RACE 1 – Well matched group in the Pop-Up FM Claiming Final: (4) CELCIUS didn’t actually win any of her 3
legs, but did race well each time – gets Bartlett back, a good draw, and may benefit from what could end up a hotly
contested affair. (3) PARADISE ROCK L shook free in the lane last week and charged home to score the 21-1 upset
– she’s another that could end up a late threat if things get hot and heavy up front. (7) RACEY RACH N just missed
in the first leg and then was a winner in her last pair – she’s really thriving for her new barn, but will definitely need
some trip luck to get it done from out here. (1) NUTTINBUTHEBEST broke leaving (off the claim) in the first leg
but raced “ok” for 3rds in her last pair – the good draw (and chance for a good trip) can put her in play for another
piece. (8) NIKASA N has two wins and three 2nds from her last 5 starts but really should have been able to hang on
in her last, and will now have to overcome the worst possible draw. (2) ROCKNROLL ANNIE left hard in both
starts after the claim and broke each tie– she qualified back nicely, but does seem quite iffy at the moment. (6) PINK
RUBY was smart to leave last week and parlayed the pocket trip into a 2nd place finish – she’s probably looking at a
tougher trip tonight, though. (5) SUGAR BRITCHES has shown little lately, and would be a surprise.
RACE 2 – (4) COVERED BRIDGE is obviously not close to his peak form, but he showed last week that he’s still
more than capable of handling these types (with a decent draw) – he does step up a bit, but remains the one to knock
off. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N never gets a lot of respect at the windows but he gets the potent combination of a class
drop AND major post relief, and there’s no reason he can’t be a close up factor from start to finish. (3) TWIN B DE
LUXE pounced on a perfect trip to score the upset 2 back but ended up hounded into submission in his last start, and
deserves a pass for tiring – could easily rebound for a good chunk with an easier journey. (2) VICI drops a notch but
hasn’t been on his best game lately – still, a solid chance to at least take home a small piece. (6) WALKINSHAW N
is listed at 20-1 ML but he’s legitimately sharp, and may be able to find a way to rally for a share...and add some
value to the exotics. (7) LYRICAL GENIUS A usually finishes with decent pace but figures to be too far back to
have any real say tonight. (5) SPLASH BROTHER is one of a few in the barn racing well this year...but he’s also
off a sick scratch, and loses Holland as well. (8) FIZZING N will look much better with a class drop next week.
RACE 3 – (1) FORTUNADA is a solid player at the $20K level and has 2 recent wins – she came up a bit short
against better last week, but the class drop (and rail) should help her bounce back with a sharper mile. (4) RAISE
THE ANTE has been able to overcome bad draws and still create trips for herself recently – starts from a better spot
tonight, and that may help her be a little stronger at the end of the mile. (3) DASH AND CACHE was a well-backed
winner off the claim last week, but also benefited from a perfectly timed move in a fairly soft field – she’ll need to
be a bit sharper tonight for a chance to battle for the top prize. (6) SPLIT POT finished with good pace from a tough
spot last week– gets a poor draw here, but still may be able to land somewhere on the ticket (5) PINE BUSH MAGA
used her gate speed to grab good trips the last 2 weeks but lacked a 2nd move each time – she’s 0 for 39 here at YR,
and should probably used for a small slice only. (8) THUNDRA picked up a 2nd and a 3rd in her last pair but from
good spots – could be looking at minor spoils tonight with the terrible draw. (7) EBONY LADY gets a big switch to
Bartlett but may not be sharp enough to really capitalize. (2) SUNSET SOPH is still trying to find her 2025 form.
RACE 4 – (2) SALE EL SOL had been hitting board every week then finally got over the top with a win 2 back (off
the claim), then won even easier last week – she’s feeling pretty good right now, and remains the one to beat (but
now for a new barn). (6) ONEDERFULBEACH was used hard last week before coming up 2nd best to the top choice
– she’s rock solid against these types, and could prove the main danger...even with the tough draw. (1) SUNBURNT
finished alertly last week and is looking at a good trip tonight – could easily land somewhere on the ticket. (5) IRIS
SEELSTER was ok 3 back, threw a clunker in her next but rebounded with another good effort last week – if she
shows up on her game, she can take home another good piece. (8) HURRIKANE LORI ANN debuts for a barn that
was winning at an insane rate with fresh stock a while back, but that has struggled (here at Yonkers) ever since last
June) – willing to throw in for 3rd/4th at a big price. (4) BETTER WATCH IT has become highly unreliable, and last
week’s effort is a perfect example – hard to back her with any real conviction right now. (3) BROOKDALE JESSIE
rallied nicely for 3rd last week (off a sick scratch), but it was also a “fall apart” race – always a chance for some
minor spoils. (7) DUCK INTO THE NITE would need things to just collapse up front to get close from out here.
