RACE 1 – (1) SAMHARA N served notice 3 back that he was ready to turn things around then followed that up
with a pair of extremely sharp victories – he steps up another notch tonight, but seems more than sharp enough to
handle it, right now. (3) DEETZY doesn’t look nearly as sharp as the top choice on paper, but he’s been deceptively
good vs. better, and could offer some value here. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N has come up 2nd best to runaway winners
in 3 straight starts – chance to pick up another good piece tonight. (2) KINGSVILLE hasn’t been close to top form
in his last few starts but is eligible to perk up at any time – the good draw makes him a threat to land somewhere in
the exotics. (5) SOUTHWIND PETYR finished 2nd to the top choice in his last pair but was nearly as sharp as that
rival either time – he loses Bartlett, and may be looking at a smaller slice this time. (6) THE GOOD DOCTOR was
an easy winner at this level 5 back, but hasn’t been nearly as good since then – a major wake up call is needed. (8)
FAMILY RECIPE had no excuse 3 back, then wasn’t close in his last pair – another terrible draw for tonight. (7)
CASINO ACTION N doesn’t seem nearly sharp enough to have a serious say from out here.
RACE 2 – (5) CAPTAIN T HANOVER has been sharp for seemingly all of 2024, currently sporting a 33-9-11-5
local slate – he was reclaimed last week for a barn that he’s picked up all 3 of his recent wins for, and figures to be
the better price of the two “main players” – we’ll give him the narrow nod. (1) LOUS THE ATTITUDE took a while
to find his best form this year but he’s hitting on all cylinders right now, with 3 wins and a 2nd from his last 4 starts –
clearly the main danger! (4) ALABAMAJAMMA landed on a beautiful trip last week and came up 2nd best to #1 –
would need things to go just as well tonight for any chance to knock off the top pair, but a nice chunk is within reach
(6) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE rallied very nicely off the claim 2 back, but seemed to bottom out chasing a hot clip
last week – if you’re looking for a possible upsetter, he’s not a bad choice. (7) TO THE HUNT has been no worse
than 4th in ages, but tonight’s draw does figure to limit him to a smaller slice. (2) VANDALISM moves inside, but
his slow starts will still likely leave him with only a chance for some minor spoils. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL
moves inside, but is incredibly camera shy – maybe he can save ground for a small check?
RACE 3 – Tough race: (5) CAROLINA BEACH got parked the mile shipping in from PcD and did very well just be
5th – he had an easier trip last week and was able to rally for 2nd, and is one of several that could win tonight, with
the right trip luck. (1) JUST PLAIN LOCO has raced well out of town (for a couple of barns) since shipping East,
and did race well when last seen here in 2022 – hard to say how well he fits with these right now class-wise, but a
good price makes him worth considering. (4) SAN DOMINO A has gotten over his local camera-shyness this year,
and fits very nicely at this $30K level – legitimate player. (6) THEFLYINGROCK is sharp now and comes into this
off a win and a 2nd in his last pair – he’s also moving outside, so that MAY hurt his chances a bit – insist on a fair
price if using on top. (2) KOUNT BLASTER was trapped too long to have any real chance for better last week – he
does have 3 wins over the last 3 months, and can’t be dismissed here too easily. (3) TWIG should appreciate the
drop back down to 30s, though it’s hard to say if he’s sharp enough right now to capitalize. (7) SMOKIN BY N went
his best mile in a long time to win last week, but tonight’s class hike and draw may be too much to overcome. (8)
SADDLE UP draws another 8 hole (off another claim) after failing to threaten in his last couple.
RACE 4 – (1) TASTE OF HONEY was a winner 3 back then did as well as he could from impossible spots in his
last pair – he’s looking at a very good trip with the move inside, and could have a big chance here...IF the 3 weeks
don’t hurt him. (6) MIND HUNTER got used hard then cut a hot clip before getting overtaken to the wire last week,
seeing his 4 race winning streak come to an end – he’s more than capable of starting a new one tonight, but the draw
may hurt his chances just a bit. (4) ORLANDO BLUE A just kept coming from well back last week to just miss,
finishing right on the wire with #2 and #6 – he won’t be 33-1 this time, but he should still be offering some decent
value. (2) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N isn’t a frequent visitor to the winner’s circle but he did get his picture taken
last week, helped by a perfect trip – license to repeat, but may end up overbet now. (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF raced
for a new barn last week and went his best effort in a while – couldn’t blame anybody looking to give him a shot
here. (7) WICHITA LINEMAN has gone some strong miles lately, but faces limited options starting from Post 7. (3)
JUS TASEC N hasn’t been sharp...and hasn’t even LOOKED good in his last few. (8) C BET HANOVER has held
form nicely in his recent climb back up the class ladder, but faces a tall task from Post 8.
RACE 5 – (2) ULTIMAROCA was VERY sharp earlier this summer but then tailed off significantly – he did look
good wiring a lesser field last week, and he’s always been a streaky sort...may be able to take another, especially
with a couple of main rivals drawn outside. (8) HAZEVILLE also had an excellent run earlier this summer, then
leveled off a bit facing the outstanding 3-5YO Open field every week – some class relief at PcD has seen him start to
bounce back, and he MAY be able to have a big say here IF Holland can improve position without using him too
hard. (1) WINDSUN RICKY came up 2nd best to the top choice in his last and is looking at another good trip
starting from the pole – very playable in exotics. (7) SONNY WEAVER N has always loved Yonkers but his win
total is down this year (3 wins, 7 seconds) – tough draw, but playable if the price is right. (3) GINGRAS BEACH
gave it an aggressive try off the class drop last week but gave way on the lead – figures to be conservative tonight.
