RACE 1 - Interesting opener as the 6 entrants only have ONE local start between all of them! (3) MORE
PLEASE wasn't quite ready for prime time at 2, starting late and quickly going on the shelf - she's looked
MUCH better at 3, however, qualifying sharply twice at PcD...the homebred sister to the very talented PLE
ASELETMEKNOW may be ready to do damage right off the bat. (5) RHYDS ECLIPSE GB has prepped
4X for his U.S. debut and the Irish Import has gotten much better in his last couple - switches from his
trainer to our leading driver for tonight, and could be very tough in his stateside debut! (4) HAILEYS SIST
ER was well back in her only YR try but that was her first start of the year - has been improving quickly in
PA, and could be a legitimate threat tonight. (6) ALWAYS B ROYALTY has come around nicely at Monti
for his current barn and puts a 4 race winning streak on the line tonight - can't be dismissed too quickly! (2)
BENICIO was lightly raced at 2 and 3 but the Florida bred did do some good work - her 4YO return (in
Ohio) wasn't bad, but she's missed 24 days and it's hard to know her fitness level for tonight. (1) HURRIK
ANE LADY LOU has just one qualifier and was way behind#5 that night - guessing she'll need a couple.
RACE 2 - (5) MARTY MONKHOUSER A is off to an excellent start in his final year of racing, already
8-4-1-1 on the year - he can use his speed from this spot, and his main rivals have some question marks -
worth using tonight. (3) STATEMENT MADE A hit board in 5 straight Yonkers starts before last week's
dud (vs. 25s, in a very fast mile) - drops down to a much easier spot, and a quick rebound is very possible.
(1) SHOREVIEW hit board in all 3 starts since the recent claim but his problem over the last few years is
getting to the winner's circle - he's in a logical spot to do some damage here, but be careful about taking
too short a price if using on top. (6) MINGO JOEL is listed at 9/5 on the ML but he moves from the rail to
the outside while moving up in class....while also exiting our leading barn - it would hardly be a shock if he
was able to win here....but the value seems to be in playing against him tonight. (2) JK LUCKY CHARMS
has struggled in his 4 starts since the recent claim. (4) MY MIND IS MADEUP has struggled for months.
RACE 3 - (6) CANTKEEPMIASECRET was the selection in a better field last week (and went off as the
favorite) but Bongiorno refused to pull her and was left with no chance at the top prize - she did finish
alertly after finding room late between horses, and we'll try her again tonight...at what figures to be a much
better price. (5) UP HELLY AA has been a major disappointment since arriving from The Maritimes, and
that's despite being 2 of our sharpest barns - his last effort was a little better than it may look on paper, and
it's possible that he's heading in the right direction - gets Bartlett back on board, and we'll see if tonight's
class drop can help. (3) I DA PRINCESS is the "x factor" - the last time she was seen here was in the FM
Open Trot, but she went on the shelf after a miscue the next week, and hasn't been able to get back to that
top form so far - Yannick (& co.) move her to our leading trainer hoping to turn things around...we'll see if
that's what happens. (4) CIEL BLUE is just 1 for 10 locally but he sometimes has a good late rally, and
would have a chance here IF the race just falls apart. (1) BIG NUDGE gets important post and class relief
but he's really been struggling lately - a wake up call is possible. (2) PINE BUSH ROSE raced well at
Monti last week, but it was her FIRST start since August 2020 -- prefer to just keep an eye on her for now.
RACE 4 - (4) BIZET got lost in the back 2 starts down but bounced back last week with a solid effort
(from an impossible spot) - drops down to a level he hasn't seen in some time, and should have a solid
chance against these (Stratton opts to drive #7, but we'll still stick with this guy). (2) WINDSONG
PIONEER perked up with a good 2nd behind a sharp KASHA V three back, then rattled off a pair of front
end scores in his last 2 start - steps up another notch, but sharp enough right now to still be a serious threat.