RACE 5 – (1) OKINAWA BEACH A is sharp right now, may get the best trip among the main contenders in here
and should also be a “fair” price – makes her worth a stab. (4) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N was a very good 2nd to a
sharp FRONT PAGE STORY 2 back, then delivered a very sharp victory last week – hard to leave her off your
tickets. (5) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE comes into this with wins in 3 of her last 4 starts, the loss being a 2nd from Post
7 – the only “knock” is that she draws outside her main foes (and may still end up overbet). (3) ON THE MONEY
GB was away since July but has quickly come to form (in NJ) for her new barn – she has a good local history, and
may be able to grab a good piece of this. (2) PARTY CRUISER was a no-threat 3rd in her last 2 starts – faces a tough
bunch here, and may be looking at a smaller prize tonight. (6) FREESTARFLIGHT just hasn’t found her best form
in 2025 – tonight’s draw won’t help. (7) MC ANGEL used a good trip to be a close 2nd two back, but is looking at a
much tougher journey tonight. (8) CHARMING VIXEN could really use some class relief.
RACE 6 – (1) SMIFFYS TERROR N was handled conservatively in his U.S. debut but was full of pace in the lane
after shaking free, and charged on by for the win – he was hopelessly blocked all through the stretch in his next, then
finished up with good pace (from last) in a hopeless spot last week – drops, moves all the way inside, and should be
ready for a much more aggressive try. (6) BE DAZZLED LOU A was a game front end winner 2 back then kicked
home with crisp pace last week (off a bad date, from an impossible spot) – if A Nap can find a manageable trip
tonight, he can grab a piece of this. (7) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N doesn’t always finish all that great, but he DOES
also tire out those stuck trying to chase him – he’s been a player in his last 3 starts, and may be able to last for a
share tonight, as well. (8) MOMENT IS HERE faces an uphill battle from Post 8 but he just missed to the top choice
3 back, was 2nd to a classy front end winner in his next, then lacked room in the lane last week – chance for a piece,
but only with a good helping of racing luck. (3) WESTERN ERA was a front end winner 2 back but that line is
sandwiched between a pair of miscues – feels mighty risky at the moment! (2) ALADDIN overcame a bad trip to be
4th last week, and his form prior to that has been very solid – he’s up in class, but may still be able to squeeze out a
piece. (5) LOUS SWEETREVENGE is the same sluggo he’s always been, only he fires far less often these days –
could be one to go against, at a shortish price. (4) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A is racing well vs. easier, but may
struggle a bit vs. these tougher foes.
RACE 7 – (3) TICKERTAPE HANOVER was a good 3rd in his 2nd start of the year, disappointed a bit in his next
but was back on his game last week, a close 3rd after coming first over – he picked up 4 of his 11 wins last year here
at Yonkers, and tonight’s class drop may help him get to the winner’s circle for the first time in ’25. (1) ROCK DIA
MONDS N really disappointed 2 back (tired after grabbing a :58 half on the lead) but bounced right back with a
more typically sharp effort last week – drops a bit, lands the pole, and should be a big player from start to finish. (4)
BONDI LOCKDOWN A finally picked up his first U.S. victory last week (after many good efforts) and we’ll see if
that helps his confidence level – no reason he can’t be a big player here too. (5) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has been
helped by good trips lately but he’s also racing very well– willing to include underneath. (7) HAZEVILLE is another
that’s on his game right now, but hard to say if he can find a manageable trip from out here. (8) DUNKIN is a legit
Open performer that needs no introduction...he started to tail off at the end of last season (after TWO hard years of
racing) and it’s tough to say how serious he’ll be after 2 months off (from Post 8)– check the tote board? (2) JAHAN
HANOVER seems to do his best racing vs. a bit easier. (6) SLING SHOCK figures to be handled conservatively
after getting toasted last start.
RACE 8 – Tough race: (5) MACS MARVEL was a very good 2nd two back, even if disqualified – he had no prayer
last week (sitting 8th in a race where the leader crawled :59.4!) but he should fit well enough here to have a chance at
the upset. (6) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N had to qualify after a pair of unexpected miscues and he’s pretty camera
shy, in general – his best effort WOULD make him tough against these, however, so he may still be worth a look. (2)
GAMBLINGTERROR has been sneaky ok recently, and he does grab a few wins every season – worth considering
if the price is right. (4) GINGRAS BEACH hasn’t been great lately and his barn is struggling as well – still, he’s in
cheap enough here to at least be a threat. (8) METAL MAN just missed in his 2025 return but he also benefited from
a beautiful trip– that 2-1 ML price makes his hard to “love”. (7) EUPHORIA N has been “ok”, but may need a better
draw to be a serious threat right now. (1) ALEX TYE may have been a little better last time...still, tough to endorse
right now. (3) AUSSIE HANOVER may have a shot to rally for some minor spoils.
RACE 9 – (1) MOVIN ON UP was showing better signs recently so last week’s sharp 2nd was no big surprise – may
be ready to get back to the winner’s circle. (2) OCEAN RIDGE N hasn’t been embarrassing himself with better– this
may be a spot where he can have a bigger say. (5) C BET HANOVER finished right behind the top choice last week
in a solid try – worth including in exotics at a big price. (8) FREQUENT IMAGE disappointed last week in his YR
return – IF he brings one of his better efforts tonight, he can have a say...even from Post 8. (4) CASINO ACTION N
is 1 for 26 at YR but he does grab pieces, and may be able to do so with tonight’s class drop. (3) DELIGHTFUL DU
DE N drops, but has looked well short in his 2 starts this year. (6) HUGH HESTON may be better than he’s shown
but may also need a better draw before we see his best. (7) BUGABOO LOU just never clicked since joining his
current barn several months ago – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause.