Yonkers: Monday 4/22 Analysis

Best Bet: IDEAL CLASSIC (8th)
Spot Play: MELANIE'S TEDY (6th)

MEET STATS: 17 - 44 / $97.50 (+$9.50)
BEST BETS: 2 - 4 / $5.40 (-$2.60)
SPOT PLAYS: 2 - 4 / $10.00 (+2.00)

Race 1

(3) CRAZY CUTE showed some talent as a 2-year-old, with three-on-the-board efforts in New York Sire Stakes competition, including a rallying second at Tioga against Prescient Beauty, who would go on to finish third in the Breeders Crown and win the Three Diamonds against open company. Ships north from Freehold for her third start of 2019 off an open-length win. (2) SEWONANDSEWFORTH nearly beat NW4 company at Pocono in her first sophomore effort, then tackled the Weiss Series twice, so NW2 at Yonkers is a much softer spot. Re-enters the always-solid Ed Hart barn and picks up Brennan for the first time. (1) PINEBUSHLOLA is now 0-for-17, but she does hit the board often (10-for-17), and I think she can follow along and complete the ticket from the pole position with Dexter Dunn driving her again.

Race 2

(8) SIMPLY VOLO draws outside quite often, so while I'm not usually a fan of picking horses from post eight, he would seem to have the experience to overcome it. Been racing against some tougher foes at Pocono and the Meadowlands since coming north from Pompano, and he raced well against much better than this bunch his last time in Westchester on November 25 of last year. (4) SECRET BRO steps out of NW6 to this NW5000L5 class and finds a weak bunch for his first attempt at the level, though he is returning after a sick scratch and a qualifier. Was Zeron's choice over the morning line favorite. (2) LEVITATION lost his form at The Meadows in his last three, and finds his way east and into the capable John McDermott barn. Also adds the returning-from-vacation Brian Sears, which may help.

Race 3

(3) CLOUDBREAK is a fashionably-bred 3-year-old gelding, and he seems to be finding his best stride with two impressive wins in two starts this year at Pocono. Now comes to Yonkers and was Mark MacDonald's choice of two in the race. Let's see if he can keep it going. (6) CRUNCH joined the Ron Burke outfit for the first time on April 8 at Pocono and won off a pocket trip. He's got experience at Yonkers, too, having raced decently in three tries at this NW2 level for previous trainer Linda Toscano. Brennan gets the drive for the first time. (4) FOLLOWYOURDESTINY went right to the lead and dominated in a NW2 last Monday at Yonkers in his first start for Banca. Probably a tougher group this week, but it was an impressive victory.

Race 4

(3) NORTHERN JACK found the Weiss Series inhospitable, but gets back to a softer level here in NW2 at Yonkers, and he probably needed that race at Pocono after a sick scratch. Was not Stratton's choice, but Bartlett hops aboard. (4) ALEX TYE had post seven for his first start of the year last week, so that was a disadvantage. Picked up a couple positions in the final quarter last Monday, now gets to slide inside to post four, and hopefully will show some more pop in his second appearance off the shelf. (6) FROMTHESTARTAGAIN picked off several horses and finished with some interest last week in just his second career try. Kept Zeron over another horse in the race and will look to build on last Monday night's performance.

Race 5

(2) ANTHEM N closed hard at the in-form Declan Seelster last Monday night at Yonkers, but just fell short. Comes right back at this same NW6 level and gets to move back inside to post two where he won from on April 8. (3) LISBURN made a big first-over move into the lead on April 13 at the Meadowlands but flattened out, maybe because of the broken equipment he suffered earlier in the contest. Third start back off the layoff tonight and finds a reasonable spot for his return to Yonkers (was 0-for-four in Westchester last year). (1) POKERFACE BLUECHIP just held on after cutting the mile last week against NW6 company at Yonkers. Gets a rail draw this time, which will give him every opportunity to show speed again.

Race 6

(1) MELANIE'S TEDY raced decently in his 3-year-old debut on April 14 in NW5 company at Harrah's Philadelphia, closing well after an off-the-pace trip from post eight. Should be tighter off that race and gets to race NW4 at Yonkers. Showed some talent last year at two, winning a leg of the Kindergarten Classic and making the final, and also appearing in the Indiana Sires Stakes Super Final prior to that. (4) FORDHAM SIXTY TWO rushed into the lead in the third quarter last week but was unable to hold off a well-meant winner. Stays at the NW4 level again and maybe he can get an easier trip this time. (6) QUEENACE BLUE CHIP has been racing well enough in NW4 company at Yonkers to give another try underneath. Did have a bit of late kick last week to pass a few.

Race 7

(8) SHES PUKKA N disappointed many last week when she broke before the start of the race, but I'll just throw that out and go back to her at what should be a better price. Post eight is obviously a concern, but she has won from a wide draw at Yonkers previously, overcoming post seven to tally on February 25. (4) BOOGIE ROLL found deep water in her comeback at the Meadowlands and was a bit overmatched against that stout bunch. Sophomore won a New York Sire Stakes division at Tioga and then two Excelsior A splits, so she has some class, and switches from the trainer driving her on April 12 to Brian Sears this time. (1) BIRCH ISLAND BETTY opened up a huge lead on the field last week but couldn't hold on. If that didn't take too much out of her, she should be able to race well from the inside post.

Race 8

(1) IDEAL CLASSIC has been racing well against NW6 at Yonkers for awhile, and has the inside post this week, which should put her closer to the action, if not on the lead. (3) B FIFTEEN took advantage of getting a better draw last Monday to finish second, and since she's got another good post to work with this week, she should have every opportunity to replicate that effort. (2) BYE HANOVER was no match for the razor-sharp Miss You N after a pocket trip behind her last Monday night, but she slides inside to post two after having the five and the six in her last two tries, so that should help.

Race 9

(2) STAR COMMANDER N backed up his first solid North American start with a win last Monday night. This is a hike up from NW4 to NW6, but he's done nothing wrong, and this doesn't look like the strongest group. (3) WHOS BETTER has been racing quite well against NW6 at Yonkers, including last week when he closed well. Should definitely appreciate a move inside to post three after having the six, eight, and seven in his last three attempts. (5) NIHILATED TRUTH returns right back to Yonkers after one start at Harrah's Philadelphia. Has hit the board against NW6 at Yonkers in previous starts, and I look for that on this night as well.

Race 10

(5) JK WILDFIRE put forth an even effort from post eight against this NW8 company last week, now gets a better draw, and I'll use him to try and upset this field. Most of his prior efforts when he does draw decently against this company are good, and some of the more-fancied horses are stuck outside. (2) WHATSTROUBLNUROCKY makes an interesting class move from 25 claimers to NW8 off an easy and impressive win. Got the nod from Bartlett over my top selection. (6) SKYWAY QUINTON had a perfect pocket trip in his first NW8 appearance and converted on it, rolling away to an impressive win. Moves out to post six this Monday night, but the horse is razor-sharp.