RACE 1 - (4) DEERFIELD BEACH shipped in very sharp from NJ but never was able to get close from
Post 8 - moves inside now, catches a very modest field, and may quickly revert to that sharper form - gets
the nod for tonight's opener. (2) VILLAGE CHAMP had trouble making up any ground into a quick final
half last week but drops to the bottom level for tonight, draws inside, and figures to have a big say in the
outcome - would be no surprise at all. (1) SLUGGEM N looked to cut the mile last week but was worn
down by the sharp winner, and weakened to 3rd - wasn't a bad try, and he should be able to be a big factor
tonight as well with the rail draw - use in exotics. (6) CINNABAR DRAGON wasn't bad 3 back, then had
excuses in his last couple - he's far from reliable, but may be able to add some value to the ticket if the trip
goes his way. (5) THEREISAPACEFORUS was well backed last week but never able to get untracked in a
disappointing effort - probably looking at only a minor share tonight. (7) FAST ON THE DRAW is 0 for 23
here (last 2 years), draws outside with no real speed and may have to wait for a (much) better spot in order
to be a legit player. (3) COACH CAL's last few have been very weak - will need a major wake up! (8)
RISKY MILLION gets a catch driver for tonight but seems a bit cheap, while also landing Post 8.
RACE 2 - (1) SECRET BRO had no prayer in his last 2 starts (8 holes) but was a solid 4th in the Preferred
a start before that, with a pair of 2nds just before that (one level down) - feels like a good spot for him to
work out a good trip, and be a major threat. (4) HOMER HALL is clearly on the upswing and his barn is
(finally) starting to win some races again - very logical here, but won't offer any value as the 8/5 ML choice
(3) KASHA V has been going more good miles than bad lately, and his last effort was solid (close 4th
behind 3 nice foes) - definitely a shot to land somewhere on this ticket. (2) STINGLIKE A B K was pretty
sharp for a while but he really had no excuse to not be 2nd last week - could easily rebound with a much
better effort tonight, but we're leaning to a couple of others at the moment. (5) GREY was a jogburger
winner here 3 back with Zeron in the bike - goes back to a catch driver for tonight (Brennan), but this is a
much tougher spot - she'll have to prove she can hang with these classier rivals. (6) KANDY SWEET was
very sharp winning 2 in a row but was no factor at all moving up to this level last week - outside draw may
leave him in the same boat tonight. (7) IN MY DREAMS gets stuck all the way outside, and we'll wait for
him to drop in class next week, and hopefully draw much better.
RACE 3 - (1) RANSOM DEMAND beat these 4 back, got parked the mile in his next (excuse), then was a
good 2nd to a sharp winner last week - one of a few that could take this, but the draw gives him the edge.
(4) WILD WEST has struggled mightily here for the past 2 years but was a much different horse in his last
2 starts, picking up solid 2nds each time - have to start considering him as a legitimate player if he's going
to keep racing this way. (2) MASTERSON was the horse that helped to re-start his trainer's career a few
years ago, but note that he's 0 for 18 here over the past 3 seasons - his Monti form certainly suggests that he
can beat these, but it's hard to take too short a price knowing the struggles he's had here since 2018! (3)
LODI MACHETE MAN was no good at all last week but his overall form has actually been solid - he'll be
a good price here if you think he can bounce right back with a sharper mile. (6) ENERYGYZONE HANO
VER was able to pick up (a distant) 3rd last week after saving ground - maybe can grab another small piece
tonight? (5) BRINGITHOME N has yet to hit board in 6 starts this year, and will need to find more if he
hopes to grab a piece of this. (7) ROCK ON PRECIOUS just lost interest in the back last week and is
facing a similar scenario tonight. (8) AMERICAN SONIC was an even 4th last week but the move outside
figures to limit his participation tonight.
