Yonkers: Saturday 2/16 Analysis
Best Bet: MELADY’S MONET (6th)
Spot Play: KILLER MARTINI (10th)
MEET STATS: 38 - 103 / $197.00 (-$9.00)
BEST BETS: 6 - 9 / $18.70 (+$0.70)
Race 1
In a tough-to-figure opener, (6) ROYAL HEART was a solid second in a fast time at this level two back and with an alert getaway he can work out a live close-up trip; consider if the price is good. (5) ARTIFACT HANOVER never factored in his two local starts for the Ruiz barn but he was stuck in outside posts versus good competition; class and post relief should help immensely. (2) MCCLINCHIE N has been a bit dull in his last few Yonkers tries but he's another who draws better in a softer field.
Race 2
(5) NEW HEAVEN was outmuscled by a streaking rival in her last race but it was a solid effort in defeat and the Burke trainee has been looking good recently; he can hit the front here and take them the distance. (6) CHESTNUT SCHOFIELD didn't fire in last week's Open but was a sharp and well-backed winner the start prior; will he have too far to come from this spot? (1) BLENHEIM had no chance last week but he trotted a good back half; move inside makes him a player.
Race 3
(6) TULLOW N was a bit dull in his last couple but that was against better and Bartlett chose him over two others; note his last try at this level was solid. (5) SPORTSKEEPER also takes a needed drop in class and seems capable of better. (2) MY MIND IS MADEUP gets some needed post relief and was close up three back.
Race 4
(5) TYBER TYKE steps up off a nice win versus a bit lesser but the DiDomenico trainee has handled this type in the past; I would expect Brennan to be aggressive here without a lot of speed signed on to his inside. (1) BADIX HANOVER qualified effectively, getting run over late by Bit Of A Legend N; if ready he's a big player here. (4) ABERDEEN HANOVER doesn't win often but he's been in reasonably good form for Vallee and he can be considered underneath.
Race 5
(1) OURLITTLEGENERAL A was snatched off the gate last week then stormed home from last to sweep the field; Allard trainee can be a bit disappointing at times but he must be given respect versus this very soft NW20000 field. (3) MARINER SEELSTER was a solid upset winner off cover last week and almost always offers value. (7) ROLAND N ROCK is clearly feeling good again; only problem here is the post.
Race 6
(4) MELADY'S MONET flew home from seemingly an impossible spot last week and actually almost got there, missing by a nose (when my money was down of course); classy trotter is back on top of his game and this good midpack post clearly makes him the one to beat. (2) FEARLESS MAN has climbed all the way back to the Open and he looks for his fifth straight; early speed will put him in play. (6) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN was wildly overbet last out and faltered late after setting a solid clip; he took a week off and may try it from off the pace tonight coming from the worst post.
Race 7
(4) PACING MAJOR N has blossomed into a solid high-conditioned horse for Peter Tritton and he qualified back quite effectively; we saw his stablemate win the Mares Open right off the bench last week. (3) ANYTHINGFORLOVE A was used hard on the front end last week and wilted; Bongiorno trainee deserves another look from the improved post. (6) WEONA SIZZLER A has shown very little in his first two starts after moving to the Banca barn; he has too much talent to ignore, however.
Race 8
(2) BETTORS FIRE N was a solid front-end winner two back and absolutely exploded home from too far back last out; veteran absolutely deserves top billing having landed inside his main competition. (3) BIT OF A LEGEND N was on his own winning that qualifier and he's another Tritton trainee that should be ready for action tuning up for the Levy. (5) DON DOMINGO N finished with plenty after the fact last week and the Lance Hudson trainee will likely offer some value here. Worth mentioning that (4) SOMEWHERE IN L A is also in here making his 2019 debut. Interesting race.
Race 9
(5) BUGSY MAGUIRE worked out a great trip and proved a solid winner last week; Banca trainee could be firing from the gate looking to take these the distance and the price could be ok with Bartlett opting off. (2) SAULSBROOK LANNY paced just evenly last week but he was a solid second at this level three back, which was his return from a lengthy layoff; Bartlett's choice. (6) STOLEN CAR is a proven commodity at this $40K claiming level; poor post hurts again.
Race 10
(5) KILLER MARTINI got Brennan in the bike and finally put it all back together with a crushing uncovered victory; sharp sort shouldn't be bothered by the class hike. (1) BLAYDE HANOVER sat and was shuffled last week but did finish with pace too late; he can flash his solid speed from the rail. (4) MIGHTY MR SHARKEY N gets a bit of needed class relief and was right there three back at this level.
Race 11
(2) CHRISTEN ME N gets big-time class and post relief and the veteran import is clearly the one to deny from his spot. (3) GREAT VINTAGE was game in defeat last week in a nice improved effort and the 11-year-old could be on the move early again. (5) GUNPOWDER N tries better for Tritton off three solid local efforts.
Race 12
(1) BLATANTLY BEST was a good second last week and he usually does his best work at this level; leaving from the rail gives Bartlett plenty of tactical options. (2) THE WAYFARING MAN never got involved from the outside post facing tougher in his debut for the Allard barn; this is clearly a live spot but he may be overbet. (5) GOKUDO HANOVER did win last week but was all out late; he's not at his sharpest but his back class surely makes him a player.