2025 MEET STATS: 45 - 146 / $283.80 (-$8.20)
BEST BETS: 7 - 14 / $22.20 (-$5.80)
BEST BET: ALWAYS A THRILL (6th)
SPOT PLAY: MOSSDALE BEN N (7th)
Race 1: NW7751 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) KINGSVILLE hasn't won a race in a long time but he's always competitive at these lower conditioned levels, especially from inside posts. DiDomenico trainee gets Brennan listed tonight and he's won with this guy in the past. (3) WINDSUN RICKY drops a notch and more importantly moves to the inside half of the gate; Barn is going well now. (5) YOROKOBI N always shows up with an honest effort though is usually pace compromised; Pete Tritton trainee closed well last week, could do so again with Stratton returning.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(4) HAMMERING HANK gave way on the front end last out but his prior few starts he was good from off the pace; Bongiorno trainee has the catch-driving Brennan in the bike again and may look to be near, but not on the lead tonight. (1) JUSTASEC N has speed and the rail draw for the fourth consecutive start. Don't think it will be much of a surprise what the strategy will be. (2) TWO FACED moves to the Bako barn via claim and he's done very well for this outfit in the past. He made an uncharacteristic break last week but I'll assume that was just a fluke.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 3: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(2) OPTICAL ILLUSION N makes his second start back in the Stafford barn and he lands a much better post to work with. Holland drives again looking for the winning trip. (5) ALL ALONE drops in for a tag for the Engblom barn and he figures to be handled aggressively, like he usually is when in a live spot. (4) ROCKMYSTER N is also in for a tag as he makes just his fifth U.S. start; he's seemed to have regressed in his last couple after starting out well so let's see if he can turn things around. (1) PEACE OUT POSSE drew off easily last week, very logical despite losing Bartlett.
Race 4: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) VENTURESOME ARDEN N steps up to face tougher but he finally lands a better post, one where he can be rolling early and I think he's best on or near the front. (6) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has been rolling with three straight and could have the speed to overcome the poor post; if not he'll be in for a long night. (1) SMIFFY'S TERROR N hasn't really done anything wrong since arriving from Down Under and he moves from the worst post to the best post.
Race 5: NW10201 in last 5 starts Pace - $10K Gtd. Pick 5
(1) LYRICAL GENIUS A successfully dropped and popped for the Stratton barn last out and while he steps up to face better he does have the good fortune of drawing the rail. Veteran can trip out from this spot. (4) FULTON is lightly raced for the Toscano barn but he has earned over $555K lifetime and those were two useful races over at The Meadowlands; Bartlett is back driving. Seems fitting that Yannick is driving (3) GINGRAS BEACH and he's been sharp recently but faces tougher and will really have to step it up.
Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) ALWAYS A THRILL was dead game in victory in his last two at Pocono and looks to parlay that into another win as he returns to Yonkers. Devita trainee is back to Bartlett from a legit spot. (1) SHERLOCK N has really burned money in his last two as he was unable to last on the front end both times. Tritton import is still searching for that first U.S. win and he gets another crack from the rail. (7) COVERED BRIDGE is obviously in a tough spot tonight but the millionaire just oozes class and is deserving of a look at 20/1 ML.
Race 7: NW20351 in last 5 starts Pace
(6) MOSSDALE BEN N is a perfect two-for-two since arriving in the States and both of those wins were in game grinding style. He steps up to face much better but is clearly capable of having much more to offer. (4) DUNKIN' looked like a lock last start so of course he failed at 15 cents on the dollar. New driver tonight in Kakaley, who has tactical options from this spot. (2) BLUE LOU goes for two straight but faces an uncertain trip as he's got a rival to his inside who will likely be looking to protect position. Deep field and good race.
[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]
Race 8: Invitational Pace
(5) AMMO was in a good spot last week to take control early and Gingras did just that. Burke trainee will likely have to go faster here in order to repeat but if he can make the front without a major issue he's talented enough to get it done. (4) VERDUN has charged home in two straight and now it appears very logical to think Lachance will have him in play much earlier; former claimer looks like a deserving favorite here (and maybe overbet). (3) NANDOLO has been looking as sharp as ever as he's a neck shy of a four race winning streak.
Race 9: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace
(5) FLIP MY CHIP was hung to dry last week in a race that ultimately fell apart but he's back to Laterza via reclaim and back with Holland; his early speed is dangerous. (2) LAZ went last to first to shock these last week but the reality is that he'd been racing great in all recent starts so that win wasn't exactly impossible. He's back inside probably with a different trip though looking for the same results. (1) TWIGGS PUB has been okay since the claim; must respect these connections.
Race 10: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(6) IM A POWERPLAY A wasn't bad at all when facing $40K claimers after being reclaimed by the Quevedo barn. He's back where he belongs and though this may be a tricky spot he should be a very honest price. (4) PRINCE OF TIDES has been a great claim so far for these connections and the Stratton trainee goes for three straight. (3) REAL PEACE had just four starts last year but has been racing regularly this year, and has hit the board in five of seven. Still looking for that elusive victory, however.