Yonkers: Monday 5/20 Analysis
Best Bet: ODDS ON MARIA (3rd)
Spot Play: MANOFMANYIMAGES (2nd)
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
(7) FOLLOWYOURDESTINY was loaded when he finally got out of the pocket last Monday, getting up to win. Even though he draws badly, he hasn't done anything wrong since joining the Banca barn last month. (1) ARRHYTHMIC STORM won his debut for Allard over at Pocono while adding Lasix. Gets the best of the draw here but wasn't that sporty when seen in Westchester before. (3) A MAJOR OMEN drops out of the New York Sire Stakes over at Monticello where he never got involved from post seven. Had some sneaky stretch pace in that 5-4 race at the Meadowlands that was loaded with some talented horses.
Race 2
(4) MANOFMANYIMAGES showed speed a week ago in this class but couldn't finish it off late. It was a solid-enough Yonkers debut, and although Sears opts elsewhere, I'll hope the price is a little better tonight and that Stratton gets along with him. (2) MIDNIGHT ZETTE receives major post relief tonight, getting to move from post eight to post two in his second start with Fusco. Had some late interest back on 5-6. (6) BAZAAR BAZAAR is who Sears ends up on in his first start for trainer Joe Pavia Jr. Form at Saratoga has been good with six top-two finishes from 11 tries this year.
Race 3
(4) ODDS ON MARIA debuted very nicely over at Freehold and catches the right type of field here to double up. MacDonald sticks over another contender as well. (2) DELIGHTFUL TRYSTA performed well in a race last Monday that Ponder The Odds won easily. Does lose MacDonald to my top selection but gets Stratton. (5) ADORABELLA retreats back to NW2 tonight after a decent fifth against stakes company on May 11 at Yonkers. Got bet on 5-6 in that NW2 effort but couldn't get involved from an outside post.
Race 4
(6) FROMTHESTARTAGAIN found the sire stakes at Monticello too tough at this point, but he returns to Yonkers at the same level where he crushed a field back on April 29. (2) ROGUE CHEDDAR got to the winner's circle at the NW2 level here on May 6 and draws well tonight. Dunn opted off, so Stratton, who has driven him several times, gets back aboard. (5) MOUNTAIN HIGH showed some talent last year at Lexington and raced conservatively in his first start back on 5-13 at Yonkers. Brennan takes over the call tonight, so maybe he will show some more speed with him.
Race 5
(1) STOLEN CAR exits the $40,000 claimers for this NW10000L5 class this week. Was Bartlett's choice and any repeat of those April or May 4 efforts at Yonkers and down at Harrah's Philly look quite imposing. (5) KILLER MARTINI dropped to this level last Saturday but could only manage an even finish. He does have plenty of back-class, gets back to the flat mile distance, and changes drivers to Stratton for this attempt. (8) ART SCENE finished with interest last time out at Pocono. Draws poorly tonight, but he has beaten NW10000L5 types at Yonkers before, as seen on the page back on March 19.
Race 6
(2) AMERICAN ADMIRAL topped stakes foes in the Reynolds on May 11 at Yonkers, and outside of the poor performance in the Weiss Series final, he's been extremely good for a while now. (3) DA DELIGHTFUL has been a win machine for Silva, racking up four straight, but he does take another hike tonight and meets up with a tough foe in my top choice. Dube is not here tonight, so Brent Holland, who has won with him before, takes over. (5) STAR COMMANDER N put in another solid performance last week to get up for third after being way back early on. Better post tonight.
Race 7
(3) SURREAL FEELING hit the board against the NW8 class last Monday night and now gets to drop back into NW6 where she has a second and a win. Gets Bartlett back in the seat as well. (1) SWEET ANA HANOVER pulled a big upset on April 15 against NW4's and hasn't done badly since stepping up to NW6. Draws the rail tonight, so she should be closer to the action. (2) IDEAL CLASSIC has been placing in the top three with regularity and is in-line for a stalking trip from post two.
Race 8
(1) SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A showed no ill effects after stopping on April 6, putting in two good efforts against the NW30000L5 class in Westchester. Takes a drop tonight and looks like the one to beat from the pole position. (3) GREAT VINTAGE just keeps rolling along at age 11, coming off a blowout win on May 9. Takes a step up tonight, but he has plenty of class to deal with that, and hasn't performed badly against these types early this season. (6) MACHIATTO A blew the doors off the field down at Harrah's Philly in his first start for Bongiorno. This appears to be a step up in class tonight, but any duplication of that performance might be good enough.
Race 9
(4) ANTHEM N is sharp as a tack right now, and I'll go with him again, expecting he can wear them down from first- or second-over. (1) DANCIN DRAGON got the job done again last Monday night, but meets up with probably the toughest foe he's faced so far in Westchester in my top pick. (5) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N finds a tough spot for his U.S. debut, but he was a class horse Down Under, finishing fourth in a Group 1 race on 2-16, and winning a Group 3 late last year in New Zealand that isn't on the page. Definitely one to keep an eye on and the qualifier at Yonkers was solid.
Race 10
(5) SUDDENLY ROYAL worked out a second-over trip but couldn't rally in the poor weather and strong wind last Monday night. I give her another try tonight with Zeron taking over the driving duties. (3) MAJOR MAID showed some improvement with the switch to the Abbatiello stable a week ago and kept Brent Holland's services this Monday. (6) DESTINY HANOVER made front from post eight last week but faded. Hopefully that was just weather-related and she can show improvement tonight.