Yonkers: Saturday 4/20 Analysis

Best Bet: MELADY'S MONET (2nd)

Spot Play: ROCKATHON (4th)

MEET STATS: 134 - 378 / $687.00 (-$69.00)

BEST BETS: 19 - 32 / $57.40 (-$6.60)

Race 1

(1) TOATSMYGOATS was a good second last week to the streaking (8) ONE THROUGH TEN off the Allard reclaim and maybe he can turn the tables tonight assuming he doesn't have to work as hard early. The latter has been a killer since moving to Team Bongiorno and he's stuck outside as the only horse here entered for $50K; he'll be leaving 100 MPH to the front. (4) BLATANTLY BEST did a good job saving ground for a minor check behind the top two last week and the post relief will help him stay closer tonight.

Race 2

(3) MELADY'S MONET was stuck in an impossible spot last week in his local return; class and post relief tonight clearly makes this veteran the one to beat. (2) LORD CROMWELL has raced very well in his three 2019 starts and he'll look to complete a chalky exacta. (4) PERLUCKY got Brennan in the bike last week and jogged effortlessly; he's the other main contender in here.

Race 3

(3) HUDSON PHIL returns to Yonkers off a scintillating 1:50 4/5 score up at Saratoga and a repeat of that effort could make him tough to defeat. (6) ROCKIN RON raced pretty well last week in what was clearly a much-needed start and the classy veteran figures to be much tighter tonight; major player. (7) CLASSY DRAGON is perfect in four starts since shipping from Canada to join Team Bongiorno; outside post assignment makes it tough, especially if Rockin Ron is aggressively handled off the gate.

Race 4

(4) ROCKATHON had less than zero chance from the eight hole in his last two but it's not like he raced badly; Bucci trainee lands in a better spot here and is worth considering if the price is decent. (3) CONTROL TOWER really hasn't put in a bad effort this year for Surick and he rates as a top contender. (7) ALWAYS AT MY PLACE has been a bit disappointing for Burke and the post certainly doesn't help but it's tough to completely dismiss him versus this group.

Race 5

(2) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN lands a great spot in this open draw and the Allard trainee should be ready to resume winning ways. (4) IN SECRET beat the top choice at odds-on the last time they hooked up; Burke-trained veteran is clearly feeling good again. (1) JACK VERNON has blossomed into a very nice aged trotter and he looks like he'll stack up well class-wise here.

Race 6

(3) BETTOR MEMORIES was sharp two and three back, then pounced off live cover to win his Levy division last week at a nice price. He faces some good ones here but still deserves top billing, despite Bartlett opting off. (5) DR J HANOVER has had some bad luck in the series but he should be firing from the gate here and could be a threat to go the distance. (7) MAJOR CROCKER A has been looking really good for Allard and would be the top choice if not for the tough post.

Race 7

(4) GHOST PINE went an absolutely bruising effort on the front end last week and though he's never done much up at this level he's too sharp to ignore. (2) LATE MAIL N has been racing very well recently without a victory to show for it; Croghan trainee will break through eventually. (8) DON DOMINGO N has been a bit disappointing recently and he obviously gets class relief dropping from the Levy but the outside post will make it tough; use for a share at a price.

Race 8

(4) NEWBORN SASSY looked almost like her old self last week with sharp early speed to set up a nice trip behind the big favorite; she's clearly overdue for a win. (2) MEDUSA tried it uncovered into the rated pace and was turned away in her last Matchmaker prelim; trip should be smoother tonight from the rail slot. (1) CAMERA LADY has looked much better in her last two and the Burke trainee will likely be stalking close-up throughout.

Race 9

(6) SHARTIN N is clearly the featured mare in this deep Matchmaker final despite possibly being at a tactical disadvantage with all the speed signed on inside of her. I'm confident that Tetrick will give this versatile mare a winning trip, and her price will be better than the 1/9 that her backers have come to expect. (1) KAITLYN N had been racing respectably in the series then really stepped it up last week with a sharp uncovered score; she can be a big player with smooth sailing. (8) SEASWIFT JOY N ends up in the worst possible spot in this Open draw but she's practically as good as any in here, will be a big price and should be considered underneath.

Race 10

(3) LYONS STEEL reverted to off-the-pace tactics last week after getting torched the week prior and the Dennis Watson trainee finished with alert pace (and a sub :27 final quarter). That huge winning effort three back is still fresh on my mind which makes me want to seriously consider this 4-year-old if the price is right. (4) BETTORS FIRE N stole it on the front end two back then had no chance last week from the eight hole; an alert getaway from Cushing could set him up for a nice payday in the Levy consolation. (1) PACING MAJOR N has turned things around in his last three for Tritton and he would be no surprise at all. (5) SOMEWHERE IN L A deserves a serious look, because after all, he's 'Somewhere In L A' and has the name and class recognition.

Race 11

(3) JJ FLYNN has done nothing wrong in the Levy, and remember he was the only one to conquer Western Fame in the series, and that was a great attacking effort. Tetrick has some tactical options from this spot and seems to have a live chance at the mini-upset. (5) WESTERN FAME has been super all series for Allard and could not be any sharper coming in to the final. I expect he'll have to work harder in the early stages to secure the front, and could that leave him a bit vulnerable late? (6) RODEO ROCK looked great in the first two legs, then was so-so in round three and bounced back with a sharp runner-up effort last week. He'll be coming from behind and if there's live cover to be had he'll be a late threat.

Race 12

(4) MICKY GEE N didn't have the best of starts last week but was confidently handled by Stratton and scored rather comfortably late at 1/5 odds; Lance Hudson trainee is clearly good enough to repeat. (1) ST LADS NEPTUNE could have had more to offer last week following the top one but he had some traffic issues; his prior start was good right off the bench and he'll be a threat with a smooth trip. (2) MAR NIEN A rallied very nicely off a good trip to be second best in the final Levy prelim and the import can build off that effort.