Yonkers: Thursday 10/17 Analysis
2019 STATS: 447 - 1093 / $2,004.40 (-$181.60)
BEST BETS: 54 - 93 / $168.30 (-$17.70)
Best Bet: WISHYOU’DTELLME (6th)
Spot Play: WIND BLAST (5th)
Race 7 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick-5 Pool
Race 1 - $12,500 Claiming
(6) JK HEAVEN SENT takes an alarming double-drop in claiming price but in this case it doesn’t worry me that much coming from the DiDomenico barn, where they will classify to win. He can take this even if he’s not 100%. (3) WILD WEST is quickly back at his preferred level after failing versus better. (8) MAN HE CAN SKOOT ships in and joins the Jenn Bongiorno barn; he’s worth a look despite no current form and the eight hole. (2) DRAGON N KICKIN was much-improved last week.
Race 2 – NW3 or $25,000 lifetime
(5) ANGEL MAGIC has looked good in Pennsylvania after shipping from Canada and now she joins the Banca barn in her local debut while picking up Bartlett; lots to like here. (2) CISCO PAL was wild on the front end last week and is certainly capable of repeating. (4) CHECKMATE HILL hasn’t done a heck of a lot lately but he’s capable of trotting an even mile to land a share. (3) TROTTIN CASH folded badly at Philly in his debut for the DiDomenico barn; perhaps he can show some improvement here.
Race 3 – F&M NW5000 in last 5 starts
(2) KEYSTONE NIKKI took her second straight last week, showing some versatility as well; Garcia-Herrera trainee should be favored to take another. (4) HURRICANE CALLEIGH was pretty stubborn in defeat in the race the top choice won and a similar effort puts here right there. (5) DEWAR N SODA is capable at this bottom level but it’s been a while since she put together a strong effort. (7) PASULTIMATEDELITE N returns locally and she’s had moderate success versus better than these in the past.
Race 4 – NW4 or $50,000 lifetime
(3) STATE OFMYHEAD AS loses Brennan to a DiDomenico trainee but he picks up Bartlett, who usually does great things for this barn and the trotter has looked good in his last couple. (6) PETRO HALL ships from Canada into a top barn and the filly performed decently in some minor stakes company there; filly does have some smaller-track experience. (2) BROADWAY MUSCLES has hit the ticket in his last two with Jordan Stratton in the bike. (8) CLASSY GUY will be a speed threat from Team Bongiorno, even from this outside post.
Race 5 - $15,000/$20,000 Claiming
(4) WIND BLAST has had some excuses recently but it won’t be long before the Lance Hudson trainee returns to the winner’s circle. (6) MATT MAJOR has suddenly become a winning machine and he’s likely the one to catch again. (8) LINKJACK HANOVER faces a tough task from post eight but it’s hard not to consider him off the DiDomenico claim. (1) NORTHERN ASSASSIN A has been on quite a roll but faces tougher here for his new barn.
Race 6 – NW4 or $53,100 lifetime
(5) WISHYOU’DTELLME was good last week adding the hobbles but ran into a stubborn rival and had to settle for second best; trotter has a big shot here for co-owner Joe Bongiorno. (4) AMANDA BLUE CHIP made a long, steady rally to be second best last out and a similar effort puts her right there. (1) ETHOCA is a late-blooming 3-year-old who’s been looking good at Plainridge and he gets Zeron in the bike tonight. (6) VICTORYISALLUNEED ships from the Midwest for Lorentzon and gets Bartlett…a proven record of success with these types.
Race 7 – F&M NW10200 in last 5 starts
(3) BETTERTHANBRIE was a nice upset winner from off the pace last start and she faces much of the same here; Zeron sticks with her. (1) LA ALWAYS AMARTINI isn’t the most consistent mare but she does seem capable of better. (4) QUEEN JOSEPHINE doesn’t have the greatest win profile but Holland gives her a try tonight; does she take a more aggressive approach? (6) VELOCITY MCSWEETS failed at odds-on in her local return, getting run down by the top choice; she’ll offer a bit more value tonight.
Race 8 – NW8 or $100,000 lifetime
(4) CHIPLOSIVE was an easy winner here three back for the Smedshammer barn and followed that up with a couple of even efforts versus stakes competition in Pennsylvania; he looks to have as good a chance as any in this competitive affair. (6) BRADY BUNCH has been first or second in all nine starts; consistent Erv Miller trainee should be right in the thick of things again. (2) LIGHTS COME ON broke three back but other than that the Lorentzon trainee has been solid; he faces better here and may have to show more to come out on top. (3) SOUTHWIND STORM hasn’t been terrible since arriving for Burke but he’s tough to endorse on top with just one seasonal victory; use underneath.
Race 9 – NW5000 in last 5 starts
(8) GALACTIC GALLEON N gets a big driver change to Stratton and the Vallee-trained veteran deserves serious consideration versus this camera-shy field, even from post eight. (2) MAURICE finished well at 100/1 upon arrival and now gets serious post relief, but will likely be overbet off that effort. (1) DECLARATON OF WAR gets Bartlett and the best post; contender. (5) SETTLEMOIR is going to wake up one of these weeks for a struggling barn.
Race 10 – NW6 or $75,000 lifetime
(5) TOPSPIN S was Bartlett’s choice for Banca over a couple of other live contenders and I suspect she’ll be put in play early. (1) FAVORITE UNCLE has good speed and the best post; logical. (3) FEEL INVINCIBLE AS had no real chance from the eight hole upon arrival for Lorentzon and the filly promises to be more involved tonight. (2) ARABELLA’S CADET qualified well after making a couple of breaks; anything from Lance Hudson with Stratton driving deserves consideration.
Race 11 – NW5000 in last 5 starts
(2) SPORTSMANSHIP tired in his last two races after returning from Pocono after enduring rugged trips in both efforts; Auciello trainee does fit with these and can be right there with a smoother trip. (3) IMA TRAGEDY N drops in class again and the Bamond trainee shows some decent efforts recently versus better. (1) PROJECT ROCK ships in from Monticello making just his third seasonal start and he has license to improve getting Zeron in the bike. (4) SERIOUS MAJOR burned some money in his last two starts off the Surick reclaim and he’s another in here seemingly with a live chance.