2025 MEET STATS: 187 - 612 / $1,054.30 (-$169.70)
BEST BETS: 31 - 57 / $108.50 (-$5.50)
BEST BET: BLACKHAWK ZETTE (1st)
SPOT PLAY: TEXSONG SOPRANO (5th)
Race 1: NW12751 in last 5 starts Trot
(3) BLACKHAWK ZETTE was in a decent spot last week for his Yonkers return but was a transportation scratch; he now actually faces a bit easier and is already a winner here this season. (5) CRAZYLAND has certainly found his stride in his last two at Philly and returns locally going for three straight; trotter is 15 for 22 in the money at Yonkers. (7) SUPER DUPER COOPER hasn't done much yet as a 4YO and has burned money in the process; there's a barn change here to Cullipher so maybe that helps him tap into his potential.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: Park MGM Filly Pace
(3) THE LAST MARTINI is by far the most accomplished in here with over $600K earned; filly was recently third in the Fan Hanover at Mohawk and was the NYSS champ as a freshman. Probably looking at a $2.10 win price. (1) FASHION TERROR outclasses the rest and can complete an exacta that could legitimately pay $2.60. (2) FAMILY JEWEL gets Bartlett in the bike for the Blackler barn and she does have a race over this surface; maybe she holds off the rest.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at 1/ST BET PRO!]
Race 3: NY NY Mile Trot
(1) ROYAL MISSION is already an accomplished NYSS veteran with her 2YO title and recent win up at Vernon. Melander trainee has been well-mannered throughout her career and likely just needs to negotiate the first turn to handle these. (4) DEVIOUS BABE has some speed and has been a consistent presence this season; Andy Miller drives tonight and will likely be moving forward off the gate. (5) SANTA CATERINA hails from the Svanstedt barn and therefore must be respected despite showing little this season in NJSS events.
Race 4: Park MGM Filly Pace
The more competitive of the two Park MGM splits. (1) PLEASE BE YOU was unraced as a 2YO but looks to be developing nicely for the Linda Toscano barn. Filly was a winner here in her second lifetime start in 1:54 2/5 and has been a consistent solid finisher. (3) HUNTINGFORTREASURE has won three straight in the Excelsior series including an easy win over the half at Buffalo. Schnittker homebred gets Dube in the bike tonight and has the feel of a legit contender. (2) FANSVILLE has finished third in four of six seasonal starts and trainer Bongiorno takes the lines tonight. She may be the first one to the lead.
Race 5: NW10000 in last 5 starts Trot
(7) TEXSONG SOPRANO draws poorly but has overcome outside posts in the past and she drops to face a significantly softer field tonight. (4) IMMIGRANT AM S was awful two back then took a couple of weeks off and was better last out; Engblom trainee also drops and was second when last at this base level. (5) B NICKING has the early speed to get into play and once he's on or near the lead then good things can happen.
Race 6: NY NY Mile Trot
(3) EL NIGHTWISH has made just five career starts but is perfect in four of those races as a sophomore. Lucas Wallin trainee has top driver Dexter Dunn in the bike again and they teamed up for a career-best effort last start up at Vernon. Well-mannered NY bred also has a win over the half mile surface last month. (5) MONALISHI invades from Canada for the Blake Macintosh barn to make her first start away from Mohawk Park. She is BY FAR the most accomplished in here but making her debut on the smaller oval is always a concern. (2) SEVENTH GEN has looked good in her last two for long-time trainer/driver Jeff Gregory.
Race 7: MGM Yonkers Trot Final
(1) SUPER CHAPTER makes his third start as a 3YO after a strong freshman campaign that saw him bank over $500K. Marcus Melander trainee is perfect thus far in 2025 with two easy wins over the larger Vernon Downs surface. The obvious concern returning to Yonkers is the tighter turns, especially departing from the innermost post, and he did break from a similar spot here in the 2YO NYSS final. I'll assume he's now more mature and experienced so that won't be a problem. Deserving favorite. (3) VARIEGATED loses Dunn to the top choice but picks up Scott Zeron, and he's driven this guy in the past. This is your NYSS 2YO colt champion from a year ago and he gives trainer Melander a potential stranglehold on this year's Yonkers Trot. (2) HAPPY JACK B is the other one in here with Yonkers experience for the high-percentage Svanstedt barn.
Race 8: MGM Grand Messenger Pace Final
(7) PAPI'S ROCKET came into the Messenger elims with a solid resume for the Burke barn but the obvious concern was departing from the eight hole. The 3YO colt proved to have the necessary speed to make the front and he did dig in nicely to be clearly second best. He is stuck with a poor post again here in this open draw but driver Gingras will be firing again and he only needs to get on or near the lead without being roughed up too much to have a big chance. Price should be honest as well. (3) TWISTED DESTINY made his half-mile debut in last week's elimination and paced a solid back half to rally for the win. Chris Ryder trainee has an obvious tactical edge over most of his rivals departing from post three. (1) MANOLETE finished third in his elim and has done nothing wrong in his career that's seen him bank over $300K. Big chance at a piece here and a win possibility with a perfect trip.
[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]
Race 9: F&M NW5736 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) PIRATE BOOTY makes her debut for the Engblom barn after arriving from Western Canada; mare is off some time and doesn't have the most accomplished record but she gets to start here at the lowest conditioned level and I'll guess she'll be ready to make an impact. (1) MIKI IN LUV was a good second to a classy winner last out and now moves to the rail; logical. (7) WHASSUP HANOVER has raced well here versus better in the past; post is tough but she has talent.
Race 10: F&M NW15481 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND just missed at this level three back then was in a bit tough last out; new driver here in Brennan but a much better spot. (4) EASY TO PLEASE is class without current form dropping, and (6) KATIES UP is the sharper one moving up. Both are useable.
Race 11: NW7621 in last 5 starts Trot
(3) RADIO LAB is an interesting shipper from Mohawk joining the DiDomenico barn. He looks like a good fit class-wise and if ready to go off some missed time he should be competitive here. (2) HANKINS HANOVER ships in for Burke and has Tyler Buter catch-driving again; they teamed up for a win three back. (5) KASHA V drops in class and gets a moderately improved post; should be a closing threat.