Yonkers: Saturday 12/9 Analysis
Best Bet: DO OVER HANOVER (3rd)
Spot Play: CAVIART LUCA (6th)
MEET STATS: 497 - 1412 / $2,714.80
BEST BETS: 66 - 120 / $221.20
Race 1
(5) BORDER CONTROL A certainly makes sense here, dropping in class and leaving from an improved post, but he may need a favorable trip. Use caution. (3) NEWBIE was Bartlett's choice and should be firing from the gate. (2) BET YOU does well from inside posts and was a winner from a similar spot four back.
Race 2
(4) ROLAND N ROCK was a winner at this level last week with a late burst after saving ground; versatile gelding is capable of repeating and may offer some value in this wide-open event. (3) IDEAL COWBOY certainly needed last week's race at Freehold and he should be tighter tonight returning to Yonkers. (5) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN scored a long-overdue win in his last local race and hails from connections who always send them out ready; contender.
Race 3
(4) DO OVER HANOVER returns from a failed try up at Satatoga in their Open; Allard trainee will head to the front and prove tough to catch. (1) GYPSY LEATHER draws best and should land a big share if he secures good early position. (2) ALL ARTIST steps into claimers for Surick, draws well and was Kakaley's choice.
Race 4
(7) WAR DADDY has been good off the Brittany Robertson claim and faces a very soft and questionable group of $40K claimers here; if Bartlett can leave out for an early seat he may be sharp enough to get it done. (3) DOJEA SOLO is always a threat with his early speed but he's sometimes lacking late. (6) ONE THROUGH TEN has been very flat of late but at least the case can be made that he's been facing better in all recent starts; fires early?
Race 5
(1) BETTOR ROCK ON N has been insanely sharp and can take another at a short price. (4) WINDS OF CHANGE hasn't been at his best of late but he's got plenty of back class and looks like the main threat. (2) RANCOUSY may have tailed off a bit recently but he should still be able to garner a share from this inside spot.
Race 6
(4) CAVIART LUCA faltered last week under late pressure but he lands in another live spot tonight and is classy enough to rebound. (1) BAKERSFIELD may not be a true Open horse but he's been very sharp and lands the best post in this open draw. (2) ORILLIA JOE has been overachieving for an extended period of time and will never be too far back from this spot.
Race 7
(1) FCEE N looked really good when he first arrived in the U.S. but hit a major snag in his last local effort. Since then he freshened nicely up at Monticello and he may be able to tackle this soft group from the best post. (3) SPORTY SPOOK A lands in a better spot tonight and should be more involved. (8) TECHTOR HANOVER has Bartlett driving again and can clearly go with these but may need some help from the eight hole.
Race 8
(3) PANCHESTER UNITED isn't all that enticing at his 8/5 morning line but it seems like he's been going faster than most of these and it's tough to endorse anyone else for the top spot. (1) STEVENSVILLE draws best and is certainly good enough to keep up. (4) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING got hung to dry last week leaving from the eight hole; prior starts versus lesser were good.
Race 9
(3) PACING MAJOR N tried off-the-pace tactics last week and didn't fully fire into the rated pace; Tritton import is always a player at this Open 4YO level and could trip out tonight as the second choice. (2) MISSILE J somehow was able to secure the lead from the eight hole last out, gave it a good try but was nipped at the wire; he looms a big threat but will also be overbet off that effort. (4) RODEO ROCK hasn't put in a bad effort in ages.
Race 10
(5) BLOOD BROTHER drops back to the level where he does the most damage; a repeat of his effort three back will take this. (3) VANQUISHED N has clear talent for Vallee and looks like he has a legit shot from this improved post. (1) SWING CITY blew away lesser last week and gets another crack from the rail.
Race 11
(2) MR RIGHT HANOVER always offers finishing pace and with a clean trip he may prove freshest late. (3) BADIX HANOVER and (1) GRATIAN HANOVER are both major speed threats from good inside posts.
Race 12
(3) BUNGALOW BILL N was right there at the wire last week after sitting a good trip; Vallee charge has proven he fits with this type and is one of a few in with a live chance in the finale. (5) THE LUNCH PAIL has never been one of my favorites but Merton gets along with him and he's probably better starting from the center of the gate where he may flush live cover. (1) TEXAS TERROR N is feeling good again and is almost certain to work out a good trip from this spot.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]