Yonkers: Saturday 9/2 Analysis
Best Bet: DOWNBYTHESEASIDE (4th)
Spot Play: SUNSHINE DELIGHT (3rd)
MEET STATS: 342 - 973 / $1,882.00
BEST BETS: 48 - 83 / $158.70
Race 1
(3) DOJEA SOLO has the gate speed that always puts him into play and he catches a pretty soft group of NW20000 types here; Garcia-Herrera trainee gets the call in the opener. (5) TWIN B SPEEDO went nowhere from the pocket last out after pulling on the final turn but his prior effort from off the pace was decent. (2) LETTUCERIPRITA A gets a driver upgrade to Andy Miller off an aggressive speed try last out.
Race 2
(1) PHOENIX WARRIOR N charged home in 27 seconds to take his U.S. debut and he lands the best post with the best driver again while staying at the same level; repeats. (4) LETTUCEROCKTHEM A has finished very willingly in his last two and now gets some needed post relief; main threat. (3) ALBERTO CONTADOR N was close up out versus better though clearly outfinished late; veteran should get a large piece of this.
Race 3
(6) SUNSHINE DELIGHT has only one win on the season but has been right there in most of her efforts, always at a healthy price. Her effort in the Zweig Filly trot was pretty impressive considering the trip and I like the change to Brian Sears for her local debut. (4) CELEBRITY RUTH shows a 1:56 1/5 win over this surface here last month and she has a post edge on her main rivals; Smedshammer trainee may be the one to beat. (7) EVELYN has taken her last two in solid fashion with Andy Miller driving but she's stuck outside here and that may seal her fate.
Race 4
(7) DOWNBYTHESEASIDE didn't get very lucky with the post draw for this edition of the Messenger Final but it shouldn't matter as the Brian Brown trainee is 10 lengths the best in here. Brian Sears will figure out the best trip to get the millionaire home at 1/9 odds. (3) MISO FAST and (5) FUNKNWAFFLES both pretty much toured the track last week from outside posts and they both coasted into the final, where they end up with better starting spots. Whichever exacta is paying better is the direction I'll lean. (2) SUMMER SIDE has loads of early speed and gets Dube in the bike; he can last for a smaller share.
Race 5
(6) YES MICKEY fired out with Svanstedt last week in his Trot elimination, was comfortable in the pocket chasing a very soft pace, didn't necessarily have to win nor did it seem he had a chance but he still powered past with a strong sprint home. Three-year-old is so sharp I'm going to stick with him despite landing outside his main competition. (1) DEVIOUS MAN had it all his own way but was outsprinted by the top choice last week; he does get lucky with his rail draw. Is the Julie Miller trainee tailing off a bit? I guess we'll find out. (4) GUARDIAN ANGEL AS trotted a nice uncovered back half to grind out a win in his elimination and the Lorentzon trainee is the third horse in the trio of big contenders in here; clearly capable. (9) TOP FLIGHT ANGEL finished nicely last week and should get a good starting spot from the second tier.
Race 6
(5) ELLA CHRISTINA has been solid since moving into the Nick Surick barn and the filly doesn't face the strongest field here in the Lady Maud Final; sharp sort may be able to work out a winning trip. (1) ANGEL'S PRIDE raced okay when here at Yonkers a few weeks ago and she comes off a nice two-move score at Tioga. (3) AWASH seems capable of landing a share from slightly off the pace.
Race 7
(7) MISSILE J got going too late last week as his chief rival got the jump on him but he was pacing really well late; price will be better tonight and there could be some action in front of him. (5) MR D'S DRAGON gets Sears in the bike again and he should be an early pace threat. (4) ANOTHER DAILY COPY has something to prove versus this type but he gets some post relief and can be more involved.
Race 8
(6) SUNFIRE BLUE CHIP just faltered late after cutting the mile in last week's Open; he should be heading to the front again tonight and maybe the Takter trainee lasts the distance. (7) CAVIART LUCA has totally turned it around in his last two and will likely be firing early with the top choice; threat again if he can work out a smooth trip. (8) BIT OF A LEGEND N ends up in the eight hole again but there's slightly softer competition tonight; he's more than capable of sneaking into the number.
Race 9
(5) P H SUPERCAM raced well enough last out from post eight in that high-priced claiming event; Bamond trainee should be on the move early again from this spot. (2) POLAK A never got involved in last week's Open but had been racing well in prior starts. (3) GRATIAN HANOVER has certainly looked like a new horse since returning to 'Team Bongiorno' and he was a very good second last week to Take It Back Terry.
Race 10
(1) EIGHTEEN lands the rail tonight and will likely take these the distance again at a very short price. (2) MAJOR BUCKS did a good job last out to secure the pocket trip to the top choice last out and should look to do so again. (4) BET THE MOON faces better tonight but that was a very solid effort in his first off the Fusco claim.
Race 11
(1) STATESMAN N has been very sharp recently and can trip out in a race that looks like will be dominated by inside speed. (2) BLADE SEELSTER hasn't put in a bad effort in ages and he draws well again. (4) ONE THROUGH TEN was nailed in a tough beat off the Blumenfeld claim but he's unproven at this $50K claiming level.
Race 12
(2) FIRST CLASS HORSE has always been very talented but also very erratic at times; he returns locally now in the Rob Harmon barn, and that trainer change angle has worked well in the past. (7) BETTOR MEMORIES has been very sharp and likely Sears will find his way into the race from this outside post. (1) DEETZY probably doesn't win as often as he should but he's got speed and the best draw.
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