RACE 1 - (3) DARK ENERGY N found his form vs. cheaper and has really held it beautifully in this
$30K claiming class - been coming close in his last few, and may be able to finally find the winner's circle
with the right trip tonight. (4) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN is a different horse on the front end and Bartlett
should be able to get him there tonight - a threat to take these wire to wire if feeling good this week. (2)
TOLLY HO steps up a notch after beating the 25s last week - barn has been hot all month, and comes off a
3 win (and one 2nd) night on Friday - belongs on your tickets. (5) DAVIDS COMING HOME was on a
nice roll in July/Aug. but has leveled off since then - moves up a peg off last week's claim, and probably is
looking at only a smaller share. (1) ROLLING WITH SAM drops in for a tag after failing to beat even a
single horse in his last 3 starts - he's also just 1 for 25 at Yonkers, and seems up against it right now, even
from the pole. (6) MARINER SEELSTER was just "ok" when 2nd two back, and no factor at all last week
-may perk up for a new barn tonight, but others just seem more appealing at the moment. (7) PICARD A
seemed to be showing some wear when claimed on 8/9 so it was a surprise to see him RE-claimed the next
start - finished distanced that night, and has been trying to get back to his best form ever since. (8) LATE
MAIL N couldn't finish well enough in his last pair and now moves from a pair of rails to Post 8.
RACE 2 - (7) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH hasn't won in a while but he's held his own vs. much better a
bunch of times - seems like a spot he can handle, even with the outside draw (4) SANTAFES COACH is
enjoying a solid 2021 season, even if a little light in the win column - if the race sets up to his liking, he
should be coming hard at the end...with a chance to get there. (1) GENIUS MAN's recent starts have been
all over the place, although the last one was definitely sharp - steps up 2 levels here, but does draw inside
and his barn continues to win races...definitely possible, but that 9/5 ML price is a bit of a turn off. (5)
FLYINGEVENBETTOR N has gone some solid miles at this level but he's 0 for 7 at Yonkers and 0 for 14
overall this year - would need a good price to use him on top. (3) ON THE VIRG just hasn't been on his
best game for a while, and his best recent efforts have come vs. cheaper - probably looking at only a minor
piece here. (2) MACINTOSH N doesn't win too many races at this point, and those victories usually come
vs. lesser - good draw may help land a minor share. (8) FLAMING FLUTTER N sometimes throws a big
one when you least expect it but the 12YO would need an awful lot to go his way to be a serious player
from out here. (6) WARDAN EXPRESS A could use a class drop and better post - seems up against it here.
RACE 3 - Very tough race! (7) WESTERN HILL has gone from "never winning" to taking 3 of his last 4
starts - moves up in class and draws outside, but catches a questionable field and does seems sharpest right
now - should be a fair price from out here. (3) GINGER TREE PETE moves up to 40s after failing to beat
the 30s lately but he's racing well now, and his barn is doing good things...especially, it seems, when Joe B.
is in the bike - may be able to be a player here despite the class jump. (4) BELTANE A is just 1 for 25 this
year and that victory came over Aleppo Hanover....who NEVER wins - he also exits one of our sharpest
barns BUT he's moving to a barn that seems able to win with ANYTHING they pick up - maybe this guy
will be able to do it too. (5) REAL LUCKY N has been a steady player in this class for weeks (months?)
and has come up with may more good efforts than lesser ones - the right trip could make him a live player.
(8) BETTOR NOTBITTER A is proven at this level and easily one of the better ones in here - he also gets
stuck with Post 8, and a lot would need to go his way to get him to the winner's circle from out here -
consider only if the price is really juicy. (1) WHITE HAIR ROCKS is now 1 for 63 over the last 2 years
and 7-0-0-1 here at Yonkers - he does throw some nice efforts, but would be pretty hard to consider for a
top slot, even from the pole. (2) MY DELIGHT was really a borderline $30K claimer....hard to endorse in
40s, for his new barn. (6) MR DS ROCK hails from a very sharp outfit, bit does seem overmatched here.
