Yonkers: Saturday 1/18 Analysis

MEET STATS: 12 - 32 / $63.50 (-$0.50)
BEST BETS: 2 - 3 / $6.30 (+$0.30)
Best Bet: IDEAL COWBOY (1st)
Spot Play: TALK SHOW (4th)
Race 1 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(1) IDEAL COWBOY was a little bit short off the holiday break but others from this barn came back better in their second start and this veteran hasn’t seen this soft a spot in some time; down the road. (5) ALTA SHELBY N is a bit inconsistent but overall the DiDomenico trainee has looked better recently out of town. (6) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING gets a catch-driver in the bike again for Vallee and can be considered at a price. (2) GOTTA GO B B didn’t fire in a fast mile last week at Freehold but his prior efforts were good.
Race 2 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(1) TROTTING GRACE was a bit overmatched in last week’s Open but she was a good second at this level two back to a rival who came back to win again; mare should be in line for a live trip from the best post. (6) MELADY’S MONET raced well last out but couldn’t get to the winner; classy millionaire is the one to beat but don’t accept too short of a price. (5) OBRIGADO is now making his fifth start back and it’s time to start showing more. (4) KENZIESKY HANOVER has been a model of consistency out of town for Toscano.
Race 3 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
I’ve never been a big fan of (3) YS LOTUS but he gets a free ride here off a couple of solid wins and he’s tough to go against. (4) BLAISE MM HANOVER was second best to the top one last out and he does have tactical speed to set up another nice trip. (2) ONE LUCKY DRAGON ships from the Meadowlands for the Harris barn, picks up Bartlett and is deserving of consideration. (7) ARTMAGIC gets some needed class relief but is stuck outside.
Race 4 – NW7500 in last 5 starts
(6) TALK SHOW finally put it all together last week with a brush-and-crush score; Banca trainee is sharp enough to take another. (2) EGOMANIA was a solid multiple-move winner upon arrival for DiDomenico and will be favored to repeat. (3) PICKLED PREACHER gets needed post relief and should be more involved tonight. (7) SUNKEN TREASURE fits nicely with these but the outside post hurts.
Race 5 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(4) DREAM OF LUCK didn’t fire last week in a needed race coming off the break but as previously mentioned this barn has done better with horses making their second seasonal start. (1) WHATS IN THE ESKY A gets class and post relief for the Jenn Bongiorno barn; expect an aggressive try. (2) LORD WILLOUGHBY A got hung the mile in his local return but didn’t tire all that badly; player. (3) ART HISTORY gets Bartlett back in the bike tonight and they almost pulled off the upset three back.
Race 6 - $75,000 Claiming
(2) KEYSTONE PHOENIX has been the King of the $75K claimers and he’ll be deservedly favored to win another. (1) FIREBALL was okay last week off the hiatus and he should hit the ticket from this spot. (5) TALBOTCREEKWHISKEY drops in for a tag tonight off a well-rated front-end score last week; we’ll see how the Burke trainee fits with this type. (7) SAULSBROOK DEPUTY faces an uphill climb from this spot but he’s proven with this type and will be a big price.
Race 7 – Preferred Handicap
(6) OSTRO HANOVER ended 2019 on a big roll and clearly looks ready to go off that qualifier; I would expect Dube to handle this one aggressively. (1) BENSON BOYS N steamrolled through the NW conditioned ranks for Team Bongiorno and raced well last week in a fast mile at Freehold; he gets tested for class tonight. (5) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER hasn’t done a whole lot wrong since arriving locally for the Virgil Morgan Jr. barn. (7) JACK’S LEGEND N is clearly very talented and looks sharp off that qualifier but he’s stuck all the way outside; will he be able to get involved?
Race 8 – NW15500 in last 5 starts
(1) BLOOD LINE got a little bit jammed in from the pocket last week as the race was collapsing so he can be excused for that effort; Bartlett sticks with him and he looms the one to catch tonight. (3) PRETTY BOY SWAG has big speed from a decent post; player. (4) ROCKATHON finished very willingly last week at this level and that was after missing almost a month. (6) ARCHANGEL THREE was uncovered into a rated pace last start and was outkicked late; Burke trainee lands outside his main competition but should be a decent price.
Race 9 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(6) HEAVEN’S GAIT hasn’t earned a penny in his four local starts but he gets needed class relief and faces a field with plenty of question marks; worth a look if the price is right. (3) MAGRITTE gets post relief, does have some early speed and figures to be much more involved here; Stratton’s choice. (5) RANCOUSY steps back up in class after winning safely on the front end at odds-on; I don’t think he deserves to be the 2/1 morning-line favorite but he does have a chance. (1) AWESOMENESS lands the best post and Bartlett’s back driving.
Race 10 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(1) I’M SOME GRADUATE makes his 2020 debut after being off over a month and he faces seven rivals who all have a recency edge but if the Burke trainee is ready for action he can handle these. (4) SOHO LENNON A was aggressively handled and proved an easy winner last week versus a notch lesser; classy veteran looks for three straight. (2) ANTHEM N has been odds-on in his last three and is now listed at 20/1 from a good inside post; Tritton trainee should be a factor here. (8) DENVER SEELSTER would probably be the choice here if not for the awful draw.
Race 11 – Open Handicap Trot
(5) SWANSEA did everything right last week except find the wire in time; sharp DiDomenico trainee deserves another chance. (3) WILL TAKE CHARGE was looped by the top choice off the gate last week then came up empty trying to make a second move; overall this classy gelding hasn’t been at his best but it’s hard not seeing him being a big player here. (4) YES was a well-meant winner coming off the holiday break and the 4-year-old goes for five straight wins. (6) LEAN HANOVER has been razor-sharp for Toscano but the outside post assignment will probably limit him to a smaller share tonight.
Race 12 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(2) SOMEBADDUDE was a Levy participant last year, returns from The Meadowlands in stellar form and draws a good inside post. (4) JOESSTAR OF MIA A jogged in his U.S. debut for Jenn Bongiorno and is a huge player assuming he’s ready to go off a month. (1) MARTY MONKHOUSER A bounced back from a clunker in New Jersey with a solid finish last week and now he moves all the way inside. (3) TREMENDOUS PLAY ended his 2019 season with a nice upset score versus cheaper.