Yonkers: Friday 5/17 Analysis
Best Bet: MAGIC FORCES (11th)
Spot Play: THAT’S MY OPINION (1st)
MEET STATS: 57 - 148 / $286.70 (-$9.30)
BEST BETS: 9 - 14 / $26.30 (-$1.70)
SPOT PLAYS: 3 - 14 / $14.10 (-$13.90)
Race 1
(2) THAT'S MY OPINION double-jumps from the $15,000 to the $25,000 claiming level after being taken by Andrew Harris on May 2. I like that confidence, and he catches the right kind of field he can step right up against for the new connections, especially with a good post to work with. (3) DONAU drops from the $25,000 claiming handicap down to straight 25s. Been win-shy for a while, but often hits the board. (6) INSPIRATION VIEW has been excellent lately, winning three of his last four, but does draw his first bad post in a while, so I'll see if I can beat him.
Race 2
(4) MACH IT SO is by far the class of the field and found his form down at Harrah's Philadelphia as of late. Returns to Yonkers for the first time since the Levy Series, which he found too difficult, but this spot looks like one he can deliver in. (1) VEGAS ROCKS was sensational against lower company on May 9 and now steps back up. Big chance to repeat from the pole. (7) PERFECT BET steps down to a level he's done well at before.
Race 3
(5) VORST has been racing well at Pocono and knocking heads against a bunch of classy individuals. Draws fine in her first attempt back at Yonkers in a while and got a vote of confidence from Stratton. (4) SCANDALICIOUS has burned money in two straight but does return to the flat mile distance tonight after a good speed effort last Friday. (2) TERROR AT NIGHT lost Stratton to my top pick but she drops after facing tougher in Westchester for a while. Won two straight at this level back in March and April.
Race 4
(4) DIBABA N found an extremely difficult spot for her U.S. debut at the Meadowlands, knocking heads with the Preferreds. Her qualifier on May 4 was pretty good, and now she's got a race under her belt here and takes what should be a drop in class. (6) ANGEL'S PRIDE exits the NW30000L5 class and gets back in against NW20000L5 types tonight where she had a win and a third recently. (3) ITTY BITTY scratched last week but gets right back in the box. Providing she's not short with the missed time, she has a big shot.
Race 5
(2) GRIFFON HANOVER couldn't get involved from post seven last Friday but gets some major post relief this week. Looking for something like his effort two back at this level where he was a good first-up second. (4) MILITARY MASTER A is back in good form after some down weeks. Closed sharply last week and sticks against the NW20000L5's. (3) LIGHTNING ONMYFEET drew well this time, getting to move in to post three from post seven. Did finish well from far back a week ago.
Race 6
(1) DELIGHTFULMEMPHISN looked like she was going to be a threat in the Matchmaker Series after winning the first week but couldn't build on that win. Showed signs of coming back to her good self last week when sprinting home well against the Preferred at the Meadowlands. Got the best of the open part of the draw, and I'll hope she takes advantage. (3) TWINKLE performed well last Friday night against the Opens, closing late, and gets another good post to work with tonight. (7) FEELIN RED HOT showed some late interest from post eight last week. Still draws outside from the seven, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Brennan take a shot.
Race 7
(2) CHEYENNE TRIENGEL sometimes jumps up with a good one when she doesn't have to have the toughest competition in the NW20000L5 class, like back on April 5, and I think she found that tonight. Should be up close again and hopefully she has some pace in the lane. (1) JAG OUT was much better last Friday night than in her previous two. She strung three good ones together early last month, so we'll see if that was the start of another good stretch. (8) JK JAZZITUP overwhelmed lesser on May 9 and now takes a double-jump in class. Has the worst of the draw too, but she did overcome post seven at Harrah's Philly two back.
Race 8
(5) BLACK MAMBA AS drops down one notch from the NW30000L5 class, and that makes him a big player tonight. Retained Stratton as well over another contender. (4) IN MY DREAMS stayed on-stride last week and got the job done. Enters for the claiming tag this time so he can stick at the same level. Kakaley is not here tonight, so Brennan gets the assignment back, and he's won with him before. (10) LIMERENCE gets the same class relief as my top pick, but is stuck with a trailing post, so I have to put him underneath this time.
Race 9
(4) WHATSTROUBLNUROCKY picked up a couple thirds in three efforts against NW8 company and now switches back to claimers. Can he find that mile he had on 4-12? I'll hope for something close to it. (3) PICKLED PREACHER raced very well in his return to the Garcia-Herrera barn and gets a much better post tonight, going from the seven to the three. (1) STATESMAN N has been the boss of this class the last two weeks, especially last Friday, and is an imposing presence from the pole, but I'll hope he isn't as good tonight and see if I can beat him.
Race 10
(4) THE REAL ONE had pace but couldn't get there in the sprint home last week. Since this is his third start back off the shelf, he should be primed for his best tonight. (5) EPAULETTE A loomed last week but then faded against tougher company. Drops tonight and looks like a big contender. (7) BEACH BOOGIE also gets class relief tonight as he looks for the right level to get into the winner's circle.
Race 11
(1) MAGIC FORCES got a third against the Opens last week and now moves back down to the NW30000L5 class she won at two back. Draws the rail too, which makes her speed even more difficult for the rest. (3) KOTARE YARRA N takes the drop she's been looking for after battling Opens and Preferreds. Anything like she showed back in March or early April would make her a big threat. (4) LOVINEVERYMINUTE just missed against my top pick two back and also exits the Open.
Race 12
(8) ROYAL HEART picked up a sub-1:50 mark last time out at Pocono and has been racing well for a while. Appears to have the speed to overcome post eight, either on the lead or near the pace. (4) MCSPIDEY gets the post relief tonight to put him back in play after closing belatedly from post seven back on April 27. (2) MILLIONDOLLAR WAVE put forth a good effort from the pocket on May 2, falling less than a length short. Draws the same post and might get the same trip.