Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 9/18/26

2026 MEET STATS: 259 - 810 / $1,433.30 (-$186.70)

BEST BETS: 48 - 86 / $164.88 (-$7.12)

BEST BET: EXQUISITE TASTE (6^th)

SPOT PLAY: GOING AWAY (3^rd)

Race 1: F&M NW5056 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) DANCING DRAGON has improved significantly though three starts in the Bongiorno barn and she probably fits well with these. Post is nothing to write home about but she did flash speed last week at Philly and she'll be an honest price. (4) YS SENSATIONALCITY has fallen on some hard times but the drop to the bottom conditioned level can help the veteran wake up. (2) MISS DOTTIE MAE has been an underachiever but also finds a more favorable spot and figures to be one of the frontrunners.

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Race 2: F&M NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) SPIRITUAL BLISS N moves all the way inside for her third North American start and it's time to see what she can bring to the table. Anything resembling her qualifier on Aug. 21 will make her tough to down. (4) CERISE RAINBOW A broke at Philly last week but was competitive here in prior efforts and she returns locally second-time Lasix. (2) HERS HUNGRY has been facing some tough ones recently and isn't that far removed from a couple of solid front-end wins.

Race 3: F&M NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) GOING AWAY added Lasix for her first start in the Bongiorno barn and won easily over at Philly. I will assume this 5YO mare has more to offer as she ships to Yonkers. (3) LUCKY ARTIST A gave it an aggressive try last start and did hold on for third after being collared. 13YO drops back to NW7500 and she owes me a ton of money! (8) WAITFOREVER N is a legit talent with over $500K in the bank and close to $100K on the season but she's stuck in the eight hole as she faces softer. Can Stratton get her in play early or does she just get away last and tour the track?

Race 4: NW10001 in last 5 starts Trot

(5) SAINTS PRESERVE US hasn't done much of note recently but never finishes far off and this is a softer field than she's accustomed to facing. Holland sticks with her over the ML favorite and seems capable with a decent trip. (4) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S was a no-match third in her local return and the Harris trainee is clearly the most accomplished in here this season. Veteran drops and is the one to beat. (1) SEA CAN broke last start and overall the Stratton trainee hasn't exactly been a world-beater since the $40K claim back in July; best draw helps.

Race 5: F&M NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) COACHELLABOUND N saw her recent form spree come to a screeching halt when she made it back to the top level but now the classy mare drops to an easier spot. Does she have another run in her? (2) DANDY'S MERCY just missed in her last two races from similar spots. (5) LYDEO has plenty of class to her and does drop to a more favorable level. Dilloian, Jr. mare can save ground from midpack and rally late.

Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(1) EXQUISITE TASTE hasn't won since the middle of June but she's got a solid record of seven wins through 28 starts in her 4YO campaign and the Lachance trainee drops back down to the level of that aforementioned win. (2) YO SHELDON finally got into the win column last start and bumps up a class looking to build off that effort. (8) TORRONE lands a horrid post again but he's a major talent and would have been one of the favorites had he drawn inside. He's got some speed and maybe Holland can get him in play.

Race 7: F&M Invitational Pace

(6) FRANCENT N has been racing in North America for less than two months and she's already made her way to the top of the food chain as one of the best mares in the land. Lachance trainee has a tactical edge on her nemesis (7) LOUIES GIRL N as she goes for five straight. The latter chased the top one home second best in Grade 2 action at Mohawk and has a tough task trying to reverse the order tonight. Do these two both get moving early and control things or will one or both of them defer to some of the inside rivals and watch them walk to the half? (3) SILK CLOUD A is back inside and can be an early speedster.

Race 8: NW16981 in last 5 starts Trot

(3) CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS was a big-time player at two, decent at three and okay in the "aged" wars. Trainer Nancy Takter brings her to the half to try Yonkers and I'll assume the recently hobbled trotter will get around the track fine. (1) BRONZER has been racing well at Pocono and has been a good fit with this type here in the past. (5) HOT FLASH KIMMY dominated last start on the drop in class and will look to keep it up facing better.

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Race 9: F&M NW20421 in last 5 starts Pace

Solid field with many contenders. (4) FRONT PAGE STORY never seems to put in a bad effort and only needs a smooth trip from this decent midpack post and she'll be right there. (2) WORKLIFEBALANCE fits the NW12 race lifetime condition so the 4YO can drop back to the level of her last win. (1) HARLEEQUIN A is one of two recent Down Under imports and this Engblom trainee only needed two starts to find the winner's circle. She lands the rail in her local return.

Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Trot

(5) SENSI AMERICA was reclaimed by the Alvarez barn two back and drops back in for that tag tonight. She's just 1 for 24 on the year but has multiple close calls and should be an okay price. (3) RITSON returns from Philly at a reduced level and was Stratton's choice over his brother's horse (8) CHAPHEART, who he drove to an odds-on win last start but now has to contend with post eight.