Yonkers: Saturday 1/25 Analysis

MEET STATS: 25 - 68 / $127.40 (-$8.60)
BEST BETS: 4 - 6 / $11.80 (-$0.20)
Best Bet: STARS ALIGN A (9th)
Spot Play: TREMENDOUS PLAY (8th)
Race 1 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(2) TALK SHOW has finally put it all back together and the Banca trainee is clearly going well now; he’s up in class looking for three straight and seems sharp enough to get it done. (1) TAKE IT BACK TERRY is supposed to beat these on memory I suppose but he’s clearly not the same horse as he once was; still looms a big player however. (6) SLICK MICK put in two steady efforts versus better; Kakaley subs for Bongiorno tonight and he could be forwardly placed in here. (4) BEVANS CULLEN N gapped the mile last week with no response but he’s getting some class relief.
Race 2 - $40,000 Claiming
(1) MACH TIME N was a solid off-the-pace winner last out, picking up the pieces when the leaders were battling. Banca trainee is back in for a tag tonight, lands the best post and certainly seems the most logical here. (5) WINDSONG JACK has tailed off recently but he’s a proven commodity at this level and should offer decent value. (7) SWING CITY has looked like a new horse since returning to familiar surroundings; I don’t know how well he fits with these but he’ll be a big price and is worth considering. (4) LUCAN HANOVER has good early speed and loads of back class.
Race 3 - $75,000 Claiming
(2) SHOREVIEW has missed some time coming off a sick scratch but he has a tactical edge on his main rivals from this spot and could be hard to catch if he’s ready to go. (4) KEYSTONE PHOENIX has been in career form and Joe Bongiorno got along great with him but he can be a bit quirky sometimes; he goes to Allard off the claim and gets a new pilot in Dube. I feel like this is the week to try and beat him. (1) FIREBALL was used hard in the early stages last week and gave way; he can land a share with a more relaxed trip. (3) HIGHLAND TARTAN gets needed post relief and should be more involved.
Race 4 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(1) SOLO STORY showed unknown speed last out and was second best chasing a classy rival; he gets class relief here while drawing best. (5) AMERICANFIREWATER was a solid winner versus lesser here in December and qualified back nicely at Monticello; player. (2) MAGRITTE hasn’t really fired recently but the class relief and good draw helps. (6) TIGERS WAY gets Dube in the bike tonight for Lachance and could be a closing threat.
Race 5 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(6) LACHIE MAGIURE N went a huge trip in defeat last week off the Jenn Bongiorno claim; he’s got some good ones inside of him tonight but deserves following off that effort. (1) LORD WILLOUGHBY A was a solid front-end winner last out versus a notch lesser and he’ll probably be the controlling speed again. (4) NEW TALENT ships in off some decent efforts at The Meadowlands and the Cullipher trainee looks like a good fit here. (2) PRETTY BOY SWAG will be close up throughout but needs to show more late.
Race 6 – NW15400 in last 5 starts
(3) ANYTHINGFORLOVE A can be hard to handle but if Marohn points him to the front he may be hard to catch. (4) INCREDIBLE SHARK is another Cullipher trainee heading across the river where he just missed last week in a good try. (1) BLAISE MM HANOVER is up in class off some sharp tries and is long overdue for a win. (2) PROCOVATIVEPRINCEN had nothing to offer last week but the Tritton trainee was off a month and he’s right back in the box tonight; assume he will be tighter.
Race 7 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(5) WHATS IN THE ESKY A was content to sit the pocket last week and was clearly second best; Brennan subs for Bongiorno tonight and they meet a field with plenty of question marks. (3) IDEAL COWBOY took advantage of an easy spot last week and was an odds-on winner; he’s back up in class but has been competitive with this type in the past. (4) HEAVEN’S GAIT seems to be better than he’s been showing and he’ll wake up eventually. (6) ROCK LIGHTS gets Bartlett back in the bike for the live Andrew Harris barn.
Race 8 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(3) TREMENDOUS PLAY was off over a month prior to last week’s effort, where he was a bit overmatched facing some good rivals; this seems like a much better spot for the Banca trainee. (7) MANVERICK was a well-meant front-end winner versus a notch lesser last start; expect forward placement again. (1) MILLIONDOLLAR WAVE draws best again and should hang around for a share. (2) ARQUE HANOVER rallied very nicely in his local return.
Race 9 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(2) STARS ALIGN A raced very willingly to be third best last week versus $75K claimers; the Allard trainee gets good post relief and will be a major player. (3) AMERICAN BOY N took care of business in his local return; Cassar trainee bumps up a notch but has beaten this type in the past. (4) BLOOD BROTHER finally found a winning spot last out; this competition is tougher tonight and while he can win here I wouldn’t accept too short of a price. (1) DRAGONOLOGY raced pretty well last week at Freehold in a needed start.
Race 10 – Open Handicap Trot
(8) SWANSEA has been on an extended form spree and was the easiest of winners last week in the Open; I know this is a very tough spot tonight but I’ll take a swing if the price is right. (1) MELADY’S MONET got to draw for the inside posts and ended up with the pole position; obvious player. (6) LEAN HANOVER has done nothing wrong in all recent efforts for Toscano. (5) YES saw his win streak end abruptly when hiked to the Open level; Erv Miller trainee has something to prove versus this type.
Race 11 – Preferred Handicap Pace
(7) JACK’S LEGEND N closed a ton last week off the bench and the Banca trainee is stuck outside again but if Bartlett can somehow get him involved earlier this week he’ll beat these. (4) SOMEBADDUDE has been razor-sharp for Toscano and must be included. (5) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER has solid early speed which can set him up with a good trip. (2) JOESSTAR OF MIA A took all the money last week but the Jenn Bongiorno trainee didn’t fire at all; Holland drives tonight and the import could be tighter coming back on consecutive weeks.
Race 12 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(3) SOMEWHERE IN L A had plenty of pace in his 2020 debut but the classy millionaire was just too far back to threaten; post relief helps immensely. (2) SOHO LENNON A is up in class again looking for four straight. (1) IMAROCNROLLEGEND N qualified sharply at Freehold and could be a player if ready to go off the bench. (4) TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN flashed good speed last week versus those good $75K claimers but was shuffled and tired; Holland could have him forwardly placed again.