RACE 1 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (3) IM J BEE N goes for three in a row for 3 different trainers – his pilot
(Brennan) remains the same, however, and he’ll be the odds-on choice to achieve the “threepeat”. (5) LIBERTY N
FREEDOM had a nice tightener on 2/7 after months away – was handled more aggressively in his 2nd start back and
gave it a good try on the front end, holding for 3rd after being hard used – the main danger. (2) ZIGGY SKY hasn’t
WON at Yonkers in a long time but he’s generally part of the action in fields like this – definitely one to include
underneath. (1) MACHLICIOUS is highly unpredictable from week to week but if he shows up in the right mood,
he can take home a share of this. (7) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N has had the easiest of trips with all the possible
breaks lately and still been unable to finish the mile – probably in for a tough journey tonight. (4) LATE MAIL N
hasn’t been doing much since returning from a long layoff. (6) AINT HE SPECIAL hasn’t been a “contender” in
over a year – at least he generally doesn’t get in anybody’s way.
RACE 2 – (1) VARSITY BLUE CHIP was sent off at 37-1 for her career debut and understandably was handled
very conservatively from Post 8 – she DID hit the wire with plenty of pace, though, and she does hail from top shelf
connections – definitely a chance we’ll see a lot more serious try tonight, and we’ll give her a shot to pull off the
upset. (7) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK has improved in each of her 3 starts this year, culminating with last week’s
very sharp win (over the prohibitive favorite) – clearly the one to beat tonight, despite the draw. (3) PINE BUSH
MAGA is 0 for 18 locally but does have several 2nds and 3rds – maybe she can complete the trifecta? (6) SHOWM
EMAGIC has never been 1st or 2nd in 16 Yonkers starts but she does have 6 thirds, and shows a useful tightener off
the layoff – small slice? (4) SILKEN SMILE won her first 2 starts but has leveled off quickly (even though 2
nd and 3rd in her last pair) – needs to be better to be a more serious threat here. (5) JM SPEAK EASY has been caught too
far back in her last pair – a closer trip may help her grab a minor share. (2) PASS THE DREAM folded badly in her
local debut – hard to say if she’ll be that much better in her 2nd try.
RACE 3 – (1) TACHYON had been well off form for a while but suddenly perked up last week, kicking home
strong to finish right behind the very sharp SWAN FLYER – he can be very tough tonight if he can bring the same
kind of effort, but he’s never been the most reliable horse in town. (3) MANCLANE got to avoid the streaking BON
TONI DEGATO S last week and had no trouble winning easily on the front end – very real chance to repeat in his
current form. (4) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM toured the oval from Post 7 in his 2024 return – saved ground again
last week, but did have plenty of trot finishing – not a bad stab if looking for a possible upsetter. (2) MAHONE SEE
LSTER has been 2nd in 3 of 4 local starts (with no chance in the other) – could end up with another good trip tonight,
and possibly another good piece. (6) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been a model of consistency, posting a 17-4-6-3
slate since arriving at Yonkers – the only real knock here is the draw, but it MAY hurt his chances for the top prize.
(5) ONION GUM was putting in a decent bid before getting rough on the final turn last week – feels like he’s still a
work in progress for his new barn. (7) CHAMBA was well back from a similar spot in his YR debut.
RACE 4 – (2) CAL MILES N SHELL was handled very conservatively in his seasonal debut but did have trot
finishing – he’s displayed legitimate ability in a bunch of his starts, and an aggressive try is expected for tonight –
could be the one to catch, and beat. (4) WILD WAY makes his first start of the year off a solid PA qualifier – he was
prone to miscues at times last year, but he’s another that does have ability – could be a threat if ready right off the
bench. (6) BEACON BEACH has raced well in many of his 14 local tries, stays trotting, and can be right in the hunt
with a good getaway. (7) DARK MIND was a winner here last year and qualified back decently (vs. pacers) – may
be fairly conservative tonight with the terrible draw, but that 20-1 ML price makes him worth at least a peek. (3)
WISTERIA HANOVER may be a notch below a few of the main players but Yannick may handle her aggressively,
and an up close trip could help her land a share. (1) STRATEGIC was able to stay trotting last week, and that’s often
not the case with him – the ability has always been there, but he’s self-destructed way too many times to ever count
on. (5) LUKA was just “meh” in his few local tries – we’ll see if can up his game a bit as a 4YO. (8) OH MY GOSH
lands a brutal spot for his local debut.
