Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 5/9
MEET STATS: 137 - 443 / $661.30 (-$224.70)
BEST BETS: 24 - 40 / $81.30 (+$1.90)
Best Bet: ROLLING WITH SAM (5th)
Spot Play: DINA BOLT N (12th)
Race 1: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace
(5) FINE DIAMOND looked so good winning his last two that I'll stick with him despite facing better. He projects to offer another nice price as well. (4) VELOCITY KOMODO has been in good form for an extended period of time for Burke and now he goes for Cory Stratton off a $75K claim; gelding looms large here. (2) ROCK CANDY can be excused for last week's effort where he was basically shuffled out as the leader was quitting. Interesting that owner Finklestein is now listed as trainer.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(2) BELTANE A tried leaving from the outside last week but took back to trail and was done for the evening. He plunges from $75K claimers to this conditioned event and clearly looks like the one to beat. (1) DANCIN DRAGON has good speed which always sets him up with a nice trip but lately he's been unable to muster a stretch rally; again tonight he'll be in a spot to land a nice piece, probably underneath. (4) PAT MCGARRY A looks best of the rest for Team Bongiorno.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 3: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(4) REVELRY takes an important drop in class tonight and the Dowse trainee will have every opportunity to get back to the winner's circle. (2) TONY TOO TALL goes for yet another new barn as he was claimed for the sixth consecutive time last week despite not having won in a couple of months. Gingras is back driving and he'll be on the lead or in the pocket. (3) CAVIART SARGENT takes an ambitious bump in class off the Spaccarelli claim coming off a career-best effort.
Race 4: NW15380 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N has more or less held his own recently in $75K claimers and now he drops to this softer conditioned event. Veteran has some early speed and finds a good spot to use it. (5) SOHO LENNON A drops in class again coming off a rare poor performance and this classy import has proven time and time again he can turn things around in a hurry. (7) RAUKAPUKA RULER N tired chasing a speedy pace last start but prior to that had been looking much better. There is speed signed on to his inside but if Stratton can somehow improve position early he can land a share.
Race 5: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(3) ROLLING WITH SAM has made a remarkable turnaround since moving to the Dowse barn and picking up Bartlett to drive. He can win again tonight as the chalk. (4) ALEX TYE finds himself back in claimers after dropping as low as NW5000 and don't forget he was a three-time winner this year at the $100K level. (1) PRINCE MCARDLE N was shut out of a hole last week and went a brutal parked-out trip before tiring. Smoother journey lands him a share.
Race 6: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(5) B LIKE CRUISER recently moved to the Burke barn and reeled off three straight big efforts. He was snatched up last week for $50K by Dowse and stays at a winning level. (3) JIMS PERFECT TEN has been a good earner despite not winning this season. That will change soon as he moves to Team Bongiorno. (6) BALLARAT BOOMERANG has been going well recently and will be a big price; consider for a share.
Race 7: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace
(3) PYRO hasn't done much in his last few versus better but he drops back to the level where he's most effective, and he draws pretty well. (6) NO LOU ZING recently moved to the Bongiorno barn and can be forgiven for last week's 6th place finish at The Meadowlands, where Charlie May sizzled in 1:48 3/5. He was a winner when last at Yonkers. (1) SAVE ME A DANCE was a solid second last week but overall he probably should have more than just two wins on the season; from the rail draw he should be set up nicely.
Race 8: Open Pace
(2) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N transitioned nicely to the Open level soon after the Dowse claim and last week he was third best behind two very tough foes, and neither of them are in here tonight. From this good post in this open draw he gets the call. (5) PAT STANLEY N had four consecutive runner-up finishes in the Borgata, then got the outside post blues. Jordan Stratton is back driving tonight. (1) SPEED MAN N has been very consistent all season and draws best. Joe B gets the catch drive.
Race 9: $50,000 Claiming Trot
(5) STONEBRIDGE GAMBLE hit town from Northfield a couple of months ago and quickly impressed with three straight solid efforts. Last couple saw him stuck in the seven hole and unable to reach. Tonight he drops back to the $50K level (despite a win three back in $75's) and should be more involved. (1) HATIKVAH dropped in for a tag in his last start and the Burke trainee almost pulled it off. Co-owner Gingras is back driving and he may be the controlling speed. (3) KANDY SWEET is an overachieving mare who has speed and is well-mannered. Those traits are the key to making money.
Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter
Race 10: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace
(4) MOHAWK WARRIOR hails from a driver/trainer tandem that's been going well now (Holland/Stafford) and there may be upset possibilities with a capable horse facing unreliable favorites. (3) MYSWEETBOYMAX gets a free ride at this level fitting the AE condition but last week's win at 2/5 certainly wasn't pretty. (1) HERRICKROOSEVELT N draws best and it will be interesting to see what Stratton's tactics are from this spot. Import is just 1 for 12 on the season.
Race 11: NW30000 in the last 5 starts Pace
(3) SPLASH BROTHER was patiently handled last week, then brushed and crushed with authority. No reason why he can't repeat. (4) BEE TWO BEE made some money in the Borgata series and now moves back to the overnight wars. This is a good spot and he should be a prime contender. (5) LOU'S SWEETREVENGE was awful two and three starts back, which made last week's win a bit surprising to me, though he was aided by the quitting leader. Kakaley picks up the drive tonight and he could rally for a piece.
Race 12: $75,000 Claiming Pace
(5) DINA BOLT N has been knocking on the door recently with three straight on-the-board finishes. He does have early speed and could make the front with some strong handling by Zeron. (1) MIGHTY SANTANA N moves back into claimers after going a couple of rugged uncovered tries versus lesser. From the inside Stratton could work out a nice trip. (6) FEELIN WESTERN added Lasix two back and the 4-year-old now goes for three straight at this level. Drawing outside of his main competition (especially #4 and #5) doesn't help his cause.