Yonkers: Analysis for Tuesday 3/15
MEET STATS: 47 - 170 / $223.10 (-$116.90)
BEST BETS: 6 - 16 / $22.40 (-$9.60)
Best Bet: LYONS STEEL (10th)
Spot Play: PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN (12th)
Race 1: MGM Rewards Gents Leg #2 Pace
(6) CONFIDENCE MAN has raced very well since arriving and has had some excuses for not finding the winner's circle recently. Tough outside post here, but he should be a healthy price if Siegelman can get him in play. (1) BELL'S DAVID was right there last week in the 1:53 1/5 mile; obviously he's logical here. (2) SELECT FRIDAY ships in a week late for the series off a second-place finish at Monticello but these connections need to be respected.
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Race 2: MGM Rewards Gents Leg #2 Pace
(1) PHOENIX OF FLUZZY took care of business at odds-on upon arrival for Burke and he lands in a controlling position again tonight. He'll face a stern test from (4) MAKIN SOME NOISE but I'll give him the call to repeat with the tactical edge. The latter has done little wrong since arriving from Northfield and the lightly-raced 4-year-old is clearly the main threat. Interesting to see who goes off favored here. (2) BOTTLE ROCKET has proven that he's capable of keeping up with these, especially from an inside post.
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Race 3: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
Both (3) MAJOR BEAN and (4) TURBO HILL have had trouble actually getting raced this season but they are both probably a touch better than the rest of these. #3 was a NYSS finalist last year for Cory Stratton and could be a bit tighter than #4, who is coming off a lame scratch. (1) ALEPPO HANOVER figures to be right there throughout as he makes his second start for the Jenn Bongiorno barn but he's been on a long, long losing streak.
Race 4: NW4 races or $50,000 lifetime Pace
Last week I questioned if recent import (8) AMERICANLIGHTNINGN will be live on the board, and I guess I got my answer as the Shane Tritton trainee paid $2.30 to win. Obviously the eight hole presents a major problem but he's worth following up on if he's not overbet again. (3) OHARE HANOVER had too far to come last week but he moves back inside and does have a win and a couple of recent seconds at this level for Whelan. (7) BONDI SHAKE N is another recent import owned and trained by driver Siegelman. He jogged at Freehold in his last start but now faces some adversity from the outside post.
Race 5: MGM Rewards Gents Leg #2 Pace
(2) JET ACE did not threaten in his last few but showed back-to-back wins prior to that; he has a post edge on most of his rivals and figures to be aggressively handled by Bongiorno. (5) BALI BEACH paced okay at the back of the back which was likely a needed start in round one of this series; Stratton charge figures to be more involved tonight. (4) SPORTS SECTION finished willingly last week for Bako/Kakaley and he could show more here.
Race 6: MGM Rewards Gents Leg #2 Pace
(6) PERFECTBOY HANOVER missed a nose in round one to a rival who starts directly inside of him tonight, but he seems equally talented and should offer the better price. (3) BARRYWHITE HANOVER has speed and can secure a close-up trip, possibly in the pocket. (5) SARANAC BLUE CHIP was the one who beat the top choice last week and he goes for three straight overall.
Race 7: NW6 races or $75,000 lifetime Pace
(5) HIGH ST CORRIDOR has looked sharp taking three straight and the Devita trainee may be ready to tackle better. (3) LINNYCALLEDFRANKIE stormed home for the dead-heat win two back at 53/1 but otherwise he's been a bit of a money-burner. Beware of taking too short of a price. (4) SILENT SPLENDOR stopped two back but rebounded nicely last week; he can grab a piece with an alert getaway.
Race 8: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) LA PLAYER N has been a major disappointment since arriving but this is the softest spot he's seen and I expect Brennan to handle him more aggressively. (3) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN also gets class relief and was second best the last two times Bartlett drove. (7) MACH IT SO tried to go down the road in his last two and tired both times; classy veteran with almost $3 million banked may be off the pace tonight and maybe that will work to his advantage.
Race 9: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace
(2) MILLWOOD BONNIE N put in a sub-par effort last out when she gave way under pressure but she goes for another new barn (Height) off the claim and draws well. Assume it's Matt Kakaley driving and not John Kakaley, who is listed. If it isn’t Matt then reconsider. (3) WOODMERE SKYROLLER had the eight hole in her debut at this level and never got involved; obviously the post relief makes a big difference. (1) POPPY DRAYTON N also moves inside and was a winner four back starting from the rail.
Race 10: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) LYONS STEEL could not get involved when stuck in the eight hole in his local return, a race won by Western Joe in 1:51 4/5. Veteran has loads of class and should easily handle these. (1) DIAMONDBEACH moves all the way back inside and will be in line for a live trip. (3) HEISMAN PLAYER debuts for new connections off the $50K claim and shifts to a conditioned event; it's been a long time since he's tasted victory but he likes to hit the board.
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Race 11: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) DELIGHTFUL TERROR rallied for third in his last two at The Meadowlands and the recent $75K claim finds himself at the NW7500 level looking to recoup some of that investment. I'll give him top billing but I'm not running to go bet him. (1) CINNAMACK has been hanging out at the $40K claiming level all season picking up just minor awards. Drop and move inside makes him a major player. (7) PASSA GRILLE BEACH was overmatched in his last two but was second best in a good try the start prior. Hard to say if he'll get involved but he will be a good price.
Race 12: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN put in his best effort in ages last week and hopefully the veteran can build off of that. Zeron should be heading to the front with the 12-year-old. (1) BET YOU managed to pick off a few from the eight hole in his local return and now he moves all the way inside with Bartlett driving again. (3) CLAYTONS BETTOR N was second best two back to a classy rival.