RACE 1 – (6) FLIP MY CHIP was terrific through the last 3 months of the year and returned sharp off the layoff as
well, coming up 2nd best to #4 – BOTH were claimed that night but Bartlett elects to go with this guy...and we will
too. (4) J B GRAM was 1st or 2nd in virtually all of his starts at the end of 2024 and returned just the way he left,
sitting the pocket to #6 last week then collaring him in the lane – he was claimed away from our (red hot) leading
trainer that night, and that’s why we’re giving the narrow edge to his main rival. (7) MUSIC HALL drops back
down to 30s after giving it a good go vs. the 40s last week – he gets no luck with the draw, but would still be worth a
stab to upset the top pair IF the price gets good enough. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL was an ugly 1 for 55 at YR
over the past 2 seasons but he did race pretty well for 3rd in his 2025 debut – ok for the bottom of exotics. (5) DP RE
ALORDEAL gets a class drop but he’s been struggling for a while, and made a miscue last week – wouldn’t shock,
but hard to get excited about right now. (8) SIP OF BOURBON raced well in almost all of his 8 local tries, even
without a victory so far – horrible draw, but still a chance for 3rd/4th. (2) TO THE HUNT tired off an easy trip last
week – sticking with others, for now. (1) EMINEM HANOVER was struggling before the winter break and was no
better in last week’s return.
RACE 2 – (3) SPORTS SECRET was a solid 4th in a good field across the river last start after picking up wins in his
prior pair – he beat a NW30000 field here not long ago, and his barn off to a strong start in 2025...the one to beat.
(5) FAMILY RECIPE was starting to find his form at lower levels to close out 2024, and the classy 8YO was a very
sharp 2nd in NW15000 to start off the new season– may prove the main danger (1) CAVIART SARGENT was racing
well at the end of last year (vs. easier), and came back in good form as well, using an easy trip to pick up 3rd last
week – he moves up in class tonight, but the rail draw may help him grab a good share. (2) HAZEVILLE is capable
of handling these types when on his best game but he’s been away for 6 weeks, and figures to be at least a bit short –
small piece? (6) WALKINSHAW N was racing well in most of his starts at the end of the year but he’s been away
for 6 weeks and will be coming from well out of it tonight – keep an eye for next time. (7) TWIN B POWERBALL
did mostly solid work in his 9 local starts after arriving from Canada, but may need to wait for a better spot before
showing his best stuff (7 hole off 6 weeks tonight). (4) CYRUS N does his best work vs. easier, and has been away
since 12/16. (8) SPEED MAN N’s barn has been terrific to start off the new year (4 for 6), but the classy 11YO
figures to be handled conservatively after landing Post 8, up in class, and away for 7 weeks.
RACE 3 – (3) TWIN B DELUXE was well meant off the winter break but lost all chance when (senselessly) hung
out to dry by the needlessly overaggressive leader– give him a pass for that, and a chance to make amends (1) EVER
HOPING A was handled conservatively after drawing Post 7 off the layoff but did finish up pretty well – should be
ready for a strong effort now, and looms a serious threat. (2) SPLASH BROTHER had some belated life in his first
start of 2025 and will be much closer to the action tonight – upset chance? (8) TWIN B HEART THROB hails from
a sharp barn and has the insanely hot Mr. Bartlett in the bike (an amazing 18 for 44 in the first week of the meet!) –
willing to include him underneath, despite Post 8. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM saved ground all the way last week
and did finish up decently – minor share? (6) MEA CULPA A gets another class drop for his first start of ’25 but
may not be sharp enough right now to capitalize – mixed feelings about his chances. (5) MULLINAX has been
racing ok but vs. easier – may be a notch below the main players. (7) CASINO ACTION N probably needs a class
drop and better post before he can be a serious threat again.
