Yonkers: Analysis for Thursday 1/25

2023 MEET STATS: 248 - 945 / $1,616.30 (-$273.70)

2023 BEST BETS: 40 - 91 / $179.90 (-$2.10)

2023 SPOT PLAYS: 16 - 92 / $203.70 (+$19.70)

BEST BET-EUROBOND (6th)

SPOT PLAY-P L OSCAR (3rd)

Race 1 - 40000CLM Trot

(4) QUIKSILVR BLUECHIP hit the board against $50,000 claimers a couple of times late in 2023 at Yonkers and finished out his mile strongly on December 21. (5) SHEENA SOLDIER seemed like he tailed off just a little in December at Yonkers but had some solid efforts versus $50,000 claimers in November, and I will use underneath. (1) NICALO HANOVER shows a couple of easy victories in Pennsylvania in his lines and gets post relief off his last three efforts at Harrah's Philadelphia here.

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Race 2 - Invitational Trot

(1) ROYALTY BEER starts from the pole and has been performing well while near or at the top classes both here and at the Meadowlands for trainer/driver Pat Lachance. (3) CREDIT CON returns to Yonkers off a victory in the Open Handicap out at The Meadows and also took an Open Handicap locally in mid-December. (4) NOWS THE MOMENT closed out a strong 2023 campaign with a win in the Open Handicap at Yonkers on December 21 and kicks off his 9-year-old campaign here.

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

(3) P L OSCAR had two wins at Yonkers in December and then got a check at the top level at the Meadowlands on 1-12 despite a tough trip. Owner/trainer Ricky Bucci had a pair of winners at Yonkers on Monday night (January 22). (2) FOR A DREAMER hit the board in four of his seven outings to complete 2023. He drew well again tonight and gets reunited with Jordan Stratton. (5) EPOS OSTERVANG DK definitely had more underneath finishes than wins last year, and that's where I'll slot him tonight for the powerful duo of Jason Bartlett and Per Engblom.

Race 4 - 3-6YO 30000CLM Pace

(1) MERITO HANOVER doesn't show super form but is a second time starter for trainer Travis Alexander and picks up a catch driver here after competing in amateur events over at the Meadowlands. (4) AS ALWAYS gets post relief tonight after having the ten-hole at the Meadowlands in his last two attempts and had a good closing kick in the final quarter most recently. (2) WORLD FOR TWO ended 2023 in great form except for the one break on December 14 and drew an inside post tonight.

Race 5 - F&M Open Trot

(1) CLEOPATRA AS invades from Ohio for trainer Anette Lorentzon. This 6-year-old mare has three wins and a second in her last five tries, and I think she should fit well in this class. (6) HELPOFTHESEASON went two-for-two in the F&M Open Trot for Bartlett and Engblom and is probably the one they'll have to beat again here. (2) NO TURNING BACK was third to HELPOFTHESEASON at this level on December 21 and gets a driver switch to Yannick Gingras.

Race 6 - NW22651L5/Winners in the Last Start of the Base Class NW15000L5/NW10 PM Races LT/40000CLM Trot

(3) EUROBOND won the last time he raced at this level back in mid-November and is getting significant class relief tonight. (6) YANKS DUGOUT has been idle since October 7 but won his qualifier out at The Meadows and hit the board in the Open Handicap the last time he was at Yonkers in August. (2) DONATO PATRIOT K ships in from The Meadows off a fourth-place result in their Open Handicap on the 12th of January and gets to team up with Joe Bongiorno for the first time in a bit.

Race 7 - 3-6YO 30000CLM Pace

(4) HURRIKANE GEORGIE posted four wins in this class in November and December and I will look for him to pick up where he left off. (1) FULL SUPPORT is another horse who did well at this level late in 2023 and gets to partner with Gingras in this event. (2) ODDS ON PICK SIX got the job done from the eight-hole on 12-21 and begins his 6-year-old season with an inside draw here.

Race 8 - 40000CLM Trot

(3) STEUBEN HANOVER got on a nice roll at Yonkers in November and December before finishing fifth from the eight-hole in his last appearance of 2023. He gets reunited with Gingras from a good post here. (7) IMMANUEL K S drew poorly but is a Bartlett/Engblom combination. He won over NW6 rivals at Yonkers in early November. (4) EMOTIONS RICHES didn't make much of an impact out at The Meadows earlier this month but has often fired when he's come east to Travis Alexander like he does tonight.

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Race 9 - 30000CLM Pace

(2) STATE SENATOR was parked out and lost all chance on 12-30 at the Meadowlands but returns to the Meadowlands here and makes his second start for Engblom. (1) ITALIAN DELIGHT N had five wins and a second at Yonkers to close out 2023. He drew the pole to aid his cause, but does lose Bartlett to my to pick. George Brennan, who had six wins on Monday (January 22) picks up the live call. (7) MOVIN' ON UP invades from Dover and is a first-timer out of the Alexander barn.