Yonkers: Analysis for Tuesday 2/27
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2024 MEET STATS: 37 - 136 / $239.60 (-$32.40)
BEST BETS: 7 - 11 / $23.10 (+$1.10)
BEST BET: ITTY BITTY (8th)
SPOT PLAY: AYR BALMORAL GB (4th)
Race 1: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) ULTIMAROCA returned from Canada at a reduced level for the Gillis barn and he cruised on the front end. With his class and proven record facing better I don't expect the bump to NW10000 to derail him in any way in his quest to repeat. (7) SPLASH BROTHER is outside again but in a clearly softer spot. We'll be seeing early speed tonight. (4) MIND HUNTER was a good second last week and these connections always have to be feared.
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Race 2: 3-6YO winners 3 not more than 5 or $60,000 lifetime Pace
(4) ITS A ME MARIO proved as a 3YO he could be a stakes-caliber horse going forward and that qualifier certainly makes him appear ready to jump back in to the racing wars with both feet (or all four hooves?). (1) OHOKA LE BRON N was a good second in his U.S. debut and would shock nobody if he was even better tonight. (3) FULL HORSE goes second-time Lasix for Lachance and gets a bit of post improvement; best rest.
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Race 3: Stake Your Claim F&M $20,000 Leg 3 Pace
(5) NUTTINBUTHEBEST impressed in her local debut after arriving from Northfield and the Alexander trainee deserves top billing again. (1) SHEIKH YABOOTY N was outclassed in the $50K series so she drops in price and is in line for a live trip. (4) WHATINEEDISAMAN drops in for a tag after some mixed efforts from the Engblom trainee since arriving from Canada.
Race 4: 2-5YO NW 2 races or $25,000 lifetime Pace
(4) AYR BALMORAL GB is one of the latest British imports for the Burke outfit and that lone qualifier looks effective enough. Wouldn't surprise me if he was ready to go at first asking. (2) STATESIDE DEUCE GB also recently crossed the pond and has the benefit of a trip over this surface, though the Tritton trainee burned money. (8) TIN CUP CHALICE makes his career debut for the Bako barn off a qualifier where he appeared to finish with plenty of pace. I'm sure he'll be trailing throughout but maybe he can make one late run to pick off a few horses.
Race 5: 3-6YO winners 3 not more than 5 or $60,000 lifetime Pace
(2) TRAIN STATION faces some talented rivals in here but he's coming in off of two impressive scores and Bartlett sticks with him. (1) VICI does have controlling speed and he moves all the way inside. (4) VENTURESOME ARDEN N was very sharp winning in 1:53 3/5 last start but take into considerations he's been missing for three weeks.
Race 6: Stake Your Claim F&M $20,000 Leg 3 Pace
(3) BLUEBIRD GRAF returned to Yonkers for this claiming series and totally turned things around taking two straight in uncovered fashion. Without a ton of speed signed on in here Brennan may opt to take control early. (1) SHOTGUN PERSUASION goes for another new barn now off last week's claim and the Llopez trainee fits well and moves in to the rail. (7) PRINCESS ARONA has Bartlett driving again for Engblom and we should see a price on this mare who was a good second in her first try in this series.
Race 7: Stake Your Claim F&M $50,000 Leg 3 Pace
(7) YS SENSATIONALCITY loses Bartett to the probable favorite in #2 but she gets Holland off an open-lengths score last week and he's good at firing off the gate. If not used to hard or ends up too far back I think she's capable of an upset. (2) TERACITA was used hard last start and faltered to third for the second time in this series but the Engblom still feels like the one to beat. (1) OKINAWA BEACH A has missed time with an injured scratch and that's never a good sign but when right this mare has a strong closing kick.
Race 8: Stake Your Claim F&M $20,000 Leg 3 Pace
(1) ITTY BITTY had loads of back class though she's been just ordinary for an extended period of time. Maybe the barn change off the Engblom claim wakes her up. Wouldn't surprise me in the least. (4) LOOKATMYART tried the 50's last week and faltered. Back at the $40K level makes her more of a player. (2) SUNSET SOPH was a winner last out at 15/1 and figures to offer a price again.
Race 9: Stake Your Claim F&M $20,000 Leg 3 Pace
(3) PLEASURE SEEKER dominated last week and has been the shining star of the Koch barn. She's been good from both on and off the pace and from this spot I expect her to be 'on'. (5) ON THE MONEY GB enters with a tag for Burke, and that barn knows just where to place their stock. Bongiorno picks up the drive and is a player. (1) ACEFORTYFOUR ALEX begins her 2024 campaign looking to improve on the 1 for 38 last year, though she was a solid earner with over $72K banked. Laterza veteran is in for a lower tag than she usually is.
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Race 10: Stake Your Claim F&M $50,000 Leg 3 Pace
(2) LA BELLA VITA N was collared late in her local return but I liked the midrace move from the Bako trainee. Post edge on most of her rivals gives her the edge. (4) VIBRANCE dropped out of this series last week and was dead game beating NW foes; similar effort makes her tough. (6) ONEDERFULBEACH goes for three straight on the engine for Bartlett/Engblom.
Race 11: Stake Your Claim F&M $20,000 Leg 3 Pace
(4) DREAM DANCING enters her fourth barn in as many starts and has won three of five races; Forte trainee faces a soft field and will look to take care of business. (3) PHELGON draws a slightly improved post and figures to be coming from fourth or fifth, but close enough to reach for a piece. Mare picks up Marohn Jr, making his seasonal Yonkers debut. (5) CHARMING VIXEN was an okay third last week, could round out the rest again.
Race 12: Stake Your Claim F&M $50,000 Leg 3 Pace
(5) SUGAR BRITCHES is proven at this level while the other likely favorite in here is not. Engblom mare may look like she's tailed off a bit but this is a spot to get well, likely on or just off the lead. (4) PARADISE ROCK L has raced well for these connections after the $20K claim and doesn't have a ton to beat to get up for second. Both (8) CALLMEQUEENBEE A and (7) CORAL BELLA have been winners in the $50K claiming class but are in tough spots here. Maybe one of them can get into 3rd or 4th at a big price.