RACE 1 - (2) BABS JANSEN was handled conservatively in her last (racing off a month) but was actually full of pace in the stretch with absolutely nowhere to go - she definitely has the ability to be a big player with these, and Zeron should be confident to handle her more aggressively tonight - one to use. (7) BEST HEAD WEST was hammered down to 3/5 for her local debut on the strength of her strong Canadian lines - and she certainly didn't disappoint, methodically wearing down the streaking Bitty Bitty and drawing off easily at the end - gets no luck with tonight's draw, but still has a solid chance, even from out here. (5) VIO LETS RAINBOW has taken 3 of 5 for her current barn, and was simply clear too late to do any real damage in last - if the tote board suggests she's a big "go" tonight, make sure to include her on your tickets. (3) SWEET PINK invades from Canada and lands in a barn that has always done well with these types - may be in a little too tough in her local debut, though. (1) TEMPURA HANOVER lost momentum on the final turn last week, kicking back in late to rally for 3rd - she seems better on the bigger tracks, but still a threat to grab a piece from this good spot. (6) HEAVENISSOFARAWAY usually paces well at the end, but will need some trip luck just to grab a decent piece from this spot. (8) TENTHOUSAND ANGELS has also been good late in all her recent starts, but will have to pass a lot of them to get a piece from out here. (4) CATIE FAY HANOVER moves up from NW4 and may find a bunch of these a little too tough.
RACE 2 - (6) KATHYS MOMENT won her last 2 handily at Chester, and can be forgiven for coming up 2nd best to the streaking Gabbys Girl here in her last - she's really supposed to be able to handle this crew. (2) HELLRUNNER HANOVER is just 1 for 28 but did hit board in 13 of those losses - should work out a good trip here, and may complete a short exacta. (5) NEVER NOT DANCING was a winner in this class last week after grabbing 3rds in her prior two - definitely a candidate for a another good chunk. (4) ALWA YS BE SOMEWHERE hails from solid connections but the 2YO feels like she's still learning the game - ok for a minor share. (2) SWELLOOKINBEACH is now 11-0-0-0 here at Yonkers and hard to endorse, even from the pole. (3) LOVELY LADY MAY is 1 for 29 (out of town) and off a month for her new barn - we'll just be watching, for tonight.
RACE 3 - (5) MAGRITTE was no good for months but a very sharp, under-the-radar barn claimed him on 10/1 and quickly got him back to the top form he showed earlier in the year - was claimed from last week's BIG 8 hole win, and he'll be pretty tough again....if his form holds as well for his new connections. (1) PLAY THE FIELD went over the $100K mark with last week's gutsy win, and will go for another new barn tonight - he'll try to step up and maintain his stellar form against the 30s, but there's every reason to believe he'll be able to do so - major danger. (4) OZONE BLUE CHIP definitely is more comfortable in 30s than he was facing the 40s - no reason he can't have a say tonight for his barn. (3) JIMS PERFECT TEN wasn't bad last week from a tough spot - decent bomb to include underneath in exotics. (2) AWESOM ENESS has more weak tries than good ones but draws well, and an easy trip would give him a shot at a small piece. (6) BAMSKI and (7) MARTY MONKHOUSER A are both very legitimate 30s, but both figure to be hurt tonight by their outside draws.
RACE 4 - (6) MAGIC VACATION is getting the tepid vote here - takes a big class drop and should be heading right to the top with every chance to wire these....but he'll likely be way overbet, so don't fall too much in love with him. (1) BIG MONEY HONEY has been a very steady player since returning to YR, and should land on a very good trip here - logical threat should the top one be unable to deliver. (4) EVA DAIR PET FR steps up in class after circling a pair of much easier fields in her last two starts - may be able to handle these too, but she's definitely a little risky against these better foes. (2) BRILLIANT BOB was claimed from last week's solid win and now steps up for his new connections - hard to say if he'll be able to maintain that form. (3) STEALING had a great run in the Amateur races vs. a bit easier but was a solid 3rd last week moving up in class, but with Bartlett at the lines - chance for another decent piece tonight. (7) LIMERENCE just isn't on his game right now and lands outside - sticking with others. (8) TOTAL DIVA is just 1 for 22 here this year and draws Post 8 off a bad date - wait for a better scenario (5) PETERS EXPRESS is off a break, and could really use some class relief.