RACE 4 - (1) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY has been plagued by bad posts lately but he moves all the way inside,
here, drops down to the level of the claim, and we'll give him the narrow edge. (6) PEMBROKE JOEY just
wasn't sharp at all last week but the 4 weeks off may have played a role in that - good to see him right back
in the box, gets some class relief, and could offer some decent value tonight. (2) BLACKTREE was an easy
winner one level down 3 back, then was 2nd at this level last week (to the new and improved Rough Odds)
- very logical player from this spot. (4) BEGINNERS LUCK ships in off a pair of nice 2nds at PcD and
would seem to fit well with these - not sure he can get the lead, though, and may end up hurting his own
chances trying for it at all costs - insist on a good price is using on top. (7) BRACKLEY BEACH is much
improved since changing barns in April but remains an in-and-out sort - consider him only if the price is
pretty juicy. (3) LANAS DESIRE wasn't "good" last week, but it's the most he's "functioned" in a long time
- keep an eye to see if he continues to improve. (8) GRANDPA DON finished with belated pace last week
and probably is a good fit here...unfortunately, another 8 hole draw will probably leave him too far back to
really threaten again. (5) CHACHING HANOVER needs to find an easier spot...preferably where he can be
handled more aggressively.
RACE 5 - (7) TIGERS WAY blasted from Post 8 vs. better last week, ended up with a 3 hole trip but
seemed a bit hard to steer in the stretch (and lost any chance) - drops into a MUCH easier filed tonight, and
it would be hard to imagine Lachance NOT leaving here, after what he did last week - have to give him a
shot at 20-1 ML. (3) MISTER DONALD A has several recent out of town lines that would give him a
decent chance against these - seems like a very legit threat. (1) IWONTDOTHATAGAIN may have gotten
a bit discouraged in the stretch last week after not finding room - definitely will use his speed again tonight,
and has a chance to be a player from start to finish. (4) YAYAS HOT SPOT N wasn't terrible last week, but
his overall disastrous year now has him at 16-0-0-2 (he was so well regarded that he made starts in the
Borgata!) - he'll jump up and win one of these weeks, but hard to select him as the 2-1 ML choice! (6)
DEEDENUTO A just hasn't worked out since arriving from Down Under - only seems to get minor pieces,
and seems destined for the same tonight. (2) MAGRITTE not only can't get back to his "good' form, he
may actually be getting worse - hard to endorse right now. (8) FOREVENALWAYS shows that nice win 2
back but little else recently - hard to see him getting involved from Post 8. (5) BUNGALOW BILL N has
been up the track in both starts since returning from the layoff - remains a pass.
RACE 6 - (2) MACHING TIME was an easy winner here 3 back (at 2-1) - no luck in his last pair after
being claimed, but now moves to a high % barn for this week, draws well, and does like to win races -
worth a look from this spot. (3) ELRAMA is a very legit player at this level whenever he lands on a good
trip - he should be a good price tonight, and is worth including on your tickets. (5) ROUGH ODDS was
going off at huge odds and finishing up the track every week in Ohio....then moved to his current barn,
somehow was sent off at EVEN MONEY at Chester, and improved by about 20 lengths to crush his rivals -
shipped in to YR after that and won just as convincingly, as the odds on choice - he's clearly the one to beat
but he is moving up a notch, and he did throw a few funky steps on the final turn last time - maybe he's a
bit vulnerable? (4) PLAY THE FIELD almost pulled off a 70-1 shocker from Post 8 two back, then was a
solid 3rd in last - keep using him underneath. (1) MARINER SEELSTER has extremely solid form but he's
moving from one of our top barns to a trainer that's just 1 for 77 at Yonkers since 2016 - he may regress
tonight at a fairly short price. (7) SCRAPPIN GOLD moves from the rail to Post 7 and unless things get
really testy up front, it'll be hard for him to get into the hunt. (8) MAJOR BUCKS has been a very steady
$15K claimer, but he draws Post 8 vs. the 20s tonight, and may have to wait for a better spot. (6) ARTMA
GIC was a weak first over from the rail in last, and now moves out to Post 6.
