2025 MEET STATS: 141 - 449 / $834.50 (-$63.50)
BEST BETS: 23 - 40 / $75.00 (-$5.00)
BEST BET: SEASIDE DIVA (4th)
SPOT PLAY: BIG BETTOR HANOVER (9th)
Race 1: F&M NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
Soft field of bottom-level mares. (6) COWGIRL LILLY has yet to be first or second this year over 13 tries and was 1 for 43 in 2024 but she was a decent third in her last two tries and Holland can get horses to leave the gate; 10/1 ML. (5) KAIRAKICONFIDNTL N was aggressively handled two back vs. $20K claimers and she was bet too. Bucci trainee does have a win here this season. (2) FREESTARFLIGHT lands her best post she's seen in three months and she may be the one cutting the mile.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: F&M NW16141 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) EASY TO PLEASE was overmatched in the Matchmaker but won easily in her last two tries facing softer. Stratton trainee appears to have a class edge over these. (3) CHIAPANECAS drops off good efforts and she's been a model of consistency all year but she goes with a new listed trainer (I believe he's Per Engblom's brother)...will it be business as usual? (6) LYDEO can clearly go with these but the post makes things tough; mare will be a price, however.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 3: NW10806 in last 5 starts Trot
(3) LOVE THIS BAR returns to Yonkers where she's won twice this year in Amateurs, and now we get Gingras in the bike; from this spot he appears as capable as any, and he's listed at 10/1. (2) NO DRAMA PLEASE always gives an honest effort and hits the board with regularity when drawn inside. (4) WINDSONG PIONEER took the money and rated the pace last week but could not last; 0 for 12 and counting. New driver tonight with Stratton.
Race 4: F&M Invitational Pace
(1) SEASIDE DIVA took a few starts into her 4YO season to get rolling and her last three starts have been stellar, Burke trainee faces some quality competition but gets the call. (4) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE was used and pressed in the Matchmaker final and ended up breaking - tough luck for the otherwise reliable mare; Pelling trainee looks to bounce back. (3) CHERYLS SHADOW waltzed around the track in the Matchmaker consolation and dug in late; won't have it as easy tonight.
Race 5: NW7881 in last 5 starts Trot
(5) PASSIONATE PROMISE has been facing better most of the season with some limited success; faces softer here and gets a new driver in Gingras. (2) CREATE MYSTIQUE raced well two back with Zeron and he's back in the bike tonight. (1) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE has speed and the rail with Holland but hasn't been finishing and needs more late; I think he's looking at a smaller share.
Race 6: F&M NW33001 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) COACHELLABOUND N has not come through for me in a while but overall she did a decent job throughout the Matchmaker series and she has a post edge on her main rivals tonight. (5) LIT DE ROSE failed to make the Matchmaker final then was stuck in post eight in the consolation; this is obviously a better spot for the classy Lachance mare. (7) PASS AND STOW has come back huge through four starts in her 4YO season but she lands outside versus a tough group and loses her regular driver. She would have to be better than ever to get it done.
Race 7: F&M NW11761 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) KISS MY CHEEK is arguably in career form since moving to the Stratton barn and she gets to stay in the same class despite winning last week; looks to take another. (2) FACTORY GIRL was completely overmatched in the Matchmaker but she took a week off and figures to appreciate the class relief. (1) GOLDEN QUEST N tends to frustrate me but we know the 10YO still has the talent to get it done.
Race 8: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot
(5) QUEEN OF ALL was on a roll prior to being a sick scratch last week but she's right back in to go so I'll assume all is fine; Hudson trainee does pick up a new driver in Siegelman but I'm inclined to give her another shot. (1) TORRONE is 0 for 11 but has been close multiple times and figures to make his presence felt from the rail. (4) THE PRINCE was a pricey claim four starts back and he had little to offer in the John Brennan series. Now he's off a month which makes it very tough to use on top but maybe he can trip out for a smaller piece.
[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]
Race 9: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) BIG BETTOR HANOVER almost pulled it off last week, second start in the Stratton barn after arriving from Delaware. She steps up a notch but doesn't face any killers in here; top call. (7) TALENT TO SPARE A took a needed drop in class two back and has really awakened. Now that she's sharp she's a price option from the poor post. (1) VIBRANCE finally found the winner's circle last out but she doesn't strike me as the most reliable sort and she's missed a bit of time; underneath.
Race 10: NW5281 in last 5 starts Trot
(1) THE LAST CHAPTER has loads of back class and he's still competitive in the right scenario, which he finds tonight. Speed, rail, switch to Gingras can spell success. (4) CREATIVE VENTURE dropped to the basement last week and failed at 3/5. Price figures to be a bit better tonight but he's got to show improvement. (3) DROP THE MIC has been racing well over at The Meadowlands and he does have a local win earlier this year.