Yonkers: Monday 5/8 Analysis
Best Bet: HEAVEN’S GAIT (8th)
Spot Play: TICK TOK TAG (5th)
MEET STATS: 168 - 481 / $975.80
BEST BETS: 24 - 42 / $80.70
Race 1
(7) ST HELENA qualified effectively enough for the Takter barn and should be ready for action in her 3-year-old debut. (5) RITA MAID is also making her seasonal debut for a live barn. (1) IDELA ICE hasn't shown much in her two starts since moving to the Banca barn but at least she draws best with Bartlett driving.
Race 2
(1) CELEBRITY ARTEMIS was no match for some tough veteran rivals last week and the Spano charge seems fast enough to go with these. (5) BRICKYARD CLASSIC steps up with a big effort from time to time for Ray Baynes. (4) ITZAZIAM returns to Yonkers and has plenty of local experience.
Race 3
(4) HOT SHOT HILL moves in a couple of spots off a needed race for his new barn and he should be a decent price here; worth a look. (1) LOOK N BACK is the one to catch for Billy Dobson but he seems to have seconditis. (3) KENTUCKY NICK returns locally off an easy win at Plainridge and picks up Sears but his prior local starts weren't all that encouraging.
Race 4
(8) YEAHBOYYEAH has looked so impressive in his two local starts that he deserves top billing despite losing Bartlett and starting from the eight hole. (2) OUTRAJUS BLUE CHIP closed very willingly in his seasonal debut and could be even better tonight. (1) JUXLIVIN MY DREAM has speed and the rail; include.
Race 5
(1) TICK TOK TAG drops in class and moves all the inside after a brutal eight-hole parked-out effort. (4) GONNA FLY has come up short in his last few efforts but he does have some speed and could be on the move early. (6) LONG STORY SHORT is razor-sharp and stays at the same level off the claim; will he behave for his new barn?
Race 6
(4) TOUCHMATIC took money but didn't fire in her seasonal debut over at The Meadowlands; prior qualifier suggests she's ready to tackle these. (5) TOTALLY JAZZED was a winner four back at this level. (3) THIS DAY FORWARD ships up from Florida and picks up Bartlett; maybe she can land a small share.
Race 7
(3) SIR PUGSLEY was a pocket-rocket winner last week with Brennan driving and the 3-year-old can certainly repeat. (1) GAIUS CRASTINUS has been a solid second in his last two but was outbattled by a game (5) DECLARATION OF WAR last out; post relief helps. The latter was rock-solid winning but loses Stratton tonight.
Race 8
(1) HEAVEN'S GAIT gets needed post relief for the hot Devita barn. (5) BEACH OGRE returns locally for his second seasonal start now in the suddenly controversial Sholty barn; capable of improvement with Bartlett driving. (3) IMIDEAL HANOVER hails from Alagna, must be respected.
Race 9
(5) SHADY STELLA blew away lesser last week and may have more to offer; post edge on (8) ROCK ME BABY may make the difference. The latter did nothing wrong in her seasonal debut and she's likely pointed to big things down the road. (3) WALK TWO MOONS raced well to be second best last out over the big track.
Race 10
(5) DOUBLESHOTTAHOTT has hinted at ability and gets a big driver upgrade to Bartlett upon arrival. (8) VORACITY has raced pretty well in defeat in his last three and Brennan will be firing early. (3) SANTIAGO STYLE jogged last out after being left alone on the front end.
Race 11
(5) VALUABLE ART picks up leading driver Bartlett and should have a clear path to the lead tonight. (1) MADE OF JEWELS AS was dead-game on the front end beating some seasoned foes and clearly she's in line for a live trip. (6) IDEAL PRINCESS has been very sharp and is a closing threat.
Race 12
(3) RODEO ROCK was taken off the gate last out, powered up uncovered and kept coming to upset in a big effort; gelding has a post edge on his main rivals here. (5) NEVER SAY NEVER N has just missed in his last two after winning five to start the season but it's not exactly like he's talied off; big threat. (8) SETTLEMOIR put in an insane winning effort last week but he may have too far to come tonight.
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