FINAL 2022 MEET STATS: 465 - 1334 / $2,322.30 (-$345.70) BEST BETS: 75 - 128 / $271.60 (+$15.60) Best Bet: ULTIMAROCA (4th) Spot Play: SEMI TOUGH (8th) Welcome to the 2023 season opener, the first of over 230 programs scheduled this year! It goes without saying that many of tonight's horses are off time, so proceed with caution and look for live barn trends. Race 1: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace (3) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH is generally accustomed to facing better than these and he's won multiple times at this level. I would expect Holland to be forwardly placed with this veteran. (1) EHRMANTRAUT blew away lesser with two confidence-building victories in December. (5) HEISMAN PLAYER had regained some form facing lesser in his last few and can be a closing threat. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: $40,000 Claiming Pace (3) CAPTIVATE HANOVER returns locally now in for a tag and he's been good in his last couple; I'll assume the Burke barn has their horses ready to go off the holiday break. (2) ELWELL tailed off at the end of last year after a big run that saw him earn over $150K; he's back in for a tag from a good post. (1) RICKYBOBBYNTHEHAUS has been good in two starts off the Ruiz claim and he picks up the perennial leading driver Bartlett upon arrival. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: NW20026 in last 5 starts Pace (2) LIVINTHEBEACHLIFE has steadily improved since joining the Burke barn and he returns locally off three solid wins out of town. (7) BLANK STARE has missed less time than the others (same for the top choice) and he can go on or off the pace. (5) BUDDY HILL has been facing better in recent starts and has picked up checks in all of those races. Race 4: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (5) ULTIMAROCA has the benefit of a race already this year it was a blowout effort over at The Meadowlands. Yannick drives the Burke trainee again. (2) THE REAL ONE showed some flashes of his old brilliance towards the end of last year and the Lachance trainee finds a potential ground-saving spot here; veteran could be a late threat. (4) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK also has a start in 2023 and he could be tighter now. Race 5: $50,000 Claiming Pace (1) LONG WEEKEND A draws much better in his second start off the DiDomenico claim and he's a legit threat to try and take these coast to coast. (3) WICHITA LINEMAN has been right there in all recent tries at this level. (5) MOTIVE HANOVER could not get involved in his last start but closed strongly in two prior efforts against lesser. Race 6: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace (4) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N is the latest Peter Tritton import and he's already two for two since arriving. He faces better here and has missed some more time than the others but he deserves to be followed. (2) PRAIRIE PANTHER had a solid 2022 season with 15 wins and $114K banked. (3) AMERICANLIGHTNINGN dropped and earned a confidence-building win in his 2022 finale; he should be involved here with Bartlett driving again for the younger Tritton (Shane). Race 7: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace (4) BECKHAMS Z TAM generally faced better than these in his local starts last season and he's been okay recently at Philly; classy vet looks to have as good a chance as any in here. (1) KILOWATT KID N has taken his last two over the half at Freehold and he gives Yonkers another try; Harmon trainee should be in line for a live trip. (2) ONTO EL DORADO N woke up in a big way in his last couple at Philly. Race 8: Open Handicap Pace (4) SEMI TOUGH ended his 6-year-old campaign on a high with two consecutive wins and the Burke trainee has both a recency edge and a local familiarity; price should be okay with the streaking (3) CRUNCH TIME A shipping in. The latter is perfect in four races since arriving from Australia and gives the half a try. (2) NANDOLO N is also riding a winning streak and he's proven more than capable at this top level. Race 9: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace (2) ROCKAPELO never got involved in his first start for new trainer Travis Alexander but he picks up Kakaley and lands a good post in his local return. (5) OZONE BLUE CHIP saw his win streak snapped in his 2022 finale but he should still remain a viable speed threat here. (6) SETH HANOVER was an odds-on winner last out beating #5 in the process; being outside that one doesn't help. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 10: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (6) I'LL DRINK TO THAT tired badly in his last start at The Meadowlands after blasting from post 10 but he does fit well here and has a recency edge. (1) GREAT SOMEWHERE hasn't clicked recently for two different trainers but he has Bartlett again from the innermost post. (2) BENHOPE RULZ N should be saving ground near the front and can land a share. Race 11: $30,000 Claiming Pace (4) SHARK PLAY steps back up a notch in price after finding his stride for the DiDomenico barn and he's only off since the 31st. (8) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP put in a big effort in defeat from the eight hole first off the Bako claim; he's stuck outside again but deserves to be followed. (3) MONGOLIAN HERO N only made eight starts last year without a ton of success but he hails from good connections and gets post relief.