Yonkers: Saturday 2/1 Analysis

MEET STATS: 29 - 92 / $148.60 (-$35.40)
BEST BETS: 5 - 8 / $19.00 (+$3.00)
Best Bet: IMAROCNROLLEGEND N (9th)
Spot Play: THE LAST CHAPTER (4th)
Race 1 – NW7500 in last 5 starts
(6) SHADY CITY can take air forever, as evidenced by his last two races; if he’s within striking distance he can grind these down late. (4) SWIFT AS A SHADOW is up a notch in class off a confidence-boosting win. (2) MARINER SEELSTER also bumps up after disposing of a weak field (at 1/20 odds!). (7) WEONA SIZZLER A has been a big disappointment overall for Banca but he’s arguably the most talented in here and he looks ready to go off that qualifier.
Race 2 – NW7500 in last 5 starts
(8) MACINTOSH N gets some needed class relief and has blasted off the gate from outside posts in the past; it wouldn’t surprise me if he took some sneaky tote action here. (4) ASTON HILL DAVE doesn’t win all that often but still seems like a strong candidate here. (2) REAL LUCKY N moves back inside and deserves a look. (3) MY MIND IS MADEUP hails from a low-percentage barn but he gets class relief and shows a few decent efforts recently against better.
Race 3 - $40,000 Claiming
(4) MARTY MONKHOUSER A was used to the lead and hounded throughout before understandably tiring last week, but he did hold very stubbornly; veteran gets top call in this competitive field. (1) ARTIFACT HANOVER flattened after a two-move effort off the Allard claim; best post helps here. (6) LACHIE MAGUIRE N drops in for the $40K tag for Team Bongiorno and he was game in defeat in his two efforts after being claimed by this barn. (3) WINDSONG JACK was stacked up with excess cover last week and charged to just miss; he’s another here with a chance.
Race 4 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(4) THE LAST CHAPTER has been very good in his two seasonal starts and while he does face better here the trotter should offer a good price. (3) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN backed up from the pocket last start in the Open but he’s back at a level where he can do more damage. (6) WILL TAKE CHARGE gets needed class relief and we’ll see if he can awaken. (7) WESLYNN DANCER is a stakes-quality mare but the outside post and lack of early speed could present a problem.
Race 5 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(1) ROCKAPELO was the ultimate pocket-rocket last start and now he goes to the Burke barn via sale purchase; he does face a bit better here but may be up to the task. (3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN was better in his second seasonal start and could have even more to offer tonight. (4) DRAGONOLOGY came up flat chasing two good ones last week; dip in class could help his cause. (5) KIMANI N is another one in here moving to a new barn (Harris) and he deserves a look.
Race 6 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(3) SOMEWHERE IN L A came up a touch short last week getting worn down by a streaking rival; he drops in class here and the classy veteran should have his way with these. (5) FIREBALL drops from the $75K claimers, where he has been racing evenly, and he can land a big share. (1) TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN was okay last week and he has good speed from the best post; Holland’s choice. (7) I’M SOME GRADUATE is stuck outside again; does Brennan take a shot off the gate?
Race 7 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(4) BLOOD BROTHER may have lost a bit of speed off his fastball but the Banca-trained veteran is still a legit player in these Saturday night events and he can take this with a smooth trip. (1) STARS ALIGN A was handled like he was the best last week and delivered the goods; Allard trainee draws best and is an obvious contender here. (6) AMERICAN BOY N was held at bay by Stars Align A last week; early speed makes him a factor. (7) TWIN B TUFFENUFF takes a meaningful drop in class but is stuck all the way outside.
Race 8 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(6) SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A looked razor-sharp at Freehold last week coming back from vacation and while he faces some good stock here from a less-than-ideal post the price should be decent on the Croghan trainee. (5) ANYTHINGFORLOVE A can be a handful but is also very speedy when pointed to the front; he’s a threat to take these all the way. (1) ROCKATHON is up a notch in class off a solid finish last week and the move inside makes him a player. (4) ELECTRIC WESTERN drops from $75K claimers and could land a small piece.
Race 9 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(1) IMAROCNROLLEGEND N raced pretty well last week versus better in a much-needed start coming off the bench; Jenn Bongiorno trainee is clearly the one to beat here at a short price. (3) ROCK DIAMONDS N should be ready to go for Cushing off those two Meadowlands qualifiers. (4) HUNDIE N seems capable of saving ground, shaking free and landing a share at a price. (7) BLOOD LINE can go with these but faces an uncertain trip from this outside post.
Race 10 – Preferred Handicap Pace
(3) TRUMP NATION raced very well last out in a needed start making his 2020 debut and he lands a good spot to do some damage in this abbreviated field. (5) KEYSTONE PHOENIX had no problem transitioning to the Allard barn; he seems sharp enough to handle better. (4) BETTOR MEMORIES got back on the winning track last out at Dover (beating the top choice in the process); player. (6) SAN DOMINO A may need a start or two to hit top speed.
Race 11 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(3) LORD WILLOUGHBY A was content to get away and sit third last week, and finished with steady pace. Stalbaum may have him pointed to the front tonight. (2) UNICO LEGEND N had a perfect tightener in his U.S. debut and I suspect we’ll see more here. (6) SLICK MICK took the money and converted versus a notch lesser last Saturday; Bongiorno is back in the bike driving for his sister and we’ll see how well he gets away from the gate. (7) STARZNHEAVEN can go with these but the post hurts.