by Al Cimaglia
August 7, 2023
Yonkers Raceway has a 12-race card with the 0.50 Pick 5 starting in Race 5 and the sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 rolls in Race 9, and the sequence will be my focus.
Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.
Race 9 (9:40 PM ET)
2-Sailboat Hanover (5/2)-Bako lost via claim on 7-24 and then claimed back the following start. May have met a beatable field and could get a 2-hole ride behind the one below.
3-Pointtomygranson (9/5)-Came 2nd in last and was claimed by the Daguete barn. Needs a trip to win and would be best if the journey began and finished with this veteran on the point. That could be workable plan for a picture.
Race 10 (10:00 PM ET)
2-Viva Las Vegas N (6-1)-Doesn't win often but with this post draw trainer/driver Pat Lachance can stay involved and work an efficient trip. Could offer some value in what could be a chalky sequence.
3-C-Bet Hanover (7/2)-Has hit the board in 12 of 18 here with 4 pictures and fits well with this kind. Brennan has some gate speed to work with and could be a trip out candidate.
5-Jahan Hanover (3-1)-Cashes checks but can't seem to win. This is a spot where Bartlett may look to get the top and try to wire this crew.
Race 11 (10:20 PM ET)
2-He's Special (5/2)-Going to use 2 out of the same race where Matt Kakaley on Imma Bee put the field to sleep with a 58.1 first half. Landed in the pocket but couldn't make-up ground down the lane because the pace was so dull. This will be the first start in the Per Engblom barn, Bartlett takes over and that should help. Thinking the 4-year-old leaves hard, takes control and might not look back.
6-Pinebush Lifesaver (9/2)-Last time was pulled to come first over as the pace quickened and that trip had no chance of working. Gets a positive driver change in Kakaley, so will look for a sharp steer and this race could set up for a closer.
Race 12 (10:40 PM ET)
2-Seth Hanover (2-1)-Bumps up in class after a win and does good work with a close-up trip. Should get a cozy trip and can be competitive with this bunch.
4-Delightful Dude N (4-1)-Trainer Lance Hudson is back and this veteran lands in a soft spot. The issue is a lack of gate speed but can close. At this level, an aggressive drive could be coming.
5-Ballerat Boomerang (3-1)-This 10-year-old hasn't taken a picture since May. If one is going to happen here, this is the level. This is not one for taking much air so Brennan, the usual pilot, will need to work a smooth trip.
$1.00 Late Pick 4
2,3,/2,3,5/2,6/2,4,5
Total Bet=$36
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