RACE 1 - (6) KEPT UNDER WRAPS A stepped up off the claim and beat the 25s two starts back - trip didn't work out in his next 9after having to yield coming to the half, then simply got outbrushed in a hot 3rd panel last week by a horse that came back to win his next start as well - goes for a new barn here, but has a legitimate chance in a pretty wide open race. (8) BANK SEA was scratched injured here on 2/5 but has come back very sharp in NJ , after a couple of months off - he's been 1st/2nd in half of his 8 local starts, and has a chance even from out here....with a bit of trip luck -- just make sure to get a fair price! (1) KEEP COMING shipped down from Canada with some good recent form and was solid in his local debut, pacing well late for 3rd - another rail draw should put him in the hunt once again. (2) VICTORIAS MAVERICK goes for his 3rd barn in 3 starts and was a winner in his last two - he'll face much tougher tonight, though, and will almost certainly have a much tougher trip - chance for sure, but also figures to be a bit overbet. (7) MCARDLES LIGHTNING has been pretty consistent lately - draws terribly for his new barn, though, and that could limit him to a minor piece this week. (4) SO SO DEVIE made a nice recovery after an early break in last - wouldn't be a shock here, but it does also seem that he may be a little bit cheap AND he may also prefer a bigger track. (3) LANAS DESIRE seemed like a questionable claim for $15K 4 starts back but he's now been claimed for $20K twice since - still needs to prove that he really belongs at this level. (5) SOLID ASA ROCK A throws a good one here and there, but is better suited with softer company.
RACE 2 - (2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A never fired last week but he was also following dull cover, in a fast mile, vs. better - this bunch should be right up his alley, and quick rebound is expected - major threat to take this. (5) RECORD YEAR took 3 in a row back in Feb. before hitting a rough patch in March - came back to life with a sharp win here 2 back, then followed that up with another victory in last - Siegelman opts for #6 tonight (trainer loyalty?), but this guy still has a very legit chance here. (3) BAKERSFIELD's form has been a bit mixed since returning from a layoff last month, but any of his "better" miles would make him a player here - he surely shouldn't be 20-1 on the ML, and is worth using on your tickets...at least as a "saver". (1) CONTROL TOWER definitely looks great on paper, but his last couple of efforts did show at least some subtle signs of his form leveling off a bit - not impossible, but sticking with others on top (and using him underneath, only). (6) OHOKA JOHNNY N fits well with these for sure, but his better work comes on the front end, and that doesn't seem a likely place to find him tonight - insist on a nice price if using on top. (4) DARK ENERGY N needs to be in a lot easier to be effective.
RACE 3 - (1) CHRISTEN ME N returned from a long layoff with a sharp 3rd at Fhd. on 3/13 - shipped in to Yonkers and was a game front end winner (NW1000) on 3/23 - just never looked comfortable in his next then was shuffled horribly the start after that - found himself trapped in the stretch again in last, and now drops tonight into a field where HE can call the shots - the one to beat. (3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN raced well when NOT on the lead in 2 of his last 3 and that's a good sign (because he generally needs the top to be at his best) - definitely a dangerous player with another good draw, but he also figures to attract more tote action tonight...don't fall in love if he ends up significantly overbet. (6) ROCK ON LINE has elevated his game since being claimed for $12.5K on 3/12 - he'll need a hotly contested pace to have a chance to use his big late rally, but he's worth considering if the price is juicy enough. (7) MAGRITTE was on a long form spree but started to go the other way after being claimed 3 back - was re-claimed in last by one of the barns that won with him during that good run, so we'll see if he bounces right back...or if he's just tailed, in general. (4) CRUZING HILL had been very sharp for a while vs. cheaper in NJ before being acquired by the "Super Siblings" prior to his last - raced big once again, but it's hard to say if that form will be as good over here vs. tougher foes (and over the smaller track) - we'll find out tonight. (8) ROCK THE NITE was an "ugly" 2/5 winner vs. much cheaper 2 starts back but then raced very well for 2nd at THIS level in his last - not sure that he can get involved from Post 8, but the price will be right for those looking to give him a shot. (5) UPTOWN FUNK shipped in showing some solid PcD form and put in a "good" try here too, chasing the sharp winner from the pocket before weakening to 3rd - will be racing off the pace tonight, so we'll see how he handles that. (2) GIVENUPDREAMING was better in his last couple but with easy trips, vs. lesser - faces tougher now, but maybe the inside draw will help - still prefer others, though
