Yonkers: Thursday 9/12 Analysis

MEET STATS: 190 - 512 / $976.20 (-$47.80)
BEST BETS: 22 - 45 / $68.90 (-$21.10)
SPOT PLAYS: 11 - 45 / $74.90 (-$15.10)
BEST BET - MCCLINCHIE N (9th)
SPOT PLAY - SPORTSKEEPER (12th)
Race 1 - 12500CLM Pace
(8) TJ BLAST came up a little short after cutting the fractions in his return. Obviously got the worst of the draw, but this doesn't look like a field loaded with early foot, so I think Bartlett can get him positioned well. (2) MORE DRAGON receives some post relief tonight, which should put him back in the hunt. (4) MACHLICIOUS usually races well against the bottom-level claimers, including last Thursday where he was a rallying second; taken by Fusco at the claim box.
Race 2 - NW2/29000LT Trot
(4) CISCO PAL was racing well out in Indiana and now ships east after joining the Erv Miller barn. No half-mile track experience yet, but I'll bank on his sharp connections having him ready. (2) CLASSY GUY keeps knocking on the door but has had to settle for seconds and thirds. Does get a better post to work with tonight after having the eight and the six in his last two. (7) EVIE HANOVER flashed some early foot from an outside posts two back against NW4's, so I think she can get a seat from out here and stick around to hit the ticket.
Race 3 - 15000CLM Pace
(5) OUR DRAGON KING raced in a handicap with $20,000 claimers last week, so getting to go against the straight $15,000 group is a bit of a drop, and he rallied well in that contest also. Dube ends up on him this time, so maybe we'll see a bit more early speed. (3) ARI ALLSTAR beat the bottom-level condition class at Harrah's Philadelphia two back and then probably aimed too high a week ago. This is probably a more realistic spot and he is drawn well. (1) DENVER SEELSTER showed renewed vigor racing for Paul Fusco a week ago. Shifts from the NW5000L5's to the claimers and has post relief.
Race 4 - F&M NW5000L5/12500CLM Pace
(3) ROLLING GOING GONE fell on 8-13 after breaking stride and then just went around the track at Pocono from post eight in her next try. Gives Yonkers another attempt tonight, and I'll bank on her being better. Was racing well against quality competition in July, and any return to that form would make her tough. (2) SHADY STELLA has won two straight at this level and was claimed by Fusco last Thursday. Big effort a week ago might have taken a bit out of her. (5) MELANIE'S FILLY is another one who battled hard in the Shady Stella race last week and tired in the stretch. She is normally a threat against these types.
Race 5 - NW4/50000LT Trot
(5) COTTON TO YOU keeps putting in quality efforts for the Lachance/Wallin duo, including a win last week. I'll look his way again and hope for a bit of value. (7) BOO THANG made a break on the barn switch to Alexander last Thursday, but I'll hope that he learned something about the horse and no mistakes will be made this time. (4) LIGHTS COME ON makes an overnight start after racing in the Sire Stakes program through the summer. Finished second against Excelsior A Series foes when last seen at Yonkers with no visible excuse, so I will try and beat him.
Race 6 - NW8/100000LT / NW6/75000LT Drawn Inside Trot
(5) MAGIC MVP came up just a nose short of a win last Thursday off a pocket trip. Hopefully he can deliver tonight as he continues to be in good form. (8) MAX gets the worst of the draw tonight after an easy win on August 29. Has shown a propensity for rallying efforts, so as long as Brennan can get him spotted, he'll probably be a threat. (4) CRUISING IN STYLE is another logical contender as he's hit the board in all of his tries since coming down from Canada. Gets a bit of post relief too, moving from the six to the four.
Race 7 - NW4/50000LT Trot - *$10K GTD Pick 5*
(8) MASSIVE VODKA faded late after setting the tempo last week. Stuck with another dreadful post tonight, but he can overcome it with the good gate speed he has, and this doesn't look like the strongest group at this level. (6) FULL RIGHTS won at this level two starts back and was looming on 8-29 before breaking in the lane; ended up with Bartlett in the bike. (2) BROADWAY MUSCLES was much better than he had been last week. Has another good post to work with tonight if he can bring a similar performance.
Race 8 - F&M NW10000L5/20000CLM/Winners of NW5000L5 in Last Start Pace
(6) FAITHFUL DESIRE has been alternating between Yonkers and Pocono and is back at the latter tonight. Nothing wrong with her last two miles, including a near miss two back when at this level in Westchester. (1) SCWARTZ BROS BEATY hasn't won in three tries for Banca, but she showed a nice kick from off-the-pace last Thursday and draws the rail instead of post six. (2) ANN HILL wound up just falling short by a nose back on September 3. Gets another good post to work from tonight for new driver Brent Holland.
Race 9 - NW10000L5/Winners of NW5000L5 in Last Start Pace
(1) MCCLINCHIE N drops and gets Brennan in the bike tonight, which puts him squarely on top for me. Also has the rail, which he raced well from against better back on 8-24. (2) ROCK N BLUE pulled the upset back on 9-3, but he gets another chance against this class, and he might be in line for a pocket trip again. (6) WARMINSTER A gained in the final quarter in his last start but was too far back to threaten. Might need some post relief, but he is classy enough to be a major factor with a live cover trip.
Race 10 - F&M NW10000L5/20000CLM/Winners of NW5000L5 in Last Start Pace
(3) JANUARY A makes a Yonkers comeback tonight after being out of town in her recent starts. Won when last seen in this company in Westchester back on 7-16, and she comes in in solid form. (6) MANHATTAN PLAY loses the inside post she had on September 3, but that was a quality effort from first-up. Maybe Bartlett can get her covered up tonight as she has shown the ability to pass horses. (5) PITTSTOP DANIKA has been better in her last two, including a closing third last time out. Let's see if she can do it again.
Race 11 - NW6/75000LT Trot
(3) ARABELLA'S CADET steps up after winning two straight against NW4's in closing fashion. She was racing well in Canada before that, too, so I'll look for her to handle the class hike without issue. (2) BRADY BUNCH also moves up from NW4 tonight in razor-sharp form. Has plenty of speed and will be a threat again. (4) NO DRAMA PLEASE got a check from post eight in the Yonkers Trot, but had every chance to win when last seen at this level two back and was overtaken. Likely to be a very short price, and I'll attempt to knock him off.
Race 12 - NW15000L5/Winners of NW10000L5 in Last Start Pace
(2) SPORTSKEEPER receives some post and class relief, won when last seen against similar, and I think will offer a good price. (5) LETTUCEROCKTHEM A is another one for the Stratton/Hudson duo in the late double. Was flying home against NW20000L5's in his most recent effort from post seven. (7) PICARD A joined the Linda Toscano barn this summer. Shown plenty of speed out of town and was second in the open at Tioga.