Yonkers: Sunday 11/18 Analysis
Best Bet: MISSIONOFTHEHEART (1st)
Spot Play: ROYAL BACHELOR (8th)
MEET STATS: 484 - 1357 / $2,600.90
BEST BETS: 69 - 118 / $222.10
Race 1
(2) MISSIONOFTHEHEART shipped from Canada for the Allard family and promptly jogged at Saratoga; mare moves downstate and seems quite capable of going wire-to-window. (3) GOT NO MONEY HONEY returns locally off two good efforts at Pocono and Kakaley sticks. (1) JACKIE NEWLANDS has strung together back-to-back live efforts and the filly is an obvious player from this spot.
Race 2
(2) RESITA ships from Pocono for Burke and seems to be a good fit in his compact field with no standouts. (1) SOUTHWIND CRUZE has been underachieving lately for Team Bongiorno but this is probably the best spot he's seen in some time. (5) CHASIN' DREAMS was a safe winner on the front end two back and may be put into play early today.
Race 3
(8) I KNOW MY CHIP has had a very solid season as a fringe stakes player and he invades for midwest connections off an easy score at Hoosier; obviously the post eight start is tough but I assume Marohn won't be taking back off the gate. Major player with any soft of smooth trip. (10) DW'S NY YANK has been feeling good again and the Burke-trained millionaire can be a threat despite the tricky starting spot. (7) GRUDEN has been coming up a bit short lately; use caution.
Race 4
(6) LAZURUS was a pretty good second last out at this distance and despite bumping up a notch he's facing no standouts here; worth a try with Bartlett back at the controls. (7) CRAZY ABOUT PAT is no longer an Open commodity but he's still a very serviceable trotter; he will be on the move early. (4) ABC MUSCLES BOY was awful last out but all prior efforts were good.
Race 5
(6) ALWAYS A GOOD TIME has put in solid efforts in practically all of his recent starts and as long as the Allard trainee doesn’t get buried too far back early he could be set up nicely to flash his closing kick. (3) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN is closing in on $200K this year...what a solid trotter! Troy Beyer has clicked well with Bucci trainees and this gelding certainly is in a live spot today. (11) UNDICI has taken his last two with Bartlett driving; he faces tougher but could land a share.
Race 6
(7) EX HANOVER ships in for very good trotting connections and will look to make it 3 of 4 versus this evenly-matched group. (4) ALASKA blitzed through a late-closer series at Northfield and we'll see how the Walter Haynes, Jr. trainee fits in here. (5) DELCREST HOLIDAY had decent early and late speed last out for Burke.
Race 7
(4) ALPHA D'URZY has awful-looking lines recently but note he stayed flat in that latest qualifier with the hobbles added; French import can beat these if he remembers to stay trotting. (8) WATKINS returns to Yonkers off three good efforts versus lesser at Philly; veteran knows his way around this track and could land a piece even from the tough post. (5) BINGO QUEEN has decent late energy last week and the mare can pop up with a winning effort at any given time.
Race 8
(5) ROYAL BACHELOR saved ground then shook free with good trot last out at this level and this distance; he seems overdue and ready to go from this decent starting spot. (8) ADAGIO DE LA TOUR dropped to the Opt $20K level last out and was a game front-end winner; Banca trainee is clearly capable of repeating. (6) DELCREST MASSY put in a steady, methodical run last out to be second best; board factor again.
Race 9
In a race where a case can be made for many of these, (7) TROPICAL SPLASH AS seems as sharp as any coming off a win, ships in for good connections and may offer a decent price. (4) CREDIT FRAUD is another shipper for Midwest connections and the filly has been sharp over the half at Northfield. (3) FLY FLY SELENA raced willingly at both ends in her local debut; obvious contender.
Race 10
(4) MERRY HANOVER hasn't been awful recently versus better and she was a winner when last at this level. (2) SHAWNEE BEAUTY was a sharp winner from a similar spot last out. (1) CASINO CUTIE IT has talent and local experience but can be erratic from time to time; use caution.