Yonkers: Thursday 5/2 Analysis
Best Bet: TOP EXPECTATIONS (9th)
Spot Play: SOLID ASA ROCK A (10th)
MEET STATS: 141 - 400 / $716.20 (-$83.80)
BEST BETS: 20 - 34 / $60.40 (-$8.60)
Race 1
(1) DALI DELIGHT always performs well at this claiming level despite being in a host of different barns; there's no reason to think the mare won't get it done here from the best post with the top driver. (4) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX has shown improvement in her last two since dropping to this class including last week's close-up third; Laterza trainee is overdue and should make serious noise here. (3) TYRONBETTORSELLA N drops for the third straight start since arriving in the U.S. coming off a disappointing effort; mixed feelings here.
Race 2
(4) MAGNIFICENT SEVEN trotted reasonably well at Pocono in his career debut, hinting that he will have more to offer second start out; well-bred trotter deserves a long look here. (2) DONNA VICTORIA has come up a bit short for Smedshammer returning for her three-year-old season but the filly seems well-mannered and lands a nice inside spot. (3) MR VICKTOR raced a bit greenly on the front end last week, but it was a solid winning effort.
Race 3
(1) MACH TIME N has done nothing since moving to the Banca barn but this looks like a now-or-never spot for the veteran. (3) HIGHVIEW CONALL N was third best in his last two after dropping to this basement conditioned level; similar effort makes him a big factor here. (5) BURNING MIDNIGHT didn't function first start after moving to Team Bongiorno then took a couple of months off; tough to know what to expect here and I won't take too short of a price to find out.
Race 4
(3) MVP LUKE got progressively better through the Bonus trotting series, including winning the consolation; Cleary trainee is clearly the one to beat. (6) TOWN HALL JUSTICE has improved dramatically since moving to the Allard barn; mare looks like a must-use here. (1) BLUE AND BOLD has some speed, the best draw and the leading driver in the bike for the live Andrew Harris barn.
Race 5
(6) MACH IT A PAR was totally uninvolved last week from the outside post, which is almost hard to imagine at this level coming from this super-classy mare; I have to believe there's still some life left in her legs. (2) ZOE ELLASEN ships from the Midwest where she's been facing some decent stock and she looks like a good fit here. (7) LK'S NANCY LEE was very game in defeat first off the Allard claim; the post is a problem, however, and we'll see how aggressive Sears is early with the mare.
Race 6
(6) HILL OF A HORSE is lightly-raced but has come back strong for his 4-year-old campaign; Erv Miller trainee seems primed to take another. (1) WORTHYOURATTENTION hasn't fired her best shot in her last two but this is a good trotting barn and she deserves respect here. (3) PINE BUSH ROSE faces tougher off two solid scores.
Race 7
(6) WESTERN BAYAMA hasn't done much recently as he tries to find his proper level and venue but he's raced well here in the past and he faces a field with a lot of questionable speed types; that 20/1 is enticing. (2) POP ICON comes off a scratched-sick but that was a solid win the week prior. (3) CODE MEISTER goes another start in the Allard barn; gelding can never be counted out.
Race 8
(1) TEXAS TERROR N returns to Yonkers off a couple of aggressive tries at Pocono and this gutsy veteran always gives a good accounting of himself; Bartlett will likely be controlling the action tonight. (6) CHACHING HANOVER drops back to the level of his last win and was Brennan's choice. (5) KILLER MARTINI can be very inconsistent at times but we know he's more than capable with one of his better efforts.
Race 9
(3) TOP EXPECTATIONS looked super-impressive in her seasonal debut and an effort resembling that will crush these. (5) ONE OF THE FEW qualified effectively with the hobbles added, always a good angle, and he can offer some value here. (8) VOLARE has looked good in his last two for Allard; only problem here is overcoming the post.
Race 10
(5) SOLID ASA ROCK A has hinted at some decent ability since arriving from Down-Under. I don't know what happened in his last start where he just got lost at the back of the back in that bulky field but this clearly looks like a better spot tonight and the Banca trainee could be a serious player. (4) ROLL AWAY JOE drops and gets post relief; good combo. (2) LIGHTNING ONMYFEET has been just 'okay' in his last few starts but he should be a factor from this good post.