Yonkers: Analysis for Thursday 10/9

MEET STATS: 177 - 801 / $1,355.50 (-$246.50)
BEST BETS: 41 - 81 / $173.12 (+$11.12)
SPOT PLAYS: 7 - 81 / $80.68 (-$81.32)
BEST BET - ON THE VIRG (10th)
SPOT PLAY - LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK (2nd)

Race 1 - 25000CLM Pace

(2) KARLOO BRADLEY N moves in on the gate from post seven to the two-hole in his debut for a stable that often does well with first-timers and shows prior success in this class. (5) BURNHAM BOY N overcame post eight to win in his last appearance on 9-27 and now has four victories and two thirds overall in his last six outings. Add in post relief, and he's a threat again. (6) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N has been racing well with seven consecutive results in the exacta and has been popular at the claim box as well. Colin Kelly gets the drive tonight as George Brennan was listed but opted for BURNHAM BOY N.

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Race 2 - F&M 20000CLM Pace

(6) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK tallied two back in this class and then closed with pace from the eight-hole last Wednesday. Hopefully getting to move in a couple of slots on the gate keeps her a little closer and she fires home again. (5) DISTANT LOVER is the sharpest horse in here and comes in off another victory at this level. Dennis Laterza sends her out this time off a claim. (1) EMDOUBLEAKAY was second to DISTANT LOVER on 10-1 and also overcame post seven to post a runner-up result prior to that. She starts from the pole tonight, and I'll toss in underneath.

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

(6) ETERIA IT will have to overcome post six, but she won in the F&M Invitational last time out, and I'm going to trust she gets put in play. (1) MISSISSIPPI STORM picked up checks in two tries in the Invitational and now drops down to the level of his last win. (3) ASTEROID finished second in this class last week and got the nod from Jason Bartlett over a Per Engblom trainee, which is usually noteworthy.

Race 4 - NW20000L5 / Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW15000L5 / NW10 PM Races LT / 60000CLM Trot

(2) OLIVER THE GREAT gave it a great try at 35-1 last week, and while he won't be nearly that price again, I'll give him another chance as he also gets post relief here. (4) GOLDEN RAIN S was the runner-up in this class when last seen on 9-25 and does get to partner again with Bartlett for Engblom. (3) KEG STAND has hit the board in five of his last seven outings between here and Harrington, including a pair of seconds at this level.

Race 5 - 3-6YO 20000CLM Pace

(4) THAT DOG WILL HUNT raced well down at Harrah's Philadelphia in his last outing when he went on Lasix. Add in that he's had plenty of success at Yonkers before, and I'll give him the nod. (2) CONTACT ZONE has gotten sharp again with on-the-board results in his last two tries and he drew another inside post. (3) I'M THE PRINCE tired from the pocket in his most recent start but was a good second against open $25,000 claimers prior to that and won the last time he was in this class back on August 9. He also gets a driver switch to Kelly.

Race 6 - 40000CLM Trot

(4) INFINITY STONE qualified back fine against pacers on 9-26 and was facing tougher optional $60,000 claimers before he went on the bench. I'll look for him to fire right away and give him top call. (2) CANTSTOP YANKEE hasn't won in a while but has hit the board in five of his last seven appearances and gets significant post relief. (1) PEMBROKE REGAL just missed in another quality performance on September 25 and starts from post one.

Race 7 - Invitational Trot

(4) GHOSTLY CASPER hasn't been seen since the Bob Miecuna Invitational on 9-13 but was third at long odds in that test and won two straight prior to that. I'll trust he's ready and use on top. (3) CECIL HANOVER didn't have any difficulty stepping up to the Invitational on 9-25 as he was second to a heavy favorite and gets reunited with Bartlett for Engblom. (2) DIRE STRAITS seems to fare better against NW30000L5 company than he does in the Invitational but starts from an inside post and was third on August 28.

Race 8 - 15000CLM Pace

(5) NEYREIT cruised on the front-end last Wednesday and it appears he could be the controlling speed in this race as well. (1) COLD CREEK FELIPE rallied to win over $15,000 claiming company on October 1 and has had plenty of other success at Yonkers in the past. He was also Jordan Stratton's choice over a couple of others. (3) DEEDENUTO A has hit the board in this class the last three times he's drawn well, including a 15-1 upset on the 20th of September.

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Race 9 - 40000CLM Trot

(1) JAS BLUESTONE miscued on the first turn last Thursday but was racing very well prior to that and gets significant post relief. He also gets a driver switch to Stratton. (4) WILLY WALTON comes in with three straight victories and it's hard to overlook anything Ron Burke is sending out to the track right now period. (7) CRAZYLAND moves out from post one to the seven-hole but won handily a week ago for the Bartlett/Engblom duo.

Race 10 - 15000CLM Pace

(1) ON THE VIRG joins a high-percentage stable off the claim, starts from the pole and gets Bartlett. I'll give him the nod. (8) MUSCLE BART A faces an eight-hole start here but has a win and a second in two outings for his current connections. (3) CENTURY IGLESIAS hit the board at long odds on both 8-30 and 9-6 and I'm hoping can do the same here as he gets a chance to team up with Tyler Buter.