Yonkers: Saturday 4/8 Analysis
Best Bet: WESTERN BAYAMA (9th)
Spot Play: BLOOD BROTHER (7th)
MEET STATS: 124 - 361 / $718.50
BEST BETS: 19 - 32 / $65.40
Race 1
(1) FOILED AGAIN is clearly not what he once was (yes, I can finally admit it) however landing the best post tonight can give him a tactical edge on his rivals. Hopefully he gets away with at least a pocket trip. (6) DOJEA SOLO raced very well last week from post eight and his early speed always makes him a player. (2) KEYSTONE HONOR takes a needed drop in class and draws inside; threat.
Race 2
(5) OUR DRAGON KING was game last out beating cheaper and now he moves into the Banca barn and picks up Bartlett; veteran does have back class with over 500K earned. (2) ROCK N ROLL WORLD was much better in his second 2017 start over at The Meadowlands and the Burke trainee should fit well with these. (1) WINDS OF CHANGE drops again in his third seasonal start for Takter and he draws best again; more should be expected despite last week's dull effort.
Race 3
(1) OH JONNY B GOOD N is always close from inside posts and he faces a questionable field here. (8) BEAT THE DRUM is probably best here but may be severely hampered by his post eight start. (5) A BETTOR HAT draws a bit better and should be more involved; Tetrick drives again.
Race 4
(4) LONE SURVIVOR kept digging and proved a solid uncovered winner last week versus one notch lesser; this is not a strong field of NW20000 types and the sharp Banca trainee seems capable of repeating. (3) BETTOR ROCK ON N returns locally and has had success here in the past; Tetrick drives. (1) BIG JER has speed and another good draw looking for two straight but he'll need to show more late.
Race 5
(1) NOT AFRAID shows up for work every week and he lands the best post with this open draw versus a very weak field here going for 55K; top billing. (7) RED HOT HERBIE should be on the move early and can work out a live trip. (3) BEE IN CHARGE broke last out at Pocono but he's back at Yonkers and reunited with Bartlett; lightly raced trotter seems capable of showing more.
Race 6
(1) GUANTANAMO BAY, who has been a stone closer in all of his seasonal efforts, was put on the front end last week and failed miserably when looked in the eye. I'll give him another chance and assume he'll revert to a stalking trip. (3) WAKIZASHI HANOVER raced very well last out and now returns to Tetrick. (2) CLEAR VISION had missed some time prior to last week's effort but he raced willingly to secure a board spot.
Race 7
(2) BLOOD BROTHER is back inside after having no chance in his last two starts; in round one of the Levy from a similar spot he was a solid second to the airborne Missile J. (4) KEYSTONE VELOCITY has rounded into top form for Allard and should be considered the one to beat. (6) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN had every opportunity to win last week but was outfinished, however it still was a good effort; post hurts here.
Race 8
(3) SOMEWHERE IN L A battled stubbornly but was just nipped by the trip-sitting Soto; I'm inclined to give him one more chance at controlling the action. (6) BIT OF A LEGEND N was a solid uncovered winner last week for his first seasonal score and last year's champ can clearly repeat. (2) SOTO was able to get away in the pocket then stalked and edged by for the upset, conveniently as soon as I jumped off his bandwagon; sharp contender gets another inside draw.
Race 9
(2) WESTERN BAYAMA was razor sharp last week chasing the odds-on favorite while uncovered despite being off a few weeks; gelding draws well here and deserves a ton of respect off that effort. (5) FIRST OF ITSKIND has been super taking three straight versus the best Pompano has to offer and he picks up Tetrick shipping north. (1) LETTUCERIPRITA A rallied well for a share last out and now he draws best.
Race 10
(6) LUCAN HANOVER could not make the top last out and could not sustain a two-move effort trying to gain into the well-rated winner; if the veteran can control the action tonight he'll be tough. (8) SUNFIRE BLUE CHIP was very good right off the bench for Takter but he lands all the way outside tonight. (2) MACINTOSH N gets Tetrick in the bike tonight for the Vallee barn.
Race 11
(5) DW'S NY YANK is overloaded with back class and could build off last week's game win over at Pocono. (3) COVERT OPERATIVE was a good second last week and has steadily been climbing the class ladder for Noel Daley. (4) XTATIC HANOVER really responded to Bartlett handling last out and could have more to offer up a couple of notches.
Race 12
(5) GIVENUPDREAMING was both lucky and good last out and stays at the same level facing nothing special. (2) POLAK A was run over by the top choice and looks second best again. (4) AMERICAN VENTURE bumps up a level off a loss but seems best of the rest from this spot.
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