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Northfield Track Announcer Ayers Ratliff’s free handicapping tips are provided for our IdaBet.com players.

Remember, due to their draw schedule, picks are made in advance and do not account for scratches or late driver changes.

From the “Ayers Above” MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 4

Race 1: 1- St Elian’s Fire – Draws the rail and looks to take the opener. 2- Hard To Rock This – Also draws well and looks to be tough in here. 3- Edit – One of several in here that could make the ticket. 5- Alvarez – Could be in the thick of the action if she minds her manners.

Race 2: 3- Deep Question – Was a winner last time out and could strike again tonight. 2- Bowdie De Vie – Drops slightly in class and could be tough in here. 4- Ibanez – Has two wins in a row but is facing tougher foes this time around. 5- Express Justice – Could be tough if she is completely over the sickness she had the last time she was scheduled to compete.

Race 3: 3- Stride Of Pride – Gets the top-call to start tonight’s Pick 5. 5- Rock Out – Just missed last time out and could be the runner-up again tonight. 4- In Commando – Looks to make the ticket with the right trip.

Race 4: 1- Outburst – Draws the rail upon dropping slightly in class and looks to score tonight. 6- Marty De Vie – Has been racing well and that trend could continue. 4- Wegoferdaprize – One of several in here that could make the ticket. 5- Nono Lindy – Has as good of a shot as any in here to complete the Superfecta.

Race 5: 5- World Of Gaming – Just missed last time out; may not miss this time around. 1- Stuckey Dote – Looks to be tough from the rail. 2- Sir Jack – Draws well and looks to make the ticket. 4- Crusoe Hanover – Should not be overlooked as a legitimate contender in here.

Race 6: 2- Fantasy League – Has three wins in a row and looks to score again. 1- Keystone Chester – Looks to be tough from the rail. 8- Sandy’s Victory...

Rank outsider Tight Lines (Jeff Gregory, $62.50) was the ground-saving star Sunday morning (Dec. 3^rd), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Open Handicap Trot.

With just a seven-horse field, the weekly trotting feature went as the late-morning opener, before the seven ‘French’ trots.

In play from post position No. 5, Tight Lines actually surrendered an early pocket to lone lass Charmed Life (Yannick Gingras), as both sat behind just-over-even-money favorite Melady’s Monet (Jason Bartlett).

Meanwhile, Rubber Duck (Joe Bongiorno) found himself in no man’s land and rushed up to prompt early intervals of :27.3 and :56.4.

Going toward the 1:25.4 three-quarters, Rubber Duck was retreating. Melady’s Monet, meanwhile, owned a length lead into the lane before Charmed Life pulled pocket. The lady went past ‘Melady,’ but a cone-skimming Tight Lines went past both of ‘em.

Tight Lines defeated Charmed Life by a half-length in 1:55.1. Melady’s Monet faded to third. The minors went to DW’s NY Yank (Jordan Stratton) and Muscles on Fire (Brent Holland).

For Tight Lines, a 4-year-old Yankee Glide gelding co-owned by his trainer/driver, Jesmeral Stable and William Richardson, it was his 10^th win in 24 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $164.50, with the triple returning $530.

 Those sagacious handicappers who unearthed Tight Lines and Taco Tuesday (Dan Dube, $41.80) in the $26,000, second-race trot took home a season-high $1,279 daily double (last Sunday’s early double paid $1,162),

 This ‘New York, New York Double’ saw a winning combination of 4-Dream Pauline (Aqueduct’s 3^rd race) and 3-Gruden (Yonkers’ 5^th race)...

Northfield Track Announcer Ayers Ratliff’s free handicapping tips are provided for our IdaBet.com players.

Remember, due to their draw schedule, picks are made in advance and do not account for scratches or late driver changes.

From the “Ayers Above” SUNDAY EVENING, DECMEBER 3

Race 1: 5- Big Bro – Just trotted home a winner and could strike again tonight. 3- Dynamite Stick – Finished second last time out and could post a similar effort this evening. 2- Song Of Forgivness – One of several in here that could make the ticket. 6- Song Of The West – Could grab a piece of the action.

Race 2: 5- Flying Muscles – Looks to be the one that concludes the Daily Double. 3- Uncle Dan – Draws well and should receive a good trip. 6- Tater Dunn – Could add value to the ticket. 8- Carolina Jacob – Could add further value to the exotics.

