Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 10/2/26

2026 MEET STATS: 287 - 898 / $1,550.82 (-$245.18)

BEST BETS: 52 - 95 / $176.72 (-$13.28)

BEST BET: DANCING DRAGON (1^st)

SPOT PLAY: SP DANCINWITHSTARZ (3rd)

Race 1: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) DANCING DRAGON has now won two straight after moving to the Bongiorno barn four starts back; she faces a bit tougher here but does draw well and driver Siegelman has tactical options from this spot. (4) ANNA LOVES BANANAS is accustomed to facing better for good connections and should be a player here. (1) SAMMY JO HANOVER has taken advantage of recent class relief at Philly to work her way back into form and now picks up Brennan in her local return; top choice did beat her two back when they met up.

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Race 2: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot

(2) KASHA V is one of a few in here who has been struggling recently in higher classes but this classy veteran draws his best post in a couple of months and switches back to Marohn who has done well with him in the past; he can strike from just off the pace. (4) GOO FOR BROKE was inhaled in last week's F&M Invite but she's in a good spot to flaunt her early speed and Siegelman sticks with her over two others. (1) LUCKY MUM N also drops and gets a new driver in Holland; should loom large from the rail.

Race 3: F&M NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ draws middle of the pack here on the drop to the bottom class after an almost two-month stretch of brutal posts; feels like the DiDomenico trainee can be handled more aggressively tonight. (6) YS SENSATIONALCITY took a step in the right direction last start when dropped to this level and she's got plenty of back class; hard not to include. (4) PURAMERI hasn't done much winning over the last couple of years but she just missed last week in her local return and can be a late threat again.

Race 4: F&M NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) NILA MAREE N shipped down to Philly last start and finished a no-threat fourth in a race that went in 1:47 4/5; Engblom trainee is by far the most accomplished in here this year and returns locally at a reduced level where she figures to be handled aggressively. (2) CHERYLS SHADOW dropped and popped with a powerful win and that often gets good horses going again as they step back up the class ladder. (6) COACHELLABOUND N just missed last week to the classy winner and she clearly fits with these but is at a post disadvantage.

Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(2) MISSISSIPPI STORM was in a good spot last week but couldn't convert; I'll give this millionaire 11YO another chance from this inside post. (4) MA ISABELLE gets class relief and an improved post; Lachance trainee can very much be a part of this. (1) OPTRIX recently moved to the Joe Bongiorno barn and like others he's shown improvement. He arrives from Pennsylvania looking for two straight.

Race 6: F&M NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) TIME TO STRIKE has sat rail trips recently with mixed results but she can also come from off the pace as evidenced four back at this level. Kelly drives the Alexander trainee again and I'll give her a shot. (7) BLUE CHIP LOU N just missed in both her North American debut and her second effort at Pocono when she was rough late proving costly. Post is a problem but she's got the talent to fit with these. (2) CERISE RAINBOW A was 3/5 last start and outgamed by #1 in here; better price looming.

Race 7: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) LYDEO is a classy mare who has the early speed to either control there or sit in behind the leader stalking. Either way she deserves the call starting from the rail. (5) FRONT PAGE STORY picked up a long-awaited win last week and has every right to step up and repeat. (2) BRI EXPRESS N will be a big price with trainer Cory Stratton doing the driving but she can sit the rail to save ground near the front and emerge with a piece.

Race 8: F&M NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) THE LAST MARTINI raced willingly in the FM Invite when hitting town then proved a solid uncovered winner last week. Bako trainee basically gets a free ride in this class and was Kelly's choice of three live ones. (4) RASPALIA N is razor sharp and loves to win; let's see how she handles the tactical disadvantage of starting outside of the top choice. (1) DAISY DIANA N gets a class test but does draw inside and Siegelman won with her in her first North American start.

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Race 9: NW10000 in last 5 starts Trot

(2) TORRONE holds a class edge on most of these but doesn't have much current form. This is the softest field he's faced in ages so it won't take dramatic improvement to get the job done. (4) EXQUISITE TASTE was no match from the pocket at odds-on last week but she is a six-time winner this year at Yonkers after arriving from Canada for Lachance. (8) BULLY BOY HILL would be a major player had he drawn inside and now will be a big price for a horse who's capable with these.

Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot

(5) MEETMEATTHEBAR took advantage of a soft field at Philly last week and won easily. Mare faces another soft group here and the Dan Dube-owned and trained trotter did have the talent to win $100K last year. (2) AIRMANS JACKPOT drops in class and just missed when last at this level. (4) FOR A DREAMER hasn't won since last December but he's well-mannered and loaded with back class