Yonkers: Tuesday 4/23 Analysis
Best Bet: BARN BELLA (2nd)
Spot Play: TYRONBETTORSELLA N (10th)
MEET STATS: 21 - 56 / $118.60 (+$6.60)
BEST BETS: 3 - 5 / $7.80 (-$2.20)
SPOT PLAYS: 2 - 5 / $10.00 (+0.00)
Race 1
(6) POP ICON comes back on short rest after beating this same $12,500 claiming class on Thursday night (April 18). Does move out from the rail to post six, but I don't mind quick turnarounds while a horse is in-form, and he was Bongiorno's choice of two. (5) MISTER TRUTH drops right back to this level after one unsuccessful try against $15,000 claimers. Hasn't won in 2019, but has finished second or third in four of nine tries. Brennan takes over with Bongiorno sticking with my top choice. (2) WAR DADDY struggled in his return to the Banca barn on April 11, but he gets a better post tonight, going from the five to the two, and Bartlett, who won with him on March 21, reassumes the driving assignment.
Race 2
(2) BARN BELLA had a tough post last week, starting from the seven, but had plenty of trot in the final quarter. She gets needed post relief by drawing the two tonight, and should be much closer to the action. (6) OOH RAH continues to slide back down the class ladder, joining the NW10000L5 company after a decent third to the razor-sharp Chestnut Schofield on April 12. Won two straight in this class back in February. (7) DRAZZMATAZZ isn't in the greatest form, but he's been battling against tougher horses for quite awhile, and hasn't seen this low a class level since back in October of last year. David Miller gets the call tonight with Bartlett opting off.
Race 3
(1) AMERICANFIREWATER finished well from far back last out at the Meadowlands, now changes tracks to Yonkers and drops to the bottom condition level. Has winning experience in Westchester before, and that race at The Big M on April 13 may have been a live one, with both second-place finisher Dubious Claim and third-place finisher Stendahl Hanover coming back to win Saturday night; Siegelman's choice of two. (2) VAGANOVA also returns to Yonkers after recent appearances at the Meadowlands and Saratoga. Had one recent try at this NW5000L5 level in Westchester, and it resulted in a win on March 7. Stratton picked off, but lands Bartlett. (4) BULLVILLE KYLE looks like he's in a spot where he can track horses and close to complete the ticket like he has on a couple other occasions this season.
Race 4
(5) IMF raced decently through this series, having the misfortune to run into Swansea, who will be the likely favorite in the final, the last two rounds. Looks to be in superior form to most of these, and I expect co-owner Gingras to send him tonight. (4) BROADWAY MAIJA finished with some interest last week and has the same post three this week. (1A) BROADWAY CREDIT didn't draw well, saddled with post seven, but overcame post six to get a second on April 9. No wins this year but does like to finish underneath with five seconds and a third from 11 starts.
Race 5
(1) MEETYOUATMIDNIGHT hasn't been able to win but has raced well in his three recent starts at the bottom NW5000L5 level. Gets post relief tonight, going from the seven (twice) and the five to the rail, and goes to Brennan tonight. I envision him going right to the front and attempting to wire this group. (2) BEACH MEMORIES takes a drop to the NW5000L5 company tonight and gets Dexter Dunn, who guided him to a second-place effort against better on February 19, back in the bike. Also returns to the traditional mile distance after a mile and a sixteenth appearance in his last effort. (4) BIG JER ships back to Yonkers after making his last two starts at Monticello. This is class relief compared to his last appearances in Westchester, and he was a solid, first-up third in his one start against NW5000L5 types on February 26.
Race 6
(5) TOMITTA BAYAMA is a new entrant to the high-percentage DiDomenico barn, coming off a win against Preferred-2 types at Western Fair in Ontario. Hard to say exactly how that compares to this $20,000 claimer at Yonkers, but it seems like a reasonable spot, and he's been racing well throughout 2019. Brennan's choice of three horses in the race. (4) UF ROCKIN DRAGON switches back to Yonkers and claiming company after a win and a third over at the Meadowlands. Seems to have stepped up since the change to the Blackler barn, and Bartlett chose him over another horse in this race. (1) STARSKY'S DREAM N drops back to the level of the claim after three tries against tougher. Gets the rail after a trailing post in an extended-distance try last out, and his previous efforts on the page against 20's were good except the one time he got parked out.
Race 7
(3) SWANSEA swept his preliminary rounds of this series, drew well tonight, and the horse who finished closest to him during the three weeks ended up way out in post eight. (6) CHASIN' DREAMS couldn't get by Swansea last week but it was a good second. Gets a worse post tonight, going from the two back out to the six, but I think he can still get involved. (8) JOEY BATS had two wins and a solid second against Swansea in this series but got the absolute worst of the draw, being behind the eight-ball. Did leave and find a seat from post seven on April 9, so hopefully Bartlett can manage a similar tactic tonight.
Race 8
(3) LIGHTNING ONMYFEET drops and gets post relief tonight, which puts him in play. Finished well after trailing from post eight against better on April 13. (2) TEXICAN N also slides down the class ladder from $40,000 claimers to NW10000L5. His last effort at this level resulted in a win on February 25. (5) CHRISTEN ME N beat NW30000L5 types on February 16, but hasn't been able to hit the board at Pocono or Yonkers since dropping out of the Levy Series. This class is certainly one the classy double millionaire can wake up against.
Race 9
(4) BARRY BLACK just missed after a pocket trip at this NW10000L5 level last Tuesday night. Does shift out from the pole position to post four, but this looks like a soft group. (3) ANNAPOLIS HALL steps up but put forth a tenacious first-up effort to win on April 15. Drew well again, retaining post three. (2) CRITICAL MASS stays at this company but without the claiming tag tonight. Closed well to get second in his return to the Abbatiello barn, and gets to leave from post two tonight after having post four last Tuesday night.
Race 10
(7) TYRONBETTORSELLA N competed well in her first start in North America on April 12 at Yonkers, now gets some class relief for her second chance. Doesn't draw very well out in post seven, but any kind of smooth trip gives her a big chance. (2) FILLY FORTY SEVEN sticks at this level by entering for the claiming tag again. Moves inside to post two, which will give her every chance to switch racing styles back to speed. (4) PRETTY REAL DESIRE lost all chance last out when the horse inside of her broke on the far turn and knocked her off-stride as well. Despite the trouble, she likely needed that race off the sick scratch on April 4, and might improve tonight.