RACE 1 – (4) SOUTHWIND PETYR was outstanding in 2023 (1st or 2nd 18X!) but 2024 had been a struggle – he
changed barns before his last start and just looked like a new horse, bursting from the pocket to draw off effortlessly
in a crisp 1:51.4 mile – he steps up a notch (and loses Bartlett), but he can be a handful here IF he’s as good as last
week. (1) POINTOMYGRANSON had been on an amazing roll before pulling up on June 4th with some issue, and
then struggling in his next 3 starts – he wasn’t “great” last week, but he was clearly much improved...maybe we’ll
see him bring his best tonight? (2) BIG GULP gets a class drop and another good draw but he just hasn’t been at his
best the last few starts – hard to say if he’ll be able to perk up here, or if he’ll be looking at another smaller share. (5)
DEETZY has been delivering some sharp tries lately, and his last was better than it looks (good pace from a tough
spot) – good value horse to include in exotics. (3) SONNY WEAVER N loves Yonkers but he hasn’t been at his
sharpest the last few starts - will need to pick up his game a bit to threaten for a bigger prize. (7) BIRTHDAY does
avoid Post 8 tonight...but only because there are only 7 horses – may need to wait for a better draw before we see
his best. (6) GINGRAS BEACH has held form very nicely, but it another that has been hurt by some bad draws.
RACE 2 – (6) TO THE HUNT shipped in sharp and just missed to the razor sharp GENTLE GIANT (up the cones)
on 7/25 – he ended up hounded by that same rival last week, battling most of the mile before getting collared late by
the tripsitter (who watched all the hot action from a perfect spot) – bad draw, but still the one to beat for his new
barn. (4) VANDALISM showed 2 back that he’s capable of pulling off an upset when things go his way - barn had a
$30 winner on Sat. night, and a 65-1 2nd place finisher on Friday – not impossible. (2) BEGGIN FOR BACON has
been ok since arriving from PA, a winner 4 back and picking up pieces in his last 2 starts in this class – playable in
exotics. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL is just 1 for 40 at YR but he grabs his fair share of smaller pieces – post relief
and a switch to Bartlett can’t hurt. (1) VICTOR CRUISE draws the pole but will need to up his game for a chance at
a piece tonight. (5) HES SPECIAL will probably get away last...and it’ll be hard to overcome that disadvantage.
RACE 3 – (2) KOMODO BEACH was well backed last week but couldn’t withstand NANDOLO N’s hounding to
3/4s, and gradually weakened to 3rd in the lane – he may not have been at his absolute best last start, and definitely
deserves an opportunity to make amends tonight, off the class drop. (3) CAPTIVATE HANOVER was trapped way
too long last week, offering some good pace (after the fact) after finally shaking free – he definitely hasn’t been on
his best game lately, but it’s probably just a matter of time before he finds a winning effort...maybe tonight? (4) LE
VINE is 0 for 17 in 2024 AND racing off a bad date...but he’s also raced well in the majority of his starts this year,
and Bartlett (subbing for Zeron) may handle him aggressively – would need a decent price to use on top, though. (1)
BRAEVIEW BONDI A would prefer to be in a little easier but the good draw should help him find a good trip–
with a chance to pick up a decent piece. (6) PURPLE POET elected to go on a suicide mission last week and tired to
last as a result – he’ll likely be handled conservatively tonight, with a chance to rally late for some minor spoils. (5)
SARANAC BLUE CHIP shows up with a good one at times, but this just doesn’t feel like a spot for it. (7) STELLA
R YANKEE lands Post 7, off a sick scratch, while up in class – not a recipe for success!
RACE 4 – Good race: (3) SPORTS FAN was hammered at the windows for his YR return and certainly delivered
the goods, blowing past the sharp TWO FACED before drawing clear effortlessly – his barnmate MAMBA has been
very sharp as well, and we’ll see if this guy handle tonight’s class jump, taking on a much tougher crew. (4) DANCE
ON THE BEACH has been turning in sharp efforts week after week, even if tiring a bit last start (after some hard
early use) – a threat any time he’s in to go. (1) IM A POWERPLAY A disappointed last week after an excellent try
the week before (off the claim) – perhaps a little easier trip could help him bounce back, and be a big player tonight.
