Yonkers: Analysis for Thursday 10/15

MEET STATS: 171 - 519 / $1,029.10 (-$8.90)
BEST BETS: 31 - 54 / $106.50 (-$1.50)
SPOT PLAYS: 8 - 54 / $55.00 (-$53.00)
BEST BET-FEELIN RED HOT (8th)
SPOT PLAY-PONDER THE ODDS (7th)

Race 1 - F&M NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace

(2) KEENE OLIVIA races for a trainer in Mike Watson who is sending out some live horses right now and gets an improved post to start from this week. She should have some value, too. (1) CHARMS LITTLE SIS has won in her last two tries against bottom-level claimers, including in her most recent effort on 10-6. (5) THE LADY SHERIFF defeated the optional $12,500 claimers two starts back and has post relief after having to start from the eight-hole a week ago.

Race 2 - NW4/50000LT/NW2/25000LT Drawn Inside Trot

(7) MANWILLING has had a bunch of chances against NW4's and not been able to get it done, but he faces what appears to be a much easier group in this class than he has been facing, and I'll give him a shot. (4) MARK OF A BEAST has won half of his 12 starts, but when he doesn't win, it's usually cause he's made a break. I'll include on the hopes he minds his manners. (5) KOMBUCHA is a newcomer to the DiDomenico barn. She shows being favored in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series leg on her page, but did get defeated at even-money against NW2's up there most recently, so I'll try and beat her.

Race 3 - F&M NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace

(1) WINDSONG PARISIAN hinted that she might be coming back to good form with a closing effort from post six at this level on October 6. Her one win this year came against NW6's at Pocono back in June, so she's definitely capable if she comes with another good effort. (4) LOVERS COVE has been knocking on the door with a third and two seconds in her three tries in this class. I'd expect her to be the favorite tonight. (3) FLY IN STYLE ships north from Freehold off a confidence-building victory, and she certainly catches the right type of group here to build on that.

Race 4 - F&M NW7500L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5/15000CLM Pace

(3) MY RONA GOLD N moves inside this time after a series of outside draws and gets a chance to have Stratton in the bike. She was so close to winning a couple times against NW10000L5's back in August, and I'll hope she can kick the door down on this occasion. (4) BRONZE OVER N drops a notch after two on-the-board performances against NW10000L5's and has shown enough early foot in the past that she might be able to cut this mile. (2) FRANSCHOEK got in off the also-eligible list. She's been fifth in both her attempts in this class, but might be closer to the action tonight.

Race 5 - F&M NW7500L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5/15000CLM Pace

(4) MAGIC FORCES won back on 8-13 against NW10000L5's at Yonkers but has only hit the board once since. She gets some class relief tonight and is reunited with Brennan, so hopefully that puts her back on the right track. (6) SALLY FLETCHER A loses Brennan to the Burke horse but woke up with a facile win over NW5000L5's a week ago. She raced at the Preferred level as recently as 8-13, so I don't think the slight hike is too big a problem, and she got Bartlett to drive. (2) THE CHARGING MOA N is another one taking a step up after a win over NW5000L5's last Thursday. That was an impressive rally from sixth to first in the last quarter.

Race 6 - F&M NW10000L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW7500L5/20000CLM Pace

(4) MACZAFFAIR N finished third to two Open-type foes last week at a higher level and now drops down in her second try for Tritton. (1) NORMAN'S MADELINE romped the last time she raced against NW10000L5's back on the 10th of September and gets the pole position to aid her chances. (3) MISS IRISH ROSE A was also victorious in her most recent attempt against NW10000L5's on 9-10 and exits two fourth-place finishes against better.

Race 7 - F&M Open Handicap Pace

(3) PONDER THE ODDS gets the acid test for her form spree tonight as she steps up to the Open. She has won about as impressively as a horse can in her last three, and though Marohn Jr. hops off, I don't have any problem with Bartlett going in the bike. (5) ROBYN CAMDEN is the certified closer in here, and she was rolling home in the lane last Thursday. She kept Marohn Jr. and might get a good setup with speed to the outside. (7) SNOBBYTOWN just missed by a nostril in the Open a week ago in another strong effort and her early speed usually ensures she's on or near the lead.

Race 8 - F&M NW15000L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW10000L5/25000CLM Pace

(1) FEELIN RED HOT ran into the well-meant Ponder The Odds in her last pair and had to settle for second on each occasion. She gets away from that rival tonight and probably needs to take advantage. (6) JUXTA COWGIRL was scratched last Thursday but was racing very well against similar over at Pocono before that, and I'll hope that missing a week hasn't dulled her. (2) ANN HILL returns to an inside post this time and might be able to follow my top selection.

Race 9 - NW8/100000 Trot

(1) STINGLIKE A B K turned in another solid effort last Thursday to finish third at this level. Hopefully Dube is able to protect position from the pole and won't have to do the first-over work again. (7) FULL RIGHTS edged out my top pick for runner-up honors a week ago. He's shown the ability to leave and overcome outside draws before, so that doesn't trouble me much that he's out here. (3) REIGN OF HONOR couldn't navigate the far turn last week and broke stride. I'd expect some sort of equipment tinkering, but this horse has burned plenty of money in the last couple months, and I will continue to try and beat him.

Race 10 - F&M NW15000L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW10000L5/25000CLM Pace

(6) SURREAL FEELING is reunited with Zeron tonight. She closed in 27 and change two back when he drove her, and maybe he sends her given what appears to be a lack of early speed in this race. (3) VORST usually races better in Pennsylvania than she does here at Yonkers, but did come in second and third against NW17500L5's back in late August and early September. (1) DIXIE STAR N has finished second in her last two chances at this level and has the pole position again.