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For our IdaBet players, here are the Tuesday Picks for Monticello. Happy Wagering!

1ST RACE: 3-6-5-1

2ND RACE: 7-3-4-1

3RD RACE: 4-8-7-5

4TH RACE: 1-5-6-2

5TH RACE: 4-2-1-8

6TH RACE: 4-3-1-2

7TH RACE: 6-4-1-3

8TH RACE: 6-1-7-5

Northfield Track Announcer Ayers Ratliff’s free handicapping tips are provided for our IdaBet.com players.

Remember, due to their draw schedule, picks are made in advance and do not account for scratches or late driver changes.

From the “Ayers Above” MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 12

Race 1: 4- Major Matter – Should improve in his second local effort; this one gets the top-call to start the Daily Double. 5- Strong Hope – Drops in class and could make the ticket. 1- CJ Photo Victory – Could be tough from the rail. 6- Sheatrottin Kid – Looks to be in the thick of the action.

Race 2: 8- Sammy Said – Posted a successful qualifier and could strike despite starting from the far outside. 1- Western Fella – Looks to be tough from the rail. 4- Hare Craft – Draws well and could make the ticket with the right trip. 3- Warrior Call – Looks to grab a piece of the action.

Race 3: 3- Patient ID – Draws into a race where several could win; this one gets the slight call over several others to start tonight’s Pick 5. 4- Skyway Jaguar – Another that looks to have a big shot in here. 7- Big Package – Could add value to the ticket.

Race 4: 5- Midnight Gambol – Made the ticket in five of his last six races; could step-up and lead that ticket this time around. 4- Nashville Bound – Finished second last time out and could be the runner-up again tonight. 1- Here Comes Hudd – Looks to make the ticket from the rail. 2- Silver Spir – Has as good of a shot as any in here to complete the Superfecta.

Race 5: 4- Muscolo – Looks to trot home a winner if he minds his manners. 2- A Little More Love – Another that looks to be tough in here. 6- Blue Swan – Finished second last time out and could be tough again. 7- Dew In The Desert – Could add value to the exotics.

Race 6: 4- Lovely Feelin – Was a beaten favorite last time out but could prevail for his backers this time around. 1- Zeke – Looks to be...

Some insights into todays Yonker’s  racing program for our IdaBet players:

1^ST RACE – (5) SKY IS THE LIMIT earns another gaze after rallying third in latest. Again, he’s a seasonal 0-fer, so pleez demand some semblance of value.

2^ND RACE – (3) NARCIAN JEWEL slips to the absolute after a no-chance local return. Has generally been useful when properly classified, and is case here.

5^TH RACE – (1) LOOKOUT STOKK ZONE sees inner half of gate for first time in about a month. Don’t know what she is or isn’t, but should work from pole.

7^TH RACE – (3) MY SPIRIT SOARS was credible, first-up third in last try over moist oval. Towed logical winner into race and taken to see if builds off that.

8^TH RACE – (9) ANALYZE tries it from back of bus, not a detriment since she’s no leaver. Intrigues slipping down ladder, thus good enough if close enough.

11^TH RACE – (6) FAMEOUS WESTERN is another one carrying seasonal bagel into tonite. Also ‘peeked’ in last, making bold move before flattening in lane.

12^TH RACE – (4) LONE SURVIVOR hasn’t been finishing off his miles all time. Does have license with these, nodded in ‘Happy Birthday Julius’ Invitational.

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$2 +/- (thru Fri., Dec. 8) – 319 wins [inc. 2 dead-heats] ($2,383.60)

from 1,460 ($2,920) selex (-$536.40, making the parents proud)

highest-priced winner – GYPSY LEATHER ($57.50)

lowest-priced winner – GREAT VINTAGE/FUNKNWAFFLES ($2.20 each)

BY FRANK DRUCKER,

Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

Thank you for supporting Yonkers Raceway and IdaBet.com!

Dec 11, 2017

It was a hard fought race between two game opponents, but Lucky McTrucky came out on top of Jimi Wind Ricks in the $9,000 feature pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Dec. 9).

Lucky McTrucky (Drew Monti) inherited the lead from the pylons as no one else in the field left. Now lined up in post-position order, the leader strolled the group to the half in a very pedestrian :59 split. Eager to challenge at that point, Jimi Wind Ricks (Billy Davis Jr.) came with a rush at the three-eighths and drew alongside Lucky McTrucky up the backside and that began a very contentious encounter.

After a :27.4 third panel, Jimi Wind Ricks got the lead on the outside by over a half-length but could not clear as Lucky McTrucky stayed game and would not let him go by. They continued to fight around the far turn with both Monti and Davis rocking and knocking their respective mounts, hoping each other would give way. They hit the straight and were still going at it but Lucky McTrucky gained a slight edge and held it to the wire where he won by a half-length in 1:55.1.

It was the 42^nd lifetime win for Lucky McTrucky ($7.30) who is owned by Tessa Roland and trained by J.D. Perrin.

In the $8,500 Open III pace, Big Ricky (Ron Beback Jr.) took a mostly overland route to defeat the heavily favored David The Saint (Ray Fisher Jr.) by a length in 1:56.4. Big Ricky ($9.70) is owned by William Emmons and is trained by James Clouser Jr.

Driver Shawn McDonough had a big night at the Downs, winning three races including the nightcap with Best Ears who blew up the tote board with an $86 mutuel.

The final week of the meet...

Northfield Track Announcer Ayers Ratliff’s free handicapping tips are provided for our IdaBet.com players.

Remember, due to their draw schedule, picks are made in advance and do not account for scratches or late driver changes.

From the “Ayers Above” MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 11

Race 1: 1- Deep Question – Has two wins in a row and looks to garner a three-peat this time around. 6- Moneydontbuyulove – Looks to be tough upon coming to Northfield. 2- Chad – Won his most recent effort but is moving up in class. 4- Annie’s Rocketman – Should not be overlooked as a solid contender in here.

Race 2: 6- Lucky King – Looks to be successful upon coming to Cleveland. 2- Hokuri Handrail N – Draws well and looks to get a good trip. 1- Crosswinds Dodger – Could be tough from the rail. 3- Smart Move – Looks to be in the thick of the action.

Race 3: 7- Sandy’s Victory – Won her most recent effort and could strike again tonight despite starting on the far outside. 1- Headsaregonna Turn – Could do well from the rail. 5- Outburst – One of several in here that could make the ticket.

Race 4: 5- Herlin – Won two of his last three races and could strike again tonight. 9- Yes Your Mattjesty – Looks to be tough from the second tier. 1- Elite Awards – One of several that could do well in this highly-competitive field. 3- Dragon N Kickin – Has as good of a shot as any in here to complete the Superfecta.

Race 5: 5- Nono Lindy – Made the ticket in all three of his most recent races; could step-up and lead that ticket this time around. 1- Walltocousins – Looks to be a solid contender from the rail. 7- Ulf Hanover – Could make the ticket despite the poor post draw. 8- Super Lily – Another “outsider” that could grab a piece of the action.

Race 6: 1- Stuckey Dote – Draws the inside advantage and that advantage could be key in being successful in here. 3- Go Daddy Go – Looks to be tough...