(6) FRANKIE FRANKIE was good last week, but seemingly in a very tough spot for tonight. (4) CAVIART SARG
ENT does throw some big effort at big prices – ok bomb for underneath. (5) SON OF A TIGER N has outraced his
odds many times, and never a bad bomb for 3rd/4th.
RACE 6 – (3) COVERED BRIDGE hasn’t been the ultra-reliable Open performer we’re used to seeing but he’s also
down at a level here he normally doesn’t get to, and he should be able to find a way to get it done against this more
modest competition. (1) LEONIDAS A has really lost a few steps this year, and his victory last start was only his 2nd
of the year– we’ll see if that helps him turn things around a bit, and drawing the rail here certainly won’t hurt– could
be a very live player. (2) ROCK DIAMONDS N went on amazing tear that saw him win a zillion in a row, and never
get claimed – he returns from a 2 month vacation, qualified nicely behind a class barnmate, and may be able to grab
a big chunk for himself. (6) LOUS SWEETREVENGE disappointed here 3 back when 3rd (at 1/5) but did race well
in his start in PA – may be coming from too far back to threaten for the top spot, but a small slice is possible. (8) NI
GHT HAWK has held form very nicely and would have been listed a big higher if not for Post 8 – still may be able
to grab a piece. (4) SPORT SECRET is on the cheaper side, but racing well – maybe some minor spoils? (5) LUCK
BEWITHALEX has 2 wins and a 2nd from his last 5 starts but vs. easier – may struggle a bit with these. (7) EUPHO
RIA N drops, but still seems up against it.
RACE 7 - (2) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A was dull in his first try with Lasix but went a big one last week, parked a
long way for the lead and still almost holding 2nd (after getting blown away at the top of the lane by the scary-sharp
SAMHARA N) – catches some shaky rivals here, and may have found a winning spot. (3) PURPLE POET made an
uncharacteristic miscue before he could rally 3 back, held ok for 3rd in a hot mile the next week, then safely wired a
bit easier last week – can be a player here too. (4) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK doesn’t look too bad on paper lately
but he hasn’t been finishing his miles well enough, especially in the final 50 yards – he’ll need to be sharper for a
chance to beat these. (5) BIG GULP has been struggling, in general – dropped in for a tag last week and made a
break...definitely not a promising sign – feels pretty risky to be the ML favorite. (1) CENTURY ENDEAVOR was
holding his own vs. 60s not long ago but has clearly fallen off form in his last few – in need of a wake up call. (6)
BRAEVIEW BONDI A doesn’t win very often, and probably needs a better post (in an easier field?) before he can
threaten for the top slot. (7) THE REAL ONE is still banging heads at age 14, with just a few starts left before his
mandatory retirement – not sure he can reach from out here, though. (8) RAYRAY turned in one of his best miles
last start but now has to contend with the 8 hole.
RACE 8 – (2) HIMSELF N recently won 3 in a row then raced super the last weeks from 8 holes, finishing 2
nd and 3rd (could have won both, with better trips) – he’s blossomed into a legitimate Open performer, could be the one to
beat with the major class relief. (5) COACHES CORNER was 7 for 7 here last year– he’s just 2 for 12 here this year
but has been 2nd 8X, and raced super in most of those starts – sharp qualifier after a freshening, and looms a major
threat. (4) PLEASELETMEKNOW hasn’t won as often as expected this year, but has still banked $230K for his top
shelf connections, and is as sharp now as at any time during the season – possibility. (7) AMERICAN DEALER N
has been sharp for a long time, and comes into tonight off a victory last week – tough draw, however, and also loses
Bartlett. (3) NANDOLO N is very good right now, and has 2nds in 2 of his last 3 starts – playable underneath. (1)
HEMSWORTH N is a streaky sort that just isn’t on his game right now. (6) HELLABALOU hasn’t really been the
same since winning his 2nd straight Borgata this spring – leaning elsewhere. (8) TYPHOON BANNER N won his
last local start the qualified sharply after a brief freshening – brutal spot for his return, though.
RACE 9 – (4) BAD BOY TOO had won 3 straight when in this barn before a close 2nd last week– we’ll give him the
narrow edge in the finale. (3) MAXIMUS RED A was a huge overlay when a winner (from Post 8) at 36-1 two
back, but weakened at 1⁄2 last week – more than eligible to make amends tonight. (6) OZONE BLUE CHIP isn’t in
peak form right now but he’s also not “bad” – eligible to rally for a piece. (7) HES SPECIAL was well backed last
start and able to win off the claim even with the class jump – won’t be as easy from Post 7, though. (8) LYRICAL
GENIUS A is sharp for sure, an overlay 2nd at 19-1 last week – but another that will be hurt by the draw here. (2)
AUSSIE HANOVER seems a notch below, but still a threat to grab a small slice. (1) MARLBANK ROAD probably
needs easier to be a serious player. (5) DELESTON broke off turn three after dropping in for a tag – feels iffy.