RACE 1 - 1 1/16th miles - (1) BETTER WATCH IT has been a very consistent performer and becomes
very dangerous when she can land on a decent trip (as we saw last week) - the extra distance probably
doesn't help her chances in away way, but really shouldn't hurt them much (if at all) either - gets the slight
nod in tonight's opener. (6) CHUPPAH ON had a very nice effort when 3rd from Post 8 three back - her net
start (in the 1/2 mile dash) was excellent, but she just couldn't get by the hard used frontrunner when a close
2nd last week - remains a serious threat, and she should be headed right to the top tonight. (5) WILDCAT
ANTONIA can be a little tough to steer at times but she does try hard and has had some success here - a
live trip could land her somewhere on the ticket. (4) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX has been "steady" lately,
picking up a bunch of smaller pieces - include her underneath. (7) VEL DONNA shocked in that sprint race
2 back (at 25-1!) and really wasn't bad from an impossible spot last week - unfortunately, another bad draw
may limit her opportunities once again. (2) SPORTS FLIX pops up with a good one here and there but just
throws way too many duds for our tastes. (3) ALWAYS B MIMI races "ok" at times but has no wins and
just one 2nd from her 14 starts this year.
RACE 2 - (5) DUVAL STREET began his 2YO career here at Yonkers with a sharp 1:54.3 NYSS victory -
he went on to do good work after that, though ending his season on a disappointing note after a being in a
terrible spot in the NYSS Final - hasn't hit on all cylinders yet in a few NJ starts at 3, but his efforts suggest
that he'll be a big threat with the locals tonight. (2) MY MIKI BEACH was off to a fast start here last
summer for his current barn, but landed on the shelf after that start on 7/26 and only qualified back last
week - hard to know just how tight he'll be off the long layoff, but he can be a big threat if even close to
100%. (4) TWO FACED hit board in all of his first 10 local starts this year before finishing 4th last week
(but still racing well from a bad spot) - he's ultra consistent, and becomes a major threat if the top pair fail
to deliver. (3) TACK ROOM CHATTER was 2nd best to a very well meant winner 3 back, then wired the
field in his last pair - he may be good enough to handle these too, but this is a tougher spot and he MAY
have a harder time with them. (1) AMBITIOUSBEACHBOY has been a steady player in this class and has
the speed to earn a good trip from the pole - definitely ok to include in exotics. (6) HOUND ON THE
BEACH did some good work at 2, but is still trying to find his best form at 3 - tough draw for tonight.
RACE 3 - 1 1/16th miles - (4) TONYS MOM has been terrific since joining our leading barn recently and
brings a 4 race winning streak into tonight - solid chance she can extend that streak to 5 against these. (1)
MAGICAL MISTRESS was very well backed 3 starts down and just missed to the sharp winner - gets a
pass for the 1/2 mile sprint and was actually pretty good last week when 3rd off a tough trip - may prove
the main danger. (6) NUTTINBUTHEBEST just wasn't right two back but rebounded with a nice off the
pace try last week - she'll be firing off the car tonight and should end up with a nice trip...and a chance to
land somewhere on the ticket. (3) SALE EL SOL just too long to find her gear last week before finally
rallying for 2nd - a live trip puts her in play for a nice chunk of this. (2) KAITLYN N was no factor at all
in that 1/2 mile dash 2 back but benefited from an inside trip last week and finished well for 3rd - could
easily grab another nice slice if the trip is kind again. (5) TUGGINGONCREDIT faltered on the lead last
week with no excuses and it's getting a little tougher to keep backing her - leaning towards others here,
though a minor piece is certainly possible. (7) LARJON LEAH doesn't seem all that good right now -
landing Post 7 isn't going to help her cause.
RACE 4 - Good race! (3) PHOENIX OF FLUZZY shipped in sharp from PA and was sharp here as well,
backing off to 3rd after leaving, pulling first over and pressing the winner hard, then almost holding 2nd -
maybe he can come out on top tonight with an easier trip? (4) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N followed the top
choice last week and was able to outkick that one home to be 2nd - has shown that he can do some late
damage when the trip goes his way...possibility, for sure. (7) PEACE OUT POSSE landed on a brutal trip
last week but still was a dead game 2nd to the very easy trip, odds-on winner - he absolutely fits with these
and his chances go way up if Bongiorno can leave and work out a trip. (5) BOILING OAR is yet another
proven player at this level, and perhaps we'll see some big speed from him tonight - add him to the list of
possible winners. (6) MULLINAX usually does his biggest damage here vs. easier but he's actually pretty
good right now, even at these higher levels - a live trip gives him at least a chance at the upset. (1) GAMBL
INGTERROR generally needs to be in a bit easier to seriously threaten but he also has a good history of
tripping out at good prices, and scoring upsets - not impossible. (2) BUDDY HILL has a lot of back class
and still can throw a big effort - his only recent win did come vs. cheaper, though.
RACE 5 - (4) JOHNNY SACK was winless at 2 but was still a competitive NYSS performer that showed
good potential - returned sharp for his 3YO season, winning his qualifier with a :27 final quarter...we'll hop
on board for his seasonal debut. (8) HUNTING ZONE draws horribly but he's hit board in all 4 local starts
and can probably find a seat if Stratton looks to leave with him - could add some value to the exotics. (3)
ESTEEM wasn't ready for business at 2 but has been rapidly improving since recently starting his 3YO
campaign - should fit very well with the locals, and be able to have a big say here. (6) FUGLEMAN is 0 for
15 lifetime but shows a couple of good recent PA tries since joining our own leading barn - a live trip could
help land on the ticket somewhere. (2) HOLD MY DRINK beat a softer field at Chester 2 back then came
up 2nd best in his local debut to a solid shipper - another with a chance to be right in the hunt with the right
trip. (5) JUDICIAL makes his start on Lasix and does seem to be improving for his current barn - willing to
throw in for 3rd/4th. (1) ONE CRAZY GUY has some speed, but is still learning to relax/race - will keep
an eye on him for some signs of improvement. (7) DUCK DYNASTY ships in from Monti after missing 3
weeks due to sickness - tough to like his prospects from Post 7 tonight.
