RACE 1 - (7) VIOLETS RAINBOW is used to facing (and even beating) better than these - she's sharper
than her lines might look and she CAN beat these, if Kakaley is able to improve her position at the start -
should offer some decent value in tonight's opener. (3) ROSE RUN VANTAGE tied after a first over trip in
her local debut - was scratched sick from her next but returned on her game last week, scoring a sharp first
over victory - she can handle the class jump if she's as sharp tonight, but won't offer a lot of value at that
8/5 ML price. (2) COMMANDER CATHY N is a bit of an enigma, racing well in almost all of her starts
yet just 3 for 40 at Yonkers - she was right there 2nd last week, and remains a good one to include in
exotics. (1) DISARONNO HILL can usually be a player at this level (and even vs. a bit better) but her last
couple were dull tries - needs to get back to her better form if she hopes to be a serious threat tonight. (8)
SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL shipped in sharp from NJ and went a strong mile here too, coming up 2nd best to
#3 - will face a tougher task tonight, however, up in class and starting all the way outside. (5) LADYBELU
CKYTONITE lost to much easier many times last year so it's good to see her holding her form as she's
been climbing up the class ladder - chance to grab a piece if the trip goes her way. (6) MAGICAL MISTRE
SS just re-qualified after being away since October - good week to just keep an eye on her. (4) RIGHTFUL
LY MINE caved badly after trying to cut the mile last week - prefer to just observe, for tonight.
RACE 2 - (1) LIT DE ROSE rattled off 5 straight wins to close out 2022 including 3 in the Open....but just
like the rest of her barn, she's struggled since the calendar turned to 2023 (her trainer is 0 for 41, so far) -
showed some life rallying for 2nd (behind RACINE BELL) last week, and gets to call the shots from the
pole tonight - she really should be able to get her barn off the schneid here, but it would also be hard to rely
on her as the odds-on choice! (3) VILLAGE JADE threw a rare Yonkers dud 2 back but bounced back with
a solid try at Dover - she's recently beaten this class here twice, and looms the main danger should the top
one fail to deliver. (4) JIVE DANCING A raced well in all 3 starts since returning from the winter break,
and should be able to rally for a decent chunk tonight- use in exotics. (5) BABS JANSEN is ultra consistent
but does prefer to be in a bit cheaper, and hasn't won in some time - maybe 3rd/4th? (7) TECHYS ANGEL
got really sharp for several starts but was unable to get involved in her last couple - drops, but that may be
offset by the terrible draw - another possibility for 3rd/4th. (2) EDGE OF ETERNITY definitely does her
best work with much easier - the good draw does give her a shot to tow along for a minor share, though. (6)
ALTA MADEIRA N has been away for a couple of months and draws poorly for her return - will probably
just observe, for now.
RACE 3 - (4) MAJAACKKOBE resurfaced for a new barn in 2023 and picked up a 2nd and a 3rd from his
2 local starts - was claimed last week by a barn that often improves fresh stock considerably, so this may
not be a bad week to hop on board. (7) UNICO LEGEND N hadn't been a threat here in a long time before
Bartlett (unexpectedly) put him on the front end 2 back and was able to deliver the 32-1 shocker- the public
jumped all over him the next week and he was able to win again, this time at 6/5! - looks to make it 3 in a
row, and that's definitely a possibility against this group. (3) KINGSTONS BAD BOY was claimed for
$20K on 1/20, didn't click for his new barn then was re-claimed for $15K by his previous connections - he's
definitely good enough to be a player here...but hard to use on top, as his trainer has just one win and one
2nd from 70 local starts (since 2018). (5) KIMANI N hasn't landed on a good trip in a while, and only been
able to pick up smaller pieces as a result - may be looking at a similar scenario tonight. (8) BARRYWHITE
HANOVER has been sharp for quite a while, finishing 2nd in his last 4 local starts - he'll start from the far
outside for a new barn tonight, and may have a hard time keeping that streak alive here. (1) CASHNCAM
broke in his last 2 local starts - shipped down to Freehold (where he did NOT have to re-qualify), and did
race well in his last couple - total guessing game as to what we'll see from him tonight. (2) AWESOMENE
SS hasn't been sharp in quite some time - hard to endorse right now, but a wake up call is always possible.
(6) ARTMAGIC just never clicked after being taken for $25K last September.
