Yonkers Raceway begins the week with a 10-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 rolls in Race 5, and it has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The $2.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 7, and it will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)

1-Blue Lou (2-1)-Wasn’t used off the gate, then needed to deal with a wide trip and finished a beaten 6th last time. Jason Bartlett sticks over #2 and will look for a more aggressive steer starting from the rail.
2-Soho Dow Jones (5/2)-Has raced well in the 3 starts here and won last time. Has been bet but now bumps up, Bartlett is off and Gingras gets the call. The driver change shouldn’t hurt but could help the price. Still fits and is in line for an efficient trip.

Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)

2-Priceless Beach (8/5)-Won 2 in a row, then bumped up and didn’t get a great trip into fast fractions. Willing to toss the last start, gets a new pilot in Scott Zeron and drops in for a tag. The 9-year-old could be dialed on high and drawing inside should help its chances.

Race 9 (9:25 PM EDT)

5-Night Hawk (5/2)-Raced evenly versus this kind in the first start since 12-31. Did pace the back half in 55.2 and the Burke trainee could be ready for a big try in the 2nd start back after a rest.
6-Smiffy’s Terror (9/2)-Won its 1st start of the year at this level and then kept bumping up. Did hit the board 3 times since and recent form has been good but didn’t win again. Wasn’t used off the gate last time and had a wide trip but rallied to come 3rd. This could be the spot to blast out and race at the top of the stack at a nice price.

Race 10 (9:45 PM EDT)

1-Blank Stare (3-1)-The Cullipher veteran has hit the board 28 of 59 at YR with 10 pictures. This will be the 2nd start since 10-12, and put in a needed race at M1. Lands in a good spot to get a win if tight enough.
4-Janelle Granny (7/2)-The De Domenico pupil banked over $191k last year but things get a lot tougher for some in their 4-year-old season. Zeron steers, and this is the 1st time driving for this outfit. Drops should fit and it could be wake-up time.
8-Layton Hanover (7/2)-Ships in from PcD, the Alexander trainee likes to win here and has beaten better as recently as last month. This field isn't loaded with early speed and Matt Kakaley could land in a close-up seat. Will respect chances, might be overlooked with the outside draw and has won 11 of 32 starts at Yonkers.

$2.00 Late Pick 4

1,2/2/5,6/1,4,8
Total Bet=$24

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