RACE 1 - (4) BLACKTREE made an unexpected break before the start last week and was instantly out of it - drops into a MUCH easier spot tonight, and should be a handful...if he doesn't make another miscue. (2) MY SPIRIT SOARS was good early last year before going into long streak of horrible performances - took 5 months off and his first two starts back (Chester) look very solid - certainly worth using, especially if the price is juicy. (1) GRAND MASTER was hammered down to 6/5 last week (off the barn change) but gave way at 3/4s and backed through the field - he'll still be way overbet again tonight...but perhaps with another week in the barn, some adjustments will be made - willing to use underneath here. (7) MILLIONDOLLAR WAVE stopped BADLY in his 1st start off the claim - his 2nd try was no good either, but at least he wasn't as terrible - maybe the class drop (and hopefully more patient trip) can produce a better result - at a big price. (6) ROCK ON PRECIOUS was 3rd by default last week, but he's capable of throwing a big mile at any time (he already has 2 big price wins this year) - good one for longshot fans. (5) MATT MAJOR is really struggling right now - would like to see a better effort before endorsing. (8) ARI ALLSTAR was empty off an easy trip in his only local appearance this year - he's better than that, but unlikely to make too much noise from out here. (3) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A just throws way too many clunkers
RACE 2 - (3) PEMBROKE JOEY was scratched sick after being claimed on 4/5 but came back to jog when back in the box a week later - raced big again for 3rd last week (despite a very tough 7 hole trip) and the move inside stamps him as the one to knock off. (7) MAJOR BUCKS benefited from a patient steer last week and was able to nab 2nd at the wire - seems like he should be able to leave here (even from Post 7), and he can pick up another good piece if Bongiorno can work out a decent trip. (5) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY will appreciate the drop back down to 15s - he's been very reliable for some time now, and is another that belongs in your exotics. (6) VILLAGE CHAMP is 2 for 2 since dropping into claimers, but this is a tougher group and he's unlikely to get as good a trip - could be looking at a smaller share tonight. (4) WAVES OF FIRE A broke a long losing streak 2 back but was caught way too far back in last to have any impact - the post relief will help, but he still may be a notch below a couple of these. (2) WILD WEST doesn't have a very good Yonkers resume but he was "sneaky ok" in his last couple - ok bomb for 3rd/4th if spreading a bit. (1) THEREISAPACEFORUS was empty in his last and now moves to another new barn - prefer others, even though he draws best. (8) PLAY THE FIELD draws his 3rd straight 8 hole, but now he's up in class and moving to a new barn - may not have the same success he had the last 2 starts
RACE 3 - Wide open! (8) TAP TAP TAP is a streaky sort (in both directions) but he came up huge in his last 2 starts - will need some luck to get it done from out here but as long as he's a fair price, he's worth using in his current form. (2) MARINER SEELSTER still hasn't won since being claimed in Feb. but he's raced well a few times - the 12YO handles any trip, and that may come in handy in a race that could go a lot of different ways. (5) TASTE OF HISTORY is on the cheaper side but he's certainly racing well right now - debuts for a new barn off the claim, and we'll see which direction he goes. (7) KINGSTONS BAD BOY caught a fast mile in his local debut and could only manage 4th as the odds on choice - was claimed that night and sent off at 3/5 for his new connections in last....but couldn't sustain his first over move and weakened a bit - the price will go way up now, and it may actually be a good time to use him on your tickets. (1) KEEP COMING raced decently in his two local starts, and draws the pole for new connections here - another possibility in a race filled with them. (4) ELRAMA N jus raced on Tues. night and he might have been closer at the end had he not elected to park the odds on favorite for most of the opening quarter - his overall form is solid, but his pilot hasn't clicked yet this year at Yonkers, currently at 14-0-0-0. (6) MCARDLES LIGHTNING two wins here this year came on the lead and that doesn't seem like an option here - prefer others. (3) REAL LUCKY N seems a bit cheaper than many of these
RACE 4 - Reynolds Stake (3YO Colts) - (3) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH was an accomplished 2YO, compiling an 8-4-2-2 record, while earning $117K - won both return qualifiers (for his new barn), then won his first start of 2021 with an easy 1:52.1 victory at Chester - faces a few very legitimate foes here, but definitely deserves top billing. (5) COALITION HANOVER started off his 2YO season with a nice 2nd here in the Springfield elims. but was no good in the Final, then struggled for much of the year - came back strong at 3, though, and might have won the Weiss Final (PcD) if not for a late miscue - put the hobbles back on after that and took a new 1:51.3 mark at The Meadows, and looms a dangerous player tonight...with the right trip. (2) HES A SNOB didn't impress at 2 but has done good work so far at 3, winning a leg of the Weiss Series before finishing 3rd in the Final - another live player. (7) MAJOR MAKEOVER raced well up in Canada and did well in the Weiss Series too, though hurt by some tough spots - unfortunately, the draw does him no favors tonight either. (4) MULLINAX got very sharp to close out his 2YO season, and shows a couple of useful preps for his 3YO return - may not be as tight as the top ones, though. (1) CRYSTAL BEACH finished 3rd in all local tries last year - was a winner in his 3YO return in PA, but facing much softer foes - seems a bit below the main players here. (6) IMAGINARY LINE isn't a bad horse but he's 0 for 10, and draws outside - probably needs to be in a bit easier.
