Yonkers: Saturday 8/17 Analysis

2019 STATS: 358 - 847 / $1,608.70 (-$85.30)
BEST BETS: 41 - 72 / $120.90 (-$23.10)
Best Bet: NEW HEAVEN (2nd)
Spot Play: PICKLED PREACHER (4th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Claiming
(3) DIAMOND COWBOY was no good in his last but had some nice efforts in prior starts and now debuts for Hudson off the claim; worth a look in this field with plenty of question marks. (4) COOL BLUES MAN keeps Bartlett for the Banca barn and he’s been another inconsistent type; tough to take a short price on him. (1) RURAL ART goes for new connections off the $20K claim and draws best but has missed some time. (8) SANATTLE SLEW would be rated higher if not for the awful post.
Race 2 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(4) NEW HEAVEN was third best last week to the runaway Six Pack and now takes a needed drop from the Open ranks; Abbatiello trainee should be good enough to get it done. (3) PERLUCKY has been right there in all recent efforts and the 4-year-old should have a say tonight as well. (5) MUSCLE M UP seemed a bit risky last week shipping in for Svanstedt and he broke in the pocket; Bartlett gives him a try tonight. (1) IN MY DREAMS broke last out but he’s otherwise looked like a good claim for the Laterza barn.
Race 3 - $25,000/$30,000 Claiming
(3) AMERICAN VENTURE moved up to this $25K claiming level last week and was live enough to take a shot leaving at a big price from the outside then was jammed in traffic; he could offer some value in this competitive event. (5) ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE stays at the same level off the Surick reclaim looking for two straight. (8) ROCK ON PRECIOUS took the money and scored off the DiDomenico claim but probably has too much to do tonight from the eight hole. (1) IMA TRAGEDY N draws best with gives him a shot.
Race 4 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(4) PICKLED PREACHER never got involved from the tough outside post last week but he lands in a more realistic spot tonight and seems worth a try. (5) ART SCENE moves back in class off a confidence-boosting win and the Banca trainee may have more to offer. (3) CINNAMACK was a good second last week from a similar spot. (7) THE LUNCH PAIL is usually a player at this NW10000 level but obviously the post is a concern; late threat?
Race 5 – F&M Open Handicap
(4) DIBABA N was a solid second last week to the well-meant winner after a close-up trip and she lands a decent enough post to do some serious damage here. (2) MISS YOU N moves up into unchartered waters but the Croghan trainee has been razor-sharp. (7) BETTERB CHEVRON N will likely be at a tactical disadvantage from this spot but at least she returns to Stratton. (3) GOLD ORCHID N is capable but has missed some time.
Race 6 – Open Handicap
(3) SHNEONUCRYDIAMND A has never been a true “Open” pacer but his try two back was solid and he faces no standouts here. (5) THE REAL ONE is clearly the most accomplished but he usually needs some help up front so we can see his best closing kick. (6) RODEO ROCK is capable but may need a start off the mini-vacation. (4) DR J HANOVER must be considered a speed threat from this spot.
Race 7 - $40,000 Claiming
(3) HIGHLAND TARTAN hasn’t done a thing wrong since moving to the DiDomenico barn via claim and he’s clearly the one to beat tonight. (1) MACH TIME N has been pretty good since moving to this level and landing the best post certainly helps. (5) STOLEN CAR has been in good form for some time now; Marohn, Jr hops in the bike tonight and he should be a board player. (4) HEEZ ORL BLACK N is unproven at this $40K level but he can be part of the early speed mix.
Race 8 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(3) ACTING OUT gets tested a bit for class tonight but his last effort in defeat was so sharp that the Banca trainee deserves a try here. (1) TOATSMYGOATS went just evenly last week but he drops in class again and lands the rail. (4) BLATANTLY BEST bounced back with a much better effort last week; player. Looks a like it could be a crapshoot for the 4th spot.
Race 9 – F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts
(4) DARK FORCE could not gain into the very well-rated front-running winner last week, snapping her win streak in the process. Bartlett is back driving tonight and faces a very tough-to-figure group. (5) LOVIN MISS DAISY N has disappointed of late but it seems like the recent import has more to offer. (1) MADE OF JEWELS AS has missed time coming off a break but at least she draws best and was Stratton’s choice over his brother’s horse. (7) BARON REMY is a very interesting shipper for Burke; use.
Race 10 – Open Trot
(1) EYE OFA TIGER AS was bottomed out by Six Pack last week but all prior efforts were solid and he lands he rail in this open draw; Lorentzon trainee seems like the one to beat. (8) WILL TAKE CHARGE failed to get involved until the late stages last out at 40 cents on the dollar and he lands all the way outside again; I would expect a more aggressive steer tonight. (4) THERESADEMONINME proved his form spree was no fluke as he hiked to the Open level and win; player. (3) WESLYNN DANCER gave a pretty weak effort in her local return; better effort coming?
Race 11 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(4) CAVIART LUCA was never, ever close last week from the eight hole; I would assume a more realistic effort is coming tonight from this classy Burke trainee. (2) PROVEN DESIRE gets both class and post relief and he’s been finishing willingly in those Open races; big threat here. (1) MILITARY MASTER A took care of business versus lesser but will have to much better to beat these; use underneath. (5) GRATIAN HANOVER has some tough ones inside but he could sneak into the number.
Race 12 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(7) MAJOR CROCKER A may be severely compromised by the outside draw but the Allard trainee does fit perfectly at this level and should offer fair value. (3) BENHOPE RULZ N gets some post relief and could show more for Vallee. (4) LACHIE MAGUIRE N is best a level down but could sneak into the number. (6) ALOTBETTOR N can pace with these but I would have preferred a better post from this Bongiorno charge.