Yonkers: Saturday 8/24 Analysis

2019 STATS: 370 - 883 / $1,679.40 (-$86.60)
BEST BETS: 43 - 75 / $130.10 (-$19.90)
Best Bet: SAN DOMINO A (10th)
Spot Play: LUCIANO N (12th)
Race 1 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(2) HUDSONANDBERNARD raced pretty well last week when stuck starting from the second tier versus better; gelding has just two wins over the last two years but he faces an equally camera-shy field here from a good post. (5) IN SPADES was uncovered and never seriously threatened the front-running winner last out; Banca trainee goes back to Bartlett and figures to be aggressively handled. (4) LORD OF MISRULE is usually competitive at this level and the DiDomenico trainee is certainly a player here; but don’t accept too short of a price. (7) MACINTOSH N loses Brennan and lands outside but he can save ground and pick up the pieces late.
Race 2 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(1) NEW HEAVEN gets a free ride at this level off last week’s nice front-end score and the Abbatiello trainee looms the one to beat. (4) JOEY BATS raced very well here earlier in the year for Andrew Harris and he returns locally off a nice win at Philly; main threat. (6) WINNING SHADOW hasn’t won in some time but the Burke trainee was a fringe Open player when last here. (8) LINDSEY’S PRIDE has closed a ton in all recent but may have too much ground to cover from post eight.
Race 3 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(4) GREAT VINTAGE was a solid second last out when dropped to this level and the classy 11-year-old is still a legit “Saturday night” horse; big chance if not used too hard early. (1) BABES DIG ME toured the track last week but now moves all the way inside which makes the Banca trainee an obvious player. (3) MACH IT SO hung late off a perfect trip last out but the veteran still has to be considered a threat here. (7) GIVENUPDREAMING faces a tough task on the win end from this spot but he could fill out the Tri or Super with a smooth trip.
Race 4 - $40,000 Claiming
(1) BEYOND DELIGHT drops back in for a tag for Allard and he draws the best post; gelding has done good things here in the past and may work out the winning trip. (6) HIGHLAND TARTAN is the current King of the $40K claimers and he looks for three straight; DiDomenico trainee needs to get away from the gate in good order. (3) MACH TIME N offered up little last week but his prior efforts were encouraging. (8) WINDSONG JACK debuts for Hudson off the claim and gets his main man Stratton in the bike but the eight hole may be too much to overcome.
Race 5 – Messenger Elimination
(2) AIR FORCE HANOVER picked up a third-place check from the eight hole in the Rooney Final back in May and he returns locally for Brian Brown looking to qualify for the Messenger final; Stratton picks up the drive and he looks as good as any in this evenly-matched event. (1) U S CAPTAIN and (1A) WATERWAY both prepped nicely taking NW6 events here recently and they form a solid Tony Alagna entry. (3) AFLAME HANOVER has legit talent for his low-profile connections. (4) BUDDY HILL went just evenly in local Stakes action but the Oakes trainee certainly seems fast enough.
Race 6 – Open Handicap Trot
(4) THERESADEMONINME has been razor-sharp and he’s quickly proven he belongs with this type; Dylan Davis trainee should offer some value in this competitive event. (6) WILL TAKE CHARGE failed to fire with a second move last week but he lands in a slightly better spot tonight and can be a serious threat if he can hit the lead. (5) PINKMAN returns to Yonkers for the first time since that tough luck in the Yonkers Trot a few years back and he’s had a nice season despite only one win. (7) EYE OFA TIGER AS scored easily last week when landing the rail in the open draw but now he’s stuck in the worst post and it may be too much to overcome.
Race 7 – 4YO Open Handicap Pace
(4) SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN has been severely compromised by bad posts in his last few but still managed to race well; move inside a few slots should help this 4YO immensely. (6) TRUMP NATION returns locally off a win and has always raced well here; big threat. (1) ART DANCER has plenty of early speed and gets a generous post assignment again; Garcia-Herrera trainee can hang around for a share. (7) AMERICAN HISTORY was helped by a great trip last out but was still very impressive in his open-lengths victory; he may need some help from this spot.
Race 8 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(3) NORMANDY BEACH was used hard in the early stages last week, got jammed in and understandably flattened; I’m inclined to give the Erv Miller trainee another try. (4) VAGUE TRACES enjoyed a smooth trip in his local return and just missed to Bit Of A Legend N; main threat. (6) WEONA SIZZLER A has been a major disappointment this year but he’s shown some more life since the barn change. (7) BETTOR MEMORIES would be a much bigger player here if not for the post.
Race 9 – Open Handicap Pace
(3) CONTROL TOWER has been a solid commodity for the Surick stable all season and he was actually an Open winner three back; he may be overlooked in the wagering tonight and seems capable with a smooth trip. (5) NONE BETTOR A changed barns for his last start (as these owners moved horses out of the Jenn Bongiorno barn) and he raced well enough to win last start, getting nipped at the wire. Andrew Harris trainee seems the one to beat here. (4) I’M SOME GRADUATE gets post relief and promises to be more involved. (8) MICKY GEE N is back up at the Open level and guess what, he’s back in the eight hole! Hudson trainee will be motoring late.
Race 10 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(3) SAN DOMINO A was a sharp winner at Pocono in his U.S. debut and the recent import seems to be a in a winning spot again. (2) RODEO ROCK needed last week’s start and will appreciate the class and post relief but overall his form has been a bit questionable. (4) THEARTOFCONFUSION A bumps up a notch off a solid win and the veteran can handle this type. (1) TIGER BARON paced evenly off the Bucci claim and he can land a share from this spot.
Race 11 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(4) BIT OF A LEGEND N is on the comeback trail looking for his third straight and while the margin of victory in his prior two wins was very close he showed the guts and determination of a champion to prevail; I just wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t select him. (5) BO MACH has been much better in his last two for new connections and he could be a player with a live trip. (1) SOMEWHERE IN L A was no good last out but he’s certainly capable of rebounding. (6) DR J HANOVER has some tough ones inside of him but he does have some early speed at his disposal.
Race 12 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(3) LUCIANO N couldn’t leave last week and ended up in an impossible spot; Holland’s back driving tonight with Stratton opting elsewhere and he may be able to make the lead. (6) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N was second best in his last two at this level and Bartlett’s back in the bike. (4) SPORTSKEEPER bumps back up in class off a solid win; he’s listed as morning-line favorite which I don’t think will be the case come post time but he can land a piece with a smooth trip. (1) MILLIONDOLLAR WAVE gets needed post relief and can hit the bottom of the ticket.