RACE 5 - Reynolds Stake (3YO Fillies) - (1) HEART OF MINE got pretty sharp at the end of her 2YO year, delivering a sharp 1:53.1 win in a NYSS at Stga,, then finishing 2nd here in the Final - finished up the season with a few good starts in NJ and PA, then returned ready at 3, qualifying nicely at Chester before winning here at YR easily last week - clearly the one to beat with the rail draw. (3) NATCHEZ BELLE also ended her 2YO campaign strong in PA, and was a solid 2nd in her 2021 return - may be the main threat to the top one. (5) ROLL ON MAMA won a leg of the Weiss after a barn change, but tired cutting the mile in her next, then came up short in the Final (adding Lasix for the first time) - her gate speed gives her a chance to work out a good trip here....and that makes her worth at least a look. (2) SHANIA BLUE CHIP had a mixed bag of starts at 2 but did grab a couple of wins - qualifiers suggest she might be a little short, so we'll use her underneath only, for now. (7) LET ER BUCK picked up 3 wins and over $100K at 2 - shows a couple of ok starts since returning at 3, but the real concern is the draw - may have to work too hard to get involved from out here. (4) IN HIGH COTTON grabbed a couple of 3rds in the Weiss, but comes into tonight off a sick scratch - leaning to others. (6) DRESDEN doesn't seem to have hit her stride yet at 3 - will wait for some better signs
RACE 6 - - Reynolds Stake (3YO Fillies) - tough race! (7) DC BAT GIRL went some good NYSS efforts at 2, even making it to the Final - seems to be prepping very nicely in Indiana, and her owner/trainer used to win at a very high % during some time spent in the area - worth a stab in a seemingly wide open affair. (3) CARRINGTON was okay at 2, but seems to have elevated her game at 3 -- was sharp all through the Weiss Series, and there's no reason she can't be a big player here too. (2) PODIUM GIRL was the most accomplished of these as a freshman, but it's hard to say if she's hitting on all cylinders just yet at 3 - more than capable of beating these but as the 9/5 ML choice, she may be worth taking a shot against. (1) ITZPAP ALOTL won the Weiss Consolation, and was 2nd in her only local start last year - draws best, and that gives her a chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (5) BRIAR is 0 for 6 but has 4 seconds and a 3rd - willing to throw in for 3rd/4th. (6) EASY TO PLEASE has won 4 of her 10 starts but draws outside and doesn't seem to have a ton of early speed - not sure she'll be able to get into the hunt. (4) CRAZY COOL raced ok in 2 starts at 3 but lost both times vs. NW1 foes - seems a bit below the main players. (8) QUICK SIX is another maiden, and she also gets stuck all the way outside - very tough assignment
RACE 7 - Reynolds Stake (3YO Colts)- (4) ILL DRINK TO THAT only made 5 starts last year but showed plenty of potential - has looked super since returning at 3, winning both qualifiers, wiring 'em in 1:51.3 in his first start back, then coming up 2nd best to a currently raging South Beach Star - finished 2nd to AMERICAN COURAGE here last year, but has a chance to reverse that decision tonight (6) AMERICAN COURAGE started off his 2YO campaign by winning 6 straight, and looked like he could be anything - was just "ok" in win #7 (beating the top choice), was scratched sick from his next, then shocked everybody when he just stopped on a dime in the NYSS Final - was turned out after that, and his return prep (2nd to Bronx Seel ster) should have him ready for action...but may not be quite a 100% for his first start back. (1) SHAKESPEARE went plenty of big miles at 2, even if he failed to find the winner's circle - did jog in his 3YO return (at 5 cents on the dollar), but actually LOST at that price when 2nd in his next - still, has to get a lot respect from the pole. (3) KING JAMES EXPRESS misbehaved in several starts last year, but also did very well in the races where he behaved - a little risky to endorse at a relatively short price in his first start back at 3. (5) CARRYTHETORCHMAN had a solid 2YO season, winning a Springfield elim. here as part of an $85K year - probably a bit below the top ones, though. (7) BETTOR OF THE WEST ended his 2YO year in fine form, and was a close 2nd behind WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH in a Simpson division - not sure how tight he is, and also gets stuck outside -- maybe a minor award? (8) TOWN GOSSIP got the job done here last week but was really all out to do so - lands Post 8 now and while the talent is there, this may not be the best spot to use him. (2) WHAT ABOUT BOB may need to face easier to be effective.
