Yonkers: Saturday 9/28 Analysis

2019 STATS: 428 - 1036 / $1,918.80 (-$153.20)
BEST BETS: 51 - 88 / $158.10 (-$17.90)
Best Bet: DON DOMINGO N (9th)
Spot Play: BLUEBIRD RECON (7th)
Race 1 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(4) CAVIART SKYLER hasn’t earned a penny in his last 5 starts but he was chasing better from tough spots; he drops in class again here and was Brennan’s choice. Seems worth taking a shot if he’s around his 5/1 morning line. (1) ARTMAGIC is up in class again looking for three straight and he’s got controlling speed from the best post. (2) GHOST PINE is talented enough to go with this type and the post relief really helps. (6) TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN just got nipped two back at this level in a speedy 1:52 4/5 final time.
Race 2 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(1) LORD CROMWELL never fired versus better in last week’s Open Trot but he was a solid uncovered winner two back at this level with Bartlett driving. (2) TOP FLIGHT ANGEL blew up at the start last week ending his night early; obviously the Julie Miller trainee has the class to compete here if he minds his manners. (3) WINNING SHADOW has good speed to set him up on the lead or close-up stalking. (5) STORMY KROMER has been very sharp recently and should offer some value.
Race 3 – NW15000 in last 5 starts
(2) RONNIES ROCKET had plenty of finishing pace last week off a ground-saving trip and with a similar journey and some luck he can fire home freshest tonight. (1) QUALITY BUD was a sharp two-move winner last week versus a bit lesser; the Andrew Harris trainee lands the best post and is an obvious threat to take another. (4) ELWELL is racing himself back into shape and should land a nice share with a good trip. (8) PACING MAJOR N would be the pick here if not for the awful post which will likely seal his fate; maybe Stratton can work some magic and sneak into the number.
Race 4 - $40,000 Claiming
(1) NORMANDY BEACH dropped in for the $40K tag last week, was able to rate it kindly and had plenty left finishing; Erv Miller lands in a similar spot tonight and can double-up. (6) KEYSTONE PHOENIX is a bit erratic at times and unproven at this level but he shows live moves when in the mood and anything from DiDomenico with Brennan driving deserves consideration; price should be right, as well. (2) DO OVER HANOVER was reclaimed by Allard and is protected by hiking in class; sharp sort can land a piece. (8) STOLEN CAR has been good for an extended period of time and is overdue for a win but this is obviously a tough spot; Bartlett sticks with him.
Race 5 – 4YO Open Handicap Pace
(6) AMERICAN HISTORY is rightfully assigned the outside post returning from that big win at Harrington in the Quillen and Bongiorno gets along well with the Alagna trainee; assuming no mishaps he can get the job done. (4) DANCIN DRAGON hikes back up to this level looking for three straight and he has good early speed to set him up nicely. (3) MACH N CHEESE is also back at this Open level off some solid efforts and the talented 4-year-old is in raging form. (5) TURBO HILL is another sharp one and the Oakes trainee has been showing nice versatility recently.
Race 6 – Open Handicap Pace
(6) THEARTOFCONFUSION A basically toured the track last start from an impossible spot but the track-record holder moves in a couple of slots tonight and Siegelman can use the veteran’s newfound early speed here. (8) NONE BETTOR A clearly has the early foot to overcome his eight-hole assignment and assuming he’s not too roughed up early he will come out of this with a big share. (3) PROVEN DESIRE is back up to the Open level after scooting up the rail to upset last week and the Allard trainee has been in solid form for an extended period of time. (5) THE REAL ONE keeps showing up week after week, year after year for Lachance but as always he’ll be trip-dependent.
Race 7 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(6) BLUEBIRD RECON was claimed away from Burke last week by Eric Abbatiello and they have had success with ex-Burke trainees (think New Heaven); 4-year-old will almost certainly be put in play early by Brennan. (3) PERFECTLY CLOSE gets some needed class relief and he seems capable of awakening. Both (4) ODDS ON DELRAY and (1) BETTING EXCHANGE do their best work a level down but both have early speed which can set them up nicely.
Race 8 – Open Handicap Trot
(7) EYE OFA TIGER AS left hard last week but was stuffed into the pocket by the winner and came up a bit short late; he’s right back in the box and is capable of rebounding, and the price should be decent as well. (3) MELADY’S MONET needed last week’s start and you can never count him out. (5) ICANFLYLIKEANANGEL has been on a big roll since moving to the DiDomenico barn; this is a big test tonight and we’ll see how good he is. (8) RICH AND MISERABLE has been a killer in his 4YO season for the Buters but this is a tough spot.
Race 9 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(4) DON DOMINGO N is razor-sharp right now and the Lance Hudson trainee can easily take another. (1) KIWI TINTIN N bumped to the $40K claiming level after being taken for $25K by his current connections and raced very well to be second best; now he moves into conditioned company and draws best; seems like a player. (3) GOKUDO HANOVER is clearly not on his best game now but can never be discounted. (6) ALBERGO HANOVER was no match for the top choice last week and now draws outside what he needs to beat; he can win this but don’t accept too short of a price.
Race 10 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(1) BIT OF A LEGEND N didn’t get involved in his last three from poor posts but it’s not like he raced badly in any of those efforts; class and post relief makes the $2.5 million earner clearly the one to beat. (3) SUNFIRE BLUE CLIP and (2) I’M SOME GRADUATE are a pair of classy pacers from good posts, in good form, from good connections, and are the most logical here to complete the number. Speaking of class, we also have (4) MACH IT SO in here, and he’s coming close to the $3 million lifetime mark. Great race!
Race 11 – NW30000 in last 5 starts
(2) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N has quietly been sharp lately and has been finishing well, with sub :28 final quarters in most of his recent races; Dilloian-trained import draws well and may have a tactical edge on his main rivals. (5) RODEO ROCK returns locally and fits this level perfectly; he’s capable of crushing these but won’t offer a ton of value. (7) SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A was nailed on the wire last week in a tough beat after a rugged try; getting involved from the outside post is the big question. (1) IN SPADES raced evenly to be fourth best in his three starts off the Garcia-Herrera claim and figures to be in contention for a minor award again.
Race 12 – NW32000 in last 5 starts
(3) GREAT VINTAGE got absolutely tortured in the early going last start as he was refused the front in a :25 3/5 opening panel and clearly had an excuse to tire; classy veteran lands another good post and can make amends with a smoother trip. (1) BLOOD BROTHER is up in class off a well-rated front-end score and he draws best; the “good” version of this veteran can still handle this type. (5) PRAIRIE PANTHER returns to Yonkers getting some class relief and the Deters trainee likes to win; with a live trip he’ll be gaining late. (2) LUIS ALBERTO N didn’t fire his best shot last week when in with better; import’s prior starts hinted at real ability, however.