RACE 1 - It seemed like a major red flag when (3) MACINTOSH N was claimed for $30K on 2/27 then
immediately dropped in for $25K the next start but he was a winner that night, finished a close 3rd from
Post 8 in his next then was 2nd to the streaking PEDRO HANOVER in his last - no clue as to why he
qualified last Friday but he looked fine, and we'll stay on his team tonight. (1) SULLIVAN finished right
behind the top choice when 2nd on 3/8 - he gets a class drop, the rail, and Dunn for tonight, and that should
make him one very serious player. (2) DESIRES CAPTAIN wasn't bad from an impossible spot 2 back and
finished with crisp pace for 3rd last week - his barn is finally starting to have some good things happen, and
this guy is a good one to include in exotics tonight. (6) AUDI HARE N was a winner for $25K the night he
was claimed and drops back down to that level after trying the 30s the last 2 weeks - tough post, but can
still be part of this. (4) GOTHIC ROCK reversed form in that sharp win 4 starts back but has only managed
a 3rd in the 3 starts since then - leaning towards others, but a piece is still possible. (5) DENMARK SEELS
TER moved to our leading barn 4 starts back, went from 86-1 to 6/5 (in NJ) and clearly his 6 length, form
reversing blowout win surprised very few - picked up a couple of 2nds after that, but could only manage a
tiring 3rd here last week - prefer others tonight, but this one can still grab a piece. (7) BETTER B SWIFT
failed to fire in the lane after sitting a 3 hole trip last week, and draws very poorly for tonight. (8) WAR
DAN DELIGHT N has lost at least 49 straight at YR making last week's claim at least a bit surprising - will
at least wait for a better spot before even considering for a wager.
RACE 2 - Five horse field but none of these nice mares could be considered a "throwout" (2) MILLWOOD
BONNIE took her 3rd straight last week to make it 7 for 9 on the year - Kakaley lands in a spot where he
may be able to sit back early and figure out what trip he wants, and that may help this winning machine
pick up yet another victory...but 4 other solid foes will surely have a say in the matter! (4) FADE OUT may
be able to add some value to the exotics - couldn't sustain her first over bid last week but may race better
tonight following some cover - she's won 3 of her 7 local tries. (1) PURE SILKY took six straight before
weakening just a bit to 3rd two back - she got beat again last week (to #2) but did race super, and the rail
draw means she gets to call the shots tonight - clearly deserves a lot of respect! (3) JIVE DANCING A was
on our tickets at BIG prices for most of this year...so it was somewhat ironic that when she did finally win
last week (in blowout fashion), the "reward" was $3.10 -- more than capable of taking another IF the trip
goes her way. (5) ROCKN PHILLY was helped by a total ground saving trip last week but was still very
sharp, especially racing off a bad date - would never be a surprise against these.
RACE 3 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #5: (2) LUCKY ARTIST A has been a hard knocker for what feels
like an eternity, but still doesn't always get the respect she deserves - picked up a pair of 4ths the last 2
weeks from very tough spots, but the move back inside should allow Boyd to be more aggressive tonight
(and that resulted in a win and a 2nd the first 2 legs) - major threat. (6) MABALENE N was jumping from
NW6 races to facing top mares as this series began but the import has done well for herself, using quick
starts to pick up good pieces in all 3 legs she raced in - can be in the hunt again with another fast getaway.
(5) GOTTHEGREENLIGHT was well backed in her last, sat the pocket trip but came up short after finding
room at the cones into the stretch - could easily rebound with a better mile tonight, but that 9/5 ML price
makes her hard to endorse on top. (1) ALTA MADEIRA N had been racing "ok" for a few starts before
tiring on the cones last week - her connections drop her right back in the box so perhaps she'll rebound with
a much better effort tonight - maybe 3rd/4th? (3) GIAS SURREAL hasn't been "horrible", but she's surely
been a major disappointment in this series - still trying to find her way back to top form. (4) WAHS FIRE
BUG was too far back to have any chance the last couple of weeks - definitely prefer others, but could see
her saving ground to grab a small share from this spot.
RACE 4 - (2) DIVISION BELL shipped in off a break at PcD and Kakaley seemed content to just handle
him very conservatively after drawing Post 7 - he did finish full of pace, and we know the ability is there
whenever he behaves - willing to try him again from this much kinder spot. (3) MINGO JOEL was an
outstanding 2nd (up in class, off the claim) two back despite a horrible trip - came out on top in his last
despite a hard used journey, and he looms a real threat to take another...especially if the top choice self
destructs! (8) PICARD A weakened in a hot mile last week but he drops in class and he HAS blasted from
Post 8 in the past - at 20-1 ML, he's not a bad one to use underneath if looking to spice up the exotics. (5)
GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE changed barns last week and looked much better, actually full of pace behind
some stretch traffic - another good value horse to try to get into the number. (1) MARTY MONKHOUSER
A was worn into submission by #3 last week but the 14YO has rebounded from tough outings in the past -
he's already won 5 of 10 at YR in '23, and can never be dismissed too quickly. (6) JK LUCKY CHARMS
showed some improvement 3 back, was a bit better in his next, and actually HAD pace into the lane last
week before losing momentum when forced to re-direct - tough post, but a great bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) CAS
HNCAM moves up off the claim and he really does prefer racing in 15s - his new barn has also struggled
here at Yonkers over the past several years. (7) BARRYWHITE HANOVER does drop tonight to 20s, but
we'll get more interested when he works his way back down to the 15s.
