but he gets a slightly better post to work with tonight.
Race 8: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) FORTIFY is three for four since moving into the Burke barn, with his lone loss in the Dan Patch at Hoosier. Last start versus a notch lower he was home in :27 flat. (2) WESTERN JOE has burned money in his last couple but the classmaster is still racing well. (1) IGNATIUS A is back locally after cruising at Philly. Three and four back he raced very well here with Lachance steering.
Race 9: Open Pace
(4) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N was able to get involved early from the outside post last week and he just missed in a solid two-move try. He could be looking at an easy front-end score tonight. (1) CASUAL COOL has been sub-1:50 in his last eight races and he lands the rail in this open draw; gelding is in line for a live trip. (5) SEMI TOUGH can go with these but early speed is not his strong suit; he could be in trouble if they aren't going all that much up front. Props to (2) THE REAL ONE, who at 12 years old has worked his way back to the top level.
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Race 10: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(3) DARK ENERGY N gets some much-needed post relief and finds a pretty soft field of $50K claimers; value should be there with Cory Stratton listed to drive. (5) TROJAN BANNER N is an interesting shipper for Jim King Jr. and he finds himself tagged for $50K. He's a neck shy of a three-race winning streak. (4) APEX SEELSTER fizzled out on the front end last week but was a good third when last at this level.
Race 11: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) ST LADS BEAT IT is up a notch in class off a loss but does find himself back inside and Bartlett will have him within striking distance. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP woke up last week with an improved effort and he draws inside again. Kakaley gets the drive with Brennan opting to #3. (8) RAUKAPUKA RULER N came from off the pace last week and closed well. Classy veteran is inching closer and closer to a win, which probably won't come tonight, but he can be involved here at a price if Siegelman chooses to fire off the gate.