As noted last night, many/most of the horses on the card will be racing off bad dates, after the
winter break – check Monday’s charts for additional clues as to which barns are most “ready”
for the new meet, and adjust your plays accordingly!
RACE 1 – (2) THUNDRA was a winner three back dropping to this level and gave it a shot on the front end (as the
favorite) in her last start of the year – one of many with a chance in here, and should at least be a fair price tonight.
(3) ROYALTY DREAMER shipped in sharp (vs. cheaper) from Fhd. and was an excellent 2nd in her local debut –
legitimate player tonight if ready off the layoff. (7) IRON MISTRESS was razor sharp to close out ‘24 and probably
wishes the winter break didn’t come up– tough assignment from this spot, but not impossible. (5) FORTUNADA hit
board in three straight in this class to close out 2024, can race on or off the pace and is yet another potential player in
here. (4) GINGER TREE LIZ comes off a disappointing 2-win season but her best effort could at least put her in
play for a piece of this. (6) PROVE EM WRONG hails from last year’s leading barn but her lesser efforts far
outnumbered her better ones last year – leaning elsewhere. (1) SHEIKH YABOOTY N was 1st or 2nd an outstanding
20X last year...but she did struggle in the latter part of the season – we’ll see if the time off has helped. (8) PLEAS
URE SEEKER was terrific in 2024 but faces a daunting task from out here in her seasonal debut.
RACE 2 – (6) REIGNING DEO can handle (much) better than these when on his game – his last (NJ) start was
encouraging, but it was also back on 12/17...gets a lukewarm vote in a very tough race to decipher. (5) MASONS
DELIGHT N won a couple of times here last year and hit board 3X (vs. better) in recent weeks – logical player,
even with the time off (3) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N is another that is used to tackling tougher, but he’s also
extremely camera shy – would consider if the price is decent. (7) GREG THE LEG was super in ‘23 but struggled
for much of last year– may need a better draw before we see his best. (2) JUDDY DOUGLAS A perked up to finish 2nd
two back dropping to this level– worth at least a look for exotics at that 20-1 ML price. (1) GAMBLINGTERRO
R has speed from the pole and has done some damage at this level in the past – not sure if he’ll be ready for a top
effort, though. (4) MY ULTIMATE STAR A may be able to save ground and take home a small slice. (8) JUST EN
UFF STUFF has faced and beaten better, but wasn’t all that sharp to end 2024 and lands all the way outside tonight.
RACE 3 – (2) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N finished with good pace from tough spots in her first 2 U.S. starts then
delivered victories in her last pair, both at very short prices – would hardly call her a “cinch”, but she’s certainly
earned top billing. (3) ICACO HANOVER has been a weekly threat in this class in virtually all of her starts– figures
to have a big say tonight, as well (especially after her barn won 3 last night). (1) CUPID SHUFFLE disappointed on
the lead in her first local try but rebounded to win from off the pace in her next – another very logical threat. (6)
LEGAL ATTACK hit board in 4 of 5 local tries but was unable to get her picture taken – tough draw tonight, and
likely looking at a smaller share once more. (4) SPECIAL DRAGON seems a bit below the main players, but an
easy trip could help her take home a minor award. (5) FERRAGAMO HANOVER failed to threaten in her 3 local
starts last year. (7) MINOTAUR makes her Yonkers debut from a terrible post, while sporting a 1 for 27 career slate.
