Yonkers: Thursday 8/15 Analysis
2019 STATS: 347 - 823 / $1,562.10 (-$83.90)
BEST BETS: 39 - 70 / $115.50 (-$24.50)
Best Bet: HL REVADON (2nd)
Spot Play: NORMANDY BEACH (8th)
Race 7 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick-5 Pool
Race 1 – F&M NW5000 in last 5 starts
(7) SHEER TALENT has raced very well at this level for multiple barns and she has the gate speed to clear the front from this outside post looking to win back-to-back. (1) A OLIVEINMYMARTINI dropped to this basement claiming level last week and was rebuffed from the pocket; she could very well end up with the same stalking trip here. (3) SHADY STELLA never got close from poor posts in her two starts off the Harris claim; she’s hard to gauge off those efforts but obviously is helped by the move inside. (2) MY RONA GOLD N will be close up throughout and can land a share.
Race 2 – NW2 or $25,000 lifetime
(5) HL REVADON was second best in the Dexter Cup and raced very well in his last two at The Big M; this looks like a perfect spot for the trotter to break his maiden. (3) CLASSY GUY moved to the Jenn Bongiorno barn, took the money but faltered; trotter needs to show more late. (2) BRIMFULL gets away from the Excelsiors and should fit nicely at this NW2 level. (6) MUSCLE STAR hails from good trotting connections and did race decently here last week.
Race 3 – NW5000 in last 5 starts
(2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A has always represented himself well at this NW5000 level and he gets a good post to boot; worth a look at what may be a decent price. (5) NATIONAL SEELSTER has always been a bit inconsistent but does have back class and should be more involved tonight. (4) KIMANI N has done nothing but burn money since arriving in the U.S.; use caution. (8) WIND BLAST will probably be ignored from post eight but could round out the tickets.
Race 4 – NW2 or $25,000 lifetime
(8) BRADY BUNCH makes just his third start as a 3-year-old but he showed some serious promise as a freshman for Erv Miller; obviously the post is a concern but he still deserves top billing. (4) BLUTO’S DIAMOND ships East for the Lorentzon barn and picks up Bartett; this route has worked in the past. (5) AVALONIA raced better last week to be second best; player. (3) LA DOLFINA ships from Saratoga where he’s been making some live moves.
Race 5 – F&M NW10000 in last 5 starts
(7) SCWARTZ BROS BEATY and (8) ROSE RUN TONI land the two worst posts but they face some VERY questionable rivals here; nod to ‘Scwartz’ on top with the tactical advantage. (3) DEWAR N SODA has done little at this level all season long but this is an okay spot. (2) DALI DELIGHT has tailed off badly of late; use underneath only.
Race 6 – NW4 or $50,000 lifetime
(7) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND steps up off last week’s nice uncovered score and he may be sharp enough to take another, despite the poor post. (4) THE RAVE should be forwardly placed off the gate, which can set him up with a good trip. (2) CHECKMATE HILL will also be close to the action and can land a share. (5) COTTON TO YOU may be moving fastest of all at the wire but I wouldn’t take too short of a price on him.
Race 7 – NW4 or $50,000 lifetime
(5) TOPSPIN S was racing better than some of those lines looked, then took the money and broke last week; I’m willing to give the Banca-trained mare another chance at a much better price. (7) SHAMROCK SHAKER is two-for-two at Yonkers with open-length wins; hard not to use even from the outside post. (3) SWAN IN THE VALLEY has speed and the filly could hang around late for a share. (4) WINNING AMERICAN gets a barn change to Andrew Harris and maybe that wakes him up.
Race 8 – NW20000 in last 5 starts
(3) NORMANDY BEACH steps up in class off a win with an Amateur aboard and he will almost certainly be handled aggressively early by Holland; Erv Miller trainee may be sharp enough to repeat. (2) THEARTOFCONFUSION A is best here and is the one to beat, but he did lose last week at 20 cents on the dollar. (7) LUCIANO N gets some class relief and can leave the gate for sure; do not ignore, especially if there are any signs of life on the tote board. (5) ROCK LIGHTS hails from good connections but has been inconsistent.
Race 9 – NW6 or $75,000 lifetime
(6) NO DRAMA PLEASE gave a good accounting of himself recently in minor stakes action over at The Meadowlands and he was a solid second in 1:55 1/5 when last at Yonkers; Bartlett drives. (2) ALEXANDRIA HANOVER is always in the number but is still shut out on the season; that elusive win will come soon. (4) BROWNIE has been a solid earner for owner/driver Dan Dube; player. (8) ON THE ROPES gets stuck all the way outside, which may seal his fate; he does fit in here so keep an eye on him.
Race 10 – F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts
(1) CAVIART CHERIE moves out of the Jenn Bongiorno barn and into the Harris barn despite winning her last start; mare is a legit threat to take these coast-to-coast. (6) VORST needs an alert getaway, which is obviously possible given her early speed, and with smooth sailing, the Garcia-Herrera trainee will be a player. (3) TELL ME A JOKE moves out of the NW conditioned ranks to face some tough foes, but she should be a healthy price. (5) KAY’S DELIGHT may need a start or two coming back from vacation.
Race 11 – NW8 or $100,000 lifetime
(5) CRUISING IN STYLE isn’t all that appealing at that low morning line but he did miss a neck upon arrival last week in the slop and his prior start was a blowout win first out for his U.S. trainer (Harris); Bartlett gets the call. (2) PUERTO RICO was second best recently to the top choice at Pocono and followed that up with an easy win; consistent trotter should be right there again. (8) BROADWAY CREDIT was rebuffed after aggressive tries in his two starts coming off the shelf for Team Bongiorno; tough post will make the price attractive. (6) BANDOL ROSE needed that start up at Saratoga and should be tighter tonight for Allard.
Race 12 – NW10000 in last 5 starts
(6) MCCLINCHIE N keeps Brennan in the bike and gets much-needed class relief; Vallee trainee could offer some value in a race where it’s hard to get excited about anyone. (3) ARTMAGIC missed a head and a neck in his last two tries at this level; big player. (4) CHUMLEE A wasn’t bad at all in his last two races for Stalbaum. (5) LETTUCEROCKTHEM A has been disappointing since returning to Yonkers; I’ll let him beat me.