Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 10/23/26

2026 MEET STATS: 297 - 928 / $1,611.07 (-$244.93)

BEST BETS: 53 - 98 / $182.32 (-$13.68)

BEST BET: VINNY DE VIE (3^rd)

SPOT PLAY: PEDAL ON METAL (5th)

Race 1: NW5000 in last 5 starts Trot

(6) EXCALIBUR BI returns to Yonkers now in the Engblom barn and he's had some success here in the past; faces a pretty blank field and perhaps could make an impact right away at a square price. (4) BULLY BOY HILL drops to the bottom and figures to awaken somewhat, but he's tough to take on top at a low ML. (1) DURANTE HANOVER tried going down the road from the seven hole when dropped to this level last week; Burke 4YO moves in to the rail, switches to Brennan.

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Race 2: F&M NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) PURAMERI has been legitimately good in her last few and clearly fits perfectly with this kind; with the good draw she gets top billing. (4) ALTA MADIERA N gets class relief and draws a better post so she figures to be much more involved. (3) TH CHECK ME OUT also lands a better spot in her third start after arriving from Canada. She's a 3YO filly facing older but she does have some talent.

Race 3: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot

(4) VINNY DE VIE is a low-percentage winner with a low-percentage driver yet with that said this veteran will be hard-pressed to find an easier spot than he sees tonight. (2) STORMY KROMER is hopefully working himself back into shape and the fact he steps up a notch in class can actually be seen as a good thing. (7) COMMODUS A was third best last week from a poor post and I'm sure Braxten Boyd will be trying to push the gate away.

Race 4: F&M NW10731 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) ANNA LOVES BANANAS found the right spot last week and took advantage with an easy front-end sort; sharp sort from a top barn can certainly repeat facing a bit better. (2) TALL DARK TEQUILA faces more seasoned foes again but has raced well in her two starts since switching to the Laterza barn. (1) BECKONING YANKEE draws the rail again and is in line for another ground-saving trip.

Race 5: NW10501 in last 5 starts Trot

(5) PEDAL ON METAL hit a dry patch during the summer, took some time off and resurfaced in a new barn with hobbles added, and is back firing on all cylinders. Faces a bit better but seems talented enough to repeat. (8) NYMERIA has been facing much better recently with limited success and she would likely be the favorite in here had she drawn a good post; may be worth considering at a price now if Marohn can somehow get her off the gate. (2) LAUREN'S CHAPTER is a talented filly but not all that enticing to bet with her current form; maybe underneath.

Race 6: F&M NW15511 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) LYDEO has a class edge on these and a good enough draw to work out a live trip, or even cut the mile; veteran mare gets the call. (6) BRI EXPRESS N successfully dropped and popped last week with a nice form reversal; Cory Stratton trainee has brother Jordan driving again as they step back up the class ladder a step. (2) TWIN B ECHO will be sitting and saving in the first flight of horses; board threat.

Race 7: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(6) MASSIVE DESIRE is one of only a couple in here to actually have a win in his last three starts and now he drops back down to the level of his recent score; should be a fair price in this tough-to-figure race. (5) VANDY LANE did beat better six week ago and since then hasn't done much; Alexander trainee also drops and driver Kelly has some options from this slightly improved midpack post. (3) OLIVER THE GREAT made an uncharacteristic break two back then raced just evenly in his last start; post edge on main rivals helps.

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

(1) HARLEEQUIN A has been in good form of late, including decent efforts from no-chance spots in the Invite in her last two. Three and four back from inside posts she just missed and I'm hoping for a live stalking trip tonight against this wide-open field. (4) SHESGOTTHEJACK recently graduated to the top level and she proved she belongs with her close finish last week; Adamczyk trainee is in a spot to be more aggressively handled. (7) WORKLIFEBALANCE is forced to draw outside and will be a big price but she's proven at the top levels and needed last week's start after missing close to a month.

Race 9: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) VEL CINDERELLA shipped down from Saratoga last week and wired the field with a strong 1:53 2/5 effort. Gets Dube tonight on the class bump and a similar effort could net similar results. (1) DOUGS BABE A does have to double-jump but has loads of back class and when right she can beat better than these. (2) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING gets needed class relief and was second best when last at this level.