RACE 1 - (7) PEPPER GUY really seemed to be on the skids and risky even at this bottom level but he
turned in a much better effort last week, 2nd best behind a sharp winner (while easily beating the others) - a
quick start would give him a good chance here, even from Post 7. (4) BAKERSFIELD had a tough trip
while dropping to 12.5s last week but was an okay 4th - may look to show speed tonight, and that could
help him land a good trip - possibility. (1) LOTTERY WINNER is back functioning again, and picked up a
pair of 2nds in his last 2 starts - draws best, and certainly belongs in exotics. (3) COACH CAL had no
interest from Post 8 last week, but it might be a good idea just to ignore that start - anything close to his
"usual" mile would make him a live player tonight. (2) KINGSTONS BAD BOY did beat the 15s two back
but didn't look good in his last pair - drops and draws well, so it wouldn't really be a shock to see him race
better tonight. (6) PANTHEON HANOVER does pick up pieces, but he's 1 for 39 over the last 2 years and
hard to consider for anything more than a minor award. (5) NIALL HANOVER is 13-0-0-1 this year and
his 3 year Yonkers slate is 7-0-0-1 -- sticking with others. (8) CAROLINA MAGIC doesn't figure to be able
to get into the race from out here.
RACE 2 - (6) CINNABAR DRAGON was an upset winner at this level 2 back but not quite up for the
aggressive try vs. 50s last week - drops back down, and several of these are pretty questionable at this $40K
level - perhaps Dube will still have the hot hand he enjoyed earlier this week. (2) BARON MICHAEL will
definitely appreciate the class drop, as the 50s always seemed a little too much for him - chance for a good
chunk here with the right trip. (7) SHERIFF N beat this class as the 4/5 choice 3 back but that was from the
pole - would need a pretty good price to try him from Post 7. (1) ROCK N TONY hasn't really clicked yet
for his current connections, but may be looking at an easier trip here - chance to land somewhere in the
exotics. (3) EL JACKO N appreciated the class relief out of town and returns to Yonkers with a 2 race win
streak - he's definitely a possibility here, but not one to get excited about at that 9/5 ML price. (4) PICARD
A has done his best recent work with lesser - has to prove that he can be effective with these as well. (5)
YOUMAKEMYHEARTSING did grab a 4th here in this class 4 starts down (for a different barn) - just not
convinced yet that he doesn't really need to be in cheaper.
RACE 3 - (4) SHANWAY N was sneaky good 2 back (no room to pace) then was a good 3rd last week,
behind the sharp top pair - tonight's class drop may be enough to put him over the top. (3) THE DOWNTO
WN BUS finally broke his 2 year local losing streak last week and was sharp in the process, pacing a big
3rd qtr. first over and still wearing down the leader in the stretch - would be no surprise if he was able to
repeat. (2) GAMBLING ADDICTION was nowhere to be found from outside posts the last 2 starts but
when he drew inside (3 back), he came up 2nd best - possibility for quick improvement tonight. (1) SHINY
BLACK BEA MER was towed around the track for 2nd from a similar spot last week - chance to grab a
small piece with another easy trip. (6) HEAVENLY SOUND picked up a (very) rare local win last week,
but did race very well to do so - maybe can rally late for 3rd? (5) MISSION BAY definitely seems below
the main players here, but he does have a chance for a minor award. (7) LATE MAIL N hung brutally after
a perfect trip from the pole last week and now has to deal with Post 7 - prefer others. (8) LOUIE LOUIE is
struggling AND draws the worst post - bad combination!
RACE 4 - (5) MISTER REBBILY A is worth a stab tonight - most of his current efforts have been lacking
but he moves to a new barn for tonight, and this outfit has repeatedly improved fresh stock significantly -
catches a field full of question marks, and this could be a winning spot. (2) SAILBOAT HANOVER has his
moments, and usually when he catches a suspect field like this - can be a big player if he shows up in a
good mood. (4) FOX VALLEY INFERNO has been struggling for some time, but does drop into a much
easier spot - a wake up call would be no surprise against these. (1) ASTON HILL DAVE has been ok in his
last pair, and should be able to work out a decent trip from the pole - ok for exotics. (3) RISKY MILLION
charged home totally unexpectedly last week, almost getting up at 40-1 - suppose he could do it again and
be right there....but that effort was just way out of line from most of his other starts - mixed feelings! (8)
FLYING FINN N probably fits ok with these and gets Bartlett on board - would need a lot bigger price than
that 4-1 ML to consider him, though. (6) SECRECY rarely wins, but does bring home his share of smaller
pieces - tough draw tonight, however. (7) TIGER BARON draws Post 7 after missing 24 days - pass her.
