RACE 1 - (3) PURPLE POET ended 2022 with a strong victory for a barn that really caught fire towards
the end of last year - his return was outstanding as well, rallying INTO the teeth of the :27.1 third quarter
before going wide, and continuing to rally into the lane - moves inside, and should offer some decent value
in tonight's solid opener. (1) WICHITA LINEMAN was unable to gain first over into that same hot panel
but stayed on gamely to the end for 3rd - he's a rock solid performer at this level, and a major threat tonight.
(2) BARBADOS never got in gear in his first start of '23 but he gets major post relief, and is a winning
machine - would be no surprise to see a much bigger effort here. (5) OSTRO HANOVER should be
returning to YR with some confidence after last week's win in NJ- tougher spot here, and also lands outside
a trio of strong rivals. (7) REDBANK BLAZE A was sharp at the end of last year and was solid in his
return from an impossible spot - unfortunately, he figures to be limited by another bad draw. (8) LONG
WEEKEND A was an excellent winner to start 2023, staying right there into the hot 3/4s then going by the
leader in the lane - may have trouble replicating that from out here, though. (4) THE DOWNTOWN BUS
was unable to win races for most of 2 years....until the leading trainer (at that time) took over and got 3
straight victories out of him - returns for a new barn after 3 months off, and the qualifier seems uninspiring.
(6) SILENT SPLENDOR has been away since 12/14 and figures to need at least a start.
RACE 2 - (2) FEELIN WESTERN was forced to take on the Open pacers (off a month) and was right there
until the final stages - should be tighter now, drops to a much more reasonable spot, and may be able to find
a winning trip tonight. (1) GENIUS MAN beat this class back on 11/28 then came up 2nd best to a beastly
OZONE BLUE CHIP in his '23 debut - very dangerous player from the pole. (5) ULTIMAROCA hasn't
been the most successful horse at YR but he was very sharp in last week's victory - faces tougher now, but
deserves consideration in his current form. (6) ROCKAPELO was doing good work for his previous trainer
so it was a bit of a surprise to see him change barns recently - failed to really fire last week, but the classy
veteran is eligible to perk up at any time...not a bad longshot stab. (4) THE REGULATOR drew Post 8 at
Fhd. during the hiatus and trailed all the way - IF he shows up on his best game tonight, however, he could
certainly make some noise. (3) TITO ROCKS shows 3 fairly recent wins (out of town) and some overall
sharp form - he moves up in class off 23 days, however, and may not be ready to deliver his best effort. (7)
PEACE OUT POSSE ended the year with a pair of wins but vs. easier - lands Post 7 off nearly 5 weeks,
and we'll be sticking with others, for tonight.
RACE 3 - Tough race: (5) MOTIVE HANOVER paced a :27.1 opener last week then replicated that speed
in a sizzling 3rd panel - that left him just a little short at the end, but he may be able to make amends here
with a little easier trip. (1) ARDEN MESSI N was a strong 2nd in his only local start, even if vs. a little
easier - he was Bartlett's choice (over #2), and looms a dangerous threat from this excellent spot. (6) BAD
TO THE BONE N raced ok vs. better in 2 local starts last year - returns off a blowout win at Batavia, and
his barn is 1 for 1 to start the new season - worth considering. (3) PRAIRIE PANTHER finished full of
pace to just miss off an easy trip last week - chance to be right there once more with another kind journey.
(2) INDICTABLE HANOVER was empty in his seasonal debut last week, and hasn't enjoyed a lot of local
success in his limited starts - Bartlett opts for #1 and even if Dave Miller does show up to drive at Yonkers
tonight, you'd want a good price to use him on top. (7) CHANTEE has raced well in all 7 YR starts since
arriving here in late Oct. - not sure Lachance can find him a way into the race, but would still consider for
exotics. (4) MR DS ROCK was sent off at 100-1 last week and raced accordingly - inclined to pass here,
but will at least take a look at the tote board. (8) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH was solid in his '23 return, but
will be up against it from this spot.
