Yonkers: Saturday 9/1 Analysis
Best Bet: PLUNGE BLUE CHIP (4th)
Spot Play: SCOTCH MCEWAN (10th)
MEET STATS: 368 - 1019 / $2,031.90
BEST BETS: 50 - 87 / $166.30
Race 1
(1) STOLEN CAR ended up with very dull cover last week and didn't really fire after being backed up a couple of spots; prior form was excellent and he figures to get a better trip tonight from this spot. (2) ALLSTAR PARTNER has looked like a completely different horse since the claim and he goes for three straight. (4) CHEYENNE JEFFREY probably should have won two back and gave way to pressure last week; gelding may finally be tailing off after an extended form spree.
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Race 2
(4) TEXAS TERROR N gave it a good try from the eight hole last week before tiring; he gets post relief tonight and may offer some value with Bartlett opting elsewhere. (1) BETTING EXCHANGE was Bartlett's choice and he draws best but he just doesn't seem to win often enough. (7) GIVENUPDREAMING was a solid winner upon dropping to this level and he gets a free ride at this class but he may be in line for a tougher trip from this post.
Race 3
(3) MACH TIME N basically toured the track last week from the eight hole in a needed start; he lands in a much more realistic spot tonight and Stratton sticks with him. (1) MIDWAY ISLAND was a good second last out and the Burke trainee is certainly logical in here. (2) OH JONNY B GOOD N was coming fast in the late stages last week and he's proven in the past he can go with this type.
Race 4
(1) PLUNGE BLUE CHIP was knocking heads with the top three-year-old fillies and has been right with them; Svanstedt trainee already has a win over the Yonkers surface and really should have her way with these at a short price. (2) SUPERGIRL RILEY was impressive here two back in a NYSS event and followed that up with a win in the filly Zweig; Erv Miller trainee is a player. (3) LUCKY AVA is a barnmate of the top choice who has been first or second in all but one start this season; filly can complete a very chalky triple.
Race 5
(5) JEWELS FORREAL recently added Lasix and was a good second on her last two versus a decent rival; Burke trainee figures to be forwardly placed here and should be a decent price. (2) ALEXIS FAITH was second best to a top filly in the EBC at Tioga and is clearly the one to beat; short price. (1) BETTER THAN HAPPY has shown remarkable improvement since moving to the Jenn Bongiorno barn but she still has much to prove versus these.
Race 6
(4) SIX PACK has had eventful trips in his last two which clearly cost him dearly; Svanstedt should have the trotter pointed to the lead and once established on the front end should be very hard to deny. (1) HELPISONTHEWAY has really come into his own for Toscano and they ponied up $30K to supplement him to this race; he's clearly the main threat from this spot and could complete a pretty chalky Yonkers Trot exacta. (5) MAXUS has been slow to get underway this season for Takter but that was a nice acclimating mile last out. (3) LINDY'S BIG BANG has been a fringe player this year but figures to be close to the pace from this post.
Race 7
(8) JIMMY FREIGHT could not have looked any better winning his Messenger elimination effortlessly, home in :26 4/5 on own. Clearly the open draw for the final does him no favors, but ultimately will help his price. 3-year-old is too sharp to ignore and Louis Roy will have him blasting off the gate. (6) STAY HUNGRY had plenty in the late going in the elim as expected, but was also a bit too far back, as expected. Drawing inside his main rival helps, and McNair will have to generate some early speed from him for his best chance. (1) SPRINGSTEEN has a clear post edge and raced well last week, though no match. His top effort can take this. (5) BABES DIG ME was left alone on the front end and did what he had to do in winning his split last week, but will likely have to go faster tonight.
Race 8
(6) BIT OF A LEGEND N is actually not assigned the far outside for a change, and that pretty much makes him routine selecting. (3) SCOTT ROCKS has been on the top of his game, gets a cozy post assignment and may be heading to the front again. (8) EVENIN OF PLEASURE did not fire at all in his last start and is banished to the far outside again; at least the price should be good if you believe in him.
Race 9
(5) AMERICAN BOY N faltered late on the front end last out, putting an end to his modest winning streak, but he was super in prior starts and could offer some value here. (1) THEARTOFCONFUSION A gets a touch of class relief and is always capable given the right trip. (7) GRATIAN HANOVER comes off an insane win last week but he'll likely need some help from this spot tonight.
Race 10
(6) SCOTCH MCEWAN has been very good for an extended period of time and he's back at a more realistic level with Stratton back driving. (3) FULLBACK was very good last week to be third best to two much classier rivals. (3) AIR STRIKE was a two-move front-end winner two back then had no chance from the outside post; he can be a player here.
Race 11
(5) ROCK THE NITE was super winning at this level two back with Bartlett driving and he certainly didn't embarrass himself last week in the Open; Harris trainee gets top billing in a competitive event. (1) AMERICANPRIMETIME returns to Yonkers and is an obvious threat to take this field coast-to-coast. (3) MILITARY MASTER A was a game second last out to the well-rated winner.
Race 12
(3) RODEO ROCK has always been a nice horse and he returns to Yonkers off two sharp wins out of town; Cleary trainee can fit well with this type. (2) CAVIART LUCA has loads of class and is likely the one to beat. (1) WESTERN HILL is up in class off a well-rated win but he'll have to go faster here; use underneath.
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