Yonkers: Friday 4/5 Analysis
Best Bet: TEQUILA MONDAY (12th)
Spot Play: DEERFIELD BEACH (4th)
MEET STATS: 0 - 0 / $0.00
BEST BETS: 0 - 0 / $0.00
Race 1
(2) SOMETIMESAWINNER raced very well at Pocono two back, then had to step up and wasn't as competitive. Ships to Yonkers for Allard, enters claiming company, and draws well in his fourth start off a layoff. I'll put him on top. (4) TOATSMYGOATS goes for his third different barn in three weeks and has been razor-sharp. (6) RURAL ART is another hot commodity at the claim box and goes back to Devita, who won with him on February 8. Seems to have enough early foot to land a spot from post six.
Race 2
(3) SUMATRA comes back to Yonkers after a good second in the preferred at Freehold. Fits this level well and draws well. (5) THE LAST CHAPTER beat many of these same rivals last out at the same level. Bartlett stuck here. (8) SUCH AN ANGEL returns after a good qualifier at Pocono for a top barn. Was competitive against open level horses at Yonkers last year.
Race 3
(1) TERROR AT NIGHT put forth a good first-up performance to win the same class on March 29 and now gets to move to the pole position to boot. (4) WISHY WASHY GIRL moves from post eight to post four after a solid try but didn't race last week and is 0-for-10 this year. (7) SIDEWALK DANCER battled most of the top 3-year-old pacing fillies last year and makes her 4-year-old debut in what seems like a good spot. Qualifier at Pocono was solid enough.
Race 4
(4) DEERFIELD BEACH is a first-timer for Allard and seems to have caught a beatable field. Showed plenty of speed at Northfield and gets Tim Tetrick. (1) BUGGER BRUISER ran into a buzzsaw last week and was a well-beaten second. Keeps the pole position and this looks like an easier bunch than last week. (3) BEYONDTHESILENCE N goes back to the claiming level this time and gets to race on the gate in this event after being a trailer on March 26.
Race 5
(5) PERFECT STICK returns to Yonkers after a win and then a sixth against a tough field last out on the class hike over at Pocono. Looks like a prime spot for the mare to beat the boys. (7) BARRY BLACK drops back to a level where he's been tough in the past. Draw is a concern given his lack of early foot, but he usually closes well. (2) BIONESS is another Pocono shipper and he won last out. Raced well at Yonkers in 2018, making it to the open level.
Race 6
(4) QUEEN LOSTRIS N exits the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series where she ran into much tougher foes. Last start at this preferred level was a victory. (6) KOTARE YARRA N is on a major form spree and now takes another class hike. Did lose Tetrick, but Kakaley is a more than capable replacement. (5) ALEXA'S POWER was one of the big names in the 3-year-old filly pace division last year, winning the Jugette, but she was sick-scratched on March 22 at the Meadowlands and now has no charted lines since March 8. Class could carry her through, though; retains Tetrick.
Race 7
(3) FEELIN RED HOT was vicious the last two weeks. Probably won't get near the same price, but she's still the one for me against this group. (1) DONT THINK TWICE A had no excuse for getting beat last week but has the pole and is still in sharp form. (2) TWINKLE has been towing along for seconds in the Matchmaker and looks like she'll have every chance to do the same again in this spot.
Race 8
(7) BETTOR JOY N has won from off-the-pace and on the engine in the Matchmaker and was devastating last week. Another outside draw, but she had no trouble overcoming post six last week. (3) BETTERB CHEVRON N finished well last week after getting a better post and has another good draw this time. (1) IDEAL LIFESTYLE A hooks my top choice for the third straight week and hasn't been able to beat her. Looks in-line for another up-close trip from the pole.
Race 9
(4) SHARTIN N was right back to her normal outstanding self after a brutal trip from post eight the week before. Can't go against, even at 1-9. (1) KAITLYN N follows in for place and show spots every week against these and will probably do the same with post one this week. (8) SEASWIFT JOY N is two-for-three in the Matchmaker but post eight is a brutal spot against my top pick.
Race 10
(3) JANUARY A comes downstate from Saratoga Harness off a win in their open class and her previous tries at Yonkers on the page in this level were both wins. I'll go with her. (1) SCANDALICIOUS drops out of the Matchmaker and draws the pole but hasn't won since November of last year and looms a short price. (2) QUEEN JOSEPHINE steps down a level and usually puts forth a solid effort against these.
Race 11
(7) BEST OF JENNA didn't get the best of the draw but takes a drop back to a level she won at on March 8. She appears to have enough speed to get around many of the inside ones who show little early foot, and Jordan Stratton takes back over in the bike. (2) MOTU MOONBEAM N is in search of a wakeup call, but gets to slide back inside to post two and did get a vote of confidence from Brent Holland as his choice of two. (5) BRONZE OVER N stopped in her one try against Matchmaker competition, but qualified fine at Freehold. Her last appearance at this level was a win.
Race 12
(4) TEQUILA MONDAY dominated this class on March 22 in her comeback. Classy 5-year-old draws the same post again and can race either way. (5) LISPATTY hung around for third against my top pick from race eight in the Matchmaker last week, now gets to drop to a more favorable level. Runs into another tough foe in #4 here. (7) DUDESALADY won on the drop-down last week out of the Matchmaker, now goes up the class ladder again.