(3) LADY JETER was lagging in her last but did finish up more alertly - she hasn't been on her game in a
while, but she should be a fair price tonight and may be worth considering. (7) STICK WITH ME KID
looked like a winner on the final turn last week but just couldn't fully sustain his momentum into the stretch
and had to settle for a close, hard fought 3rd - would have probably listed him even higher if not for the
terrible draw. (5) FULL RIGHTS probably needs to be in easier to be a threat to win but he does pick up
smaller pieces at this level - maybe 3rd/4th? (6) GREG moves to overnight conditioned races for the first
time and is a little hard to gauge class-wise - will probably just observe this week, but also wouldn't be
shocked to see him hold his own tonight. (1) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND was no factor in his first try for
this barn then was scr. sick from his next - draws best, but we're still sticking with others. (8) BANK BOX
TREASURE doesn't figure to be able to get involved while up in class from Post 8.
RACE 5 - Tough race: (3) TOPVILLE SOMROCKET was off 4 months to his last start, landed in a strong
field but still only lost by 5 lengths in a fast mile - his barn is going well right now, and he could be ready
for a much bigger effort in his 2nd start back, dropping into this easier claiming field - worth a look as long
as he's not overbet. (2) STELLAR YANKEE gets major post relief and the possibility of a close up trip
behind a loose speedball - good value horse to consider at that 12-1 ML price. (5) JKS CHAMP was racing
well when he first arrived from Ohio - hit a little snag but looked a bit better last week - if he's ready to
bring his best again, he can be a player here. (8) JK STANDINGOVATION ships in having won 3 of his
last 4 starts, the lone loss being in the Pocono slop - he was a good 2nd here last summer (no prayer trip in
his other local try), and he might be a perfect with these - use him if you think Joe B. can get him into the
mix. (1) MINK STREET has no shortage of speed but stamina has been an issue in his 2 local tries - he
may be able to just outrun these, but there's likely better value to be found with others. (7) DA GHETTO
WIZARD raced ok last week but lands in a tough spot for tonight - maybe 3rd/4th at a big price? (4) SHIP
WRECK BEACH K was empty in his last then took 3 weeks off - prefer to stick with others tonight. (6)
TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK wasn't overly impressive in his starts here last year.
RACE 6 - (1) MISSION VOYAGE hasn't been particularly sharp and doesn't have the greatest Yonkers
history - he HAS been facing much better, however, and will likely get to control the action against a field
of pretty suspect players - gets top billing, even if largely by default! (4) BIG CHARLIE MORAN was
finally putting in a better effort last week....but then spoiled it with that late miscue - we'll see if he can
build off that...and stay trotting this week. (6) VELVET STYLE is a decent trotter but is off to a horrendous
start to his 2023 season - was making breaks for a few weeks, then failed to really fire last time even when
he behaved himself -- the wake up call with eventually come, but it's hard to keep taking short prices
waiting for that to happen. (5) BAZILLIONAIRE is in cheap but he's as camera shy as they come, and
often does better CHASING good ones for pieces, than trying to beat lesser ones - hard horse to ever use on
top at anything resembling a short price. (2) MY BOY CHRISTIAN wasn't terrible from the back last week
but he has a LONG history of disappointing in "good spots", and is just 2 for 45 locally over the past 3
years. (3) UPFRONT STONE has done little since almost shocking at 43-1 on 11/23.
RACE 7 - (4) AFTER ALL PAUL is just 1 for 10 this year but hit board in 6 of the 9 losses - he avoids all
the dominant players in this class (that he often finishes right behind) and this is a good spot for him to pick
up a victory. (5) BLUEBIRD JESSE has been ok since changing barns 5 starts back and was rewarded with
a victory last week - fits nicely in here too, and is worth a look if the price is decent (Boyd understandably
opts for #4). (6) TOP ME OFF drops in for a tag after a miscue 2 back followed by a dullish one in PA -
he's gone some miles here that would make him a threat tonight, and he won't be hurt "getting stuck" with
Bartlett tonight (as Gingras drives his own horse, #2) - possibility. (7) LINDSEYS PRIDE just hasn't been
able to finish well for his current connections - still worth including underneath, though. (2) VALI HANO
VER has some ability but just hasn't been good lately - needs a big wake up call. (1) TORKIL is a good one
for pieces in NW5000 but is hard to endorse vs. these 50s. (3) EMOTIONS RICHES is a streaky sort that
just hasn't been clicking lately - inclined to pass, but will still check the tote board for some hints.
