Yonkers: Saturday 9/14 Analysis

2019 STATS: 411 - 978 / $1,848.50 (-$107.50)
BEST BETS: 48 - 83 / $147.80 (-$18.20)
Best Bet: CAVIART LUCA (10th)
Spot Play: GRATIAN HANOVER (12th)
Race 1 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(2) GUNPOWDER N was third best to a couple of good ones last week and the Tritton trainee draws well again while getting class relief; lots to like here in the opener. (3) SPORTS BETTOR also drops back to the more realistic NW10000 level and moves inside a couple of spots; Temming trainee seems like the main threat. (6) LORD OF MISRULE burns too much money for my tastes; use underneath. (4) KHUN RATHA A returns locally off a decent effort upstate and seems capable of landing a share.
Race 2 – NW34000 in last 5 starts
(2) IM THE MUSCLE was a sharp pocket-sitting winner from a similar spot two back and the Allard trainee will likely be in line for a winning trip here, though he does face some very legitimate competition here. (1) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN steps back up in class off two very easy wins and he’s more than capable with this type. (3) NEW HEAVEN has been rock-solid all season for Abbatiello and he’s in with a chance. (6) WINNING SHADOW is a fringe Open player when on his best game but the Burke trainee has some good ones inside of him; use underneath.
Race 3 - $40,000 Claiming
(5) WINDSONG JACK had no real excuse two back then was hounded on the front end last week off the Allard claim; this race takes on a different look tonight with the absent Highland Tartan and perhaps the veteran can rebound at a better price with an off-the-pace trip. (4) BLATENTLY BEST drops in for a tag off a series of decent recent efforts and draws a decent spot. (1) ABRAXAS BLUES A was outfinished from the pocket last week but he draws best again and could be more of a player tonight. (6) LONDON SEELSTER raced surprisingly well last week stepping up off the claim and he can land a share here with a smooth trip.
Race 4 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(2) ABERDEEN HANOVER doesn’t seem to win as often as he should but the Vallee trainee is always competitive from inside posts and he certainly doesn’t face any standouts in here. (1) SUNKEN TREASURE didn’t have much of a chance last week after hiking up to this level but was a solid winner versus cheaper the start prior. (5) SHANE ADAM was a wire-to-wire winner three back; threat. (7) ON THE VIRG outraced his odds in his last two and will be another big price again; small share?
Race 5 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(2) BADIX HANOVER didn’t get involved last week but his prior starts after moving to the DiDomenico barn were solid. (3) IN SPADES was okay last week off the Garcia-Herrera claim and driver Siegelman has done good things for this barn recently. (7) BEACH BOOGIE can certainly go with this type but it’s tough to say what kind of trip he’s looking at tonight. (1) SUMMER SIDE certainly has the talent but he may be better off with a drop in class.
Race 6 – Open Handicap Pace
(6) MICKY GEE N had no realistic chance of reaching last week as the winner had it all his own way on the front end; there could be more action here which would help his chances immensely. (4) THE REAL ONE, as always, needs a good setup but the Lachance trainee has been sharp for an extended period of time. (2) SAN DOMINO A paced evenly upon hiking to this level and the recent import could be good enough to compete here. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N was second best in last week’s Open and is given the rail again; exotics threat.
Race 7 – Preferred Pace
(4) TURBO HILL had some nice efforts here in the 4YO Opens and he bounced back with a solid try last week at Pocono; Oakes trainee seems like one of many in here with a chance. (2) HAVEFAITHINME N is a good one from Down-Under and he steps up looking for three straight. (3) HIGHLAND TARTAN was the King of the $40K Claimers and now he’s protected by his new barn that dipped in last week; could be he sharp enough to take this? (7) BIT OF A LEGEND N didn’t fire last out in that strangely-contested race; I have to pull for him to hit the ticket somehow.
Race 8 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(5) LUIS ALBERTO N showed what he’s capable of last week by coming close to the sharp winner and the import can build off that effort. (1) LORD WILLOUGHBY A returns locally off two wins at Saratoga for Stalbaum and he draws best in what isn’t the strongest field ever assembled; big chance. (4) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN just hasn’t been the same but maybe the veteran appreciated the time off. (2) KIMANI N was third best from a similar spot last week.
Race 9 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(1) PACING MAJOR N went through the motions last week from the eight hole versus better in his first start back from vacation and it should be all-systems-go tonight for the Tritton trainee. (3) DANCIN DRAGON jogged two back at this level; main threat. (2) CHRISTEN ME N should save ground from this spot and emerge late with a share. (5) COUGAR HALL has been good this season coming back from the lengthy layoff.
Race 10 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(2) CAVIART LUCA was totally uninvolved last start but the drop in class and move inside makes the classy Burke trainee the obvious one to beat; short price looming, however. (4) TREMENDOUS PLAY has been good in his last two at this level and Goodell may look to set up a trip behind the top choice. (1) LIGHTNING ONMYFEET gets some post relief and should be more involved. (6) BETTOR MEMORIES has plenty of back class to call upon; tough to predict what type of trip he’s looking at tonight, however.
Race 11 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(5) BETTORS FIRE N is a legit Open player for Cushing and he returns locally into a spot where he can fire from the gate and control the action. (3) MACH N CHEESE chased a record-setting mile two back and a strong effort from the winner last week; he fits here and a victory should come along soon. (7) PROVEN DESIRE faces an uphill climb tonight but he was actually very good in that last win and he’ll probably be a big price. (8) SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN won the Open 4YO last week wire-to-wire but is still eligible for this condition; will he be flashing speed from post eight?
Race 12 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(1) GRATIAN HANOVER was forced uncovered last week, could not threaten enough but did hold for a share as my top play; Holland is subbing for Bongoirno in the bike tonight and they will look to go down the road in the finale. (3) GREAT VINTAGE can still get the job done at his advanced age and he’s coming off a 1:50 4/5 score. (4) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N was a good second versus similar last week. (5) MACH DORO N has raced well here in the past and returns from a good run in New England.