RACE 5 - (5) MAJESTIC KIWI N was the pick here last week, hoping to get about 8-1....he was sent off at
4-1 (drifted up late), found his best stride just a little too late and came up a head shy to a prolific winner -
catches a very soft crew tonight and figures to be the solid favorite...but we can't really find a reason to go
against him. (6) FOLLOW YOUR HEART deserves a pass for last week (in PA) after pacing his 3rd panel
in :26.3 - his barn is finally starting to do better work, and this guy did crush cheaper the week before - may
be able to outperform that big 20-1 ML price. (7) TOATSMYGOATS landed on a pocket trip last week and
finished 3rd in the race where the top choice was 2nd - has the speed to overcome Post 7, and certainly
belongs in your exotics (1) THISISHOWWEDOIT has a hint of life 2 back but stalled last week after going
around a breaker off turn three - we'll see if the rail draw can hep him grab a small piece. (2) AWESOMEN
ESS was struggling for weeks before he was claimed and failed to do any better (so far) for his new barn -
the draw is probably his best asset right now. (8) KINGSTONS BAD BOY is better than a few of these but
also has Post 8 to deal with - maybe 3rd/4th? (3) HEARTLANDBANYSBOY arrives from PcD and lands
in a strong barn....but his former (very) high % barn failed to have any success with him at all. (4) SNAP
CALL is 24-0-1-2 locally - hard to recommend.
RACE 6 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #5: (1) DOUGS BABE A was in tough spots the first 2 legs but
kicked home in a way that suggested she may be capable of big miles - was well backed in Leg #3 and
delivered the first over score (over a softer field) but really enhanced her reputation last week, working hard
for the lead to the quarter, letting heavily favored AMAZING DREAM N go then outkicking that mare in
the 2 horse race to the wire...and ending that one's 2023 unbeaten streak - she faces another very sharp foe
tonight, but the draw gives her the advantage. (5) LIT DE ROSE is a streaky mare and was able to get sharp
right before the series started - she raced super to hit board in the first 3 legs and finally broke through with
a victory last week, charging home after looking to be in a hopeless spot on the final turn - spots the top one
a tactical advantage, but can still find a way to be a legitimate threat. (4) INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW
raced super 3 back when a close 2nd to RACINE BELL despite some trouble in the stretch - won her next
in game first over fashion then held well for 3rd when first over again last week (behind #1) - clearly sharp,
but may be in for another tough trip tonight. (3) KARMA SEELSTER hasn't been "bad" by any means, but
her recent efforts seem a bit below what the top ones have been doing - still in line for a good piece, if the
trip works out. (6) MORNING HAS BROKEN draws outside again - will likely sit back, and hope to rally
late for as much as she can. (2) ANNERIE N wasn't bad last week, saving ground for 4th after a sick
scratch - could pick up a minor share if the trip goes her way.
RACE 7 - Good race: (1) MISS DOTTIE MAE may be worth a shot in here - was off to an excellent start
in 2023 before tackling older mares from bad posts in her last couple - she moves all the way inside and
Dunn should know her a little better, after picking up the late catch drive last week - decent value play in a
race with several sharp players. (2) VIOLETS RAINBOW had a confidence building blowout win 2 back
but still wasn't able to prevail on the front end last week, coming up 2nd best to the sharp, tripsitting #6 -
one of several that could come out on top here with the right trip. (3) BELLADONNA GIRL A won her
first U.S. start in Oct. then was 2nd to the talented FADE OUT in her next....went on the shelf after a sick
scratch on 12/2 but returned in good order, qualifying nicely before finishing 2nd to a very well meant I
LOVE ONGAIT in her 2023 return - could be ready for a big one tonight. (6) CHERYLS SHADOW is
another that has come back strong off the layoff, winning 3 of 4 including last week's sharp pocket victory
over #2 - the draw is the main knock for tonight. (5) UPTOWN HANOVER broke in the first leg of the
Matchmaker then was too far back the next week- took 3 weeks off, and now drops in at a level where she's
always dangerous - if she's cranked up and ready to go, she may have a shot in here. (4) WESTBEACH
probably needs to be in easier to contend for a top slot, but may be able to save ground for a minor share.
(7) ROCKNROLL ANNIE is good right now...but probably not THAT good that she can be a serious player
from out here. (8) DARBY HANOVER is another that would look a lot better with both a class drop and
better post.
