RACE 1 – (1) SHERLOCK N was heavily backed last week, got to control the action but came up 2nd best to the
currently sharp tripsitter – he remains the one to knock off, but don’t fall in love if he ends up way overbet. (4) QUA
LITY BUD (like most of his barnmates) is thriving right now, and seems just a good trip away from a possible win –
worth considering if the price is fair. (2) PRICELESS BEACH took full advantage of the move inside last week with
a wire to wire victory (holding off #4 at the end) – another good draw stamps him as a live player once again. (3) SH
AKESPEARE is racing well enough to consider a threat, but he hasn’t won in a while and may need things to go just
right to take home more than a smaller share. (5) GLANATE A seems a notch below a few of the top ones right now
but an easy trip could at least lead to some minor spoils. (7) KINGSVILLE has leveled off after a couple of ok starts
after the layoff – tough spot to look for the big wake up call he’d need to beat these. (8) WINDSUN RICKY is at a
level well within his comfort zone, but may have to wait for a much better spot for an aggressive try. (6) THEBE
AUDENBLUES N figures to have a tough time getting in play from this spot.
RACE 2 – Short field, but a good race! (1) TWO FACED is very sharp for a hot barn and may have won last week
with a different drive – we’ll give him the edge in here, mostly because he draws the pole again...but tonight’s
winner will likely come down to trip! (3) SHINE A LIGHT took off the gate last week after being used hard for a
few starts and raced very well from the back – major threat tonight, if things go his way. (2) MIND HUNTER was
able to bounce back from a dud on 2/10 with a sharp win on 2/17 – came up a little short for a new barn last week,
but drops back down to 40s and will be a serious player IF he shows up on his best game. (5) BILL HALEY N was
full of pace finishing when 3rd two back and was able to use that same late rally to pick up a win in his last – IF some
trip luck comes his way, he may be able to take another. (6) SCRIBBLERS draws outside several very sharp foes
and is looking at minor scraps for tonight. (4) MAXIMUS RED A has a new trainer listed as he returns off the layoff
and definitely lands in a tough spot.
RACE 3 – Another well matched field: (2) PEACE OUT POSSE hasn’t won yet in 2025 but he raced well to hit
board in all 4 starts so far – he gets Bartlett tonight, and perhaps that’ll be enough to get him over the top. (3) ORLA
NDO BLUE A came into his last riding an impressive 4 race winning streak but never even had a chance to keep it
going after drawing Post 8 – moves back inside, goes for his 5th barn in 5 weeks and could easily be a big player
once more. (1) LUCAPELO A had been settling on smaller pieces here but a pocket trip (and clear rail) helped him
get into the win column last week – always a chance for a similar trip tonight. (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION N wasn’t at
his very best last week but many of his other recent efforts would make him a legitimate threat with these – debuts
for a new barn, and the tough draw means he’ll be a good price – worth a look? (5) I DRAINTHESWAMP A has
had a knack for finding nice trips, and then racing very well – another live longshot for those seeking some value
here. (7) TWIN B DELUXE tired three back after getting roughed up but has otherwise done all excellent work –
the only knock here is the draw, but it could be a major roadblock against this very solid bunch. (4) GENTLE
GIANT has missed 3 weeks and seems better suited vs, easier. (8) MANSOME raced very well at Stga. in his first
start off the layoff but gets a brutal draw for his YR debut.
RACE 4 – (5) LOUS THE ATTITUDE raced ok from very tough spots in a couple of tries vs. the 40s – dropped
last week, but just seemed to lose interest after getting caught in a terrible trip – willing to give him another chance,
hoping for smoother sailing. (1) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE moves up a notch off the claim, but the inside draw
should be a big help (as he’s not the fastest leaver) – if he’s close turning for home, he can be a big threat...even up
in class. (6) FLIP MY CHIP tired badly after getting roughed up 2 back but has otherwise been on an extended form
spree, for multiple barns – would be no surprise at all. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL had only one win from 41 starts
last year but already hit the winner’s circle in his 5th start this year – overall form is solid, and he remains a logical
player for a piece. (4) EMINEM HANOVER went his best mile in some time last week, and could make some noise
here if he can build off that effort. (7) JOHN THE BAPTIST raced very well in his 4 local starts but will have to
deal with a new barn, while drawing poorly up in class – tough task! (2) BUCHANNON HANOVER would need a
wake up call to make any serious noise tonight. (8) LAZ is a proven player with these types but will need lots of trip
luck to come his way to threaten from out here.
