Yonkers: Analysis for Thursday 1/28

MEET STATS: 12 - 40 / $76.70 (-$3.30)

BEST BETS: 2 - 4 / $11.40 (+$3.40)

SPOT PLAYS: 1 - 4 / $4.30 (-$3.70)

BEST BET-BYE BYE FELICIA (9th)

SPOT PLAY-ANN HILL (6th)

Race 1 - F&M NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace

(4) KEYSTONE NIKKI scored determinedly from first-up last Thursday in this class and is entered for the optional claiming tag tonight, so she gets to stay in it here. Trainer Ken Koch continues to send out live horses. (5) DD DELICIOUS hasn't won in a while but her last appearance against NW5000L5's was promising, and she gets reunited with driver Matt Kakaley. (1) MOTU MOONBEAM had to settle for second behind the well-meant Girls Got Rhythm a week ago. Her good fortune at the draw continues as she has the pole position again, and I'd expect her to get bet.

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Race 2 - NW4/50300LT Trot

(6) FATHER DUNN got off to a slow start last week, and that left him with too much work to do. He did finish out his mile well again, so I think he's worthy of another chance. (1) CONTEXT has a class drop tonight, moving down off a rallying third-place performance against NW7's. She also moves in from post six to the pole position. (3) HUNTING AS owns a win and a second at Yonkers against NW4's with Todd McCarthy steering him, and he gets another chance to be piloted by him.

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Race 3 - F&M NW7500L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5/15000CLM Pace

(6) AFFLUENT SEELSTER lost Scott Zeron to another one in here, but I think this is a much more reasonable spot for her than the NW6's and NW8's she's faced so far in 2021, and the Paul Stafford barn has been off to a fine beginning to the meet. (4) WINDMEUPNWATCHMEGO defeated NW5000L5's at Yonkers handily when last seen here on 12-10 and finished fifth against the likes of Alexa Skye in the Open at Freehold two back. (1) ONEIDA BLUE CHIP ships up from Pompano Park off a win. That looks like it might have been a lesser group, but I respect the early foot she showed in that race, especially since she gets paired with a good front-end driver like Dan Dube tonight from the pole position.

Race 4 - F&M NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace

(5) ASHTINI couldn't have gotten a better trip last Thursday, but she just couldn't get by Keystone Nikki in the lane. Zeron gets a chance with her tonight since Jason Bartlett isn't driving, and I'll give her another opportunity. (2) CHASE YOU scored her last win in the NW5000L5 class here on 11-24 and both drops and gets significant post relief in her return to the oval. (1) SHE'S A BILLIONAIR drew the pole after having the six-hole and post seven in her last two appearances at Freehold and Yonkers. I think she can follow along and hit the board.

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

(2) THE CHARGING MOA N closed from eighth to third from the eight-hole against NW12100L5's a week ago. She gets class relief tonight, draws significantly better, and is on a regular rotation after having a gap in her schedule prior to last Thursday's effort, making her quite attractive. (4) CRYSTAL SPARKLES N got the nod from Zeron over several others and might show improvement tonight after having made her first start of 2021 seven nights ago. (5) JEWELS FORREAL was one of the mares in here Zeron booked off. She is in a more favorable spot tonight after facing off against NW10000L5's both here and at Harrah's Philadelphia in her last three tries.

Race 6 - F&M NW7500L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5/15000CLM Pace

(6) ANN HILL dropped down to this class last Thursday and rallied from eighth to fourth in the last quarter. She gets to move inside a couple notches on the gate tonight and is another potential winner for trainer Ken Koch on the program. (4) ANGEL'S PRIDE looks more attractive as a win threat here as she exits the NW12100L5 level and gets out of the eight-hole. (1) LEMON ZEST is another class and post relief candidate in this event. If she could put in an effort like that second-place finish to NW6's on 12-22, that'd make her tough.

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Race 7 - F&M Open Handicap Pace

(8) ALEXA SKYE has to overcome post eight tonight, but she did that trick twice at Freehold prior to winning the local Open on 1-14. She has such a versatile racing style and is so sharp right now, I think she will be able to do it. (1) MONICA GALLAGHER showed her improved form against lower classes was no fluke last Thursday as she finished third in the Open after taking the lead from first-over. She might be able to just slide through from the pole position into a very good trip. (6) SIESTA BEACH was pounded down to the public choice in the Open a week ago and delivered her first victory at the level. I found it a bit surprising Zeron went elsewhere, but she ends up in the capable hands of Kakaley.

Race 8 - F&M NW20000L5/F&M NW15000L5/30000CLM/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW10000L5 Pace

(4) BETTERB CHEVRON N picked up a fourth-place check in the Open last Thursday and exits that class tonight. She's shown the ability to win on the lead and to rally effectively, as well, giving Zeron options. (5) SEASWIFT JOY N had to work hard to get to the point from post seven in the Open a week ago and paid the price in the last quarter. She had been racing well prior to that, so I'll look for her to rebound. (6) IMPRINCESSGEMMA A is the third one in here retreating from the Open. She won in game fashion from first-over two back, and this race looks more like that one did.

Race 9 - F&M NW15101L5/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW10000L5/25000CLM Pace

(2) BYE BYE FELICIA appeared to have pace behind horses a week ago but never found room to do anything with it. She meets up with a number of horses stepping up in class tonight, and I think Joe Bongiorno might be pretty keen on putting her on the front. (6) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE might need a drop before she's more of a win threat, but she has surprised in the past and finished her mile with some interest in the same race my top pick comes out of. (3) NORMAN'S MADELINE is another mare who isn't at her preferred level, but she's another Stafford pupil on the card, and she does start from an improved post.

Race 10 - F&M NW10000L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW7500L5/20000CLM Pace

(5) MACZAFFAIR N receives additional class relief tonight after finishing second as the favorite against NW16150L5's last Thursday. I think she'll be pretty tough in here and might be on the lead. (1) ANNABETH picked up a confidence-boosting victory over NW7500L5's a week ago. She hikes up a notch off that result but just missed by a nose in a NW10000L5 two back. (4) CORAL BELLA gets the drop she's been looking for as she had two seconds and a third against NW10000L5's last fall.