Yonkers: Analysis for Thursday 10/2

MEET STATS: 174 - 781 / $1,328.16 (-$233.84)
BEST BETS: 40 - 79 / $166.32 (+$8.32)
SPOT PLAYS: 6 - 79 / $56.50 (-$94.20)
BEST BET - DRIBBLING BI (3rd)
SPOT PLAY - OLIVER THE GREAT (8th)

Race 1 - F&M 20000CLM Pace

(1) HARPER SEELSTER didn't have a very good trip last week and tired but was racing well prior to that and starts from post one tonight. (6) NORTHERN HALO went a long way on the lead before she wound up second a week ago and got the nod from Jason Bartlett over a couple others. (3) WOODMERE HARRIET disappointed last Thursday as a heavy favorite but had two impressive victories on 9-10 and 9-18 and debuts for new connections off a claim.

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Race 2 - 25000CLM Pace

(3) ALEX TYE gained from off-the-pace when he dropped to this class a week ago and gets some post relief this time. (1) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH overcame a parked-out trip to win last Thursday. He slides in from post five to the pole position and debuts for new connections off a claim. (4) HEAVE AWAY steps up from the age-restricted $20,000 claimers but has won five of his last seven starts. He is a first-timer for a high-percentage stable off a claim and gets reunited with George Brennan.

Race 3 - NW30000L5 / NW12 PM Races LT / 75000CLM Trot

(3) DRIBBLING BI drops out of the Invitational and moves in a couple of slots on the gate. Back-to-back 27 and change last quarters tell me he's sharp and should appreciate the class relief. (4) ASTEROID won in his comeback last Thursday at Harrah's Philadelphia and defeated NW20000L5 company when last seen at Yonkers on 6-19. (5) THE HAZELTON has a win and a runner-up finish in his last two appearances at this level and trainer Ron Burke continues to send out lots of live horses.

Race 4 - Invitational Trot

(3) FERRETTI just missed after sitting the pocket in a slow pace two back and then trailed and wound up on bad cover last week before he showed trot in the lane. Hopefully the trip finally all comes together tonight from a good post as he is sharp. (5) SIR PINOCCHIO has been a winner the last two times he's raced in the Invitational and is definitely a contender again here. (6) ANTOGNONI S returns off a win in the free-for-all at Woodbine Mohawk Park and has had plenty of success at Yonkers this year. He did struggle in the Miecuna on 9-13, though, and I'll take a swing against him for the top spot based on that.

Race 5 - NW20000L5 / Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW15000L5 / NW10 PM Races LT / 60000CLM Trot

(1) KEG STAND has a post relief/class drop combo tonight and was a gaining second at this level on 9-11. (3) DIAMANTE TRIO IT exits some tougher spots and her early speed off the gate is always dangerous when she's at her best. (6) CREDIT CON was third against NW30000L5's two back and makes his third start for leading trainer Per Engblom. He also gets reunited with Bartlett.

Race 6 - 40000CLM Trot

(8) CHIPPER DALE will have to overcome the eight-hole but drops after one try against optional $60,000 claimers and won at this level on both 9-4 and 9-11. (1) CRAZYLAND starts from the pole and has the potent Bartlett/Engblom combo behind him, but was a non-threatening fourth at 3-5 a week ago. I have to try and beat him based off that. (5) AIRMANS JACKPOT gained in the stretch after ending up too far back last Thursday. She's had plenty of success at Yonkers before and appears usable.

Race 7 - 3-6YO 20000CLM Pace

(5) EVER M remained on a nice run of form with a second-place effort in this class last Thursday and he moves in on the gate from the eight-hole. (1) PINK FLOYD HANOVER hasn't missed the exacta since he joined the Jeff Cullipher stable in early September and starts from the pole position. (2) MINOTAUR makes his third start for trainer Cory Stratton and was an even third from the pocket a week ago.

Race 8 - NW24131L5 / Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW15000L5 / NW10 PM Races LT / 60000CLM Trot

(6) OLIVER THE GREAT slides down from the NW30000L5 level and has shown much more early speed in the past than he has in his last three efforts. (1) DELAYED HANOVER steps up but does so off a handy victory on International Trot Day and starts from the pole position. (2) ESCAPER was racing well in the top class at Running Aces in Minnesota and gets significant post relief off his last three appearances out there.

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Race 9 - 40000CLM Trot

(5) WILLY WALTON comes in with back-to-back victories and I'll give him the nod again tonight as he was Tyler Buter's choice and he hails from the Burke stable. (6) CANTSTOP YANKEE hasn't won since back in late July but has hit the board in five of his last seven tries overall. I'll toss him in underneath. (2) PEDAL ON METAL was third against $40,000 claimers in his last outing and owns a victory on 8-21. He has a post advantage on the other logical ones in here.

Race 10 - 15000CLM Pace

(6) HOOSIER CELEBRITY won the last time he faced $15,000 claimers back in mid-July and has been facing tougher $20,000 claiming company since then. (1) MUSCLE BART A was a handy victor in his debut for these connections on September 17 and slides in from post five to the pole position. (3) CONTROL GROUP gets some post relief in his second appearance for trainer Joe Bongiorno and partners with Bartlett again.