RACE 1 - Tough opener: (5) SECRET OR NOT showed some life in his last start of 2022, finishing 2nd
vs. better - may not have been fully cranked off the layoff last week, but he drops in class now and faces a
field with some iffy main player - decent value horse to consider. (2) MUFASAAS hasn't been close to top
form in some time, but he's dropping to the bottom level, draws inside, and this would be a logical spot to
look for a wake up call. (3) MARION GONDOLIER hasn't been close to his best since that sick scratch on
12/22 - he'll be mighty tough here if he suddenly finds his better form, but that 7/5 ML price makes it likely
that he'll be overbet. (1) MANWILLING was a decent 3rd here to close out '22, and may have needed his
last - good spot to land a decent trip, and he may be able to contend if that happens. (6) HUNTING AS has
a good local history but is another that may be off his best right now - he could easily be a threat if the trip
goes his way, so give him a look if the price is right. (8) TIDQUIST added hopples in his 2nd start off the
claim and was putting in a big effort...before making a break to the stretch - just re-qualified in NJ, and may
need to wait for a better spot before we see his best. (4) TORKIL was empty in his '23 return - waiting for
better signs before considering. (7) HAMMER CREEK draws horribly once again - needs a better post.
RACE 2 - Five horse field, but a case can be made for all of them! (4) THINKING OF A CARD hasn't
gone "fast" at Monti, but she sure has been turning in plenty of sharp miles (especially since adding Lasix,
two back) - her owner has been handling the driving but he hands over the lines to Brennan for her YR
debut...and we'll see if she can continue her winning ways. (5) THE GYPSY QUEEN IR arrives from
Ireland for top connections, and one would have to assume she's talented enough to beat these types -
qualifier looks solid, and perhaps it's worth taking a look at how the barn's other UK import does on Tues.
night. (1) RAISE THE ANTE was hammered at the windows last week despite Post 7 and a month off...and
turned in a big effort to be 2nd best to the favorite - hard to not give her a big chance from the pole. (2)
CATIE FAYE HANOVER finished full of pace after shaking free from a bad shuffle last week and all of
her recent local tries have been solid - it's her 0 for 38 record last year that makes it hard to like her on top!
(3) DIFFERENTFORGIRLS was no factor in her local debut, but most of her barn was short last week as
well - always eligible to improve and be a player.
RACE 3 - (1) CHIEF JUSTICE was always an inconsistent Yonkers horse (for a different barn), but did
always have ability - he'd been racing well lately in Maryland, and now makes his 2nd start for the Super
Siblings, while dropping in class and getting major post relief - a big effort is expected. (5) ARABELLAS
CADET faced tougher last start but did finish alertly from the back, in traffic - drops down to face much
easier here, and a decent trip would make her the main danger. (6) LOOK IN MY EYES earned $111K last
year so clearly this level is well within his comfort zone, when "right" - didn't really love the way he looked
last week, but he can make some noise here if he turns up on his better game. (2) STONE IN LOVE trotted
evenly last week after a shuffle (racing off the bad date) - draws well again, and may be able to grab a small
piece, with a better trip. (3) BLOGMASTER would probably look better in a bit cheaper, but he still may
be able to grab a share here with an easy trip. (8) SWAN FINE LADY wasn't bad in her local debut and
definitely fits with these...overcoming Post 8 will be the major issue, however. (4) MY BOY CHRISTIAN
just seems to go "evenly" most weeks - needs more pop. (7) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE is hard to
recommend after drawing Post 7 off last week's "distanced" line in NJ.