RACE 7 - (7) HEY LIVVY trotted the fastest mile ever at Yonkers in her qualifier, so it was certainly no
surprise to see her come out and win impressively in her first local start - tonight's draw could make things
more difficult, but she's just too good right now to go against. (6) MISSISSIPPI STORM gave the top one a
legitimate tussle before giving way late last week, and he does draw inside his rival tonight - gets a new
pilot this week, but that shouldn't really matter- the main threat. (1) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN was stuck
in the back the last 2 weeks and never got involved, but did upset this class the start before that - draws best
here, and his barnmates were looking pretty good on Thursday night - willing to include underneath.(5)
HILL OF A HORSE finished right behind the top pair last week after missing by a nose the week before -
definitely sharp right now, but hard to say if he'll get a trip that will carry him into contention. (4) MELAD
YS MONET rarely goes a bad mile but his last couple of efforts that he may not be in peak form right now
- may have to settle for a minor piece tonight. (8) PATRIARCH HANOVER has won his last 4 YR starts
but it still seems a bit unfair to force him to draw for the outside in his first try at this top level (and of
course, he lands Post 8) - not sure he'll ever get close enough to threaten. (2) MAGICAL JOURNEY moves
up after being no factor vs. easier in last - has had a few good tries in this class, but seems up against it right
now. (3) THE LAST CHAPTER generally struggles when he makes it up to the Open.
RACE 8 - (6) EFFRONTE A shows no particularly appealing current form but neither did Rough Odds or
Fashiononthebeach before they moved to this barn and were transformed overnight...not to mention that
Bartlett hops off a barn that he almost ALWAYS drives for (#3) to drive this guy - we'll hop on board too.
(1) TOM ME GUN N was "sneaky good" in back to back 8 hole tries and now moves all the way inside -
very logical player. (2) TITANIUM N has yet to hit board in 6 tries this year but he's also drawn outside in
most of them - license to find a better effort from this spot. (3) ARCHANGEL THREE has been struggling
out of town, but he does have a good history here at Yonkers - it's the rare occasion that Bartlett won't be
driving for this barn, but he's actually done well here with Brennan in the past. (7) IN SPADES is another
that has fallen on some hard times, and hoping that a return to YR will get him rejuvenated - not sure that'll
happen from Post 7, though. (5) TEXICAN N is just 1 for 17 this year (racing mostly at Fhd.) and while he
hasn't been bad, it's hard to imagine how the 13YO can be the 5/2 ML favorite (8) ART NUKEM would be
a consideration for exotics against these from a better post...but he'll be hard pressed to get himself into
play from out here. (4) SECRECY was empty after a sick scratch in last - we'll wait for a better effort.
RACE 9 - (4) NEW HEAVEN has been pretty good in most of his recent starts, gets some class relief, and
should land on a decent trip here - gets the narrow vote in field with a few viable contenders. (1) DELTAS
UN N drew Post 8 in his only other local try (2020) but moves all the way inside this time - his lines
suggest he'll be a good fit here, and he's worth using....as long as he's not overbet. (2) FULL RIGHTS will
appreciate the class relief but he does seem to be tailing a bit after a very long run of solid efforts - may be
a bit iffy right now. (5) BLUE AND BOLD is back feeling good again, and steps up tonight after winning
his last pair - definitely can rally for a piece of this. (3) REIGN OF HONOR has been sharp at Stga. but vs.
much lesser competition - the back class is there, but we'll see if his current connections can get it out of
him (not a big fan at that 2-1 ML price). (6) EYE OFA TIGER AS seemed to be back on the upswing
before reverting to old bad habits in last - he's a guessing game almost all the time these days. (7) FOMOR
perked up with a much better effort last week, but now lands Post 7 up in class. (8) WINDSONG
PIONEER draws Post 8 off a sick scratch - we'll just pass (and watch) for now.
