RACE 1 - (2) FAST ON THE DRAW was well back in last in his first start off the layoff but put in a very
solid late rally to pick up 4th - several of the barn's recent returning performers have been doing good work
- maybe this guy can take advantage of the post relief and pull off an upset in tonight's opener? (1) TODD
LER TANTRUM won one of his 3 starts here last year and was a winner a few starts back at Chester (off
the claim) - has a few excuses since then, but the rail will give him an opportunity for an aggressive steer
tonight - legitimate chance. (3) COOL BLUES MAN hasn't been good in ages but a little $$ last week and
was right there 2nd on the wire - not a bad week to include him in exotics. (8) CINNABAR DRAGON not
only raced very well last week, he LOOKED much better - might have been the top choice with a better
draw, but go ahead and use him from Post 8 if the price is juicy enough. (6) RANSOM DEMAND was a
winner at 1/2 last week but wasn't overly impressive - definitely could be a bit vulnerable here. (4) WILD
WEST has struggled here for most of the past 2 years (21-0-1-1) - minor share only. (5) THEREISAPACE
FORUS has been no factor in his last 3 starts - needs to find some of that better form to be a player here. (7)
ARI ALLSTAR needs a much better post to merit any serious consideration
RACE 2 - (1) NEPTUNE sat last behind a gapper before getting cut loose on the final turn last week - then
paced home with plenty of energy to just miss 4th, despite racing off a bad date - the 12YO has gone some
big miles here over the years, and may be able to handle these if he can work out even a half decent trip
from the pole. (3) PATRIOT NATION looked good in his first couple of starts here as a 3YO but went sour
in a hurry after that - last couple at Chester suggest he's feeling pretty good right now, and this field should
be right in his wheelhouse - very legit threat. (5) ATTA BOY DAN was away for 7 months but the veteran
found his form in just his 2nd start back at Monti - he's won 78 races and over $1M, and this field is comfy
for him at this point in his career - use in exotics. (4) OFFICIAL DELIGHT was caught in the back in a fast
mile in his first try off the claim and had no chance - drops, moves inside, and could easily land somewhere
on this ticket. (2) ELECTRIC WESTERN has won just 1 of his last 22+ tries here, and his current form
doesn't seem all that appealing - minor share only. (6) BEVANS CULLEN N was dull here 2 back but much
better in last - not a good spot, but maybe can rally for a piece if there's some battle up front. (7)
VANQUISHED N was empty in his first start in from Fhd. but obviously much better in his last - fits, but
not sure he'll be able to get into play from out here. (8) MYSTICAL WALLY draws all the way outside for
his YR debut and we'll wait for a better scenario before giving him a longer look
RACE 3 - (3) DO YA THINK debuted here last week for a new barn, having missed almost a month after a
"lame" scratch - he ended up being pretty well backed, and delivered a powerful effort, outmuscled late in a
two horse race to the wire - drops right back in the box, and should be pretty tough tonight. (1) WAVES OF
FIRE A would look better one level down but he should be able to work out a nice trip starting from the
pole, and several of tonight's players come into this as "question marks" - use in exotics. (5) VILLAGE
CHAMP left the gate for the first time last week and came up empty at the end - guessing he'll revert to the
off-the-pace style that produce wins in his prior two as he makes his first start for new connections tonight -
can rebound quickly, and be right back in the hunt. (4) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A has been an "autotoss"
for a long time but he moves to a new barn (after last week's surprising claim) and at 20-1 ML, he's worth
using in exotics...hoping for a quick wake up call. (6) BORDER CONTROL A had some mild pace at the
end last week, but he may be capable of better - willing to throw in for 3rd. (8) PLAY THE FIELD got
worn down by a relentless 20-1 shot last week but just wasn't sharp himself - inclined to pass on him from
Post 8 tonight, but the price will be big and he has blasted from out here in the past - maybe a small piece?
(2) CONTROL TOWER was empty at the back last week and quickly drops below the level of the claim
after just one start - he'll be a shortish price, and we'll look to play against him. (7) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY
came up empty off the claim last week and goes for another new barn tonight - tough post, and hard to say
if he'll rebound, or continue to decline.
RACE 4 - (2) VICTORIAS MAVERICK raced ok for 4th last week off a tough trip but won 3 of 4 here
prior to that (threw one dud 3 back) - moves to another new barn tonight, but he should be used to the
"short stay rate" by now...been very tough when he gets to the top, and that's where he figures to be tonight.
(6) SOLID ASA ROCK A scored that "miracle win" three back but was sharp again in his next (2nd to the
top choice), then not bad in last, vs. better - will need some trip luck, but not a bad value horse to consider.
