Yonkers: Saturday 2/15 Analysis

MEET STATS: 57 - 173 / $305.60 (-$40.40)
BEST BETS: 11 - 15 / $37.00 (+$7.00)
Best Bet: IMAROCNROLLEGEND N (8th)
Spot Play: FIREBALL (11th)

Race 1 – NW7500 in last 5 starts

(3) DECOY had some success at Yonkers as a 3-year-old and he looks perfectly spotted here shipping from The Meadowlands. (1) PERFECTLY CLOSE came up a touch short in the late stages last week but it was likely a needed start after missing close to a month; gelding draws best and will be in line for a live trip. (4) WHOS BETTER toured the track from post eight versus better in his first seasonal start; Lance Hudson trainee will be more involved tonight. (2) ZIGGY SKY gets needed post relief and was Holland’s choice over #1.

Race 2 - $75,000 Claiming

(2) KEYSTONE PHOENIX was swallowed up in the late stages last out when classy Preferred-types came at him but he’s back in for a tag and should resume winning ways. (5) HIGHLAND TARTAN finally broke into the win column at this high claiming level with a sharp front-end score and he has a legit change to repeat should the top one falter. (4) SLICK MICK raced pretty well for Team Bongiorno when hiked to this level and he can be forwardly placed again. (6) SHOREVIEW seems to be up against it tonight starting from the worst post; maybe he can change tactics and rally for a piece.

Race 3 – NW20500 in last 5 starts

(3) OURLITTLEGENERAL A was a winner at this level four back and the class relief plus the post improvement seems to give this Allard trainee a chance at a price. (2) BECHERS BROOK A has looked super over at The Meadowlands and the import will likely attract most of the wagering dollars. (1) TWIN B TUFFENUFF gets another crack from a good post and the Burke trainee will be in line for a live trip. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N was a good second versus better last week after cutting the mile.

Race 4 - $40,000 Claiming

(2) AIR STRIKE was let off at a healthy 6/1 in his first seasonal start and he delivered with a well-rated front-end score; Erv Miller trainee stays at the same level looking to double up. (3) MACH TIME N was second best again last out and it’s only a matter of time before he finds the winner’s circle again. (1) BLAISE MM HANOVER was razor-sharp with a two-move winning effort last out from the eight hole but he’s unproven at this level and loses Bartlett. (6) ARTIFACT HANOVER is post-compromised but may land a small share.

Race 5 – NW10000 in last 5 starts

(1) QUALITY BUD clearly tailed off in his last couple after a nice run facing some good stock at Dover. He gets serious class relief and the best post with Bartlett driving tonight; lots to like. (2) MAROMA BEACH brushed and crushed against cheaper last out; DiDomenico trainee seems like the main threat. (6) BLATANTLY BEST drops in class off a needed start and the veteran can certainly go with these. (3) CARLISIMO qualified nicely for Lance Hudson and he was Stratton’s choice.

Race 6 – NW15000 in last 5 starts

(5) HEAVEN’S GAIT could not overcome the two-move eight-hole trip last week but he still held well; I’ll stick with him. (4) DENVER SEELSTER disappointed last out but he drops a notch and adds Brennan, who steered him to a win in December. (2) HEREHESOMESAROCKIN is up the class ladder again looking for three straight. (3) WARDAN EXPRESS A closed in :27 3/5 in his U.S. debut and now lands a better post; import will likely attract some attention at the windows with Stratton driving.

Race 7 – NW15000 in last 5 starts

(5) BABES DIG ME had a productive start to his 2020 campaign and the Banca trainee can build off that effort. (4) BANK SEA is arguably in career form and while he’s clearly tested for class tonight he’s sharp enough to consider. (1) DREAM OF LUCK is in line for another live trip from this spot. (7) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN would be much better off with an inside post but it’s hard to completely dismiss the Tritton trainee.

Race 8 – NW30000 in last 5 starts

(1) IMAROCNROLLEGEND N gets a free ride here off last week’s sharp score and the Jenn Bongiorno trainee will be odds-on to make it three straight. (2) STARS ALIGN A gets needed post relief and I’m sure Dube will be looking to secure the pocket trip. (3) TREMENDOUS PLAY was a bit overmatched in the Preferred but did race well; board threat. (4) AMERICAN BOY N is a speedy type; can he clear the front before releasing the top choice?

Race 9 – Open Handicap Trot

(6) SWANSEA has been razor-sharp for ages and he gets top billing again by virtue of winning the “6 through 8” draw. (4) ARABELLA’S CADET earns a trip to the Open ranks looking for four straight; we’ll see if the Lance Hudson-trained mare is good enough. (3) NOWS THE MOMENT was second best in his last two Open tries. (7) MELADY’S MONET will likely have too far to come but he can round out the bottom of the ticket.

Race 10 – Open Handicap Pace

(6) JACK’S LEGEND N was a game uncovered winner last week wearing down the rating frontrunner and while he has some good ones inside of him he seems talented enough to repeat; price may be okay as well. (5) OSTRO HANOVER has finally blossomed into a true Open-type pacer for Allard; big player. (3) ITALIAN DELIGHT N has looked like the real deal since arriving from Down-Under; we’ll see if he’s good enough to compete with these. (4) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER was a bit short on the front end last week but overall the Virgil Morgan, Jr trainee has been a solid earner since arriving.

Race 11 – NW10000 in last 5 starts

(3) FIREBALL finds his softest spot in some time and he appears way overdue. (5) ARCHANGEL THREE moves to the Andrew Harris barn and gets Bartlett in the bike; gelding also gets some class relief. (1) BURNING MIDNIGHT was a nice winner first out for these connections and he’s up in class looking to win another; Goodell’s choice. (4) MAJOR BUCKS has just been pacing evenly of late and he can hit the ticket with a smooth trip.

Race 12 – NW20000 in last 5 starts

(5) GREAT VINTAGE should be tighter off last week’s effort over at The Meadowlands and he should be sent to the front here by Siegelman. (2) WAIMAC ATTACK N qualified nicely after missing a month, and he was a decent second in his last pari-mutuel try. (1) BETTOR THAN SPRING gets another crack from the best post and he should appreciate the class relief. (4) LEAN ON YOU is super-sharp; closes for a piece?