Yonkers: Friday 5/10 Analysis
Best Bet: ROCK THE NITE (5th)
Spot Play: SAYULITA (10th)
MEET STATS: 46 - 128 / $236.40 (-$19.60)
BEST BETS: 7 - 12 / $21.10 (-$2.90)
SPOT PLAYS: 3 - 12 / $14.10 (-$9.90)
Race 1
(1) INSPRIATION VIEW didn't race very well last week but goes to Banca off the claim, and I'm going to hope that plus the rail draw, returns him to form right away. (4) SWIFT AS A SHADOW has been rallying late for pieces, and I'll look for that to happen again tonight. (3) GYPSY LEATHER had a good trip last week in his return to the Allard barn, but lacked punch in the final quarter. Chance for improvement tonight.
Race 2
(4) RURAL ART took back last Friday night, then closed well. I'll aim for a Bartlett/Banca sweep of the double and expect that with an improved post tonight, this horse will be on the engine. (1) DONAU draws his third pole position in the last four but wasn't been able to take advantage on 4-19 or 5-3. (5) STATESMAN N rounded into winning form last week, but was all-out late. Going to try and beat him tonight.
Race 3
(5) THE REAL ONE raced well in his return last week and now takes a drop and looks poised to win. Nine-year-old is the all-age track record holder at Yonkers by virtue of his 1:50 mile back in November 2016. (2) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N performed well in his North American debut on May 4. Gets to stick at the same level and moves from post five to post two. (6) YS LOTUS has racked up two straight wins against NW10000L5 company and moves up the ladder tonight. Didn't have much success against this class back in March and April.
Race 4
(3) ROCK LIGHTS tried the Graduate Series on Saturday night at the Meadowlands but was way too far back and had to settle for a late gain. Drops in class from his last appearance at Yonkers on 4-20, and should be able to get back on track. (7) CONTROL TOWER moves down the class ladder again tonight. Battled through the recently-concluded Levy Series and is still looking for the right level. (2) IDEAL COWBOY returns to Westchester tonight after winning two in-a-row over at Pocono. This is a hike in company from the last time he was here, but he did rally for third from post eight back on April 1.
Race 5
(3) ROCK THE NITE sprinted home well against some tough foes over at the Meadowlands on Saturday night and now ships back over to Yonkers. Tried the Levy Series all five weeks and then the consolation as well, so this is some major class relief. (1) RUN ONEOVER N receives some serious post relief, going from post six in his return last week to the rail tonight. Had to need that race after being idle since early March and switches pilots to Bartlett tonight. (2) MAJOR BUCKS retained the form he found over at Pocono last week by closing strongly to finish second in Westchester. Switches from $40,000 claimers to this NW2000L5 level and draws well again.
Race 6
(2) ALEXA'S POWER gets a better draw than the other main contenders here, and I think that tips the scales in her favor. Her second-place effort last time against Tequila Monday was a good one, and Tequila Monday came back to win over at Harrah's Philadelphia against the likes of Kissin In The Sand. (5) GLENFERRIE BLADE A has done nothing wrong in either of her starts here in North America. Had plenty of pace on the end of the mile last Friday and looks like she could get a similar trip. (7) LISPATTY made front and turned away many of these last Friday night. Slides out to post seven tonight and that makes her job harder.
Race 7
(1) LIVINGINTHEDREAM rallied from post eight last week to hit the board, and now draws the pole at the same level tonight. Hopefully she'll have the same punch at the end sitting closer. (3) SANDY'S BEACH retreats out of the preferred back to the NW20000L5 level. Showed big speed at this level back on 4-26 and just missed. (7) BELLATRICKS tried hard from first-over last Friday night before fading in the lane. Draws outside again but maybe she can find some cover to follow.
Race 8
(2) ITTY BITTY drops again tonight after a strong second-place finish to the classy Lispatty on 4-19. Gets a good post to work with as well, and I'm expecting Dube to wire these. (7) COVEREDNDIAMONDS N is back at Yonkers tonight after racing well up in Saratoga. This is lower on the class scale than the last time she was in Westchester. (5) SHEZALLAPPLES A finished a first-up second at this same NW20000L5 class last time out. Does lose Bartlett, but she's in solid form.
Race 9
(3) IN MY DREAMS jumped it off on the first turn last week, so that is a concern, but he recovered well to get fourth. Hoping he minds his manners and can get the job done tonight. (2) TROTTING GRACE backed up from first-over in her debut at Yonkers and in the Alexander barn, but now that she's acclimated to the track and the trainer has had a chance to see her at Yonkers, she could certainly improve. (4) MONEY MAVEN qualified decently against some top stock at the Meadowlands on Saturday. Did lure Stratton off Trotting Grace but needs to avoid the breaking bug she caught last month.
Race 10
(2) SAYULITA has been keeping some good company down in Delaware, including the likes of Matchmaker Series runner-up Bettor Joy and third-place finisher Apple Bottom Jeans. Let's go with her in her Yonkers debut. (4) ROCKSTAR ANGEL A is probably the one to beat here dropping out of the Open, but she has been defeated at this level twice before, so I'll try to do that again tonight. (7) BETABCOOL N showed good pace on the end of the mile last Friday night in the Preferred and gets to step down a bit on the class ladder tonight. Have to slot her third as she drew worse than the other two I prefer.