RACE 4 - (1) TREASURE MACH ended up with a horrible trip last week but was pacing well late (after
the fact) - he was used pretty hard in his previous pair, and just seems overdue to land on a winning trip -
maybe tonight? (5) GHOST DANCE was used very hard last week and only weakened a bit at the end -
overall form has been very solid, and he looms a major threat tonight. (2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A
basically stole one 2 back, and almost did the same last week - clearly deserves plenty of respect in his
current form, but he also figures to be overbet in a solid field - probably better value with a few others. (4)
TERRITORY hasn't been better than 3rd in a few tries at this level but he hasn't been bad, and even has
some excuses - should be a decent price here, and couldn't blame anybody for looking to use him. (7)
TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN draws terribly but he drops in class and as mentioned, his barn has been hot -
decent bomb to consider. (3) ALOTBETTOR N just hung on vs. cheaper 2 back, then was able to win last
week thanks to a very fortunate trip - wouldn't shock if he won again, but others in here do seem a bit more
likely. (8) AMERICAN BOY N is sharp for sure, and has a pair of recent wins - he lands a horrible post off
the claim, however, and faces an uphill battle from this spot. (6) AMERICAN WIGGLE picked up a 3rd
two back thanks to an easy trip, but may need a better spot for a chance to really contend with these.
RACE 5 - (1) WHITECOOKIE clicked immediately upon changing barns late August and climbed quickly
to the top levels at Nfd. (where he had major excuses in his last couple) - has missed some time but barn is
excellent both at having horses ready, and knowing where to place them at a new track - giving him the
narrow nod tonight. (6) CHANGE STRIDE N has won 4 of his last 5 starts (8 hole in the lone loss), hails
from the highest % barn in the land, and can race just as well from OFF the pace if he's unable to hit the top
tonight - clearly one to fear! (3) UPTOWN FUNK drops back down to 50s where he picked up 2 wins and
a 2nd in his last 3 starts - legitimate threat tonight. (8) TONY TOO TALL has been razor sharp for weeks,
and has the speed to at least leave for position here - couldn't blame anybody looking to include him tonight
at what figures to be a decent price. (5) DREAMFAIR CHARRO isn't as handy as a few of the main
players but he's certainly been racing well - good candidate to include underneath, hoping he can rally for a
piece. (2) GIVENUPDREAMING seems ambitiously placed for $50K when he hasn't been able to beat the
40s - prefer others. (4) BALLERAT BOOMERANG has picked his game up considerably since changing
barns on 9/12 but he does seem to be a bit below several of the main players in here. (7) GLENGARRY
KNIGHT pulled off a big upset 2 back but seems unlikely to make much noise from this spot.
RACE 6 - (4) BEACH BOOGIE used a powerful brush to win his last start at this level, and beat these 4
back as well - he's come out on top in 4 of his last 6 starts, and that earns him top billing for tonight. (1)
YACHT SEELSTER raced okay from a tough spot in his return to YR - was sent off favored last week off
that effort, but gave way to the top choice's back side brush and weakened to 4th - might be a bigger threat
with a different trip. (3) AIR FORCE HANOVER has found his better form lately, albeit vs. easier - this is
a tougher overall bunch he's facing tonight, but he has the back class to be a threat in his good current form.
(7) ROBBIE BURNS N was a close 2nd two back but faltered after cutting the mile in his last - has
rebounded from disappointing efforts in the past, and he may do so again tonight...the price should be good
tonight for those looking to hop/stay on board. (2) FOREVER FAV has seen a drop off in from since the
recent claim but certainly hasn't been terrible - draw inside, and could be a threat if things really go his way
(5) MACH DORO A was unable to rally from off the pace last after weakening a bit after looking to cut the
mile in his previous too - feels like he might be tailing a bit and we'll stick with others for tonight - but he
really wouldn't be any great shock in here. (6) MELODIES MAJOR really hasn't had any impact since
moving up to this level - may need a drop before we see his best again. (8) SUGARTOWN was a winner on
10/4 but just never looked good last week - landing Post 8 won't help as he looks to rebound.