(7) BECHERS BROOK A drew poorly last week but ended up with an easy tuck and perfect cover, helping him pick
up his 4th victory in the last 5 starts (with a nose loss in the other) – can’t be counted out, even starting from all the
way out here. (5) UCANTTOUCHTHIS ships in sharp from Plainridge, moves to a sharp barn, and may be worth a
look IF the price gets juicy enough. (6) MAXIMUS RED A will likely need things to really fall apart to reach from
out here but he’s still not a bad stab for longshot fans. (2) SAN DOMINO A is hard to like on top (just 1 for 32 at
Yonkers the past 2 years) but a good trip always gives him a shot at a piece.
RACE 5 – (4) PRETTY HANDSOME perked up 3 back, charging home to pick up his first victory of the year –
finished full of pace for 3rd in his next (from a very tough spot), then just went right to the top last week, easily
wiring the field – we’ll stick with the hot hand. (5) SMOKIN BY N got blown away by the blitzing winner 2 back,
then had no chance from Post 8 last week – he was reclaimed by the barn that won with him 4 back (one of his 8
wins this year), and he’s one of those that’s a legitimate threat any time he gets a decent draw. (3) THREE GRAND
was an aggressive 2nd two back, then an easy trip 3rd last week – certainly deserves at least a look at that 8-1 ML
price. (6) YS DO IT RIGHT certainly loved life down in the 20s but a return to 30s last week led to a disappointing
try – maybe he can rally for a piece? (2) KOUNT BLASTER came into his last at 15-0-0-1 locally on the year – he
did find a pretty weak field, however, and was able to take them wire to wire...he returns to 30s now, and seems
unlikely to be able to replicate that same success. (8) SULLIVAN is solid right now but faces a long haul from Post
8 – would need things to really fall apart to reach from out here. (1) WAR DAN DELIGHT N draws the pole but
what he could really use is some class relief. (7) NOWHERE CREEK A has gone the other way since the recent
claim – waiting to see a better mile before hopping back on his team.
RACE 6 – (3) SHINE A LIGHT just wasn’t himself on 7/22 but he was claimed (again) that night and turned in an
eye-popping mile for his new connections last week, parked every step of the way (through hot fractions) and still
finishing 2nd – he’ll be very tough to knock off here with any effort close to that last one. (4) REAL WILLEY saw
his 3 race winning streak snapped last week but he still finished 3rd, after cutting the mile (from Post 8) vs. the 60s –
he drops back down to 50s, gets a much kinder draw, and could be next in line should the top one not come up as big
tonight. (5) OPTICAL ILLUSION N was a game first over 2nd last week dropping down a notch to 40s – moves
back up to 50s (after being claimed), but he’s held his own with these too – a live trip puts him in play for a piece.
(2) JUSTASEC N ships in sharp from PA, though his best recent work has come with a bit easier – he does have a
good local history, and the inside draw puts him in the mix for a good chunk. (1) SURFSIDE BEACH has been ultra
consistent all year, but did throw a dud last week – we’ll see if he bounces right back, or if he may be starting to tail
off. (7) JUST ENUFF STUFF never left the cones last week and was no factor at all – moves to a new barn, draws
poorly, and may need to wait for a better spot. (8) I DRAINTHEWSWAMP A drops in for a tag and may fit well
with these – he may also need a much better draw to be a serious player. (6) OCEAN RIDGE N was hurt by some
traffic issues last week but faces another tough trip tonight with the poor draw.
RACE 7 – (1) HEMSWORTH N may have a chance at a mild upset tonight – he finished 6th last week, but mostly
because Siegelman surprisingly never pulled him off the cones (leaving him hopelessly blocked) – his overall prior
form has been excellent, and perhaps he can rally by a couple of other sharp foes here. (3) BOILING OAR quickly
earned his way back up to the top level with a pir of very easy front end scores over cheaper – he’s won at this level
in the past, and is a threat to do so again. (2) TYPHOON BANNER N took a long time to find his best form in the
U.S. but he’s certainly hitting on all cylinders right now, bringing his 4 race winning streak into tonight – might have
been listed on top had he not missed 3 weeks since his last start. (5) CARABAO A is another that got off to a rocky
start stateside, but who has really started to blossom lately – he’s rallied powerfully to win his last three, but faces
MUCH tougher tonight – we’ll see if he can still be a stretch threat against these. (4) WHATS STANLEY GOT A
picked up a pair of 2nds behind COVERED BRIDGE and TYPHOON BANNER N before wiring easier last week –
he wouldn’t be a shock, but we are leaning a bit more towards a couple of others. (6) ULTIMAROCA came up a
little short last start (off 3 weeks) but has been super for some time – tough task staring from the outside in the
Invitational, however.
