RACE 1 - (2) HP XANADU was claimed by a trainer that has attracted a lot of attention with her ability to
improve new horses dramatically...and this mare was no exception, beating the 25s off the claim then also
beating the 50s last week (as the favorite, both times) - she looks to keep the train rollin' tonight, and we'll
stay on board. (1) CHUPPAH ON is a very solid player at this level and moves all the way inside tonight -
she came up 2nd best to #2 last start and while she certainly has a chance to reverse that decision tonight,
there's no reason for her to be listed as the 8/5 ML favorite. (3) OURLITTLEMIRACLE never got in play
from Post 7 last week but was pretty solid prior to that, and moves back inside here - chance to be part of
the action tonight. (4) AMINI benefited from an inside trip last week but still finished well to be 3rd -
chance for another small piece with a similarly easy trip (8) PURAMERI was racing well for several weeks
but hurt by bad spots in her last 3 - obviously this is another horrible draw, but maybe Bartlett can leave
enough to get her into the hunt? (5) LARJON LEAH hasn't been "good", but she hasn't been terrible either -
chance for a minor share with an easy journey. (6) DREAM DANCING rallied a couple of times from well
back to pick up 2nds at a big price- maybe she can rally for a small slice tonight too? (7) GOLDEN QUEST
N has had a terrific season but definitely is showing signs of tailing in her last couple - we'll see if a new
barn can start to get her back on track.
RACE 2 - (3) HUNTING ZONE was winless at 2 but continued to improve at 3, and has put together a
nice season so far (14-3-5-2) - he's been holding his own vs. tougher than these, and he deserves top billing
in this seemingly easier spot. (2) COUNTER OFFER needed his last (7 hole, off a month) and should
benefit from that start - he's another that has been hanging in with better, and he's very capable of
outperforming that 12-1 ML price here. (4) JUST ENUFF STUFF was out brushing to the half last week
then battled hard into the fastest part of the race (:27.1) before finally weakening - should be tighter now,
and an easier trip could help him land a chunk of this. (1) SILK ROAD was a "pocket rocket" winner last
week and steps up to face tougher off that victory - he hasn't always been the best finisher, so we'll see if he
gained some confidence last week (he'll need it vs. these tougher foes). (5) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER
bumped up to NW4 last week and saw his 4 race winning streak (facing tougher foes) - he's capable of
being a big player here, but it's hard to justify him being the 8/5 ML favorite. (6) CENTURY INSPECTOR
has been a very solid NW4 player the last couple of months but he's been unable to WIN, and now also gets
his first bad post in a while - may have a little tougher time tonight.
RACE 3 - (2) TAKE A BREAK won his last 2 starts in Canada then took 2 more at Stga. for his new
connections - he probably wasn't facing all that much in those victories, but meets no killers in his YR
debut - we'll stick with the hot hand. (8) LOUIE HANOVER qualified sharply at Monti for his new barn
but couldn't get it done here last week as the 3/5 favorite (weakened in the lane and settled for 2nd) - way
too early to write him off, and the price will surely be a lot better from Post 8 tonight...couldn't blame
anybody looking to try him one more time. (1) BROOKVIEW DICE was off a bad date for his local debut
(8/22) and was a "meh" 4th - he raced much better last week, however, battling hard before settling for a
close 2nd (to #7) - chance for another good piece from the pole. (7) SWEET IDEAL shipped in off a pair of
PA victories and was able to deliver in his first Yonkers start as well, though he did have to work a bit
harder than expected to put away #1 - lands a tough draw for tonight, and that could hurt his chances a bit.
(3) TRANSFER THE ERA raced well enough to grab small pieces in his last pair and could be looking at
another minor share for tonight. (6) CLEVELAND B MIKI was bothered early last week and lost any
chance - raced well prior to that, and has a chance to rally for a piece if the trip goes to his liking. (5) BEST
BETTOR went one of his better efforts last week...but they have been few and far between this year. (4)
JUST CALL ME ART gets a pass for his last (bothered) but still needs to prove he can compete with these.
RACE 4 - Competitive race! (3) ALWAYS B MIMI came into her last with NO wins and just one 2nd from
her 25 starts this year...but after just one week with our leading trainer, she was able to put a "1" in the win
column, scoring first over in dead-game fashion- we'll give her the slight edge to repeat (1) WILDCAT
ANTONIA can be a tough mare to drive but she got along nicely with Bongiorno last week, and was able
to beat the 20s - chance to beat these 25s too, if the trip goes her way. (4) FEELIN RED HOT was ignored
in the wagering last week despite dropping from 50s to 25s but did go a game mile on the front end, worn
down late by the top choice - always a chance she can reverse that decision tonight (6) FLIP THE SCRIPT
was handled aggressively in her last pair, and was right there both starts - worth a look here if the price is
decent. (2) DANCE CLUB was well backed and able to win in this class 2 back, but failed to replicate that
effort last week - she has a chance here IF she can bring that better effort. (5) SWEET SANDY LOU owns
a win at this level 4 back but has mostly been settling for smaller pieces - leaning towards others.
