Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 1/11

FINAL 2020 MEET STATS: Too embarrassing to publish!
Best Bet: MCMIKE (9th)
Spot Play: IDEAL JIMMY (5th)

Race 1: $20,000 Claiming Pace

Welcome back to another season of racing at Yonkers! (3) MAJOR CROCKER A has performed well since moving to the Cito, Jr. barn and he meets a pretty soft field of $20K claimers in his 2021 debut. Veteran import gets the call from this decent post. (1) BRAVO TEX N drops in for a tag tonight and Marohn sticks with the Harmon trainee from the best post. (5) IN THE HUDDLE does have some early speed with a driver who likes to employ those tactics.

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

Race 2: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) BETTORS FIRE N has the benefit of a recent Big M qualifier and the now 13-year-old has loads of back class (think Levy contender). Cushing can send him to the front from this spot. (1) TYGA HANOVER was a good second last start at Philly and he returns locally with class relief and the best post. (4) MIGHTY SANTANA N ships in for the Deters barn and was Marohn's choice. He should fit well here class-wise.

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

Race 3: $25,000/$30,000 Claiming Pace

(1) TWIN B SPEEDO has reeled off five straight, including the last two after moving to the Alexander barn. He's in for the lower tag in this handicap race giving him an advantageous inside post. (4) GIVENUPDREAMING has loads of back class as he begins his 10-year-old season and he moves back to the Nickerson barn off the reclaim; he was a winner for this barn with Bartlett driving three back. (3) MACHIAVELLI has a recency edge on most of these having raced last week at Freehold but he does face better than he previously was when last at Yonkers.

Race 4: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace

(3) LISBURN has raced pretty well for his new barn since arriving from the Maritimes including a good second two back to a classy rival; gelding faces no standouts here and should be a decent price. (2) ROCK LIGHTS has been a steady check-earner for the Harris barn but hasn't won in some time; Bartlett drives again from this good post. (1) CROCKETS CULLEN N wired NW7500's in his 2020 finale for Stalbaum and he's a threat to do it again.

Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) IDEAL JIMMY never got involved in his last two from outside posts but note his race from 11/21 where he was a strong winner against a notch lesser in 1:52 1/5. Erv Miller trainee gets needed post relief and could land on a winning trip. (4) KEYSTONE PHOENIX jogged last out in NW10000 and he's definitely got the class to repeat moving up a notch. (7) CAVIART LUCA may have lost a step or two but the Burke-trained millionaire is still plenty competitive with this type; obviously the post presents a problem.

Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) PAT STANLEY N has become a bit of a money-burner since arriving in the U.S. but the Shane Tritton trainee gets some important class and post relief tonight and feels like the one to catch here. (6) IMAROCNROLLEGEND N has been a bit erratic in recent months for Team Bongiorno but that was a nice qualifier over at The Meadowlands and he's more than capable with this type. (5) FINE DIAMOND has been a steady performer in most of his recent efforts.

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

Race 7: Open Handicap Pace

(5) HESA KINGSLAYER N has closed powerfully in his last few races, including chasing home Let It Ride N willingly last week in The Meadowlands feature. Talented Deters trainee may have a tactical edge on his main rivals here from this midpack post. (8) LET IT RIDE N is undefeated since arriving in the U.S. and has been the talk of the harness racing world recently. With that said, he has the eight hole here on the half-miler and won't offer any value on the win end. (6) WESTERN FAME got brutalized in his last start and has had a few weeks to recover; he's been favored in his last two but the price goes way up tonight.

Race 8: Winners over $20,000 in last 5 starts Pace

(7) BRONX SEELSTER was a solid winner at odds-on in his last two local races for Shane Tritton; post and missed time may hurt a bit but he's worth considering in this competitive field of the price is right. (5) I'M SOME GRADUATE is clearly feeling good now and the Burke-trained veteran can never be counted out. (1) TONY TOO TALL interestingly ships in from Northfield for Nick Clegg and the former $7K claimer was on quite a roll there for some time; Gingras gets the drive but he gets seriously tested for class tonight.

Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) MCMIKE went a tough trip at Philly in his debut for the Burke barn and he can be excused for tiring; he should be in line for smoother sailing tonight. Both (5) ANTHEM N and (1) CAPOZZO do their best work a notch or two below these but both are consistent performers. (8) FLAMING FLUTTER N gets class relief and would be rated higher if not for the post.

Race 10: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) SOHO LENNON A begins his 11-year-old season after having yet another solid campaign and the Dilloian-trained import just oozes class; if ready to roll off the holiday break he should be in line for a perfect trip from this spot. (4) ROCKAPELO was overmatched in that 1:48 1/5 mile last week across the river but he was solid winner at Philly the start prior. (5) YAYAS HOT SPOT N hasn’t missed a check in all recent efforts and he can land a share here with smooth sailing.