by Al Cimaglia
September 18, 2023
Yonkers Raceway has a 10-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 7, and the sequence will be my focus.
Comments and selections below will be based on a fast track.
Race 7 (9:00 PM EST)
1-Captivate Hanover (5/2)-Steps-up but has won 2 of the last 3 and might handle the promotion. Has the gate speed to get on the engine and could be tough to collar if Dube steals a quarter.
2-Sonny Weaver N (6-1)-Finished a nice 2nd from post 7 against this kind on 9-4. Does good work at Yonkers winning 9 of 20, and Buter should be able to work a very cozy trip.
Race 8 (9:20 PM EST)
4-Rocknroll Runa A (9/2)-Holland will steer the Stalbaum trainee and his driving style should fit this veteran. Finished 2nd to the one below and should be in the hunt again. Needs a quick pace, and my thinking is that can happen.
6-American Mercury (3-1)-Has won 7 of 8 since joining the Jen & Joe barn in early July. Has been climbing the class ladder and got up in time to win the last start at this class. Could be on the lead or in the pocket and extending the 2-race win streak is a distinct possibility.
Race 9 (9:40 PM EST)
2-Euphoria N (6-1)-This veteran is a check-getter and has finished 2nd in 5 of the last 6 races. Can be a trip-out candidate, could land in the 2-hole behind the one below and might be overlooked at the windows.
4-I Did It My Way (5/2)-Beaten odds-on chalk got on the engine versus better on 9-7 and sizzled to the half in 53.2. That plan ended with a 7th place finish. Buter gets the assignment, has the gate speed to land on the point and will look for a more reasonable trip.
Race 10 (10:00 PM EST)
2-Flow With Joe (9/2)-This will be the 2nd start for the Laterza barn after a claim. Got on the engine and almost wired the field last time, did fade to finish 3rd. That was an aggressive try and getting on the point wasn't the typical course of action. Could be better here and should offer a square price.
3-Decoy (5-1)-This will be the 3rd start after a claim for the Dicostanzo barn. Was taken for $30k and found the $40k claimers too tough. Now back in versus $30k claimers and had won 2 straight at that level. Joe B takes the lines, he should be aggressive and could be sitting on a big try.
$1.00 Late Pick 4
1,2/4,6/2,4/2,3
Total Bet=$16
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