RACE 8 - (3) MELADYS MONET opted to face a bit easier at Fhd, the last couple of weeks and not surprisingly, was a winner both times - the ageless 12YO is now riding a 4 race win streak, and meets no killers in tonight's Open - the good draw may allow him to extend his current streak to 5. (5) HILL OF A HORSE landed on a very tough trip off a sick scratch in his last and still battled gamely to the wire - should be sharper here, and a good trip could put him right there late. (2) ARABELLAS CADET has raced a little differently each start recently - if she shows up on her best game, she can make some serious noise from the inside post. (4) FULL RIGHTS really had no reason to blow 2nd last week but he's been so good for so long, he deserves a chance to bounce back - use in exotics. (7) LEAN HANOVER was a fast front end winner 2 back, then just had too far to come in last - gets stuck outside again, however, and that may leave him with only a smaller share tonight. (6) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN is clearly in fine form, but generally needs a better draw to be a contender at this level - prefer others. (8) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN was able to hang on despite a :31.3 final quarter last week - hard to like his chances from Post 8 tonight, (1) BULLY BOY has been doing excellent work, but needs to prove that he can contend at THIS level
RACE 9 - (5) NEW HEAVEN has been feeling pretty good lately and while he generally likes to be in a bit cheaper, this isn't the toughest Preferred field - definitely sharp enough to beat these, but that 5/2 ML price may reduce his wagering value. (2) MAGICAL JOURNEY dropped into the Preferred last week and really should have been able to win off that trip - he tends to be inconsistent but if he decides to bring his best tonight, he'll be a very live player. (1) SECRET BRO doesn't usually find himself up this high but a pair of 2nds in his last 2 starts has bumped him to this class...and he just may be sharp enough right now to take home a good piece...as long as the trip is easy enough. (3) TWO AM is yet another that does his best vs. easier but he does have 3 fairly recent wins out of town and as noted, this isn't the toughest Preferred field ever assembled - chance for a piece. (7) ARMAGEDDON SEELSTER loves Yonkers but may not like racing from Post 7 - would have liked his chances a lot more had he drawn further inside. (6) ONLY FOR JUSTICE makes his YR debut off a win at Chester vs. easier - lands an outside post, and we'll find out how well he fits with these. (4) TAD KRAZY HANOVER is off a break and likely a bit cheap for these. (8) GUILTY DESIRE in the outsider - literally and figuratively
RACE 10 - (4) JACKAMINO seemed to be in a winning spot last week but he waited too long to move (as the winner grabbed a half in :59) and was never able to rally by his well rested foe - gets McCarthy in the bike tonight, and perhaps will get a bit more aggressive steer. (2) MY MIND IS MADEUP hasn't won at YR in years, but he'll still likely be favored because of the barn change - hard to take THIS particular horse at a very short price, even knowing that he may go a monster mile tonight. (5) THESPYWHOLOVEDME had 3 seconds from 5 starts here last year - he's been freshened up, and may add some value to the exotics. (1) FRISKY PEDRO was another of this barns recent upset winners (32-1 two back at Chester), then was 3rd here last week - chance to land on the bottom of the ticket again. (7) REPEAL OR REPLACE may be returning to YR with some confidence off a pair of Monti blowouts over cheaper - tough post, but worth a look if the price is right. (6) MAURICE has enjoyed some success here in the past but his recent out of town lines aren't all that encouraging! (3) BULLVILLE KYLE hasn't done much of anything here in a long time. (8) REDDINg HANOVER was no factor last week and now draws Post 8 - wait for a better spot