RACE 1 - (3) HEART OF DIXIE showed some excellent potential at one time but then sort of fell off the
map - he's one of a few horses that have recently gotten the same barn change and they're all thriving - he
figures to be the best price of the top three main players, and that makes him worth a shot. (2) NOME HAN
OVER was struggling a bit when last seen here this summer but he's turned things around completely since
heading to Pocono, and returns to YR in career form - the concern is that for whatever reason, he's just 1fo
25 here at The HIlltop! (3) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE is hitting on all cylinders right now, taking 3 of his
last 4 starts (2nd in the other) - he's been using a powerful late kick to mow 'em down late every week, and
that just may happen again tonight if there's any kind of battling up front (5) WAR DAN DELIGHT N may
prefer to be in a bit easier but he's sharp enough for a chance at a small slice with an easy enough trip. (1)
WON LAST FEELING picked up a 3rd dropping back down to 40s last week but wasn't really all that
sharp - needs to find one of his better efforts to contend for a piece here. (7) BALLERAT BOOMERANG
was re-claimed from his last by the barn that won with him 2 back - very tough spot tonight, however. (8)
GOTHIC ROCK got it done in last week's 3 horse field and is now stuck with Post 8, up in class - brutal
spot. (6) HUDSON PHIL exits a sharp barn and also moves up in class, from a tough post - prefer others.
RACE 2 - (1) COACHES CORNER was racing off a month when debuting for our leading trainer here on
9/26 but was able to handle the NW4 field - was much tighter for his next start, delivering a fire-breathing
1:51 scorcher (last quarter in :27.1), easily defeating ROCK THE BELLES (who has been super since then)
- took 23 days off but came back at Chester to jog once more, this time in a lifetime best 1:50.2 -- he does
take on older foes for the first time tonight, but seems sharp enough to handle it. (3) LUCKBEWITHALEX
took off the gate last week and that resulted in a very hard first over from 5th trip - he still was right there
on the wire in 4th, and could be very tough tonight with an easier journey. (2) ELS ROCKER won his first
3 of 4 starts this summer after joining the Super Siblings (no surprise there), but did have to settle for
smaller pieces in his next 4 starts - beat softer at PcD last week, and would hardly be a shock in his YR
debut (but wouldn't take a short price against these). (6) UNDERTHSOUTHRNSUN N had pace finishing
vs. better last week but he's just 2 for 30 this year, draws poorly, and seems better used underneath than on
top. (4) CAVIART SARGENT's lone recent win came vs. easier, but he's shown that he can pick up his
share of pieces against these types too. (5) GINGRAS BEACH was 2nd and 1st vs. much easier in his last 2
starts - figures to have a much tougher time against these, though. (7) STONEBRIDGE REX tired badly in
his qualifier after a long time on the shelf - pass for now.
RACE 3 - (5) SHAKESPEARE was well backed off the claim last week and was able to deliver the victory
for a trainer that's been heating up lately - should be a fair price tonight, and may be able to get there late
with a live trip. (1) MY MIKI BEACH found his form 5 starts back and has been a weekly player ever
since - he'll be right there all the way tonight, and clearly a major threat. (3) HECANDANCENCRUISE
drops in for a tag and this seems like a good spot for him - he's capable of both big efforts AND clunkers,
but he'll be a threat if he shows up in the tight mood. (2) KOOTENAY SANTANNA perked up at PcD in
his last pair, even if vs. easier - he can definitely go with these on his best game, and is worth considering
here at the right price. (7) RJ SPORTS IMAGE will probably attract $$ off the class drop but he
disappointed as the 3/5 choice two back, then was dull again last week - could perk up tonight, but others
seem more appealing at the moment. (4) EMINEM HANOVER had a few decent starts before a dull one
last week - not a bad bomb for 3rd.4th. (8) STRIKING IMPACT got post relief last week and parlayed it
into a victory - will have a tough time reaching form out here, however. (6) TWIG was dull 2 back and
horrible last week - sticking with others, for now.