RACE 5 – (1) BETTA WATCH OUT N was sent off at 1/10 for her U.S. debut and while her win wasn’t “flashy”, it
certainly was easy – she’ll face a MUCH better bunch tonight, but we’ll stay on board and look for even more
tonight. (7) SILKY STRIDE ran into a tough trip in her seasonal debut but still raced well – she lands a terrible spot
for tonight but Stratton sticks with her, and she should be a decent price – could have a big say. (4) FAVORITE BEA
CH seemed like a very live player heading into her last but just never looked right – she drops right back in the box,
so perhaps it was just a bad blip – could be a threat if she bounces back to one of her better efforts. (5) DONTKARE
NIFIDO has hit board in 10 of 11 local starts – a live trip would allow her to use her late kick for another piece. (6)
UNCONTROLLED was actually a very nice 2nd in her local debut but tonight’s spot is less than stellar – not a bad
one for 3rd/4th. (3) NO CIGAR TONY went some nice efforts at 3, and her qualifier looks ok – may need a start or
two before we see her best, however. (2) EXCITING TIMES A continues to get rough during her miles, and it
continues to hurt her chances. (8) HURRIKANE LADY LOU was unraced at 2, and made only 11 starts at 3 – she
definitely has ability, and did qualify sharply...not sure she can strut her stuff from out here, however.
RACE 6 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (1) ATLANTIS shipped in sharp from Monti and was a winner at this level,
knocking off IM J BEE N (who came back to win his next pair) – just missed in 20s the next start, and now gets
back in with 15s (and draws the pole) – the one to knock off. (2) BOOM TOWN BOY is just 3 for 38 lifetime but
he’s racing well right now, and should appreciate this bit of class relief – a good trip lands him somewhere on the
ticket. (4) CAPTAIN T HANOVER pulled off the upset 3 back, but came up just a bit light in the lane in his last pair
(after looking like a winner on the final turn both times) – maybe he just needs the right trip to get his picture taken
again? (7) MAJOR DESIRE draws poorly but has been sharp off the car lately and may be able to launch to the
early lead – an easy trip could land him on the ticket. (3) FULLBACK has been somewhat unreliable lately but an
easy trip from this good spot could see him take home a small slice. (5) FINALLY FRIDAY tends to lag badly early
on before finding his stride (very) late – not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) MISTER SPOT A looked good winning off
the claim 2 back but threw a bit of a dud last week – lands the worst post for another new barn and may struggle to
overcome it. (6) STRETCH THE LINE was his own worst enemy (as always) the last 2 weeks but short, weak fields
allowed him to overcome it – he’s looking at a much more adventurous trip tonight, and may have a much harder
time overcoming his flaws.
RACE 7 – (4) HIMSELF N leveled off in the lane after a nice move from the back in his U.S. debut, and he figures
to be that much tighter tonight – he was a big earner Down Under, and was facing top competition before leaving for
the U.S. – maybe we’ll see what he’s got in here? (7) FAMILY RECIPE may not be on his best game right now but
he’s way down in class, and capable of beating much better – willing to use as long as he’s not overbet. (5) VENIER
HANOVER has been making decent moves every week but then not finishing his miles – he’ll wake up with a big
one of these nights...maybe tonight? (2) ELS ROCKER was a sharp front end winner 2 back, but faltered in his last
– needs to bring that “A Game” to have a serious say tonight. (1) VULCAN STAR N hasn’t been sharp enough in
his last couple but seems capable of better – good spot to just sit close, and grab a small slice. (6) REVOLT shows
NJ form that suggests he’ll be a good fit here but he seems to lack any real early speed, and that may leave him with
too much to do when they turn for home. (8) ON ACCIDENT has been ok, but faces an uphill task trying to reach
from here. (3) GIVEITATRY A looks like he may need some class relief.