(7) KINGSTONS BAD BOY probably should have won 2 back but he did only lose by a neck to a sharp
rival - made up a ton of ground last week when he rallied from 8th to 3rd, and is definitely sharp right now
- if he can find a way into the hunt, he can pick up another piece. (2) MR BIG WIG has been consistent
since arriving from DD, but may be a bit cheap - good post makes him hard to leave out of the exotics,
though. (4) GRAND PRIORITY made a big mistake joining a poor flow from the back last week and could
have been a lot closer had he just stayed inside - he'll be a big price here, and definitely has a chance to
outrace his odds. (3) BLUEBIRD RECON was able to pick up a win at the bottom class returning from
Ohio, but faltered from the pocket facing better in last - may need to be in easier. (5) KEPT UNDER
WRAPS A moves to another new barn but just feels like he may be tailing - prefer others, but wouldn't be
shocked if he came up better than expected. (8) TONY TOO TALL could use a drop and better post
RACE 5 - (1) PATRIARCH HANOVER put in a sharp brush to win easily here on 4/28 and last week's
victory was even more impressive, just exploding through the lane after shooting wide on the final turn -
clearly the one to knock off from the pole tonight. (4) EYE OF A TIGER AS fell into a beautiful trip last
week as the open-lead winner just caved horribly into the stretch, and he was able to cruise right on by -
classy veteran may gain some confidence off that score, and pick up another big piece despite stepping
back up a notch tonight. (5) LIFETIME ROYALTY followed #4 last week and rallied for 2nd behind him -
another live trip puts him in play for a board spot again tonight. (2) HOBBS jogged here in last year's
NYSS Final and earned over $400K at 2 and 3 - he's been slow to find his form as a 4YO, however, and
moves to a new barn after last week's disappointing effort - the "x factor" here. (3) IN MY DREAMS had a
clean getaway last week and trotted evenly for 4th - would look better in a bit cheaper, but has a chance to
follow a long for another minor share tonight. (8) SECRET BRO finished with belated trot from the back
last week but gets stuck with another 8 hole - suppose he's playable for 3rd. (7) BARRY BLACK has been
away for 3 weeks after a break in his last - good week to just observe. (6) MAGIC MVP beat much cheaper
3 back but was dull in his next pair, and then scratched sick from his last - will pass (and watch) this week
RACE 6 - (5) DARK ENERGY N raced very well from a difficult spot in his first start for new
connections - his barn sent out 3 very sharp winners on Thursday night, and sometimes you just need to
stick with the hot hand! (6) EPIC ACE was a close 3rd last start but may have done even better if handled
more aggressively early on - not sure what his trip options are from out here, but he's certainly good enough
to be a player as long he can find a reasonable journey. (4) AWESOMENESS certainly doesn't look very
good on paper but he did show some sneaky life finishing last time - not a bad spot for Bartlett to leave the
gate and try to make something good happen. (2) ABERDEEN HANOVER is another that has been
struggling, but who hit the wire ok in the back last week - not a bad spot to look for a little bit more
improvement. (1) TITANIUM N gets his first good draw since returning from the layoff - has shown little,
but this would be an opportunity for some improvement - throw in for 3rd/4th. (3) REDDING HANOVER
comes into this off a trip of 5th place finishes...and is likely looking at something similar tonight. (7)
BUDDY HILL doesn't seem all that sharp out of town, and has a poor local win % - Post 7 only makes it
even harder to like him. (8) ART HISTORY generally gets lost from these outside spots
RACE 7 - (8) MISSISSIPPI STORM was hurt badly when several left inside of him last week - he
accepted his fate (being out the mile) and waited patiently on the rim in 5th looking to pick up cover from
HILL OF A HORSE - when that one just wouldn't pull, he started to advance...but then HILL OF A
HORSE seemed to come out into him past the stands, make contact, and knock this guy offstride - the price
will be much better this week, and we know the ability is there - worth another shot. (7) MELADYS
MONET comes into this riding a 5 race win streak as the 12YO still shows no signs of wanting to retire -
he may have trouble working out a manageable trip here, but he's just won way too many times to leave
him out IF the price is right. (3) HILL OF A HORSE seemed to knock the top pick offstride last week (the
judges felt otherwise) before finally committing to a 2nd over trip off turn three, had dead aim entering the
stretch but couldn't go by #6 - not his best effort, but he's capable of better....and is definitely a possibility
tonight. (1) LEAN HANOVER wasn't sharp last week and tends to disappoint more than he delivers...he
also rebounds from dull tries pretty often and winning the 1-5 draw will allow him to race aggressively
from the start - use him in exotics tonight. (2) MAGICAL JOURNEY just missed 2 back (to #5) then was a
winner last week (vs. cheaper) - ok for a piece, but will need to be on his best game for any chance to beat
these. (5) NEW HEAVEN found room late last week and finished up well for 4th - going well now, and a
chance for another small share. (6) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN put in one of his best efforts in a while
with last week's dead game first over victory - not sure he'll be able to work out a manageable trip from this
spot, though. (4) FULL RIGHTS came up light at the end 2 back then wasn't sharp at all in last - been away
for 3 weeks, and this may be a good week to just observe.
