Yonkers: Sunday 11/30 Analysis
By Derick Giwner
DRF HARNESS
MEET STATS: 35 - 120 / $206.30; BEST BETS: 6 - 10 / $23.40
BEST BET: RED ROCK (8th)
SPOT PLAY: NOT AFRAID (1st)
Race 1
(7) NOT AFRAID comes off a very good second at the Meadowlands behind a sharp foe. One thing we have seen is that outside horses aren’t afraid to leave for position in these added distance races, and this guy figures to fall in line. (2) FORTUNISTA only needs to leave around the rail horse to sit a good two- or three-hole trip and place herself in position at a price. (11) DANCEHALL MISTRESS won the Open last time; only needs smooth sailing from the second tier. (4) BLOODSTOCKSHALL TAB comes out of the same race as the top choice and had a bad trip that day; had form prior.
Race 2
(6) SEVRUGA was used to the front and held up at the 1 1/4 distance better than I expected. Millionaire trotter has a bit more class than some and a lot more than others in this field. (5) TRAVERSE SEELSTER looks like the other key horse to tab. He ships in with fine form and was facing better when last seen at Yonkers. (2) DEWYCOLORINTHELINE was also facing better last time at the Hilltop and caught a good field at the Meadowlands most recently; chance. (11) HOORAYFORVACATION clearly has the form to compete; needs racing luck.
Race 3
(6) CELEBRITY BLUECHIP had a rough year with only three starts this summer and not much t show for it. Now this classy veteran finds himself back in the Ron Burke barn where he won in this class last December. Return qualifier says all systems are go. (3) HERE COMES NUMBERS & (4) BASTILLE are a pair of speedy geldings who figure to make their presences felt for a big portion of the race and might just hang on. (2) A PENNY EARNED drops back down and is worth consideration.
Race 4
(4) TAC’S DELIGHT is a horse that should relish the added distance from a barn that has been doing well in these Sunday morning events. (1) MURMUR HANOVER ships down from Canada for the suspended Corey Johnson’s substitute. It might be worthwhile to check how her stick races on Saturday. (5) SEAGRAM gets his nose on the gate this time and may just decide to show early speed. (2) CREAMPUFF MACDADDY seems to fit with this company but hasn’t been finishing off his races well; mixed feelings.
Race 5
(5) MISSY GOLDFIRE got a month off to rest and qualified back nicely. The last time those tactics were used she went down the road at Pocono paying $20. (8) HOT TYPE has clear ability, but she drew worst and is a 3-year-old facing older foes. (9) TAMASIN HALL is certainly comfortable at this level, but she’ll have to hope the horse in front of her doesn’t break this week. (10) LONG STORY SHORT is a nice fit in these longer races.
Race 6
(3) ROADWAY figures to get an easy lead and work out the right trip. (1) ABOMINABLE SNOWPAN hasn’t been great lately, but this questionable field and the inside draw will help. (8) ONE MORE LAUGH is a double millionaire making ends-meat as a bottom feeder. If he makes the front, watch out!
Race 7
(1) REAL NICE took a nice tour of the Meadowlands last week against tougher and now returns to the half against a field of recent losers. Former classy 9-year-old almost has to win this race on memory. (3) BETTORSLUCKYSTREAK gets a better post to work with this time. (4) PACIFIC DESPERADO & (5) COLONIAL ROAD are both dropping down a notch.
Race 8
(1) RED ROCK draws best for a high percentage barn. Four-year-old has won 11 of 31 races this year. (2) SHADY CITY has been stuck with outside posts; should stay closer this week. (5) GRANTOR HANOVER doesn’t jump off the page but can compete with a reasonable trip.
Race 9
(1) POPPIES PRIDE gets some much needed post relief and should be sitting no worse than the pocket Sunday afternoon. (3) CALL JESSICA LE was a solid second when last here at this level. (6) VILLAGE JESSICA stormed down the road two start back in this condition, but he she had the rail that day.
Race 10
(7) WESTERN VICTORY arrives for a barn that has done well here with limited starters AND TOP DRIVER Bartlett gets the assignment. (1) GALLANT SEELSTER has some legitimate excuses for his recent failures. (5) ALL FIRED UP was okay in his first start for this barn; can show more.
Race 11
(1) HOKURI HANDRAIL N steps up off a string of losses because he cleared the earnings cap in the condition. This spot really isn’t much tougher and drawing the pole position should help. (4) MACH WHEEL ships in sharp for a top barn. (2) U BELONG TO ME wouldn’t shock me if the trip worked out.
Race 12
(2) ANEGADA only needs to follow (1) BAD NIGHT MARE away from the gate to sit a great trip and pull off the upset. The latter has plenty of early speed but doesn’t always go the distance. (3) BETTOR BUSINESS moves up a level but should still be in her comfort zone. (6) JADED DREAM looks like a player if she decides to show up with a good effort.
