Harness News Update: Picks and analysis for Yonkers Raceway April 8

12 harness races are on the program Monday (Apr. 8) night at Yonkers Raceway. The night is highlighted by the fourth leg of the MGM Borgata Series. Each of the three splits will have a purse of $50,000.

The first division goes in the third race and has the toughest field entered. The favourite, Desperate Man (Shadow Play) has won in every leg of the event so far. He has paced the miles in under 1:52 and has rightfully earned the 7-5 morning line odds. Desperate Man has 19 wins in 58-lifetime starts and has made over $1.3 million in earnings. Travis Alexander trains the six-year-old gelding and Matt Kakaley will be in the bike again.

DESPERATE MAN REPLAY

Dunkin’ (Pet Rock) draws into the first split as well. He won legs 2 and 3 in 1:51.4 after finishing third in the first leg. The four-year-old gelding has 31 career wins in 69 career starts. Tim Tetrick will be in the sulky for trainer Scott Di Domenico.

DUNKIN’ REPLAY

The second split of the MGM Borgata Series is in the fourth race. It is made up of a competitive field of six with the longest shot being only 8-1. No one in the field has yet to win a leg in the event but most of them have near the top. The 2-1 favourite, Pleaseletmeknow (American Ideal) last win came in December at Yonkers. He won in 1:52.3 after going wire-to-wire. The five-year-old gelding is trained by Travis Alexander and will have Matt Kakaley steering this week.

PLEASELETMEKNOW REPLAY

The final division will line up in the tenth race. The 2-1 favourite, Coaches Corner (Always A Virgin) has finished second in all prior legs. His last win came in early March at Yonkers Raceway. The four-year-old gelding paced the mile in 1:52.1 which should be good enough to earn a win in this field.

COACHES CORNER REPLAY

My Picks

Race 1

J B Gram (3) 

Baron Michael (4)

Hurrikane Georige (6)

Race 2

Just Enuff Stuff (4)

Striking Impact (1)

Aussie Hanover (2)

Race 3 – MGM Borgata Leg 4 

Dunkin (1) 

Desperate Man (5) 

Covered Bridge (4) 

Race 4 – MGM Borgata Leg 4

Funatthebeach (5) 

Leonidas A (2)

Pleaseletmeknow (1)

Race 5

Real Willey (5)

Thrasher (4)

American Zest A (3)

Race 6

Take A Gamble (4)

Boiling Oar (7)

Adam Twelve (6)

Race 7

All Alone (7)

Euphoria N (5)

Mach N Cheese (4)

Race 8

Pinebush Lifesaver (3)

Quartrain Blue Chip (4)

Shark Play (5)

Race 9

Motive Hanover (6)

King James Express (3)

As Always (4)

PICK 5 

Race 10 – MGM Borgata Leg 4

Coaches Corner (3)

Backstreet Shadow (2)

Hellabalou (4)

Race 11

Tuggin On My Heart (1)

Fullsome (5)

Reigning Deo (2)

Race 12

Rose Run X-Con (1)

Kerford Road (2)

Big Sir (3)

The first race kicks off at 7:00 p.m. EST.

For the complete race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by Trey Colbeck, for Harnesslink