RACE 4 - Wide open: (2) TREASURE MACH has been very sharp for weeks, and actually getting even better as he climbs the class ladder - was a total jogburger off the claim last week, but will face a tougher field tonight for yet another new barn - giving him the narrow edge because he just may be the sharpest right now. (4) ALBERGO HANOVER hasn't been worse than 4th in the 7 starts since the barn change, and just landed on a tough trip the one start he had locally - he's enjoyed a measure of success here in the past, and figures to make his presence felt tonight. (1) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD shows out of town form that would make him a good fit here - his new trainer has had mixed results so far as he acclimates to the local scene, but this guy draws best and may help the barn add one to the win column. (3) YANKEE OSBORNE really wasn't bad last week despite a horrible trip, and he did win his prior 2 starts (at Chester) before that - definitely capable, and worth using if the price is right. (5) TWIN B SPEEDO was scary sharp for a long time - does seem to have leveled off a bit but the right trip could put him right in the hunt for his young pilot. (7) DENVER SEELSTER has been remarkably consistent for months, but this is his first outside post in a long time...may slow him down a bit. (8) KEYSTONE PHOENIX can still outun softer fields but just doesn't seem likely to be able to overcome Post 8 against these (much) tougher foes. (6) ARTMAGIC just looks overmatched here.
RACE 5 - (2) VIRGIN STORM drops down to NW10000 where he was a winner the last time he raced at this level (and 2nd the time before that) - his last start was a very game first over 2nd to the sharp Orillia Joe, and he deserves top billing for tonight. (6) BENHOPE RULZ N has been sharp for some time, with his only "bad" efforts coming from Posts 7 and 8 - hasn't done a lot of winning the last 2 years but he's been 2nd a bunch of times, and does figure to be a nice price here - certainly very playable in exotics. (7) GUMP TION moved to a new barn at Nfd. 2 back and delivered a BIG mile for 2nd the first week, then was a winner in his next - has historically been on the cheaper side, but he may be sharp enough right now to give these a tussle - Bartlett will likely give him every chance to succeed, even from Post 7. (1) BLOOD BROTHER has perked up nicely (in PA) since the barn change 4 back, but has been facing cheaper and comes into this off a sick scratch - willing to use underneath, but hard to use him on top. (3) CLASSIC PRO has done his best work vs. a bit cheaper, but his barn has been sending out plenty of live ones lately - willing to include in exotics. (8) DON DOMINGO N might have won last week if he found stretch room and is definitely a good fit with these - hard to see a way for him to get into the race from out here, and the 7/2 ML odds will likely hurt his price...give him a look if the price is juicy enough. (4) TALBOTCREEK WHISKEY has done good work at this level but his current form is lacking - will need a quick wake up call to be a player here (check tote board?) (5) MAROMA BEACH throws a big one at times but it's usually vs. much easier - prefer others tonight.
RACE 6 - (1) EHRMANTROUT has been on an excellent roll for a while, and gets a full pass for last week (trapped behind a tiring TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER) - will likely get to pick his trip tonight (top, or pocket) and either would give him a good chance to come out on top. (4) NOCTURNAL BLUECHIP was off a bad date to his last (shipping down from Canada) and that could explain why he came up a little light at the end - eligible to be sharper here, and looms a very live player tonight with the class drop. (6) MICKY GEE N is clearly the "x factor" here - was scratched sick here on 11/28 and didn't reappear until qualifying back last week at Pocono - anything close to his best would allow him to roll right on by these....but it's pretty hard to know just how tightly wound he'll be -- tough call! (5) HEAVENS GAIT has been very unpredictable for a long time - on his best, he'd be a very dangerous player here....but his efforts tend to be all over the place, and he frequently reverses form (in BOTH directions) from week to week - willing to lose to him at a short price, but always willing to consider if the price is juicy. (3) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER was very game in those wins 3 and 4 starts back but not nearly as good in his last pair - leaning to sharper rivals for tonight. (7) REDBANK BLAZE A drops to a level where he definitely fits in his current form, but the guess is that he'll be handled conservatively tonight, waiting for a better scenario - maybe a small share? (2) LISBURN was very sharp with lesser but made a break in last and just may be in a bit too tough anyway
