RACE 1 – Sharp group for tonight’s opener! (1) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A was a close 2nd behind the raging POUND FOR
POUND two back, then was an excellent 3rd last week, three wide a long way and still almost 2nd – the
move inside may help him find the winning trip. (6) POUND FOR POUND has just been on an insane tear, winning
4 of his last 5 (with a 2nd to NANDOLO N in the other) – his last mile was simply eye popping, used very hard but
still scoring by nearly 6 lengths in the fastest mile (1:51) of the night (first start for a barn that’s an insane 17 for 33
off the claim this year)– the obvious concern is the draw, but he’s still worth using IF the price drifts up a bit (4) BIG
DREAM FELLA had been absolutely beastly in 30s but he handled the jump to 50s very nicely last week (for a new
barn), benefiting from a good trip/drive to rally for 2nd – another good trip could help him grab another good piece
tonight. (3) GDS THUNDER GB was forced to chase the fiery fractions (cut by #6) last week and still only lost 2nd
late in the mile – always eligible to land somewhere on the ticket vs. these. (2) EMINEM HANOVER is another
from this barn to have significantly upped their game in recent weeks – he may be able to tow along with these and
take home a small slice. (5) TWIN B DELUXE has been hurt by some bad posts/trips lately – may happen here too.
RACE 2 – (4) DUNKIN made a tactical error NOT cutting the mile 2 back (when he had the chance) and it may
have cost him a victory – he elected to blast to the lead last week, however, and delivered a very gutsy (10-1) victory
after fighting off ITS A ME MARIO into the lane, then holding off the others as well – we’ll give him the slight
edge again tonight. (2) ITS A ME MARIO (defeated DUNKIN 2 back) looked like a winner to the top of the lane
last week but did flatten into the final 1/16th of a mile, perhaps due to being used a bit harder than he’s used to –
remains a VERY dangerous foe, especially with an easier trip tonight. (3) NIGHT HAWK had a rough (winless) ’23
season but has been doing good work in 2024, right there every week in this tough 3-5YO Open – still feels a notch
below the top pair, however. (5) PLEASELETMEKNOW still deserves plenty of respect but he’s been having a very
inconsistent year so far, and drawing outside won’t make things any easier– demand a good price if using on top. (1)
DUVAL STREET was a little disappointing when he couldn’t get it done 2 back but that mile is sandwiched
between a pair of victories – he’ll have to prove he can go with these better ones, however.
RACE 3 – (3) BIG GULP was starting to throw some big miles when he was racing 3 weeks apart, and should only
continue to get better now that he’s racing every week – his first foray into the Invitational ranks produced an
excellent first over effort that saw him pace home in :26.4 to be right there on the wire – perhaps he can land on a
winning trip and come out on top tonight. (2) NONE BETTOR A was right there 3rd on 5/6 making his first start in 8
months – he should be feeling good about himself after a pair of wire to wire to victories over cheaper, and may get
a chance to control the action tonight – dangerous player. (6) ENERGETIC HANOVER has been outstanding since
arriving from Dover, and shown that he can handle any trip – he’s a nose shy of a 3 race winning streak, and remains
a major threat despite the outside assignment. (5) WHATS STANLEY GOT A was an excellent 2nd two back despite
being used very hard – an aggressive try tonight may put him back in the hunt. (4) SUMOMENTSOMEWHERE
had some good tries in the Borgata Series but does seem to have leveled off a bit – hard to ever just dismiss these
connections completely, though. (1) NANDOLO N is rock solid every week but probably needs to be in a bit easier
for a chance at the top prize.
RACE 4 – (1) LAZ is 2 for 2 since joining a barn that has played the claiming game to perfection all year – he’ll be
a very short priced favorite as he looks to make it 3 in a row...and will be tough to knock off. (4) HUMAN COCKT
AIL hadn’t been finishing well but did stick around much better when 2nd (from the pocket) last week – a similar try
could land him on the ticket once more. (5) CAPTAIN T HANOVER failed to get involved from Post 8 last week
but his prior efforts were all solid – chance to outperform that 15-1 ML price, despite moving up a bit in class. (2)
HURRIKANE HUNTER has been racing ok with cheaper, gets Bartlett and may land on a good trip – willing to
include underneath. (3) CENTURY IGLESIAS usually finds some late life – maybe 3rd/4th? (6) AIRY SHADOW
has some good recent efforts but he figures to have some speed to his inside tonight and that may leave him with a
less than stellar trip – leaning towards others. (7) LYONS PRIDE has shown that he can go big miles when handled
aggressively but he does tend to struggle when racing from well out of it (as he figures to be tonight).
RACE 5 – (4) CADILLAC BAYAMA was trapped 3 back and lost all chance – he charged home in his next to
collar a razor sharp KINGSVILLE, then flew home in the lane again last week (from a very difficult spot) – he’s
sharp enough to beat these, IF the trip goes his way. (2) SAMHARA N just missed 4 and 6 starts back in NW20000,
then just missed again last week to the front-running DUVAL STREET – another that becomes very dangerous here
with the right journey. (8) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N climbed up the class ladder with 3 straight recent wins but
found himself a notch below at the higher levels – he’s a perfect fit in this class, and does have a chance to come out
on top – even from Post 8. (3) SPLASH BROTHER was struggling for a while but was just able to pick up a pair of
wire to wire wins over cheaper – he’s capable of beating even better than these when at his best, but hard to say if
he’s there right now. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N has been solid most of the year but his 2 wins did come vs. easier –
good one to use underneath. (6) AIR FORCE HANOVER has found some consistency and is racing very well right
now – tough task from Post 6 against these, however. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP is doing good work lately but vs.
easier – may be a bit below a few of the top ones in here. (7) DP REALORDEAL draws Post 7 after a miscue in PA
last start – sticking with others for tonight.