RACE 5 - (8) HILLEXOTIC has been super since the recent barn change...and was actually a very nice
trotter even before that - crushed a similar field here from Post 7 on 4/1, and has continued to race very well
across the river since then - tonight's class was created specifically for him ("NW13PM Races"), and he
should be able to cash in ...even from Post 8. (3) FANATIC just wasn't at his best last week (slop, new
barn?) but he's better than most of these on his typical effort - could rebound tonight, and complete this
exacta. (4) NEXTROUNDSONME was racing well but without a victory....until using a perfectly timed
move to score easily last week - can pick up a good piece tonight, as well. (1) NEW HEAVEN has done his
best work with easier this year, but still figures to be an up close player from start to finish with these. (2)
KINDA LUCKY LINDY was a winner last week, but definitely helped by a slow final half (and quarter) -
likely looking at a smaller share this time around. (7) SO LONG HANOVER lands in a tough spot tonight
after using a ground saving trip to pick up 2nd last week - not sure he'll be able to get in play from out here.
(6) P L OSCAR has been very solid (vs. cheaper) for some time, and was a nice winner for his new
connections last week - steps up in class and moves outside now, and this assignment may be a little out of
his range. (5) BIZET is off 23 days and may be a notch below these regardless.
RACE 6 - (5) AMERICAN BOY N was well backed last week and delivered the sharp first over win -
we'll stick with him one more time. (3) MAGRITTE was handled very conservatively by Bartlett last week,
as if he knew he wasn't going to be at his best - drops right back in the box (for the same $40K tag), so it
would seem that there's no major issues...legitimate player. (6) I GET THAT was our choice last week and
he jogged at 5-1, dropping down to 30s - steps back up tonight, but he's held his own at this level in the past
too - the post is a valid concern, but a live trip could see him right there once more. (1) MISSILE SEELST
ER is probably more at home one level down, but the rail draw should put him in the hunt for a good piece
- use underneath. (8) SWEET N FAST figures to have a hard time getting involved from all the way out
here but he's definitely sharp, and should be a pretty big price - would consider using for 3rd.4th. (2) BOLT
OF LUCK drops down to 40s but it's possible that he'll need to drop even more to really be effective -
prefer others. (7) JIMS PERFECT TEN was hitting the top quickly last week but something went wrong
and Bongiorno had to grab him up and back off to last - drops down to 40s after that try, and has to be seen
as "iffy" for tonight. (4) TONY TOO TALL tired vs. the 50s off the claim last week and immediately drops
in for $10K less than the claim price - sure feels like a major red flag.
RACE 7 - (1) SHADRACK HANOVER improved when hopples were added a while back and it seems
that adding Lasix 2 back has helped as well - showed last week at PcD that he can hold his own vs. older
rivals, and catches a few vulnerable rivals tonight in his Hilltop return - willing to try him, as long as the
price is fair. (5) SWANSEA is very consistent, and figures to be able to work out yet another good trip
tonight - needs to be stronger at the END of his miles, though. (4) HUNTING AS just hasn't been on his
best game in a while, but this feels like a spot where he can at least race well enough for a piece. (7)
SWEET SOUL DAVID is moving up in class but did rally very nicely for 2nd last start - if he can land on a
live trip, he may be able to make some noise here. (6) JUDGE BOB was hurt by dull cover in his local
debut last week, but wasn't terrible - he seems capable of better, and maybe we'll see that from him tonight.
(2) INNISFALLEN ships in with 3 wins in his last 4 starts but for whatever reason, he just never seems to
thrive here at Yonkers - we'll see if it's any different this time. (3) FULL RIGHTS looked like he was ready
to really step up his game but quickly leveled off (and maybe even started to regress again) needs to be
better. (8) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE is actually very good right now and does fit nicely - best efforts come
on/near the lead, however, and that's going to be a tall task from out here.
RACE 8 - (3) ROCK LIGHTS was a bit disappointing in his last start but the subsequent sick scratch may
have been at least part of the reason - he went a couple of BIG efforts shortly after the recent claim, and
anything close to that would make him tough tonight...obviously risky off that last sick scratch, so make
sure to get a good price if using him on top. (2) IDEAL ARTILLERY went a sharp effort last week, only to
get run down by a horse that hadn't won here in 2 years - if he's as good tonight, he'll have a chance to
make amends. (1) AIR FORCE HANOVER will attract plenty of $$ with the class drop and rail - he really
hasn't been sharp, however, and could be pretty vulnerable (at a short price) tonight. (4) LIFEONTHEBEA
CH N has looked better since the claim and class drop, but may be facing a little tougher tonight than he's
up for it - would definitely include underneath, though. (7) J B MAUNEY N is good right now, but has to
deal with both the class hike and the terrible draw - may be a little too much to overcome. (5) IM BENICIO
A hasn't thrived at all since the recent claim - this could be the night he just reverses form...but there hasn't
even been a hint that could be coming. (6) SPORTS BETTOR tired from the pocket in his first try for a new
barn last week - hard to recommend off that effort. (8) KAUAI KING draws Post 8 and is 11-0-1-1 at
Yonkers....at last wait for a better spot before considering.
