RACE 1 – (5) MASONS DELIGHT N may have been too hot early on last week and Stratton just cut him loose to
the quarter, he ended up parked every step of the way but was still battling to the final turn, and stayed on gamely
through the lane for 4th – maybe this is a spot where he can just blast to the top and wire this very modest field? (1)
FOREVER FAV has struggled all year long but was a bit better last week, probably thanks to a combination of a
new barn, and a close up trip in a weak field – good spot to be a big part of the action once more. (6) MISTER DON
ALD Awas much sharper last week than the line might look, kicking home full of pace from an impossible spot –
not a bad value horse to consider. (4) HURRIKANE CHUCK has a few decent tries out of town recently and adds
Lasix for his local return– maybe he can land somewhere on the ticket? (3) IMA HAPPY FELLA GB sat an easy
trip last week and kicked home evenly in the lane – small slice tonight? (2) B LIKE CRUISER draws well but just
hasn’t done much in his 8 starts since returning to YR. (7) VELOCITY KOMODO is winless on the year and starts
from Post 7 – sticking with others. (8) FREE TO DREAM is struggling...Post 8 definitely isn’t the solution.
RACE 2 – (3) TWIN B SUNKISSED was racing from Post 8 off a month last week (after being scratched injured)
but still kicked home full of pace through the wire – figures to be tighter now, moves inside, and we’ll give her the
slight edge. (4) FAVORITE BEACH finished with pace from a tough spot (against better) last week and gets class
relief for tonight – very legitimate chance. (5) HURRIKANE LADY LOU is very good right now, drops in class, but
faces a somewhat uncertain trip after drawing outside the top pair – would definitely consider using her if the price
is decent. (1) TALENT TO SPARE A has speed from the pole and figures to sit a very good trip tonight – could
easily last for a good piece, though leaning to a couple of others for the top slot. (2) HALLELUJAH HANOVER is
sharper than she may look on paper but may find this field a little tough – she drops a win off the bottom of the card
after tonight, so look for her dropping in class in the near future. (6) JIVE DANCING A finished ok from the back
last week but she moves up TWO classes tonight, and has just struggled for too long to recommend from out here.
RACE 3 – (3) VALI HANOVER isn’t having nearly the year he had in 2023 and his current form (at PcD) is hardly
stellar – that being said, this is certainly a spot where we can expect Bartlett to get aggressive with him, with a good
chance to handle this softer bunch. (5) YOU GOT IT was handled conservatively adding hopples last week and
managed to stay trotting AND kick home with plenty of trot – could definitely be a big player here, but still a little
too risky to accept a short price on top. (6) THE LAST CHAPTER is clearly not on his game right now but he does
have the speed to at least get a good early spot, and that may help him stick around for a piece. (1) EEE Z WOW has
been racing ok with cheaper at Tioga – catches an overall modest field here, and may be able to grab a small share.
(7) LIKE A WARRIOR gets a pretty significant trainer and driver switch for his local debut but also starts from Post
7 after missing 3 weeks – may take a conservative approach, for now. (2) BANK BOX TREASURE has had some
success here in the past but his recent Chester is uninspiring. (4) BAZILLIONAIRE has struggled all year but did
have his first signs of life last week – we’ll see if he’s able to build off that at all.
RACE 4 – (1) TAKING THE MIKI A hasn’t been able to pick up her first U.S. win yet (out of town) but she’s raced
well several times, and against some better mares – barn has won with way too many of these shippers to not give
her top billing in her Hilltop debut. (3) VILLAGE JADE was a game first over 3rd off the claim then kicked in too
late (from too far back) last week – logical player. (8) LUCKY ARTIST A seemed to have plenty of pace while in
some traffic last week and gets a class drop for tonight – not sure if Smith can find her a manageable trip from out
here, but the classy 11YO would have a chance at the upset if he dies. (6) BETTER WATCH IT is good right now
but lands a tough post against some solid foes – would want a pretty good price to try her on top. (4) ROCKN PHIL
LY has been well off her game in her last few starts but usually it’s just a matter of time before she reverses form –
the price will be juicy if you think it could be tonight. (5) HOW SWEET IS THAT raced well the 2 starts where she
landed on easy trips – maybe 3rd/4th? (7) MISS DOTTIE MAE hasn’t been on her game for a while, punctuated by
the fact that she was easily run down by the extremely camera shy ROCKNROLL ANNIE last week – hard to like
from out here. (2) PURAMERI likely needs to be in easier to strut her best stuff.
