RACE 1 – (2) KING JAMES EXPRESS was given a pretty absurd drive from Post 8 that (predictably) resulted in
him fishing way back – the “good” news is that effort allows him to drop to this bottom level...where he should be
one of the main players in this competitive opener. (4) QUALITY BUD was hammered down to 3/5 for his 2
nd start of the year but didn’t come close to matching the effort from the week before – hard to know which version we’ll
see tonight, so be careful about accepting a very short price once more. (5) AIR FORCE HANOVER was well
meant last week when 2nd best to the sharp winner – could be a serious player tonight, as well. (8) KJ HUNTER
actually fits well enough with these, but will need all kinds of trip luck to reach from out here – would consider IF
the price is juicy enough. (1) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N was a winner in NJ on 1/13 in his first start for this barn
but hasn’t earned a dime in 4 starts since then – this is a logical spot to look for improvement, but he also figures to
be way overbet. (6) GOOD INVESTMENT throws a good one from time to time but it’s hard to make a case for him
from this spot. (7) ON THE VIRG hasn’t been “as bad” lately, but lands in a terrible spot for tonight. (3) JOJOS PL
ACE hasn’t been sharp at all recently.
RACE 2 – (6) NO MAS DRAMA was actually well meant in her seasonal debut (left the gate) but lost all chance
after an early miscue (equipment issue) – was handled conservatively in her last and did finish with plenty of trot –
feels like a good spot for an aggressive try against this very modest field. (2) QUEEN OF ALL was caught in the
back with no chance last time but seemed to be on an upward path prior to that – could be a player tonight. (4) NO
TURNING BACK has hit board in all 5 tries in this class but her only win came in a “fall apart” race – prefer top
keep using her underneath. (1) CLEOPATRA AS has 3 tries at this level and hasn’t been better than 5
th – likely looking at only minor spoils for tonight, as well. (5) LADY JETER was an all-out 2nd after a very easy trip last time
– no rail tonight, and that could her chances. (3) ABBEY D just hasn’t been sharp in some time (welcome back
Jimmy Marohn, Jr!).
RACE 3 – (4) LEVINE came up a little disappointing after getting such a good start last week but he has a tactical
edge over his main foe tonight, and we’ll see if that can get him to the winner’s circle. (6) MOTIVE HANOVER
was dull in his first local try this year but appreciated last week’s easy trip and kicked home solidly for 2
nd (beating #4) – the main danger, for sure. (1) BEEBEETEE is hard to gauge because he’s had so many horrible posts at Monti
– he did win the one time he had the pole, and gets a big driver change for tonight – not sure he can handle the top
pair, though, even on his best. (3) IM A GIGOLO N was tailing at the end off 2023 – qualified back ok at PcD, and
may be able to grab a small piece. (5) BARON MICHAEL can be okay when on his game, but he was lifeless in his
last couple – maybe he can pass a few of these tonight? (7) MOONLITE DRIVE N never clicked after debuting in
the U.S. last Nov. and now lands all the way outside off the layoff – good week to just observe. (2) PINE BUSH ITA
LIANO is 16-0-0-1 over the last 2 years at Yonkers.
RACE 4 – (5) THEFLYINGROCK clearly needed that first start (1/27) after a long layoff but was a very solid 2
nd at Fhd. the next week – seems ready to do some damage in his first local start of the year, but may be overbet. (1) IMA
BEACHBOY shows a couple of recent wins at The Swamp and was a steady 4th in his local debut – draws the pole,
and could be a solid player from start to finish. (3) GDS THUNDER GB clearly gets along nicely with Gingras as
the pair have a win and a close 3rd in their 2 starts together – no reason he can’t be right there once more. (6) YS DO
IT RIGHT is sharp right now, and has won here in the past – he may have too many to pass once they turn for home,
but a good price still makes him worth a look. (4) FOX VALLEY PATRIOT turned in improved efforts in his last
pair but comes into this off a sick scratch and that has us leaning more towards. (2) ONE CRAZY GUY wasn’t bad
after sitting in the back last week and gets a much better draw for tonight – prefer others, but he’d hardly be a shock.
(7) LOUS SASSIN has been away for nearly 3 months and lands all the way outside for his return.
