RACE 1 - "Pop Up" Final - 1 1/4 miles: (2) HURRIKANE JONNYBOY only made a few starts at 2 and 3
but he's racing every week now at 4, and getting better all the time - he comes into tonight's Final off a
career best 1:51.1 romp, and the extra distance really shouldn't slow him down- remains the one to beat. (3)
LOUS THE ATTITUDE has hit board in all 8 local starts for our leading trainer, and has finished not far
behind the top choice the 3X they recently hooked up - may be the one with the best shot to knock off the
top choice. (6) COUNTER OFFER is always finishing well and the added distance shouldn't bother him at
all - good chance he can outperform that 20-1 ML price. (5) UP THE CREEK is 3 for 3 in this "Pop Up"
Series but has never been overly dominant, despite always being a miniscule price - maybe a bit vulnerable
here? (4) FRANCO NANDOR N has been a steady player in his last several starts, and has a chance at a
small share tonight. (1) DELESTON feels a bit below these, even on his best effort.
RACE 2 - (4) HP XANADU has been holding her own with better in a bunch of recent starts, finishing not
too far behind a bunch of mares that would be heavily favored against these - drops down after trying to cut
the mile vs. 50s last week, and faces what is basically a glorified $12.5 claiming field - deserves the edge.
(3) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE is technically "stepping up" from 12.5s but as noted, that's pretty much what most
of these are - been 1st or 2nd in 10 of 18 local starts this year, and should be a big player tonight. (1) SHOT
GUN PERSUASION rebounded from a clunker 2 back with a close 3rd last week (for new connections) -
looking at a good trip, and a good piece tonight. (5) NUTTINBUTHEBEST is 1 for 18 here this year after
going 1 for 17 last year - she's not a great finisher and will need to be better to beat these. (2) LITTLEBEA
RCAT has 17 wins over the last 2 years but seems to have recently fallen apart in Canada - not ready to hop
on her team at the moment.
RACE 3 - (5) WHATS STANLEY GOT A has raced well in 4 NJ starts with his trainer on board - brother
Jordan hops on board for the import's Hilltop debut and seems to handle any trip that comes his way - we'll
try him on top. (1) BETTORBUCKLEUP hasn't won here in a while but he's also sharper than his lines
might look - can work out a good trip from this spot, and that could make him a legitimate player. (2) JUD
DY DOUGLAS A hit board in his last 3 local starts, including a game try at this level last week - remains a
very live threat from this good spot. (3) THE REAL ONE picked up a nice win 2 back, even if vs. easier
(and with a good trip) - definitely a threat to rally late for a piece of this. (7) MR PERFECT N raced as well
as he could from an impossible spot last week, and was a field-circling winner the week before - he's no
doubt sharp enough to be a player here...but can he find a way into the race from this spot? (6) KINGSVIL
LE is a very good fit at this level but he draws poorly off a sick scratch, and that could leave him waiting
for a better spot. (4) GENIUS MAN is an in-and-out sort but even his best effort might not be enough vs.
these. (8) ROCKIN MARTY A wasn't bad last week, but gets stuck behind the 8 ball tonight.
RACE 4 - (8) TRAFALGAR shipped down from Canada in good form but has shown some inconsistency
for her new connections since arriving - she probably has enough speed to improve at the start here, and she
does figure to be a decent price - maybe worth a stab in a race where the heavy choice could be vulnerable.
(4) FEELIN RED HOT is one of several remarkable "rehab" projects from this incredibly successful barn -
she remains the one to beat, but note that she was all out to prevail at 1/5 two back, and did get beat (to a
Stga. shipper) last week...be careful if she's a very short price. (1) DREAM DANCING raced super in her
local debut, charging from way back to rally for 2nd - her 2nd start didn't go as well, however, as her failed
quarter move left her with no chance - could easily rebound with a better journey tonight. (5) PURAMERI
has never been reliable but her last two starts have been very good, even putting a scare into #4 on 7/18 -
not impossible. (6) OURLITTLEMIRACLE was winless here in 4 starts for her previous connections but
moves to a barn that has shown the ability to improve almost any horse, from any trainer - tough post, but
not impossible. (7) MAGICAL MISTRESS showed some better life last week - ok for longshot fans. (3)
KAITLYN N picked up a 3rd last week but is 1 for 22 on the year, and 0 for her last 23+ here at Yonkers.
(2) CORAL BELLA gave it an aggressive try last week...and clearly wasn't up for it.