RACE 5 – Good race! (3) VIBRANCE has been razor sharp for some time, and her last is even sharper than it looks
(she went from a “full leave” to a “full retreat”, and still finished full of pace to be a close 4th) – she faces other very
sharp and/or classy rivals in here, but a good price makes her worth a look. (1) ELEKTRA A rallied nicely for 3rd in
her Hilltop debut then rattled off 3 in a row– faces tougher here, but still may be up for it in her current form (5) LIT
DE ROSE hasn’t been herself lately, and looked sluggish right from the start last week – Lachance knows her like a
book, however, and if he’s dropping her right back in the box tonight we’ll assume that she’ll be a lot sharper – rare
opportunity to get a decent price on this mare at this softer level. (2) LLOYDS LOVES came into her last riding a 3
race winning streak and despite facing much tougher (overall), was able to stretch that streak to 4 – she was running
out badly in the lane, however, so we’ll see if that’s something to be concerned about. (6) FREESTARFLIGHT has
won 5 in a row (total jogburger in her last few) and the fact that she’s listed this far down tells you just how solid
this field – can never count out a horse THIS sharp, but the spot does figure to cause some issues for her. (7) CHER
YLS SHADOW has been terrific in a bunch of recent starts and gets a complete pass for her last (she was shoved
three wide past the half) – not sure she can overcome the draw, however. (4) OKINAWA BEACH A will sit back
and hope they bang heads enough for her to rally late– just seems like too many sharp ones will be in front of her,
though (8) ATREACHEROUS A has been excellent lately, but lands in a brutal spot.
RACE 6 – (4) BEERTHIRTY K had some trot finishing from an impossible spot last week – he may be able to use
his speed tonight, and he’s been very good when on/near the lead – not a fan of that 9/5 ML price, however! (1) VIN
NY DE VIE is a very good fit with these and draws the pole for a barn going well right now – he’s also been away
for 3 weeks, so that’s at least a bit of a concern. (3) P L OSCAR hasn’t been on top of his game for a while, but it’s
not like he’s been “bad” – willing to include in exotics, but would want a decent price to use him on top. (7) IMMA
NUEL K S is just 1 for 13 this year, and that victory came off a perfect trip, vs. easier – he does grab his share of
good pieces, however, and may be able to add some value to the exotics. (2) HOOLIE N HECTOR just hasn’t found
his mojo all year, registering just one victory from his 20 starts – the good draw does put him in play for a piece,
however. (5) ATTA GIRL DANI has done good work in her 3 starts since arriving from Hoosier, but may need to be
in a bit easier to contend for a top slot. (6) MORNING EDITION just didn’t show up at all in his local debut – he
seems capable of better, but we’ll wait for better signs before hopping on his team.
RACE 7 – (1) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY has been solid in most of her recent starts, though she hasn’t gotten her
picture taken in a while – she got worn down last week by a very sharp winner, but doesn’t appear to be facing any
as sharp tonight – figures to be overbet, but definitely the one to knock off. (6) GOLDEN QUEST N hasn’t been in
the same raging form from earlier this year in a while, but she’s hardly been “terrible” – tonight’s class drop should
help her cause, but she’ll still need to find a way to overcome the bad draw. (3) IN THE SPOTLIGHT N was good
here in ’23 but not so much this season (albeit just 2 local starts) – she should fit with this crew, and definitely one to
consider for exotics. (5) FRONT PAGE STORY has been good since late June, and steps up after crushing (much)
easier last week – she was good in this class 2 back, and can grab a piece tonight too. (4) EASY TO PLEASE is hard
to predict from week to week but she has definitely disappointed more often than she’s delivered for much of the
past 2 years – never really sure what to do with her! (7) DIXIE DREAM has been “ok” in her 4 starts since arriving
from the Midwest – not sure she can have much impact starting from Post 7. (2) BEE OKAY A was a front end
winner over cheaper in her 2nd U.S. start but that mile is sandwiched between a pair of duds at this level.
