RACE 1 – (2) COWGIRL LILLY was handled conservatively vs. better last week but did finish alertly – she hasn’t
won in some time but did pick up 8 wins and 9 seconds last year...good spot for Holland to get aggressive and give
her a shot tonight. (3) BOLT OF BEAUTY is a streaky sort that seems to have found her game lately in NJ – she
steps up in class, but is more than capable at this level when on her game – would consider at the right price. (4) MI
LLWOOD BONNIE N was able to make her 2024 debut a winning one, though helped by a slow half in a fairly soft
field – she has more than enough class to step up and beat these too, but she also figures to be overbet. (5) IRON MI
STRESS was handled conservatively in her ’24 return but definitely finished strong – definitely a good value horse
for exotics. (7) IDEALINFUN was winless in 8 starts here last year, albeit vs. better – she may perk up at this level,
but this is a pretty tough spot either way. (6) ON THE MONEY GB used a quick start to grab a pocket trip to #4 last
week, then was safely 2nd after drifting in the lane – faces a tougher task against this crew. (1) THUNDRA wasn’t
bad last week but she’s generally camera shy vs. even softer than these. (8) LADY NEWTON draws all the way
outside after a miscue last week – pass for now.
RACE 2 – (2) MIKALA has a ton of class and was victorious in her only local start last year...her qualifier should
have her ready to roll tonight in this abbreviated field. (4) TONYS MOM is just one of MANY to see their careers
really elevated upon joining this exceptional barn – she stayed busy during the winter break with a victory across the
river, and looms the main danger if the top choice isn’t ready to deliver her best. (3) LUCKY ARTIST A returned fit
off the hiatus and was a sharp front end winner last week – she bumps up to the Open tonight, but she’s a legit player
at this level when at her best – next in line? (1) UPTOWN HANOVER comes off a terrific 2023 season but figures
to be hurt in here by 7 weeks of inactivity. (5) LA BELLA VITA N was no threat in her local start last year and her
prep suggests we may not see her absolute best tonight.
RACE 3 – (1) MAXIMUS RED A was only 1 for 31 here last year but he did actually race well a bunch of times vs.
much better than these – he finished full of pace in his seasonal return, and should be even tighter tonight– just don’t
take too short a price on top! (5) JOHNNY BADLANDS was handled aggressively for his new barn last week and
held well for 3rd after being worn into submission by the winner – horses for the nation’s leading barn have been
racing better the 2nd time around, and this guy definitely feels like the main danger. (2) KERFORD ROAD A doesn’t
seem all that sharp right now but a close up trip may help him at least grab a small share. (4) NOWHERE CREEK A
was bothered on the final turn last start but it’s hard to say if it really mattered – his barn did perk up this week, so
maybe this guy can deliver an improved effort as well? (7) EDDARD HANOVER really wasn’t bad last week – not
a bad bomb to throw in for 3rd/4th. (3) BIG SIR was 0 for 20 last year and his current form is less than stellar – in
need of a big wake up call. (6) B LIKE CRUISER underachieved for most of ’23 – tough spot off the qualifier.
RACE 4 – (1) ICE BREAKERS K shipped in off a win in the Monti Open and gave it a big try last week, sustaining
a long first over move to just miss (to #5) – he draws the pole tonight, and his trainer got a HUGE effort out of the
recently claimed SALE EL SOL on Wednesday night – may be ready to bring a big one. (4) GRINDER made his
’24 return last week and was a solid finishing 3rd – he can build off that, and possibly be an even bigger player
tonight. (2) BEERTHIRTY K went on the shelf in July but has looked pretty good in a pair of starts since recently
returning – good one to use in exotics. (3) B MEDITHREE was stuck in the back after drawing Post 8 for his return,
but the move inside could help him have a bigger say tonight – small piece? (5) THE LAST CHAPTER blew out
much cheaper to close out 2023 then was able to hang on in his seasonal debut as well, holding off #1 – steps up
here, faces a tougher bunch, and may have a tougher time (at a short price). (6) ROSIES WAS BONDS was a solid
2nd debuting for new high-profile connections last week – he starts from a much tougher spot tonight, and we’ll see
if that slows him down a bit. (8) CALL ME DANI is on the cheaper side while also landing the worst post. (7) YES
draws Post 7 after making a break in his seasonal return.
RACE 5 – (2) ROCKNROLL ANNIE wasn’t bad last week, and that was facing boys – she’s in line for a good trip
from this spot, and her barn is still clicking...one of several with a chance in a wide open affair. (3) WHATINEED
ISAMAN took no $$ debuting here for our leading outfit on 12/15 but raced ok from a hopeless spot – raced well to
just miss at Fhd. (to close out the year), and could be a big player tonight IF not deterred by the time off. (6) MONE
YMAKEHERSMILE doesn’t show any real speed in her lines but that doesn’t mean Yannick won’t be able to
produce some tonight – wasn’t bad in her last, and could be ok tonight. (5) CASH ROLL will get plenty of attention
but she folded badly last week and there’s no guarantee she’ll be better tonight – not one to take a short price with
right now. (4) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL is an all or nothing sort that unfortunately throws a lot more “nothings” than
“alls” – consider only if the price is decent. (1) GAME OF SHADOWS is eligible for a better effort tonight as she
moves inside in her 2nd off the layoff – small piece? (7) ITTY BITTY has struggled since returning to YR, and was
really just 3rd by default last week – bad spot. (8) IM PRINCESS BELLA A had some life vs. cheaper in NJ after a
recent barn change – would like to see a decent LOCAL try before considering.