RACE 6 – (4) KIMBLE A had been “sneaky sharp” for several starts but definitely disappointed a bit last week
(possibly hurt a bit when outleft at the start) – perhaps he can bounce back tonight (with a more relaxed trip) and
score at a decent price? (3) HAZEVILLE has had a disappointing year overall so far, but has also hung in vs. much
better – might be a spot where he can deliver his best effort and grab his 2nd win of the season...but he may end up
overbet. (5) KARLOO BRADLEY B flashed good speed to make the top last week and held well for 3rd after being
worn down by the eventual winner – logical player here, but note that he’s just 3 for 36 over the last 2 years, and 2
for 22 here at Yonkers. (2) FULSOME was racing well for weeks (vs. much better) to start off the year, but then
started to struggle – his last NJ effort was encouraging (close 3rd behind a horse that came back to win at YR Sat.
night), and we’ll see if he’s ready to be a big threat again. (1) BEEBEETEE had a few decent starts at this level
earlier this year, but this field is tougher than the ones he was facing – maybe 3d/4th? (8) MISTER DONALD A
shows a few good recent tries in PA but he draws all the way outside for his YR return, and is 0 for 17 on the season
– maybe a minor share? (6) HURRIKANE GEORGIE has been struggling too long to consider right now. (7) BELT
ANE A ships in from Fhd. with form that doesn’t suggest he can be a player here.
RACE 7 – It would be hard to find a tougher NW20000 division than this one! (4) ROCKIN JUKEBOX must have
had some issue on 5/20 but he rebounded immediately in his next start, absolutely charging in the lane to finish right
behind a couple of pretty classy rivals – he’s one of several legitimate threats in here, but we’ll give him the narrow
edge because of the draw. (2) FUNATTHEBEACH N was allowed to relax for 5/8ths of a mile last week but was all
business from there, pacing a powerful final 3/8ths to win very easily – the classy 10YO is eligible to be very tough
again if the trip shakes out his way. (6) CAPTIVATE HANOVER has leveled off just a bit (at the top levels) after an
excellent form spree, but he may be able to have a big say here IF Kakaley can hustle him away and grab a close up
trip – a good price makes him worth considering. (7) LEONIDAS A still hasn’t found his “top form” in 2024, but at
least he’s been competitive every week lately – he’s another that would really benefit from a fast start...and live trip.
(8) CHIMICHURRI N looked super winning his first 2 U.S. starts – he disappointed at 5 cents on the dollar in his 3rd
start, but the winner (BIG GULP) has proven to be a pretty nice horse himself...3 weeks off and Post 8 could be
tough hurdles to overcome, however. (1) ROLLING WITH SAM has been doing good work with cheaper, but lands
in a REALLY stacked field tonight, and may need to wait for an easier spot! (5) WINDSUN RICKY is another that
may need to wait for a better scenario before being able to strut his best stuff. (3) SPEED MAN N has a pair of
recent wins over lesser but does figure to struggle in this field.
RACE 8 – (2) MAJOR DESIRE’s last 3 starts at this level produced a win, and a pair of close 2nds behind the classy
PAT STANLEY N – he drops, moves in from Post 8, goes Smith to Bartlett and deserves the narrow edge. (1) A
LOT BETTOR N jumps up to 30s after a pair of wins vs. the 20s, but he’s a proven player at this level when on his
game – deserves plenty of respect from the pole. (4) DANCE ON THE BEACH is another dangerous player at this
level, with 4 wins from his last 9 starts – he looks to make it 2 in a row, and would obviously be no surprise at all.
(5) OZONE BLUE CHIP was recently claimed for $20K but it’s hard to gauge his last 2 starts (8 hole on 5/18
followed by last week’s tough first over trip) – worth a look if the price is right. (3) KB MAC never wins but often
outraces his odds and is never a bad one for 3rd/4th. (8) SULLIVAN fits for sure but he draws Post 8 after an early
miscue from the pole last week, and may have trouble getting in play tonight. Both (6) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER
and (7) BALLERAT BOOMERANG are winless on the year, and both draw poorly for tonight.
RACE 9 – (5) ALL ALONE has definitely slipped a bit from his best form but it’s not like he’s been racing poorly –
drops to a much easier spot tonight, and it’s an opportunity for him to control the action, and get back on track. (3)
ARDEN MESSI N started to see his form decline in March but has perked up recently (vs. cheaper) in PA, winning
2 of his last 3 (with a poor driving decision costing him dearly in the race he lost) – look for an aggressive try in his
YR return, with a chance to really make some noise. (8) CASINO ACTION N was well backed in his U.S. debut
and raced well to be 3rd – not sure why he’s listed at 20-1 ML for tonight, and he'd be worth considering (even from
Post 8) if close to that price. (7) MACH N CHEESE was very well backed last week (despite a month off), was
handled very aggressively from the pole and delivered the sharp front end score – may have trouble replicating that
effort from out here, however. (6) CERULEAN HANOVER is pretty solid right now but is forced to move up again
(despite another loss), and also lands a poor post. (1) PETER PETRIFY N landed Post 8 vs. better for his local debut
and can be forgiven for not getting involved – he drops and moves all the way inside, but he may still need to be in a
little easier to show us his best. (2) MY CARBON COPY N is extremely camera shy, but always eligible to save
ground and rally late for a small share. (4) GAMBLINGTERROR has been away almost 4 weeks after being
scratched injured – prefer to just watch, for now.