Yonkers: Analysis for Thursday 4/15
MEET STATS: 59 - 220 / $354.50 (-$85.50)
BEST BETS: 11 - 22 / $42.40 (-$1.60)
SPOT PLAYS: 2 - 22 / $9.90 (-$34.10)
BEST BET-NORTH STAR IDEAL (5th)
SPOT PLAY-ANNABETH (7th)
Race 1 - F&M NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace
(3) CLASSY CHAPEL N paced home in 28 1/5 last Thursday, which catches my eye. She starts from an improved post this time and picks up the services of Jordan Stratton. (5) CINDERELLA DELIGHT held on to win a week ago in her third start for trainer Jenn Bongiorno. The connections have the mare in for the optional claiming tag again, so she gets to stay at the bottom level. (1) FREE EXCHANGE moves back to an inside draw in her third chance against NW5000L5's. She stuck around to hit the board two starts ago after a two-hole trip.
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Race 2 - NW4/50000LT / NW2 Drawn Inside Trot
(2) DESTINY BLUE CHIP broke her maiden last time out at Woodbine Mohawk Park and now ships down here. She did finish second in a New York Sire Stakes leg a year ago, so there could be some talent here, and while rejected by Stratton, she gets a good replacement in Todd McCarthy. (5) IZZY DEMSKY might be the one to beat here as she makes her first start of 2021. She had three wins and was second in the Excelsior A Series final and hails from the powerful Marcus Melander barn. (4) CATWALK AS miscued a week ago, but she did top NW4 company at Pocono back on March 6, so she's capable of winning if she minds her manners. She was also Stratton's choice over my top pick.
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Race 3 - F&M NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace
(3) AMANDEROSA gives the NW5000L5 class a second try here. She gets to move in from post eight to the three-hole and has Stratton back to drive. (5) ONEIDA BLUE CHIP switched things up to race on the engine last Thursday and delivered. She's in for the claiming tag tonight, so she doesn't have to move up in class. (1) KEENE OLIVIA forged her way into the lead from first-over on April 1 and wound up third. She shifts in to the pole position tonight, and maybe that will result in a smoother trip.
Race 4 - F&M NW7500L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5/15000CLM Pace
(6) ROCKNROLL ANNIE came up just a head short of winning last Thursday after cutting the fractions. She drops down a level tonight, and I will give her another chance. (1) FOX VALLEY CHARLIZ hasn't finished in the top three in any of her recent chances in this class, but she does have the pole position this time and gets reunited with Stratton. (5) NORMAN'S MADELINE took advantage of a chance to face easier foes at Harrah's Philadelphia by scoring an easy win. She's prevailed at this level in the past, so maybe that confidence builder will help her as she comes back north.
Race 5 - F&M NW7501L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5/15000CLM Pace
(1) NORTH STAR IDEAL just squeezed into this class by a dollar since she's earned $7,500 in her last five starts. She was a good second to the sharp Motu Moonbeam N a week ago, and I'll use her, although she won't offer a great deal of value. (2) MORE THAN MANY went off as the favorite when dropped to this level last Thursday but came in fifth after racing from off-the-pace. She shown more early foot recently, so maybe driver Joe Bongiorno will switch tactics. (4) WINDSONG PARISIAN is another Paul Stafford trainee who made her last start at Harrah's Philadelphia, like stablemate Norman's Madeline. She picked up a second-place result against NW6's at Yonkers on March 24, so I think she's a fit here.
Race 6 - F&M NW10000L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW7500L5/20000CLM Pace
(3) BYE BYE MICHELLE got the aggressive drive she usually thrives on last Thursday and won over NW7500L5's. She steps up tonight and loses Jim Marohn Jr. to another one in here, but I don't think this is a super-tough NW10000L5, and hopefully Jason Bartlett keeps the same strategy. (5) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE has teamed with Todd McCarthy for two straight victories and has him back in the bike again tonight. I respect how sharp she is and will include. (1) MOTU MOONBEAM N is another mare that couldn't be going better right now as she's been first or second in six of her last seven tries. She starts for trainer Matt Adamczyk off the claim and moves up. Stratton got the drive and has tallied with her before.
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Race 7 - F&M NW16400L5/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW10000L5/NW9/NW10000L5 Drawn Inside Pace
(1) ANNABETH tallied three back in this class but has had little chance to shine since then as she's been stuck outside. She returns to the pole position here, and I think is worth a shot at what could be a price. (5) FEELIN RED HOT went pretty quick on the front-end in the Preferred last Thursday and faded after being passed by Racine Bell. I think this is a much more reasonable level for her, and she is usable. (3) I'M VERY SPECIAL kicked home in 27 4/5 a week ago and gained ground in the last quarter. I wouldn't mind see her more forwardly-placed, and she gets a pretty aggressive driver in Brent Holland.
Race 8 - F&M NW21250L5/NW10 or 125000LT Pace
(3) BRONSKIMACKENZIE A dominated when she raced in this class on April 1 and picked up a check against Preferred level foes a week ago. (6) GOLDEN QUEST N has performed well this year but has had to settle for second on four occasions. I think she could be favored after being the runner-up in the Preferred last Thursday, and I will attempt to beat her. (5) ROBYN CAMDEN retained Marohn Jr. over Golden Quest N and picked up a confidence building win over NW15000L5's last week. She's shown the ability to win at the Open class in the past, so I don't think this is too tough for her.
Race 9 - F&M NW10000L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW7500L5/20000CLM Pace
(4) ROCKIN THE BOYS A showed a better last quarter a week ago to pass some foes in a pretty tough NW15000L5 race. She drops a level tonight, and I'll put on top. (3) ANGEL'S PRIDE found the NW15000L5's too difficult but cruised to a facile victory the last time she raced in this class. (5) VIBRENT KALLY exits the same race my top selection does, and I think she could improve. Her fourth-place result against NW8's two back was encouraging.