Yonkers: Saturday 3/16 Analysis
Best Bet: WAVES OF FIRE A (1st)
Spot Play: WESTERN FAME (4th)
MEET STATS: 64 - 185 / $315.40 (-$54.60)
BEST BETS: 11 - 15 / $32.90 (+$2.90)
Race 1
(2) WAVES OF FIRE A was able to drop to NW5000 off the $20K claim by DiDomenico and jogged at odds-on; veteran seems sharp enough to handle the bump in class. (5) DR DRAKE RAMORAY was well driven by Marohn last week to grab second as a win was unlikely and he can land another good share with a good trip. (6) THE LUNCH PAIL failed badly on the front end last out at odds-on but that's not his game; he will be on the move late.
Race 2
(1) BETTOR ROCK ON N stalled on the rim last week in a race without much flow but his prior efforts were good and the 10-year-old can turn it around with a nice stalking trip. (5) WINDSONG JACK went down the road easily in his local return and is an obvious threat to do it again. (4) STOLEN CAR is always a player at this $40,000 claiming level and represents himself well from the inside half of the gate.
Race 3
(2) SCOTCH MCEWAN was worn down after a hard battle last out and I believe the gelding can be excused for that effort; from this good post again and versus some questionable foes he deserves another look, despite Stratton opting off. (4) CARRACCI HANOVER hasn't won in quite a while but the freelegged pacer has hit the ticket in his last three. (1) CATCHA LEFTY A didn't fire at all last out but his prior efforts were good; he merits a mention from the best post.
Race 4
(4) WESTERN FAME had a much needed tightener upstate last week coming into the Levy for the connections that took the last two editions (Allard/Dube) and the classy 6-year-old looks well-spotted here. (1) WINGSONG LEO has a very nice local history and should be in line for a live trip making his seasonal debut. (3) MACH IT SO has earned over $2.7 million and the now-9-year-old qualified in 1:54 3/5; he deserves respect right off the bench.
Race 5
(3) ANYTHINGFORLOVE A was one of many Jenn Bongiorno trainees who ran off the screen last week and this one cruised home in 1:51 3/5; gelding should have a tactical edge on his main rivals. (7) ROCKIN RON is obviously a proven commodity for the Burke Brigade and this two qualifiers suggest he's ready to go. (3) CHRISTEN ME N has been reasonably good lately and he's more than capable of landing a share with a live trip.
Race 6
(2) BECKHAMS Z TAM missed a nose in his lone local appearance and followed that up with two stellar efforts over at The Meadowlands; former Breeders Crown champ clearly looks like the one to beat from this spot. (5) SAMS A CHAMP A shipped from Australia and promptly won two straight; expect the Camilleri import to have more to offer. (8) BIT OF A LEGEND N draws the dreaded eight hole tonight but he's earned the right to be mentioned and included; use underneath.
Race 7
(4) RODEO ROCK was ready right off the bench with that win over a good field at The Meadowlands and the Robert Cleary trainee is a proven Yonkers Open winner. (1) DUPLICATED N invades from Delaware for connections that always have them 110% ready but he may be way overbet. (6) THE DOWNTOWN BUS had a very sharp race here a few months ago as a 3-year-old and the connections must feel he'll be a live contender in this series; include.
Race 8
(3) BETTORS FIRE N comes off a bit of a flat effort and now has missed three weeks but his prior efforts were absolutely super and he looks well-spotted from this post. (4) IMAROCNROLLLEGEND N has proven himself in the weekly overnight features and comes into this event after finishing well from an impossible spot; expect him to be on the move early. (5) NOCTURNAL BLUECHIP had a useful acclimating race over the track last week and could have more to offer.
Race 9
(2) GOKUDO HANOVER gets much-needed post relief and the veteran has clearly been feeling good lately; he seems capable of taking these a long way if put on the front end. (3) MORE THE BETTER N has come back very sharp this season but he has disappointed here in the past; don't accept too short of a price. (1) MAR NIEN A ships back north from Florida off what looks like a very effective freshening.
Race 10
(1) FEELING CAM LUCKY was simply second best last week to a sharp winner and he gets the tepid call here from the innermost post. (4) LACHIE MAGUIRE N probably should win a bit more often than he does but he almost always comes away with a good payday. (2) JM JACK OF HEARTS has looked good in two local starts versus a notch lesser for Stafford/Ceraso.
Race 11
(8) MELADY'S MONET just missed last week from his outside post assignment and three nose losses in his last four starts; I'm sticking with the classmaster despite the eight hole. (5) WESLYNN DANCER proved how good she can be with last week's win; all she has to do is behave herself. (4) EYE OFA TIGER AS steps up to the adult table but he's been very good in his last two.
Race 12
(4) THEARTOFCONFUSION A could not reach last week from an outside post chasing a rated pace but this seems like a more realistic spot for him to get involved. (2) CAPOZZO was in the same boat as the top choice, on the outside looking in, but his win the start prior was very good. (5) MIGHTY MR SHARKEY N didn't fire as well in the rim last week as he did the start prior but the Harmon trainee remains a player with this type.