Yonkers: Saturday 6/29 Analysis
MEET STATS: 218 - 629 / $1,134.70 (-$123.30)
BEST BETS: 30 - 55 / $88.70 (-$21.30)
Best Bet: WINNING SHADOW (11th)
Spot Play: SPORTS BETTOR (1st)
Race 1 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(5) SPORTS BETTOR dropped to this level last week and offered an improved effort, finishing third. Brennan drives tonight and I would expect some aggressiveness off the gate. (1) GILLYS BOY returns from Plainridge where he was second best in his last two and he was facing better when last seen here; I’m not thrilled about taking him on top at a short price, however. (6) MIGHTY AMERICAN N did race well a few months back here in his last pari-mutuel try with Stratton driving. Tough to take on top but he could round out the tri or super, as can (8) FIREBALL who is capable with these but will be a big price due to the horrid eight hole.
[SUN STAKES: Free Harness Eye PPs, 20% Rebate & Live Video for Sun Stakes Saturday at The Downs at Pocono.]
Race 2 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(3) MISTER DAYTONA N has had success here in the past versus better than these and he lands a post where catch-driver Goodell can get aggressive. (4) LETTUCEROCKTHEM A returns locally, now in the Lance Hudson barn with Stratton driving; instant respect. (1) RANCOUSY draws best and I’m sure Bongiorno won’t let the opportunity pass. (5) BARIMAH A wasn’t that far off versus better last out and he looks like he’s rounding into form.
Race 3 - $40,000 Claiming
(2) VEGAS ROCKS was outbattled to the line last week and had to settle for second at 20 cents on the dollar; I guess the Allard trainee deserves a chance to make amends. (4) HIGHLAND TARTAN has made good money in every start since the DiDomenico claim and he will be a player again from the improved post. (1) ARTMAGIC just hasn’t been the same horse that he was a couple of year ago and now he drops in for a tag; not sure he fits with these but at least having the rail helps. (5) HEEZ ORL BLACK is way up in class after popping off a big 1:51 4/5 mile; lands a share?
Race 4 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(2) ROLL AWAY JOE has been better since returning to the Morrissey barn, where he had good success in the past; obvious contender from this spot. (1) BLAKE NORTH scored right off the bench for his new connections and he may be ready to tackle tougher. (4) BLAYDE HANOVER was lost at the back of the back in that overflow field last out; he’ll be more involved tonight from this better post. (6) MACINTOSH N has been pretty sharp for Vallee and maybe he can sneak into the number at a big price.
Race 5 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(1) CHRISTEN ME N finally lands a good post off three uninvolved trips from tough spots and the classy Down-Under veteran should be in line for a winning trip. (5) GHOST PINE was Brennan’s choice and while he’s probably best one level down he has been very sharp in his last few. (4) KIMANI N makes his U.S. debut off a nice winning qualifier for proven connections with these types; watch the board. (2) CROCKETS CULLEN will be close up throughout for Stalbaum.
Race 6 – Open Handicap Trot
In a very competitive event, (7) WILL TAKE CHARGE won jogged last week from an easy spot and obviously will have to work much harder to repeat, but the price should be right. (4) IN SECRET has been a good pocket-sitting second in his last two and is tough not to include. (3) MELADY’S MONET is back in consecutive weeks and could have more in the tank tonight. (1) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN could make things interesting early starting from the best post.
Race 7 – 4YO Open Handicap Pace
(5) BETTOR THAN SPRING had a very nice run here earlier this year in this barn before something went wrong; he returns from The Meadows in decent shape and he deserves a long look. (1) MACH N CHEESE folded badly on the front end in his last local try but we know this guy can fly home; it comes down to the trip here. (6) ALBERGO HANOVER has been racing well with some tough 4-year-olds at The Meadowlands for Team Bongiorno. (4) SKYWAY QUINTON has been super in every local start; that makes him worthy of consideration.
Race 8 – Open Handicap Pace
(1) ROCK DIAMONDS N was used very hard last week cutting a :25 4/5 early split then gave way to hounding pressure; he must be fine off that race because he’s right back in to go and he lands the best post; assume he doesn’t have to work as hard tonight. (4) GREAT VINTAGE is probably better with a bit lesser than these at this point in his career but his good early speed can set him up with a nice trip. Both (7) MICKY GEE N and (8) IDEAL JIMMY are post-compromised here but have to be considered. “Micky” is a stout closer and “Jimmy” has some early foot.
Race 9 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(2) THEARTOFCONFUSION A never puts in a bad effort, even from impossible spots, but the veteran is always a force when drawn inside. (4) BLATANTLY BEST closed very well from a tough spot to miss last out; he faces better here but should be a good price. (1) TOATSMYGOATS gets some class relief and draws best; player. (3) HAVEFAITHINME N was second at a big price last week at Pocono and was a winner when last at this level.
Race 10 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(2) DR J HANOVER gets needed class relief which can get the speedy gelding over the top. (4) BETTORS FIRE N is also a proven entity with better than these and the Cushing veteran will be a player. (1) THE REAL ONE is back in form for Lachance but as previously mentioned he’s always tough to take on top. (3) BET ON BRITT faces tougher but has been razor sharp.
Race 11 – NW31500 in last 5 starts
(3) WINNING SHADOW made a very unfortunate break just as he was clearing the lead in his last start, which was against better in the Open. Top billing here, assuming he minds his manners. (4) CHASIN’ DREAMS also gets class relief while moving in a couple of spots; Lorentzon trainee should be a big player here. (5) FASHION CREDITOR is better a level down but he’s sharp and can land a nice piece. (2) LORD CROMWELL wasn’t getting to the winner last out before that break anyway, but he was chasing a good one in Buen Camino.
Race 12 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(2) SOMEWHERE FANCY was a sharp pocket-sitting winner versus similar two back and the Allard trainee is always live from inside post; Brennan opted off, however, to go to (4) LIGHTNINGONMYFEET. The latter reeled in the leader late in a determined effort last out and the DiDomenico trainee can certainly repeat. (3) GRIFFON HANOVER steps up off a win but draws well enough; use underneath. (5) MIKE’S Z TAM can be a closing threat for Lachance.