2024 MEET STATS: 369 - 1206 / $1,989.30 (-$422.70) BEST BETS: 52 - 105 / $183.70 (-$26.30) BEST BET: VERDUN (9th) SPOT PLAY: JUSTASEC N (3rd) Race 1: $30,000 Claiming Pace (1) IM A POWERPLAY A did good work for Bongiorno and now debuts for Laterza off the claim, stays at the winning level and draws the rail. This barn has been surprisingly live all season playing the claiming game. (7) THEFLYINGROCK was wildly overbet last week and finished last. He's outside again but tonight the price goes way up so maybe he's worth considering. Can't fault the connections either. (2) SADDLE UP gets major post relief after having three consecutive eight holes. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: $50,000 Claiming Pace (4) SHAKESPEARE cut a quick pace and folded first start off the Daguet reclaim. He's better suited coming from off the pace and I think the catch-driving Bartlett knows that. (2) TASTE OF HONEY pummeled his rivals last week in 1:51 4/5 and the Burke trainee stays at a winning level. (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION N had no chance last start but paced home in :27 flat. Alexander trainee was a winner the start prior. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace (1) JUSTASEC N was claimed five starts back for $50K but hasn't functioned at all so the connections make a trainer switch, plus he plunges in class and lands the rail. Good angles here at 6/1 ML. (3) HAZEVILLE was competing in the age-restricted Open not too long ago and will race well here. (6) ALL ALONE is back to Bartlett and gets a bit of an improved post. Race 4: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace (4) TWIN B RISENSHINE has been in with a bit too tough recently but he's never far off and shows very competitive times. Should fit well at this level. (1) GREG THE LEG steps back up a notch after converting from off the pace but can be aggressive from the rail. (2) LEVINE took a couple of months off and won his qualifier. He can be fresh and ready for action. Race 5: MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series Leg #1 First leg of the "Borgata Part II" labeled the MGM Grand Prix series. (8) DESPERATE MAN gets the worst of the draw but he's overcome the outside numerous times and though he hasn't raced since Sept 7 (a win in the Aria) I'll assume he was pointed to this series and gets top billing. (6) HELLABALOU seems to step it up for stakes races and should be forwardly placed here. (1) AMERICAN DEALER N figures to take full advantage of the rail spot to be close to the pace and he's got the class to finish right with these. Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (2) OAKWOOD PADDY IR returns to Yonkers in career form as he set his life mark two back at Pocono and the import had plenty of success over the half mile here in the past. (3) BACKSTREET SHADOW will clearly appreciate the class relief as he's been facing some of the best in North America recently. (1) EVER HOPING A returns to Yonkers for the Cushing barn with an interesting driver switch to Bartlett. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 7: MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series Leg #1 (4) CHASE H HANOVER ships back out East and the recent addition to the Bongiorno barn has loads of early speed which suits him well on the smaller tracks. I'll give him a shot to trip out as the second or third choice. (7) COACHES CORNER has had a fabulous season and comes into this series on the strength of a 1:51 score in his local return. Only negative here is the post. (3) SEVEN COLORS is back in fighting form and almost pulled off a massive upset in the Breeders Crown final. His win here back in September was impressive. Race 8: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace (8) WHY NOT NOW has been a major disappointment this season but the recent switch to the Alexander barn seems to be helping. 4-year-old faces an uphill climb here from the eight hole but is worth considering if the price is right. (5) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP has found a home at this optional claiming level and the Engblom trainee can do it from on or off the pace. (4) FINVARRA A is fresh stock from Down-Under for the Dilloian barn and he did win by open lengths in that qualifier. He'll have to drop a couple of seconds but as most of these imports do he deserves a look right off the bat. Race 9: MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series Leg #1 (3) VERDUN may turn out to be the claim of the decade for the crafty Lachance barn as he's now won six in a row in the age-restricted Open. Is there anyone in here who can currently keep pace with this 4-year-old? (1) TYPHOON BANNER N is 7 for 18 on the season and the Bongiorno trainee moves all the way inside; import figures to be looking at a live trip. (6) PLEASELETMEKNOW is only three races removed from winning the Dayton Derby in an off-the-pace effort and Kakaley may be looking at similar tactics tonight. [DRF HARNESS: Follow me on X! @drfharnessmatt]