Yonkers: Saturday 11/23 Analysis

2019 STATS: 507 - 1277 / $2,353.90 (-$200.10)
BEST BETS: 61 - 109 / $195.90 (-$22.10)
Best Bet: HIGHLAND TARTAN (10th)
Spot Play: MOHAWK WARRIOR (3rd)
Race 1 - $40,000 Claiming
(4) SHOREVIEW can be considered the current King of the $40K claimers and while it may be a bit tougher going in the early stages this week with speed signed on to the inside of him the Jenn Bongiorno trainee still deserves top billing. (2) FIREBALL was no match to the top one from the pocket last week but overall he was great off the DiDomenico claim and now he goes for the Allard barn; 5-year-old looks like the main threat here. (3) WINDSONG JACK is back up in class off the Chris Height claim and if he’s sent hard early it could make things interesting. (1) MARTY MONKHOUSER A is unproven at this level but he deserves a look from the best post.
Race 2 – CKG Billings Amateur Gold Cup
(6) INUKCHUK CHUCK has a win over this surface recently that was timed in a speedy 1:56 4/5 in an amateur event; while I wouldn’t expect a ton of early speed here the Surick trainee could be set up nicely with cover in this added-distance event. The capable Joe Lee handles him tonight. (3) FIJI blitzed the field here two back and should be forwardly placed again; can he handle the extra quarter-mile? (4) BLASCO never got involved last week in the top Monticello trot but he may have needed that start for his different barn and he could have more to offer tonight. Looks like a crapshoot for the rest in this bulky field.
Race 3 – NW10600 in last 5 starts
(7) MOHAWK WARRIOR just missed last start versus better but that enables him to drop into this lower class; obviously the post hurts but he seems worthy of serious consideration if the price is right. (5) ELWELL doesn’t win all that often but he can go with this type; threat with a smooth trip. (2) MCCLINCHIE N gets post relief and the catch-driving Bartlett in the bike. (3) BLUEBIRD RECON gets some needed class relief but has been rather dull recently; use caution.
Race 4 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(2) STARS ALIGN A returns locally for Allard off a win and he’s performed well with better than these in the past; obvious choice but short price looming. (1) HUNDIE N was a solid second in his last two and he’s in line to complete a chalky exacta from this spot. (8) RUN ONEOVER N needed last week’s start at Philly coming off the shelf and he can go with this type; maybe Stratton can improve position early and sneak into the number at a big price. (5) KILLER MARTINI was strong off cover last week to upset when least expected; he’s got the class but has never been the most consistent type.
Race 5 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(1) CAVAIRT LUCA was outfinished off an uncovered trip last week when hiked to the Preferred level but the Burke trainee seems to be back in a winning spot tonight. (5) BLOOD LINE returns to Yonkers and he’s now in the Banca barn while picking up Bartlett; he’s missed a couple of weeks but is still worth keeping an eye on. (2) ATTA BOY DAN has had a stellar 10-year-old season with over $200K banked and he ships in looking for four straight and his 20th 2019 win. (7) RAUKAPUKA RULER N has obvious talent but the recent Tritton import faces a near-impossible task tonight; small share?
Race 6 – Preferred Handicap Pace
(6) JACK’S LEGEND N took all the money last week as expected, was handled accordingly and proved a sharp winner; Banca trainee can take another despite his outside post assignment. (2) THE REAL ONE gets post relief and we know he can never be counted out. (5) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER is an interesting Midwest shipper for Virgil Morgan, Jr. and he does show good early foot. (4) THE WALL is wrapping up a great season and the Surick trainee looks for three in a row and five of six overall but he faces tougher here.
Race 7 - $75,000 Claiming
(5) SCOTT ROCKS was unable to get involved last week but this is a more realistic spot and I would expect the veteran to be involved early. (1) KEYSTONE PHOENIX is in raging form and Siegelman picks up the livest of catch-drives with Joe Bongiorno heading across the river; he’ll be favored to take his fifth straight. (4) SAULSBROOK DEPUTY disappointed last week at odds-on; he moves back into claimers for Banca and will be a much bigger price here. (2) BLATANTLY BEST should land a share from this good post.
Race 8 – Preferred Handicap Trot
(6) WILL TAKE CHARGE almost took them the distance in his local return and I’ll give him another chance here. (7) MELADY’S MONET just oozes class and he was storming home last week from too far back; post hurts again but it’s impossible not to include him. (1) THERESADEMONINME has raced very well here and he lands the best post; trotter should be set up with a nice trip. (2) TOP FLIGHT ANGEL was a good second last start chasing the well-rated winner; he faces better here but seems sharp enough to include.
Race 9 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(2) DANCIN DRAGON has put together some solid efforts locally and the 4-year-old gelding is shaping up to be a really nice “Saturday night” horse; Bartlett gets the drive tonight facing a bit softer from a good post. (3) SUNFIRE BLUE CHIP qualified effectively off the brief layoff and the veteran should be good to go. (4) SOHO LENNON A finished willingly last week and the classy vet has been feeling good lately. (5) I’M SOME GRATUATE is back up in class off a solid pocket-sitting score but he faces an uncertain trip tonight.
Race 10 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(5) HIGHLAND TARTAN was dead-game in defeat last week losing to a well-meant 3-year-old and now he gets to drop into a pretty soft spot here; Gillis trainee will be tough to deny. (3) MIGHTY MR SHARKEY N returns locally and has gone some good miles here in the past. (6) RANCOUSY has been racing reasonably well and does get some class relief. (1) YS LOTUS can contend if he’s in the mood but consistency is not his strong suit.
Race 11 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(1) BIT OF A LEGEND N is winding down his stellar career and he should certainly be able to handle these from this spot. (4) ARTMAGIC has been very consistent recently while facing better and he returns to Holland (with Stratton obviously choosing the ‘Legend’) and he’s gotten along with him well in the past. (3) BEACH BOOGIE is back up in class off a dominating victory. (8) SOMEWHERE IN L A is stuck in post eight; I guess we need to watch to board here for clues.
Race 12 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(5) SPORTS BETTOR raced decently last week when hiked to this level but he couldn’t make up ground into the quick back half; Temming trainee seems capable from this spot with a live trip. (1) SOLID ASA ROCK A paced evenly to finish third best to a couple of tough ones last out; Banca trainee keeps Bartlett and he looks like the one to beat. (6) TWIN B TUFFENUFF returns locally off some decent efforts in Pennsylvania. (2) CAPOZZO is best a level or two down but he usually finishes close-up from inside posts.