Yonkers: Analysis for Thursday 7/9

MEET STATS: 96 - 263 / $532.80 (+$6.80)

BEST BETS: 15 - 25 / $47.30 (-$2.70)

SPOT PLAYS: 5 - 25 / $29.00 (-$21.00)

BEST BET-BRONZE OVER N (2nd)

SPOT PLAY-FINE DIAMOND (6th)

Race 1 - F&M NW5000L5/Starters for a Base Claiming Price of $12,500 or $10,000 in 1 of Last 2 Starts Pace

(3) SPILLING THE BEANS has a race under her belt now over at Pocono, and I like the early speed she flashed in that race. Similar tactics would serve her well here it appears, and maybe she can wire this group. (1) AMATEUR HOUR should get notice dropping again off a fifth-place finish against NW10000L5's. She is just two for her last 51, though, so I have to try and beat her given the odds she'll probably offer. (5) LINE DANCER drew into tonight's race off the also-eligible list when there was a scratch. She's another one who struggles to find the winner's circle but can be competitive when this low on the class ladder like when she was second on February 20.

Race 2 - F&M NW5000L5/Starters for a Base Claiming Price of $12,500 or $10,000 in 1 of Last 2 Starts Pace

(3) BRONZE OVER N appears to be in a good spot here to take a win as she was a solid second last time out at the Meadowlands in their class that corresponds to this one. She won against better multiple times at Yonkers last year, and I think Brennan will try and take this bunch all the way on the engine. (4) LIVINGINTHEDREAM won a qualifier at Gaitway back on June 2 but hasn't been seen since. She was favored against NW5000L5's in her last start before the racing shutdown, so she probably fits in here. (8) HEAVENS CHALLENGE was in the NW8 class last fall, so this is a much easier spot than that. I don't mind her qualifiers in New Jersey, and maybe Bongiorno will take a shot and try to leave for position.

Race 3 - F&M NW10000L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5 or NW7500L5/Starters for a Base Claiming Price of $20,000 in 1 of Last 2 Starts Pace

(8) OUR MISS REESE comes to Yonkers from Ohio where she won two of her last three starts. She made front from post seven at Scioto three back, so I feel she has enough early foot to get away from the outside draw and will give her a shot. (3) MILLIONDOLLARGEM A raced pretty poorly in Ohio through May and June but made it up to the Preferred level at Yonkers in the Hudson barn earlier this year. Maybe he has the key to her, and I'll bank on some improvement. (1) KEYSTONE NIKKI remains in the same class that she finished second in on the 23rd of June. She could be sharper tonight now that she has made a start off the layoff.

Race 4 - F&M NW27500L5/3&4YO NW10 Pace

(5) LISPATTY finished with a strong last quarter to get third last time out. I'm going to hope she's a little closer to the front tonight and that she retains some of the price she offered. (4) MACHNHOPE won at this level two back and returns to it after one try in the open. Pat Berry has driven and won with her at the Meadowlands before, so he knows her pretty well. (3) ROCKIN THE BOYS A steps up tonight, but that was a strong win in her return off the shelf. Brent Holland might be keen to take advantage of the chance to drive for Andrew Harris with Bartlett not here tonight.

Race 5 - F&M NW17500L5/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW15000L5/Starters for a Base Claiming Price of $30,000 in 1 of Last 2 Starts Pace

(3) FEELIN RED HOT missed out on a chance to race in this class on 6-30 when she was late for Lasix, but comes right back tonight and looks like she'll be tough to beat. She won multiple editions of the open last year at Yonkers, and this is obviously a much easier spot than that. (5) ROSE RUN TONI got up for third in her comeback appearance on June 23. Garcia-Herrera's horses continue to race well at Yonkers and Pocono and are worth a second look right now. (8) MY RUEBE STAR N impressed in both of those wins at the Meadowlands but is stuck with post eight tonight and hikes up in class again. I'll use underneath and keep an eye on her.

Race 6 - NW10000L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5 or NW7500L5/Starters for a Base Claiming Price of $20,000 in 1 of Last 2 Starts Pace

(5) FINE DIAMOND was in a tough race at the Meadowlands when he returned and was handled conservatively. This is a much more reasonable spot tonight, and he had quite a bit of success last year at Yonkers with wins in higher classes than this and one appearance in the open. (1) VAGUE TRACES will attract a lot of attention coming off that race at the Meadowlands where he swept the field. I think he does face a little bit better group tonight, and I'll try and beat him. (3) WIND BLAST comes down to Yonkers tonight rather than race at Saratoga, and maybe that signals he's ready for a strong performance off that good qualifier. He won three of eight races before the shutdown.

Race 7 - NW10000L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW5000L5 or NW7500L5/Starters for a Base Claiming Price of $20,000 in 1 of Last 2 Starts Pace

(1) RONNIES ROCKET gets a soft spot for his return race tonight compared to where he was when last seen at Yonkers last fall. Rich Johnson had a training win on Monday, and I expect Bongiorno to be aggressive from the pole position. (4) TREASURE MACH won his qualifier at Goshen, but that was in late May, so I guess I'll hope he's ready for this race tonight. He went some big trips earlier this year, and won over NW5000L5's in his last try before racing had to cease. (5) ABRAXAS BLUES A normally does his best work at the NW5000L5 level, but this looks like a pretty weak group for this level, so he should be competitive.

Race 8 - NW17500L5/Winner in Last Start of the Base Class NW15000L5/Starters for a Base Claiming Price of $30,000 in 1 of Last 2 Starts Pace

(7) YAYAS HOT SPOT N moves outside on the gate tonight but really dominated in this class back on June 23 and meets up with several in here coming off layoffs. I think he's the one to beat again. (2) SAULSBROOK DEPUTY won over NW15000L5's in February and the horse who finished second in that Gaitway qualifier came back to win at the Meadowlands in his next start. (5) ORILLIA JOE beat Saulsbrook Deputy in that qualifier down at Gaitway, so if you like one, you probably have to include the one as well.