RACE 4 - (1) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP ended the year just missing from Post 8 then started off 2023 the
very same way - moves all the way inside, and that certainly earns him top billing. (6) LYONS JOHNNY
JNR thrived after arriving at Yonkers, compiling a solid 11-4-2-3 slate - hard to know for sure how tight
he'll be off the layoff, but perhaps the tote board will provide some clues? (5) DIVISION BELL moved to a
barn that was an incredible 11-7-2-1 here last year and promptly elevated his game to win 3 of 4 upstate
(made a break in the lone loss) - he MAY prove a little too cheap for these, but his trainer was SO scary last
year that this guy almost has to get a look tonight. (4) MONGOLIAN HERO N has burned some $$ in his
recent local tries, always lagging too far back to be a serious late threat - maybe tonight he can be closer
when they turn from home and have a chance to beat these? (2) DEETZY got sharp along with several barn
mates late in the year, but he comes into tonight off a 5 week layoff - may be at a bit of a disadvantage this
start. (7) AMERICAN BOY N gets a class drop but also lands Post 7 and just doesn't seem sharp enough to
be a real threat here. (8) SHERIFF N actually gets a DOUBLE drop but he draws even worse...and hasn't
clicked since being claimed for $50K on 11/21. (3) WAR DAN DELIGHT N is winless in his last 45 YR
starts, and hard to recommend shipping back from Monti.
RACE 5 - (4) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE has held his own with the 50s here, so this group of 40s is certainly
within his comfort zone - too far back in NJ last week, but should be in a much better spot tonight (Bartlett
picks up the drive as Bongiorno will be driving his own horse, #6). (1) BARON MICHAEL was empty in
his NJ start over the winter break but he could easily bounce back with a much better effort tonight - he
does fit with these, and a live trip could make him a serious player. (2) GOTHIC ROCK got sharp and
climbed up to this $40K level then held his own in several starts - his return try was very encouraging
(despite a terrible trip), and the move inside could make him a legitimate threat. (7) BRACKLEY BEACH
was one of several from this barn to really thrive in the last couple of months of last meet - clearly a tough
spot, but still a chance with the right trip luck. (8) FLOW WITH JOW was an excellent 2nd to a beastly
UPTOWN FUNK to close out 2022, and really wasn't bad at all in his '23 return - gets stuck with Post 8
once more but IF Siegelman handles him aggressively (and lands on some racing luck), he may have a
chance to be a part of this. (3) TIN ROOF RAIDER A rallied well for 3rd in his first try of '23 but he was 0
for 15 here last year (1 for 22 overall) and hard to use in the top slot. (5) ELWELL failed to sustain his bid
well enough in his first try off the winter break - the 11YO can never be easily dismissed, but that 5/2 ML
price does make others seem more attractive, for wagering purposes. (6) GENTLEMAN JIM II IE tired to
last in his first start off the claim, and was 0 for 14 here the last 2 years - maybe if the price is big enough?
RACE 6 - (1) GREAT SOMEWHERE returned sharp from the winter break, confidently wiring the field
last week - gets to stay in the same class, draws another rail, and the road to the winner's circle runs through
him. (2) THE REAL ONE was handled conservatively last week and responded with a crisp finish to be 3rd
- eligible to come out on top tonight if the trip shakes out his way. (3) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N was
about to finally reach the lead at the quarter last week when he got locked badly on a line and couldn't cross
over - ended up parked as a result, and gets a pass for finishing way back - he's definitely "iffy" right now,
but maybe an easy trip could help the recent import rebound with a much better effort? (4) BIG SIR loomed
briefly turning for home last week before flattening out and finishing 4th - his best effort could make him a
threat here, but a smaller piece still seems more likely. (7) TJS INDY PACER raced ok here in 3 starts this
winter and probably fits well....tough spot to overcome, however. (5) HEISMAN PLAYER was an ok 3rd
off the winter break but steps up in class here, and seems more likely to grab a smaller share than a bigger
one. (6) WALKINSHAW N never grabbed the bit last week and draws a tough post for tonight - leaning to
others. (8) ROCK CANDY failed to threaten from the rail in his last, and now draws Post 8.
RACE 7 - (1) FAMILY RECIPE put in a bunch of big miles towards the end of 2022 and his return last
week was much sharper than it looks, as he came across the wire FULL of pace - he faces some pretty
tough foes in here but he'll be a decent price and may just trip out - one of several possibilities in a very
interesting race. (8) NICHOLAS BEACH is the "x factor" tonight - he has a TON of talent "when right",
but the classy 7YO has only 40 career starts, and has been away since June - he only went to post 11X last
year, but he did pick up a nifty 1:47 mark along the way...the barn is NOT shy about racing 'em hard right
off the bench, and that may be the case tonight too. (4) TAKE A GAMBLE really elevated his game for his
new barn after arriving from Canada, winning 3 of his last 4 starts in sub 1:53 efforts - been away since
12/20, but that doesn't mean he won't be ready for a big one tonight. (7) BUDDY HILL was 2nd to the now
streaking NANDOLO N to close out 2022, and was a winner last week to start off 2023 - the only knock
here is Post 7. (3) FORTIFY has a solid YR slate (13-5-3-2) but MAY not be on his best game right now -
he's playable, but that 3-1 ML price just seems too low. (2) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N closed out '22 with 3
seconds and a win from his last 4 starts - he's been away for 5 weeks, however, and will also be facing a
tougher bunch tonight - minor share? (5) EHRMANTROUT has taken 3 in a row but that success lands him
up at a level he may find a bit too difficult. (6) SOHO LENNON A will look better with a class drop next
week - this just feels like too tough an assignment.
