Yonkers: Analysis for Tuesday 1/23

2023 FINAL MEET STATS: Too embarrassing to publish…let’s turn it around this year!

BEST BET: ADAM TWELVE (7^th)

SPOT PLAY: BEN SOLO (5^th)

Again it's a bit of a guessing game with most horses off a month or more. Let's watch for the live barns the first couple of nights and go from there...

Race 1: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace

(6) BETTER B CHEVRON has plenty of back class, seems to fit well at this level and picks up leading driver Bartlett. (8) GET ANSWERS ships in for Burke and is probably fresher than the rest. 8 hole is the problem. (1) CORAL BELLA has been way off her game but maybe the six weeks off did her some good. Mare does have speed and the rail.

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Race 2: 2-5YO NW2 races or $25,000 lifetime Pace

(1) ISHOTTHESHERIFF GB arrives from England and the lightly-raced gelding looks ready to go off those two Freehold qualifiers. (5) TRAIN STATION goes out third-time in the Engblom barn, which is on fire to start the year. (3) MIDNIGHT THUNDER gets a big upgrade with the catch-driving Kakaley.

Race 3: NW20501 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) SHINE A LIGHT gets the call here strictly on trainer angle. (4) GROOVY JOE was a winner in his 2023 finale, steps up a notch and has an unknown trainer listed instead of Cullipher. (5) HEMSWORTH N is a proven talent but draws worst.

Race 4: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace

(1) SHEIKH YABOOTY N crushed at Freehold in her first start for the Jenn Bongiorno barn and is tough to look past. (4) ALWAYS B MIMI has the Engblom/Bartlett connection and is well-spotted here. (3) LOOKATMYART shows a win four back at the $50K claiming level and now drops in price.

Race 5: 3-6YO NW5 races or $60,000 lifetime Pace

(6) BEN SOLO showed good speed but no stamina in two local starts towards the end of 2023 but he rolled on the front end in two straight at Monti and deserves another try back at Yonkers. (1) VICI has raced well in two local starts for Team Bongiorno. (5) FLIRTIN JK recently moved to the Burke outfit and looked very strong winning two straight at The Big M then suffered some sort of equipment issue here and pulled up. I guess we can toss that most recent line as Gingras is back aboard.

Race 6: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace

(5) BRONZE OVER N was competitive at this claiming level for Cory Stratton before two rather dull tries across the river doesn't leave often but there is some tactical speed there and this looks like a good spot to try moving forward off the gate. (3) SEZANA N is one of many Bucci trainees who stayed fresh with a recent start at The Meadowlands; mare has won versus similar in the past. (8) TUAPEKA JESSE N gets a mention due to the connections but is stuck in the eight hole.

Race 7: NW20301 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) ADAM TWELVE ended his 3YO campaign on a big run going five for seven with two runner up finishes after moving to Engblom; Yannick was the one with the regular driving assignment and he's back aboard tonight. (1) OCEAN RIDGE N closed out the year with two straight wins at Philly. (3) BLANK STARE has also been in nice form and he faces a bit softer here than his last try.

Race 8: NW16131 in last 5 starts Pace

Like his stablemate Covered Bridge, (6) FUNATTHEBEACH N returns from Canada with a recency edge on many of his rivals and is clearly the best here, but may need a trip. (4) LYRICAL GENIUS A is a recent import for Cory Stratton who has hinted at serious ability; Kakaley picks up the catch drive here and he may be a good fit with these. (7) AMERICAN CLASSIC didn't look all that special in a few starts here for Burke but last out he sailed down the road at The Meadowlands in 1:50 flat.

Race 9: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace

(4) SHOTGUN PERSUASION ended 2023 on a high note for the Alexander barn and she looks like one of many in here with a legit chance, and should offer a little value. (2) SALE EL SOL has been crazy-sharp for the Bako barn and does look like a deserving favorite but not that enticing at a short price. (6) TERACITA is in the mix every start for Engblom but she's got speed inside of her tonight.

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Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

Lackluster field here where nobody shows a win over the last few months. I'll go with the second-time Burke, first time Gingras angle with (4) JOHNNY BADLANDS. (1) HEISMAN PLAYER is better than his record indicates, draws best. (2) CIGAR SMOKING TONY set a life mark of 1:49 3/5 at Pocono as one of his three 2023 wins.

Race 11: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace

(1) PARADISE ROCK L is yet another Engblom trainee with Bartlett driving who lands in a winning spot and gets the call. (5) MEADOWBROOK JENNY has taken two of three on the engine in the top class at Monti and returns to Yonkers looking to keep it rolling. (2) PINK RUBY closed nicely for the win last start at The Big M, her first for her new connections after arriving from Hoosier. Chris Choate trainee has hit the board in 32 of 44 lifetime.

Race 12: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) C BET HANOVER grinded out a solid 2023 campaign with just under $100K earned; Ford trainee freshened nicely in that last start at Club Med. (5) PRICELESS BEACH is the class here and the Bako trainee is the most logical. (4) IM A POWERPLAY N has good speed and a good spot to show it off; was a winner two back versus lesser with Yannick in the bike.