2025 MEET STATS: 106 - 342 / $660.10 (-$23.90) BEST BETS: 18 - 32 / $64.00 (+$0.00) - back to even! BEST BET: AYE AYE CAPTAIN N (2nd) SPOT PLAY: OPTICAL ILLUSION N (9th) Race 1: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace (4) QUICK MENU has five wins already this year after going 1 for 31 in 2024 and the Burke trainee just missed in her last two local starts; good midpack post here for Yannick to do whatever he pleases tactically with the mare. (6) PARADISE ROCK L makes her third start off the Laterza claim and she’s back in for the $25K tag; mare has also shown some more interest early in the mile so I’m counting on her going forward off the gate. (5) EBONY LADY gets moderate post relief after being stuck all the way outside in her first two starts off the Stratton claim. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: 3-5YO Winners 2-4 or $60K lifetime Pace (6) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N was a jogburger in his first U.S. start and is the most logical of selecting here as the heavy chalk again. (1) BOOKEM DANNO has finished very well in his last two and Zeron looks like he gets along well with the Shane Tritton trainee. (5) AYR CORLEON GB folded up at Pocono last out but was good in prior Yonkers starts. Loses Bartlett to the top choice, however. Race 3: NW5381 in last 5 starts Pace (6) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER was pretty good three and four back then went nowhere in his last two when facing better from the far outside posts. Class drop and modest post relief could get him more involved at a price. (1) MUSCLE BART A has trouble keeping things together but he’s in a different barn now and did go well in the latest qualifier. (2) FIZZING N tired on the lead in his last two but the veteran is proven at this level; no way he should be 20/1 ML from an inside post. Race 4: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace (3) SALE EL SOL used a tactical advantage to score over the favorite last week and has another post edge on that one tonight (post 3 vs. 4). Gingras drives again. (4) WHO’S PERFECT saw her winning streak snapped by the top one though still looms large here as one of the top prospects. (1) NUTTINBUTHEBEST draws the rail again second start on the dropdown and should be looking at a live trip. Race 5: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace (2) AMBUSHED was hinting at a big effort last week and she rolled right down the road; I’m looking for much of the same tonight with the Oakes trainee. Kakaley picks up the drive. (1) MALUKA MISS N was improved last week with a good finish to be second and Brennan sticks. (3) RACEY RACH N saw her win streak snapped at the hands of the top one; does she revert back to prior top form or does she take another step back? Race 6: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace (1) RAISE THE ANTE just missed last out when Gingras hopped aboard and he drives again from the rail against a dull group; she’s 0 for 11 this year yet looks like an odds-on cinch from this spot. (3) YOU BEDA ROCK was pretty good two and three back then was 99/1 from the eight hole last week; move back inside gives her a chance at a nice piece. (7) WOODMERE HARRIET drops and returns to Bartlett but is outside again and hasn’t shown any early speed recently. Race 7: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (4) AMERICAN DEALER N steps back up a notch off a win at odds-on and he’s got too much back class to ignore.  (7) WHY TOMORROW RAY has been very good in two starts after moving to the Engblom barn and he deserves serious consideration despite the hike in class and outside post. (1) SPEAKER OF PEACE picks up Brennan (for Drennan) upon arrival from The Meadowlands; looks for two straight. Race 8: NW7581 in last 5 starts Pace (1) THUNDER HUNTER JOE was a good one at three in the NYSS and was a Jug finalist but since then has just been ok but that was a sharp effort last out at Saratoga and he returns to Yonkers back with Bartlett from a controlling position. (7) SHADOW CAT has plenty of back class and he dominated last out in a 1:53 1/5 mile; Engblom trainee can handle the bump in class. (2) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK is another with plenty of class and he’s good speed from an inside post. Mark Macdonald is back and driving this veteran. Race 9: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace (1) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has been a bit of a disappointment since being claimed for $50K back in February but that speed try last week where he battled before getting nipped late may have bravened him up for another controlling try and Holland could look to point down the road again. (4) VICI steps up a class looking for two straight and the Bongiorno trainee is a major player here. (6) TRENDY TEEN collared the top one last out in his local return and Bartlett drives again. Good to see him back on a weekly racing schedule after making just two starts in 2024. Race 10: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace (5) SMIFFY’S TERROR N has shown the ability to charge home and has finished in under 28 seconds in five of the last seven starts. Import may just need a contested pace to get it done. (2) FEARFUL INTENT was a well-rated winner against a notch lesser upon arrival from Pocono; good post. (6) FUNATTHEBEACH N was overmatched in his last couple but the 11YO millionaire can still get it done against this type. Tough spot but healthy price looming. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace (2) BENHOPE RULZ N is not a prolific winner but this is the class where he is most competitive, especially from an inside post, and he often offers an honest price. (5) LOU’S SWEETREVENGE often appears the one to beat, like here where he drops and picks up the leading driver, but he burns me more often than not so I’ll use underneath. (1) STAY GROUNDED has the pole position in his favor and should be good for a piece. Race 12: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace (2) REAL LADY SADIE has clearly been the most consistent of these with three wins and seven board finishes in eight 2025 starts. Laterza trainee keeps getting stuffed in for $20K and hasn’t been claimed. (3) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT has been improved since moving to the Alexander barn. (4) ONEDERFULBEACH has been very camera-shy this year and last week was particularly disappointing; needs more late.