RACE 1 – (3) YOROKOBI N was sharp from a hopeless spot in his 2024 then scored as the 2/5 choice the next
week – he steps up a notch but this field should still be right in his wheelhouse – chance to take another. (4) ALTA
CLASSIC A was a game 2nd here to FUNATTHEBEACH N on 1/23 (NW15000) then raced ok from a no-chance 8
hole the following start – his last 4 out of town lines have produced mixed results but IF he brings his best tonight,
he can be a serious threat. (5) GAMBLINGTERROR was a sharp, well meant winner 2 back then just landed in a no
prayer spot last week – he fits for sure, but drawing outside 2 main foes could hurt a bit. (1) DOUBLE METAL is a
good fit at this level but he’s missed nearly 4 weeks after a sick scratch and feels a bit iffy for tonight. (6) KIMBLE
A gets a class drop but also lands another poor post – still hasn’t offered anything in 3 local starts. (2) SULLIVAN
has been struggling, and hasn’t been seen since 2/8.
RACE 2 – Short field but sharp horses! (5) B NICKING had an excellent streak with 4 straight wins at the end of
2023 – he was a bit overmatched at the Open level, but raced very well for a 2nd and 3rd after dropping back down –
one of a few with a legitimate chance in here, depending on how the race plays out (4) P L OSCAR was a very sharp
front end winner 2 back, then just missed to the perfect trip, classy EUROBOND last week – remains dangerous. (3)
EPOS OSTERVANG DK finished off the board for the first time in ages 2 back (4th) but avenged that quickly with
last week’s victory – a threat every time he’s in to go! (1) GRINDER got roughed up last week and can be forgiven
for weakening to 3rd – he’ll be in the hunt here, but MAY be just a notch below the top trio. (2) DRACO S started the
year with a win and 2 seconds but was no threat last week – may need just a bit easier to do his best.
RACE 3 – (5) QUEEN OF ALL is sharp again, and also LOOKING much smoother – she can handle any trip that
comes her way, and should offer decent value in a race with a few live players. (4) NO MAS DRAMA came up 2d
best to the top choice 2 back, then was 2nd best to the streaking TIPSY MONI last week – very dangerous if things
go her way. (3) WHAT SHOULD I GOO can be a little unreliable at times but also is capable of BIG efforts when
feelin’ good – she’s been freshened up, qualified effectively, and would surely be no surprise, even off the bench. (1)
NO TURNING BACK has been a very steady mare since arriving, compiling a 7-2-1-4 local slate – she draws the
pole, but still may be better used underneath, rather than on top. (6) HELPOFTHESEASON won her first 3 local
starts but wasn’t as good in her last pair (possible excuses?), has missed 3 weeks, and was harshly penalized with
Post 6 for tonight – leaning a bit more towards others this week. (2) LADY JETER is generally looking at only
minor shares vs. these types and likely in the same boat for tonight.
RACE 4 – (1) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N turned in back to back, dead game first over efforts in his last pair but
ran into very tough winners and came up 2nd best both times – this may boil down to a 2 horse affair as well, and
we’ll give him the slight edge to come out on top. (2) MOTIVE HANOVER perked up with a better try when 2
nd to the “good” ULTIMAROCA 2 back, then built off that with last week’s sharp front end score – figures to be duking it
out with #1 for the top prize tonight. (3) KARLOO BRADLEY N added Lasix last week, had a good start in 3
rd but had no 2nd move in the lane (though he did get credited with broken equipment) – feels a bit below the top pair, but
also feels next in line should they falter. (4) ON THE VIRG was able to use the rail to his advantage last week,
going wire to wire against softer – doesn’t figure to be able to have that same success tonight, however. (5) KERFO
RD ROAD A rallied for 2nd off an easy trip 2 back, but was no factor in his last – will need another easy trip for a
chance at a small slice tonight. (6) BAMBINO JOE disappointed last week – now moves up, and lands outside.
RACE 5 – (2) TWIN B DELUXE was holding his own with the tougher 50s and now drops in against the 30s –
draws well, gets Gingras, and may have found a winning spot. (3) SURFSIDE BEACH drops in for a tag after
putting in some good moves against better in recent starts – should be a good fit, and has a chance to have a big say.
(6) BIG DREAM FELLA made a BIG recovery after an early miscue last week and has been racing well (despite
some very tough luck) in many of his recent starts – goes for a new barn tonight, and has a chance to be a threat if
Brennan can find him the right trip. (5) STOP STARING endured a very tough trip last week and can be forgiven for
weakening a bit in the stretch – another with a chance tonight if the trip goes his way. (1) HURRIKANE GEORGIE
was 2nd last week but does feel like he may be a bit off his best game – make sure to get a fair price if using on top
tonight. (4) YS DO IT RIGHT is just 1 for 17 at Yonkers but often races well enough for pieces – could happen
tonight too. (7) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A almost took ‘em wire to wire dropping into this class last week but that
was from the rail – could have a much tougher time tonight, though. (8) LOU ED ZEPPELIN is the outsider, both
literally and figuratively.
