2025 MEET STATS: 209 - 717 / $1,147.40 (-$286.60)
BEST BETS: 36 - 68 / $123.40 (-$12.60)
BEST BET: SEASIDE DIVA (5th)
SPOT PLAY: WARRIOR ONE (6th)
Race 1: NW6451 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) SAMHARA N has just one seasonal win but he drops to the bottom conditioned level and draws much better after being stuck outside in his last three. (5) CAVIART SARGENT hasn't fired in his last two and has also been camera-shy but he drops in class as well and gets a new driver in Stratton. I can definitely see him waking up in this spot. (1) ALADDIN was poor last week but he's right back in for Lachance and lands the rail.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: NW10000 in last 5 starts Trot
(2) DOROTEA TRIO IT raced well last week to be third best facing better with Stratton at the controls and he's back with this mare. Clearly the one to beat. (1) DRIBBLING BI was nailed in a big effort last start and is the one to fear. (4) P L OSCAR has plenty of speed and I can see him grabbing a quick lead but he needs much more in the late stages to get it done.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at 1/ST BET PRO!]
Race 3: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot
(1) BULLY BOY HILL just missed last week at a big price and he's finally starting to show something after that $40K claim for these connections back in May. Newcomer Colin Kelly has done pretty well here and he keeps the drive. (4) PC FREE WHEELING was a non-factor last start coming out of the seven hole but she flashed plenty of speed in prior starts. (5) WILLY WALTON has some ugly-looking lines since the Burke claim but he drops from $40's and tries a new driver in Brennan. Hopefully he turns it around eventually.
Race 4: F&M NW17071 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) KATIES UP failed to deliver as the odds-on chalk last week after suffering traffic from the pocket but I'm inclined to give her another try at a much bigger price tonight. Good to see Mark MacDonald back and he picks up the catch drive. (1) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND steps back up a notch after that pocket-rocket score in a life's best 1:51 4/5 and draws the rail again; big threat. (5) UPTOWN HANOVER is back from a try at Plainridge and she's probably classiest here. Post dictates she'll probably be off the pace looking to rally.
Race 5: F&M NW7701 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) SEASIDE DIVA drops again after coming up second best at the NW10000 level. Burke trainee is barely two months removed from her second-place effort in the Matchmaker final and it's tough to see her being defeated tonight. (2) RESURRECTION DAWN just missed four back from a similar spot and she can push off enough early to secure a pocket ride. (1) MYBITCOIN is yet another Quebec shipper for Lachance and she did have an acclimating mile for this barn down at Philly where she was a steady third.
Race 6: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot
(4) WARRIOR ONE has fallen on hard times this year but it looks like he's awakened since the recent move to the Engblom barn and he gets to start at the bottom in his Yonkers return. Gingras-owned trotter is a former Open winner here. (2) NO DRAMA PLEASE is another classy veteran trying to recapture some old magic and he was pretty good last out at Pocono. (3) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM is the highest seasonal money-earner in here by far and is more than capable with these.
Race 7: NW10000 in last 5 starts Trot
(3) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE is in the midst of a long dry spell but he's proven to be a nice fit with these mid-level trotters in the past and he tries a new driver with Buter getting the call. I think he's got as good a shot as any in here. (4) MEETMEATTHEBAR transitioned from the NW lifetime conditions to this NW10000 class with a nice second last week and the Dube-owned mare can win this with a bit more improvement. (6) ANDOVER CONTESSA ships in from Tioga where she had been racing well and she picks up Stratton.
Race 8: F&M NW13001 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) TAKE YOUR PICK gets Bartlett in the bike (who is returning from The Meadowlands) and draws reasonably well into a softer spot than she's been accustomed to. Cullipher trainee seems like a logical, though possibly overbet selection. (1) VIBRANCE moves to the rail and is in line for a live trip, perhaps stalking from the pocket. (6) EASY TO PLEASE was a safe winner when dropped to this class and she gets to stay at this level but is at a tactical disadvantage tonight; using underneath.
Race 9: F&M Invitational Pace
(3) LIT DE ROSE sat comfortably off the pace as expected last week and rolled home for the win. Lachance student steps back up to the top level and could be in line for a similar scenario, especially if outside rivals are used too much in the early stages. (6) AARDIE B MIKI N is back at Yonkers and we last saw her here powering through the Matchmaker series. Since then she has held her own in stakes races out of town, but does face an uncertain trip here with potential speed signed on to her inside. (5) SILK CLOUD A returns locally off a 1:49 1/5 front-end score at Pocono just four days ago. Early speed always sets her up nicely.
[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]
Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N basically offered nothing though four starts up at Mohawk after arriving from Down Under so the connections send him to the Engblom barn and it looks like he could be ready to roll off that recent qualifier. (7) JD CAMDEN GB is winless this year for the Burke barn but he's been a player in his last three at this level and I wouldn't be shocked to see Brennan take a shot off the gate. (1) C BET HANOVER could land a share by virtue of the rail draw.
Race 11: NW16131 in last 5 starts Trot
(7) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS returns locally after winning at Philly on the front end and he gets to face softer than he's been seeing here lately. Needs an alert getaway for his best chance but figures to be an honest price. (3) THE HAZELTON returned from a couple of months on the bench and picked up a win; sharp sort steps up looking to repeat. (4) CRAZYLAND was successful in his local return and the Engblom trainee goes for four straight overall; Bartlett is back driving.