Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 6/25

MEET STATS: 0 – 0 / $0.00

BEST BET: TEST OF FAITH (5th)

SPOT PLAY: AMERICAN COURAGE (8th)

Race 1: $15,000 Claiming - Pick 4

(1) PEMBROKE JOEY went a pretty big mile from an outside post when dropped in for this $15,000 claiming tag. His prior start in this class was a win. Expect an aggressive drive that has him controlling the action on the point. (6) MAJOR BUCKS was a factor week after week in his prior starts for this claiming price. Dunn should be firing off the wings of the gate with the hopes of sitting as pocket behind the top choice. (4) BRACKLEY BEACH moves into a high percentage barn and notice driver George Brennan also owns a piece. (5) SOLID ASA ROCK A is another changing hands; prior effort was solid.

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Race 2: Non-winners $15,000 in last 5 or 9 races life/Opt. $25,000 Claiming

(4) SPOILED PRINCESS has been facing much, much better so far this year as she tries to acclimate to life as an older trotting mare. In her lone start at Yonkers she actually came off the gate strong from an outside post but gave up the leave attempt quickly. There really is no excuse for her losing here. (5) BARRY BLACK took a step in the right direction last week and might be coming back to life. (8) WINDSONG PIONEER was never put in play last time from post eight and now drops two classes. He's certainly capable of firing hard off the gate but could have some company.

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

Race 3: New York New York Mile Elimination - Pick 6

(1) CONTESTED HANOVER impressed with a sharp second-place finish behind last year's New York Sire Stakes champion in the Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon last time. Daughter of Chapter Seven has talent and this looks like a great spot to shot it. (4) MAZZARATI has been keeping better company in PA Sire Stakes than she faces tonight. The lack of a half-mile track start is the one question mark. (1A) LINDYS DOLLYWOOD has prepped nicely for this race on the smaller track at Saratoga. Is she fast enough? The answer is probably yes at this location. She's also a nice compliment to the top pick. (2) REBEL GIRL raced better last time and could take another step forward.

Race 4: Park MGM Pace Elimination - 1st Division

(1) HEART OF MINE survived Buffalo, as many others couldn't get around the track, and kept her five-race winning streak intact. With four of the six entrants advancing to the final, I wouldn't expect much early movement and she should take charge. (4) DARBY HANOVER has big early speed and seems the most likely to fire off the gate and end up yielding for a pocket trip behind the top pick. (5) LINDY AT THE BEACH has prepped reasonably well out of town. Somebeachsomewhere filly displayed talent as a 3-year-old and could pull off an upset if things go her way.

Race 5: Park MGM Pace Elimination - 2nd Division - Pick 5

(7) TEST OF FAITH is the best 3-year-old pacing filly in the sport for my money and I don't think it is close. Post seven isn't ideal, but this barn tends to send them out ready and I see her leaving until she makes the front. (4) SO IRRESISTIBLE has stayed close in PASS and the races against older can be completely tossed. She might offer some exotic value. (3) FIRE START HANOVER was a Breeders Crown winner and divisional champion for this class in 2020. With no half-mile experience and at least a chance she'll be raced from behind, I'll play against her.

Race 6: MGM Yonkers Trot Elimination - 1st Division

(4) AHUNDREDDOLLARBILL was absolutely awesome winning the EBC at Vernon and now is perfect in three starts since Tony Alagna has taken over the conditioning. This guy has experience over the track and just seems to be working on a different level right now. (3) MON AMOUR took the week off from post nine on June 11. You have to expect he'll be firing off the wings of the gate here. (6) ON A STREAK has always been better near the lead and tonight he finds himself stuck outside with plenty of other speed to his inside. He's talented but might not be the best play if he takes too much tote action.

Race 7: MGM Yonkers Trot Elimination - 2nd Division - Pick 4

(3) ARNOLD N DICKY checked out of stakes competition last time and woke up in a big way. That confidence-building win will hopefully spur him on to greater heights. (1A) JOHAN PALEMA raced very well in both 2021 starts and seems likely to be heading to the top, a great place to be at Yonkers. (5) IN RANGE wasn't himself at Meadowlands last time and perhaps he needed the race after basically missing four weeks since he broke in the middle start (5/31). He is the best horse on paper and might not be a bad play if he offers value.

Race 8: MGM Grand Messenger Elimination - 1st Division

Every horse in this race was first or second in their last start and all have wins in their last two appearances. This will be some battle for the top four spots to make the $500,000 final. (2) AMERICAN COURAGE has been my ride or die in this 3-year-old division thus far in 2021 and he hasn't disappointed in two starts. Unless he gets bet heavily at the windows I'll be all in. (7) CHARLIE MAY got off to a slow start dealing with some issues but has really turned the corner in his last two. The big question here is whether Brett Miller guns out from post seven. My gut says yes but it may be worth watching the warm-ups. (5) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH has yet to lose in four starts this year and has never finished off the board in 12 career tries. This is his biggest test to date but at least you know he gets over the track since he won here in May.

Race 9: MGM Grand Messenger Elimination - 2nd Division

This could be a tricky race since there is outside speed signed on that almost has to blast out and the stronger half of the likely 1-5 entry has never raced on the surface. Let's try (2) HIGHLANDBEACHSBEST to pull off a big upset. He had no shot last time at Pocono from an outside post versus one of the sharpest horses at the track. Improvement is expected in his second start in a month and notice that his mark as a 2-year-old was faster than any of these, so there is talent here. (1) ABUCKABETT HANOVER reportedly trained over the track last week to prepare. I always recall Harvey Pack saying to never bet a horse as a heavy favorite doing something they haven't done before. I respect his chances and he comes with a strong entry-mate, but I'd pass the race before playing him. (5) I'LL DRINK TO THAT has plenty of half-mile track success, good form and should be heading to the front; things to like.

Race 10: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5

(5) KEY ADVISOR moves up the class ladder off a nice win. He should be able to make the front here and really doesn't face a tough group. (3) MACINTOSH N is another I expect to see speed from but he doesn't like to win at 3 for his last 39. (2) HERRICKROOSEVELT N continues to drop in class in search of form. Is this the week he awakens?

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

Race 11: Non-winners $17,075 in last 5 or 9 races life/Opt. $25,000 Claiming

(3) BOURBON EXPRESSS wasn't able to handle some very tough foes over at The Meadowlands in his last two starts. This race is a clear drop in company and I'll take a shot. (8) A FANCY FACE also plunges in class and has the big early speed needed to overcome the post. (4) NEW HEAVEN tends to do well when down in class but does catch a good group this week.

Race 12: Non-winners $10,000 in last 5

(1) MYKINDACHIP ships in and finds a good spot where he can control the action. (3) MOHAWK WARRIOR drops back down to the level of his last win for a barn that clicks at a high rate. (8) CROCKETS CULLEN N has high early speed and is in soft enough to make some noise if feeling good.