Yonkers: Friday 5/3 Analysis
Best Bet: LISPATTY (5th)
Spot Play: GYPSY LEATHER (4th)
MEET STATS: 35 - 106 / $181.80 (-$30.20)
BEST BETS: 5 - 10 / $13.70 (-$6.30)
SPOT PLAYS: 3 - 10 / $14.10 (-$5.90)
Race 1
(6) ROCKIN M steps up off an authoritative win in his debut for Allard. Switches to Dube this week and doesn't get the best of the draw, but it was an impressive victory and I think he hooks the right kind of field to double up on. (4) SWIFT AS A SHADOW had good late pace last week against the 25 claimers and will look to be a little closer at three-quarters on this occasion. (3) INSPIRATION VIEW has won three in-a-row but was claimed by a low-percentage barn last week, so I'm going to take a stand against him.
Race 2
(5) QUEEN LOSTRIS N got parked at every call last week but stuck around gamely to finish third. Steps back up to the preferred level this week, but I'll hope for a smoother trip and some pace to chase. (6) KOTARE YARRA N is coming off a sick scratch, but hopefully that didn't dull her excellent form any. (4) SANDY BEACH showed big speed last week and just got caught. Looks like she'll have every chance to cut the mile again on the class hike.
Race 3
(2) WARMINSTER A drops after gaining late against better on April 27. Gets an improved post too, and the last time he got to race at this level, he won. (3) TYBER TYKE woke up over at Pocono last out and now ships back to Yonkers. Had post 10 at the extended distance when last seen, so I'm just throwing that out and banking on the hot Alexander barn having this guy ready. (5) THE LUNCH PAIL slides down the class ladder a notch to the NW10000L5 level where he did well back in March and again on April 9.
Race 4
(3) GYPSY LEATHER goes back to Allard off the claim, and he got along with him back in February and March, scoring two wins in four starts. Marohn Jr., who was the driver in those wins, gets the assignment back as well. (5) STATESMAN N had strong pace through the last quarter last Friday night and will have every chance to do that again. (1) DONAU raced well last Friday night, kicking home nicely. Does step up a bit from the straight 25s to the 25-30 claiming handicap, but he has experience at this level. Marohn Jr. was listed but opted for my top pick, so Brennan, who knows him well, gets back aboard.
Race 5
(5) LISPATTY took back from post seven last week, then rallied for third. Stays at the Open level, but this looks like a much softer bunch, so I'm going to hope MacDonald shows speed with her tonight and can wire them up. (4) MADE OF JEWELS AS couldn't sustain her bid in the final quarter last week, but as mentioned with Lispatty, this group doesn't look nearly as imposing and maybe she can get a cleaner journey. Stratton did opt off. (3) MAGIC FORCES just held safe to take advantage of the class relief last Friday night. Steps back up tonight, but it's still clearly a softer spot than the recent Matchmaker Series she competed in.
Race 6
(5) YS LOTUS gets to stay at the same NW10000L5 level he just won at last Friday night and retains Dube over another serious contender. (4) BOUNDING DRAGON just missed from first-over on April 27 in his first try against this company. Dube was listed but opted for Ys Lotus, giving the drive to Stratton. Horse has class, winning stakes last year in Ohio and competing on the Grand Circuit at times as well. (7) DOCTOR BUTCH slides back down to the NW10000L5 level from the NW20000L5 class. Just missed back on April 19 against this class, but that was from the rail, so if Bartlett sends him, he'll obviously have to use up some energy getting to the point.
Race 7
(5) BRONZE OVER N retreats from the Open and Preferred back to the NW20000L5 class, and that makes her the one to beat like back on April 12. Doesn't show any speed so she will likely need some pace and a clean trip. (7) ACEFORTYFOURAMANDA keeps winning and getting claimed, but she drew her first bad post in a while tonight, and I think that might be enough to derail her. (1) AMBRO COURAGE N rallied for a solid second last week and gets the rail this Friday night. Got the nod from Siegelman over two others.
Race 8
(2) FREAKONOMICS bumped up against all the top mares in the Matchmaker Series through March and April, so she gets major class relief tonight. Has been idle since 4-12, so that's a bit of a concern, but she has the class to beat these if Croghan has her tight, which I'll bank on. (8) AMERICAN EMPRESS N hasn't done anything wrong since coming over, winning two qualifiers and then scoring easily at Harrah's Philly, but is behind the eight-ball tonight. (3) SHEZALLAPPLES A won two straight over at Pocono and now comes to Yonkers, where she won a qualifier back on March 22. Bartlett's choice of two in the race.
Race 9
(3) TROTTING GRACE was racing well out in Indiana and now joins the high-percentage Alexander stable. Mare won some Illinois-bred stakes last year, was third in two Grand Circuit tries at Hoosier last fall, and knocked heads against the talented Churita this season, so she has the ability. Only raced on half-mile tracks a couple times back in Illinois, but had no apparent issue with a win and a second. (1) IN MY DREAMS gets some major post relief going from the six and the seven to the rail. Raced very well last week, finishing second, and got Kakaley's vote over my top pick and another one in the race. (4) DW'S NY YANK was scratched sick on April 19 after getting passed with no apparent excuse in his two prior starts. Millionaire is too classy to leave out of the top three at this level, though.
Race 10
(1) LIFETIME TRUST makes her debut for Croghan tonight after having spent her entire career in the Richard Ringler barn. Nothing wrong with her win two back, and she gets the rail draw. Has raced at Yonkers before, making several appearances in the NW6 class last March and April. (3) CLAREBEAR receives some major post relief tonight, getting to move to post three after a solid eight-hole effort on April 19. Has raced well in both of her starts in Westchester. (7) BELLATRICKS rallied strongly for second last week at this level. Draws outside again, and Kakaley opted off, so it'll be up to Brennan to find her another smooth journey.