Yonkers: Saturday 10/12 Analysis

2019 STATS: 447 - 1093 / $2,004.40 (-$181.60)
BEST BETS: 54 - 93 / $168.30 (-$17.70)
Best Bet: RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N (3rd)
Spot Play: GLENFERRIE BLADE A (4th)
Race 7 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick-5 Pool
Race 1 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(2) OSTRO HANOVER is a bit on the inconsistent side but the Allard trainee did beat better than these three back and he draws well versus this camera-shy field. (4) ABERDEEN HANOVER doesn’t win that often but he’s usually close-up at the finish and Vallee piloted a couple of winners the other night. (5) DECISION DAY never got involved last start coming off a convincing win versus cheaper in his prior race; Saunders trainee should go well here. (1) TITANIUM N hails from a struggling barn but he does have some speed from the best post.
Race 2 – F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts
(5) SHEZALLAPPLES A has shown some very live pace while ascending the class ladder and the Down-Under import could be in line for a live trip here at a decent price. (2) SHEEZA GNP N gets needed post relief after finishing very willingly in her last few and the Tritton trainee figures to be a big player. (3) MACH IT A PAR seems to be feeling good again and the classy mare can never be counted out. (4) KOTARE YARRA N picks up Tetrick, has some early speed but needs to show more late.
Race 3 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(3) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N was superb in defeat last start, getting outbattled by a very classy rival; Dilloian trainee gets Tetrick in the bike with Stratton staying loyal to a Lance Hudson trainee and he’s got tactical options from this spot. (1) BLOOD BROTHER was a winner in his last two starts at this NW20000 level and he can’t be counted out from the rail. (8) CHRISTEN ME N has been razor-sharp, showing some of that class that’s earned him over $2 million but the eight hole obviously hurts his chances. (5) QUALITY BUD has looked good since moving to the Andrew Harris barn and he goes for three straight today but he may have to come up with a career-best effort to beat these.
Race 4 – F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts
(2) GLENFERRIE BLADE A hiked to this level last start but was stuck outside and had no realistic chance however she still raced well, home in :27 2/5; move back inside makes the Hudson trainee an obvious player. (1) LYONS RIVER PRIDE flattened after making a second move last week in her local return but overall her form has been solid and could trip out here. (3) D GS ELSA took advantage of a soft spot to score on the front end last week; tough to say what kind of trip the Team Bongiorno charge is looking at today. (4) BRONZE OVER N hails from top connections and should be good for a piece.
Race 5 – F&M Open Handicap Pace
(8) FEELIN RED HOT has “blast-off” speed off the car and as usual should be able to clear the front; mare can take these the distance if she’s not too roughed up early. Price could be decent, as well. (4) BETTOR’S UP never got involved in her last local try but she’s reunited with Tetrick and they teamed up for the upset score in the Great Northeast final two back against some quality mares. (2) LISPATTY is as consistent as they come and from this favorable post assignment she can pick up her usual share. (6) LADY DELA RENTA A was last week’s Open winner, beating the top choice but she will likely be at a tactical disadvantage here; expect late pace, however.
Race 6 – Open Pace
(1) PROVEN DESIRE has “proven” to be as good as any in here and the Allard trainee gets lucky landing the best post in this open draw; he can top these with any sort of smooth trip. (2) SAN DOMINO A powered to the front with a strong uncovered move and held firmly to the wire last week; obvious threat to repeat. (3) IMAROCNROLLEGEND N can be forgiven for last week’s race where he was knocked off stride driving up towards the front; Bongirono trainee will likely be first to the lead from this spot. (7) RODEO ROCK hikes back up to the Open level but lands in a tough spot; he’ll be a healthy price and can be considered underneath.