RACE 6 – (6) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND was ignored in the wagering for his 2024 return (85-1!) but he turned in a
BIG mile, trotting a powerful half to finish right behind the odds-on favorite – his price will surely come down
considerably off that effort, but should still be juicy enough to make him worth using. (5) WILLY WALTON has
been very consistent lately, often outracing his odds – Holland should have some options with him from this spot,
and he’s another that’s absolutely worth considering. (7) MR CONTESTANT was a sharp Pocono winner over
cheaper 2 back off the qualifier – added Lasix, and came right back to win his next start as well...lands in a tough
spot here, but may be sharp enough to still make some noise. (3) EMOTIONS RICHES is a tough call – he drops
back down to the level he recently crushed twice but he’s a streaky horse, and MAY be heading in the wrong
direction right now – be careful about taking too short a price. (2) IN MY DREAMS made an early miscue last week
and is fortunate to not be on the qualifying list (as he made a “borderline break” the week before, as well) – if he
behaves he can have a say here...but he’s a little iffy right now. (1) LOOK IN MY EYES moves inside but just
seems a bit below the main players. (4) MUFASA AS sat the pocket behind a slow clip and was still empty last time.
RACE 7 – (1) VENIER HANOVER had been making some good moves but then tiring – he was VERY good
racing from well back on 2/21 but was forced to a sizzling clip the following week and (understandably) tired –
drops to the basement, and should be able to find a more suitable trip for tonight. (4) CADILLAC BAYAMA
qualified well for his 2024 return and raced well in his first start back – his barn had a winner on Wed. night, and
this guy has a chance to get his picture taken too. (5) CAVIART SARGENT clearly outraced his 61-1 odds last week
and often can rally for good pieces at big prices – never a bad one for the bottom of exotics. (6) DIAMONDBEACH
wasn’t bad from an impossible spot last week but lands another tough draw for tonight – that 20-1 ML price does
make him attractive for exotics, though. (2) GOOD INVESTMENT is unpredictable from week to week – if he’s in
a good mood tonight he can tow along for a small share. (7) IM A GIGOLO N had a useful tightener off the layoff
but lands in a terrible spot for tonight – keep an eye for future consideration. (3) LYRICAL GENIUS A hasn’t been
clicking at all. (8) FOREVER FAV may be worth a look when he lands a much better post.
RACE 8 – (1) RICARDOSHILYSHALLY has been stuck in bad spots facing better in NJ recently – not only does
he drop and draw the pole for his local debut, he’ll be getting a pretty major trainer and driver switch as well –
figures to be controlling the action at a very short price. (6) GINGRAS BEACH has been in no chance spots recently
but he did finish with sneaky pace last time – he should be able to get more aggressive tonight, and that would make
him a legitimate player. (5) HEART ON MY SLEEVE, like most of his barnmates, is fairly unpredictable from week
to week – this is a field where he can make some noise if he’s in the right mood. (4) ROSE RUN WOODROW is
probably on the cheaper side but he gets a live driver in an overall modest field, and that may be enough to help him
grab a piece. (8) WON LAST FEELING is racing “ok”, but may have a tough time overcoming the draw. (2) BRUS
HING UP would be a threat for a decent piece on his best effort but his form has been lacking lately – a wake up call
would certainly be welcome. (3) HURRIKANE CHUCK was scr. sick on 7/11 and been MIA since then – hard to
get excited off that qualifier. (7) HEISMAN PLAYER struggled in 2023 and 2024 hasn’t started off any better.
RACE 9 – “Stake Your Claim” Series Final – (2) TOP ME OFF comes into tonight’s Final in raging form, having
won 3 straight (the last 2 in blowout fashion) – his new connections seem to have dipped in just at the right time,
and even get Bartlett to bail off #5 to stick with him – remains the one to knock off. (1) PERRON has come up 2nd
best in his last 3 starts, two of them behind the top choice – may complete the exacta once more. (5) INN AT RODA
NTHE really his chances last week when he made an (uncharted) break at the start – he finished up very strong, and
his overall form has been good – chance to add some value to the exotics. (6) STEUBEN HANOVER had been
burning lots of $$ before finally picking up a couple of (all out) wins – he’ll need to find a pretty big effort to beat
the top choice right now. (8) FOR A DREAMER was charging at the wire last week but unfortunately, lands well
outside once more – still would consider underneath since the price will be decent. (7) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO
hit board in all 3 legs but may end up with a tougher trip tonight...and that could leave him short at the end. (3) SHE
ENA SOLDIER failed to threaten when unable to grab an up close trip last week and may have a hard time finding a
good journey tonight. (4) CRESCENT BEAUTY pretty much won by default last week in race that just fell apart –
will need to be a lot better for even a piece of this.