RACE 5 - (4) METAL MAN made a break in a NYSS race at Stga, on 6/24 then made another miscue here
at Yonkers the next week (as the 2/5 choice )- clearly he carries some risk with him, but he also has plenty
of ability, as seen in his wins here on 5/16 and 5/23 (and in that last NYSS 2nd at Monti) - he's clearly the
one to beat, but don't bet the rent money on him as the odds on favorite. (2) HUNTING ZONE can be
forgiven for not being able to rally into last week's sizzling 1:51.1 mile - he's otherwise been having a very
good year, and could be next in line should the top one malfunction. (5) CENTURY INSPECTOR used a
good trip last week to pick up 2nd in a NW6 race- if he can build off that, he can grab a good piece here (3)
JOHNNY SACK is 8-4-3-0 this year, with an win and a 2nd from his 3 YR starts - hard to say if he's "fast"
enough to hang with the top trio, but we'll find out soon. (7) TACK ROOM CHATTER has a good 6-3-3-0
local slate this year, but starts from a terrible post - he's at least playable for 3rd/4th at that 20-1 ML price.
(6) HUNTSVILLE PLACE hasn't really improved since adding Lasix recently, and gets no luck with the
draw this week - leaning towards others. (1) RAYRAY draws best but hasn't been able to win here in NW2,
and is now facing much tougher. (8) HOT SHOT JOE will be hard pressed to get anywhere near the action.
RACE 6 - Tough race: (7) BUDDY HILL charged home for 3rd here on 7/10 so it's no surprise to see that
he won his next start at Pocono - obviously this is not an ideal spot, but he's got plenty of back class and
apparently feeling pretty good right now - good value play in a wide open affair. (3) THINKBIG DREAM
BIG took a year off but looked good in 2 Monti starts since recently returning - his barn is going well now,
and the classy 8YO just may be ready to give these a tussle. (2) MONTANA STORM N was no factor in
either U.S. start but didn't seem all that serious, either - this is probably "go time"...but it's hard to say if he's
ready for a winning effort. (5) CAN BE PERFECT beat cheaper last week but did it effortlessly - we know
he can handle better when on his game, and can't be taken lightly here. (1) SEVEN HUNDRED earned
$144K as a 3YO in just 16 starts - he's been slow to get his 4YO season going, but may ready to do some
damage after a sharp qualifier and a start at Pocono. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM gave it a good try on the
front end 3 back - weakened off a first over bid in his next, but finished well from a tough spot last week -
not impossible. (6) LOU ED ZEPPELIN is hard to fault off his current (out of town) form but he moves up
in class, draws poorly, and his barn is currently 32-0-1-1 at Yonkers this year. (8) TYGA HANO VER was
unable to get close from a similar spot last week.
RACE 7 - (5) COWGIRL LILLY has hit board in ALL 17 local starts this year...and now goes back to the
barn that trained her to all 6 of her wins...gets the nod over a couple of very sharp foes! (3) AMINI shows a
trio of very impressive Tioga wins since the recent barn change - she may have been facing easier, but those
lines suggest she can probably hang with these too - the good draw makes her a legitimate player. (8)
GOLDEN QUEST N has hit board in 14 of 15 herself, and returns tonight to perhaps HER favorite barn -
chance to win even from out here, provided some trip luck comes her way. (7) MIKI ROSE has won 13 of
her local starts, and last week's gutsy victory extended her current winning streak to 4...but that streak will
really be put to the test against the top two! (2) SWEET SANDY LOU hit board in all 4 starts since
arriving from Canada, but still has to prove she really belongs with these - probably looking at a minor
piece this time. (4) WILDCAT ANTONIA was helped by an easy trip last week and was able to rally in the
stretch for 2nd - she's not the handiest mare around, and really catches a tough bunch tonight. (6) SAUBLE
DELIGHTFUL had already endured a tough trip last week before she broke to 3/4s - tough draw won't help
her cause. (1) PAIGES GIRL draws best, but that may be her only asset right now.
RACE 8 - (2) ESTEEM recently went through a rough patch but the 3YO seems to be on a good trajectory
right now, shipping in off a trio of 2nds in PA - catches a wide open field for his local debut, and may offer
some decent value. (1) TRAIN STATION is a very logical threat as he drops out of NYSS competition
while also drawing the pole - before falling too much in love, note that the barn had a similar entrant come
up disappointing just last week. (4) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER seems over the breaking issues that plagued
him a while ago - he shipped in off an easy win at Chester, and made short work of the locals in his YR
debut - would be no surprise at all if he was able to beat these too. (5) MOTLEY RAY has taken 2 of his
last 4 at Pocono for a very capable barn, and should fit nicely here too - one to consider if the price is fair.
