Yonkers: Saturday 11/17 Analysis
Best Bet: ABNER THE GREAT (1st)
Spot Play: MCSPIDEY (3rd)
MEET STATS: 484 - 1357 / $2,600.90
BEST BETS: 69 - 118 / $222.10
Race 1
(2) ABNER THE GREAT was going nowhere last week from the eight hole yet still paced evenly and just missed the final check; he gets needed post relief and finds a very soft NW10000 division. Team Bongiorno trainee clearly looks like the one to beat in the opener. (5) ALL DOWN THE LINE was 3/5 last week, sent to the lead and folded up badly but he seems better from off the pace; second best. (1) MASTERSON is no longer reliable at this level but he should land a share from the innermost post.
Race 2
(1) TEXICAN N was better last week and gamely held second as the winner tripped out; again I'm being stubborn and sticking with him. (5) BETTING EXCHANGE takes a needed drop in class, returns to Bartlett and figures to be much more involved. (2) E Z NOAH raced fine two back with a catch-driver; Marohn Jr. gets back in the bike and there's no reason why he shouldn't be right there.
Race 3
(5) MCSPIDEY took all the money two back but folded up on the front end; last week's start wasn't bad as he held third off an uncovered trip. Gelding is reunited with Stratton tonight. (3) LETTUCEROCKTHEM A seems to be feeling good again and is proven at this level. (4) BLOW A CLOUD A returns to Yonkers, gets Dube and has done good things here in the past.
Race 4
(1) STOLEN CAR stuffed a rival in the pocket and blasted down the road never in doubt last week; Bamond trainees are going well now and this gutsy veteran seems capable of repeating. (3) CHEYENNE JEFFREY hasn't put in a bad start in ages and may be fresher after taking last week off. (6) ALLSTAR PARTNER will likely be coming from off the pace tonight, and he's probably better off that way.
Race 5
(1) SPORTY SPOOK A sat in and shook free too late to threaten last week; Holland picks up the catch-drive and they teamed up for the win three back. (3) BLATANTLY BEST clearly is a logical player at this level but won't offer much value. (6) MACH TIME N has been forwardly placed and second best in his last two; threat.
Race 6
(5) GOKUDO HANOVER was never in doubt last week crushing a bit lesser; Dube sticks with him over two others in here and he could be a reasonable price again. (2) THE REAL ONE swept from last to first in last making it two straight; classy veteran is clearly on top of his game again and would be no surprise here; include. (7) MACH IT SO is razor-sharp and you have to assume Bongiorno will be trying to blast again.
Race 7
(2) THE WAYFARING MAN never fired last week but he draws well again and seems capable of bouncing back with an improved effort. (1) CONTROL TOWER took money the last two weeks and didn't race badly; he drops, draws best and is clearly a prime player. (3) HAVEFAITHINME N won his last start but then was scratched-sick; import has loads of class and must be considered.
Race 8
(5) ALWAYS AT MY PLACE went a hard, stubborn trip in defeat last out but he lands in a much better spot tonight and Brennan should point him to the front. (4) CAPOZZO raced better than his line indicates last week as the leader failed to carry him and the top two got the jump on him; he seems capable of landing a good piece with a better trip. (7) PACING MAJOR N lands in a tough spot tonight but it's impossible to completely dismiss the Tritton trainee.
Race 9
(1) DR J HANOVER was very good in defeat last week and he should be controlling the action tonight. (2) IMAROCNROLLEGEND N is a fresh Down-Under import for proven connections and he looks ready to go off that Freehold qualifier; watch the board, then definitely include. (5) COOPERSTOWN may be forwardly placed again looking for a trip, but will need to show more late versus this group.
Race 10
(4) SIR PUGSLEY was bottomed a bit from the pocket last week but he gets another crack at this level and may offer the better price of the main contenders. (1) STARZNHEAVEN returns locally off two sharp wins at Plainridge and lands the best post while picking up Sears; overbet? (6) GIVENUPDREAMING needed last week's start and is right back in while getting Stratton back; consider at a price.