RACE 7 - (8) TATTOO ARTIST pretty much answered all questions about whether he could get around
the half mile track last week....as he made the top from his outside post and tied the track record in his first
ever try at Yonkers - he may end up with a tougher trip tonight...but it would still be hard to make a case
against him after seeing that last performance. (4) FUNATTHEBEACH N can no longer be referred to as
"overachieving" as he's firmly established himself as a legitimate Open pacer - he's been hitting on all
cylinders for a while, was an excellent 2nd last week and should be a strong player once again tonight. (2)
BELMONT MAJOR N instantly showed that he can handle racing against tough older foes after shipping
in from Pocono in Sept., and he's another that's established himself as a legit player at this level - was just
as sharp for a new trainer last week, and isn't a bad value horse to consider if you think the favorite might
get beat tonight. (5) BEE TWO BEE has been outstanding since the purchase 5 starts back and has quickly
climbed the ladder right up to the Open level - will be interesting to see if he can continue to hold his own
against this very good bunch. (3) NONE BETTOR A got worn into submission last week but had been very
sharp for weeks prior to that - may get a two hole trip tonight, and we'll see if he can bounce right back
from last week's disappointing try. (7) NANDOLO N has been a very hard hitter for some time, but may
find himself coming from too far back to do any real damage tonight. (1) ARTIES IDEAL has been very
sharp for weeks, but may be pushing his limits against these fast, classy foes. (6) MOONSHINE KISSES
ships in very sharp from Stga. has a good history here but may find these a bit out of his comfort zone.
RACE 8 - (1) PYRO has a stellar 26-7-3-5 record here this year but hasn't been nearly as reliable in recent
months - he actually got beat as the 1/10 favorite three back (2nd, by a head), but did look good in last
week's game first over score, and may have regained some confidence from it - picking him on top, but not
one to bet the rent money on! (2) IDEAL JIMMY was a no threat 3rd last week but that mile should serve
as a good tightener (he was off 3 months prior to that) - more than capable against these on his best effort.
(3) WINDSUN RICKY prefers to be in a little cheaper but he can do damage with these too when he lands
on the right trip - could offer some value tonight. (7) BUDDY HILL would be a solid threat from a better
posy but he's definitely spotting the top picks a major post advantage tonight - not impossible, but trip luck
will be required. (8) ON THE CARDS N has an outstanding 9-2-2-4 local slate but he draws Post 8 after
missing 3 weeks and may be looking at only a minor share this week. (4) TYGA HANOVER is likely a
notch below some of the main players in here but draws well enough for a chance at a small piece should
he land on a decent journey. (5) AFLAME HANOVER has a couple of solid recent efforts but does seem a
notch below the primary players in here - we'll see if the switch to Dunn helps him at all. (6) J B MAUNEY
N has done good work with cheaper, but will have to prove that he can hang with these tougher rivals.
RACE 9 - (1) JOESSTAR OF MIAA just missed to a sharp rival as the odds on choice 2 back, then wired
the (short) field as the odds on choice in last - he'll get to control the action again tonight, and that makes
him the one to catch and beat. (2) SOHO LENNON A was a pocket winner 2 back, then finished ok from
an impossible spot in last - may end up sitting the two hole here, and that would put him in a good position
to land somewhere on the board. (3) WALKINSHAW N seemed overbet 2 back but charged home to win
going away - was flying again in last (to just miss) and is definitely more than sharp enough to be a player
here...if the trip isn't too tough. (5) BUY IN has been tough to gauge from week to week - if the "good"
version shows up tonight, he'll have a shot to bring home a piece of this. (4) CAN B PERFECT definitely
prefers to be in a bit easier, but may be able to just tow along inside and finish well enough for a minor
share. (8) IMSTAYNALIVE went the mile of his life in that win 3 back, then finished with good life from
too far back in his last - figures to be trailing most of the way again tonight, but not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th.
