Yonkers: Monday 4/8 Analysis

Best Bet: MANTARIO (3rd)

Spot Play: ALTA SHELBY N (9th)

Race 1

(1) JUSTABITOFCHARM was a win machine against New York Excelsior B company last year, and that's a bonus against a camera-shy bunch. Qualifier at Harrah's Philly last out was more than fine - the winner was the Ohio Sires Stakes champion 2-year-old pacing filly last year. (4) PONDER THE ODDS drops down after a speed-and-fade effort against better and retains Brennan. Win over the track two back was visually impressive. (6) LADYBELUCKYTONITE only once won as a rookie but knocked heads and got checks against all the top New York Sire Stakes horses in the 2-year-old filly pace division and made the Sire Stakes final. Qualifiers were just okay.

Race 2

(6) BARN BELLA was the princess of the New York Sire Stakes at 2 and 3 and returns to the Empire State for this one in the Cory Stratton barn for the first time. Has been a little off form since winning on January 9, but her class towers over these. (7) KINDA LUCKYLINDY takes a major drop down the class ladder out of non-winners of eight and should find this group more hospitable. Won the Massachusetts Sire Stakes final last year and raced in the Matron, so he has some class. (3) SCREAMING CONWAY comes back to Yonkers after unsuccessful tries at Pocono and the Meadowlands. Was well-bet in this class in his last appearance but broke before the start. Bartlett gave him a vote of confidence, choosing off another.

Race 3

(2) MANTARIO looks like the horse in the best form in this wide-open contest. Not much value but he's been a solid second to two odds-on favorites in the last pair. (1) DA DELIGHTFUL is still a maiden but finished well from off-the-pace in his first start for trainer Silva last out and draws the rail this time. (7) COOL YOUR HEELS raced in a few small stakes last year at 2 and both of his qualifiers were good enough. Bartlett opted off, but gets a good replacement in Scott Zeron.

Race 4

(2) MAJOR MAID has not won yet since joining the Bongiorno operation but showed definite improvement last week. Looking for another step forward tonight. (1) DONT MACH MIA slides back down to NW4 after one try against NW6 from post eight. Rail draw helps against the two likely favorites. (3) HEY SWEETIE has won two straight at the level and won impressively from first-over last week. Does draw outside of what look to be the strongest tests in #2 and #1.

Race 5

(3) FORDHAM SIXTY TWO ships over from the Meadowlands after knocking heads against sharp horses like Rebel Rouser and Sports Legend. Had no chance from where he was in his last race but looks like he's in a good spot here with Bartlett getting the assignment. (7) BRACKLEY BEACH comes back to Yonkers after two tries at Pocono. Draws outside again but is no stranger to that. His effort on 3-18 from post eight was solid. (4) QUEENACE BLUE CHIP raced well last week, closing late in his first start against this non-winners of 4 group. Chance to do the same again with another good post.

Race 6

(7) ANNIE HILL was a stakes winner at The Red Mile last year and then made the Breeders Crown final. Both qualifiers were sharp, including a win over the nice older mare Clear Idea on April 3. (1) ROSE RUN TONI made an uncharacteristic break in stride last week and let her legion of backers down as the 1-2 favorite. Should have every opportunity to rebound from the pole. (4) ELLA IS AWESOME just fell short against many of these last week after a first-over trip. Any smoother trip makes her a big threat again.

Race 7

(2) TIVO HANOVER has been on the shelf since November 12 but won seven times last year, including in this same non-winners of 6 class in his final start as a 3-year-old. Qualifier at the Meadowlands was excellent. (1) GOLD RUSH took advantage of his pole position draw to hit the ticket last week and has the same advantage this week. (3) WILD BILL has raced well in all his efforts with Stratton driving, which he has again tonight, and retains post three again. Battled gamely from first-over in the Sagamore consolation.

Race 8

(3) GUNPOWDER N drops back to the level of his last win off a good closing effort last out, and also gets his first inside draw in a while too. Stratton returns to the bike and went with him over the morning-line favorite. (2) MILITARY MASTER A also slides inside this week. Finds a field he can definitely wake up against. (7) WEONA SIZZLER A is on the hike back up the ladder off a win, but this looks like a softer group than this class normally draws.

Race 9

(5) ALTA SHELBY N battled some of the same tough foes my top pick in race five did at the Meadowlands last month, then was second against a well-rated winner in this class at Yonkers last week. Think he'll get an up-close trip and deliver on it. (8) WHOS BETTER draws post eight but did leave from the six-hole last week and made front. If he flashes speed again, I think he can out-leave this group. (2) ANTHEM N sees an inside post after getting the six and the eight his last two and that should be enough to get him on the ticket.

Race 10

(2) TAKE IT BACK TERRY drops, draws post two off an eight-hole journey, and should be primed in his fourth start back off the bench. Wake-up call time for this classy millionaire! (3) YOU SAID IT ships north from Pompano off three straight wins. Raced well against non-winners of four last year at Yonkers for trainer Leamon with a win, a second, and a fourth. (7) PHOTOBOMBR HANOVER gets to drop off an even fourth last week, but moves out on the gate from post four to post seven, which puts him squarely behind my top two in preference.