Yonkers: Analysis for Tuesday 8/1
?q=100){kind=logo}
2023 MEET STATS: 280 - 802 / $1,347.50 (-$256.40)
BEST BETS: 45 - 75 / $141.70 (-$8.30)
BEST BET: MY MIKI BEACH (9th)
SPOT PLAY: SHUFFLE UP HANOVER (8th)
Race 1: Pop Up Pace Final - 1 1/4 miles
(3) LOUS THE ATTITUDE has been as consistent as they come since he shipped down from Canada and joined the Engblom barn. Stratton drives tonight with Bartlett out of town and he'll likely be sitting just off the pace and has the added distance to work with as he'll try to roll by late. (2) HURRIKANE JONNYBOY is coming off a career-best race but that may make him overbet here and why take a short price in such a competitive field? (5) UP THE CREEK is the third of the obvious contenders as he too has been almost perfect since moving to the Bongiorno barn.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: F&M $20,000/$25,000 Claiming Pace
Competitive affair for five horses, so why take a chalk? (1) SHOTGUN PERSUASION put in a good effort to be second best in her debut off the Bucci claim and she lands in a spot where Holland will be aggressive and maybe he tries going down the road. (3) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE has been racing well at the lower-level events and debuts for Devita off the claim; he'll be sent off the gate and will either be released by #1 or sit just in behind. (4) HP XANADU was in tough last start; this class seems more to her liking.
Race 3: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) WHATS STANLEY GOT A has been racing exclusively at The Meadowlands since arriving from Austrailia and he's been pretty live with the trainer Cory Stratton driving. Now he tries the half and brother Jordan takes the lines. Definitely worth a try if not overbet. (2) JUDDY DOUGLAS A can't find the winner's circle at Yonkers but he keeps teasing us by being close. Joe B gets the drive tonight and he does deserve respect from this spot. (1) BETTORBUCKLEUP is probably best a level or two down but he's got consistent last-quarter action and figures to hit the ticket again.
Race 4: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace
(6) OURLITTLEMIRACLE has been just okay recently but trainer Bako and connections dipped in for $60K to claim her off of Burke. She has shown speed on occasion and if Bongiorno gets aggressive with her she may find her way into the pocket behind likely favorite (4) FEELIN RED HOT. The latter has been a solid earner here for years and her game is taking fields wire-to-wire. (2) CORAL BELLA was sent from the outside post last week and folded up. Stratton gets the drive tonight and he's done well with her in the past; mare should be stalking the speed from close up.
Race 5: 3-5YO NW4 races or $50,000 lifetime Pace
(3) JOHNNY SACK has won half his starts this year after going 0 for 10 as a freshman; Schnittker trainee gets Brennan with the catch drive tonight and will be pointed to the front. (2) HUNTING ZONE never got close last week chasing a 1:51 1/5 mile; post relief should make him a player. (4) METAL MAN broke at 1/5 the last time he was in an overnight race here; use caution.
Race 6: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) THINKBIG DREAMBIG raced well in in two Monticello starts this year as he's on the comeback trail. We know the class is there as the now 8YO used to be a top-notch pacer. (5) CAN B PERFECT found a soft spot last out and jogged; he steps back up a notch off what could be a confidence-building victory. (2) MONTANA STORM N drops again and gets post relief as the Croghan-trained import makes his third U.S. start. We should see what he's got tonight.
Race 7: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace
The big names in this class landed outside tonight so I'll look at newcomer (3) AMINI, who was a dominant winner up at Tioga in three straight after moving to the Rob Harmon barn. Maybe she's good enough to go with these. (5) COWGIRL LILLY is back with Bako off the claim and though she hasn't won recently she's the model of consistency. (8) GOLDEN QUEST N and (7) MIKI ROSE are two mainstays in this class but the outside posts severely hurt their chances. Both should offer value, however.
Race 8: 3-5YO NW2 races or $25,000 lifetime Pace
(4) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER crushed a NW1 class upon arrival for Engblom; let's see if he's got more in the tank. (3) LOOTABLE finished third in her two local starts and Dube figures to have him close to the pace. (1) TRAIN STATION takes a break from the NYSS and the Chris Ryder trainee was third here two back in that stakes event with Patrick Ryder at the controls. Rail draw and seemingly softer competition gives him a chance.
[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]
Race 9: 3-5YO NW7 races or $75,000 lifetime Pace
(5) MY MIKI BEACH was first-time Brennan last week and he went wire-to-wire for a long-overdue win. Dilloian trainee will be firing early looking to double up. (3) JUST BET IT ALL was overmatched in the Adios elim and his prior start here he failed at 2/5 odds. 3YO has been stakes-placed all season so you figure he's talented enough to go with these. (4) JK GOING WEST was a good second in his last local try and he's left the gate in all Yonkers starts. If Holland can make the lead and release #5 that should make for a good trip.
Race 10: 3-5YO NW2 races or $25,000 lifetime Pace
(2) ROCKINFORREAL is 0 for 14 on the season but he has a couple of recent runner-up finishes. Brennan gets the drive tonight and maybe he improves with the fresh set of hands. (4) CAN'T SWAY ME is also winless on the year with an ugly 0 for 16 record and only three on-the-board finishes but he hails from good connections and does get post relief after being stuck in the eight hole last week. (5) T DOG appears to have some talent for Mike Kimelman but I would have liked to see a catch-driver listed.
Race 11: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) EUPHORIA N was put on the front last week and was able to rate a kind pace and had plenty left to score. Vallee import faces better tonight but lands the rail with the aggressive Holland driving again. He should be no worse than the pocket here. (4) BACKSTREET SHADOW was second best to a sharp winner last week when sent off at 1/5 from the seven hole. Considering he was a strong Borgata contender earlier this year you would think he would be able to handle these, but even if he does he won't offer much of a price. (3) YOROKOBI N has five consecutive sharp final-quarter times and should be more of a factor here with the post improvement.