RACE 7 - (4) ROLLWITHPAPAJOE crushed a decent NW20000 field 3 back, kicked home full of pace for 4th from an impossible spot in his next, then just "'brushed and crushed" his rivals very impressively in last - he's officially stepping up in class here, but he should be able to beat these too...if he shows up anywhere as sharp as he has been. (2) TWIN B TUFFENUFF had no chance from Post 7 in last but still only lost by a couple of lengths - registered back to back sharp wins prior to that, and "wins" the 2-8 draw for tonight - very legit foe. (7) PYRO has an excellent 10-4-1-2 slate for his connections this year, and is capable of some pretty big efforts when on his best game - if Dube can improve position without using him too hard, he'd have a chance to be a very live player here. (3) THE REAL ONE was struggling a bit before the wake up call victory 4 starts back - took his next start as well, but wasn't all that sharp the following week - rebounded with a solid closing 2nd in last and as always, could be a late threat IF the race is hotly contested up front. (8) SPEED MAN N loved the 2nd over trip 2 back and exploded home in the lane to blow by cheaper - stepped up a peg and did the exact same thing last week and is clearly back on his game now...the question is whether he'll be able to overcome the extreme outside draw, and that's a tough one to answer - if he's a big enough price, you might consider including him on your tickets. (5) ESCAPETOTHE BEACH was "ok" wiring cheaper 2 and 3 back but did race very well from off the pace in his last, rallying solidly for 3rd in a quick mile - we'll see if he can keep his form spree going against these tougher rivals. (6) IDEAL JIMMY really had no excuses last week, and his up and down year continues - not a great spot tonight, even if on his better game. (1) ORILLIA JOE is having a pretty good season as an 11YO, but may be pushing his limits up at this level...even from the pole.
RACE 8 - (1) ROCK THE DEVIL ended 2020 racing strong - took 3 months off and picked up right where he left off, earning a pair of 3rds here off solid efforts - he's always loved Yonkers (10-7-1-0 in 2019), and that's why we'll give him the very narrow edge here. (2) PEACE OUT POSSE should be the main danger, and in many ways is worthy of being the top choice - ships in from PA off a win (also won 4 starts down), and raced very well in all 5 local starts last year - very legit chance to come out on top. (4) HEISMAN PLAYER drops down to the level he crushed back on 3/1, but it's hard to say if he's quite as sharp right now - definitely belongs in exotics. (8) WALKINSHAW N quickly got back to top form a couple starts after the sick scratch, but will have to contend with Post 8 tonight - will need lots of luck to overcome the draw, so insist on a good price if considering for the top spot. (5) CAN BE PERFECT hasn't thrown a bad one in ages, and will probably race very well again tonight - just not sure if the trip will set up well enough for him to be a serious late threat. (3) KERFORD ROAD A was a little disappointing 2 back then was dull again in last - feels like he may be a bit off form, but we'll learn more tonight. (6) MIGHTY SANTANA N can hold his own with these with the right trip, but his 2 wins this year did come vs. cheaper - draws outside, and probably looking at only a minor share. (7) BETOR THAN SPRING draws outside and is not close to his best form right now - sticking with others.
RACE 9 - (5) CHIEF MATE started off the Borgata series like he could actually be one of the major players, despite of some horrible spots/trips - took off the 4th leg then was dull in the 5th leg, followed by a sick scratch in NJ (which may explain the dull try) - if this was a few weeks ago, he'd be a stickout here... but clearly his current form makes it hard to "love" his chances - gets a somewhat lukewarm nod tonight. (6) AMERICAN MERCURY wasn't "good" last week, but at least he rebounded nicely from the disaster in his previous start - feels like a good spot for him to come up with one of his better efforts. (2) HIGH IMPRESSION may be a bit on the cheaper side but this barn deserves respect with anything they ship in here for the first time - also has the speed to set himself with a pretty nice trip. (4) ANTHEM N usually does his winning vs. cheaper, but he can grab pieces at this level too - include in exotics. (1) DRINKING AGAIN seems a little cheap but last week's mega-clunker at Harrington is the bigger concern - does draw best, so we'll see if he can make use of that. (3) BIG BAD BILL has been in and out from week to week but even his best may not be enough against a few of these. (7) MOHAWK WARRIOR can probably hold his own in this class with a better post, but may have trouble getting into the hunt from out here. (8) BETTING EXCHANGE is having a solid 2021 so far, but is another that will be hurt by tonight's draw