Yonkers: Thursday 2/14 Analysis
Best Bet: NORTHERN ASSASSIN A (1st)
Spot Play: LADY EAGLE (7th)
MEET STATS: 27 - 79 / $144.80 (-$13.20)
BEST BETS: 4 - 7 / $10.30 (-$3.70)
Race 1
(5) NORTHERN ASSASSIN A was reclaimed by Allard at a premium coming off an excusable effort; Yannick's back driving and they should be heading to the front. (7) POP ICON has been very sharp and there's no reason why he can't maintain his form for his new barn; only problem here is the post. (3) MANHATTAN BENNY gets some post relief and can land a share over the rest of these, who all have some question marks.
Race 2
(1) WHETHER OR NOT FI won quite easily in his U.S. debut and faces much of the same here; very short price looming. (5) MYSTICAL GRACE should use his early speed to set up a nice stalking trip and perhaps she can outlast the others for second. (2) CASH CALF ships in off some even efforts at The Meadowlands and a decent enough qualifier.
Race 3
(4) WESTSLUCKYCAM went wire-to-wire in debut off the Allard claim and there's nothing in here to prevent her from getting the top again looking to repeat. (1) PIRINEA'S PRINCESS goes for Banca off the claim, picks up Bartlett and looms as the main threat. (3) VELOCITY LAYLA gets a barn change to Garcia-Herrera, who is making his 2019 Yonkers debut. This one has missed some time but fits with these if ready.
Race 4
(3) J S PRINCESS GLORY was a fortunate, but good, second-place finisher last week and the mare can build off that effort. (1) AMERICAN STEELE moves all the way back inside and may very well be controlling the action here. (8) TAKE A WISH fits well with these, but may have too far to come from this spot; use underneath.
Race 5
(6) BIZET has been well-behaved and razor-sharp over at The Meadowlands and he should have little trouble with these, assuming he adapts to the half-mile track. (1) HOTROD RICHARD went coast to coast against cheaper and he'll use his speed to his advantage again. (3) FIRST CLASS ACT broke early last week but was good in prior starts; Smedshammer is in the bike tonight so that improves her price.
Race 6
(4) SHESJUSTADELIGHT N hasn't really been clicking recently but anything close to her best effort will be enough to handle these. (2) SHADY STELLA draws well, was Stratton's choice. (1) ACEFORTYFOUR ALEX gets needed post relief and should be close from start to finish.
Race 7
(3) LADY EAGLE has looked like a new horse since the addition of the trotting hobbles and the Godinez trainee is overdue for a win. (6) ALEXANDRIA HANOVER never got involved last out but the Burke trainee can show some speed from this spot. (1) SEVEN IRON rallied well last week, now draws best.
Race 8
(5) DG'S ELSA had an easy pocket trip last week to the big favorite but it was a much-improved effort and she could have more to offer tonight. (3) QUEEN JOSEPHINE tired after an aggressive two-move effort last out and the Bucci trainee has been pretty good recently. (6) VINTAGE BABE has looked better in her last two since dropping to this NW10000 level.
Race 9
(3) WESTERN BAYAMA was bothered and carried wide turning home last week losing all chance but he's reunited with Holland, who drove him to an aggressive win versus lesser the start prior. Price should be good. (4) TOWNSLIGHT HANOVER earned a long-awaited win last week and now changes hands off the claim; veteran looks like a serious player here. (5) STARSKY'S DREAM N is another in a new barn and he's also been looking good of late.
Race 10
(6) SWANSEA won easily on the front end in his two local starts for DiDomenico and he's clearly capable of taking another. (5) PERLUCKY has come back sharp for his 4-year-old campaign and the Smedshammer trainee is the main threat. (7) BANDOL ROSE has been very sharp for Allard but drawing outside of her main competition hurts.
Race 11
(3) ROCK N BLUE woke up with a better effort upon moving to the Bucci barn and a similar effort can handle these. (4) ART HISTORY raced fine from the eight hole last week but he just had no chance; post relief can make him a player. (2) TREASURE MACH returns to Yonkers off some sharp efforts at Monticello.