By Derick Giwner
DRF HARNESS
MEET STATS: 35 - 120 / $206.30; BEST BETS: 6 - 10 / $23.40
BEST BET: RED ROCK (8th)
SPOT PLAY: NOT AFRAID (1st)
Race 1
(7) NOT AFRAID comes off a very good second at the Meadowlands behind a sharp foe. One thing we have seen is that outside horses aren’t afraid to leave for position in these added distance races, and this guy figures to fall in line. (2) FORTUNISTA only needs to leave around the rail horse to sit a good two- or three-hole trip and place herself in position at a price. (11) DANCEHALL MISTRESS won the Open last time; only needs smooth sailing from the second tier. (4) BLOODSTOCKSHALL TAB comes out of the same race as the top choice and had a bad trip that day; had form prior.
Race 2
(6) SEVRUGA was used to the front and held up at the 1 1/4 distance better than I expected. Millionaire trotter has a bit more class than some and a lot more than others in this field. (5) TRAVERSE SEELSTER looks like the other key horse to tab. He ships in with fine form and was facing better when last seen at Yonkers. (2) DEWYCOLORINTHELINE was also facing better last time at the Hilltop and caught a good field at the Meadowlands most recently; chance. (11) HOORAYFORVACATION clearly has the form to compete; needs racing luck.
Race 3
(6) CELEBRITY BLUECHIP had a rough year with only three starts this summer and not much t show for it. Now this classy veteran finds himself back in the Ron Burke barn where he won in this class last December. Return qualifier says all systems are go. (3) HERE COMES NUMBERS & (4) BASTILLE are a pair of speedy geldings who figure to make their presences felt for a big portion of the race and might just hang on. (2) A PENNY EARNED drops back down and is worth consideration.
Race 4
(4) TAC’S DELIGHT is a horse that should relish the added distance from a barn that has been doing well in these Sunday morning events. (1) MURMUR HANOVER ships down from Canada for the suspended Corey Johnson’s substitute. It might be worthwhile to check how her stick races on Saturday. (5) SEAGRAM gets his nose on the gate this time and may just decide to show early speed. (2) CREAMPUFF MACDADDY seems to fit with this company but hasn’t been finishing off his races well; mixed feelings.
Race 5
(5) MISSY GOLDFIRE got a month off to rest and qualified back nicely. The last time those tactics were used she went down the road at Pocono paying $20. (8) HOT TYPE has clear ability, but she drew worst and is a 3-year-old facing older foes. (9) TAMASIN HALL is certainly comfortable at this level, but she’ll have to hope the horse in front of her doesn’t break this week. (10) LONG STORY SHORT is a nice fit in these longer races.
Race 6
(3) ROADWAY figures to get an easy lead and work out the right trip. (1) ABOMINABLE SNOWPAN hasn’t been great lately, but this questionable field and the inside draw will help. (8) ONE MORE LAUGH is a double millionaire making ends-meat as a bottom feeder. If he makes the front, watch out!
Race 7
(1) REAL NICE took a nice tour of the Meadowlands last week against tougher and now returns to the half against a field of recent losers. Former classy 9-year-old almost has to win this race on memory. (3) BETTORSLUCKYSTREAK gets a better post to work with this time. (4) PACIFIC DESPERADO & (5) COLONIAL ROAD are both dropping down a notch.
Race 8
(1) RED ROCK draws best for a high percentage barn. Four-year-old has won 11 of 31 races this year. (2) SHADY CITY has been stuck with outside posts; should stay closer this week. (5) GRANTOR HANOVER doesn’t jump off the page but can compete with a reasonable trip.
Race 9
(1) POPPIES PRIDE gets some much needed post relief and should be sitting no worse than the pocket Sunday afternoon. (3) CALL JESSICA LE was a solid second when last here at this level. (6) VILLAGE JESSICA stormed down the road two start back in this condition, but he she had the rail that day.
Race 10
(7) WESTERN VICTORY arrives for a barn that has done well here with limited starters AND TOP DRIVER Bartlett gets the assignment. (1) GALLANT SEELSTER has some legitimate excuses for his recent failures. (5) ALL FIRED UP was okay in his first start for this barn; can show more.
Race 11
(1) HOKURI HANDRAIL N steps up off a string of losses because he cleared the earnings cap in the condition. This spot really isn’t much tougher and drawing the pole position should help. (4) MACH WHEEL ships in sharp for a top barn. (2) U BELONG TO ME wouldn’t shock me if the trip worked out.
Race 12
(2) ANEGADA only needs to follow (1) BAD NIGHT MARE away from the gate to sit a great trip and pull off the upset. The latter has plenty of early speed but doesn’t always go the distance. (3) BETTOR BUSINESS moves up a level but should still be in her comfort zone. (6) JADED DREAM looks like a player if she decides to show up with a good effort.
