Yonkers: Analysis for Thursday 2/18
MEET STATS: 22 - 80 / $119.80 (-$40.20)
BEST BETS: 6 - 8 / $23.80 (+$7.80)
SPOT PLAYS: 1 - 8 / $4.30 (-$11.70)
BEST BET - ALEXA SKYE (7th)
SPOT PLAY - AMANDEROSA (6th)
Race 1 - F&M NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace
(6) JEWELS FORREAL drops down to the bottom level tonight after a performance against NW7500L5's that saw her gain from eighth to fifth in the final quarter. She's shown more early foot in the past, giving Matt Kakaley, who picked her over another one in here, some options on how to handle her. (3) BULLVILLEKARLA has both class and post relief this week and gets reunited with driver Jim Marohn Jr. (1) COVEREDNDIAMONDS N returns to the inside post on this occasion and also slides down from the optional $15,000 claimers.
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Race 2 - NW6/88000LT Trot
(2) SVF CASH DEPOSIT rallied well to finish second to the in-form Windsong Pioneer last Wednesday and makes his third start over the track tonight. (4) HAYEK raced much better a week ago in his second start for Jenn and Joe Bongiorno, trotting home nicely to win. He gets to remain in the same class here. (6) HUNTING AS has a win and three seconds with Todd McCarthy piloting him, and he's back in the bike again, making him usable.
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Race 3 - F&M NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace
(3) KEYSTONE NIKKI got the nod from Jason Bartlett over a rival in this race, and I will look for improvement as she makes her second start for trainer Andrew Adamczyk from post eight after having the eight-hole in her debut for him last Wednesday. (1) PITTSTOP DANIKA was not Jordan Stratton's choice in this race, but she was a gaining second in the same event my top pick raced in, and she retains the pole position. (5) SANDY'S BEACH kept Stratton and rallied from sixth to third in the last quarter in a NW5000L5 event a week ago. It appears she races much better from off-the-pace, and I have to think that'll be the strategy here.
Race 4 - F&M NW7500L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5/15000CLM Pace
(4) FRANSCHOEK made up some ground and positions in what I think was a pretty high-level NW7500L5 race a week ago. I think she might get some pace to chase in here given some reliable leavers to the outside, and I'll give her a shot. (2) IDEAL CLASSIC drops down from the NW10000L5 class and kept Marohn Jr. in the bike. She's been struggling some lately, but showed the ability to finish third to Alexa Skye in the Open down at Freehold on New Year's Day and second in a NW15000L5 locally on 12-10, so I will include. (8) SALLY FLETCHER A was second in the same race my top pick competed in last Thursday. She has plenty of recent experience racing from outside posts.
Race 5 - F&M NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace
(5) BERAZZLED has raced at and won at Yonkers in the past and hooks up with a beatable group here at the bottom level as she ships down from the Canadian Maritimes. (2) THREEDEE DELIGHT A is just one-for-32 over the past two years but gets Daniel Dube to pilot her again after finishing third with him on January 29. (1) GRANT ME THIS is another win-shy type, but she does often finish underneath, and I will include there.
Race 6 - F&M NW7500L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5/15000CLM Pace
(4) AMANDEROSA receives the post/class relief combo tonight and races out of the red-hot Paul Stafford barn, making her a win threat. (1) SCANDALICIOUS drops after a rallying fourth-place finish against NW10000L5's last Thursday. She's probably the one to beat. (6) COLOR ENVY posted back-to-back second-place finishes in this class in January and did finish with interest in the same race that Scandalicious was in a week ago.
Race 7 - F&M Open Pace
(7) ALEXA SKYE put in an amazing effort at Yonkers two back to finish second despite getting parked all the way from post eight. She dominated in a subsequent appearance at the Meadowlands and doesn't have to start from the eight-hole tonight. (5) SIESTA BEACH scored in an edition of the Open back on 1-21 and has continued to race well since, finishing fourth and third. (6) LADY DELA RENTA A is the Shane Tritton trainee who will participate in the Open this time. She won twice at the level in October of last year.
Race 8 - F&M NW15000L5/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW10000L5/25000CLM Pace
(1) NORTH STAR IDEAL starts from the pole and gets to slide down after a third-place finish in a NW20000L5 race last Thursday. She also meets up with a group that are mostly stepping up in class here. (4) ROBYN CAMDEN didn't have a chance to get involved from post eight a week ago but has a better draw this time, and that puts her in contention, I think. (6) POPPY DRAYTON N was fifth in the same contest my top two picks were in last week. She showed early speed in winning on 1-21, so maybe Jordan Stratton takes a shot and guns out.
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Race 9 - F&M NW10000L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW7500L5/20000CLM Pace
(1) NORMAN'S MADELINE is another Stafford trainee I will put on top tonight. She moves in from post eight to the pole position, and I expect aggressive handling from driver Brent Holland. (5) I'M VERY SPECIAL had to settle for third last Thursday after she got trapped in the pocket going to three-quarters while Angel's Pride made a first-over move into the lead. I'm Very Special was favored in that race, and she'll probably get her share of wagering attention again. (6) DONGAL RUNDLSCRK N lost Marohn Jr. to another one in here, but I've been really impressed with the game fashion in which she's won her last two appearances.
Race 10 - F&M NW16000L5/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW10000L5/25000CLM Pace
(3) WISHY WASHY GIRL will get another shot from me tonight after she was a good second from post seven in this class last Thursday. (2) FEELIN RED HOT won the last time she raced at this level on 11-19 and did perform better a week ago when she was second in a NW20000L5. (1) MACZAFFAIR N romped in her qualifier on 2-12 and had a win and a second in her last two pari-mutuel tries.