RACE 8 - (3) FOREVER FAV was racing well almost every start before the winter break and returned just
as sharp, a dead game first over 2nd to favored GREAT SOMEWHERE - this is a much easier field and
while he was just 2 for 36 last year, this does feel like a spot where he can get into the win column. (2)
AMERICANLIGHTNINGN was well backed off the hiatus and looked good on the lead as they turned for
home last week....only to start tiring and drifting in the lane, fading to 4th - he can be a major threat here IF
he brings his best effort. (1) ST LADS STERLING had a strong 3YO campaign up north, earning $157K
and establishing a 1:49.3 mark - he's raced well at Stga. in his 3 starts since the barn change, but he'll be
taking on tougher tonight after being away for 6+ weeks- may be a little short. (6) HES ELECTRIC
remembered how to win last year and picked up 4 local wins in a pretty solid season - didn't like cutting the
mile in NJ last week but he's eligible to rally for a share here with a more conservative steer (7) ITALIAN
LAD N ships down from Monti with form that's hard to fault but the class jump and 7 hole do figure to
slow him down a bit. (4) MARLBANK ROAD has been away since 12/12 and the guess is that he'll need a
start or two before we see his best. (5) WARDAN EXPRESS A has a couple of recent PA wins but vs.
much easier - figures to struggle a bit against these.
RACE 9 - (3) THE IDEAL DANCER A disappointed as the favorite (in NJ) in his first U.S. start but has
done nothing but good work since then, and seems to be getting even sharper every week - flew home from
the back in his last to just miss to a currently (very) sharp BELMONT ROYALE N, and he lands in a very
reasonable spot for his Hilltop debut - he was Bartlett's choice...and ours too. (1) BLANK STARE threw a
dud last week but he's rebounded from lesser outings in the past - he BEAT the top choice in PA 2 starts
back, and may prove the main danger tonight. (2) SETH HANOVER didn't seem all that cranked up for his
1st start of the year but he was very good in the latter part of 2022 and may be ready for a better effort here
- include in exotics. (5) BILL HALEY N used a pocket trip to pick up a win right before the winter break
then returned sharp as well, rallying for 2nd after being used hard in the opening panel - a live trip could
land him on the ticket tonight too. (6) IM NO OUTLAW N has thrived up at Stga. after arriving from
Australia and just may be as good as these - he's also been away since 12/10, and draws poorly for tonight -
see how barnmate ST LADS STERLING races off a similar layoff in Race 9. (4) THREE IN HEAVEN A
lands in a pretty tough field for his YR debut and does seem a bit below several of the main players. (7)
JUDDY DOUGLAS A has looked good here after arriving from Down Under but he draws poorly off the
bad date, and is also moving up in class. (8) DEAN B HANOVER lands Post 8 after being away since
August - definitely on the "watch list" for tonight.
RACE 10 - (6) SARANAC BLUE CHIP was in a no-chance spot off the winter break and should benefit
from that start - drops tonight and MAY be able to blast hard enough to make the top - decent value play in
a tough finale. (4) DOUBLE UP N is hard to gauge off his Indiana form but he was racing up at the Open
level as recently as October, and his connections are very reliable - guessing we'll see a very competitive try
in his first Yonkers start. (2) REIGNING DEO doesn't win as often as he should but this is the kind of sport
where he can be a dangerous late threat with the right trip - just don't take a short price. (1) DELIGHTFUL
TERROR benefited from a couple of live trips to close out the 2022 season with a win and a 2nd - no factor
in his last NJ start, but he does land in a good spot tonight - definitely possible, but also figures to be
overbet. (3) MANKAT came up short off the hiatus but could be tighter tonight - would at least consider if
the price is right. (7) KERFORD ROAD A finished the year with a pair of 2nds but draws poorly for his '23
return - he was also 0 for 17 here last season, and that is a concern as well. (5) MISTER DONALD A found
some life with lesser in PA recently, but still remains iffy at best against these types. (8) GAMBLINGTER
ROR gets stuck all the way outside after missing 6 weeks.