RACE 1 – (4) VICI was stuck trying to close into a sharp final half last start but he paced his back half in :54.1 to be
a fast closing 3rd – his barn won several races at multiple tracks the last few days, and he feels like a good value play
in tonight’s competitive opener. (2) TWIN B RISENSHINE is just 1 for 14 at YR this year but seems to be right in
the mix every start – a decent trip could put him close at the wire once more. (1) HAZEVILLE got it done at 1/5 last
week (on the lead, with the class drop) but it’s hard to say he was “impressive” – certainly has to be respected from
this spot, but there may be better value with a few others. (3) ROCKIN N TALKIN picked up a win and close 2nd at
the NW20000 level not long ago but has tailed off a bit recently – he does add Lasix tonight, so a wake up call could
be coming...another that should offer some good value. (6) SLING SHOCK took full advantage off the class drop
and front end in last week’s victory – this is a much tougher spot, but he’s still eligible to grab a good piece with the
right trip. (8) CHANTEE gets a double class drop but also gets stuck with Post 8– he’ll be coming hard late, but may
be too far back. (5) JAHAN HANOVER feels off his best game right now but may see this as an opportunity to
leave the gate – minor share? (7) GREG THE LEG is looking at another tough trip with the poor draw.
RACE 2 – (4) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N is being allowed to drop off a cliff tonight and he certainly hasn’t been
embarrassing himself vs. the much tougher competition – his barn is having a very rough year, but seems poised to
pick up a victory here. (2) THE IDEAL DANCER A faltered as the odds on choice last start debuting for our
leading trainer – he’s capable of much better (see 3 back), and could prove the main danger. (6) EUPHORIA N had a
great run towards the end of the summer but then tailed off considerably – he showed some better life in his last pair
(off class drops), and drops another peg for tonight – tough draw, but a good price makes him worth a look. (1)
ALEX TYE benefited from some good racing luck last week but still responded when called upon to win up the
cones – in much tougher now, but a small piece is still within reach. (3) VIVA LAS VEGAS N inherited the lead on
the final turn from a bolting leader last week and had no excuse to lose to #1 – minor share only. (5) KIMBLE A
was able to get it done at the bottom level 2 back but now steps up another peg after a no threat 4th last week – minor
spoils? (8) LEVINE looked dead short off the layoff last week and now gets stuck behind the 8 ball. (7)
TRANSPARENCY won for a new barn off the layoff 2 back (at Monti) but was then no threat at PcD – may need to
be in a bit easier.
RACE 3 – (3) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR was razor sharp when purchased by his current connections in Sept. –
he’s raced at the top level 6X since then, picking up checks in 5 of those starts (7 hole in the other) – he hit the wire
full of pace last week, and tonight’s (big) drop should provide him the opportunity for a victory. (5) HEMSWORTH
N is also getting a huge drop for tonight, but doesn’t feel as sharp right now as #3 – it would never be a surprise to
see him win at THIS level, however. (4) TICKERTAPE HANOVER put in a significant rally from 8th last week and
gets a pass for finally weakening near the end– a live trip could help him grab a good piece. (7) MY ULTIMATE BY
RON A gets the same big drop as the top pair but gets no luck with the draw – still worth including underneath if the
price gets juicy. (1) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N has the speed and ability to be part of the up front action but he’s
also notoriously camera shy– he debuts for a barn that has been super off the claim this year, but likely looking at
only a smaller share vs. these. (2) CYRUS N is on the cheaper side – minor spoils only. (6) BUGABOO LOU hasn’t
clicked since the recent barn change. (8) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A took his last 2, but this is a much tougher spot.
