RACE 1 – Tough race, one of many on tonight’s card: (4) GOT SEXY SCARS has held her form nicely as she’s
moved up the class ladder, rallying very nicely in her last pair – the 3 weeks off are a bit of a concern, but still worth
considering if the price is right. (3) SWEETEST BELLE has finished 4th in her last 4 starts, all vs. better – her barn
has been a little slow lately, but did have a sharp winner on Tues. night...maybe this mare will perk up too. (1) MISS
DOTTIE MAE was hammered on the board 3 starts back and was a blowout winner – she’s continued to race well
since then, and should be a close up player throughout from this spot. (2) FAVORITE BEACH took on older mares
for the first time last week and raced ok from a bad spot – she moves to our leading trainer for tonight, but exits a
very high % barn...could grab a decent piece. (5) LUCKY ARTIST A started the year off with a win but hasn’t been
better than 3rd in the 5 starts since then – she can wake up at any time, but we’re leaning to others right now. (7) ULT
IMATE SPEED is 6-4-2-0 since arriving here and was a perfect trip winner taking on older mares last week – won’t
be as easy from out here, though. (6) ARIZONA won 15 races last year but inly earned $66K – she’ll be tested for
class in her YR debut (2nd time new barn).
RACE 2 – Matchmaker Series – Leg 1: (2) LIT DE ROSE has been a beast here for the past couple of years, rarely
going a bad mile and often going BIG efforts – she served notice last week that she’s ready for this series, and it
certainly won’t hurt getting Zeron to fill in at the lines – gets the narrow edge. (4) MIKALA hasn’t done a lot of
racing here at Yonkers but she won her only start here last year, and prepped nicely for this series with a pair of
effortless wire to wire scores in February – she did miss a month due to sickness, however, and that may leave her at
a bit less than 100% for tonight. (3) VIOLETS RAINBOW is a nice mare but generally is a notch below the top ones
– she did finish full of pace in her 2024 return, and her (always strong) barn is off to another fast start in ’24 – could
take home a nice piece. (6) DELITFULCATHERIN N (last year’s Consolation winner) struggled a bit in the latter
part of 2023 but she does seem to be coming back to top form as the series begins– the post could prove a major
disadvantage, however. (1) EASY TO PLEASE endured a terrible 2023 season but started off the new year in much
better form – she does seem to have leveled off a bit, so we’ll see if she can hang with these as the series moves
along. (5) SALE EL SOL hasn’t been bad since moving up from the 50s but she does seem ambitiously placed here.
RACE 3 – (5) MORNING HAS BROKEN raced a bit better 2 back when a first over 3rd and her last was sharper
than it looks (plenty of pace in stretch traffic) – Bartlett stays on board, and this may be a good week to give her a
look. (1) JENDEN STRIKE A was probably helped by the slow fractions but was still an excellent first over 2nd in
her YR debut – draws the pole, and could be a major threat. (2) TWIN B SUNKISSED went through a rough patch
but has sharpened back up at the lower levels and has been right there in her last 3 starts – would be no surprise at
all. (3) GINGER TREE LIZ was handled conservatively off the 4+ month layoff and did finish with pace – not sure
she’s ready to win, but couldn’t blame anybody looking to use her if the price is good. (6) ROCKN PHILLY has
beaten much better than these many times, but she’s hard to read off her first start of 2024 – not really sure what to
expect. (4) GAME OF SHADOWS was hurt by the trip last week – she’s racing well, but in a bit tough tonight.
RACE 4 - Matchmaker Series – Leg 1: (3) KARMA SEELSTER was conservative from a tough spot 2 back but
served notice last week that she’s ready to be a player in this series (as she has been in the past) – this really feels
like it’ll boil down to a 2 horse affair...and we’ll give her the slight edge. (1) TONYS MOM improved instantly
upon joining our leading barn last year and has been on a ferocious tear for a LONG time – clearly the main danger,
and it’s hard to really separate the pair. (2) TREACHEROUS PENNY really got sharp in the latter part of her 3YO
season, even ending it beating her elders in the Northfield Open – she’s gone some huge miles (vs. easier) here at
Yonkers, but she was on the dull side in her first start back in 2024 – hopefully she’s tighter now, and can use her
good draw to track the top pair around the track. (5) CRÈME DELIGHT has been a solid performer in the Nfd.
Mares Open but doesn’t show a lot of wins – gets a tough draw for her Yonkers/Matchmaker debut, and we’ll learn a
bit more about her after tonight. (6) JIVE DANCING A was super through the early part of 2023 but leveled off then
ended her year in October – very nice looking return qualifier but she missed a lot of time, draws outside, and is
certainly a question mark at this level. (4) DELTA THREE N just looks overmatched off her U.S. tries, so far.
