Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 7/2

MEET STATS: 12-7-2-2 / $23.80 (-$0.20)

BEST BETS: 1-1-0-0 / $4.00 (+2.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 1-1-0-0 / $2.10 (+$0.10)

Best Bet: TEST OF FAITH (7th)

Spot Play: AMERICAN COURAGE (9th)

Race 1: $12,500 Claiming - Pick 4

(3) ELECTRIC WESTERN drops in claiming price for a barn that does good work in those situations. Ten-year-old faces a mostly dull group and might actually find early speed. (7) AMERICAN NITRO exits a big mile at Monticello where he fired off the gate and almost lasted for the win. Anything close to that tonight will make him tough to beat. (2) BIG SWEEP OSBORNE hasn't raced well in quite some time but could enjoy the smaller track and inside post.

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

Race 2: Non-winners $5,000 in last 5

(1) P H KENNY has some sickly-looking pp lines in his recent races, but only dropped to this level last week and that doesn't count because he had post 8. Veteran should feel right at home versus this group and be firing off the gate. (4) ALEPPO HANOVER found big early speed and parlayed that into a strong effort for second last time. I have to expect similar tactics from the highest percentage post at Yonkers. (2) I'M BENICIO A and (8) DRINKIN BEER are both down in class and either is eligible to show more. (3) SOHO CHELSEA A deserves at least a look on the driver change angle to Bartlett.

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

Race 3: $20,000 Claiming - Pick 6

(5) COOL BLUES MAN finds a field with plenty of early speed which might help to setup his off-the-pace tactics. Of course he'll need some luck but the form seems to be there and the price should be fair. (4) BRACKLEY BEACH flashed big early speed to just miss in his first start for this barn and looms a major threat again despite the claiming price jump. (1) MARINER SEELSTER moves into a good barn and seems very likely to try to protect his inside position at all costs. (7) FASHIONONTHEBEACH is back at the level of his last win. Barn has won four of their last six starts.

Race 4: Non-winners $15,000 in last 5 or 9 races life/Opt. $25,000 Claiming

(7) NEW HEAVEN finds the softest group he has seen in a long time and really should flaunt his class despite the bad post. (1) SECRET BRO has posted consecutive seconds in this class and owns early speed from the inside. (4) KANDY SWEET finally draws a good post and might take a shot early despite seemingly being over her head.

Race 5: Preferred Handicap - Pick 5

(1) DELTASUN A was assigned post 1, though I could make a case that he is one of the best in the field. Things didn’t go well last week when he was used hard. A slightly better trip can make all the difference. (2) BOURBON EXPRESS should've won a week ago. Still, he should be heading to the front and has a big chance again. (4) BLUE AND BOLD has a great post and has been very consistent. (8) SPOILED PRINCESS wired them last week from a good post. If Dunn can get her to the top she has a big shot again.

Race 6: $150,000 New York New York Mile Final

There is enough uncertainty here to look outside the box for a winner and I'm going way outside with (8) IMHATRA AM S, who charged home when finally clear in last week's elimination. This filly showed surprising early speed considering it was her first start on a half and that could come into play here again, especially with the aggressive Brennan taking over the lines. It is worth noting that while post 8 has produced just 3.9% winners in 2021 here, since the track refurbishment a few weeks back outside horses have shown more early speed. In the last 40 starts they are winning at 10%, and 20% of post 8 horses have shown big early speed. (6) CONTESTED HANOVER didn't show it last week but she has some early speed in her arsenal and if Zeron doesn't say GO from the start she'll likely be away eighth. There is some ability here and the price will be huge. (2) ITERATION is clearly the horse to beat on paper. She won the NYSS final over this track last year but did break early in the mile and has never displayed early speed on a smaller track in her career.

Race 7: $150,000 Park MGM Pace Final - Pick 4

(3) TEST OF FAITH has been driven this year like she can’t lose regardless of the trip and that is because she really hasn't been in tough enough to even consider a negative outcome. Nothing changes in this final as she is clearly much faster than this crew right now. (5) CLASSICIST opened my eyes last week with a sharp two-move second-place finish behind the top pick in the elimination. She ranks as a player underneath here at what should be more than fair value. (2) MARSALA HANOVER has perhaps lacked the killer instinct in the stretch this year but certainly has the speed to go with all but the top pick. Notice Zeron chose here over (1) HEART OF MINE, who while undefeated really hasn’t beaten any horses of note.

Race 8: $500,000 MGM Yonkers Trot Final

(8) IN RANGE finished up with good trot and no shot in last week's elimination. Post 8 won’t make his job easy here, but you have to think Tetrick will be firing off the gate to at least get position. Some perhaps have forgotten that the son of Bar Hopping was one of the leading Hambletonian contenders and most reliable horses coming into the year. (3) JOHAN PALEMA is not the best horse in the race but tactically could have a huge edge. He's clearly going to the front and is unlikely to yield easily unless he has no choice. Even then, he is only a bit of stretch clearance from a win chance. (6) AHUNDREDDOLLARBILL clearly didn't love the turns last week but was able to utilize the straightaways to win impressively despite the issues. I'm certain the plan will be similar to last week. That said, if he makes the top a 57 half seems unlikely. (1) AMBASSADOR HANOVER has big early speed and some talent too. His chance depend on trip and the decisions of others.

Race 9: $500,000 MGM Grand Messenger Final

You have to dance with the one that brought you and (6) AMERICAN COURAGE has yet to disappoint me in 2021 and only has one blemish in 11 career starts. He was ultra-impressive winning as he pleased in the elimination and unless he gets the worst trip ever, he'll be very tough to beat. (2) I'LL DRINK TO THAT has yet to finish worse than second in six starts this year and he has a nice inside edge with good of early speed in his arsenal. Dunn figures to get around #1 and will likely push the pace early to ensure he stays close to the lead. (3) CHARLIE MAY is going to be the "Wise Guy" horse in here and that means an underlay on the toteboard. He flashed good early speed in the elimination and closed willingly when finding room up the cones. He's a clear contender. (8) ABUCKABETT HANOVER veered sharply to the right into the first turn last week, which doesn't bode well for him starting from post 8 in a field with plenty of speed to his inside. He's in the conversation as the best horse in the race but impossible to play in my book unless you are getting at least his 6-1 listed morning-line.

Race 10: Open Handicap

(8) HEY LIVVY absolutely dominated this group on June 18. While she is handicapped with post 8, she might be able to start from the parking lot and still win. (5) HILL OF A HORSE comes off a throw-out line. Prior to that he was as consistent as they come. (4) MELADY’S MONET is inching in on another $100,000 season and $1.8 million lifetime. Twelve-year-old is still capable.

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

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5

(2) TREASURE MACH gets major class relief and really wasn't that bad from post 8 last time. He should be plenty live tonight. (8) FUNATTHEBEACH N raced evenly over at The Meadowlands in his first start for this barn. Don't be shocked if he fires off the gate here. (7) IDEAL ARTILLERY was very, very good last time. How does he handle the class jump and outside post?

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

(5) I’M SOME GRADUATE gets class and post relief. This guy seems to have lost a bit of zip off his fastball but should be giving it his all here. (3) REDBANK BLAZE A also dips in class and hails from a top percentage barn. (1) KEPT UNDER WRAPS A has early speed and pylon position. I don't love him on the win end but he's an exotics must.