Yonkers: Monday 5/6 Analysis
Best Bet: STONE HANOVER (1st)
Spot Play: IDEAL FLIP (7th)
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
(1) STONE HANOVER raced extremely well through the recent Wiggle It Jiggleit Series at the Meadowlands, with two thirds in the prelims and then a rallying second, missing by just a nose in a sub-1:50 mile in the final. Off those performances, he looks like a standout here against NW2 types at Yonkers, even with no half-mile track experience. (5) LYONS BEACHBOY retreats from NW4 all the way down to NW2, and that definitely puts him in contention tonight, especially with any repeat of his third-place effort on 4-22. Stratton's choice of two in the race. (4) THISISHOWWEDOIT just squeezed in under the earnings cap in his debut for trainer Surick. Raced well in NW2 at Dover in March and was favored in the NW4 class at Harrington last out.
Race 2
(3) FLYHAWK EL DIABLO sticks at the bottom condition class on the trot here after an even third last week. Think that was a much tougher group than this one appears to be, and I'll go with him in a wide-open race. (5) SANTINI raced well a couple times at Monticello since returning to trainer Sisco after a parked-out trip in an amateur race in Westchester. Sisco had a couple long-odds winners over at the Meadowlands on 4-26, so I'll hope the barn can stay hot. (2) FOX CAST gets some major post relief, going from post eight against this company last week to post two tonight. Think that's enough to get him on the ticket.
Race 3
(1) DD DELICIOUS crushed NW1's at Pocono in her lifetime debut and out-draws the two other threats tonight in a big way. Sophomore daughter of Art Major looks like she has some talent. (8) BROOKLYN LILACS was a good second in her 3-year-old debut, which was also over at Pocono, but is stuck out in post eight tonight. Was a New York Sire Stakes leg winner last year and made the sire stakes final. Debuts for the Bongiorno barn. (6) FUN ON A BEACH thumped NW3's in her first start for Allard on 4-15 in Westchester, but has been idle since then and never faced any pressure on the front-end that night. Slides down to NW2 tonight and switches to Sears.
Race 4
(4) ROGUE CHEDDAR gets some needed post relief after being out in the seven-hole and behind the eight-ball the last two weeks. Something like his third-place effort behind the razor-sharp Da Delightful on April 8 might be enough to beat these. (6) ROLAND ONTHERIVER really lost his form at the Meadowlands after showing some early results. Raced extremely well on the half-mile at Freehold back on March 9 and was Brennan's choice of two. (7) MAJOR ESCAPE blasted to the front last week but was absolutely no match for the romping-away winner. Stuck around well to finish second, though. Goes to Zeron with Brennan opting off tonight.
Race 5
(4) TEMPRA HANOVER finished a good third against NW2's last week, even closing a bit in the lane. Finds what appears to be a softer group tonight and any repeat of that effort will make her tough to beat. (3) SIESTA BEACH trailed from post seven in the other NW2 division last week, then picked off a bunch of horses in the final quarter to get fourth. Gets major post relief this Monday, leaving from post three. (5) HESTON ROSS showed some final quarter interest in her lifetime debut back on 4-22, gaining from eighth to fifth. Draws a better post tonight, going from the eight to the five.
Race 6
(8) ASHLEE SPARKLES did well in the Weiss Series at Pocono, picking up two wins and a second in the prelims and then was a good fourth in a quick mile in the final. Gets a rotten draw tonight out in post eight, but hopefully MacDonald can use her early foot to get well-placed and go from there. (5) FINAL ESCAPE chased Ashlee Sparkles in her two Weiss wins and could never get involved in the final. Out-draws Ashlee Sparkles tonight and adds Sears. (2) MEGHAN LYNN steps up to NW4 at Yonkers tonight after a narrow win against NW2's in her 3-year-old debut at Pocono on 4-22. A new recruit to the Bongiorno barn, Meghan Lynn was a New York Sire Stakes leg winner last season.
Race 7
(1) IDEAL FLIP looks like he's in a spot tonight to take advantage of some major post relief. Finished well in his second start back off the bench last week from post seven after getting post eight in the comeback on 4-22, now switches to the rail tonight. Looks like a much-softer NW4 group this week also. (2) YEAHNAH closed strongly last Monday against NW6 types and now gets to slide down to NW4. Had to need that race after being idle for a month and raced well at Yonkers in the Sagamore Series earlier this season. (4) DANCIN DRAGON joins the DiDomenico barn tonight off a scratch on 4-27 at Miami Valley in Ohio. His second-place finish on 4-20 was to Rock Candy, a top Ohio-sired gelding who would go on to break the track record at Miami Valley on 4-27, so he's been keeping some classy company. Lured Brennan off a Burke trainee in the race also.
Race 8
(2) ST SOMEWHERE makes her 3-year-old debut tonight off a solid 2-year-old campaign that saw her win multiple New York Sire Stakes legs and open stakes races as well. Both qualifiers were solid, and she looks ready to go. (3) B FIFTEEN went right down the road to score an impressive win against this class back on April 22. Did miss last week as she was the AE, but draws a good post tonight to try and win again. (7) SHEBANG N was very impressive in her return last week but steps up tonight and moves out on the gate from post four to post seven.
Race 9
(8) TWIN B TUFFENUFF cut the fractions last week but couldn't hold off the classy Bettor's Wish. Was still a good effort, though, and since he draws post eight and Brennan hops off, maybe we can get a little bit of a price. Hopefully Zeron can find him a smooth trip. (4) STAR COMMANDER N couldn't get by from first-over in his initial attempt at the NW6 level back on 4-22, but he's raced well in all his starts since coming to North America. (1) RONNIES ROCKET closed well in the final quarter to finish fourth in the Bettor's Wish/Twin B Tuffenuff race last week, and gets to slide inside from post five to the rail this time.
Race 10
(1) ANTHEM N tries the NW8 group for the first time tonight. Didn't do anything wrong against the NW6's with two easy wins and a second in his last three and looks talented enough to continue his progression up the ladder. (4) TIVO HANOVER was an even fourth in his Yonkers return last week at this level. Looks like he might be able to go to the front tonight if Bartlett wants to change tactics. (2) JK WILDFIRE rallied from far back for fourth when last seen on April 22. Draws well tonight and could be closer to the action.
Race 11
(3) MISS YOU N comes into this race riding a five-race win streak at levels from NW4 up to NW7. Even though she's been off since April 15, I think she makes it six in-a-row tonight. (6) ROBYN CAMDEN found a tough spot at the Meadowlands last out, stuck in post 10. Gained some positions through the final quarter from way back, and now returns to Yonkers where she raced well through the Petticoat Series. (5) CABOWABOCUTTIE has been battling tough foes like Magic Forces and Lispatty since exiting the Petticoat Series. This is a more-realistic spot and she gets some post relief too. Stratton opted off, so Brennan takes over.
Race 12
(2) SUDDENLY ROYAL beat Crazy Cute, who won last week, two back, and was a solid second to the razor-sharp Shebang N last Monday night. Catches a beatable field again and draws well. (4) BULLVILLEKARLA got off the schneid for the year last week in a good first-up performance. Retains post four and could easily win again. (6) WAR CRIMES has won five of her last six out-of-town. Beat NW6 types at Harrah's Philly, but was a flat fifth on April 23 at Harrington and then just held safe to win by half a length on 4-30 down in Delaware. I'll take a stand against since she'll likely get bet.