by Al Cimaglia
June 26, 2023
Yonkers Raceway begins the week with an 11-race card. The 0.50 Pick 5 starts in Race 5 and has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 rolls in Race 8, and it will be my focus.
Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.
Race 8 (9:20 PM EST)
3-Rock Diamonds N (3-1)-Team Jen-Joe entry is seeking its 7th straight picture. Won at 1-1/16th in last and made it look easy wiring the field so the 1 1/4 might not pose an issue. Could make every call a winning one again but the one below should have something to say.
4-Anothermasterpiece N (2-1)-Tritton entry made it looks easy last time as well and cruised home in an extended distance event. It will be interesting to see which one of these two settles for the pocket ride and they should be battling to the wire.
Race 9 (9:40 PM EST)
6-Covered Bridge (5/2)-Beat this kind in last coming off cover to roll by at 3/5. Can't see the price being 5/2 but should be better than 3/5 and this field can be had in the same fashion. The 3 inside horses are stepping up, and there should be a fight to see who lands on the point as a few have good gate speed. The factions should be plenty hot, and Stratton usually does a great job of putting the Gillis trainee in striking range to get up at the wire.
Race 10 (10:00 PM EST)
2-Speed Man N (5/2)-Usually is in play early and at this level should land on the point. With this post draw shouldn't have any excuse for not being able to seal the deal but can't completely trust.
5-Shine A Light (3-1)-The Engblom barn has cooled off and recent form has been dull. But could wake-up on the drop and might be overlooked at the windows in what appears to be a very chalky sequence.
6-Funatthebeach (3-1)-The last three haven't been great tries, bad posts, tough trips and just hasn't been at the top of his game. Drops to a spot to shine, should be bet and could roll by this crew with a smooth trip.
Race 11 (10:20 PM EST)
1-Odds On Capitalism (2-1)-This sequence should finish the way it started with the 2 chalks slugging it out for top honors. Something isn't right with this 4-year-old but almost wired the same kind from the 8-hole last time. The winner of over $192,000 in 2022 could be on the engine again and may take its 1st picture this year (0-6).
3-RJ Sports Image (5/2)-Led from start to finish versus easier last time and now steps up. Has the gate speed to be on the point or in the pocket behind the one above. Doesn't have the back class of #1 but did draw off by over 7-lengths and was simply racing against the clock. Bartlett gets the assignment and that is a positive driver change so best to respect chances of doubling up.
$1.00 Late Pick 4
3,4/6/2,5,6/1,3
Total Bet=$12
Check me out on Twitter!