RACE 4 - (2) SHOREVIEW is rarely the top choice here (he has a pretty low win % the past few years)
but this may be a good week to give him a look- he changed hands last start and was really pacing hard
through the wire, rallying in the lane from 7th to 3rd - as long as the price is fair (he's 9-1 ML), he's worth a
stab. (1) FLYING ART A dropped in for a $25K tag last week, blasted to the front from Post 7 but was
cooked having to park another longshot leaver - drops down to 20s, draws the pole, and has to be
considered a legitimate player. (6) MINGO JOEL finally was able to win for his current connections on
2/17 then came right back to take another last week - he's a threat to make it 3 straight for his red hot barn,
but he draws poorly (up in class) and may be a bit vulnerable at another short price. (4) ROBBIE BURNS
N was a little better last week, and will go for a new barn tonight - he does have some back class, and
perhaps his new conditioner can help him find some...worth a look if the price is juicy enough. (5)
MARINER SEELSTER is racing "ok", but clearly not the same horse that was on a seemingly endless form
spree at ages 12 and 13 - would use in exotics, but looking elsewhere for the top slot. (8)
LETTUCERIPRITAA usually rebounds quickly from disappointing tries and that's exactly what happened
last week - he's in an awful spot tonight, but he does have 14 wins from his last 46 local starts....never a bad
idea to consider him at a big price. (7) HEART ON MY SLEEVE had a terrible trip last week after just
missing the start before that - hard to see a way into the hunt for him tonight, however. (3) POSH ONTHE
BEACH A has fallen apart in his last few (after being claimed on 1/17 for $25K).
RACE 5 - (3) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N had some decent outings lately but nothing like the monster win
he delivered last week (at 13-1) - if he can come up with a similar effort tonight, he'll have a solid chance to
repeat, even up a bit in class. (1) MIKEY CAMDEN was no factor from bad posts in 2 of his last 3 starts
but did easily wire a bit cheaper from Post 4, sandwiched in between - he should be able to land on another
good trip tonight, and that puts him in play for a good piece of this. (7) HEISMAN PLAYER is very comfy
at this level, and comes off a solid 2nd behind DRAGON SAID - if Boyd can leave enough to find him a
decent early spot, he can add some value to this ticket. (4) AIR FORCE HANOVER folded after being used
hard last week but did pick up a pair of pocket 2nds just prior to that - if he can find another easy trip, he
can take home a small share. (5) EDDARD HANOVER seems to be heading in the right direction now -
moves up to face tougher now, but he's another that can grab a decent piece...with the right trip. (6)
PRAIRIE PANTHER hadn't been all that sharp for a few starts but did race a bit better last week - tough
draw, and some trip luck will be needed if he hopes to rally for a piece. (2) GOTTA MINUTE N hasn't hit
board in his 4 local starts and his barn has yet to hit board this year - prefer others. (8) DARK ENERGY N
doesn't figure to get involved from Post 8 - keep an eye for future consideration.
RACE 6 - (2) MORNING HAS BROKEN was stuck first over into a sharp 3rd panel in last week's Open
and did hold well for 4th, though unable to get close enough to test the leader - she gets some class relief
here, and has beaten these types many times in the past - the one to knock off tonight. (3) SEZANA N was
an "auto toss" for a long time (even in bottom classes) but she's really found her from of late, and now has
to be considered a live player even at this high level - good chance she can outperform that 12-1 ML price!
(5) UPTOWN HANOVER's last is hard to gauge - she did get beat by a couple of legitimate Matchmaker
hopefuls in the lane, but also didn't kick home all that strong after grabbing a very easy 3/4s - she's a little
inconsistent lately but IF she brings her best tonight, she can land somewhere on the ticket. (6) ROCK N
PHILLY seemed to come back very sharp after a few months off but it also seems like she might have
already leveled off - we should have a better idea after tonight as to where she's at right now. (1) MIKI
ROSE was terrific here in '22, climbing the classes while compiling a 13-8-2-1 record - she's been away
since late September, and it's very possible that she'll need a start or two before we see her best - definitely
wouldn't take a short price here, even for our leading barn. (7) MAN DONTFORGET ME has been very
good in 2023 but did get a little weak at the end last week - draws Post 7 now, and also drops a win off the
bottom of her card after tonight....guessing she may be handled conservatively tonight. (8) TUGGINGONC
REDIT was a nice 6-1 winner for us last week, helped greatly by a sharp drive from Kakaley - will have
trouble reaching tonight, however. (4) NEWSY N just seems a bit overmatched against a bunch of these.