RACE 8 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (4) ITALIAN DELIGHT N is usually the confident selection, as he’s just a
head shy of an 8 race winning streak – he’s still hard to go against tonight...but dropping in class after a scratch last
week certainly sends up some red flags – be careful about taking a very short price tonight. (1) PRESTIGE SEELST
ER struggled in his last pair (for a new barn) but was just re-claimed by a barn that won with him 3 back, and the
rail can only help his cause – becomes very dangerous if #4 is vulnerable tonight. (5) BRUSHING UP hasn’t really
been a threat lately but he drops in class here and could be a much bigger player – one to consider. (6) BEN SOLO
was a winner last week but in a very slow mile, with a :30,2 final quarter – he’ll need to be sharper to beat these. (3)
SOUTHWIND ONYX was another re-claim last week but his overall form has been just “ok” – chance for a bigger
slice if he can find his best game. (8) SHOREVIEW has Post 8 and rarely wins – but he HAS been good in a few
recent starts, and isn’t a bad one to consider underneath. (2) MAGRITTE was handled aggressively last week and
was able to stick around for a (well beaten) 3rd – maybe another minor share tonight? (7) MAJESTIC KIWI N needs
a better draw in an easier field.
RACE 9 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (2) NEVER SAY NEVER N returned last week from a 5 month layoff and
promptly was a winner in Leg 2 of this series – may be even sharper tonight, and we’ll give him the narrow edge. (4)
SWAGASAURUSREX is hard to like off his lines but he’s getting a significant barn change and he does have back
class – a quick wake up call is very possible. (3) NOB HILL FLASH has been 2nd in 3 of his 4 local starts this year –
gets a good draw, and a live trip puts him right into the mix. (7) CAMPORA N came to life with a big one 2 back to
just miss, then followed that up with last week’s impressive victory – the only knock is the draw, but it MAY hurt his
chances somewhat. (1) LIKE CLOCKWORK came up with a massive form-reversing win off the barn change 4
back (in NJ), but has been unable to replicate that effort in 3 starts since – leaning towards others. (6) EDDARD
HANOVER was “sneaky ok” for a couple of starts before a dud in his last – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) SMOKIN BY N
looks solid “on paper”, but he’s really just been “ok” lately – brutal draw off the claim has us sticking with others
tonight. (5) PROVOCATOVEPRINCEN got 3rd last week thanks to the easy trip – figures to struggle in this much
tougher spot, however.
RACE 10 – (1) CASSIUS HANOVER looked good in all local starts this winter, showing some nice late rallies – he
qualified back very nicely, the barn is going pretty well right now, and this seems like a good time to take a shot with
him (12-1 ML). (3) STONEBRIDGE BRAVO looked short in his first local try last time, but did keep on digging to
earn the place spot – could easily be sharper tonight, and a legitimate threat. (6) I GOT THE TAB qualified a bit
behind the top choice as he returns from the layoff – he won 3 of 4 starts here last year and if the tote board suggests
he can be a player tonight, you should probably pay attention. (5) YOU GOT IT was also in that qualifier, though a
little harder to gauge – he has ability., but may need a start or two before we see his best. (4) KOVU AS was a little
disappointing when he got beat here 2 back (at 2/5) but he did come back to make amends in NJ the following week
– his best effort puts him in the hunt for a good piece. (2) CREDARENA was a winner off the layoff but no factor in
his last pair – we’ll see if the good draw helps him find a better effort. (7) ALLSUMMERLONG AS hit the top in a
race where the other main players failed to deliver and was able to go wire to wire – will be a lot tougher against
these, however. (8) COAL CREEK seems the outsider, both literally and figuratively.
RACE 11 – (4) WICHITA LINEMAN is used to facing (and even beating) better than these – the good draw gives
Gingras options, and this just feels like a field he should handle. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP was good from well
off the pace 2 back, then delivered the sharp front end score in his last (with the 2nd place finisher winning easily in
his next start) – the main danger, even stepping up in class. (3) CAVIART SARGENT is unreliable as a win
candidate but often races well with conservative trips to pick up pieces – could add some value to the exotics. (5) IN
DICTABLE HANOVER was a winner off the class drop last week and moves back up to the level where he was 2
nd, the week before – no reason he can’t grab a piece here too. (2) ALWAYS ROCKIN broke his Yonkers losing streak
with last week’s aggressive front end score – this is a much tougher spot, but he’s probably still sharp enough for a
shot at a piece. (8) YOROKOBI N qualified nicely and does fit with these – will probably be handled conservatively
from this spot, but still may be able to rally for some minor spoils. (6) TYGA HANOVER just seems to need easier
to be a player these days. (7) HYPNOTICDREAM had a few good starts before last week’s dud – bad post tonight,
and his trainer handling the driving.