RACE 4 - (4) BLUEBIRD JESSE changed barns late in the year and raced well to the end, though failing
to pick up any wins - makes his 2023 return, and his trainer has sent out some very sharp horses off the
winter break...maybe he'll be another? (1) BIG BAD SWAN had a strong 2022 season, but his last victory
came on 11/2 - hard to know for sure how tight he'll be off the hiatus, but it would be hard to leave him off
the ticket. (2) IN MY DREAMS wasn't at his best off the layoff but he may not have cared for the trip - the
classy veteran is always dangerous against these. (5) P C FREE WHEELING has been very consistent,
picking up 3rds in his last 4 outings - if not of the top choices bring their best, he could be the one to come
out on top. (3) BAZILLIONAIRE took ALL year but finally got his lone 2022 win in his last start of the
season - hard to like on top, but always playable underneath. (7) WHATS THE WORD actually crushed the
field at 66-1 two back, but was parked from Post 8 in his last start of the year - have to believe he'll be a
little short after 5 weeks away. (6) MUSCLE STAR used perfect trips to win his last pair vs. cheaper - don't
see him getting as fortunate tonight (bad post, up in class).
RACE 5 - (3) COALITION HANOVER elects to drop in for a tag after using a pocket trip to win here last
week - he's held his own with better than these recently, and this should be a spot where he'll have a chance
to make it 2 in a row. (1) HELTER SKELTER had been chasing DIVISION BELL up at Monti, and that
guy was going to absolutely jog here on Monday night (until he broke, and bolted to the top of the lane) -
last week's effort wasn't bad at all (long first over and only weakened late), and he could be a legitimate
threat starting from the pole. (2) ROSE RUN X CON was sharp in all his starts leading up to the winter
break and returned the same way - a threat every week he drops into the box. (4) HURRIKANE GEORGIE
made a break in his last start of what was an incredible 2022 season- he was just a tad short in his '23 return
but the right trip could make him a serious threat here. (6) STATE SENATOR won his first start of 2023 to
extend his winning streak to 3 - the only knock for tonight is the draw, which does figure to hurt his
chances a bit. (5) CAPTAIN T HANOVER has been much cleaner gaited since a recent barn change but
still may be a notch below all the main players in here. (7) AINT HE SPECIAL was unable to sustain his
rally last week, and it won't be any easier tonight as he draws his 3rd straight 7 hole. (8) MAKE MY DEO
lands Post 8 for his first start of the new year and figures to have trouble getting close to the action.
RACE 6 - (1) NEWELL PLACE may be worth a stab in her YR debut - she went some strong efforts as a
3YO, and she should be ready for action after a solid qualifier and tightener at Freehold - the switch to
Boyd won't hurt either. (5) MON AMOUR was doing good things from Post 8 last week until making a
break into the stretch - deserves a chance to make amends for an eternally dangerous trainer/driver combo.
(4) LADY JETER doesn't have the best looking lines right now but she does land in an easier spot tonight,
and improvement may be on the horizon - worth considering. (2) TESLA SEELSTER steps up in class after
benefiting from a dream trip to beat lesser last week - the good draw may put her in position to grab a
decent piece with these too. (7) STARLIT RAMBO was sent off favored vs. better last week, but never
really looked "strong", and squandered a beautiful trip - drops tonight, but also lands outside...mixed
feelings. (3) QUINCY MARKET was very well meant off the hiatus last week but ended up being used
very hard, and weakened late- maybe an easier trip would help him grab a good piece here? (6) NATURAL
KEMP used an easy trip to rally nicely for 2nd last start, but the outside post may limit his production here.
(8) SUMATRA trailed all the way from the same Post 8 in his last.
RACE 7 - (2) STRIKING IMPACT has enjoyed more success across the river lately, but his start here on
12/21 was better than it looks - lands in a competitive field, but his sharp recent (10 hole!) tries may give
him the conditioning edge to beat these (3) MOMENTSTHATMATTER has been idle since the winter
break but his barn has sent most of them out ready - he's a proven player with these, and may be ready in
his '23 debut. (1) FORREST BLU had a rough time for much of 2022 but did close out the year in his best
3YO form - may not have been all that serious in that NJ maintenance mile during the hiatus, and his best
effort would make him a legit threat tonight. (5) SHIP WRECK BEACH K rattled off a long winning streak
before leveling off to close out '22 - hard to say if he'll be a little short off the layoff, or if the freshening
will do him some good! (4) ARTIST BEST is capable of some nice efforts when things go to his liking -
another that's been away for 5 weeks and hard to gauge for tonight. (6) STELLAR YANKEE was sluggish
much of the way in his seasonal return but did finish up with some late life - would have liked his chances a
bit more with an inside draw. (7) COLD CREEK FELIPE suddenly got very sharp for a few starts but threw
a dud to close out '22, and was no factor returning last week - tough to recommend from out here.
