Yonkers: Saturday 7/6 Analysis
MEET STATS: 288 - 664 / $1,195.40 (-$132.60)
BEST BETS: 31 - 58 / $91.50 (-$24.50)
Best Bet: IDEAL JIMMY (10th)
Spot Play: SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN (7th)
Race 1 - NW10000 in last 5 starts
(2) SOMWHERENBROOKLYN N returned locally into a winning spot and took care of business versus cheaper in a 1:52 3/5 clocking, which would certainly be fast enough to handle these. (4) OZONE BLUE CHIP gets much-needed class relief and I suspect MacDonald will get aggressive with this one here. (1) SETTLEMOIR hasn't won in ages but he's functioned much better in his last two and he's beaten this type in the past. (3) MY MIND IS MADEUP returns to Yonkers off some useful efforts up at Plainridge but his barn is still shut out here on the season; Bartlett driving can't hurt.
Race 2 - NW30000 in last 5 starts
(2) NEW HEAVEN has been an excellent purchase for the Abbatiello barn and he gets a free ride at this level off last week's convincing win from the seven hole; he's clearly the one to beat here. (3) LORD CROMWELL trotted decently last out finishing third best behind the top choice and he gets Bartlett back in the bike tonight. (4) MONEY MAVEN steps way up off two nice efforts but he's got class to him and can compete with this type on his best day. (5) ELYSIUM LINDY returns locally for Burke looking for four straight but he's got some tough ones inside of him here.
Race 3 - Sheppard elimination
(2) LAKE CHARLES is perfect in two morning trials for the Schnittker barn, which always has plenty of two-year-olds ready for action right from the get-go. (3) SO SO DE VIE was "so-so" in NYSS action in his career debut but that local acclimating mile should serve him well. (5) AMERICAN REBEL also has a race over this surface in NYSS action and Stratton sticks with him. (1) HAN SOLO shows two nice efforts in overnight action to kick off his career.
Race 4 – Sheppard elimination
(4) SAVE ME A DANCE finished a willing second in his career debut at Yonkers and followed that up with a nice score in NYSS action up at Monti; Bartlett is always live on Andrew Harris trainees. (2) LEVEL UP has looked promising in his young career, draws inside his main competition and keeps Stratton. (5) CIGARS AND PORT jogged at first asking in the NYSS with MacDonald driving for the Schnittker barn. (6) MANTICORE certainly seems to be on the outside looking in and will have to pass a few to make the final but he can be considered underneath.
Race 5 – Sheppard elimination
(4) HUNTER HILL has clearly done everything asked of him so far winning his first two career races; 2-year-old gives the half mile a try for a strong outfit. (1) FREEDOM WARRIOR qualified in 1:56 2/5 over the half-mile at Ocean Downs and clearly he’s ready to go. (3) COLUMBO went through the motions in his first morning trial, then went a decent two-move effort second time out which should make him sharper for his career debut. (2) ROLL WITH JR qualified nicely but note he made a break last week with Bartlett driving; use caution.
Race 6 – Open Handicap Trot
(2) MOSTINTERESINGMAN has been geared up for big speed in his last three and hasn’t tired badly; Stratton returns tonight and he seems to have as good a chance as any in this competitive affair. (6) EYE OFA TIGER AS was actually very good last week to be second best; he should be a player again despite the outside post. (3) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN has speed to be in a good spot but needs to show more late. (4) WINNING SHADOW was second best to New Heaven last week; no shame in that.
Race 7 – Open 4YO Handicap
(5) SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN was right there in all the big races as a two-year-old and arrives locally off a sharp score at Philly; Stratton’s choice. (6) TURBO HILL finished well upon arrival but spotted the leader too much ground; he gets some post relief which can help his cause. (8) ALBERGO HANOVER has to overcome the eight-hole assignment but clearly the talent is there; expect Bongiorno to be aggressive again off the gate. (1) BETTOR THAN SPRING could not hack a two-move effort last week; easier trip tonight?
Race 8 – Open Handicap
(2) GREAT VINTAGE is clearly better classified a notch or two lower but he’s still got solid speed and MacDonald returns in the sulky; maybe he can get the jump on some of these at a price. (7) CLASSY DRAGON was huge in defeat last out; Team Bongiorno charge has to be considered. (6) ALLYOUNEEDISFAITH N bumped to the Open level last week and missed a nose; obviously the Croghan trainee belongs. (8) MICKY GEE N could not reach last out and is banished to the eight hole again; can he get involved?
Race 9 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(2) CAPOZZO hasn’t exactly been awful recently he’s just been in tough spots versus better. Class and post relief will help immensely. (3) ARTMAGIC also drops to a better level and keeps Holland. (4) BARIMAH A never got involved last week after a poor start when dropping to this level; he still must be considered, however. (1) O’SUNDLAND draws best for Stalbaum and he does have speed; down-the-road try coming?
Race 10 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(3) IDEAL JIMMY has been competitive with and beaten better than these just recently and he was a big player earlier in the year in the Levy; looks like lock-city tonight. (5) AMERICAN BOY N has been racing well of late and could add a touch of value to the exotics. (1) GHOST PINE and (2) LUCIANO N are a couple of logical ones to include underneath due to their inside post draws.
Race 11 - $40,000 Claiming
(7) HIGHLAND TARTAN has proven he’s a legit 40 claimer while others in here have not, and there may actually be some value to be had with the outside post. (2) TIGER BARON lagged in debut for new connections; move inside should help. (3) HEEZ ORL BLACK N was used up early last week; player with a smoother early trip. I’m not convinced that (1) MIKE’S POWERHOUSE belongs at this level but he raced well last week and he does draw best.
Race 12 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(2) OUTKAST BLUE CHIP debuts for Team Bongiorno off the claim; ok…I’ll bite. (1) LETTUCEROCKTHEM A could have shown a bit more in his local return but he figures to be better tonight. (4) BLAYDE HANOVER got torched on the front end last week and gets to face softer tonight. (6) MAJOR BUCKS fits with this type and should offer a healthy price.