RACE 5 - Begins the $15,000 added Lucky Pick 5 ($5 minimum bet) - (4) SLAY was a good 2YO, and
outstanding 3YO ($585K) but just hasn't been able to get his 4YO campaign in gear, so far - he cut a fast
clip then tired badly in his only local attempt this year, but clearly wasn't right that night - that last qualifier
is better than it looks (the top 2 finishers will be competing in Saturday's International Trot!), and perhaps
this is a spot where he can finally pick up his first victory of the season. (1) SWEET SOUL DAVID isn't on
his "best" game right now, but it's not like he's been "bad", either - dangerous player from this spot. (7) UN
EVERGONNAGETHIS has blossomed into an excellent trotter, and is just a neck shy of a 3 race winning
streak - would likely have been the top choice had he not drawn so poorly. (5) SEVENSHADESOFGREY
was driven perfectly by Holland in his last start and safely defeated softer - he probably fits well here too,
but the 24 days off are a concern. (6) JOXTER won 9 races as a 4YO and has continued to race well at 5 -
tough draw, but may still be able to rally for a small piece. (2) WILLY WALTON drops a class but isn't all
that sharp right now...he's also 0 for 23 at Yonkers this year. (3) GEMOLOGIST gets a pass for his last
(parked from Post 8) and does move inside - may be a little cheaper than the top players, however. (8) DC
ANNA has won back to back starts but was also helped when the leader broke last week - she moves up in
class, draws all the way outside and is really facing an uphill battle tonight.
RACE 6 - (2) P C FREE WHEELING hasn't been "great" lately, but she's been facing MUCH tougher than
these, and really should have no excuses dropping to the bottom level. (6) DIRTY MONEY was pretty well
backed for his local debut last week but lost all chance after an early miscue - can probably beat a lot of
these IF he minds his manners tonight. (7) STICK WITH ME KID broke in his last local attempt but tends
to race pretty well at Yonkers, often outperforming his odds - could do that here too. (3) HATIKVAH has
never thrived for a barn that typically gets most of their new horses to improve dramatically - chance for a
piece, even in his less than stellar current form. (1) EMPEREURTHEBEST FR hasn't been racing all that
well in Philadelphia and his Yonkers record is only 14-0-2-0 -- his barn has been hot lately, and he does
draw inside...maybe he can grab a small piece? (5) CONGRESS HILL EVA has some okay recent tries, and
may be able to pick up a minor share with a good trip. (4) TORKIL is having a tough year, with no wins
and just one 2nd from his 25 starts - prefer others. (8) LIMERENCE will have a hard time getting anywhere
near the action from all the way out here.
RACE 7 - (8) DRACO S seemed poised to pick up his first Yonkers win 2 back but made an untimely
miscue on the final turn and lost all chance - rebounded with a solid 2nd behind the well meant (new barn)
winner in his last, and is used to facing better than these - note that driver Bo Westergaard will be handling
Denmark's GET A WISH in Saturday's International Trot. (2) BAZILLIONAIRE is as camera shy as they
come but he IS racing pretty well lately, and just may be able to pick up a rare victory if things fall apart a
bit. (7) REIGN OF HONOR came up terrible upon arrival here in May - took 3 months, qualified nicely,
and he's banked over $600K in his career - check the tote board for clues? (4) MUFASA AS is an
in-and-out type that seems to be coming around lately - would hardly be a shock. (1) BACKSTREET
PLAYER has been steady in his recent starts but was scratched sick from his last and the 24 days off makes
him a bit risky. (6) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO has the quick speed to make him a player, but he'll need to
be a lot sharper than last week to still be around at the end. (5) MAGICAL JOURNEY is listed as the ML
favorite but really only won his last by staying on the rail as the race fell apart - no value here. (3) FULL
RIGHTS went an encouraging mile 2 back off the layoff but quickly regressed in his next start.