RACE 5 – (2) OUTSIDE THE FIRE never had any shortage of ability but he did make breaks in his last 2 January
starts here – went to NJ and added hopples, and has been very good ever since – going to be very tough to knock off
IF he continues to mind his manners. (4) FULL RIGHTS had no prayer from Post 8 last time but his overall form
has been solid – could add some value to the exotics. (1) SWEET SOUL DAVID folded badly 2 back and while he
did bounce back with a 3rd last week, he really wasn’t sharp – if he brings his best he’ll be right in the hunt for a
good piece...but he’s definitely a little iffy right now. (5) BARRY BLACK has some less than stellar looking current
form but he’s reversed form on a dime many times in the past – wouldn’t be shocked to see him find a better one
tonight. (6) BIG BOX HANOVER had a big year on the upstate circuit last year, winning 9 races and $128K – he
ships in off a couple of dull ones at Stga., however, and tonight’s tough draw doesn’t help his cause. (7) SOUTHWI
ND ARTURO disappointed 2 back and really benefited from an easy trip in last week’s 2nd – may have some trouble
overcoming the draw. (3) BRAVE BY DESIGN benefited from a perfect trip in a soft field with last week’s victory –
he’ll need to be even better for a chance against the better ones in here. (8) WILY WALLY draws Post 8 after
squandering a pocket trip last week.
RACE 6 – (5) A GIRL THAT TWIRLS arrived from Northfield and landed with our leading trainer but was stuck
racing from Post 7, off a bad date, vs. better than these – she still finished with solid pace for 4
th, and looms a big threat tonight against this softer bunch. (1) HALLELUJAH HANOVER was outbattled last week by #3 in what
morphed into a 2 horse affair – it was easily her best effort of the year so far, and we’ll see if she can build off that
and be even better tonight. (3) VILLAGE JADE popped out of the pocket and eventually was able to wear down #1
last time, a big wake up call after a stretch of weak efforts that saw her plummet through the classes – she’s another
that could build off that last mile, but she also figures to be overbet in this tougher field. (4) BETTERB CHEVRON
N tried after cutting the mile last week and her efforts this year have been overall mixed – can grab a piece tonight if
she decides to bring one of her better efforts. (2) ALTA MADEIRA N raced well in her last pair at Pocono but vs.
easier – the good draw makes her a possibility for a piece. (6) ROCKNROLL ANNIE isn’t bad right now, but
probably isn’t good enough to really threaten from Post 6. (7) TARGARYEN EMPRESS was 3rd at 77-1 last week
and has been outracing her odds in general lately – will be hard pressed to make much noise from this spot, though.
RACE 7 – (4) UPTOWN HANOVER has been rock solid for a long time so it was a bit surprising to see her come
up so flat last start (even if facing better) – as noted earlier, her barn showed some better signs this week and if this
mare brings anything close to her best, she can rebound from her last and have a big shot. (3) CHERYLS SHADOW
has looked good since the freshening, and may be looking at a very good trip here – gets Gingras, and looms a very
live player. (2) OKINAWA BEACH A was well meant last week and went a good mile before losing to the perfect
trip winner– another good draw could put her right back in the mix, even up a notch (6) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY
has actually been consistent for a while – drops down a notch to a more comfortable level, but she may have some
difficulty overcoming the draw. (1) REC TIME won 7 races at 2 then 7 more at 3, including a NYSS leg – she’s 2
for 2 here at Yonkers BUT she’ll be taking on older mares, and her three qualifiers don’t really tell us how ready
she’ll be – maybe the tote board can help? (7) HEAVENS SHOWGIRL seems off her best game and lands all the
way outside – may look better with a class drop next week.
RACE 8 – (4) TEXSONG SOPRANO exploded on the scene with a major blowout win but quickly leveled off after
that – he was actually well meant 2 back but done in by the trip, then was stuck sitting last at PcD last week – this
feels like a spot where Zeron can handle him more aggressively and perhaps return to the winner’s circle...though
the 9/5 ML price is admittedly a turnoff. (2) KINDA LUCKY LINDY ended 2023 with a win at Chester and he’s
raced well since returning in ’24, including a win here on 2/9 – he often outraces his odds, and is worth a look
tonight. (7) DONATO PATRIOT K faltered badly on the lead at PcD last week but has otherwise been doing good
things all year – chance to be part of the equation (at a price) if Kakaley can somehow find him a trip. (1) UNEVER
GONNAGETHIS had been “meh” so far this year before hitting the top in a softer field last week, using a parked
horse as a “blocker” and prevailing easily in the lane – he may build confidence and beat these too, but he won’t be
offering any value from this spot. (5) BLACK TIE BASH often figures, usually races well but is now just 1 for 10
here at YR and may not get the live trip he needs to make his late rally work. (3) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO may
be having all those speed tries catching up with him and seems to be starting to go the wrong way. (6) WINDSONG
PIONEER draws poorly after a break last week – prefer others tonight.