RACE 4 – Tough race! (6) MASONS DELIGHT N has done some good work here (at big prices) and might have
been even closer last week (first time for our leading barn) if not for some traffic issues – tough draw, but a chance
at the upset if some racing luck comes his way. (7) JUST ENUFF STUFF just missed (at 33-1!) off the claim 3 back
and his last pair are sharper than they may look on paper – he draws poorly once again, but he’ll be a big enough
price to merit a look. (5) POINTOMYGRANSON went on unbelievable tears in each of the last 2 years but he hit hit
the skids a while back and it’s hard to say where he’s at, right now – the had to be pulled up early at PcD on 10/19
but then qualified back behind DESPERATE MAN, and won from Post 8 at Monti last week – if you think he can
bring anything close to his best tonight, he’s worth using. (1) SPEED MAN N gets his first good draw since he took
4 months off and he’s sure to attract a lot of tote action – hard to say if he’ll be up for the aggressive steer that’s
likely coming tonight. (3) HAMMERING HANK has only 5 starts this year but he’s definitely on the upswing as he
steps up after holding off THE REAL ONE to win last week– would be no surprise at all. (4) YOROKOBI N
finished ok last week and his pilot is certainly capable – not impossible. (2) GLANATE A took a lifetime mark in
that NJ win 3 back but has been unable to replicate that form in his last pair. (8) SCRIBBLERS fits well enough, but
will have to pass a lot of foes to win from out here.
RACE 5 - $50,000 claimer, but 6 of the 8 participants are stepping up from 40s! (1) ORLANDO BLUE A is one of
the 2 “actual 50s” in here and he’s been knocking on the door lately, with 4 seconds from his last 5 starts – we’ll
give him the edge tonight starting from the pole. (3) J B GRAM was a solid 2nd last week after beating the 40s the
week before (stepping up, for his 3rd win in a row) – seems like he should be a very good fit here too, and clearly
sharp enough for a chance at the top slot. (5) PYRO has continued to do good work after changing hands 4 back – he
can handle any trip that comes his way, and could be a live player once more. (4) LYRICAL GENIUS A finally got
the monkey off his back and picked up his first Yonkers win last week, wiring the 40s – we’ll see if he built enough
confidence for a chance to take another. (6) DELESTON landed on a good trip to charge by easily in the lane for the
win 2 back, then was a close 4th last week – that 20-1 ML price makes him worth a look, especially if you think the
pace will be hotly contested up front. (2) MIND HUNTER went on a major tear after joining this barn during the
summer but he seems to have really leveled off lately – leaning towards others right now. Both (7) PURPLE POET
and (8) AROUND MIDNIGHT are sharp enough to beat these, but are looking at very tough trips from out here.
RACE 6 – (1) ITS A ME MARIO is one of three horses in here dropping down from the MGM Grand Prix Pacing
Series but he may be the sharpest right now, and definitely gets the best draw – we’ll give him the narrow edge, and
hope he goes off at a fair price. (6) COVERED BRIDGE gets a rare drop to this level but he hasn’t been close to his
best form lately, and also meets others getting the same class relief – that 8-1 ML does make him more appealing,
however, especially when fellow classy barnmate FUNATTHEEACH N just pulled off a 75-1 stunner last week! (5)
BLUE HUNT continues to be hurt by sluggishness early in the mile but you can count on a good finish, once he gets
motivated– he’s the 3rd of the class droppers, and playable as long as he’s not overbet. (7) TIP TOP CAT is a talented
4YO that’s hit board in 5 of his 7 local start, but has yet to find the winner’s circle – make sure to get a good price if
trying him on top from out here. (2) WALKINSHAW N is racing well these days but he’s moving up in class and
may have to settle for a bit smaller piece tonight. (4) BRAKE AHEAD ships in from Ohio for a very live barn but
may have been facing a bit easier – class test coming tonight. (3) BURNHAM BOY N has been away for nearly 6
months – sticking with others, for now. (8) WINDSUN RICKY may be relegated to spectator status from out here.