RACE 4 – (1) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A won his U.S. debut here as the odds on choice on 12/17 – he caught a
sloppy track in NJ the next week, then raced well in his next pair to pick up a 2nd and a 3rd – he’s Bartlett’s choice in
here, and the rail draw does stamp him as the one to knock off. (2) VICI was solid here through most of ‘24, earning
nearly $100K from his 27 starts – he’s looking at a live trip from this spot, with a chance to pull off a mild upset. (8)
VENTURESOME ARDEN N may not be on his best game right now but he’s a legitimate Open winner when 100%
- a good price makes him worth a look, even from out here. (4) CADILLAC BAYAMA is more than capable at this
level but did seem a little short in his seasonal return – maybe a minor share? (5) HUNTING ZONE ran and hid in
PA for his last start of 2024 and did the same thing here last week – faces tougher tonight, though, and Bartlett opts
to drive #1...prefer a couple of others a bit more. (6) BENHOPE RULZ N used a good trip to grab a 3rd last week
but may have a tougher time landing on such a good journey tonight. (7) MISSED THE TRUTH A was a very game
first over 3rd in his last, but may struggle to get in play tonight starting from Post 7. (3) RENAISSANCE DEO has
been struggling – wait for some better signs.
RACE 5 – (1) IM A POWERPLAY A was well meant for his 2025 debut but he was parked out by TWIG and left
with no chance – moves all the way inside for tonight, and this time HE gets to call the shots...could be ready for a
winning effort. (2) HEISMAN PLAYER landed on a perfect trip last week then exploded once clear at the top of the
lane, picking up his first local victory in a long time...another good trip would give him a legitimate chance to
repeat. (3) MEMPHISTENNESSE N tried a wide move from the back last week but flattened out into the final bend
– he could be tighter now, and may be able to land somewhere on the ticket. (6) LAZ was super to close out 2024,
winning 4 of his last 5 starts (a brutal 8 hole trip in the lone loss) – he’s been away since 12/19, however, and also
gets a tough draw while also moving up in class– would hardly be a shock, but still leaning to others. (5) TWIG was
handled very aggressively last week and just not up for it – willing to include him underneath. (7) OZONE BLUE
CHIP took no $$ for his seasonal return and had little to offer – drops a notch, but not ready to jump on his team just
yet. (8) THE REGULATOR was no factor at all dropping to 40s last week, and no moves down another notch (while
landing Post 8) – can’t dismiss him TOO quickly, though, as his trainer/driver team was just ridiculously hot to start
off the new meet! (4) JACKS LEGEND N has earned over $1M but not too much lately – prefer others.
RACE 6 – (5) ORLANDO BLUE A had been hitting board virtually every week since late September and a recent
barn change hasn’t slowed him down at all – he was one his trainers 4 winners on opening week, and remains the
one to knock off tonight. (1) SHAKESPEARE became highly unpredictable in 2024 but still managed to win 5 races
and nearly $100K – he’s eligible to show up with a winning effort at any time, especially from a spot like this. (3)
LYRICAL GENIUS A was just 1 for 22 here last year but did hit board in 10 of his 21 losses – he was a solid 3rd to
start off the new year, and may be able to build off that tonight...definitely belongs in exotics. (2) DELSTON would
probably be more comfortable one level down but he’s capable of holding his own against these too, with an easy
trip – ok underneath. (7) AROUND MIDNIGHT endured a terrible trip last week and raced better than his line
might suggest – hard to say if he can find a way into the hunt from another bad spot, but he definitely has a chance
to outrace his odds here. (4) MIND HUNTER was sent off favored for his 2025 return but never looked sharp right
from the start, and turned in a very disappointing mile – hard to really love his chances off that effort. (6) PEACE
OUT POSSE wins more than his share of local starts but he draws poorly for his first start since 12/2, and that has us
leaning more to others. (8) MAGIC MARVEL is the outsider...both literally and figuratively.
RACE 7 – Good race! (3) ROCK DIAMONDS N won an incredible 14 races here last year after scoring 9X the
year before – he held very gamely for 2nd after getting passed last week (1st start of 2025) and we’ll give him the
narrow edge in this very solid field. (7) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP hasn’t raced since 12/9 and draws all the way
outside...but Bartlett still takes him over the horse he won with last week (#1) – it would be no surprise at all if he
was ready to fire right out of the box (his trainer was an almost unfathomable 11 for 29 with his opening week
starters)! (4) TICKERTAPE HANOVER was razor sharp to close out 2024 and was left with no chance in his
seasonal return after landing in an impossible spot – could be a much bigger player tonight. (5) BACKSTREET
SHADOW clearly isn’t in the form that helped him bank $1.7M in his career but it’s not like he’s just fallen apart
completely – eligible to bring a big one at any time. (1) CUT N RUN N landed on a perfect trip last start and was
another of the barn’s 4 winners last week – may find this spot a bit tougher, though. (2) FUNATTHEBEACH N was
sent off at 30-1 last week and sat the cones – he’ll show up one of these weeks, but perhaps after he gets some class
relief. (6) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR can hold his own with these but does figure to need a start after 6 weeks off.
