Yonkers: Saturday 12/7 Analysis

2019 STATS: 522 - 1334 / $2,436.20 (-$231.80)
BEST BETS: 62 - 114 / $198.90 (-$29.10)
Best Bet: WILL TAKE CHARGE (6th)
Spot Play: OSTRO HANOVER (5th)
Race 1 - $40,000 Claiming
(4) SHOREVIEW has been in top form for the last couple of months and now goes for the Harris barn via claim; unfortunately he’s drawn outside of some speedy types but that could help his price a bit; big chance as Brennan’s choice if not too hard-used. (1) WINDSONG JACK took advantage of an easy spot to score wire-to-wire last week; veteran is obviously capable of repeating. (3) ART SCENE was no match to the above choice from the pocket in that start but he’s the other clear contender in here. (6) SWIFT AS A SHADOW is tough to endorse for the top spot unless something crazy happens but he’s sharp enough to consider for the bottom of the ticket.
Race 2 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(1) ER ROCK MY WORLD was actually very good last finishing up with pace after being used hard early; big chance here with smooth sailing. (3) ANTHEM N had no chance from the eight hole when dropped to this lower level but he gets post relief and the Tritton trainee clearly deserves plenty of respect. (5) THE LUNCH PAIL was surprisingly put on the front end last week by Holland and was a sharp winner versus a notch lesser; clearly he can handle the hike in class. (6) TIGERS WAY raced decently upon arrival for the final check and the Lachance trainee can pick up another small share here.
Race 3 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(2) MCSPIDEY rallied for second at a big price versus $75K claimers last out and he’s always been a good fit with this type; top billing here but don’t fall in love at too short of a price. (5) TREMENDOUS PLAY disappointed two back at odds-on and the Banca trainee has a less-than-stellar win record this year but it’s hard not to seriously consider him here. (4) ANNIHILATION rated kindly in his local return then went down stubbornly under harsh pressure; he’s capable of landing a share here. (6) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN gets the class relief he needs but has some good ones inside of him; small piece?
Race 4 – NW20100 in last 5 starts
(4) SPORTS BETTOR went a rugged trip last out and held very gamely for second; Temming trainee seems sharp enough to handle these despite his regular driver Holland opting off. (1) MACH TIME N drops from $40K claimers where he’s been competitive and he certainly is logical from this spot. (2) ROCKATHON gets post relief and figures to be close-up throughout. (5) SOLO STORY picked up small checks in his last two versus high-priced claimers; veteran makes his 43rd start of the year and can make some noise with a live trip.
Race 5 - $75,000 Claiming
(7) OSTRO HANOVER drops in for a tag tonight for Allard and while he’s never been the most consistent type last week’s winning effort was very sharp when he wore down Somewhere in L A; 4-year-old should offer a decent price and hopefully Dube can get him in play. (2) SAULSBROOK DEPUTY has been great in his last two upset wins; problem is he offers no value tonight. (1) FIREBALL didn’t fire off the Chris Height claim but he does move all the way inside now. (3) CAVIART MAX graduated from the NW conditioned ranks for Toscano and can be yours for $112,500.
Race 6 – Open Handicap Trot
(5) WILL TAKE CHARGE failed to seal the deal on the front end in his last two but the millionaire deserves another chance. (7) SWANSEA is beyond sharp right now but unfortunately loses the outside post draw and is stuck in a tough spot again; DiDomenico trainee still deserves to be included. (4) LEAN HANOVER is another one in good form who can land a share with a smooth trip. (1) OBRIGADO makes his first start in over a year and I’m sure he’ll need a few starts to round back into form; let’s watch for now.
Race 7 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(1) ARTMAGIC has been a steady commodity for an extended period of time now and the class and post relief can get him over the top. (3) MCCLINCHIE N had pace in the pocket but got free too late last out; he retains a catch-driver tonight for Vallee and could be considered. (5) ODDS ON DELRAY takes a needed drop in class but with little current form. (8) HIGHLAND TARTAN looked like a lock on paper last out but broke heading to the front; now he’s stuck in a tougher spot but the price will go way up.
Race 8 – Open Handicap Pace
(2) SAYING GRACE N raced well for the second consecutive local start but had a little too much to do from third over; he lands a very cozy inside post here and should be aggressively handled. (3) RAUKAPUKA RULER N swept the field impressively last week and gets tested for class here but the Tritton trainee seems talented enough. (6) MAC’S JACKPOT missed almost a month of action but picked up where he left off with an impressive first-over win; gelding goes for four straight. (8) JACK’S LEGEND N has looked like the real deal since arriving from Down-Under for Banca; eight-hole assignment makes things tougher tonight.
Race 9 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(2) VINNY GAMBINI N has looked like a new horse since shipping in to Yonkers a couple of months ago and he paced a huge back half last week to be second best; sharp sort has a legit chance here in this competitive event. (4) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER was never a threat versus better upon arrival but that was a good acclimating mile and he should be showing more tonight. (1) TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN has been second best in his three starts after moving to the Banca barn and is an obvious board threat here. (5) DANCIN DRAGON faltered under front-end pressure last out and may be better suited from off the pace, which will likely be the case tonight.
Race 10 – NW21000 in last 5 starts
(1) BRIGHT DIAMOND N was conservatively handled last week and finished up steadily for a small share; expect much more aggressive handling tonight. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N changed barns, added Lasix, took money and converted off a live trip; import seems sharp enough to repeat. (3) RONNIES ROCKET has missed a couple of weeks coming off a dull effort but he does face a bit softer tonight. (4) HUNDIE N steps up off a win and overall has been solid since arriving locally.
Race 11 – NW30250 in last 5 starts
(4) MIKE’S Z TAM fits as well as anyone in here and moving in a few slots obviously helps the Lachance trainee. (3) BLOOD LINE rallied belatedly last week in a race that did favor closers and he’s another that’s proven with this type. (2) CAVIART LUCA has the speed and class to never be counted out. (1) DECLAN SEESLTER returns off a good try at The Big M and was second best to The Wall two back; threat from the best post.