RACE 8 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #5: (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N is worth a shot tonight - she's
obviously at a HUGE disadvantage vs. the classy inside pair but she MAY have been a winner three back
when she made that incredibly costly stretch break, and she did just miss to DRAMA ACT last week, after
that one had things all her own way - she really needs a win here for a chance to make the Final, and the
barn's other top performers are all racing their eyeballs out right now! (1) DRAMA ACT and (2) RACINE
BELL finished a hair apart in last year's Matchmaker Final and the pair have continued that rivalry this
season, with the former earning narrow victories the two times they hooked up in the stretch so far - either
could take this one, but the top choice is just the better value play for tonight. (3) LYDEO used a pocket trip
to grab a win in a soft Leg 2 division but was killed by outside posts the other 3 weeks - better draw tonight
may help her at least grab a piece. (4) MAN DONTFORGET ME outraced her odds to pick up 3rds the last
2 weeks but it'll probably be hard to replicate that tonight. (6) EASY TO PLEASE took last week off after
failing to really find her form in the first 3 legs - Stratton understandably bails to drive the top choice, and
we'll still keep an eye on this mare for some hints that she's ready to come around.
RACE 9 - (4) B LIKE CRUISER was hurt by inside leavers last week - he appeared to be backing away off
the first turn but was then sent up on the rim to the quarter and ended up weakly parked (quickly losing any
chance) - he did stay pretty close for 3/4s, and really wasn't all that far back at the end, considering the trip
- maybe he can grab a (much) easier trip here, and handle this basement field? (2) POSH ONTHE BEACH
A was sent off at 76-1 two back despite a big barn change and brought all kinds of juice to the tri and super
when he raced very well to be 3rd - his last line may not look all that great but he did pace a strong final
3/8ths, and wasn't far off 3rd at the wire...definitely worth using in exotics. (1) SOUTHPORT BEACH
ships in from NJ in solid form, and will no doubt be handled aggressively from the pole - he also figures to
be way overbet, and that has us seeking some better options. (6) STRETCH THE LINE has legitimate
ability but quickly started making breaks this year, and just struggling with his gait on turns - he's in cheap
enough tonight that he could be a legitimate player...if Buter can keep him smooth enough. (5) EPIC ACE
seems to be racing himself into shape after a long layoff - wouldn't be surprised to see him grab a piece
here. (3) IMSTAYNALIVE looked a little better in his 3rd start off the layoff and now drops another notch
- playable for a small share. (7) ROCK LIGHTS draws outside once more - keep an eye on him for when he
lands in a much better spot.
RACE 10 - (4) ROCKIN JUKEBOX raced well in his first start dropping out of the 40s, finishing 3rd
behind a couple of sharp ones - got pinned to the cones much of last week but did kick home with crisp
pace for the place honors - good spot for an aggressive try, and perhaps his first YR victory of the year. (5)
BELTANE N was struggling to get untracked in 2023 but landed in a soft spot last week, went right to the
top and was a dominant winner- the classy 9YO may be able to build off that, and be a big threat tonight, as
well. (3) SO MANY ROADS rallied for 2nd and 3rd last week and is feeling pretty good right now - rarely
wins, but a good one for the bottom of exotics (2) ENVIRONS HANOVER looked very promising winning
off the long layoff at Fhd. but really disappointed upon arrival last week, a "no gear" 4th - we'll see if he
can find a sharper mile tonight from this good spot. (6) MAXIMUS RED A weakened on the lead the last 2
starts but did race better when 2nd last week - tough spot, but may actually like racing from off the pace -
we'll see! (7) MULLINAX was a pocket rocket winner over #6 last time but this is a much tougher spot -
wouldn't shock, but definitely leaning to others. (1) GOTTA MINUTE N seems to do okay out of town, but
his 6-0-0-0 local slate is concerning.
RACE 11 - (7) MILIEU HANOVER was heavily backed last week, handled aggressively and able to pick
up the win in her 2nd start of the year - she looked much smoother on the turns, and Boyd should have
enough confidence to at least try to get her in play despite the bad post - could end up a pretty fair price,
and is worth sticking with. (1) MCMARKLE SPARKLE will likely attract all the wagering attention
tonight as she drops out of the Matchmaker Series, draws the pole, and makes her 2nd start for our leading
trainer - obviously she might find her old form and simply crush these....but she's been struggling for some
time, and MAY be at least a bit vulnerable - hard to take a very short price. (5) LADYBELUCKYTONITE
got off to a great start this year but that also left her racing over head in her last few starts - gets some class
relief, and may be able to come up with a big effort here. (8) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL has a pair of 23-1
seconds from her last 3 starts, and was in an impossible spot the other week - not sure she can find any way
into the hunt from out here, but it's a chance to get another big price on a mare that's clearly very sharp. (3)
GINGER TREE LIZ was a sharp winner last start giving her barn their 2nd winner of the meet - she steps
up and loses her favorite pilot, but may still be able to at least make some noise here. (4) ANNABELLE
HAN OVER was an excellent 2nd from Post 8 two back, but came up empty off her 3 hole trip last week -
hard to know which version we'll see tonight. (2) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS was a blowout winner over
cheaper 4 starts back but has otherwise not come close to her best form - leaning towards others. (6)
PURAMERI moves out from the rail to Post 6 and may have trouble replicating her better recent efforts.