(6) TIGER BARON does seem somewhat ambitiously placed in here but his barn has been thriving lately -
still, hard to see a way into the race for him. (7) ALWAYS AND AGAIN dug in to prevail last week but
lands far outside tonight while stepping up to face better - sticking with others.
RACE 10 - Good race: (5) BILL HALEY N has been razor sharp, and simply never had any stretch
clearance last week - he's as good (right now) as any of the main players in here and at that 9-1 ML price,
does seem like a good one to consider. (4) ROCK THE DEVIL has been one of our favorites the past few
weeks and he's done little to make us think any less of him - can race on or off the pace, and is another that
should offer some good value in this contentious affair. (2) GRAY DRAGON has plenty of speed/ability
but does seem to be better on the bigger ovals - that being said, he still has a terrific 6-2-1-2 local slate, and
has to be seen as a very serious threat again tonight. (3) BETTER MEMORIES was struggling for a while
but found hid form a few starts back and has held it beautifully ever since - has won 2 of his last 3, and is
more than capable of grabbing another win tonight. (7) RAUKAPUKA RULER N wasn't at his best for a
couple of starts but rebounded with a sharp score in his last - won't be easy to replicate that from out here,
but wouldn't say it's impossible. (6) KERFORD ROAD A probably needs a much better post to be a player
against these types - just too many other good ones to his inside to expect much from him tonight. (1) BIG
SIR comes into this off 2 straight wins for a very hot barn - he's also moving way up in class, and he'll have
to prove that he can hold his own with these. (8) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N lands Post 8 after missing 6
weeks - good week to just observe, for future considerations.
RACE 11 - (1) PERFECTLY CLOSE has been racing pretty well from very tough spots, against much
better competition - gets both post and class relief tonight, and that stamps him clearly as the one to beat.
(4) KINNDER JACKSON should be able to leave quickly and set himself up with a good trip in here...and
that gives him a good chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (5) KNOCKING AROUND is just 1 for 27
this year but has been 2nd/3rd nine times - goes for a potent trainer/driver combination, and can be part of
this with any half decent trip. (2) ZACH MAGUIRE is 0 for 21 but he's been climbing the class ladder
lately thanks to several smaller pieces - chance for another tonight. (7) HIGHLAND TARTAN would
normally be a solid threat at this level but he's missed 3 weeks (sick scratch) and draws Post 7 - perhaps the
tote board will offer some clues? (8) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR is racing well enough to contend for a
piece of this but he'll have to find a way to overcome Post 8 - won't be easy. (3) RETOUR AU JEU grabbed
a win over cheaper 2 back but doesn't really seem sharp enough to threaten against these much tougher
foes. (6) ONE OFF DELIGHT is solid at this level but has been away for 2 months, draws outside, and may
need a start before we see his best.
RACE 12 - (5) SOMEBADDUDE ships in showing a lot of good recent lines out of town, and has a good
local history - the fact that he's debuting for the Super Siblings just makes him all the more attractive in
tonight's finale. (1) DIAMONDBEACH has found his form again...and is thriving along with many of his
stablemates - might have been the top choice had #5 not been in the race. (6) PATRIOT NATION had been
sharpening for several starts, culminating with last week's excellent, very hard used victory - draws outside
while moving up in class here, but may be sharp enough to still manage a small piece. (7) MONEYMAN
HILL is obviously very good right now, a sharp wire to wire winner in his last 2 starts - another that's
moving up AND moving outside tonight, and we'll see if Siegelman can find him a way into the hunt
without using him too hard. (8) OUR MAJORDAN A is listed at 20-1 ML but he's actually very good at the
moment - another that will face the tough task of finding his way into the race. (4) DECISION DAY has
been racing "ok", but moves up in class and faces a very tough field - has to hope for an easy trip just for a
chance to rally for a small piece. (3) PERSIMMON A was a nice 2nd two back off a long layoff, but got
lost in the back of the pack last week - hard to gauge if he's sharp enough to contend in this solid field. (2)
CAMPORA N definitely does his best work with easier - may need a drop (or two) before we see his best
again.