Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 1/15

Best Bet: SILAS SEELSTER (10th)
Spot Play: WINDSONG JACK (7th)

Race 1: $12,500 Claiming Pace

(3) BLAYDE HANOVER got roughed up in his 2020 finale but was a solid off-the-pace winner in his prior start. Gelding is a good fit at this bottom claiming level and assuming he’s ready to go he'll be a main player here. (7) MATT MAJOR hails from the Alexander barn, which came out firing with some other starters; he's got some early speed. (4) MARK WITHA K went on a major form spree but has come back down to earth; he's got some question marks but still deserves a look.

[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]

Race 2: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(7) LORD CROMWELL was right there in recent Open tries and he gets serious class relief here. (1) LINDSEY’S PRIDE returns from The Meaowlands and lands a cozy inside post; he shows a few solid efforts recently versus a bit lesser. (4) BARRY BLACK was Brennan’s choice here and the French-bred veteran is a steady earner with this type.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 3: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(5) REGGIANO needed last week's start at The Big M coming off an extended break and he raced very well to be second best; that form should translate well here in his local return. (8) CONTROL TOWER never got involved from the eight hole in his last two at Freehold and he lands the worst post again in his local return but he dad win his last two here at this level and the veteran must be given serious consideration. (7) SHOREVIEW is another classy veteran who was a winner in his last local try skimming the rail all the way; like Control Tower, he's a great fit with this type but has to find a way to get involved.

Race 4: Open Trot

(5) STORMY KROMER made a very uncharacteristic break in his last race but recovered and kept pace with the rest of the field to the wire; he draws outside in this abbreviated field and maybe the few weeks did home some good after a busy Fall campaign. (3) HOMER HALL has been super since joining the Shane Tritton barn. (2) NOWS THE MOMENT topped the $100K earnings mark for the second consecutive season and this ultra-consistent trotter will most likely be on the lead or stalking in the pocket.

Race 5: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) ARTIFACT HANOVER returns to Yonkers now in the Paul Fusco barn off a solid effort in defeat at The Meadows; gelding has had plenty of success here in the past and he appears well-spotted in this soft NW5000 event. (2) DOCTOR BUTCH has clearly seen better days but these connections teamed up for a recent win at The Meadowlands with one of their other veterans. (6) DARK ENERGY N has zero current form but he does have the benefit of a recent start and he was Bartlett's choice.

Race 6: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) DENVER SEELSTER has been facing better in all recent and was a winner when last at this NW5000 level; Stratton is back driving for his brother and clearly looks like the one to beat. (2) KEPT UNDER WRAPS A should benefit from the post relief. (1) BLU CREW arrives from Canada to join the DiDomenico barn and while he didn't gain any ground in that Meadowlands qualifier he did finish with a :27 last quarter; consider.

Race 7: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) WINDSONG JACK is getting up there in years but he did rally decently from the back in his last Freehold try and he's faced much better here in the past; Dube's choice. (7) CAPTAIN NASH was nailed on the money in a local effort back in November and he's raced decently since then down at Philly; he showed solid speed in that Yonkers race and I suspect Brennan will try to fire out here. (1) COLUMBO is listed as the 8/5 choice despite having little current form and a poor three-year-old season overall; not sure what to do with him.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 8: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) TIGER BARON gets some class relief and moves all the way back inside; Dube's choice should be in line for a live trip tonight. (5) PEPPER GUY also drops down a notch and figures to be more involved. (2) GRIFFON HANOVER took money last start from the seven hole but never came close; he's another that's projected to be more of a factor with the improved post.

Race 9: NW20000 in last 5 starts Trot

(4) ST JAMES GATE was stubborn in defeat last out at The Big M and overall the trotter has been super since joining the Burke Brigade; he gives Yonkers a try and lands a decent enough post in this competitive affair. (2) HILL OF A HORSE trotted evenly last week for a minor share across the river and he's reunited with Holland in his local return; his last local race resulted in a close-up finish at the Open level. (5) PAPPY GO GO figures to be firing early with Bartlett.

Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) SILAS SEELSTER drops back to a winning level and we saw a Devita trainee in a similar scenario brush and crush the other night. (7) VELOCITY KIMONO is up in class for DiDomenico off a strong win last out; he should be a closing threat again. (1) TAP TAP TAP gets Bartlett back in the bike for his local return and he seems capable of landing a share.