RACE 10 - (1) PROVEN DESIRE is not the same horse he once was but he raced ok in his last, and might
respond to an aggressive try from this spot - there just isn't much form in this field, and the 9YO may be
able to take advantage. (5) ZIGGY SKY picked up a 3rd from off the pace 2 back, then held the show spot
after cutting the mile in last - certainly worth a look at 12-1 ML. (6) OUR MAJORDAN A has fallen on
hard times and we pegged him to be a vulnerable favorite in his last (which he turned out to be) - he does
drop to the bottom level now and he WILL win eventually...maybe this is the spot? (2) CAVIART
STETSON shipped in from Indiana and was able to beat a cheaper field at Tioga for his new trainer - the
good draw probably gives him a chance at a decent piece here too. (3) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR was
sluggish throughout in his local debut so it's hard to like him as the 2-1 ML choice in here - will need to be
a lot better than last week to be a threat. (7) SUPERIOR RAVEN has some good out of town tries vs.
cheaper, but was empty off a good cover trip in his start here 3 back. (4) WINNING LINC just throws way
more clunkers than good miles - would need a really big price to use him. (8) VELOCITY KOMODO
draws his 3rd straight hole...and he failed to beat a horse the last two times.
RACE 11 - (2) WITH OUT A DOUBT made a break 3 back at PcD but has otherwise been terrific lately,
with 2 wins and 3 seconds in her last 6 starts - went a couple of really big miles here last winter, and seems
to be hitting on all cylinders for her Hilltop return. (1) WHAT CHAPTER hasn't had much luck here in the
past but he's another that's been doing some good work out of town - willing to give him a chance to do
some local damage too. (7) NO MAS DRAMA was a big earner at 2 and 3, and has continued to do fine
work as a 4YO, for new connections - her local record looks good "on paper", but she's had some trouble
getting over the half miler here in the past....make sure to get a decent price if using her from out here. (4)
LINDSEYS PRIDE was an "ugly" winner 3 back, gave way as the odds on choice in his next, then tired
badly at Chester in his last - just doesn't seem to be anywhere close to top form at the moment. (5) BARRY
BLACK is another that definitely has been off his best game but a few of his barnmates raced very well last
night - maybe he'll pick up his game too? (6) COOL CLIFFORD was a pretty tired winner last week, and
will be facing tougher tonight - outside draw doesn't help either. (8) P L KETCHUP was just "ok" in that
win 3 back but his last 2 wins were legitimate - gets stuck with Post 8 while moving up in class here, and
that 3 race streak will surely be in major jeopardy. (3) TAD KRAZY HANOVER just hasn't been sharp
lately, and will need a much improved performance to have any chance.
RACE 12 - (1) HUNDIE N just missed from Post 7 last week, charging home to miss by a nose - steps up a
notch but this class is well within his comfort zone, and he's clearly the one to beat moving in to the rail
(and getting Brennan back on board). (3) OZONE BLUE CHIP had a useful start at Chester last week (off a
sick scratch) and that should have him ready for a strong mile tonight - may be the main danger. (5)
CLASSIC PRO was dull last time but that was from Post 7, vs. better, off a bad date -- have a feeling he'll
be a much more serious player this time around. (6) SWEET TRUTH was able to wire cheaper here 4 starts
back but that's really been his only hurrah since a purchase last winter - might be able to rally late for a
small piece with these. (8) BELTANE A was pretty game for 2nd last week but now gets stuck all the way
outside while moving up in class. (2) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING would look a lot more attractive one level
down, but the good draw may help him just tow along for a piece. (4) WAVES OF FIRE A was a surprising
claim considering he's just 1 for 31 over the past years - showed nothing in his first try for new connections,
and we'll see if he can do any better here. (7) STRATEONTILMORNING is hard to gauge off those out of
town lines but he certainly appears to be a bit cheaper - we'll learn more after tonight.