Yonkers Raceway has a 12-race card with the 1st post at 2:15 EST. The main events roll in Race 7 and Race 8, the $250,000 MGM Grand Trotting and Pacing Series Finals. The $1.00 Pick 5 starts in Race 5, and the sequence has a $20,000 guaranteed pool. In addition the Early Pick 4 that begins in Race 1 has a $10,000 guaranteed pool.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track. Races 5-9 will all be at a distance of 1 1/4 miles.

Race 5 (3:57 PM EST)

2-Sea Can (8/5)-In the 1st start at YR after shipping in from PRc the Ron Burke trainee took the long way around as in being hung the mile. Drops and likes to win so best to respect as the beaten chalk can make amends.
3-Black Tie Bash (6-1)-Team Lachance entry is usually in the mix with an inside post draw. Drops and gets post relief and could offer a square price.
7-Mazeppa N (4-1)-Money showed in the last 2 races and 2 back got the top but faded down the lane. Last time, started from the 2-hole landed on the point and then lost all chance with an XI break. Could be headed for the top again at a better price and may have met a beatable field.
10-Warrawee Whisper (2-1)-Fought hard but the trip was brutal last time. Finished a game 2nd and now has post 10 to deal with. Jason Bartlett will probably not be hung for most of the mile this time and the extra distance could help. This pilot will likely find a way to get into striking range but will offer no value, and is only 1-13 at Yonkers.

Race 6 (4:23 PM EST)

2-Captain Moore A (5/2)-Comes off 3 dull efforts in the Series but gets away from some tough winners and should be better here. Bartlett could be on the engine or no worse than in the 2-hole and either could work for a picture.
4-Verdun (12-1)-At this price, the veteran needs to be used especially if the pace is quick. Has enough gate speed to get a close-up seat. Pat Lachance needs to the push button at the right time because the 5-year-old can roll home in a hurry.
5-Hemsworth N (5-1)-The Jared Bako 8-year-old does good work on the Hilltop (87-20-10-11) and should be forwardly placed off the gate. Could stalk close to leader and be in the mix hunt at the wire. Blasting out and getting the top wouldn't be a shock.

Race 7 (5:00 PM EST)

3-Sir Pinocchio (8/5)-This looks like a 2-horse race between the programs chalks. Antognoni S (1) is the 2-1 second morning line favorite. Both have good gate speed, and it may come down to who gets the best steer. My take is Bartlett aggressively fires out for the lead. The best chance for the Ed Hart trainee to win is having the lead turning for the wire. Bartlett will look to get there from post 3. Antognoni leaves from post 2 and could get a pocket ride. If Bartlett gets on the point he could stack this field up and make every call a winning one even with the extra distance.

Race 8 (5:28 PM EST)

4-Captain Albano (7/2)-This is a top pacer who has a distinct post edge on the toughest foe, Coaches Corner (3-1) starts in the 2nd tier, post 9. Plus, and maybe the most important factor is that the Captain is versatile and can win in different ways. Todd McCarthy has options others don't and is in sharp form winning all 3 legs in the Series. This is a solid field, but the Noel Daly trainee could make the most of this opportunity.

Race 9 (5:48 PM EST)

4-Bestfriend Volo (2-1)-Comes off a gate to wire win and Bartlett will probably go with the same plan tonight. Won't offer any value but should be a player from start to finish.
6-Bronzer (8-1)-Put hopples back on for the last start and showed improvement. Now drops to a spot to shine and it wouldn't be a surprise if Austin Siegelman leaves and lands in the pocket. Has a big shot at a nice price with a smooth trip.
7-The Hazelton (20-1)-Drops and should relish the company. Yannick Gingras can land in a decent seat off the car. It won't be easy from this post but has won 6 of 23 at YR. Could pop at a big # with a sharp steer in a race without a true standout.

$1 Pick 5

2,3,7,10/2,4,5/3/4/4,6,7
Total Bet=$36

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