RACE 1 – (6) CHIPPER DALE was handled conservatively last week (8 hole off the bad date) but did have trot
finishing – he made a BIG recovery on 12/11 after an early miscue, and was a very game 2nd best the week after (at a
very short price!) behind repeater KOVU AS – may be able to get it done tonight, even with the bad draw. (4) MUSI
CAL RIDE was a first over winner in his last start of ’24 and showed no rust for his 2025 return, rallying nicely to
be 2nd best to tripsitter KOVU AS – very legitimate threat. (2) PISCES RISING shipped in sharp and raced very well
in his local debut, used hard for the lead and only overtaken late – would be no surprise at all. (3) BO SILAS was
disappointing in his 2 starts here last year but raced a bit better when 3rd last week – maybe another small piece
tonight? (1) NAUTILUS B was racing well to close out 2024 but has been away since 12/18 and faces a few pretty
sharp rivals in here – guessing he’ll be looking at only a minor share for tonight. (5) FAST APPROACH broke in 2
starts here last year, and disappointed (with a clean mile) last week– have to respect his connections, but still leaning
elsewhere at the moment. (8) STOCKHOLM HANOVER finished decently last week but tonight’s draw figures to
slow him down considerably. (7) IDITOROD was no factor at all off the barn change last week– wait for better signs.
RACE 2 – (2) BETTA WATCH OUT N compiled a 7-3-2-0 record here last year, though was at least a bit
inconsistent – the few weeks off may actually benefit her, and Bartlett does opt off others to driver her tonight –
we’ll give her the slight edge, thanks to the draw. (6) KISS MY CHEEK traded victories here with the top choice in
December, and was racing well to close out 2024 – she’s also been away since 12/18, so it’s hard to know just how
tight she’ll be for this. (7) SOUTHERN SUGAR was hung out in her first local try (10/23) then just didn’t function
the next week – she seems to be well over that rough patch, however, and ships in from NJ is sharp form – chance at
the mild upset if Gingras can find her a manageable trip. (3) WHOS PERFECT was a winner last week in her first
YR start but this is a tougher field, and Bartlett opts off his main barn to drive #2 – small piece? (5) KAIRAKICON
FIDNTL N started off with 3 straight Yonkers wins but has gone backwards since then, and returns from NJ off a
mile where she was beaten by 14 lengths – sticking with others here. (4) BUG JUICE has been facing older claimers
but still feels a notch below the main players in here. (1) SANDY COURT feels a bit cheap, even with the rail draw.
RACE 3 – (3) ROCK THIS WAY finished the year sharp and returned in similar fashion last week, kicking home
strong to be 2nd behind the easy front end winner – he won’t offer any value tonight, but this does look like a field he
should be able to rally by. (1) SNOUZE U LOUZE was used a couple of times last week and just couldn’t sustain
his bid well enough into the stretch, finishing 3rd (just behind the top choice) – could be much tougher tonight if he
brings his best effort. (5) SHAKE IT had been struggling for a very long time and while his last start was by no
means “great”, he did show some better life finishing – we’ll see if he can take another step forward tonight. (2) SH
ORE OF HIMSELF was sharp after a barn change in late October but his overall form has fallen off recently (out of
town) – the good draw may help him at least grab a piece of this. (4) TREY ROCKETTE picked up 2 wins in NJ
after the barn in November but regressed quickly after that – we’ll see if the switch to Bartlett is enough to help him
turn things around a bit. (6) HURRIKANE GEORGIE was no factor in his first ’25 start after an 0 for 28 year in
2024 – waiting for better signs. (7) FOREVER FAV has gone off form and lands a terrible draw for his YR return.