RACE 5 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (3) PERRON was very well meant 3 back but broke getting the lead – raced
evenly from the back in his next then was sharp last week, rallying from well back (behind the favorite) for 2
nd – might be a good spot to give him a try. (4) STEUBEN HANOVER failed as the favorite three straight starts before
(barely) getting the job done last week– remains both very possible but also vulnerable at the same time. (7) WILLY
WALTON hit board at nice prices the last 2 starts and is listed at 20-1 ML for tonight – certainly worth considering,
at least for exotics. (5) DELICIOUSSTONE DK is an interesting shipper – he’s been racing well in Ohio in amateur
events, and had a solid overall year in 2023 – that 20-1 ML price makes him worth at least a look. (6) INN AT ROD
ANTHE was sharper last week, even if helped by the easy trip – maybe he can build off that, but the bad draw could
hurt a bit. (2) BELLA CAVALLA looked much better in her 2nd start in from Canada than she did in her first –
draws well and could have an even bigger say tonight...but her 5-0-0-0 local record is a bit concerning. (1) YES has
some pretty ugly current form– we’ll see if the move inside can help him be more competitive. (8) ICE BREAKERS
K was a tough luck 2nd two back but a dullish 3rd last week – won’t be easy to get in play from out here.
RACE 6 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (2) IN MY DREAMS was hurt when caught behind a quitter 2 back but still
was full of trot finishing – he kicked home crisply from an impossible spot last week as well, and may have a chance
here to pull off the upset. (4) TOP ME OFF shipped in sharp from NJ and went another big mile when 3
rd here on 2/9 – delivered as the favorite from Post 7 last week, and remains the one to knock off. (3) LOS BALLYKEELAMI
GO was overbet and folded badly 2 back, but held much better last week – a similar try puts him right back in the
hunt. (1) CRESCENT BEAUTY lacked pop in her first 2 tries off the layoff but is capable of better – maybe we’ll
see a stronger effort tonight? (5) MATCH MEIF YOU CAN shipped in from Canada off a pair of dreadful lines but
wasn’t bad at all in her local debut – a similar try could land her a piece (at a good price). (6) NEWSBOY started the
meet off strong but leveled off quickly – needs to be sharper to be a serious player tonight. (8) BRAVE BY DESIGN
broke before the start last week and now draws Post 8 – definitely leaning towards others this week. (7) LOOK IN
MY EYES was a decent 3rd off the easy trip 2 back but not nearly as effective racing first over in his last – tough
draw for tonight, and may need an easier spot to be a player.
RACE 7 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (3) FLIP THE SWITCH had an outstanding year in 2022 (for our then
leading trainer) but has only one win since then – his last start was very encouraging, however, and this is a very
beatable bunch – could be a winning spot for him. (2) ROSIES WAR BONDS seems to need to be near the lead to
do his best and may get that chance tonight – playable in exotics, for sure. (4) IM THE MUSCLE landed Post 8 in
his first try off the ban change and we’ll give him a pass – definitely could have more impact tonight with move
inside. (1) X O X O hasn’t been clicking at all but her barn is starting to heat up – might be a spot where we’ll see an
improved effort. (6) PIVOTAL was able to handle a soft bunch in his first try off the winter break but hasn’t been a
threat in his last pair – the draw won’t help his chances tonight. (5) INFINITY STONE does his best work with
easier– minor spoils? (7) MUFASA AS would need things to really fall apart to reach from out here.
RACE 8 – Good race! (1) SOUTHWIND ARTURO had a solid qualifier (vs. pacers) after the winter break, and
went an even mile for 4th in his return – he may end up with a good trip in a very competitive race, and there’s
definitely some value here. (2) P L OSCAR dropped out of the Invitational, was left alone on the lead and was a
sharp front end winner last week – legitimate chance to repeat, with similarly smooth sailing. (3) ABRUZZO is
sharp and tries his heart out but he gets choppy through much of the mile and it definitely costs him – remains a
threat, and is playable as long as the price is fair. (6) FOR A DREAMER steps up off the re-claim riding a 2 race
winning streak – he’ll have to do it from off the pace tonight, but he can be effective that way too – some trip luck
will be needed from Post 6, however. (8) EUROBOND actually looked much better racing from the back last week
than he’s looked on the front end lately – long way to come, but not impossible. (7) GRINDER ended the year sharp
and has returned the same way – tough post to overcome in such a sharp field, however. (5) J S HOPSCOTCH is 2
for 2 since arriving but he faces a bit tougher tonight and could be looking at a much tougher trip, as well. (4) THE
LAST CHAPTER has been good in 2024 but probably would like to be in a little easier.
RACE 9 – Interesting race: (1) ROYALTY BEER has been right in the hunt week after week and gets a big post
edge tonight over a few others that he’s been facing lately – could be the deciding factor. (4) EPOS OSTERVANG
DK made a leap up to the Open ranks last week and was still able to continue his seemingly endless streak of hitting
the board EVERY start – he handles any trip, and he can’t be counted out tonight with the decent draw. (6) B NICKI
NG gave it a solid try on the front end last week, losing only to the classy tripitter (WARRIOR ONE) – he draws
inside a couple of main foes tonight but also outside of a couple of others – it’ll likely all come down to trip for him.