RACE 6 - 1 1/16th miles: (2) COWGIRL LILLY has hit board in all 7 starts since arriving back from
Canada (7-3-3-1) but her last effort was outstanding, pushed to early :26.2 / :54.4 fractions and still
ALMOST holding off the razor sharp, tripsitting TONYS MOM- the one to beat tonight! (3) LADY DELA
RENTA A sat last with no chance last week before rallying through the lane for 2nd behind the easy winner
(#1) - good chance she can be a bigger player tonight, with a better trip. (1) GOLDEN QUEST N seemed a
bit overbet last week but controlled things on the front end (in a race where most of her rivals failed to
show up) and couldn't have been an easier winner - she has plenty of back class, so a repeat performance is
not impossible. (5) MIKI ROSE never looked strong last week from the start so it was no great shock that
her quarter move attempt failed miserably - she continues to burn money, and gets harder and harder to
support. (7) SEZANA N was a nice 2nd in the 1/2 mile dash but made an unfortunate miscue trying for the
lead last week - the poor draw puts her in a tough spot for tonight. (4) CORAL BELLA has been good for
some time but wasn't going to live to tell about it after getting viciously parked by #2 last week - could end
up part of the exotics, assuming she gets a much more reasonable trip tonight. (8) HEY HEY DBAY has
raced well more often than not this year, but the move to Post 8 figures to slow her down considerably
tonight. (6) LIGHTNING LEIA draws poorly in a solid field - wait for an easier spot to consider.
RACE 7 - (3) THAT DOG WILL HUNT was doing well in both the NYSS and Excelsior A classes as a
2YO but went on the shelf after a pair of scratches in August- was hard to gauge of his 4/26 return qualifier
(at PcD) but he did race well in his first start back at 3, used early and still finishing well late to be 2nd -
we'll see if he can build off that start and grab his first win of the season. (4) ITS ME MARIO also showed
plenty of potential at 2 before a sick scratch on 8/22 sent HIM to the sidelines - he's already 3 for 3 this year
since returning, and he's the one they'll have to beat tonight (but he won't offer any value at that 6/5 ML
price). (5) CENTURY INSPECTOR was driven aggressively at 30-1 last week and raced well to be 3rd -
he's shown ability in the past, so that last mile could be a sign that he's ready to start thriving again...he
won't be 30-1 tonight, but still merits a look if the price is decent. (6) ONTOP RAINMAN doesn't have the
best looking current lines up North but the ability IS there, and the connections have had some success with
a small barn here in the past - at least consider for exotics. (2) HURRIKANE HUNTER is inconsistent but
he brought his "good" version last week and took home 2nd - could grab another good piece tonight with a
similar effort. (1) BEST BETTOR seems a notch below the main players but showed last week that he can
tow along for pieces from spots like this.
RACE 8 - (1) BEN SOLO only raced 3X at 2 hinted at some real ability- delivered a pair of sharp
qualifiers prepping for his 3YO return then went a big mile in his first start of the year, used hard in the
Revere Stake (at Plainridge) before coming up 2nd best in a 1:51 mile - figures to be a handful against this
bunch! (2) METAL MAN actually faced the top choice in that stakes race - he cut the mile and got over the
half in :54 before being outbrushed by #1, fading badly to a well beaten 4th - still, probably remains the
biggest threat. (3) LIVONJAXANDQUEENS hit board in 8 of 9 starts as a 2YO - hasn't really broken out
yet in his 4 (NJ) starts at 3, but is likely better than most/all of the others. (5) HOT SHOT JOE disappointed
a bit arriving from Ohio last week, sitting the 3 hole before finishing 4th - chance for a minor share. (7)
SAULSBROOK BOOMER is just 1 for 34 but did hit board in 17 of those losses - chance to grab a minor
share if able to find a decent trip. (8) WE SHALL SEA probably fits ok here but draws Post 8 (off a sick
scratch) and this may not be a week for him to shine (6) PINE BUSH ITALIANO won 5 of 6 starts at 3
including one here at Yonkers - took 5 months off and his 2 preps suggest he may need a start (or two)
before we see his best. (4) ALLSTAR CHEDDAR went off 51-1 in his lone start here this year and was no
factor.
RACE 9 - (4) ROCKIN WITHELVIS A was hammered down to 1/10 last week off the class drop (and
rail), was able to quarter move to command and easily completed the front end score in a lifetime best
1:51.3 - remains in the same class, and remains the one to knock off. (5) SHAKE IT came up 2nd best to
the top choice when they squared off last week, and is the one with the best chance to beat him tonight -
wouldn't really be a shock if he was able to turn the tables this week. (1) STRAIGHT UP COOL is having a
good year, even facing tougher than he's used to - draws best, and is eligible to bring home a small share.
(2) BARON MICHAEL can be a little inconsistent but his best effort would put him in play for a piece of
this. (6) DIAMONDBEACH squandered a pocket trip from the pole last week and now moves outside, and
will probably have to race from behind - a minor share is not impossible. (7) BRAEVIEW BONDI A fits
well enough but faces an uphill climb starting from Post 7. (8) SO MANY ROADS has hit board in 6
straight -- but that streak will be in serious jeopardy starting from Post 8 tonight. (3) BENHOPE RULZ N is
struggling right now - sticking with others, while looking out for better signs from him.