RACE 4 – (1) BE DAZZLED LOU A had the benefit of racing during our winter break and picked up a pair of 2nds
in PA – he was an 8 hole winner here back in October, and we’ll give him the edge starting from the pole tonight. (8)
ALL ALONE also kept active during the winter hiatus (in NJ) but gets no luck with the draw for tonight – on the
flip side, he WILL be a decent price for our leading trainer/driver tandem. (6) COVERED BRIDGE is obviously
hard to ignore down at this uncharacteristically lower level, but he clearly wasn’t sharp BEFORE the winter break,
and it’s hard to know how he’ll be tonight...especially at what figures to be a fairly short price. (5) TEDDY DISCO
A was a big earner Down Under but has been just “ok” so far in his 5 U.S. starts– he should fit well here, and
certainly worth considering with Yannick on board. (3) BRAKE AHEAD had some life finishing in his last start of
the year and drops a bit more for tonight – he does face a few solid foes, however. (4) WINDSUN RICKY has been
idle for 5 weeks and the guess is that he’ll be handled conservatively in his seasonal debut. (2) ALWAYS A THRILL
had a couple of “ok” local tries after arriving from Canada but does seem to be a notch below a few of the main
players. (7) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK grabbed a win and a 2nd in his last 2 starts of 2024 but was able to race on
the lead, vs. easier – this is a MUCH tougher spot.
RACE 5 – (7) OPTICAL ILLUSION N gets significant class relief for this, as he beat a NW2000 field (at 3/5) right
on the bottom of the program – can’t know for sure if he’ll be ready for his best, but he’ll be very tough IF he is. (5)
TWIN B RISENSHINE generally holds his own with better than these, picks up Gingras in the bike and could be a
big threat with any decent trip. (3) VULCAN STAR N has been solid out of town vs. similar and ships in for a barn
that has done good work with limited local starters over the years – could have a say here. (2) KARLOO BRADLEY
N wasn’t all that sharp to close out 2024 but he was also facing better – we’ll see if the few weeks off benefit him.
(1) BUCHANNON HANOVER is just 1 for 34 locally over the past 2 years but at least he’s been racing, and he
does draw the pole – chance to land somewhere on the bottom of exotics. (4) MR DUNNIGANS won his last start in
PA but wasn’t all that impressive in 3 local tries last year– would need a good price to consider him tonight (6)
VIVA LAS VEGAS N grabs his share of minor pieces, but has been lacking in 1sts and 2nds– also, a bad post of a
bad date (8) GENTLE GIANT is capable of beating these types when on his best game, but seems likely to be
handled very conservatively tonight from this terrible spot (keep an eye for future consideration).
RACE 6 – (2) EXOTIC DRAGON won 11 races (in Canada) last year and shows a pair of decent Monti qualifiers
for her new barn...could be worth a stab in her Hilltop debut. (4) MIKILOB ULTRA raced well in many of her 11
local starts last year, usually at big prices – never a bad one to consider. (5) TYRA MAKES BANK had a lot of
success after first arriving here last year but did level off considerably, over time – perhaps a few weeks off will see
her return sharper to start off 2025? (6) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL can be frustratingly inconsistent, and will have to
deal with both a bad draw and bad date for tonight – insist on a good price if considering her for the top slot. (7) HA
RPER SEELSTER was a player in this class pretty much ever start but the tough draw may limit her a bit tonight,
even with the benefit of that start in NJ during the winter break. (1) DANDYS SHOWTIME draws the pole for our
top trainer but her 1 for 29 local slate makes her hard to endorse with any confidence. (8) LINE EM UP raced well
after being claimed on 10/2 but may have to wait for a better draw before we see her best effort.
RACE 7 – (2) NIKASA N appreciated the drop to 25s in her last start of the year, picking up 2nd to a very sharp
winner – she’s held her own vs. the 50s on many occasions, and we’ll see if a few weeks off have worked to her
favor. (1) CHASE YOU was a winner in this class on 10/1 then picked up a pair of 3rds to close out 2024 – will be a
player here if ready off the hiatus. (3) PARADISE ROCK L banged out $100K in 2024 and is a proven player with
these types – could be a decent value horse to consider. (4) REAL LADY SADIE picked up a very impressive 14
wins last year, 9 of them right here at Yonkers...always deserves respect any time she’s in to go. (8) ROCKNROLL
ANNIE struggled through almost all of 2024, but ended the year with a win and 2 just-miss 2nds from her last 4
starts – barn has delivered more than their share of longshot winners over the last few years. (5) TWIN B ALLURE
has 6 wins from her 27 local starts but really wasn’t clicking to close out last meet – watch for better signs as she
makes her seasonal return. (6) BUG JUICE is a bit hard to gauge off her out of town form – leaning towards others
right now. (7) PASTA MOMMA draws poorly for her first Yonkers try after being scratched sick from her last.