RACE 7 – (4) ROCKNROLL RUNA A landed on a very tough trip last week (long first over from 5th) but was still
right there 3rd on the wire – he gets a rare drop away from Invitational company and we’ll look for Stalbaum to
handle him more aggressively from this spot. (1) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP has come a LONG way since being
claimed for $15K earlier this year and has become a very dangerous weekly threat in this class – tonight should be
no different, and he could easily be the one should the top choice fail to bring his best. (5) BIG SKEWY N was
really hitting on all cylinders in PA before taking a month off and re-qualifying – if he’s as sharp as he was BEFORE
that time off, he can make some noise in his local debut. (2) ROCK DIAMONDS N seems to be sharpening after
taking a couple of months off – an easy trip could see him tow along for a small share. (3) CARABAO A got VERY
sharp for a while but now shows being scratched lame, qualifying, then scratched sick in succession – definitely a
question mark for tonight. (7) LOUS SWEETREVENGE got hit with the deck trip-wise last week and converted for
the 11-1 upset – not sure he can get that same kind of fortuitous journey from out here, though he’ll surely be
finishing well, regardless. (6) LEONIDAS A just never got back to top form this year – tonight’s draw figures to
hamper his chances though he’s at least playable for the bottom of exotics at that 20-1 ML price (8) ULTIMAROCA
has been back on the upswing, but faces an uphill task from Post 8, against this crew.
RACE 8 – (1) STONEBRIDGE REX was on a major roll this spring, winning 4 of 6 starts before being scratched
sick on 5/21 – he requalified nearly 6 months later (solid 2nd behind a very promising import) then had a very useful
tightener last week, beaten less than 2 lengths in a sharp 1:52.1 mile...could be ready to strut his best stuff tonight.
(6) SURFSIDE BEACH suddenly got very sharp in October, rattling off 3 straight wins – he came up a head shy last
week, but probably raced even BETTER than night than in those three wins – tough draw in a solid field, but too
sharp to ignore right now. (2) THE BIRD DANCE N disappointed in his local debut but was racing off a bad date
for a new barn – too soon to write him off, but you’d need a good price to try him on top tonight. (4) SHINE A LIG
HT fits well in this field and gets a decent draw– a live trip could put him right in the hunt. (5) PEACE OUT POSSE
recently won 3 straight but then leveled off a bit – he was sneaky ok from a tough spot last start and as noted earlier,
his barn just had a couple of good days at multiple tracks – would be no real surprise. (7) LUCKBEWITHALEX hit
the top 4X since 9/7 and was victorious each time – he’s not as effective from OFF the pace, however, and he may
be stuck racing that way from Post 7 tonight. (3) BRAEVIEW BONDI A seems a bit ambitiously placed in here –
prefer others. (8) KARLOO BRADLEY N is undeniably sharp but the move outside figures to slow him down.
RACE 9 - Good finale: (6) THEFLYINGROCK was able to leave from Posts 7 and 8 the last 2 weeks, work out
decent trips and hot board both times – his price will come down a bit tonight, but he should still be offering good
value, considering his current form. (3) SADDLE UP used the rail to his full advantage last week and scored a sharp
front end victory, kicking home in a crisp :27.4 – he’ll have to work harder tonight, but seems sharp enough for a
chance to pull off another one. (8) IM A POWERPLAY A disappointed last start but was reclaimed for the barn for
whom he delivered a VERY powerful 1:52.3 victory the week before – brutal draw, but that also means a better price
– worth considering. (2) SAN DOMINO A gets a good draw in a race where there MAY end up being some battle in
front of him – he’s no longer camera shy here at Yonkers, and the right trip could make him a player. (1) MEMPHIS
TENNESSEE N has just one win on the year but the rail draw certainly could put him in the hunt for a place in the
exotics. (7) GENIUS MAN lands in a terrible spot but he has several sharp recent efforts, and could add some value
to the bottom of the gimmicks with some racing luck. (5) SMOKIN BY N just seems better suited with a but easier
right now, despite his (easy trip) 2nd last week. (4) MARLBANK ROAD pops off his share of good efforts but this
doesn’t feel like a good spot for one of those.