Yonkers: Thursday 6/27 Analysis
MEET STATS: 209 - 593 / $1,089.20 (-$96.80)
BEST BETS: 30 - 52 / $88.70 (-$15.30)
Best Bet: ROCK N BLUE (10th)
Spot Play: ICINGON DE CUPCAKE (11th)
Race 7 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick-5 Pool
Race 1 – Excelsior A 3YO
(2) JET ROCK absolutely cruised on the front end last out at Tioga in a swift Excelsior split and he deserves serious consideration here with the good post. (5) SURREAL ART goes for four straight for the Lorentzon barn and Bartlett drives; we know this team does well with trotters. (1) WILLIAM MCWHISKERS is a bit late to the party but he did win his career debut at Pocono in 1:52 4/5.
Race 2 – NW2 or $25,000 lifetime
(1) BROOKROAD MASTER was a bit unsettled in the pocket in his local debut but he did finish with solid energy for the score; Marohn sticks looking to double up. (5) LADY ALLAIRE was a decent second in his last local start and now picks up Sears for the Melander barn. (4) WONDERMENT HANOVER was never close to the winner last out and settled for second best; figures to be board-placed again. (3) AVALONIA did have a couple of good closing efforts here last month.
Race 3 – Excelsior A 3YO
(2) HENNESSEY draws best off a nice pocket-sitting score in Excelsior action at Tioga and that was a much-improved effort; perhaps he can trip out here. (1) ALEX TYE looks for four straight for the Chris Oakes barn and is clearly the stronger half of a pari-mutuel entry here; he looks like your favorite. (4) MAJOR ESCAPE was decent here in overnight races last month and recently added Lasix; we’ll see if that helps.
Race 4 – NW4 or $50,000 lifetime
(6) WARRIOR ONE is two-for-two over the Yonkers surface this year, faces pretty much the same type here and despite not offering much value he deserves to be the pick. (2) DOVER DONY chased the top choice from the pocket when they last met up and now he does have the post edge. (5) CHECKMATE HILL has been a good earner for Laterza this season after missing his entire 3YO campaign. (1) BROADWAY SISSY lands inside and can be used underneath for a share.
Race 5 – NYSS 3YO
(4) BUDDY HILL looked great in his Rooney elimination then came up a bit flat in the final; he followed that up with a nice two-move winning effort last week and he should offer the best value of the contenders. Tough ones inside of him, though. (1) AMERICAN MERCURY was used hard at odds-on and faltered late in his latest NYSS try but he gets to bounce right back here from the best post. (3) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK has been good from day one for Schnittker and he obviously has a big chance. (2) MAJOR MARCH has been as good as any and Bartlett sticks with him.
Race 6 – NYSS 3YO
(3) REIGNING DEO was the 2YO NYSS champ as a freshman and while he’s still shut out of the win column this year (burning money in the process) it’s not like he’s been bad; Stratton gets the call tonight and could be an ok price in this competitive field. (1) ROLLWITHPAPAJOE has been solid for Jenn Bongiorno and the only real blemish came at the worst time with that break in the Rooney final; obvious chance for a big share here. (4) STONE HANOVER can be excused for last week’s tough trip; player. (2) ARTIE’S IDEAL was good for second with an inside trip at Tioga and a similar journey can land him a share here.
Race 7 – Excelsior A 3YO
(3) SHANGHAI BOBBY flashed solid speed from the eight hole in an overnight event here just three days ago and perhaps that will keep the Burke trainee tight for tonight. (2) MURROW BOY was a close second in his last two and Bartlett drives again; logical. (5) ROLLONHIGHWAY was also close-up finishing his last two starts when Morrill, Jr. drove.
Race 8 – NW5000 in last 5 starts
(4) GRAND MASTER does fit this level well, has gotten along with Holland in the past and this barn has been better lately; veteran’s price should be fair. (2) SETTLEMOIR was much better last week for a struggling barn and Troy Beyer handles him well; one to beat. (1) PERSISTENT THREAT A will be closer with the needed post relief. (3) ULTIMATE FLYER N wasn’t awful last week.
Race 9 – NW6 or $75,000 lifetime
(5) MRS DARCY raced respectably in her last two for the strong Hudson/Stratton pairing and she seems capable here with a live trip versus this camera-shy group. (2) ALEXANDRIA HANOVER hit the ticket in her last three and the Burke trainee will likely be camped out on the lead or in the pocket. (3) CHAPTER AND RUTH returns locally, recently moved to the care of Team Bongiorno, and he’ll be forwardly placed. (6) NATALIE HANOVER ships in and gets a big driver change to Bartlett.
Race 10 – NW5000 in last 5 starts
(3) ROCK N BLUE likely needed last week’s start, gets Bartlett tonight and figures to be aggressively handled from this spot. (4) MEETYOUATMIDNIGHT fits at this level, has good speed to set up a trip but needs to show more late. (2) TODDLER TANTRUM has done little recently, but does land a good post and was Stratton’s choice. (1) SOMWHERENBROOKLN N ships from Pennsylvania for Garcia-Herrera where he has been facing tougher recently.
Race 11 – NW8 or $100,000 lifetime
(2) ICINGON DE CUPCAKE has had a good effort or two in the past at Yonkers and he returns off a couple of solid races; Surick trainee seems to have as good a chance as any here. (1) SUGAR TOP was a nice off-the-pace winner upon arrival from Hoosier and now he draws best stepping up a notch; likely favorite. (3) SECRET BRO looked solid winning two straight but does that recent sick scratch slow him down? (7) BIGBOY ROSCO was awful at odds-on in his last start; now you’ll get a price on him if you want to try again.
Race 12 – F&M NW10000 in last 5 starts
(4) AMATEUR HOUR was jammed in and shuffled in her last two; perhaps from this spot there will be cover to be had and she can finish best, at a price. (3) ALWAYS GIGGLING is another Midwest shipper and the mare has some class to her. (5) DALI DELIGHT is a model of consistency and should hit the ticket again. (6) MISS IRISH ROSE N has Stratton in the bike tonight subbing for Stalbaum; moderately interesting.