RACE 4 - (5) SEMI TOUGH was in an impossible spot on 10/16 (stuck in the back, in the Open, off over 2
months) but was much sharper in his next at Plainridge - he was a winner here at this level on 7/31, and he
always seems to race best for Yannick - feels like the one to beat tonight. (1) LOUS SWEETREVENGE
has been disappointing overall lately, and even last week's near-miss 2nd wasn't really all that great - still,
he has to be considered a legitimate threat from this spot...but he'll need to find one of his better efforts. (4)
CERTIFIABLE just missed in his last couple after taking 4 of 5 just prior to that - his sharp gate speed
should set him up with a nice trip here, and he remains a legitimate threat. (2) FAMILY RECIPE usually
does his best work vs. a bit cheaper but he's gone a few big miles recently, and deserves at least a look here
if the price is right. (7) ROCKIN JUKEBOX has just been a different horse since coming under the care of
the Dynamic Duo, unable to win a race at Yonkers all year for prior connections, but 5 for 8 since the barn
change - much tougher task tonight, however, as he faces better from a bad post, while also losing Joe B. in
the bike - make sure to get a nice price if trying him on top from out here. (3) BLANK STARE lands in a
tough field and may need to wait for an easier spot. (6) GREAT SOMEWHERE was no factor in his last
pair and tonight's draw may leave him back in that same boat.
RACE 5 - (3) COVERED BRIDGE got a very rare drop out of the Open last week and easily picked the
16th victory of his amazing season - steps back up but that's not really an issue, especially with the good
draw - remains the one to beat. (4) BACKSTREET SHADOW landed on a very tough trip last week and
raced very well just to be 3rd - he didn't earn $1.5M by accident, and he's been on his game for some time -
dangerous foe. (6) ROCKNROLL RUNA A has 4 wins from his last 4 starts and all were at different tracks
- he's a multiple Open winner here at Yonkers, and may be able to get there late IF the inside players do
bang heads a bit - willing to use if the price is fair. (1) AMERICAN DEALER N is probably a notch below
the top ones but he's still a reliable player, and the rail draw puts him in play for a piece. (5) AMERICAN
MERCURY was able to upset at 35-1 from the pocket 2 back but was a non-threatening 2nd with the same
trip last week - would hardly be a shock, but the draw may leave him looking at a smaller share tonight. (2)
ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N is not impossible at this top level but generally would need a little softer field
to be a threat for the top prize.
RACE 6 - (2) PANETTONE HANOVER did some good work earlier in the season vs. NWPM types and
"softer" stakes company - he leveled off as the year went on (and he faced better stock), but he still shows a
recent win in his only "non stakes" event, and has to get the nod as he drops in for a tag in his YR debut. (5)
SHUFFLE UP HANOVER would have been the clear choice in here if not for the arrival of #2, even
though he got beat at 2/5 last week - definitely the main danger, especially if the top choice has difficulty
over the half miler. (1) WE SHALL SEA shipped in very sharp from Monti but was a bit disappointing
when 3rd last week - remains a solid threat to land on the ticket somewhere. (3) YOUR BROTHER may be
a little cheap but he shows a nice qualifier on 10/28, draws well, and perhaps can tow along for a share. (4)
GINO SNIPER showed little in his YR debut but he does get some post relief here and that may result in a
bit better effort- maybe 3rd/4th? (6) LOUIE HANOVER added Lasix and raced from off the pace last week
but got the same disappointing result - it's getting harder to make a case for him. (8) CROSS CREEK draws
Post 8 off a month for his Hilltop debut - prefer to just watch, for now. (7) LOOTABLE draws poorly off a
pair of poor performances - another on the "watch list" right now.
