2024 FINAL MEET STATS: Too embarrassing to publish…let’s just say it was my worst year in over a decade. Grateful for the fresh start! 2025 MEET STATS: 0 - 0 / $0.00 (+$0.00) BEST BETS: 0 -0 / $0.00 (+$0.00) BEST BET: HUNTING ZONE (4th) SPOT PLAY: WESTERN ERA (7th) And so it begins…a new racing season at Yonkers Raceway. Needless to say it can be tricky the first few days with most horses off a month. Logic would dictate that horses with a recent start out of town could have an advantage. Also look for trainer trends. If one starter from a barn seems sharp and ready, the others may be as well. Race 1: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace (6) DONTBOTHERMENONE N has dominated in three of four starts since moving to the Cushing barn and he won his 2024 finale by nine lengths; gelding faces a bit better here but keeps a catch driver as Gingras gets the call. (3) TRANSPARENCY generally races well when he draws well and he has the benefit of a recent qualifier up at Monti, a good effort in a fast mile. (2) SHADOW CAT returns from five weeks on the shelf and he's now in the Engblom barn, which means Bartlett drives. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: 3-5YO $30,000 Claiming Pace (8) J B GRAM is stuck in post eight but he'll undoubtedly be moving forward off the gate. His last start he was able to secure the pocket ride (to #3) after leaving from the outside. (3) FLIP MY CHIP was on a major roll for these connections to close out 2024 and if ready he's the one to catch again as the likely favorite. (4) HARD TO CATCH had the benefit of a start out of town during the break and could be tighter than others. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace (2) FINVARRA A was a winner two back from a similar spot before picking up a minor share against some good ones over at The Meadowlands and he figures to have a live target to run down; Gingras drove the recent import once and just missed. (3) BACKSTREET SHADOW is back in the Alexander barn for his 10-year-old debut and this classmaster may have benefited from some time off. (6) ROCK DIAMONDS N is another classy vet and he had a huge 2024 with 15 wins and almost $220K banked. Bongiorno trainee does have some potential speed inside of him but he can come from off the pace as well. Race 4: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace (1) HUNTING ZONE seemed to appreciate the recent class relief down at Philly and he returns to Yonkers now in the Cullipher barn; top call from the rail. (7) LEONIDAS A is now 10 years old and may be feeling his age but he's raced well off the bench to begin his season in the past and he figures to offer an honest price. (2) ROLLING WITH SAM was 20 for 30 in the money last year (and finished third 13 times. He also qualified just five days ago. Race 5: $50,000 Claiming Pace - $10K Gtd. Pick-5 Pool (2) HAMMERING HANK was a winner against a notch lower here back in December and the Bongiorno trainee has remained active with a couple of starts out of town. He gets the call with the recency edge over the others. Both (3) ORLANDO BLUE A and (4) MIND HUNTER were models of consistency in closing out their seasons. #3 was Bartlett's choice of the two. This race starts the Pick-5 and note that it's now a $1 minimum play (don't ask me why). Race 6: $40,000 Claiming Pace (5) THE REGULATOR returns from an extended break in action but that was a willing qualifier last week at The Meadowlands and the Engblom trainee looks well-spotted at this $40K level. (1) MUSIC HALL is another from this barn that I can see returning ready to roll; he can land a share starting from the rail. (7) SADDLE UP is razor-sharp as he goes for five straight wins but he steps up a level and draws poorly. Laterza barn had a very productive 2024 season and we'll see how they come out of the box this year. Race 7: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace (6) WESTERN ERA was never involved last week at The Big M in his first start for this barn but the now-DiDomenico trainee had mostly been facing better when we last saw him locally; I can see an aggressive try coming here from Brennan. (3) BOILING OAR earned over $174K last year but he's been coming up a bit short in all recent races and doesn't figure to offer much value; Alexander trainee may be best used underneath. (2) DONT JUDGE A BOOK has been racing well recently at The Meadows for William Mann and he did win a race here last year. Race 8: $40,000 Claiming Pace Evenly-matched field here mostly unproven at this claiming level. (6) CENTURY ENDEAVOR has been sharp with this type with two wins in four tries to close out his campaign; Stratton trainee figures to be coming from behind here and may be overlooked in the wagering. (1) BAD BOY TOO was second best in his last three when in for $40K and he's likely cutting the mile again like he did in those aforementioned races. (5) CAPTAIN T HANOVER has the benefit of a qualifying race just five days ago. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (1) ULTIMAROCA drops and lands the rail for his 2025 debut, and also returns to Stratton. Gillis trainee gets a timid vote. (7) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A only made nine starts last year but took his last two from well off the pace; classy veteran seems to be feeling good again. (2) CUT N RUN N steps back up a notch and hasn't won in four tries since arriving from Down-Under but he draws much better and gets Bartlett in the bike. Race 10: $30,000 Claiming Pace (4) HEISMAN PLAYER had a disappointing 2024 season with just $24K earned over 31 starts but he moves back to the Alexander barn and also picks up Kakaley from a reasonable post. Could strike from off the pace at a price. (1) KEYSTONE DASH was much-improved in his last few tries and figures to be controlling speed from the rail. (5) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N was uninvolved in his 2024 finale but was racing well prior to that start; DiDomenico trainee is another closing threat in here.