RACE 5 – (6) SPEED MAN N hasn’t been competitive in any of his starts this year but the classy 11YO has also
been in a series of impossible spots – if he still has some spring in his legs, we’ll probably see it tonight...look for
his first “serious” try of the year. (1) OUTLAW MAN N got beat as the odds on choice in a pair of recent starts but
did finish closely behind rivals that would be favored in here – very logical spot, but also a good chance he’ll be way
overbet. (5) YOROKOBI N had a useful first start of 2025 when an easy trip 3rd last week – he could build off that,
and make some noise IF the trip goes his way. (3) AROUND MIDNIGHT had a couple of “sneaky ok” starts among
those less than stellar looking lines – worth a look if the price is good enough. (2) JUST ENUFF STUFF went a
good (tough trip) mile last week, though vs. easier – leaning towards others for the top spot, but certainly playable in
exotics. (4) ROCK THE BELLES showed up with a new trainer listed on 1/28 and almost pulled off the 102-1 upset
– he was incredibly sent off FAVORED in his next, but could only race well enough for a head-loss 2nd – no chance
8 hole in his last, and the 3 weeks off since then are a concern. (8) CYRUS N drops, but draws Post 8 off a bad date
– pass for now. (7) FESS UP N adds Lasix after a couple of clunkers – waiting for some better signs.
RACE 6 – (2) FUNATTHEBEACH N was certainly very well meant in his last pair but paced big 3rd quarters each
time and came up a little light at the end – seems like a spot where Stratton can get the winner of almost $1.4M to
the lead and allow his class to take over. (5) RENAISSANCE DEO perked up on 1/27 and has been racing very well
since then...but he comes into this off a sick scratch, and that makes it tough to give him top billing. (4) MYULTIM
ATEBAXTER N had 16 wins and $112K earned Down Under, and debuts tonight for connections that have had
more than their share of successful imports - qualified solidly, and couldn’t blame anybody looking to try him on top
here. (1) MEA CULPA A moves up a notch off a 3rd place finish but is looking at an easy trip, with a chance at a
decent piece. (6) TWIN B RISENSHINE benefited from plenty of trip luck last week and was able to pick up his 2nd
win, from 23 local starts – looking at a much smaller share tonight, however. (7) AMERITRIC had trouble making a
serious dent from a similar spot last week – wait for a better scenario. (3) MYULTIMATESNOWY A goes without
Lasix tonight after a no-factor local debut – prefer to just observe, for now. (8) POP IT has returned sharp for his
4YO campaign but may need to wait for a better draw to strut his best stuff again.
RACE 7 – Good race: (4) BACKSTREET SHADOW was off a bad date to his last, handled conservatively, but did
finish very willingly at the end – drops right back in the box, and is one of several that feel like legitimate threats in
here. (2) BLUE LOU was well backed last week, carved out the fractions but just couldn’t find the wire in time –
would surely be no surprise, but that 8/5 ML listing will likely hurt any possible decent price. (3) ULTIMAROCA
has been “good”, but that last effort was excellent, putting in an extended rally from way back to pick up 3rd behind a
pair of very promising imports – good value option to consider? (5) TICKERTAPE HANOVER’s recent efforts have
been mixed, but he can have a big say if he shows up on his “A game”. (8) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR landed in a
spot last week where he could be handled aggressively and he certainly made them pay – he’s GOOD enough (&
sharp enough) to beat these, but faces an uncertain trip (at best) from out here. (7) ROCKIN N TALKIN is 2 for 2
since returning from Canada but he’s up in class, lands outside, and loses Bartlett...and all 3 of those factors could
hurt. (1) GREG THE LEG is racing well but he moves WAY up in class, and does seem overmatched. (6)
TRANSPARENCY’s 2 wins at the start of the year still have him stuck at levels a little too tough for him.
