Yonkers: Saturday 12/14 Analysis

2019 STATS: 533 - 1367 / $2,486.90 (-$247.10)
BEST BETS: 64 - 117 / $204.70 (-$29.30)
Best Bet: KEYSTONE PHOENIX (4th)
Spot Play: SHOREVIEW (1st)
Race 1 - $40,000 Claiming
(8) SHOREVIEW currently seems like the most proven and reliable $40K claimer in here and he was good enough to win his last two but just had some bad racing luck. He goes to another new barn tonight (Ruiz) but I would expect him to maintain his solid form and he has enough speed to hit the top from post eight. (6) ART SCENE has also been sharp and has the early foot to secure good position. (5) MARTY MONKHOUSER A rode live cover and powered off to win last week; he’s clearly capable of repeating. (2) WINDSONG JACK was pressed into submission last out; chance with a smoother trip.
Race 2 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(4) LORD CROMWELL jogged last week versus lesser and he looked like he had something left; trotter seems sharp enough to handle the hike in class. (5) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN is closing out another solid campaign with over $140K banked and he looks for three straight for the hot Bucci barn. (3) YES exits the age-restricted classes and gets a true test tonight; we’ll see if he’s up for it. (2) ANDY RAY can land a minor award from this good post.
Race 3 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(5) JOESSTAR OF MIA A arrives from Down-Under for the Jenn Bongiorno barn and certainly seems ready for action off that one qualifier at Freehold; could he score at first asking? I certainly won’t be letting him beat me. (4) HEAVEN’S GAIT put in an aggressive first-over challenge last week versus a tough front-winner in the Open; he drops in class and should be tighter off that effort. (2) I’M SOME GRADUATE toured the track from the eight hole last out but the Burke trainee should be right in the hunt from this improved post. (1) BLATANTLY BEST raced okay last week in a needed start off the sick scratch and he can land a share from the inside.
Race 4 - $75,000 Claiming
(3) KEYSTONE PHOENIX threw in a clunker two back but was reunited with Bongiorno last start and was a powerful winner; DiDomenico trainee will look to repeat at short odds. (5) OSTRO HANOVER is going well now for Allard and the 4-year-old looks for three straight. (1) FIREBALL was a clear second last week and should be prominent again from the best post. (4) IDEAL FLIP probably should have been second last out but overall it wasn’t a bad effort; good one to include here at a price.
Race 5 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
In an evenly-matched and competitive affair, (2) BENHOPE RULZ N was outsprinted late after being forced to take a pocket tuck last week and that’s two solid efforts off the barn change to Cassar; Holland sticks with the import. (1) TWIN B TUFFENUFF steps up in class off two decisive victories and he may be sharp enough to handle this type. (5) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER was much more aggressively handled in his second local start and he can build off that effort. (4) SAN DOMINO A is back locally off a solid off-the-pace score at The Big M.
Race 6 – Open Handicap Trot
(5) SWANSEA aborted a leave attempt last week, ended up with too much ground to cover but closed with a ton late; DiDomenico trainee is beyond sharp right now. (6) WILL TAKE CHARGE was able to rate kindly on the front end to finally get the job done after coming up a bit short in his prior couple of races; clearly he’s talented enough to repeat but will likely have to work harder tonight. (1) OBRIGADO surprisingly came uncovered to challenge in his first start in over a year and can be excused for tiring; he’ll steadily race his way back into shape. (3) LEAN HANOVER finished very willingly to be second last out and should land another good share here.
Race 7 – Open Handicap Pace
(5) JACK’S LEGEND N was unable to get involved last week from post eight but the move inside a couple of spots makes the Banca import very logical selecting. (3) MAC’S JACKPOT raced okay off a tough trip last out ending his winning streak but he should still be sharp off that effort and is in with a live chance here. (7) RAUKAPUKA RULER N may be the “real deal” for Tritton but he’ll likely have to pass them all from this spot. (2) THE WALL didn’t fire last week but the inside post assignment here helps improve his chances.
Race 8 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(5) DENVER SEELSTER did the best he could from tough spots recently versus $75K claimers; the class relief tonight helps immensely. (2) SOMEWHERE FANCY also gets needed class and post relief; player. (3) REAGAN’S AVENGER took advantage of a great cover trip to convert against lesser and this barn is going very well now. (4) MCCLINCHIE N didn’t get involved last week, sitting in traffic, but he retains Stratton and could work out a small share.
Race 9 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(1) HIGHLAND TARTAN unexpectedly blew up two back at odds-on when he looked like lock-city but he bounced back last week with a huge eight-hole try; Gillis trainee is clearly the one to beat here. (3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN was a pocket-rocket winner at 22/1 when dropped back to this level and he gets a free ride here. (6) DANCIN DRAGON has disappointed a bit in his last few but he drops again in class and was Bartlett’s pick. (5) ARTMAGIC faltered under pressure on the front end but it looks like he’ll be off the pace tonight and seems capable of rallying for a share.
Race 10 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(2) FINE DIAMOND finished willingly from a no-chance spot last week; the drop in class and post relief can get him over the top. (5) IDEAL COWBOY also drops in class and this looks like a good spot for him to flash some of that gate speed. (3) PACING MAJOR N returns from The Meadowlands and the Tritton trainee is a good fit with this type. (4) VINNY GAMBINI N went from awesome to empty in a hurry but at least he’s right back in the box so I assume there’s nothing wrong with him.
Race 11 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(6) KIMANI N had no realistic chance last week but he’s proven capable with this type in the past and could be a player at a price with a live trip. (3) ANNHILATION also landed on a tough trip coming out of the same race as the top one but he’ll probably be heading the front tonight. (5) MCSPIDEY had nothing to offer coming uncovered as the odds-on choice last out but we know he’s better than that. (1) ZACH MAGUIRE N saved ground to hit the ticket in last from the rail and can do the same here.
Race 12 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(2) MIKE’S Z TAM was aggressively put on the front end by Lachance last week but faltered late; perhaps he better from just off the pace, which will likely be the scenario tonight. (5) SOLO STORY was gaining last out when dropped to this level; Marohn gets the call tonight and he should be coming late again. (3) TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN hasn’t won in quite a while but he’s hit the board in his last three and can do so again. (1) IN SPADES proved a but overmatched when in with $75K claimers but this looks like a better spot.