Yonkers: Monday 10/22 Analysis
Best Bet: BABES DIG ME (6th)
Spot Play: NIHILATED TRUTH (1st)
MEET STATS: 450 - 1246 / $2,413.50
BEST BETS: 62 - 107 / $200.10
Race 1
(2) NIHILATED TRUTH paced a big back half last week and anything resembling that effort should be good enough to win this; barn sent out some live ones the other night. (1) DOWNTOWN CRUISER ships in with good-looking form and should go well here. (4) MOUNT ROYAL gets some post relief which should help his cause.
Race 2
(5) ROCKIN REDFORD comes off some ugly lines but the trotter does fit well at this level and he picks up Stratton. (2) MR PROTAB has proven he can stay close up with this type from inside posts. (6) FORT VALLEY AS has tired badly in his two starts off the long layoff but he is right back in the box and he gets class relief.
Race 3
(4) FINE ART took no money and was going nowhere last week in a needed start and she seems capable of better. (7) PELICAN BLUE CHIP has looked okay since moving to the Burke barn and she has the speed to overcome the post. (2) CARLY GIRL finally gets post relief and will be much more involved.
Race 4
(2) LYONS JENNIELEE moves into a new barn tonight and these connections have had some success here; Stratton's choice, driving for his brother. (4) PAINTED LADY seems like she should be better than she is but still remains a threat; don't accept too short of a price. (6) BETTERTHANGRADUATE was third best last out, could hit the ticket again.
Race 5
(6) WILD WEST raced decently here three back and gets Bartlett back in the bike in a race where it's hard to get excited about anyone. (4) SAMMY B HAPPY returns from Monti off a couple of wins and will be forwardly placed (like his stablemate Chantepleure often is). (3) TEN BEACHES LATER is competitive when drawn inside.
Race 6
(3) BABES DIG ME won his Messenger elimination here, hasn't disgraced himself chasing some of the best stock in the land and somehow qualifies for this NW4 event; $2.20, $2.10, $2.10. (2) PRO BEACH was a good second last week for Takter and looks like the main threat. (1) AMERICA FIRST has been putting in nice moves recently but is facing some tough ones here; looks like best of the rest.
Race 7
(5) GOLD ORCHID N is yet another impressive-looking import who easily passed her first local test last week; repeats. (4) SHEEZA GNP N will be a player with a better getaway. (2) SLICK ARTIST A battled stubbornly before giving way to the top choice last week.
Race 8
(4) BO MACH toured the track last week but now gets post relief and goes back to Stratton; he figures to offer a better price than (1) AVATAR J who was inhaled by the pocket rocket last out but really should have held second. (2) SUDDENLY SAM draws well and can save ground from this spot.
Race 9
(4) WEONA SIZZLER A elected to sit the pocket last week, got clear and exploded home; stick with him. (2) TERROR ATTHE BEACH has raced well out of town for the live Oakes barn. (5) ART SCENE had an excuse not reaching last week; prior effort at Saratoga was good.
Race 10
(3) ARAMIS N had pace from the three hole last week behind two good ones; Tritton trainee gets Stratton back in the bike (no disrespect to Siegelman who handled him just fine) and could resume winning ways. (1) WHOS BETTER was a good second to a sharp front-end winner last week. (2) KEY ADVISOR chased a 1/20 shot last out and did hold second; lands inside again.