RACE 8 – (1) HELLABALOU may have looked a bit off his best form recently but a class drop at Chester last
week led to an easy win, and a new 1:48.3 mark...good chance for a repeat performance against this group too. (2)
NAND OLO N just missed 2 and 3 back but his brush was crisper last week, and he was a sharp winner – if #1
scares off any leavers and this guy sits the two hole, he’ll at least have a shot to collar him late. (4) FUNATTHBEA
CH has been going off big prices most weeks, and underachieving (in general) – the three times he DID take $$,
resulted in a pair of wins and a 2nd - perhaps the tote board can offer some guidance for tonight? (7) MY ULTIMATE
STAR A seems up against it from out here but he’s definitely sharp, and did blast off the car last week – if you think
Kakaley may try to send him out of there, he’d make a great value horse for exotics. (3) PEACE OUT POSSE was
off 8 months to his last start and understandably handled conservatively – guessing he’ll need another start, but
worth keeping an eye on here. (6) THUNDER HUNTER JOE added Lasix last week, landed on a dream trip and
was able to pick up his first local win of the season – may not be as opportunistic from this spot, however. (5) KIMB
LE A appreciates an easy trip, but may struggle at this level even with the kindest of journeys.
RACE 9 – (6) CHIMICHURRI N was well backed (and our top choice) last week but he lost all chance after an
early equipment break – he’s still a bit unproven at this level, but this is definitely an overall soft field for this class –
willing to give him another try, especially since the price should be better. (2) MAMBA seemed like a one-way
speedball but his two local starts have seen him race terrific from OFF the pace – he’s moving up 2 classes, but still
feels like a very good fit in his current form – worth considering. (4) NONE BETTOR A isn’t dropping in class, but
he’s definitely using to facing tougher fields – he hasn’t been on top of his game lately, but he’s still a threat to wire
these – wouldn’t accept too short a price, though. (3) IGNATIUS A is always finishing alertly, but may need to be in
a little easier for a chance at the top prize – ok to use underneath. (1) THIS IS THE PLAN was able to wire a couple
of easier fields recently (after grabbing very soft opening halves) but he seems to struggle against these better ones -
he comes off a weak try, and will need to pick up his game considerably to be a serious threat here. (5) WINDSUN
RICKY was 4th in NW10000 last week and now is asked to take on this NW30000 field.
RACE 10 – It was no surprise to see the razor sharp (4) VERDUN beat these last week...but it was definitely a bit
eye-opening to see the EASE with which he did it – he not only hasn’t dropped off at all since the recent claim, it
feels like he may have even upped his game even more – remains the one to beat. (5) ITS A ME MARIO broke a bit
of a drought with that win 2 back and was very good again last week, but from an impossible spot – a live trip could
make him a threat, especially if VERDUN isn’t quite as sharp this time. (2) VENTURESOME ARDEN N wasn’t
quite as sharp in his last pair, though still 2nd and 3rd – he’s having an outstanding year, and can be a threat here if he
can just pick his game back up a little bit (not sure why Stratton took off tonight, since he’s listed through the first 9
races). (7) PLEASELETMELKNOW is a little light in the win column this year, despite racing well in most of his
starts – may have to settle for another smaller piece starting from out here. (1) COMBUSTION threw an unexpected
dud last start but drops back in the box pretty quickly, and may just shrug off that one bad try – chance for a good
piece on his best effort. (3) HAZEVILLE had been on a very good roll but was a bit overdriven last week and tired
late – leaning towards others, but could still see him grabbing a piece. (6) CAMARA MOMENT shipped in sharp
and was an impressive first over winner in his local debut – gets a tough draw in a good field tonight, however, and
that could slow him down a bit. (8) STAY GROUNDED would look a lot better with a class drop, and better post!