Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 9/16

MEET STATS: 322 - 930 / $1,588.90 (-$271.10)

BEST BETS: 51 - 87 / $197.60 (+$23.60)

Best Bet: PERFECTLY CLOSE (8th)

Spot Play: GHOST DANCE (2nd)

Race 1: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(2) OHIO VINTAGE went wire-to-wire first out off the DiDomenico claim and he stays at a winning level while having a post edge on his main competition. Gelding seems more than capable of making it two straight. (5) AWESOMENESS never came close to threatening at even money last week, so Dowse drops him in class looking to get back on the winning track. Obvious main threat to the top choice, and the likely favorite. (4) DAVIDS COMING HOME had little to offer last start when he had a very late driver change but he closed well for third the start prior.

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

Race 2: $40,000 Claiming Pace

(3) GHOST DANCE has been razor-sharp in all recent starts, including last week when he launched a bold uncovered move and surged by for the upset. Veteran gets the call to repeat. (2) KEYSTONE DASH was run over by the top one in his first return start for the Garcia-Herrera barn. He's also been sharp and looms large from this good post. (4) SAILBOAT HANOVER is up in class after sweeping the field last out; Bartlett gets the drive tonight.

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

Race 3: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(1) BARN HALL finds a great spot upon arrival and figures to take this field a long way on the engine; short price looming, however. (4) KINDA LUCKY LINDY was second best to the streaking Flip The Switch last week; trotter is a proven commodity at this level. (2) HOOLIE N HECTOR is up in class again but he has taken three of four and draws well.

Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace

(5) SHINE A LIGHT raced well out of the eight hole upon arrival from Rideau Carleton and another recent shipper from that track into the Dowse barn jogged the other night; he's ambitiously placed here but maybe he's good enough. (4) BEACH BOOGIE has been relatively consistent of late at this level and he should land a good share with one of his usual efforts. (2) WHITE HAIR ROCKS is not a prolific winner but he can sit an easy trip from this spot and is a board threat.

Race 5: NW20000 in last 5 starts Trot

(1) FLIP THE SWITCH has been on an insane run for the high-percentage Dowse barn since arriving from Ohio and he pretty much gets a free ride under the NW10 also-eligible condition. 1/9 odds looming? (5) B NICKING suddenly has a breaking problem so he may be cautiously handled by Brennan but he is talented enough to win this if the top one falters. Looks like a crapshoot for the rest...maybe (6) NEXTROUNDSONME, who has Braxton Boyd driving again and he has a knack for landing on the ticket at big prices.

Race 6: $25,000 Claiming Pace

(4) ALWAYS AT MY PLACE has fallen on hard times and his current form out at Hoosier is awful but he returns out east now in the Dowse barn, which means leading driver Bartlett gets the lines, and he does find a field littered with question marks. (3) ARTMAGIC debuts for DiDomenico off the claim and is eligible for improvement. (2) SECRECY also enters a new barn via claim and he draws well; the hot Brent Holland keeps the drive.

Race 7: Open Trot

Five horses here going for $39K...everyone gets paid! (1) STORMY KROMER is a 7-time winner this year, including multiple Open-level scores, and he's in a controlling position again. Dube will almost certainly be looking to go coast-to-coast. (4) HEY LIVVY is feeling good again and she can grind a long way. (5) AMIGO VOLO returns from a successful run out of town and the classy trotter does have tactical speed; interesting to see what Bartlett's tactics will be.

Race 8: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) PERFECTLY CLOSE has been facing much better with just limited success but he lands all the way inside again facing a very camera-shy group. I'm not sure that anyone else will be able to get by him. (4) SANTAFE'S COACH needs a trip but he should be rallying late. (3) HE'S ELECTRIC sat a perfect trip last week and delivered the goods late; gelding does face better but he should be close to the pace throughout again.

Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Race 9: NW30000 in last 5 starts Trot

(1) SKY CASTLES threw in a clunker last start and was claimed out of that race for $75K by the Hunter Oakes barn. Kakaley picks up the drive and I'm willing to give him another chance. (5) KENZIESKY HANOVER was a winner two steps out of the gate in her last local start, and the horse she beat came back to win; main threat. (6) LEAN HANOVER is feeling good again and while this is a tough spot I could see him rallying for a share.

Race 10: NW5225 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) ROCKINMYSHOE is a fresh face from Northfield entering the Cory Stratton barn and he's shown big speed on occasion; four-year-old should be a good fit with these. (4) DIAMONDBEACH has gone some tough and troubled trips of late and he's more than capable of blowing these away. (5) ROCKIN JUKEBOX has no current form for a low-percentage barn but this class relief can help wake him up.