RACE 8 – Another tough race: (1) LAYTON HANOVER was a strong 12-4-2-3 here last year with 3 of the 4 wins
coming for the barn he’ll be returning to tonight – he gets assigned the rail, has BEEN racing (at Dover), and may be
able to pull it off from this spot. (6) AARDIES FLASH N is a perfect 4 for 4 since arriving in the U.S. scoring as the
favorite each time (and the prohibitive choice in 3 of the wins) – he’s been away for 6 weeks, but MANY of his
barnmates won off similar layoffs last week. (3) FINVARRA A popped the pocket and paced right on by ROCK
DIAMONDS N to win last week – he steps up for a hot barn, and the inside draw could make him a big player once
more. (7) VERDUN comes off a stellar season, and some of his 10 local wins were truly eye-popping – he also gets
the worst of the 3-7 draw (after missing 7 weeks), and MAY be handled pretty conservatively this time around. (2)
BINGE ON YANKEE was strong at the end of last year but he’s missed 6 weeks and his barn has been off to a slow
start so far. (4) WHATS STANLEY GOT A can beat top shelf horses when on his best game but Stratton opting to
drive #2 suggests that this guy may need a start or two. (5) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A ended the year with 2 wins
(over lesser) and a 2nd to TYPHOON BANNER N...but this is a tough return spot after being away for 7 weeks.
RACE 9 – (4) ITALIAN LAD N has been stuck near the back of the pack (in better fields) at The Swamp in his last
few and just had no chance – he’s a proven player vs. these types, gets A Nap back on board and this feels like a spot
for an aggressive try – we’ll try him on top. (8) BECHERS BROOK A left from Post 8 off the layoff last week,
found a spot in 4th then paced evenly in a mile that should serve as a good tightener – chance to be a threat here if
Kakaley can find him a manageable trip. (1) MACH N CHEESE found some form at the end of last year but hasn’t
raced since 12/16 – hard to know how tightly wound he’ll be for his first start back. (6) SHINE A LIGHT is more
than capable with these types and his barn sent out their share of live ones last week...he doesn’t have a ton of early
speed, though, and faces an unpredictable trip off the layoff. (7) LOUS THE ATTITUDE had an excellent stretch of
races in the latter part of 2024 but he faltered in his last start vs. 30s at Chester, and now will take on 40s, from Post
7, off 5 weeks – leaning more towards others tonight. (3) SCRIBBLERS could be tighter after that start last week
but his overall form (since arriving at Yonkers) has been lacking. (2) PHOENIX OF FLUZZY made only 7 starts
last year and his first start back in ’25 (in NJ) wasn’t all that encouraging. (5) ALEX TYE is in tough off the layoff.
RACE 10 – (5) LEONIDAS A used his first start back as a tightener and did finish alertly from an impossible spot –
he’s clearly lost quite a bit off his fastball, but this still might be a spot within his wheelhouse – could be worth a try
tonight. (2) TRANSPARENCY prepped nicely at Monti on 1/15 and picked up the victory here 5 days later – steps
up a notch, but should still be able to be a very live player once more. (3) SHADOW CAT picked up a 3rd in his first
try for our leading barn and may be even sharper tonight – legitimate threat. (6) ULTIMAROCA was well meant in
his first try of 2025 but was worn down on the lead – tough draw for tonight, but still worth a look IF the price drifts
high enough. (1) GINGRAS BEACH was no threat last week but he went some big miles in 2024 and can at least be
considered underneath for exotics. (4) FIZZING N was solid at the end of last year and can be forgiven for that start
last week (8 hole off 39 days) – should be more competitive tonight, but may still be looking at only minor scraps.
(7) QUALITY BUD was never in play last week and could be looking at the same scenario for tonight. (8) SOUTH
BEACH HANOVER draws Post 8 after being away since 12/19 (and also moves up in class).