Yonkers: Saturday 9/8 Analysis
Best Bet: SATIN DANCER (5th)
Spot Play: EVENIN OF PLEASURE (6th)
MEET STATS: 375 - 1043 / $2,058.20
BEST BETS: 52 - 89 / $170.90
Race 1
(3) BETTOR ROCK ON N has hit the skids of late but did show enough life last out for me to consider him versus this pretty soft group. (5) THE LUNCH PAIL drops in class again and is clearly the one to beat but it's tough to accept a short price on top. (7) MATTAMERICAN was a good second when last at this level and it wouldn't shock me if Bartlett took a shot and fired from the gate.
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Race 2
(1) ALLBEEF N NOBULL went wire-to-wire in 1:51 4/5 beating lesser three back then had no chance from tough outer posts in his last two; DiDomenico trainee is a big threat to take these the distance. (5) SOME PLAYA has proven that he can go with this type and he should offer good value. (2) SOHO WALLSTREET A has disappointed me too many times in the past for me to accept a short price on him.
Race 3
This race came up pretty strong for NW20000 and a case can be made for most of these, but I believe (2) PACING MAJOR N deserves top billing. Tritton trainee was in the Open not too long ago and can be excused for that effort last out where he tried to leave from the outside post but was taken back to last. Post relief can make the difference here. (3) OUR ZAK WHITBY A held well after an uncovered trip into a rated pace in just his second U.S. start. (5) ALOTBETTOR N can clearly go with this type and may be the best price of the contenders but he'll need a trip.
Race 4
(3) CENTURY CHURCHILL raced well two back to finish close then pretty much toured the track from post eight; he moves back inside and could be close enough to strike. (1) LIGHTNING ONMYFEET was good here two back with no chance then followed that up with a solid try at Pocono; he's quite logical from this spot. (2) WE THINK ALIKE returns locally for a barn that's been very live of late.
Race 5
(3) SATIN DANCER didn't fire in her lone local appearance but that was her initial try after shipping out east and facing tougher; this looks like a perfect spot for the mare to get it done. (1) BUEN CAMINO has hit the board in his last five but is way overdue for a win; hard not to use the veteran from this spot. (4) DW'S NY YANK has plenty of class and can be close up throughout.
Race 6
(5) EVENIN OF PLEASURE hasn't fired his best shots in his last two from outside posts but the Team Bongiorno charge moves in a couple of slots and I expect it to be 'all systems' go tonight. (1) SUNFIRE BLUE CHIP has been racing very well for Takter and he gets an extremely generous post assignment tonight; he should be right there from start to finish. (6) ALWAYS AT MY PLACE was in an impossible spot last week but still finished with pace; Burke trainee has been riding an extended form spree.
Race 7
(3) AIR STRIKE raced well last week but didn't gain enough late from a pocket trip; from this spot he can be put on the front end like three back when was a wire-to-wire winner. (4) MIDWAY ISLAND has raced well in his last four and the Burke trainee may end up being a good fit in this class. (5) FULLBACK has transitioned nicely from a 'Monday night horse' to a 'Saturday night horse' and that was a good try last week; Bartlett opts off, however.
Race 8
(5) DOCTOR BUTCH was close up in the Open last week while in traffic and his last two at this level were stellar efforts; he does well enough with this outside draw where he can be aggressively put into play. (6) AMERICAN BOY N closed well from too far back last week; he may be in a tough spot again but is too sharp to ignore. (4) CAVIART LUCA called on his back class to prevail last out and we know he's beaten better than these in the past.
Race 9
(6) TIGHT LINES raced super in his last two local Open efforts and got sharp in his last couple out of town; looks like the Jeff Gregory trainee is returning locally in top shape. (2) ROSE RUN SYDNEY was outkicked leaving the gate then bothered in the first turn last week ending his day; prior effort was rock-solid and she should definitely be considered from this inside post. (8) TOP FLIGHT ANGEL was towed perfectly into the race in his local return and drew off easily; he may have to get lucky from this far outside spot.
Race 10
(3) ALLSTAR PARTNER stayed in last week then got jammed up and had no chance to roll; with smoother sailing he can unleash that brush we saw the prior two starts off the claim. (1) ARQUE HANOVER was put into play early and basically stole the race last out; clearly he's a player looking for three straight. (5) ART HISTORY hung around gamely for second after a long uncovered trip last week.
Race 11
(2) TENACIOUS ONE A hasn't put in a bad effort in ages and despite lacking the class of some others in here the Stalbaum trainee can be considered at a decent price from this good post. (5) BLATANTLY BEST hasn't really threatened in his last two but has certainly gone fast enough in those efforts. (3) CHANTEPLEURE is generally ignored at the windows but he's been sharp and he has good early speed.
Race 12
(3) EDDARD HANOVER gave it a solid try from the eight hole upon arrival with Lasix added and the 4-year-old lands inside what seems like his main competition. (4) WESTERN DYNASTY bumps up off of two solid scores and could be on the move early with the top choice. (6) FRANCO RAYNER N has been good since returning from vacation and can round out the bottom of the ticket at a price.
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