Race 7 - $1,000,000 Yonkers International Trot
(3) ATLANTA has the local familiarity edge versus a contingent of relatively unknown European shippers. Last year’s Hambletonian winner reportedly worked out very well over the Yonkers surface, lands a perfect post in this oversized field and I have all the confidence in the world that Yannick Gingras will have the mare in a perfect spot. (7) CRUZADO DELA NOCHE has been lightly raced this year but the U.S.-based Swedish entrant seems ready to go off that nice tightening qualifier and don’t forget she was last year’s upset winner; Brian Sears is back in the bike. (5) ZACON GIO has compiled an impressive record racing in Italy, mostly on the front end, and this midpack post should allow his driver to get away in good order. (1) SLIDE SO EASY was a participant in last year’s race, through no threat from a tough spot. He gets an interesting change to the “catch-driving” Ake Svanstedt.
Race 8 – Harry Harvey Invitational Trot
(2) MISSION ACCEPTED ran into killers in his last two races and was never a serious threat but overall the Burke-trained four-year-old has hung with the top guns all season and has banked over $275K; he lands in a pretty favorable spot in this added-distance event and does seem overdue for a win. (5) CUSTOM CANTAB gave it a shot leaving from the far outside in the Dayton Trotting Derby and got hung the duration for his troubles; Chris Beaver-trained mare gets Dave Miller back in the bike today with plenty of tactical options from this midpack post. (1) EYE OFA TIGER AS has arguably been the top Open trotter on the grounds this season and I’m sure Bartlett will be firing hard off the gate. (7) RICH AND MISERABLE has quietly amassed 11 wins and $263K this year for Todd and Tyler Buter and that was a sharp local win in his last start.
Race 9 – NW33000 in last 5 starts
(2) LORD CROMWELL was a sharp second last week with good speed at both ends of his mile, but just couldn’t catch the classy Melady’s Monet, who had a clear path to the front; Gelding draws well today and has had success here in the past at this added-distance. (9) TOP FLIGHT ANGEL bounced back from a break two back with a solid uncovered score versus similar and he’s reunited with Brian Sears; big threat assuming he doesn’t get into too much trouble from the second tier. (5) MELADY’S MONET is back on top of his game and it’s impossible not to include this classy 10-year-old; Stratton’s back driving. (1) NEW HEAVEN has tailed off a bit in his last few but overall it’s been a solid season for the Abbatiello trainee; he can save ground and land a small share.
Race 10 – NW17100 in last 5 starts
(7) SHOWMEYOURGUNS was a strong winner the last two times Brennan drove the veteran and he does have early speed in his arsenal; worth a look if anywhere near his 20/1 morning line. (4) SUMATRA will appreciate the class relief and should be a player. (5) TACO TUESDAY has always had the talent but sometimes has trouble with consistency; that was some speed display in his local return beating up on lesser. (1) BLENHEIM quickly made a splash when he moved to the Lance Hudson barn but his current form and gait is a bit concerning.
Race 11 – Dan Rooney Invitational Pace
(1) JIMMY FREIGHT has had some bad luck this season and just when it appeared he may be tailing off he bounced back with an upset win at Dayton; 4-year-old lands the best post today and will be firing hard. (5) NONE BETTOR A has been awesome since arriving in the U.S., first for Jenn Bongiorno then he didn’t skip a beat moving to the Andrew Harris barn; gelding has a ton of early speed and the only question seems to be which of these top two will be cutting the mile. (6) MCWICKED has been racing at a high level seemingly forever and the $5 million mark is well within his reach; last year’s Dan Rooney champ seems to be at a severe tactical disadvantage from this spot, however. (4) MICKY GEE N has something to prove facing some top-notch pacers but he can fly home with the best of them.
Race 12 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(4) SUNKEN TREASURE took advantage of the fast pace last out and emerged from the pack with a strong finish; Temming trainee is capable with this type if he picks up a live trip and he almost always offers good value. (2) CAVIART LUCA is obviously logical from this spot and will be on or near the lead; can he offer up enough late? (1) ROCK N TONY has looked like a new horse since moving to the DiDomenico barn and he’s up in class again looking for his fourth straight. (7) CONTROL TOWER was facing Open types when last at Yonkers and he’ll be a big price here; small share?