RACE 7 - (7) DESPERATE MAN showed enormous talent as a youngster but was struggling through a
"meh" 5YO campaign before being sent down from Canada to his current barn - his first start here (albeit
vs. cheaper) was eye opening, and he actually raced huge in that loss last week, pacing his final half
uncovered in :54 seconds - he may be sharper this week (adding Lasix), and gets the call even from Post 7.
(3) ITSALLABOUTFAITH N can be a little in and out but when he brings his best he's capable of big
miles - he just missed in the Chester Open the last time Gingras was on board, and the pair make a
dangerous team for tonight. (5) FORTIFY continues to go big miles most weeks and can handle any trip -
belongs in exotics. (1) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK really had no excuse last week and probably isn't on his
best game - still, a good trip here puts him in play for a good piece. (6) ROCK DIAMONDS N isn't the
winning machine he was after first joining this barn but he's still a reliable weekly player - the draw could
cause some trouble tonight, however. (4) SEVEN HUNDRED has to bump up a class after winning out of
the NW15000 level last week- he can hang with these too, but likely looking at a lesser share. (2) KASHED
UP A seems better suited with easier...but may be able to tow along for some minor spoils. (8) SHINE A LI
GHT is good right now, but faces a daunting task from out here.
RACE 8 - Totally wide open! (8) HEMSWORTH N was a surprisingly close 3rd in the Allerage 3 back -
was ok here in his next (tough first over trip in the Open), then rallied with crisp pace (after the fact) in his
last - he MAY never get close from Post 8 tonight....but he may also find himself with a chance IF several
live players all take shots at each other. (4) MOONSHINE KISSES may be a bit off the top form he
exhibited most of this year and that last win may not have been his sharpest....but the 14X winner (2023)
would be hard to ignore as he lands in another good spot that's well within his comfort zone. (3) PEACE
OUT POSSE was an excellent 2nd behind COVERED BRIDGE last week and his barn has been winning at
an outrageous 40% over the past month - if the others from the barn are clicking tonight (with their catch
drivers), give this guy extra consideration too. (2) GROOVY JOE struggled with the first over trip last
week but hung in ok in the stretch - he's capable with these types when on his game, so a good price makes
him worth at least a look. (6) THIS IS THE PLAN is clearly well off his top form, though it's not like he's
been "bad" - reuniting with Gingras may help his chances, but it also means he'll likely be overbet...could
be better value with some others. (1) BURNHAM BOY N has been doing good things since the recent barn
change but may be just a bit below a few of these - the good draw does make him hard to dismiss, though.
(7) JAHAN HANOVER is very good right now but he's forced to move up two classes tonight, while also
landing outside - would need a pretty good price to try him on top. (5) DEETZY is having an amazing
season but he probably needs a bit easier to get back to being a serious threat.
RACE 9 - (3) KING JAMES EXPRESS has been racing pretty well most weeks, even if only picking up
smaller pieces lately - this race could go several different ways....the right trip gives him a chance at the
upset. (6) BUDDY HILL was hard used in both the first and 3rd quarters last week but able to hold
stubbornly through the lane to win it (holding off #7) - he moves up a peg tonight, but this is a class that's
still within his comfort zone - possibility. (4) BOILING OAR returns from PA off a pair of 2nds and is a
good fit in this class - the right trip makes him a legitimate threat. (7) JUDDY DOUGLAS A came at #6
hard last week, battled for a long way and was dead game in defeat - terrible spot now, but still worthy of
consideration at the right price. (2) PEDRO HANOVER was well meant in his last couple but came up a
little short - hard to predict his trip tonight, but he can be in the hunt if it's an easy one. (8) POINTOMYGR
ANSON drops down from the tough $50K claimers but probably isn't in top form right now - he lands all
the way outside, but he does hail from a barn that sent out a bunch of live ones recently - bomb threat in the
finale? (1) DIAMONDBEACH is always capable of a wake up call but he's just been struggling for too
long to really expect one tonight. (5) MY ULTIMATE STAR A missed a month due to a lame scratch -
prefer to just observe this week.