(7) WARRIOR ONE broke 3 back then was no threat in his next but bounced right back last week to score the
“pocket rocket” victory – will need some trip luck to match that from Post 7 tonight. (8) CREDIT CON hasn’t won
locally in a while but he’s still been a weekly player at the top level – he’s technically dropping tonight, but so are a
few others that have all drawn to his inside. (2) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS hasn’t been hitting on all cylinders yet
in 2024 and may have a hard time getting things going in this very solid field. (3) TEXSONG SOPRANO romped in
his local debut but wasn’t nearly as sharp in his next pair – faces a tougher bunch now, and will need to really step it
up to be a serious threat. (5) HOOLIE N HECTOR will look better after he can get some class relief.
RACE 10 – Another tough race: (6) HURRIKANE GEORGIE gave it a shot from Post 8 last week but ended up
parked (and gets a full pass) – he’s proven more than capable with this type, and he moves to a barn that often wins
with fresh stock – very attractive with that 10-1 ML listing. (1) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A has been racing well
overall since the new meet began – this trainer/driver team hooked up for a winner in the last race on Tuesday night
(also from the rail) so perhaps we’ll have some déjà vu? (5) THE BEST TYME EVER shipped in very sharp from
NJ and was able to race just as well back at Yonkers, displaying a lot of gameness to rally back to beat #3 last week
– has to be respected in his current condition. (3) STOP STARING looked like a winner last week but just didn’t
sustain his energy well enough in the lane and allowed #5 to come back and beat him – he was favored that night,
and you will get a much better price now if you want to give him a shot at redemption. (4) ODDS ON PICK SIX hit
board in both starts this year but didn’t appear to be at his absolute “best” – he’s still a dangerous player, but you’ll
want a decent price to try him on top tonight. (2) DA GHETTO WIZARD hasn’t been all that sharp and draws into a
field where most of the others are thriving – tough task. (7) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER would be a surprise, for sure.
RACE 11 – (3) SPORTS FAN was stuck too far back in his local debut but did pace very well through the final
3/8ths – he was stuck making a very long first over move vs. the sharp front end winner last start, and still battled
hard right to the wire – he’s due for an “easy” trip, and that may get him over the top. (1) SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL
is better than his recent lines suggest and we may see that better version with tonight’s post relief – could easily be a
player this week. (7) DRAGON SAID had a dismal 2023 season and parted ways with his long time trainer late in
the year – he debuted for another new barn here last week, and actually finished with excellent pace after being
trapped in the back – he’ll likely be handled much more aggressively tonight, and we’ll see if he’s up for it. (2)
SHANWAY N doesn’t feel like a threat to win, but he’s racing well and the good draw makes him a live one to
include underneath in exotics. (4) OUR CORELLI N wasn’t bad 2 back but lost all chance after an early miscue last
week – another with a chance at a small slice. (6) MEMPHISTENNESSE N fits well at this level but the bad draw
may leave him waiting for a better spot. (5) BLUEBIRD RECON gave his fans a root from Post 8 last week but
eventually gave way on the lead and faded badly – sticking with others tonight.
RACE 12 – (2) LOUS BEACH raced hard 2 and 3 back but came up a little light at the end – sat well back last
week and did finish full of pace...maybe this is a spot where he can land on the winning trip. (1) DOUBLE
METAL’s last 2 local starts produced a pair of 3rds, from posts 7 and 8 – have to respect his chances starting from
the pole tonight. (4) ARDEN MESSI N can be a bit inconsistent but he kept going until making the top last week
and suddenly got very brave, never letting up and completing the sharp front end score – steps up a notch, but more
than classy enough for a chance at another. (8) NAUTICAL HANOVER was handled unaggressively in his first
start in from Canada and it left him with only a chance for 2nd – was a lot more serious last week, and dominated
with a “tuck and brush” victory over softer – he’s well within his comfort zone against these, but the draw may slow
him down just a bit. (5) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER was better last week, though helped by the easy trip – a
similar journey could lead to a small share here as well. (6) GINGRAS BEACH drops a peg but this field is
probably still a bit tougher than he’d like to be facing. (7) ROCKAPELO makes his 2nd start off the layoff and the
guess is that he’ll need this one as well. (3) HEART ON MY SLEEVE was weak in his last pair – a wake up call
will be needed.