RACE 7 - (4) MAJOR DESIRE went a big mile 2 back only to take a brutal late beat at 10-1 - was sharp
again last week, but just couldn't rally past a couple of sharp, classy foes...should still be a nice price here,
and is capable of beating these if the trip goes his way. (2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A has found the
fountain of youth, and the 14Y) is now 5-4-1-0 here to start the new year - he has a knack for stealing easy
trips, but has shown that he can still rally when necessary - remains a very real threat, even up in class. (5)
PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN is a "youngster" at age 13, and HE has also started off the year strong (4-0-2-2)
- he gave it a big try on the lead last week (before tiring late to 3rd), and remains a threat in his current
form. (3) BETTOR BE OSCAR just missed here in 30s three starts back - dropped to 25s last week, and
finished well for 3rd, after a brief shuffle - may be able to beat these, but definitely is worth including in
exotics. (6) PEDRO HANOVER used beautiful trips to win 2 and 3 starts back - was insanely overbet for
his last (1/10!), and failed to fire in the lane after a nice 2nd over trip - goes for a new barn tonight, and will
offer a much better price if you think he can win from Post 6. (1) BETTER UP has been racing ok at Monti,
but may be ambitiously placed here - he was also 0 for 14 at Yonkers last season. (7) AINTNOBETTOR A
lands outside for a cold barn - wait for a better spot to consider.
RACE 8 - (4) LUCKY ARTIST A finished with good pace from too far back last week, but was a winner
in both starts prior to that - she can handle pretty much any trip that comes her way, and that'll give Boyd
different options depending on what happens at the start - usually offers good value, even though she's been
sharp for a long time. (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N won 15 of her 36 Yonkers starts in 2021-22, and is
already 4-2-1-1 to start the new year - lands "outside", but can never be too far back in a 5 horse field, and
Kakaley will surely be a suitable "fill in" for Stratton (who understandably drives #1 tonight) - would be
hard to leave her off your tickets. (2) TRICK OF THE LIGHT just missed to #4 in her first Yonkers try (as
the odds on choice), but did make amends with a game front end score the next week - the 4YO acts like
she can hold her own with these, but that 2-1 ML price makes her a little unattractive for the win slot. (3)
DRAGONS LUCKY LADY was dominating the 50s for a while and hasn't embarrassed herself in a couple
of Open tries for her new connections - wouldn't be all that surprised if she was able to beat these, but not
ready to BET on that just yet. (1) EASY TO PLEASE is a legitimate Open performer when sharp, but her
qualifier and first start back suggest she may not be at peak form yet - does add Lasix, though!
RACE 9 - (4) I DRAINTHESWAMP A was overdriven in his first local try and understandably had little
left late in the mile - drew Post 8 for his next and was sitting last when the leader took them over the half in
:58.3 (leaving him with no prayer whatsoever) - lands in a field full of shaky rivals here, and this feels like
a good spot to pick up his first local (and U.S.) victory. (1) BARON MICHAEL is used to facing (and
sometimes beating) better, and starts from the best spot tonight - should be the main danger. (7) ARTIST
BEST was struggling a bit in some good 3-5YO $50K claiming fields but did pick up a 2nd at PcD last
week, with some class relief - there are several struggling entrants in here, and he's a good one to use in
exotics...at that 20-1 ML price. (3) FREE ON THE BEACH showed little in his local debut but does hail
from a live barn, and is eligible to be a little better the 2nd time around - maybe 3rd/4th? (2) CAVIART
SARGENT didn't just disappoint as the odds-on choice last week, he actually raced more like a 50-1 shot -
he's been struggling for a long time, and hard to consider at that 2-1 ML price. (6) GOTHIC ROCK hadn't
been finishing well enough lately but was just no good at all last start - tough draw for tonight, and he'll
need to be a lot better to contend for a piece. (8) AIR GUITAR seems to know how to win races out of
town, but is incredibly camera shy here at YR- Post 8 isn't going to make things any easier. (5) RHODENA
ROAD finished well back in his first try off the layoff - pass for now.
RACE 10 - (3) BETTOR SUN came up 2nd best in his last couple behind a pair of very sharp winners -
catches a couple of solid foes in here as well, but we'll give him a chance to get over the hump and get his
picture taken. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM failed to deliver as the favorite once again last week, but did
actually race very well - he's going to get it done one of these nights....maybe tonight? (2) L DEES JACK
LOPEZ found his best game last week, popped out of the pocket and kicked home strong for the
convincing victory - he's strung together sharp tries in the past, and has to be seen as a threat to repeat -
even moving up a bit in class. (1) LYONS PEGASUS had no prayer from horrible posts in his first 3 local
tries but it all together the next week, wiring' em from Post 4 - was looking to cut the mile again last week
but broke as he was getting the top, recovered, then was parked :26.3 and broke again on turn two - really
impossible to know which version we'll get tonight! (5) SARANAC BLUE CHIP just hasn't been on his
best game lately - would need a big wake up to contend for a top slot right now. (7) SANTAFES COACH
hasn't been sharp and draws poorly for a struggling barn - wait for a better scenario. (8) ON THE VIRG
broke at the start last week but that seemed to fire him up, as he went a BIG mile after recovering to score
the victory - as good as he was that night, it's hard to see him any serious impact from all the way out here.
(6) AINT HE SPECIAL has been off his game for a while - we'll see if the class change helps at all.