Yonkers Raceway begins the week with a 10-race card. The 0.50 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool starts in Race 5, and the sequence will be my focus.
Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.
Race 5 (8:20PM EST)
3-Kerford Road A (9/2)-Will toss last, now makes the 2nd start for the Alexander barn and 1st call driver Matt Kakaley takes a seat. Has beaten this kind but needs a trip. Should be able to get its preferred journey of racing at the top of the stack.
5-Genuis Man (7/2)-Took advantage of a quick pace and dominated this kind 2 back. Jordan Stratton can work the same stalking trip as that night and roll by for another win.
6-Ozone Blue Chip (9/2)-Hasn't won since being claimed by the Bucci barn on 5-11. But has been in the hunt in the last 3 races and could be ready for a picture if Daniel Dube is aggressive off the gate.
Race 6 (8:40 PM EST)
2-Backstreet Shadow (7/2)-Takes a significant drop-in class and this should be wake-up time. Makes the 1st start for the Renaud barn and Brent Holland does the steering. Will look for this pilot to leave and may get a nice pocket ride.
4-Moonshine Kisses (5/2)-Drops and beat similar 2 back with George Brennan at the controls and he has the lines tonight. Should be out and rolling when the wings fold and could make every call a winning one.
Race 7 (9:00PM EST)
3-Rocknroll Runa A (7/2)-Returns to town after missing a start due to a sick scratch on 5-27, qualified and then raced evenly from post 7 at YR. This is a soft spot if ready to battle and could get the jump on the one below.
5-Semi Tough (5/2)-Bumps up after just falling short in a quick mile but fits well with these. Knows how to win and still has good speed. Winning here could simply boil down to getting a better trip than Runa.
Race 8 (9:20PM EST)
2-Its A Me Mario (7/2)-Uber consistent 4-year-old has won 7 of 12 and has been all over the wire in every race this year. Will use until there are signs of form slipping.
3-Pound For Pound (3-1)-The Laterza barn lost this 5-year-old for $50k on 5-27 and claimed back for $75,000 on 6-10. Sometimes horses show a big improvement from 4 to 5, as is the case here. Has simply destroyed the $50k and $75k claimers and shouldn't be out of place with this crew.
4-Pleaseletmeknow (4-1)-This 5-year-old hasn't raced badly but can't seem to find the winning spark. Might have tossed a hint of being ready to win after being used hard into a 26.3 opening panel. Outraced his 18-1 odds to come 3rd that night and will take a swing thinking the price will be much better than 4-1.
Race 9 (9:40PM EST)
2-Roling With Sam (9/2)-Drops and this grinder may have landed in a spot to cash the top check. Gets a new set of hands in Kakaley and he knows how to roll off cover at the right time. There should be an honest pace, which won't hurt chances, and could be overlooked so the price will be right to use.
3-Himself N (4-1)-Was put away for about 7-weeks after getting scratched sick back on 3-28. Since returning to action has finished 2nd twice and won on 6-6. Steps-up but there are question marks in this field so will string along looking for another picture.
4-Taste Of Honey (9/2)-Ships in from Plainridge and lands in the Per Engblom barn. This class will be a test but there really isn't anything to fear in this group. Will rely on the connections having the 4-year-old ready to win and did bank over $141K last year.
My 0.50 Pick 5 Ticket:
3,5,6/2,4/3,5/2,3,4/2,3,4
Total Bet=$54
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