Yonkers: Saturday 5/4 Analysis
Best Bet: TOATSMYGOATS (1st)
Spot Play: TREMENDOUS PLAY (8th)
MEET STATS: 150 - 420 / $764.20 (-$75.80)
BEST BETS: 22 - 36 / $65.80 (-$6.20)
Race 1
(1) TOATSMYGOATS was pretty much wrapped up and home free before the field hit the first turn last week; Allard trainee will be controlling the action again at a very short price. (4) BUGSY MAGUIRE was never close enough to get into the action as the top one jogged but he did rally for a minor share; gelding deserves another look underneath. (5) HIGHLAND TARTAN goes for a new barn off the claim (DiDomenico) and while he's probably better suited with a bit lesser he definitely deserves a look on the barn-change angle.
Race 2
(3) WIND BLAST was very good in defeat against lesser upon arrival from Canada; anything from the Lance Hudson barn has to be respected, especially with Stratton driving. (2) PHOTOBOMBR HANOVER has looked very good in his last two local starts; prime contender. (1) AMERICAN BOY N is more than capable of wiring these, like he did four back, but he's a bit too inconsistent to use at his expected short price.
Race 3
(2) TACT TATE N never really gained on the rim trying to close into an accelerated back half last week but his prior efforts out of town were solid and he seems to stack up well here versus some questionable foes. (1) STARS ALIGN A returns to Yonkers for Allard off some decent efforts at Pocono though he came up a bit short in his last few; I suppose he's the one to beat from this spot but will likely be overbet. (3) BLOOD BROTHER is capable on any given day but the Banca trainee hasn't done all that much in his last few tries at this level.
Race 4
(1) BLACK CHEVRON N qualified right back after pulling up in his last pari-mutuel try; Godinez trainee has a good local record and doesn't face any standouts. (4) OUR ZAK WHITBY A has taken two of his last four on the front end and he should be much more involved from this spot. (2) ODDS ON DELRAY should be set up with a live trip from this good inside post.
Race 5
(5) THEARTOFCONFUSION A put in yet another good effort last week after getting a bit lucky to improve position skimming the rail; Garcia-Herrera trained veteran is clearly the one to beat here. (4) SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A was going very well prior to losing all action in his last pari-mutuel effort but he qualified back okay and should be a threat if ready. (3) RONNY BUGATTI is on the comeback trail and gets Stratton back in the bike with Siegelman opting elsewhere.
Race 6
(7) EYE OFA TIGER AS had an easy time of it on the front end last week and continued his sharp form cycle; another alert getaway will give him a big chance to repeat. (5) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN gets away from the eight hole and this midpack post likely makes the Allard trainee the one to beat. (4) PERLUCKY has been very sharp and Brennan seems to get along well with the Smedshammer trainee; definitely consider him here.
Race 7
(8) IDEAL JIMMY is banished to the eight hole after his strong showing throughout the Levy series but there isn't much speed directly to his inside; if Holland can get away from the gate in good order he should have a big chance. (2) SOMEWHERE IN L A wins the '2 through 7' draw which likely stamps him as the favorite here; can't fault anyone for playing him. (1) MACH N CHEESE has looked awesome coming back as a 4-year-old and I think he's talented enough to go with these.
Race 8
(3) TREMENDOUS PLAY has put in back-to-back solid uncovered efforts in defeat and he gets Bartlett back in the bike with Stratton choosing the Hudson trainee; gelding looks as live as any in here. (4) CONTROL TOWER may be tailing off a touch but he's proven competitive with this type. (1) FASHION BYTHEBEACH was second best to a sharp front-end winner last week and he will be close up again from this post.
Race 9
(3) CHESTNUT SCHOFIELD broke last week at odds-on and obviously lost his best chance; price will be a bit better tonight and he deserves another chance. (1) SUMATRA probably does his best work a notch lower but he was good last week and landing the best post certainly helps his chances. (7) WINNING SHADOW faltered in his last couple after showing a ton of promise in prior starts; consider the Burke trainee at what should be a decent price.
Race 10
(3) FIREBALL has quietly raced very well in his last few local tries and he always offers a good price; with a bit of luck the Riedel trainee could land a big share in the finale. (4) BAKERSFIELD has just one win over the last two seasons but his early speed always puts him in play. (2) OURLITTLEGENERAL A returns to Yonkers off a win at Pocono and the Allard trainee fits well here class-wise but he is a bit inconsistent at times; don't accept too short of a price. (1) GRIFFON HANOVER has been racing well at The Big M; obvious contender from this spot.