Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 5/26

2023 MEET STATS: 182 - 513 / $853.30 (-$172.70)

BEST BETS: 30 - 48 / $96.70 (+$0.70)

BEST BET: ALLUNEEDISFAITH N (6^th)

SPOT PLAY: KEYSTONE DASH (2^nd)

Race 1: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(4) HEARTLANDBANYSBRO got up for third last week after a long, sustained rally from too far back, as predicted. Bartlett should be a bit closer to the frontrunners, who haven't proven reliable enough lately, and can mow them down late. (7) STATEMENT MADE A has been razor-sharp since being dropped to this level yet he will offer value due to the outside post. Big chance if new driver Siegelman can get him in play. (2) PICARD A returns locally at a reduced level and was Kakaley's choice over the Bako trainee (#7)

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

Race 2: $30,000 Claiming Pace

(1) KEYSTONE DASH got nailed on the wire after a big speed try last week however I can see similar tactics getting the job done tonight. (3) BETTER B SWIFT moves back into claimers after a couple of solid tries and though Bartlett opted off he seems to fit well here and Brennan can have him sitting just off the speed ready to gain late. (4) SHARK PLAY hasn't done much lately but these connections do need to be respected; maybe a drop in class would help turn him around.

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

Race 3: NW11386 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) WINDSUN RICKY appears to have a class edge on most of these as he faces softer after coming up just a bit short last week; Stafford trainee should find a way. (2) LUCIANO N gets needed post relief and picks up leading driver Bartlett. Veteran will be on or near the lead. (3) JM'S DELIGHT was facing better when we last saw him and the Greg Merton owned, trained and driven gelding has been a solid earner over the last few years.

Race 4: $20,000/$25,000 Claiming Handicap Pace

(2) BETTER UP returns to Yonkers off a sick scratch but he's usually been live when drawn well and he gets Kakaley in the bike; he should offer some value in here with #4 figuring to be bet heavily. (4) BETTER THAN SOME was a winner at Philly first time in the Bongiorno barn then didn't threaten last week at Pocono; he ships in and seems to have found a good spot but will probably be overbet. (1) SULLIVAN seems primed for a live trip, perhaps in the pocket, but he needs to show more late.

Race 5: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N returns to Yonkers now in the Bako barn and he's had some success here in the past facing much better than he meets tonight. Local qualifier last week was good with the trainer driving. (3) ROCK LIGHTS has been underachieving lately but he should be a decent price with Boyd picking up the drive. (1) HE'S ELECTRIC can land a share if not used too hard, like he was two back.

Race 6: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(3) LETTUCERIPRITA A gets some needed post relief and also returns to Bartlett, who has steered the 13-year-old to his last three wins. (4) BLOOD BROTHER tapped into some of that back class last week when he dug in to go wire-to-wire at 43/1. Price goes way down tonight as he stays at the same level but obviously he's capable of repeating. (1) AWESOMENESS hasn't won in ages but can usually be counted on for a share, especially from inside posts.

Race 7: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts; AE NW10 races Pace

(2) MORNING HAS BROKEN picked up a check in all six Matchmaker appearances and she finished on the fringes in her last two Open races. Tonight she drops, draws well and is capable of grinding these down. (1) CHERYLS SHADOW appeared well-meant last week and raced well but the field-sweeping Man Dontforgetme got the jump on her; she's got something to prove class-wise here but I think she fits. (3) DARBY HANOVER looks like she's regained some confidence over her last three starts but she steps up now and Bartlett opted off.

Race 8: F&M Open Handicap Pace; 1-3, 4-5, 6-7 Drawn

(7) DELITFULCATHERIN N can never be counted out with her tactical speed, as evidenced by last week's race where she secured the pocket from the outside and ran second at over 36/1. Bartlett drives tonight and if she can get away from the gate in good order again she can beat these. (2) ROCKN PHILLY gets the more aggressive Brennan in the bike and will be a good price from this inside draw; worth considering in this wide-open race. (4) MILLWOOD BONNIE N has been a cash machine in claimers this season; she steps up to the Open ranks and may have a clear path to the early lead.

[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]

Race 9: F&M NW17317 in last 5 starts; AE NW9 races Pace

(1) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY battled hard before tiring last week while facing much better; she takes a significant drop in class, draws inside again, keeps Bartlett and should get the job done. (3) TECHYS ANGEL A also drops back down in class and was right there two back at this level. (5) ANNABELLE HANOVER returns from Philly and figures to be on the move early.

Race 10: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) SIMON SAYS HANOVER missed his entire 4-year-old campaign after showing ability as a youngster and he's done little in five return starts north of the border but he returns to Yonkers now in the Bako barn and that qualifier indicates he's ready to go. (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES moves inside making his second start off the Berkeley claim; main threat. (3) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE toured the track from the eight hole in his first start for the Stratton barn but he did show a last quarter timed in :27 1/5. He'll be much closer to the action tonight.