RACE 4 – (3) RECORD YEAR has been sharp for a while, and that includes last week’s pocket victory in this class
– very real chance to repeat, though there are definitely other live players in here too. (4) SHADOW IN RED cut the
mile last week but was no match late for the top choice after that one shook free – he could be tighter now, and may
be able to reverse that decision. (5) MR DUNNIGANS drops in for a tag after a steady 4th vs. tougher last week – he
should be an excellent fit with these, with a chance to rally by late if the trip goes his way. (1) MIGHTY SANTANA
N is a rock solid player in this class but last year saw him win just ONE time, with 11 seconds...better one to use
underneath, rather than on top! (2) ON THE VIRG was a winner in his last 4 starts in 15s, but faltered the last time
he took on the 20s – wouldn’t shock, but leaning more towards others in here. (7) OSTRO HANOVER has been
racing ok, but figures to be coming from too far back to have any serious impact. (6) WAR DAN DELIGHT N and
(8) SPEED SNIP would be surprises, especially starting from a pair of bad posts.
RACE 5 – (4) GREEN PASTURES has 3 local starts and has delivered a pair of wins, and a close 2nd (behind a
quality rival) – he hit the top and wired many of these last week (after a 6 week layoff), and looms the one to beat
once more. (5) HANKINS HANOVER had a rough patch with some miscues recently but behaved in his last pair
(in NJ) and hit board both times – the ability is there, and the “fresh face” may prove the biggest threat to the top one
tonight. (3) NOTTINGHAM was handled conservatively last week but did finish up well – his chances for a good
chunk go up with a quick start. (6) FULL SCALE had a couple of tough outings to close out 2024 but rebounded
with a nice effort in his 2025 return – could add some value to the exotics with some trip luck. (2) ENERGY KING
trotted steadily for 4th last week and seems destined for only another minor share tonight. (1) CASANOVA HALL
has certainly been racing very well in Ohio but it MAY be vs. a bit lesser – he also seems to lack early speed, so
we’ll probably just observe as he makes his local debut tonight. Both (7) CENTRAL PARK and (8) IM AN ANDO
VER have the ABILITY to trot with these but both took off the gate from identical spots last week, and failed to
threaten – inclined to pass on both tonight, but will at least check the tote board for some possible clues.
RACE 6 – (3) B COOL FOOL was hurt when his cover stalled abruptly on the final turn last week, but still
managed to kick home strong in the lane to be a close 2nd – he’s been thriving in this class for our top trainer/driver
team, and should be a big threat tonight, as well. (2) BEN SOLO looked like an easy winner when he opened
daylight to 3/4s last week but that big let out left him a little tired in the lane, and he had to settle for 2nd (behind #5)
– could be a big threat again tonight, especially with the right trip. (5) HECANDANCENCRUISE broke briefly
before the start last week (not charted), recovered to somehow hold the pocket, looked ready to fold heading to 3/4s
but never gave up, and was able to collar #2 when that one ran out of steam late – if he can avoid any miscues
tonight, he’ll have a chance to take another. (4) ROSE RUN X CON was winless in 33 starts last year but did race
ok for 4th to start out the new season – may be able to take home another small piece, with an easy trip. (7)
DELIGHTFUL TERROR wasn’t bad at all last week, even if helped by a ground saving trip – he could definitely
outperform that 20-1 ML price tonight, but he still faces a tough task trying to overcome another bad draw. (1)
LUCIANO N figures to sit another good trip from this spot but he’ll need to finish better if he hopes to take home
any decent piece. (8) IM J BEE N had struggled for a long time but was hammered down to favoritism last week,
was left alone on the lead and able to pick up his first local win in some time – great sign, but won’t be easy to
replicate that effort starting from Post 8! (6) REAL LUCKY N was no threat from a similar spot last week – waiting
for a better draw.
RACE 7 – (4) KORIANDER SISU S finished 2nd in both local tries, and catches a very blank field for tonight – he’s
clearly the one to knock off, but it would be hard to get excited about taking 3/5 (or less!) in here. (6) ALEXANDER
has been fairly “meh” in his 6 starts since arriving from Canada but he’s still done better than many of the others – a
quick start would enhance his chance considerably. (5) CHASING CRYSTALS has taken home small pieces in his 3
local tries – may have a chance to have a bigger say against this pretty soft bunch. (1) WISTERIA HANOVER had a
few good starts after her last layoff – maybe a few weeks off will help her come back with a decent try tonight? (2)
ALL TOO WELL has struggled ever since exiting one of the top trotting barns last Fall – the ability is there, but it
would be hard to take a shortish price tonight HOPING he’ll just turn things around. (8) HL OLMAYA has some
ability but lands another terrible post after making a break last week – will consider when she lands in a better spot.