(3) LOOTABLE was sent off favored his YR debut but weakened to a disappointing 3rd - raced ok last
week for 2nd, and could easily grab a good piece here...though others look a bit more appealing on top. (7)
EVERYBODYLOVESLOU is usually right in the hunt but there's a reason that he's just 1 for 20 - prefer a
few others ahead of him, though he certainly may outperform that 20-1 ML price. (6) SILK ROAD was
able to run and hide from cheaper last week but figures to have a much tougher time against these. (8) UN
DER YOUR SCARS beat softer in his YR debut but failed to threaten up in class last week - another bad
post could make him an outsider once more.
RACE 9 - (3) JUST BET IT ALL is getting the tepid call tonight - he showed good promise at 2 and was
off to a solid start at 3...but he really disappointed here on 7/4, then tired in his Adios Elimination in his last
start - we'll gamble that his powerful connections will have him ready for a much better try tonight. (5) MY
MIKI BEACH finished off the board for the first time all year 2 back but rebounded with a vengeance last
week, hitting the top and fending of all comers in a lifetime best 1:53.4 mile - have to respect his chances to
repeat. (2) ONTOP RAINMAN is usually somewhat ignored in the wagering but always seems to be
finishing with good pace - use in exotics. (4) JK GOING WEST has been unpredictable from start to start -
on his best, he can be a player here...but it's always hard to know what you'll get from him. (1) TO THE
HUNT draws best for a barn that's been going well but he does seem a notch below these. (6) EMINEM
HANOVER had an inauspicious debut here last week - seems damned if he leaves t night but also damned
if he doesn't!
RACE 10 - Tough to find a winner in this bunch! (1) CLEVELAND B MIKI is 0 for 12 to start his career
but he does have a 2nd and 5 3rds - he may get off to a better start from the pole tonight, and maybe he can
rally by tiring foes at the end. (4) CANT SWAY ME was a good trip 2nd 3 back then a close 4th (though
hanging late in his next) - he's gone miles that COULD beat these, but he also just 1 for 25 and likely to be
a pretty short price. (6) CIRCLING THE PREY won his local debut but hasn't been better than 3rd since
then - would consider using here IF the price was juicy enough. (5) T DOG has 5 career wins and certainly
capable of better efforts than he showed in his last pair - he's also listed as the 2-1 ML favorite with his
owner/trainer on board, and that would be tough to swallow. (2) ROCKINFORREAL won 5X at 2 but is 0
for 14 at 3- he does have a pair of recent 2nds, and that gives him at least a chance here (3) BEST BETTOR
is 1 for 50 lifetime and 0 for 36 here at Yonkers - minor piece only. (7) KID DID IT grabbed a good spot
last week then was well back in 4th at the end - Post 7 won't help his chances tonight. (8) MIKI DE VIE
seems to have regressed since adding Lasix 3 back...and now draws Post 8.
RACE 11 - (4) BACKSTREET SHADOW went a BIG mile in that win 2 back, pacing a :26.3 third panel
to go by the leader, before cruising to victory - he may have raced just as well last week, but ran into a razor
sharp LUCKBEWITHALEX on the lead and had to settle for 2nd...after pacing another sub :27 third panel
- steps up a notch, but remains the one to knock off. (2) WALKINSHAW N threw a dud last week but drops
right back in the box and usually bounces back quickly - maybe can rally late to complete the exacta? (1)
EUPHORIA N was 3rd to the top choice 2 back then a sharp front end winner in his last - prime candidate
to land somewhere on the ticket tonight. (3) YOROKOBI N is just 7-2-0-1 here in the U.S. but he's actually
raced well every start - he'll be coming late, possibly for a good piece. (5) DEEP INFATUATION N has a
win, 2nd, and 3rd from his 3 stateside starts, but it's still tough to gauge just how "good" he is - definitely a
chance for a small piece tonight, with the right trip. (6) SOUTHWIND PETYR gets a "drop", but still lands
in an exceptionally tough field....while also drawing poorly - may have to settle for a minor piece here. (7)
ALEX TYE and (7) LE TISSIER N have been good in the majority of their recent starts, but both face
uphill battles trying to get in play from out here.