RACE 8 – (5) SILK CLOUD A reminded us last week that she can be just as dangerous from OFF the pace, as on
the front end – she’s hardly a “cinch” in here but she does draw inside a pair of main rivals, and that certainly gives
her an advantage. (7) MAN DONTFORGET ME tried to leave last week but had to back off, still finishing full of
pace for 4th – at that 10-1 ML price she’s at least worth a look, hoping some trip luck comes her way. (4) TALK CU
RDY TO ME was well backed in her local debut, made her way to the front but got nosed out late by the streaking
tripsitter– she moves up in class, but still may be able to have a big say against these. (6) COACHELLABOUND N
is ultra consistent, but her lone recent WIN came on the lead, vs. a bit easier – prefer to use her underneath from this
tough spot. (1) PURE SILKY is a bit cheaper but she’s sharp and has the rail, and that could be enough to help her
grab a piece (like last week). (2) IDEALINFUN was no factor stepping up to this level off the claim last week, but
did pace evenly – prefer others. (3) DOUGS BABE A made breaks in her last pair, and it’s hard to see how she’s
even eligible to race tonight (should be on the qualifying list).
RACE 9 – (5) KEG STAND is used to facing (and even beating) better than these – returns from PcD off a front end
jogburger and was Bartlett’s choice...and ours too. (1) SEVENSHADESOFGREY is always a bit risky but he also
has one pretty good move in him when in a behaving mood – Smith has actually been doing pretty well with the
opportunities he’s been getting...maybe this guy can add some juice to the exotics? (6) DWS POINT MAN rarely
goes a bad effort and the bad draw means he’ll be a good price...another with a chance to add some value to the
ticket. (3) KINDA LUCKY LINDY was racing well with cheaper at PcD recently – got a big barn change before his
last start and responded with a win against better...he knows his way around Yonkers, and may be able to make at
least a little noise tonight. (7) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS isn’t “bad” right now, but he’s not in ‘top form” either –
may have trouble reaching from out here. (2) HELPOFTHESEASON won her last pair as the favorite after failing in
the 3 starts prior – big step up tonight, and others may be offering better value. (4) HAND DOVER DAN has the
ability to trot with these, but he’s made breaks in the two starts that Marohn was on board.
RACE 10 – (5) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES gets the tepid vote here – he hasn’t been overly sharp for some time
but he’s also been facing a lot better – could be a good spot to pick up a win off the recent claim. (1) C BET
HANOVER was a “meh” 3rd last week but was off almost 3 weeks – he’s capable of better, and maybe we’ll see it
tonight. (2) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER got away in the pocket and was able to hold 2nd behind the dominant
winner last week – another close up trip could help land another good chunk. (4) RULE OF LAW drops back to the
bottom level but he’s lost here several times already – prefer others on top. (6) EMINEM HANOVER is racing ok
these days but may be limited here by the draw. (3) NOME HANOVER has run out of excuses – need to see some
better signs before hopping back on his team. (7) DONT JUDGE A BOOK took too long to kick in last week or he
might have been able to pick up a win – that was from the rail, however, and he’s likely looking at a pretty tough trip
tonight. (8) DELIGHTFUL TERROR showed life last week but after a close up trip into a slow pace – not sure he
can have that same success from this spot.
RACE 11 – (7) GAME OF SHADOWS could be a decent bomb to try in the finale – she was making a good
looking brush on the back side last week when she had to grab up (as another one pulled) to 3/4s, losing a lot of
momentum before re-rallying late for 3rd– there’s surely no stickouts here, and she could be worth a stab. (3)
ELISES DELIGHT has failed in a few tries at this bottom level but she did have some life finishing last week and
was Stratton’s choice tonight – maybe this is the week she perks up? (5) ONEDERFULBEACH has held her own
with better and was a good 2nd last week – logical player, but hard to endorse at that 9/5 ML price. (6) SPORTS
FLIX drops to the bottom level, is listed at 15-1 ML and can’t be a bad stab in a wide open race like this one. (1)
POWERED BY MACH has been racing well out of town, even if vs. cheaper – could be around a long way starting
from the pole. (2) BADDITUDE has some ok tries with better and should appreciate the drop to the basement – her
barn has really struggled to find the winner’s circle for almost 3 months, however! (4) COWGIRL LILLY was
getting good pieces every week earlier this year while unable to get to the winner’s circle – she’s now 0 for 27 on the
year, and those smaller pieces have slowed down as well. (8) FASHIONATTIFFANYS is the outsider, both literally
and figuratively.