RACE 8 – Another tough race! (3) AMMO looked super qualifying for his new connections then gave it a big go in
his first start, carving out the fractions and only losing right at the end to a razor sharp NANDOLO N – if he can
build off that tonight, he could be a serious threat, even up a bit in class. (8) AARDIES FLASH N “got hit with the
deck” to help him produce last week’s opportunistic victory, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t very sharp, especially
racing off a month – he could also be a lot tighter now, and he does have the speed to make something happen from
Post 8 – possibility! (7) VERDUN looked like an easy winner entering the stretch last week but he didn’t have his
usual stretch “explosion” (first start of the year), and that allowed #8 to outkick at the end – if he’s a good price here,
you may want to include him on your tickets. (6) BINGE ON YANKEE was a sharp, well meant winner 2 back – his
last line was MUCH better than it may look on paper (he went from full leave to full abort, and was still strong at the
end), so he’s another that could surprise here at a big price. (4) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A is sharper than he may
look, always finishing with pace – a class drop (and fresh set of hands?) might be what he really needs. (5) FINVAR
RA A is hard to fault (8-3-1-3 here at Yonkers) but he may need very “easy” trips to beat some of these – feels like
better value with a couple of others. (2) TASTE OF HONEY can throw some big efforts at times but may need a bit
easier to threaten for the top slot. (1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX gets major post relief for his 2nd start of the year but may
not be ready to do serious damage just yet.
RACE 9 – (6) VENTURESOME ARDEN N hasn’t been his “Invitational” self lately but it’s not like he’s been
racing poorly – he goes back to Bartlett tonight, and the last time they paired up (4 starts back) resulted in a win –
willing to look for some déjà vu, if the price is fair. (1) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has won 3 of his last 4, the lone
loss coming when LEONIDAS A nipped him from the pocket – remains a major threat from the pole. (2) ROCK DI
AMONDS A threw one disappointing try this year (1/27) but has otherwise been his usual super self – can never
count him out with a good draw like this. (3) WHATS STANLEY GOT A remains ever-unpredictable, but he’s still a
very dangerous horse when in the right mood – would consider if the price was right. (5) LEONIDAS A did upset
#1 three back, and his overall form has been solid – leaning towards others, but he definitely wouldn’t be a shock.
(7) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A struggled from a similar spot last week – looking at similar tonight. (4) JANELLE
GRAN NY struggled in his first start of the year – just observing, for now. (8) ROCKMYSTER N could use a class
drop and better post – seems up against it here.
RACE 10 – (1) FINAL CHEESERECIPE wasn’t on his game 2/10 but has otherwise been VERY good lately, with
3 wins and a 2nd from his last 5 starts – he should have a good chance to make his first start for new connections
tonight a winning one. (3) BIG DREAM FELLA had some physical issues throughout 2024 but still won 7 races and
$122K – his first start of 2025 (at PcD) was promising, and anything close to his best effort would make him very
dangerous tonight. (2) TWIGGS PUB had trouble finishing in his last couple but also had tough trips – should be
right in the mix with an easier journey. (4) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK has become competitive again after a long dry
spell – playable underneath. (6) I AINT NO MACK went on the shelf after being scratched sick on 12/19 – shows a
dullish qualifier on 1/24, a better one (at PcD) on 2/10, but then didn’t drop in the box for 3 weeks – mixed feelings,
for sure. (8) J B GRAM has enjoyed plenty of success vs. these types but his last was disappointing and he now
draws Post 8 off another claim – not really sure what to expect. (7) IM THE PRINCE seems to have regressed in his
last couple and now has Post 7 – leaning elsewhere. (5) BB LUCKY BOY returns to YR where he struggled in 2023
and 2024 (9-0-0-1) – may need to face easier.
RACE 11 – (1) JUST PLAIN LOCO went a big try in his only local start this year, coming up 2nd best to a very
sharp winner – he followed that up with 2 nice tries at Stga., and could be very tough tonight after drawing the rail
and reuniting with Brennan. (3) SADDLE UP looked like he may be hitting the skids but he rebounded last week off
the claim (he was much sharper than his line may look), and he’s a proven winner against these types – possibility.
(2) BETTORBUCKLEUP was hammered at the windows when he perked up and buried the 20s two back – moved
up 2 classes to 30s last week and raced very well for 2nd behind a fire-breathing blowout winner – chance for another
good piece tonight. (4) THEFLYINGROCK finished well from a hopeless spot last week and now moves inside –
very playable for exotics. (6) TWIG can be pretty in and out but he throws enough big miles to at least consider for a
piece, at a price. (7) DANCE ON THE BEACH is the “x factor” – his last start was 9/2 but he did look good
qualifying last week behind AMMO (racing in tonight’s Invitational)– maybe the tote board will offer clues? (5)
SAN DOMINO A tripped out and was a winner 2 back, but still seems more likely to be looking at only a minor
share tonight. (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP has been decent, but faces a daunting task starting from out here.