Yonkers: Analysis for Monday 8/31/26

2026 MEET STATS: 240 - 753 / $1,317.84 (-$188.16)

BEST BETS: 46 - 80 / $158.60 (-$1.40)

BEST BET: AMERICAN DEALER N (6^th)

SPOT PLAY: CAPT KARMA (10^th)

Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace

(2) SIMPLY FAST has had a solid season with eight wins already and he's a good fit at this 40K claiming level; good draw again can help him get over the top. (5) LYRICAL GENIUS A recently added Lasix and it's helped refine an already good horse. He tried it on the front last week and weakened but prior off-the-pace efforts were all solid. (7) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH has won five of six for multiple trainers and he finally steps up in price off the Bako reclaim; has the speed to get into play.

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Race 2: NY Excelsior 2YO Colt & Gelding Trot

(3) AMARETTO FELIX has been second or third in his last four Excelsior races and the freshman gets Stratton back in the bike from a good enough post. Maybe with a few breakers he can get lucky. (1) BETELGEUSEBLUECHIP has dominated in his last three and was over seven lengths clear of #3 last start but that first turn is tricky for young trotters and he'll be a short price. (7) DEVIOPHELIA comes from good connections and broke through with a win in his fourth career race; obviously needs an alert getaway.

Race 3: NY Excelsior 2YO Colt & Gelding Trot

(4) SPLASH PAGE has an Excelsior win to his credit and was a decent third to the runaway winner at Tioga last out. Ducharme trainee gets Kakaley from a very reasonable midpack post. (2) TELLING TALL TALES is by far the most accomplished in here, and overcame breaks to win twice already. If he gets off the gate cleanly he can dominate these. (5) SUPREME CHAPTER comes from the Marcus Melander barn and he's been okay so far; must respect.

Race 4: NYSS 2YO Colt & Gelding Trot

(6) BAILEY J looked very good early on with solid efforts over the half, then broke over the larger surface at Tioga...go figure. Bartlett is back in the bike, however, and the Noel Daley trainee gets the call despite the post disadvantage over the other heavy hitters. (5) UNCLE ROB has three wins and three seconds in seven starts; looks like Julie and Andy Miller have another good one. (2) BIGTIME CHAPTER added hobbles for his last start and stayed trotting. Good sign for the Melander trainee.

Race 5: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace

(1) JUMPINGJACKMAC N doesn't have a win at this level but is more proven than most of these with his recent close finishes; Dilloian Jr. trainee draws best again and switches to Bartlett. (4) RAILROAD STATION had won three of four before hiking to the Invite, where he was no match but raced well. He's got speed and with the softer field he figures to be handled aggressively. (8) YOUNG BLUEY A is a legit Invite-type talent who drops in class and is going second-time Lasix, but this is a brutal draw. Maybe he can sneak in there at a big price.

Race 6: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) AMERICAN DEALER N not only gets major post relief after having four consecutive outside posts, but he drops in class and was an easy winner when last in with this type. Millionaire 9YO deserves top billing. (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A was a sick scratch up at Batavia in the Kane (sick about getting the eight hole maybe). He should be competitive moving to the rail. (5) FINVARRA A could not sustain two moves last week; Bartlett drives again.

Race 7: 3-6YO Open Pace

(2) HOWLENTHEHILLS has hit the board in his last five, all solid efforts, and that makes him 11 for 15 in the money this year with only one win. This is a legit spot to pick up another. (4) ENDOFSTORY is back at Yonkers after a couple of months off and a nice win at Pocono; he does have the speed to get in play. (1) STERLING CHOICE bumps back to the top level on the strength of last week's odds-on win; JB gets back in the bike.

Race 8: Invitational Pace

(7) CAPTAIN ALBANO exits Stakes company and is back at Yonkers where he's 7 for 11 over the last two seasons; post is tough but it could be worse, as the streaking (8) SWEET BEACH LIFE is assigned the far outside again. That one is on one of the most insane runs we've seen in some time, and he doesn't need the front either. Four back he swept from last. (3) CHASE H HANOVER was nailed last start and figures to be first to the front as usual.

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Race 9: NW21501 in last 5 starts Pace

(2) EVILEYE FLEEGLE found life a bit too tough at the top levels, then drew poorly when dropped in class. Now he faces softer and moves to a much more manageable post. (3) HEMSWORTH N is up in class again going for three straight; veteran is as consistent as they come. (1) BLUE LOU can certainly land a piece like he usually does when inside but he doesn't win that often.

Race 10: NW10151 in last 5 starts Pace

(5) CAPT KARMA added Lasix for his first start in the Bongiorno barn breezed by for the strong win at Philly. Bartlett picks up the drive with plenty of upside. (4) THE GREEK FREAK has cut the mile four of his last five races and has failed to hang on; Alexander trainee does draw a bit better and will get there one of these weeks. (2) VICIOUS has faced better most of the year and is overdue for a win.