RACE 8 - Tough race: (2) CLASSIC PRO really hasn't clicked since being reclaimed back on 4/5 but he's
faced much better in a several of those starts - lands in a field of "iffy" contenders, and he seems as likely as
any to come up with a wake up call tonight. (3) MACH IT SO may have $2.93M in the bank, but the
version that earned most of that $$ doesn't really exist any more - still, he does find some life when he
lands in the right spot, and that may be the case tonight...but don't accept a short price! (4) SOUTHWIND
MOROCCAN does have 4 seconds from his last 7 starts and always at a price - decent value horse to use in
exotics. (1) FIREBALL was dull for weeks prior to that win 3 back (where he took all the $$$) - he's
reverted to that dull form in the two starts since, but he's yet another with a license to come up with a
winning effort here. (5) ALEPPO HANOVER is just 1 for 37 over the past 2 years, but did almost beat this
class 3 starts back - willing to consider for a small share. (7) ST LADS NEPTUNE had a ton of ability as a
youngster but just never worked out after being purchased by his current connections - finally popped off a
big 1:50.4 win at PRc in October...and immediately went on the shelf until qualifying back last week - he
will be a price, for anybody that thinks he could be ready right off the bench. (6) RAPTORS FLIGHT and
(8) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING draw outside and look like outsiders from these spots
RACE 9 - Good race: (5) KINDA LUCKY LINDY didn't fire his best shot last week but was still a close
3rd - may get a contested pace in front of him this week, and that would give him a chance to use his potent
late kick. (4) ARMAGEDDON SEELSTER was 2nd and 3rd at this level 2 and 3 starts back, and simply
loves racing at Yonkers - any week he's close turning for home he has a chance to come out on top. (1) ZIG
ZAG wasn't a factor in 2 NJ starts after shipping in from Canada but he shows lines up north that would
surely make him a player here....especially from the rail - if he's a decent price, he's definitely one to
consider. (2) THE LAST CHAPTER was very good last week, and may have even had a shot to win if clear
sooner - he's not known for stringing together top efforts, however, and tends to finish a bit weakly in too
many of his starts - mixed feelings. (8) SPOILED PRINCESS was a talented filly at 2 and 3, but it's hard to
gauge her current "level" off her 3 NJ starts since returning as a 4YO - pretty tough spot to make her YR
debut, though. (6) STINGLIKE A B K was a solid 4th last week despite racing off a sick scratch - he's
shown that he can be a player, but drawing outside so many solid contenders is going to hurt his chances.
(3) BULLY BOY gets to drop a notch from the Open where he certainly didn't embarrass himself - not sure
that this is a great spot for him, though (may need to drop another notch). (7) TAD KRAZY HANOVER
needs some class relief and a better post.
RACE 10 - (4) ART SCENE perked up to beat cheaper at Fhd. 3 back, was a good 2nd to favored Retour
Au Jeu in his next, and must have impressed Brennan enough with his no-chance finish from the back last
week to get him to hop off #8 (whom he usually drives, and won with last week) - we'll trust his judgment
here! (8) SPORTS BETTOR was a good 3rd two back and followed that up with the front end score in last -
gets Stratton tonight, and does have a chance to repeat for a barn that's been sending out good ones again.
(5) LUCIANO N was good from no prayer spots 2 and 3 back so it was no surprise to see him wire a
cheaper field last week - steps up, but sharp enough to still have a say here. (2) SWEET TRUTH landed in
a soft spot last week and was able to give his connections their first win since the purchase a while back -
steps up but does draw well enough for a shot a decent piece, (1) DRINKA BEER pulled off the upset last
week but it's hard to say if he truly reversed form, or if literally every other horse in there just failed to
show up - guess we'll have a clearer picture after tonight. (6) WESTERN HILL is just 1 for 41 over the past
2 yrs (0 for 8 here) - draws outside, and is looking at a minor share at best. (7) AUDI HARE N took a few
weeks off after tailing badly and re-qualified last week - we'll just pass and watch from this outside spot. (3)
KILLER MARTINI has come up weak in way too many starts the past 2 years to recommend