Yonkers: Saturday 8/31 Analysis

2019 STATS: 370 - 883 / $1,679.40 (-$86.60)
BEST BETS: 43 - 75 / $130.10 (-$19.90)
Best Bet: BETTOR’S WISH (7th)
Spot Play: BO MACH (12th)
Race 1 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(2) GREAT VINTAGE faltered in the late stages last week, getting collared by an equally classy rival; millionaire pacer should have things his own way on the front end tonight and is overdue for a win. (5) MCSPIDEY is at his best a level down but he’s shown solid speed in his last two and can set up a nice trip with an alert getaway. (3) KILLER MARTINI finally took a step in the right direction with last week’s win versus cheaper and we know he’s capable of handling these. (1) DECISION DAY draws best which gives him an outside chance.
Race 2 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(2) LINDSEY’S PRIDE had absolutely no chance last week, so just draw a line through that race; Erv Miller trainee has been super in all prior starts. (4) DAYSON was a winner versus lesser in his local return and he can handle this type. (1) PERLUCKY has been very consistent lately despite not winning recently; Smedshammer trainee will be prominent throughout from this spot. (7) LORD CROMWELL drops from the Open, where he’s been racing well, but he draws poorly; use underneath.
Race 3 - $40,000 Claiming
(4) WINDSONG JACK went a big two-move eight-hole effort last week off the Lance Hudson claim and he deserves to be followed up off that race. (1) STOLEN CAR is a classy veteran who has been very good in all recent starts and he draws best; player. (3) HIGHLAND TARTAN has been the King of the $40K claimers but he goes for a new barn tonight; will he be vulnerable at a short price? (2) SOLO STORY has been very live in his last two and he should land a nice piece again.
Race 4 – Hudson Trot Final – 3YO Fillies
(5) QUINCY BLUE CHIP is clearly the most accomplished filly in here but she does throw in the occasional break (including locally a few months ago); if the Banca trainee minds her manners she will be tough to defeat. (1) JEZZYS LEGACY makes her half-mile debut (unusual for a Schnittker trainee) but she’s well-mannered and has speed from the best post. (4) STARITA keeps the red-hot Dexter Dunn in the bike and she will likely be forwardly placed. (3) GOLDEN TRICKS gets the catch-driving Andy Miller tonight for Svanstedt; consider.
Race 5 – Lady Maud Final – 3YO Filly Pacers
(3) BLUE IVY has shown live moves from tough posts in her last two races at The Red Mile in KYSS action and she was a sharp-closing winner in a race here last month; Oakes trainee seems more than capable in this competitive event. (1) JK AMERICAN BEAUTY has plenty of half-mile experience and has been very lucky recently at the post draws; Johansson filly should be set up with a live trip. (4) TRILLIONS HANOVER just missed to a good one in the Shady Daisy at The Meadowlands and followed that up with a couple of even efforts in Pennsylvania; player. (5) BESTSELLER HANOVER has been sharp but draws outside a few good ones; I’m sure Bartlett will have nose on gate here.
Race 6 – Yonkers Trot Final – 3YO Open
(4) GIMPANZEE has been absolutely flawless through his 15-start career and that includes a perfect 4-for-4 at Yonkers; Melander trainee has a tactical edge on the Hambletonian winner Forbidden Trade and this 3-year-old colt is a legitimate threat to take these coast-to-coast. (2) SOUL STRONG was a Hambo finalist and finished with plenty of trot from an impossible spot; Svanstedt trainee was Dexter Dunn’s choice. (6) FORBIDDEN TRADE was the upset winner in the Hambo and followed that up with a win in Ontario Stakes action; he returns to the half-mile track where he has limited experience and he draws outside the main contenders; trip will tell the tale for this talented 3-year-old. (1) OSTERC lands the best post which assures he will probably never be too far back and he can land a minor share of this lucrative pot.
Race 7 – Messenger Stake Final – 3YO Open
(1) BETTOR’S WISH is arguably the top 3YO pacer in North America and the $30K supplement lands the best post to boot off last week’s nice tightening effort in his elimination; Chris Ryder trainee will be a very short price but it’s hard to make a case against him. (3) AMERICAN MERCURY was a solid second to the top choice last week narrowing the gap cosmetically late; Oakes trainee has enjoyed a nice season and he seems like the most logical candidate to complete a chalky exacta. (8) AFLAME HANOVER was the other elimination winner and he’s quietly put together a very nice season for his low-profile connections; the eight hole totally ruins him here but maybe new driver Brian Sears can create some magic and sneak him into the number. (4) US CAPTAIN was second best in his elimination and he keeps Bartlett; he seems like one of any in here who can round out the gimmicks.
Race 8 – Open Handicap Pace
(1) MAC’S JACKPOT finished with pace last week but simply had no realistic chance with a 1/9 favorite controlling the action up front; gelding won the “1 through 4” draw and I’m sure Brent Holland will take full advantage of the situation and handle him aggressively. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N may still have something to prove at this level but the Vallee trainee has hinted at serious ability and he enlists Dexter Dunn to catch-drive. (6) THE REAL ONE is back in top form for Lachance but as always he’ll have to work out a trip. (3) CONTROL TOWER offered little last week but prior efforts were solid.
Race 9 – Preferred
(5) BIT OF A LEGEND N has won his last three by scant margins but he’s shown heart and determination in each of those victories. It’s safe to say the champion is back! (6) MICKY GEE N loses Stratton to the top one but Goodell handled him nicely two back; he’ll be motoring late. (3) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N hikes up in class but was very sharp last week with Bartlett driving. (1) MACH IT SO also moves up in class off a win and the $2.8-million earner has speed and the best post.
Race 10 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(4) PROVEN DESIRE did everything needed to win last out but just got swallowed up by a sharper rival; Allard trainee should be able to handle these, from on or off the pace. (1) SOMEWHERE IN L A has been very inconsistent recently but he still seems capable of stepping up with a winning effort. (3) ODDS ON DELRAY is back up in class after bottoming out cheaper. (7) LIGHTNING ONMYFEET fits at this level but the post will probably do him in; maybe he can pick up a small share.
Race 11 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(1) MACH N CHEESE is loaded with talent and the 4-year-old is still trying to find the proper class and venue; not sure what the trip will be tonight but he’s more than capable with smooth sailing. (4) THEARTOFCONFUSION A always shows up and always comes away with money; player. (5) IDEAL COWBOY has good early speed which can set him up with a nice spot. (3) SHANE ADAM picks up Dunn and can save ground for a share.
Race 12 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(3) BO MACH has been very good in his last three, finally figuring things out for his new barn; 4-year-old should loom large from this spot in the finale. (1) DANCIN DRAGON drops from the 4-year-old Open, lands the best post while picking up Dunn; lots to like. (5) MACHIATTO A moves in a few slots and the Team Bongiorno charge should be more involved. (2) PERFECTLY CLOSE paced evenly in the Open last out while seeming a touch overmatched; this looks like a good ground-saving spot and he can hit the bottom of the ticket.