RACE 8 - (1) DENMARK SEELSTER was claimed on 10/28 for $25K and failed to function in any of his
next 5 starts - he was then sold to our leading trainer, went from 86-1 on 2/11 to an amazing 6/5 in his next
start and to the surprise of nobody, was a six length winner across the river - just missed in his next pair
(finished a close 2nd both times), and we'll hop on board for his Hilltop return. (2) PICARD A had his fate
sealed early last week when he had to make a full retreat after leaving hard - drops down to a better level,
and can be a big player tonight with a kinder trip. (6) PEDRO HANOVER was knocking on the door 2 and
3 starts back before delivering the sharp front end score in last - has a chance to be a big threat even from
Post 6, but that 9/5 ML price is definitely unappealing. (4) BETTER B SWIFT has been stuck with a bunch
of bad posts but some of those efforts are better than they look - not a bad one to take a stab with if looking
for a price here. Both (3) LATE MAIL N and (5) AINT HE SPECIAL have been dull lately...and both
would need to improve here for a chance at any decent piece of this.
RACE 9 - (6) NO DRAMA PLEASE returned sharp from a 3 month layoff with a very nice rallying 2nd in
NJ - was unable to delivered as the favorite in his next, but a tough trip had a lot to do with that - lands in a
pretty reasonable spot for his YR return, and has a decent chance to beat these even from Post 6. (4) ZIG
ZAG was also returning from a layoff last week and rallied crisply late to be a close 3rd - stays at the same
level, and should have a big say tonight. (1) GRINDER has been racing in the top classes at Stga. and
generally doing good work any time he's near the lead - draws the pole with Brennan, and he has won here
in the past...definitely consider as long as he doesn't end up overbet. (2) STARLIT RAMBO drops a notch
but has really been just "ok" most weeks - will need to bring his best for a shot at a top prize. (5) FIT BITT
was no factor in his only local try but that was vs. the 50s - should fit well here, but a few others just seem
sharper right now. (3) ANDOVER CONTESSA probably needs to be in a little cheaper to have a serious
chance but she draws well enough for a chance at a minor piece. (7) JIVE NINETY FIVE likely needs a
better post to be competitive with these types.
RACE 10 - (3) YES really wasn't bad when 5th from a no-chance spot 2 back and last week's 3rd place
finish was solid as well - catches a pretty vulnerable bunch tonight, and may be able to come out on top in
the finale. (1) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM hasn't really threatened for a while but his string of 5 straight
4th place finishes has at least been paying for his groceries - this is a softer spot tonight, and he should be
able to be a big player - worth considering. (5) PASS KEY was really tiring late when he won his first local
start of the year so it was no surprise to see him falter the next week, up in class - he's been away for 3
weeks and while his connections always deserve enormous respect, he may not be a bad one to try against
tonight at that 2-1 ML price. (6) MUFASA AS can be hard to predict from start to start but his best effort
makes him a player here, and that 12-1 ML price makes him worth considering for exotics. (2) FASHION
FOREVER has been extremely camera shy here the past couple of years but his (small) barn has been
going ok lately, and this a spot where he may be able to stay close enough to grab a piece. (4) LUCKY
WEEKEND had no excuse when he missed by a head 2 back, then raced ok last week to pick up another
2nd - definitely has a chance here, but also figures to be overbet (just 1 for 19 at YR over the last 3 years).
(7) SWAN FINE LADY took advantage of last week's class drop with the nice front end score but now
moves up in class and lands outside...and that's a tough combination to overcome. (8) DOWN THE PIKE
MIKE has a bunch of good recent tries but tonight's draw figures to curtail his success.