Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 5/21

MEET STATS: 167 - 452 / $940.30 (+$36.30)

BEST BETS: 23 - 46 / $72.30 (-$19.70)

Best Bet: CLASSIC PRO (8th)

Spot Play: DARK ENERGY N (5th)

Race 1: $12,500 Claiming Pace

(6) RANSOM DEMAND returned from Monti last week, took all the money and took care of business after securing the front; he moves to an outside post tonight but should be able to repeat over this weak bunch. (2) FAST ON THE DRAW went off 122/1 in his last start but did rally for a minor share; he draws well tonight and can be there with a smooth trip. (8) CINNABAR DRAGON looked better last week and would be rated higher if not for the post.

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Race 2: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) PATRIOT NATION didn't show a whole lot in two local races facing a bit better back in March but he's clearly picked up his game recently at Philly and the Harris trainee looks like a good fit here. (5) ATTA BOY DAN blew away the top class last week at Monticello in just his second start off the long break and this veteran has a ton of back class with over a million earned. (1) NEPTUNE finished willingly in his local return from a tough spot and now he moves all the way inside for owner/trainer/driver Joe Chindano, Jr.

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

Race 3: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(3) DO YA THINK put in a solid effort in defeat going first-out for the Devita barn and while he faces a bit better tonight the gelding could be live enough to get it done. (4) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A was a curious claim out of his last start by Scott DiDomenico as the 10-year-old hadn't shown much in ages but I wouldn't be surprised if he picked up his game for his new barn; 20/1 ML. (5) VILLAGE CHAMP regressed last week but he goes out now for Garcia-Herrera off the claim.

Race 4: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(6) SOLID ASA ROCK A was no match for some tougher foes last week but he drops back to the level where he recently had a nice win and a second; Veteran may be overlooked in the wagering and offer good value. (1) VICTORIAS MAVERICK goes for another new barn off the claim and he draws best while keeping Stratton. (2) MR BIG WIG faces better tonight but he's gotten progressively better since arriving from Delaware.

Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(1) PATRIARCH HANOVER was a strong and drawing-away winner last week and the Burke trainee should be able to repeat with a similar effort. I'm not running to bet him at a short price, however. (2) HOBBS tired badly last out but note he gets a barn change here to Schnittker and these owners have had success with Full Rights in a similar scenario. (4) EYE OFA TIGER AS was a nice winner facing a bit lesser last out and he's got plenty of class.

Race 6: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) DARK ENERGY N showed signs of life in his first start out for the Garcia-Herrera barn and he doesn't face anything special in here; top billing. (4) AWESOMENESS hasn't done much recently but he gets post relief and others from this barn have been performing well. (6) EPIC ACE was third best when dropped in class but the top two were pretty sharp; 4-year-old fits nicely with these.

Race 7: Open Handicap Trot

In a tough and competitive affair I landed on (7) MELADY'S MONET. Ageless wonder has shown no signs of slowing down in his 12-year-old campaign and if he can get away well-placed from this outside post he's more than capable of mowing these down. (3) HILL OF A HORSE was a good second last week, but perhaps off that trip he should have won. Versatile Erv Miller trainee should be a contender. (8) MISSISSIPPI STORM was parked in no-mans land last start before breaking and he's stuck in post eight again tonight. Not sure what to do with him.

Race 8: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) CLASSIC PRO has underachieved a bit since the Stafford claim but drops in class again and the way others from this barn have been performing one would assume this guy will be live. (3) MACH IT SO finds a move favorable spot tonight and he should be a player here as he inches towards the $3 million mark. (5) ALEPPO HANOVER rarely wins but he can leave the gate well which can set him up with a nice trip.

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

Race 9: NW21250 in last 5 starts Trot

(1) ZIG ZAG didn't fire at all in two starts over at The Meadowlands after shipping from Canada; recent Preferred winner at Mohawk may be able to perk up in this spot. (2) THE LAST CHAPTER has good speed and is well-mannered which is why he's a solid money-earner. (3) BULLY BOY pretty much stayed out of the way in the Open in his last two but he did race evenly while a bit over his head; he had been showing solid speed in prior efforts.

Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) DRINKA BEER surprised everyone with his solid wire-to-wire tally at 12/1 facing lesser at the NW5000 level and he draws inside again. Perhaps the same strategy will work again. (5) LUCIANO N can still get it done when in the right spot; like the top choice he bumps back up in class but there's certainly no standouts in here. (4) ART SCENE gets post relief and was Brennan's choice over a horse he won with last week.