2024 MEET STATS: 28 - 89 / $187.60 (+$9.60) BEST BETS: 5 - 8 / $16.40 (+$0.40) BEST BET: ROCK THIS WAY (11th) SPOT PLAY: LEONIDAS A (10th) Race 1: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace (1) GROOVY JOE was in the five-horse Invitational last week and was tasked with coming first up into Covered Bridge and he wasn’t going anywhere. Tonight he drops to face more reasonable foes and lands the rail where Stratton can control the action if he wants. (3) POINTOMYGRANSON was wickedly sharp last week and was reclaimed at a premium by DiDomenico’s connections; 10YO goes for five straight. (7) CERTIFIABLE is a proven fit with these but will be a huge price with the outside post; worth a peek however with Gingras driving for Engblom. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Stake Your Claim $40K Claiming Leg 1 Pace (2) AS ALWAYS missed a nose versus similar last out and lands in a decent inside spot here; Yannick is subbing for Bartlett on many of tonight’s Engblom trainees and this gelding should be good to go. Both (1) REIGNING DEO and (3) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES are streaking but also entered for a price they are unproven at, though this field came up soft class-wise. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Yonkers card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: Stake Your Claim $40K Claiming Leg 1 Pace (5) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER has been competitive at this level for multiple starts and always offers a good price, like he will tonight. Yes, he needs a trip but it’s not impossible. (2) JUST ENOUGH STUFF was much the best in his last two and steps up in price for the Joe Bongiorno barn. (3) THRASHER is sharp again and has beaten better than these multiple times in the past. Race 4: Stake Your Claim $40K Claiming Leg 1 Pace (5) DON DOMINGO N makes his fourth start already this year which is a good sign form this veteran and the 12YO goes back to the Devita barn via reclaim. Brennan drives again and will be forwardly placed. (2) SAILBOAT HANOVER was very disappointing first out for Joe B but that was a very quick mile he chased; he drops back to the level of the claim two back. (3) BALLERAT BOOMERANG is never that far off and drawing an improved post helps the cause. Race 5: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace - $10K GTD Pick 5 (2) QUALITY BUD finished willingly in his 2024 debut coming off over two months on the shelf and this classy 11YO seems to have found the winning spot here; race definitely seems to go through him. (8) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK drops to a new low and he does have the early speed to overcome the poor draw. (4) ROCKAPELO is another classy veteran who may need a start or two but looks like one to consider on the bottom of the ticket. Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (1) PRICELESS BEACH wasn’t really involved in his last two but he fits well with this type and lands a rare inside post. Joe B picks up the catch drive with Kakaley on #3. (5) NIGHT HAWK has been away for three months but that was a sharp qualifier and the Burke trainee may be ready at first asking. (3) BUDDY HILL was a strong pocket-sitting winner last week making multiple moves; faces better here though. Race 7: Stake Your Claim $40K Claiming Leg 1 Pace (5) SAN DOMINO A hopefully has some early speed left in his arsenal so from this midpack post Gingras can guide him to the front. If so, he may prove tough to catch. (4) SETH HANOVER has raced well in all recent without a win to show for it; he figures to come away with another good piece. (2) MICKY GEE N tries a new driver in Kakaley; it’s tough knowing what to expect week in and week out but we know he’s capable of powering past these. Race 8: 3-6YO $50,000 Claiming Pace (8) RJ SPORTS IMAGE may be overlooked from the eight hole and with a new driver in Mark Macdonald but he has blast-off gate speed and we’ve seen him clear fields into the first turn with ease. Worth a try. (3) FULSOME was a nice winner last week and Yannick stays. (5) STRIKING IMPACT was no factor first off the claim at the NW20000 level but he’s back in for a tag tonight. Race 9: NW17621 in last 5 starts Pace (2) CARABAO A has been hinting at ability since arriving from Australia and last week he almost got there at a big number; I have a feeling tonight’s the night he puts it all together. (3) FUNATTHEBEACH N isn’t the same guy we’ve seen in years past but it’s not like he’s been bad either; regular driver Stratton has options from this spot. (7) SPLASH BROTHER is another speedy pacer on the card who’s saddled with an outside post; this Schnittker veteran makes his 2024 debut off a decent qualifier and likely needs a start but can also surprise by leaving. Race 10: Invitational Pace (4) LEONIDAS A closed with loads of pace on his own last week in his seasonal debut but was never reaching the leaders. Tonight he has another slight tactical edge on the streaking #5 in here and if he can get away somewhere other than last he’s got a big, big chance. (5) COVERED BRIDGE rated and prevailed over the sharp pocket sitter to take his second straight since returning from Canada, and third overall. Obviously can win again facing only four rivals. The other three will fight it out for third, but no worries they all get paid a piece of the $35K pie! [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: $30,000 Claiming Pace (1) ROCK THIS WAY has raced well in three starts since moving to the Burke outfit and he’s ready to win. Gingras can take control tonight. (2) ALOTBETTOR N dropped back to this level last week and the 13YO was claimed; he’ll be right there. Just when I was done with (3) PAT STANLEY N there’s a barn change which gives me an angle to consider. Interestingly Stratton drives again for the newly-listed trainer Joe Bongiorno. Race 12: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace (2) CRUNCH TIME A certainly had a useful start last out after being unable to get going for multiple trainers with numerous gaps in his racing schedule. Back in on a “regular rotation” facing softer makes him very logical here. (4) FOREVER FAV finds a better spot and figures to show more. (5) C BET HANOVER also makes his way to the bottom level after hitting the board versus better multiple times over the last few months.