Yonkers: Friday 4/19 Analysis
Best Bet: ROCKSTAR ANGEL A (3rd)
Spot Play: HEEZ ORL BLACK N (4th)
MEET STATS: 17 - 44 / $97.50 (+$9.50)
BEST BETS: 2 - 4 / $5.40 (-$2.60)
SPOT PLAYS: 2 - 4 / $10.00 (+2.00)
Race 1
(3) STRATOCASTER is back at Yonkers after racing for a while at Saratoga Harness. Gets back to claiming company here after a try at the open level up north off a sick scratch. Should benefit from that race and has been racing well all year. (1) INSPIRATION VIEW heads to the high-percentage Harris barn after being claimed for the third straight race. Does take a hike up from 20s to 25s here, but he's sharp and has the pole. (2) ER ROCK MY WORLD also changes barns off a win against lower claimers, going to Berkeley. Got a vote of confidence from Bartlett as his choice of three.
Race 2
(5) DOG GONE LUCKY returns to Westchester after bumping against some stern foes in Pennsylvania in his last two. Was sharp at Yonkers back in February and March and is back at the level of his last win. (2) FASHION CREDITOR takes the plunge from the Opens to NW20000L5, where he scored a victory on March 29. Picks up the services of Bartlett, which only helps his cause. (4) DW'S NY YANK was unpressured on the lead again last week and couldn't hold on. Did retain Brennan over two others, including my top pick
Race 3
(1) ROCKSTAR ANGEL A gets to drop again off a decent effort against the NW30000L5 class. With the pole position and Bartlett taking over, I see her getting the victory, likely at short odds. (4) LIVINGINTHEDREAM entered for the tag again, so she sticks at this level. Was a good second last week after landing a pocket trip, and I could envision a similar trip this week. (2) DUDESALADY also returns to this level for the first time since winning at it on March 29. Was Brent Holland's choice of two in the race.
Race 4
(2) HEEZ ORL BLACK N got caught up in an early speed duel last week where they went 25 4/5 to the quarter, yet managed to still hang around for third while the rest of the speed crumbled. In his start before that he got parked the mile, so he has to be due for a smoother journey. Draws well again, gets to cut back to the traditional mile distance, and this race is absolutely wide-open. (1) DOCTOR BUTCH has been burning money at higher levels, including on April 1, and takes another drop tonight. Have to think the millionaire gets back on the right foot. (5) MILITARY MASTER A is another one in search of a wake-up call as he continues to slide down the class ladder. Stratton gets back in the bike, and this horse is another one getting to cut back from a mile and a sixteenth race to the mile.
Race 5
(6) BETTOR ROCK ON N just missed last week, and I have to go right back to him off that strong closing try. Doubt he'll be 15-1 again, but hopefully he'll retain some of that price. (4) ABNER THE GREAT was trying to leave strongly last week and broke going into the first turn. Got claimed out of that race and goes for Kesmodel for the first time. Retains Dube, who knows him best, and has had plenty of success with him. (5) RURAL ART just held off my top pick after a first-over blitz into the lead. That was obviously a very good effort, but I'll try to beat him again tonight.
Race 6
(1) CHESTNUT SCHOFIELD stays at this same level he just won at last Friday night and gets the rail this time. Look for him to take advantage. (2) DEO drops slightly in his second start for Garcia-Herrera. Did finish with some interest against the tougher company last week and all his prior efforts at this level were rock solid. (5) CRAZYCAT is back at Yonkers for the first time since February after racing at Saratoga Harness and Pocono. Good second last out against opens at Saratoga, but he usually finds this level in Westchester a bit too tough.
Race 7
(1) AMBRO COURAGE N has had difficulty stringing two good performances together this year, but that was a great try from post six on April 5, and now she gets an inside draw for the first time in 2019. Looks like a field she might be able to wire. (3) QUEEN JOSEPHINE closed well against tougher company last week, but she hasn't been able to win against NW20000L5's recently, either, and I'm going to bank on that not changing. (6) LAKEISHA HALL continues to slide down the ladder. Didn't take advantage of the pole last week when she came up empty and now heads out to post six.
Race 8
(5) ARTIFACT HANOVER found himself in a tough spot from post nine last time out at Pocono, but finished with plenty of pace on the end of his mile. Switches back to Yonkers tonight where he was racing well at the NW8 level. Brennan takes over the driving assignment. (4) WARMINSTER A finished well in his one start at the Meadowlands against a solid group that included Declan Seelster, who came out of that race to win at Yonkers on 4-15. Just missed in his last try against this company at Yonkers. (3) MR RIGHT HANOVER hasn't done anything wrong recently against these NW20000L5 types and draws another good post. Looking for him to stalk and get a piece of it again.
Race 9
(3) NONE BETTOR A closed a ton in his North American debut. He's now back on a regular rotation, draws a better post, and stays at the same NW20000L5 class. (4) HAVEFAITHINME N has been bouncing between Pocono, Saratoga, and Yonkers, and is back at the latter tonight. Has retained sharp form everywhere he's been, and this is a drop in class compared to his last race in Westchester. (6) SWING CITY had post eight in a mile and a sixteenth race last out, so I'm just drawing a line through that one. Owns a win at Saratoga Harness over my second choice and the Alexander barn has been hot.
Race 10
(4) ALEXA'S POWER was much better in her second start of 2019 than in her first appearance, showing plenty of pace in the final quarter. Has a post advantage on some of the main contenders, and goes to Bartlett this week. (6) KOTARE YARRA N raced well again at this level last week, showing early and late foot. Kakaley picks up the drive, and he drove her well on April 5. (8) BETTORHAVEANOTHER was able to overcome the outside post seven last Friday night and now is behind the dreaded eight-ball this time. Does have the speed to overcome it, but she might pay a stern price to do so.
Race 11
(5) BOUNDING DRAGON was one of the top 3-year-old pacing colts in Ohio last year, and also battled credibly on the Grand Circuit, including a third to Stay Hungry in Lexington. Found tough sledding in NW30000L5 for his first two starts of 2019, but gets to drop tonight and should be ready in his third start back. Zeron's choice of two in the race. (1) FEELING CAM LUCKY finally exits the NW30000L5 level for the first time in 2019, and that puts him squarely in contention here. The pole position should obviously be a benefit as well. (7) TWIN B SPEED DIAL showed speed last time out when Brennan returned to the bike, and I think he'll likely do that again.
Race 12
(2) ITTY BITTY battled all five weeks of the Blue Chip Matchmaker but just found those foes too difficult. Gets class relief tonight and also drew well. (4) LISPATTY got the lead last week and delivered at a big number. Gets another opportunity to race against the NW30000L5 class and the tactics will likely be the same. (5) DONGAL RUNDLSCRK N couldn't get by Lispatty from off-the-pace last Friday night, but it was still a fine effort. Retains Kakaley and he's gotten along with her well.