Yonkers: Tuesday 5/21 Analysis
Best Bet: MIGHTY NICKY (8th)
Spot Play: POP ICON (7th)
MEET STATS: 173 - 485 / $898.80 (-$71.20)
BEST BETS: 26 - 42 / $77.40 (-$6.60)
Race 1
(1) MANHATTAN BENNY was game in defeat last out and that's four good efforts since the Garcia-Herrera claim; veteran is clearly the one to beat here starting from the best post. (2) MISTER TRUTH always comes out of his race with a good share but his win record over the last couple of seasons makes him tough to play on top. (7) SCARLET CHASER paced okay in his last couple chasing some good ones and I'll assume Bartlett will be taking a shot leaving the gate.
Race 2
(2) ADAGIO DE LA TOUR was a no-match second best to a horse going a big mile last week but the French-bred trotter has generally been going better of late and he wouldn't surprise anyone if he stepped up and won this. (4) ANNAPOLIS HALL clearly has the ability and could be in the number at a price given a sensible steer by Schnittker. (3) PERFECT STICK wasn't all that great in her local return last week but she's reunited with Stratton and they teamed up for a solid effort three back.
Race 3
(5) UF ROCKIN DRAGON double-drops in class after missing a couple of weeks but these classy veterans that surface here with Mrs. Bartlett owning are always ready to go. (1) ROCKIN PANDA dropped below the level of the claim for DiDomenico and crushed them last out; he's back in the for the same tag and obviously looms large from this spot. (2) I'LL CALL YOU LATER debuts for Ruiz off the claim; improves?
Race 4
(5) FAITHFUL DESIRE showed improvement when dropped in class last week and she takes another class dip tonight; top billing. (6) TIPP CITY also gets some class relief in her third local start for an outfit that's had success here with these midwest shippers; she just needs a way into the race. (2) KEYSTONE NIKKI seems to be scratched more often than she races but she could be competitive with this type; Bartlett drives.
Race 5
(3) LORD OF MISRULE dropped to this basement level last week but never got involved from the outside post; this is obviously a better spot and I expect the DiDomenico trainee to be primed for a big effort. (2) MACH ONE gets needed post relief in his local return and the Bongiorno charge should be competitive from this spot. (6) KEY ADVISOR blew away cheaper at Philly and seems to have the early speed to try and overcome the outside post.
Race 6
(8) MACINTOSH N has been competitive for ages with better than these and I expect Brennan to be blasting from the eight hole; veteran can easily take these wire-to-wire. (4) AMERICAN VENTURE has been showing a bit more life recently; hard not to include him on your tickets. (3) MYIDEALSON N has just one win in his last 53 starts over the last two seasons but he raced okay at this level last week and this struggling barn did have an upset winner the other night.
Race 7
(4) POP ICON finished with loads of late pace last week from an impossible spot and was claimed by Team Bongiorno (brother/sister sharing ownership); the double-jump in class doesn't scare me at all. (3) SEELEY MAN has missed three weeks and obviously has some issues but he's very speedy when right and he does look for three straight. (6) FEEL THE NEED A has been right there in his last four local starts but has been unable to secure a win; use the veteran underneath to round out the exotics.
Race 8
(5) MIGHTY NICKY shipped in last week making his local debut off the switch to the Jenn Bongiorno barn and he endured an impossible trip from post eight, but still rallied for a minor share. This is a much better spot to see what he can do. (3) KING CAST has been decent all along, but has looked better with the hobbles added; player. (8) MADMAN HALL is stuck in post eight but he does take a meaningful drop in class and should be a big price; consider underneath.
Race 9
(6) FREEZE OUT has been missing in action for a couple of months, but qualified back nicely with Bartlett driving and with Lasix added; Bucci trainee may be ready to roll in this suspect field. (2) ROLLING GOING GONE ships from Ohio, joins the Garcia-Herrera barn and could be a good fit here. (4) BLUSH HANOVER just missed at this level here three back with Zeron driving.
Race 10
(7) ROCKATHON went a huge trip to be second best to the ultra-classy Great Vintage, who powered off in 1:51 that night; assuming a smooth/clean trip the 4-year-old can get it done. (2) CASUAL COOL rallied to be third best versus a notch better two back. (3) TYBER TYKE has just one win recently but the veteran fits well at this NW10000 level and he seems capable of landing a share.