Yonkers: Analysis for Thursday 10/3

MEET STATS: 218- 787 / $1,274.90 (-$299.10)
BEST BETS: 38 - 75 / $170.00 (+$20.00)
SPOT PLAYS: 7 - 75 / $88.40 (-$61.60)
BEST BET - GAINES HANOVER (8th)
SPOT PLAY - HERODOTUS (3rd)

Race 1 - NW5851L5/12500CLM Pace

(1) STRAIGHT UP COOL hasn't done much since that win back on 8-16 but I think he's been facing tougher foes, too. He comes in from Pocono to Yonkers here at the bottom level and has the pole. I'll give him a try. (3) HECANDANCENCRUISE got off to a slow start from post one at Pocono on September 17 and didn't threaten. He did finish out his mile pretty well, though and he was fourth against NW10000L5's when last seen at Yonkers on the 9th of September. (6) VIVA LAS VEGAS N is just one-for-22 in the win column this year but has hit the board in three straight, and many of trainer/driver Pat Lachance's horses have been performing well.

[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]

Race 2 - 40000CLM Trot

(2) TOP ME OFF broke stride before the start last time out and lost all chance. He won in this class prior to that, though, and perhaps the miscue will inflate his value a bit here. (1) BRAVE BY DESIGN raced well in a gaining third-place finish a week ago and starts from the pole again for leading trainer Travis Alexander. (3) ROGER RABBIT couldn't seal the deal on the front-end last Thursday and had to settle for second at 1-5. He was claimed out of that effort by Cory Stratton. He's definitely usable, but I'll slot him underneath only.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 3 - NW20000L5/Winners in Last Start of the Base Class NW15000L5/NW10 PM Races LT/60000CLM Trot

(7) HERODOTUS drew poorly again but got up for third in this class a week ago and faces many in here moving up the ladder or not in great form, which makes him worth a chance. (5) BELLISSIMO FACE S and (2) YO BETH D are coming out of the same NW15000L5 base class event on 9-20 where they were separated by just a head. BELLISSIMO FACE S is riding a four-race win streak, so I prefer him in second over YO BETH D.

Race 4 - 30000CLM Pace

(8) PRETTY HANDSOME will obviously need some good fortune from out here but is in good form and should continue to offer solid value. (1) YS DO IT RIGHT makes his second start on Lasix and starts from post one again. He's done his best work recently against slightly softer foes but did hit the board against $30,000 claimers on 8-12. (2) THEFLYINGROCK doesn't have a victory yet in 2024 but gets significant post relief and has closed out his last two miles well.

Race 5 - NW30000L5/NW12 PM Races LT/75000CLM Trot

(2) THE HAZELTON invades from Indiana out of their tough Open class. He doesn't face Invitational company here for trainer Ron Burke, drew well and recently added Lasix. (1) DONATO PATRIOT K moves up the class ladder again but has won three in-a-row and last week's effort was a romp over NW20000L5's. He moves inside to the pole this time. (5) ONCE IN A LIFETIME hasn't won since back in late June but does get to exit the Invitational. Perhaps that'll get him back to the winner's circle.

Race 6 - 3-5YO 20000CLM Pace

(8) ON DAYBOO prevailed in this class two back and I can overlook the miscue past the start last time out. I think he'll be put in play despite the bad draw, and I'll make him my top choice. (1) CELLMATE was a winner at this level back on September 19 and moves in on the gate from post four to the pole position this time. (6) CLEVELAND B MIKI took one chance against age-restricted $30,000 claimers and drops here. He was a solid second against 3-5YO $20,000 claiming foes on 9-14.

Race 7 - Amateur Race for Winners Over 4000L5 Trot

(2) STEALING has had success at Yonkers before and debuts for new connections here off a claim back on 9-19. He started from post six when last seen locally but drew inside tonight. (6) BUZZ is in great form and is probably the one to beat, but he does move outside on the gate this time, and I'll take a shot against him based on that. (3) BONTONI DEGATO S adds Lasix here after qualifying on it at Monticello last Wednesday. He did pretty well at Yonkers earlier this year and shows a second against NW5000L5's in late July.

[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]

Race 8 - Invitational Trot

(2) GAINES HANOVER is now at Yonkers with trainer-driver Pat Lachance. He was second in the Open at Woodbine Mohawk Park most recently, and Logan Park, who beat him in that tilt, came out of that event to take the Dayton Trotting Derby Grand Circuit race. (1) CHAKE has been racing at the top level down at Harrah's Philadelphia against the likes of Amigo Volo and Khaosan Road. I think she's well-spotted here from the inside to follow the speed and hit the board. (6) PAPPARDELLE won in the Invitational back on August 15 but has burned some money in two subsequent efforts. I'll use underneath only.

Race 9 - 25000CLM Pace

(5) FLIP MY CHIP closed out his mile pretty well in a race taken by a romping winner last Thursday and has shown strong early speed as well. He's with new connections again after being claimed by trainer Jean Drolet and company. (4) DELIGHTFUL TERROR had no shot after a difficult trip a week ago but had five straight top-two finishes prior to that and moves inside on the gate. (2) MOONLIGHT SHADOW hasn't been seen in a pari-mutuel race since back on 10-23 of last year. He won his qualifier at Pocono, but the fact he comes back against $25,000 claimers after he was facing NW30000L5's when he ended his campaign a year ago makes me think he might be vulnerable.