RACE 8 - (6) GEMOLOGIST had no chance from Post 8 in his first start of the year but he did finish with
sneaky life - he was claimed that night, and might be able to race more aggressively here - will need some
trip luck to prevail, but he could be a good value play. (3) ALL CHAMPY finished off 2022 with a sharp
victory and was able to do just the same to start off 2023 - remains the one to beat, but the price will be
pretty short. (2) FOR A DREAMER has proven to be a pretty strong player at this level when on his best
game, but he may be spotting a conditioning edge to the top two - would still consider at the right price. (7)
LINDSEYS PRIDE has drawn poorly in the majority of his starts, yet continues to outrace his odds on
many occasions - always a good one to include underneath. (1) AFTER ALL PAUL isn't on his best game
right now, but an easy trip may help him grab a small share. (5) MANHATTANUP NO ICE has plenty of
local experience, but mostly vs. easier - he's also arriving off a sick scratch at Batavia, after weakening the
week before - leaning towards the locals, for now. (4) CHAMPAGNE ON ICE exited a very high % barn
on 11/23 and has yet to earn even a small check for his current barn.
RACE 9 - (3) PURE SILKY wasn't right when she arrived here from Indiana in Sept. - freshened up, and
was absolutely flying through the lane in her return try last week, a fast finishing 3rd after sitting back in
last much of the way - could be a handful tonight. (2) COMMANDER CATHY N was somehow just 2 for
34 last year but did grab 11 seconds - she ended the year strong and will be a big threat tonight IF tight
enough off 5 weeks - we shall see. (5) DOCS DELIGHT loved the easy trip last week and finished with
crisp pace for the place spot - another easy trip could land her another big chunk. (4) CLEAR THE WAY
was used early and tired late in her last, possibly a little short off the winter break - should be tighter now,
and is a logical one to include underneath. (1) JACANA used a terrific trip to grab 2nd three back but she's
struggled otherwise even since joining her current barn - suppose she could pick up a piece here, mostly
thanks to the draw. (8) CAPTAINS STAR was a winner (as the favorite) for her new barn to close out 2022
but came up terrible (off a pocket trip) to start off 2023 - willing to forgive that mile, but still hard to get
excited about her chances from all the way out here. (7) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL has become more
reliable lately and was a game winner in her last - may struggle to work her way into the hunt, though. (6)
SOME KINDAANGEL has been idle since 12/21, and has just 2 starts since 11/13.
RACE 10 - (1) STICK WITH ME KID raced well from a tough spot vs. better last week - drops down,
moves all the way inside and meets nothing to scary in here - solid chance to control the action and handle
these...as long as he behaves. (3) ANDOVER CONTESSA's starts have been a mixed bag, to say the least -
on her best game, she could make a lot of noise here...but it's anybody's guess as to which version we'll see
tonight. (2) UPFRONT STONE hasn't been a threat in his last few but he finds himself at the bottom level
tonight after just missing in 50s not too long ago - wake up spot? (5) FOXY TROTTIN STICK finished up
decently after shaking free last week - willing to throw in for a small piece. (6) JIVE NINETY FIVE didn't
fire at all last start on a night when his barn won 4 races - maybe the class drop will perk him up a bit? (4)
TURBOCHARGEDPETE throws a good one now and then but he misbehaves a little too often for our
tastes. (7) MISS YOU KELLY was 1 for 24 here last year and 2 for 28 the year before - hard to like her
chances from Post 7. (8) MARQUIS VOLO needs an easier field, and much better post.