2025 MEET STATS: 40 - 127 / $259.90 (+$5.90)
BEST BETS: 7 - 12 / $22.20 (-$1.80)
BEST BET: GAMBLINGTERROR (8th)
SPOT PLAY: BENHOPE RULZ N (2nd)
Race 1: POP-UP F&M $45K Claiming Final Pace
(4) CELCIUS is back to Bartlett after a steady effort last week and she's in a spot where she can make the lead; Engblom trainee can wire the field or stalk and strike late. (1) NUTTINBUTHEBEST has been just okay since the Alexander claim but Kakaley should be working on a live trip from the rail. (7) RACEY RACH N has been the most impressive this series but her last two wins were from the rail. Three back she was able to make the top from the five hole so it's certainly conceivable that Holland can get to the front.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: NW10061 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) BENHOPE RULZ N is not the most prolific winner as he scored just five times in 40 tries last year and is 0 for 4 and counting in 2025 but the veteran gets to face softer here with significant post relief. (4) COVERED BRIDGE handled his affairs easily on last week's dropdown and he's the one to beat again on class alone. (3) TWIN B DELUXE was aggressively handled last out and gave way under pressure; perhaps he's better from off the pace.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 3: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(3) DASH N CACHE scored first-time out for these connections after the $20K claim and I'll give her a shot to come right back for another. (1) FORTUNADA took a shot in the Pop-up series but didn't make an impact so the connections put her right back where she can win, and she draws the rail to boot. One to beat. (5) PINE BUSH MAGA has shown good speed to be put in play in her last two local starts but was lacking late; Kakaley drives again and maybe he'll try new tactics with the mare.
Race 4: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace
(1) SUNBURNT has won at this claiming level in the past and now she's back at this more competitive class after being a non-factor in the Pop-up series (though she picked up money in each leg). This barn usually offers value and she could be looking at a live trip here. (2) SALE EL SOL enters another new barn via claim but stays at the same level where she's most successful as she goes for four straight overall. She's the deserving favorite but probably not worth the short price. (6) ONEDERFULBEACH came up second best to #2 last week after cutting the mile but she'll probably be relegated to chasing again. Consistent mare has been hitting the board with regularity.
Race 5: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace
(1) OKINAWA BEACH A is back in for a tag tonight after a steady effort last out for a board spot as the top pick. She seems to have as good a shot as any of the main contenders do and should offer a fair price from the rail. (5) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE closed a ton two back and followed that up with a front-end win as the odds-on favorite. Bongiorno trainee gets Bartlett in the bike tonight as Kakaley sticks with #1. (4) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N has been right there in all recent starts (with the exception of one eight-hole trip) and the mare was a game pocket-sitting winner last out; Marohn figures to have her pointed to the lead.
Race 6: NW16806 in last 5 starts Pace
(1) SMIFFY'S TERROR N was a winner in his first U.S. try after arriving from Down Under then was not a major player in his last couple when forced up in class. Import is back down to the same base level he won at and seems primed to roll from this inside post. (3) WESTERN ERA has broken before the start and taken himself out of contention in two of his last four but when he paces he's a legit player. Obviously pay close attention to the start. (5) LOU'S SWEETREVENGE has plenty of back class and he was a winner the last time Bartlett drove.
Race 7: NW21711 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) TICKERTAPE HANOVER was an 11-time winner last year and though he's been shut out this season through four tries he gets to drop down to a level where he's proven most competitive. He figures to be chasing #1 from a pocket or three hole and can roll by late. (1) ROCK DIAMONDS N is absolutely the one to beat and the now-12YO is coming off a fantastic season with 15 wins and almost $220K earned. Moderate drop in class also helps. (4) BONDI LOCKDOWN A has been in good form for an extended period of time and though he gets tested for class here he seems live enough to land a nice piece.
[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]
Race 8: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) GAMBLINGTERROR gets much-needed post relief for a barn that's been firing at a high level recently and the veteran gets top billing from this live post. (8) METAL MAN was a solid second in his first start off an extended layoff and the Alexander trainee must be considered despite the worst draw. (1) ALEX TYE failed to get involved last week on the drop in class but he should be close up tonight from the rail.
Race 9: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace
(8) FREQUENT IMAGE flashed speed before tiring in his local return (and return to the Alexander barn). Eight hole here is no picnic but in a mostly formless race maybe Kakaley tries to get involved early again and has some more luck at a big price. (3) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N drops in class again and has now reached the bottom conditioned level for a barn that's been slow to get underway this season. He does figure to show more here, however. (1) MOVIN' ON UP was a fast-closing second last start in a big form reversal; similar effort puts him right there.