RACE 5 - (4) TIME OUT IM TIRED went a big mile off the claim last week, coming first over against the red hot MAGRITTE and battling that one right to the wire - decent chance to get his picture taken tonight with a similar effort. (3) I GET THAT was a close 2nd two back then lost any realistic chance last week when way back at the half (thanks to gappers) - moves inside, and should have a big say in the outcome. (7) MCNULTY Z TAM was used hard early last week and can be excused for weakening a bit at the end - drops back down to the level he beat 2 back, and has a good chance to outperform that 20-1 ML price. (2) LIFEWITHJOHN finished a close 2nd last week but that effort was still a bit disappointing (he was the 3/5 choice) - goes for a new barn now, and he just doesn't look all that appealing on top at that 9/5 ML price. that 20-1 ML price. (6) SWAGASAURUSREX has been doing some good work since being claimed - good bomb to throw in underneath. (1) DING DING DINGER showed little in either local try, after finishing 1st/2nd in 17 of 35 starts out of town - we'll see if a new barn and the pole can perk him up a bit. (5) SULLIVAN is another that has failed to thrive in his 2 local tries since arriving from PA - needs to do better if he hopes to be any kind of player. (8) WAVES OF FIRE A can throw a good one here and there but seems unlikely to get involved from Post 8.
RACE 6 - (1) HOBBS earned over $300K at 3, but his 4YO season has been a disaster- took over 2 months off after 9/1, qualified back nicely, and trotted a solid last half from way out of it in his return mile last week - good spot for him to look to go wire to wire...and perhaps pick up his first win of the year? (5) MUFASAAS always comes alive in spots like this - the main danger, and maybe even the one to beat. (6) KANDY SWEET was a little short when 2nd two back of a "scratched injured" line, but was handled too unaggressively in her last, eventually making a break in traffic into the stretch - wouldn't be a shock here. (8) CON AIR HALL was claimed from his last where he got parked the mile from Post 7- new connections may elect to go conservative from this rough spot but IF Bongiorno does send him out of there, a piece would be possible, if he found a manageable trip .(2) TORKIL is hard to recommend off his current form but he does get his best post in a while, and perhaps can tow along for a small share. (7) FASHION FORE VER is in a seemingly impossible spot but he'll be a huge price, and there's a small chance he could rally for 3rd/th, under the right conditions. (3) SEVEN KNIGHTS had no excuses after crawling on the lead last week, and was fortunate just to hold 2nd - needs to be sharper for any chance to be a player here. (4) CREWS HILLTOPPER has picked up a few smaller pieces lately - another with a chance at a minor prize IF the trip is easy enough.
RACE 7 - (6) IRON MISTRESS was stuck in the back way too long to have any real chance last week but did finish with alert late pace for 3rd - lands in a suspect NW7500 field tonight, and might be able to pull off an upset if Gingras can put her in play a bit earlier. (4) LARJON LEAH hasn't been on her best game in a while but at least is racing "ok" - gets Stratton on board for tonight and the pair have done some good work together in the past - possibility. (3) IDEAL HANNAH is just 1 for 34 at Yonkers but ALMOST pulled off the upset 2 back after the big barn change - goes back to Kakaley, and seems like a player in here (1) WALTZWITHSIERRAA was racing off a sick scratch last week but still could have been a lot better than she was - she's now 0 for 13 here, and has pretty much run out of excuses. (7) FREE EXCHANGE has been 1st or 2nd in 7 straight starts and hit board in 9 of 10 (with a break in the other) - most of those were one level down, however, and now she also has to contend with a new barn, and Post 7 - would be willing to use her as long as the price is decent. (2) SEA OF LOVE BC is just 2 for 23 this year and those wins were in low "NWPM" levels - hard to endorse her as the 8/5 ML favorite! (5) ITTY BITTY was up the track returning from Canada.