RACE 9 - Matchmaker Series – Leg 1: (7) DOUGS BABE A has shown plenty of talent here in the past, and might
have been able to win last year’s Final (if not for some bad racing luck) – she charged home full of pace from way
back in last week’s prep and DOES look ready to do damage right now – she may just take back to last and race
conservatively tonight, but perhaps the fact that Dunn is coming over to drive suggests that a more aggressive try
could be coming – decent value play? (5) INTOTHEMYSTICMOON arrived here from Canada on 12/15, was way
up in class for her new barn, and racing off 3 months...but she was still able to win the Open – she ships in from
Ohio in fine form, but we’ll see if she’s fully cranked for Leg 1 after missing almost 3 weeks. (3) INCASEYOUDID
NTKNOW overachieved throughout last year’s series, even making the Final – not opposed to using her here as
long as the price is right. (1) RACINE BELL is way too accomplished to ever be counted out but she certainly
doesn’t seem to be 100% right now and just may be vulnerable at a short price. (2) MAN DONTFORGET ME was
very good last week even if her owner helped her cause by taking a bit of a shortcut (well inside a few pylons) –
she’s a hard hitter, and never a bad one for exotics at a big price. (4) COACHELLABOUND N is a proven Open
winner but just doesn’t seem to be on her best game, despite a couple of recent wins (over lesser). (6) AVF CLAIRE
is a talented 4YO but draws poorly and still needs to prove herself against these types.
RACE 10 – (4) RACY ROXY A has done plenty of good work since arriving in the U.S. in late 2023 and makes her
local debut off a first over win at Stga. over RACINE BELL – willing to give her a shot in this evenly matched field.
(3) MAGICAL MAYA A was also racing well at Stga. and her local debut was sharp, offering good pace at both
ends of the mile – can be a big player despite the class bump. (6) SILK CLOUD A has come back sharp in 2024 and
fits perfectly – she has a post disadvantage, but is still worth considering if the price is good enough. (2) NO WIN
NO FEED A had been knocking on the door for a few weeks before cashing in on last week’s pocket trip – she’s
eligible to repeat, but there just seems to be better value with a couple of others. (1) ELLAS REASON A makes her
U.S. debut and lands in a pretty tough spot– good week to observe for future consideration. (5) TALENT TO SPARE
A hasn’t been quite as successful since moving up in class a bit.
RACE 11 – Tough race! (6) KB MAC may be worth a stab – he really hasn’t been bad lately, though bad spots have
left him unable to be a bigger player – IF MacDonald can hustle him away to some better position tonight, maybe he
could spring a big upset? (2) SULLIVAN had no room last week but definitely had pace – he’s shown he can win
races when on his game, and is worth considering tonight if the price is decent. (5) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP is just
1 for 32 over the last 2 years but he has a couple of recent 2nds, and several in the barn have really come around
lately – another possible upsetter. (1) KERFORD ROAD A is one of several camera shy competitors in here but he
throws a decent one from time to time and may be worth a look (at least for exotics) from the pole. (4) OUR CORE
LLI N has a couple of ok tries recently – add him to the list of “outsiders” with a chance to wake up at a price here..
Both (7) SHARK PLAY and (8) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL are racing well right now but both seem vulnerable from
their outside posts, and will likely attract their share of $$ this week. (3) PASS A GRILLEBEACH beat a weak field
in NJ 3 back but other than that mile, he failed to earn a check in 6 of 7 starts– hard to like as the 5/2 ML choice.
RACE 12 – (5) MAX has some solid PcD form, has had some success here in the past and gets a good driver
change – he can race from on or off the pace, and may be able to get it done (at a decent price) in the finale. (1)
HUNTING AS landed on a very good trip last week and was able to pick up his first local victory in a while – the
good draw should help offset the class jump, and he may be able to be a big player once more. (7) QUIKSILVR
BLUECHIP left hard last week, backed off, but was still able to rally very well for 4th – draws his 3rd straight 7 hole
but he’s overdue for some better racing luck – interesting bomb, at least for exotics. (6) STREET GOSSIP’s last line
LOOKS very good, but he actually lucked into a beautiful trip and really should have been able to cash in – suppose
he’s getting closer to finding a winning spot...maybe this is it? (3) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is pretty unpredictable
but comes off a decent try, and could contend for a piece with a similar try. (2) BEERTHIRTY K picks up his pieces
every week but hasn’t threatened for the top prize in a while– not sure that’s going to change here. (4) WESLYNN
CROWN broke in his local debut and may be handled pretty conservatively tonight off that miscue. (8) NEWSBOY
hasn’t been on his game and now has to contend with Post 8.