(3) SMOKIN POWER has dullish lines up north but moves to a barn that has been able to create some instant
tunarounds in the past – on the flip side, the new connections have really struggled so far since the meet re-started
last week. (7) JEANNIES ACTION gets a terrible draw and has been away since 12/16– prefer to just watch for now.
RACE 8– (6) GINGER TREE PETE certainly isn’t in “top form”, but at least he’s back functioning on a much
better level lately – he put in a pretty nice first over bid last week (off the winter break), and would have been even
closer at the end if not for some trouble getting through the final bend...this may be a field that he can handle. (1)
JUST A WRANGLER has gone plenty of miles that would make him a big threat from this spot, but his most recent
out of town form is less than stellar – if you think he’s going to bring his best tonight, he belongs on your tickets. (5)
QUICK SNAP saved ground all the way upon arrival from NJ last week and was a decent 3rd – a similar effort
would land him in the hunt here too. (3) ITALIAN DELIGHT N comes off a truly incredible 2024 season...making
his dismal 2025 return effort all the more disappointing – hard to endorse him off that mile, and certainly not as the
5/2 ML choice. (8) BIG SIR was no factor last week but does have his moments...Bartlett drives tonight, and he
may try to get aggressive...would consider IF the price is good enough. (2) THE WILL TO PLAY had no pop at all
last week off the bad date – we’ll see if he’s any better tonight. (4) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP was winless in 37
starts last year after going 1 for 25 the year before – minor spoils only. (8) MIKEY CAMDEN seems overmatched,
especially starting from way out here.
RACE 9 – Very tough race with an abundance of sharp horses! (3) J M MANDAMIN folded on the lead at The
Swamp last week but was on an excellent roll just prior to that – Bartlett (who won with him from Post 10 3 back)
takes him over a couple of others, and he’s one of many with a chance to take this. (5) DONTBOTHERMENONE
saw his 3 race winning streak snapped last week (when 2nd best), but that night’s winner came back to jog on Mon.
night – possibility. (2) JUSTASEC N was used hard last week and still able to prevail off the bad date – would be no
surprise at all. (1) BAD BOY TOO looked like a winner turning for home last week but did hang late, perhaps a bit
short after the winter break...he goes for a new barn tonight, draws the pole, and his price will be a lot better for
those who choose to stay on board. (6) BILL HALEY N finished full of pace after shaking loose last week, nearly
getting to #2 – he doesn’t win as much as he should, but he’d still be worth a look here if the price is right. Both (7)
SADDLE UP and (8) TWO FACED are very nice fits here, even if they are used to doing their best work with a bit
cheaper – both figure to be compromised by the draw, but either could do some damage here IF somehow the trip
goes their way. (4) OCEAN RIDGE N feels like the only one in here that doesn’t have at least a puncher's chance.
RACE 10 – (2) LINE EM UP was never in play last week but that was from a bad post, in her first start of the year
– she could be a lot more serious here, and she does fit with these...could offer some value in the finale. (7) ONEDE
RFULBEACH gave it a good try in her 2025 return, almost getting to the odds-on winner at the end – if she can
blast out and create a trip for herself, she can be a threat here. (5) SALE EL SOL was a dullish 3rd as the favorite last
week, but did extend her streak of hitting the board to 5 straight – she goes for a new barn tonight (off the claim),
and has to be considered a legitimate player. (4) BETTER WATCH IT was sharp coming into her last start, making
the weak performance all the more disappointing – hard to say if she’ll shake it right off and get back on track
tonight, or if she’s headed in the wrong direction. (3) BROOKDALE JESSIE saved ground for a small piece last
week and may be able to do so again tonight. (6) SHOOTING BROOKE was racing well at Batavia but does seem
to have fallen off a bit in her last few – not sure if the switch to Bartlett will quickly get her back on track. (1) TUAP
EKA JESSIE N had a rough 2024 season...and 2025 was off to a slow start as well. (8) EBONY LADY will be hard
pressed to make any noise from out here.