RACE 8 – (5) MOMENT IS HERE was a big earner as a youngster but struggled to find that top form in an
abbreviated 4YO campaign – he seems to be coming around lately, and may have found a spot he can handle in his
Yonkers debut. (6) BRUTALLY HANDSOME A won a few starts here last year and has been doing good work
across the river since late Nov. – could have a say here with a live trip. (4) MISSED THE TRUTH A picked up 2nds
in both local starts, and definitely is a good fit at this level – could offer some decent value as he returns to YR. (1)
LUCAPELO A disappointed as the heavy chalk in his US debut (in NJ) but did pick up wins (vs. cheaper) in his
next 2 starts – we’ll see if he can extend his streak to 3 as he tries the Hilltop oval for the first time. (3) SMIFFYS
TERR OR N was a strong earner Down Under and his connections are no strangers to imports – will probably need
one, but check the tote board for some clues. (2) DIAMONDBEACH struggled for long stretches in 2024 but then
came up with a lifetime best 1:51.1 blowout (in NJ) during the winter break – still not ready to try him against these
better ones. (7) JAHAN HANOVER closed out 2024 with a pair of wins, but with good trips vs. easier – much
tougher assignment now. (8) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N was sharped when claimed on 9/23 and even gave his trainer
his only winner of the meet right after that – he’s been gradually declining, however, and may really be up against it
from Post 8.
RACE 9 – Wide open! (3) MORNING HAS BROKEN hasn’t made a pari-mutuel start since July 26th but her 2
recent Monti qualifiers suggest she could be ready to go, and her barn picked up a couple of winners on Opening
Night...one of many with a legitimate chance in here. (6) IDEALINFUN is listed at 10-1 ML but she was 1st or 2nd
in 14 of her local starts last year, and gets Gingras for her first start of 2025...worth a look? (7) YS SENSATIONAL
CITY ended the year winning 3 of her last 4 starts, with a 2nd in the other – would obviously be no surprise here, but
she’s also listed at 2-1 ML despite the time off and bad draw. (2) FREESTARFLIGHT won 7 of her 19 local starts
last year, and certainly fits at this level...add her to the list of possible winners. (8) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N may
have trouble getting into the mix but she’s listed at 20-1 ML and hit board in 9 of her last 10 starts! (1) JULES HILL
was sent off favored in her 2nd Yonkers start but was unable to make her speed hold up on the front end – can’t rule
her out tonight, with an easier trip. (4) MC ANGEL seemed to be coming back around in November but then leveled
off once more – leaning elsewhere tonight. (5) OKINAWA BEACH A may need to be in a little easier to threaten for
the top slot.
RACE 10 – (2) BEANTOWN BABE crushed this class on 11/20 then was 2nd on 12/17 – her barn picked up
THREE wins on Monday night, so we’ll stick with the hot hand. (1) NUTTINBUTTHEBEST was a winner in her
final start of 2024 and won 4 of her last 8 overall...look for a big effort tonight, even off the bad date. (3) WHATIN
EEDISAMAN was no good for some time but perked right back up after returning to her favorite barn to close out
the year – can grab a piece of this. (4) ONEDERFULBEACH hit board in 6 of her last 8 starts and is worth using
underneath in exotics. (6) BETTER WATCH IT used a good trip to win in this class on 12/16, and now returns after
winning her last in NJ– may have to settle for a smaller piece here, though, thanks to a tough draw. (8) CANNERY
ROW was 0 for 24 locally over the past 2 years but did race well in a bunch of the losses – decent bomb for a small
slice. (5) BROOKDALE JESSIE and (7) IRIS SEELSTER both appear to need easier spots to be serious players.