RACE 8 - (2) VAINQUEUR R P NO raced twice in this class since arriving from Ohio and delivered back to back front end wins as the favorite - they'll have him to catch and beat once more. (4) ON HIGHER GROUND has been hitting on all cylinders lately, though 2nd best to the top choice in his last two - may be headed for that exact same fate tonight. (3) BLUE AND BOLD had been on an extended form spree before that dud 2 back, in a different barn - was back to his usual solid self in last (3rd behind the top pair) and should be able to deliver another sharp mile tonight - belongs in exotics. (1) DC ANNA was able to score off the beautiful pocket trip last week - takes a pretty big class jump here, but the rail could at least keep her close enough to bring home a small piece. (6) HAT TRICK MARLEAU proved to be a savvy sale purchase for Gingras and Co. as he jogged right off the bat for his new connections - tough beat 2nd to a sharp trip sitter last week, and now he's moving up in class while drawing outside - may have to settle for a smaller piece this time. (7) BLUFFINER was an ok 4th behind tonight's top 3 choices last week, but his chances will be compromised by the outside draw. (5) IN MY DREAMS had been doing good work for an extended period before finding himself unable to get into the hunt from well back last week - not sure he'll have any better luck tonight. (8) HOMER HALL draws another 8 hole and that will likely have him waiting for a better spot before trying to strut his stuff.
RACE 9 - (8) JODY was well backed for her YR debut, was running over heavily favored THEBEACHIS CALLING the entire way then paced on by in the lane - Post 8 will make things tough tonight, but that also means a better price...willing to stick with her. (2) ANDRA DAY had to abort her leave attempt last week, then had to deal with all kinds of traffic from the back - just excuse that mile and look for her to rebound to the fine form she showed in her first 3 local tries - live player. (6) THEBEACHISCALLING came into her last with a 3 for 3 Yonkers slate but just wasn't able to hold off tonight's top choice in the lane - certainly can rebound and take this, but inclined to just use her underneath, for now. (3) CHUPPAH ON was parked past the half before finding the cones last week then soon packed it in - she's much better than that, and may bounce back with a good try at a big price tonight - decent bomb for underneath. (4) MILIEU HANO VER has ability, but has always seemed more comfortable on the bigger track - maybe can rally for a piece? (7) RABLE had to deal with a terrible trip last week but now has to contend with Post 7 - may have to wait for a better spot before we see her best. (1) PURE COTTON took no $$ for her local debut and was completely empty after coming out to 3/4s - we'll see if she improves the 2nd time around. (5) EYE POPPING doesn't seem sharp enough right now to be a player here.
RACE 10 - (1) VENIER HANOVER couldn't have looked any better last week, delivering a powerful "brush and crush" victory for his new connections - draws inside in the same class, and absolutely deserves top billing....again. (2) MARINER SEELSTER has enjoyed an outstanding 12YO campaign, and now goes back to a barn that did super with him in the past - major danger. (3) ROCK N TONY rebounded from a major dud 2 back with a steady 4th in last - solid candidate to land somewhere on the ticket. (5) BEVANS CULLEN N threw a major clunker last week but drops right back in the box after being reclaimed by the barn he won for the previous start - eligible for a quick rebound. (6) MACHIAVELLI hasn't been bad and now moves to a very high % outfit - tough spot, though. (4) REAL LUCKY N had no luck at all for his last owners, drawing outside (with no chance) in the 2 starts they had him - gets a better draw for his new team, and may be in play for a small share. (7) ITSGOODTOBEDAKING is an excellent fit with these but may have trouble overcoming the outside post.
RACE 11 - (2) VOLARE gets a major barn and driver change, puts the hopples back on and qualified sharply at Chester (against Hill Of A Horse) after missing 5 months - definitely worth a play, but don't expect that 9-1 ML price! (4) TIDQUIST wasn't up for the quick mile last week in only his 2nd start back after a lengthy absence - could be tighter tonight, and may add some value to the exotics. (1) ZOOMING got parked from Post 7 last week but the 13YO shouldn't have any such problems from the rail - still capable of grabbing pieces with these. (3) THANKS FOR LEAVING made a break last week after brutal trips the 2 starts before that - definitely a chance to be in the hunt, but that 5/2 ML price means he won't be offering any value. (5) P C FOREIGN AFFAIR has a pair of good 2nds to sharp winners but he's also exiting a high % barn and doesn't win very often - small piece? (6) MISS YOU KELLY was a tiring 3rd in last, and struggling overall lately - maybe 3rd/4th? (7) WHETHER OR NOT FI is behaving every week now, but hasn't been a legitimate threat in some time. (8) BINGO QUEEN is just 1 for 37 over the past 2 years and it feels like her long, successful Yonkers career may really be coming closer to the end.