Race 3: 1- Hillary’s Style – Draws the inside advantage and could start tonight’s Pick 5. 2- Forever The Gold – Made the ticket in both of her most recent races and could be right there again tonight. 6- Just Doit Queeny – Was a winner last time out and could be tough again.

Race 4: 4- Curlys Son – Was a winner last time out and could strike again tonight. 1- Holyholyguacamolie – Could be tough from the rail. 2- GJ Photo Victory – Draws well and could be tough with the right trip. 6- Sand Royal Blu – Has as good of a shot as any in here to complete the Superfecta.

Race 5: 2- Western Captive – Was a winner two starts back and could score again tonight. 3- Ghosts And Legends – Won his most recent effort and looks to be tough again tonight. 1- R M Imp – Should be tough from the rail. 7- Milliron Pete – Could grab a piece of the action despite starting from the far outside.

Race 6: 9- Heza Star Cruiser – Won two of his last three races and looks to score again. 2- The Life Of Kiely – Draws well and should get a good trip. 3- Voltaire – Has...

A PEEK AT THE PROGRAM–SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3

BY FRANK DRUCKER,

Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

Some insights into today’s late-morning racing program.

1^ST RACE – (3) MELADY’S MONET wasted a generous assignment last Sunday with a very passive (at 2-5) drive. Have to believe he’s more aggressive.

2^ND RACE – (3) GEORGIE’S POCKETS wasn’t sniffing a classier number week ago. Addition by subtraction, since no such rival in day’s first ‘French’ trot.

5^TH RACE – (7) DI OGGI found himself at deep end of pool more than once this season, including a Yonkers Trot appearance. Returns to town, this is not that.

6^TH RACE – (3) ANNAPOLIS HALL has been quite credible in these lower condition events. Did get into second in last, classiest rival stuck behind eight-ball.

7^TH RACE – (6) ELYSIUM LIDY took eight-hole action last week, left and broke. We’re admittedly contrarian in here, picking off short-priced pole dancer.

8^TH RACE – (10) BIG BILL BREEZE is back here at rock-bottom level. If he gets away reasonably close from second tier, should work in final distance race.

9^TH RACE – (4) WINGS OF ROYALTY is not an adult-table trotter, fourth-placed-fifth in last. However, he’s well inside element here, though field is tough.

——

$2 +/- (thru Tue., Nov. 28) – 314 wins [inc. 2 dead-heats] ($2,339.80)

from 1,419 ($2,838) selex (-$498.20, though marked down in spirit of season)

highest-priced winner – GYPSY LEATHER ($57.50)

lowest-priced winner – GREAT VINTAGE/FUNKNWAFFLES ($2.20 each)

Thank you for choosing IdaBet!

Northfield Track Announcer Ayers Ratliff’s free handicapping tips are provided for our IdaBet.com players.

Remember, due to their draw schedule, picks are made in advance and do not account for scratches or late driver changes.

From the “Ayers Above” SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

Race 1: 4- Carlina Hanover – Won two of her last three races and could strike again tonight to start the Daily Double. 5- My Marisa Clair – Has the ability to be prominently placed on this ticket. 1- Wake N Bake – Looks to be tough from the rail. 6- Official Treasure – Could grab a piece of the action.

Race 2: 3- Tame The Dame – Draws well and could prevail with the right trip. 6- Where Are We – Made the ticket in both of her most recent effort and looks to be right there again tonight. 5- Tiger’s Sue – Won her most recent effort and looks to be tough again. 1- My Caroline – Could nab a share from the rail.

Race 3: 3- St Lads Maggie Mae – Gets the top-call to start tonight’s Pick 5. 5- Thebigbamtheory – Made the ticket in both of her most recent effort and could be right there again tonight. 1- Marigold Bloom – Could add some value from the rail.

Race 4: 4- Abida Hanover – Made the ticket in all three of her most recent races; could step-up and lead the ticket this time around. 2- Real Joy – Draws well and should get a good trip. 6- Miss Explosion – Won her most recent effort but facing tougher foes this time around. 5- Powerfull Intense – Has as good of a shot as any in here to complete the Superfecta.

Race 5: 6- M E Radar Girl – Won two of her last three races and could strike again tonight. 2- Big Bad Ashley – Should improve in her second start off the qualifier. 5- Buckeye Thea – Should not be overlooked as a legitimate contender. 1- Bad Girl Vegas – Looks to be in the thick of the action from the rail.

Race 6: 6- Official Kisser – Won her most recent effort and could strike again...