RACE 8- (4) TORRONE shipped in sharp last week and his easy victory was no surprise...but the generous
7/2 payoff definitely was - faces a couple of tough foes tonight (and also loses Brennan to #6) but may still
be able to take another. (6) SWAN FLYER raced well last week to be a close 2nd, even if helped by a
breaking leader on the final turn - he gets a big barn change for tonight, and has gone some big miles here
in the past - very live player. (2) GLOBAL BELIEVER S is 2 for 2 since arriving in the U.S. and figures to
be a good fit in his local debut - draws inside, gets Bartlett, and our leading trainer has been particularly hot
lately...only knock is the bad date. (1) DOUBLE DEALING is winless in 14 Yonkers starts but has hit
board in half of them - faces a few tough foes here, but a small piece is still within reach. (3) LIGHTFOOT
EDLEGEND made amends for that loss 2 back with last week's pocket victory - faces much tougher now,
and may have to settle for a much smaller share. (5) KINDA LUCKY LINDY was an ok 4th two back but
no match (as the favorite) against #3 last week - needs to be sharper in this stronger field. (8) JULA MAGI
CIAN could use a better post in an easier field - very tough spot. (7) UP HELLY AA is just 1 for 20 this
year, and draws poorly after re-qualifying - sticking with others.
RACE 9 - Good race: (2) HUNGRY MAN has been holding his own vs. stakes competition and was a
winner the last 3X he dropped into regular overnights - catches a few legitimate foes in here, but may be
able to come out on top off the drop once again. (7) SEVEN HUNDRED earned $144K as a 3YO - took a
while to get his 4YO campaign rolling, but he keeps getting sharper and was an absolute blowout winner in
his last start - he should be able to leave for a good spot here, and will be dangerous if that happens. (4) CH
URCHVIEWFRANKL IR has won 5 of 7 local starts and lost by less than a length in the other two - he can
leave, has a big brush, and can be a big threat here. (3) KILL A DRAGON just keeps winning at Stga. and
he's been doing it impressively - hails from a very live barn, gets Kakaley for his local debut and can't be
dismissed. (1) ROCK THE BELLES moved to a barn that tends to win with a LOT of their fresh stock and
he was no exception - faces a much tougher field now, but would be no surprise at all, especially from the
pole. (5) RB is still trying to find his best form since the recent layoff - probably needs to wait for an easier
spot. (8) MY MIKI BEACH draws another poor post and seems damned if he leaves, and damned if he
doesn't. (6) ONTOP RAINMAN is having a solid year, but will likely be too far back to threaten tonight.
RACE 10 - (6) MIKI THE CLOWN was heavily backed last week and delivered a VERY impressive
victory, used very hard to make the front and still obliterating the field - tougher spot tonight, but a decent
price makes her worth sticking with. (4) PARTY CRUISER was a sharp pocket winner in her local debut
then raced very well from an impossible spot last week - exits one of the top barns in the nation but moves
to a trainer that has an almost unfathomable record with fresh stock - deserves plenty of respect here. (1)
SHECANDANCE N struggled in her first start back with her favorite barn but was 3rd in her next then 2nd
to the top choice last week - legitimate threat from the pole, but that 9/5 ML is definitely a turn off. (3) HE
AVENISSOFARAWAY feels like she's forgotten how to win but she still picks up plenty of pieces when
she grabs a good trip - chance for a piece if Dube is aggressive early. (7) MC ANGEL was used very hard
last week and only weakened near the end - she probably can't threaten from out here, but keep an eye for
future consideration. (5) SALE EL SOL just hasn't clicked in her $50K starts - leaning towards others. (8)
SPORTS FLIX probably won't be able to get into play from out here (off 7 weeks) but she does move to a
barn that does some incredible work with fresh stock, and her lone win this year did come with Bongiorno
driving - good one for longshot fans. (2) TOBAGO TIME draws well but seems overmatched right now.
RACE 11 - (4) TUGGINGONCREDIT was well backed off the claim last week but really disappointed as
the 4/5 choice - she drops BELOW the claim price tonight, and it's hard to know if she has a major hole in
her, or if her connections are just looking to "steal" a win- since the barn has been hot, we'll give her a tepid
nod. (3) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE is hard to knock as she's jogged in this class 3 straight starts, and won 4 of
her last 5 - her previous connections lost her for $12,500 on 7/22, but just took her back last week for $20k
- the one to beat, but a very short price again. (1) HEADS improved quickly after a June barn change and
just missed here on 8/12 in her local debut - threw a dud in her next, however, and now drops in for a tag -
another that could go either way tonight. (8) WESTERN ROSIE is listed at 20-1 ML but she ships in sharp,
and isn't a bad stab if looking for a last race bomb. (7) NORMANS MADELINE (the "Queen of the Form
Reversal") almost pulled off one of those shockers last week, just missing at 14-1 - her game is the lead,
and it's hard to see her getting there tonight, however. (6) PRAY THE ROSARY has become functional
these days after a very long period of weak efforts - not sure she can reach from out here, though. (2) BETT
ORSHIGHLIGHT N may be able to grab a piece with the inside draw but she's just 1 for 30 at Yonkers. (5)
SHORTYS GIRL just feels like she needs to be in easier to be a player.