Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 6/29/26
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2026 MEET STATS: 152 - 456 / $855.45 (-$56.55)
BEST BETS: 27 - 47 / $88.20 (-$5.80)
BEST BET: MOSSDALE BEN N (8th)
SPOT PLAY: STELLAR YANKEE (1st)
Race 1: $30,000 Claiming Pace
(6) STELLAR YANKEE went up to Plainridge for a few starts and seemingly has regained his form coming off a sharp win; trainer Cory Stratton was in the bike that day and now brother Jordan returns. Veteran is a four-time winner in 2026. (4) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH enters another new barn while in raging form and stays in for the same tag. (3) ROLLING WITH SAM faltered in his return to claimers when bet down to the favorite; price figures to go up significantly tonight.
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Race 2: NY Excelsior 2YO Filly Pace
(3) HUNTSVILLES HONEY is a debuting filly from top sire Huntsville who prepped with one winning qualifier at Vernon for the Ducharme barn, which may be more known for trotters but looks to have the edge early on with this pacer. (1) PROP BET finished in :28 4/5 in a Pocono qualifier; Kakaley drove that day but is on the top one, Stratton gets the call. (4) LILLY ROCKS gets leading driver Bartlett off a willing Saratoga trial.
Race 3: NY Excelsior 2YO Filly Pace
(6) COWBOYSNCAVIAR improved time-wise from her first qualifier to her second for the Chris Ryder barn and I suspect she may be ready for action. We'll see if the Huntsville filly can move forward off the gate. (3) LIVING COLOR has the benefit of an actual start up at Mohawk and ships in for the Blake Macintosh barn. (2) CHEESE was home in :27 1/5 at Gaitway and gets Bartlett for her debut.
Race 4: NY Excelsior 2YO Filly Pace
(1) EHCHANTE showed progress from first to second qualifier and Bartlett was in the bike for the recent one so he can now be acclimated to the Oakes trainee; barn deserves respect right off the bat. (2) CLEAR CHOICE also ships from Canada, where she rushed home in :27 3/5 to win her lone qualifier for Macintosh. (3) THE WOMAN WITH YOU is a homebred for the Whittemore barn who was all alone in her two qualifiers. Looks impressive on paper but is tough to gauge.
Race 5: NYSS 2YO Filly Pace
(5) HOLLY'S CHOICE has shown some versatility in her young career by finishing strongly in her qualifier and then wired a field with ease at Pocono in her debut. Kakaley is in the bike again on the Norris trainee from a good post to float off the gate for position. (1) COWBOY CANDY is the other one in here with race experience and that was a very willing effort at Philly to just miss. Will leaving from the rail on the half be a little tricky for the youngster? Something to ponder. (8) WIN ME OVER gets Gingras for her Burke debut and she sprinted home nicely at Gaitway.
Race 6: NYSS 2YO Filly Pace
(4) WHERE IS THE LOVE weakened in the late stages of her qualifier but it was still a solid back half by this Toscano trainee and Zeron stays on to drive. She's one of seven fillies who all appear talented and tough to separate. (5) WINE DOWN WENSDAY finished sharply in her two Pocono trials for the Oakes barn and Buter drives again. (2) HURRIKANE SCHMAZY has the benefit of a race over the Yonkers surface as she won a qualifier here ten days ago.
Race 7: $50,000 Claiming Pace
(1) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A stepped up for a couple of starts after the Stratton claim but wasn't much of a player so he drops back to the level he does the best work at and lands the pole. (5) SOHO SANTORINI A has come close in all recent starts but can't get back over the hump; use underneath again. (2) BET ON BIG JOE moves to the Laterza barn via claim and draws much better.
Race 8: Invitational Pace
(4) MOSSDALE BEN N was outmuscled by a sharp rival in last week's four-horse affair and had to settle for second in his Yonkers return. Battle champ wins the "4 thru 8" draw which gives Marohn a chance to be aggressive again. (3) SOHO FIRESTONE A fits pretty well with this upper echelon of pacers and he too lands a good post. (6) CAPTINHAMMERHEAD A has done absolutely nothing wrong in his four North American starts for the Blackler barn.
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Race 9: $40,000 Claiming Pace
(4) HIMSELF N hasn't paid any dividends for these connections yet after dipping in for $40K but he gets a new driver in Gingras and this is the best spot he's seen lately. (1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX paced evenly last week from a stalking trip and he drops in price to a level that should suit him better. (6) OURMATEMANKO N also drops back to the level of the recent claim after one start facing $50's and the veteran is proven with this type.
Race 10: $15,000 Claiming Pace
(8) GOTHIC ROCK is a risky proposition due to the post but he's arguably sharpest in here and has been forwardly placed in his last three races; will new driver Stratton send this Bucci 11YO? Hopefully he can find a seat somewhere. (1) SAILBOAT HANOVER also has a new driver in Buter and he was a close second in his last two. (5) ALABAMAJAMMA has had a nice season and qualified back well after the month on the bench.