RACE 9 - Tough race: (6) CASHNCAM really perked up off the claim last week, scoring an impressive
first over victory - moves outside to Post 6 for tonight, but there certainly no killers in here - maybe he can
take another? (4) HOPETOBEFIRST shipped in sharp from PA but could only manage a 3rd last week -
he's capable of better, and perhaps we'll see it from him tonight. (5) MANHATTAN BEACH has been a
steady $20K claimer at The Swamp and debuts tonight for new connections - should fit nicely with these,
and looms a legitimate threat. (3) LITTLE POWER's efforts in the Monti Opens suggest that he'll fit ok
with these too - should help that Siegelman drives tonight, and he could easily land somewhere on the
ticket. (7) GOTHIC ROCK lacked stretch room last week or might have been closer - would have given
him a longer look this week if not for the terrible draw. (1) SPORTSKEEPER drops in class while going 8
hole to rail - pretty potent combination, but he just may not be sharp enough right now to really capitalize.
(2) VINOVIO gets major post relief, but just hasn't offered much lately. (8) P L LEEROY has some good
out of town form vs. cheaper, but lands Post 8 off a qualifier and we'll just watch, for now.
RACE 10 - (8) SAULSBROOK HERO had been an afterthought for weeks but came to life in a BIG way
last week, charging home from the clouds to be a close 3rd, and pacing his back half in :53.3 - this is
obviously NOT an ideal spot...but he's hard to pass up after that last insane rally. (3) ON THE VIRG has
struggled in most of his 2022 starts, but this feels like a spot where Dube may be able to have some luck -
barn has sent out more than their share of "wake up winners" at big prices this year. (2) NEXT BIG THING
looked super when he ran up the class ladder recently....but hasn't looked so hot as he's plunged right back
down to the bottom - logical spot to look for a much improved effort...but hard to get excited about a wager
at that 9/5 ML price. (1) CINNAMACK is another having a tough year, currently at 15-0-0-4 -- he did have
an excuse last week, so maybe he can race well enough for a piece tonight.(7) THE REAL ONE finds
himself at the bottom level for the first time in years, but it's hard to just expect a form reversal off his last
couple of sub-par outings - wouldn't shock, but hard to back him right now. (6) KIMANI N has a few good
tries over the last few months, but remains incredibly camera shy - maybe 3rd/4th? (4) KNOCKING ARO
UND is another that has been camera shy here at Yonkers, the past few seasons - prefer others. (5)
BULLVILLE KYLE really needs to find an easier place to compete.
RACE 11 - Very tough bunch of 40s! (4) SEAFARER has been razor sharp so it was very surprising to see
him driven so timidly last week - he still charged home late for 3rd, and has Joey B. on board for tonight -
narrow edge in a very sharp field. (2) VENIER HANOVER was able to hold his form off the claim last
week, picking up 2nd to a very sharp winner- goes to a new (top) barn for tonight, and really loves to win
races - legit threat! (7) MY MIND IS MADEUP looked terrific beating the 25s and then the 30s - tries the
40s for tonight, and he'll be doing it for the hottest barn on the planet - deserves a serious look, even from
out here. (6) LL MYSTRO has been sharp for a while, and was hurt badly by the trip last week - could
easily outrace those 15-1 ML odds. (3) DARK ENERGY finally picked up a win 2 back, though he had to
travel to "The Ridge" to do so - good one to use for 3rd against these. (1) GINGER TREE PETE had gone
south for a while, but perked up 3 back after being claimed - no factor in his last couple, but the move
inside may help produce a much better try. (5) REGAL SON has been pretty solid lately - if the trip goes
his way, he's one of many capable of grabbing a piece. (8) GIVENUPDREAMING has his moments, but
feels like the outsider for tonight (literally and figuratively).
RACE 12 - (1) SECRET BRO gets a major class drop while also drawing the pole - the one to knock off in
the finale. (4) JULA MUSCLE PACK was hurt by a tough trip in the Brennan Final but may have also been
hurt by making 4 starts over just 2 weeks - he's been freshened up, and can be a serious threat if close to
100%. (6) JUSTLIKEHIM looked terrific in his qualifier, then backed it up with last week's jogburger score
- draws outside while moving up in class, but can still be a player here. (2) IT AINT THE WHISKY may
be a little cheaper but he's looking at a good trip from this spot, and may parlay that into a decent piece (3)
THE LAST CHAPTER should be helped by the class relief, but isn't on his best game right now - license to
improve. Both (7) GEMOLOGIST and (8) BLUEBIRD DEACON come into this sharp and are both listed
at 20-1 ML...not sure either will be able to grab a manageable trip, though. (5) SUMATRA could be a notch
below these.