RACE 6 – (2) HEAVENS SHOWGIRL A was handled conservatively last week, got shuffled a bit but still kicked
home full of pace for 3rd – it’s not all that long ago that she was actually favored against RACINE BELL, and we’ll
give her a shot to come out on top tonight. (5) TALENT TO SPARE A was handled aggressively off the winter
break and just wasn’t quite ready for it – there’s definitely ability here, and she may be able to add some value to the
ticket (6) MORNING HAS BROKEN was handled very aggressively off the winter break and can be forgiven for
getting gobbled up in the lane by a couple of nice (fresher!) mares – very logical player. (7) LAURIE LEE
demolished cheaper last week for a barn that has caught some attention recently – tough post up in class, but may be
sharp enough to rally for a slice. (4) JK MY GIRL has done her best with lesser, but a good trip would still give her
a chance to take home a minor share. (3) CALLMEQUEENBEE A stayed sharp racing in Ohio over the break but
may be a notch below a few of the main players in here. (1) MIKI ROSE moves all the way inside but may need to
get in easier before we see her best. (8) TWIN B SUNKISSED fits well, but faces a daunting task from Post 8.
RACE 7 – (2) BLACK TIE BASH in winless in 5 local tries but he’s raced well in most of them – shouldn’t be too
far off the action from this spot (even with his slow starts) but it would really help if Lachance tried to get him more
motivated earlier in the mile – decent value play. (1) EUROBOND remains the one to beat but he blew up on the
lead (at 3/5) last week and there’s no guarantee he’ll bring his best tonight – have to respect his chances, but also
hard to take another very short price on top. (3) SWEET SOUL DAVID was sharp in enough starts last year to pick
up 6 wins and nearly $130K – nice qualifier off the layoff, and may be ready to make his presence felt right out of
the box. (6) BARRY BLACK was certainly ready off the hiatus, going to the top and wiring softer – he’ll likely
have to rally from the back here, but he can still take home a decent piece. (4) KINDA LUCKY LINDY often races
well here but is just 1 for 41 locally over the past 2 seasons – he’s been away for over a month, and may need a start
before we see his best. (7) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM ended the year with a nice win but that was 7 weeks ago –
hard to expect his best tonight. (8) HUNTING AS was no threat in his last and now lands Post 8 – will look good
with a class drop next week. (5) FLIP THE SWITCH was outstanding for the meet’s leading trainer in 2022 but not
the same for LAST year’s leading barn – hard to endorse off those qualifiers for another new trainer.
RACE 8 – Short, but competitive field! (5) ALEXA SKYE rebounded from a shortened 5YO season with a strong
year at 6, picking up 6 wins for $142K – she had success here as a younger mare, and her current out of town form is
solid– one of a few with a legitimate chance here (6) COACHELLABOUND N just bullied her way right up through
the local NWPM classes then remained a weekly threat even after establishing herself at the Open level – her last in
NJ may not have been her best, but she could easily rebound tonight – has to be respected, even from Post 6. (1) EA
SY TO PLEASE endured an extremely disappointing 2023 season but her first start here in the new year was terrific,
even if trip-aided (and vs. easier) – we’ll see if she can build off that, and return to her “old” Open self. (4) NO WIN
NO FEED A is 2 for 4 since arriving at our leading barn but both wins came vs. a bit easier – would be no surprise if
she beat these too, but there would seem to be better value with others (on top). (3) SWEETEST BELLE did very
well here late in the year as a 3YO filly taking on older...but the time off puts her at a disadvantage for tonight. (2)
OAXACAN DREAM N is a nice mare, but fits cheaper and may find these a little too tough.
RACE 9 – (7) SCUBADAN is hard to get excited about off his lines but we’ve seen so many of these Meadows
shippers (getting THIS barn change) race super in their first local try, and this guy is listed at 20-1 ML – worth a stab
in a race with no stickouts. (3) HAZYSHADEOFWINTERS returns for our leading trainer and toughed out a 2
nd in his only local try (behind the runaway winner) – very logical, but certain to be overbet. (4) SECRET OR NOT ships
in off a nice NJ effort and while he was 8-0-0-0 here last year, this still isn’t a bad week to include him on some
tickets. (2) BAZILLIONAIRE is as camera shy as they come but he’s been solid lately at Fhd. and is certainly
playable underneath. (8) BLUEBIRD JESSE wasn’t bad last week and would have been listed higher if not for Post
8 – decent bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) AFTER ALL PAUL was good here a few years ago but had trouble getting it done at
YR in 2022-23...tough post, and may need a start. (1) EVERLASTINGFASHION made a break last week and his 2
for 39 record last year doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. (5) MAKE IT EASY just seems way off form right now.
RACE 10 – (2) MAN DONTFORGET ME was terrific here in 2022/23, earning $333K – she’s off to a good start
this year as well, charging home off the layoff last week to just miss to the classy front end winner – the one to
knock off tonight. (1) BOORAA N is a very nice mare but saw her chances hurt last week when overdriven – a more
sensible steer tonight puts her in play for a big piece of this. (6) VILLAGE JADE was no factor last week but as
noted, many from the barn were much better in their 2nd starts off the winter break – good one to include in exotics.
(7) OKINAWA BEACH A returned sharp off the hiatus, kicking home nicely for 2nd behind the very sharp winner –
tonight’s draw could hurt her chances, however. (4) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY isn’t the most consistent horse in
the barn but she does throw good efforts when in the right mood – willing to include underneath. (8) SILENT CROS
SING fits okay with these on her best effort, but we may not see that from Post 8. Both (3) HALLELUJAH HANOV
ER and (5) MISS DOTTIE MAE are off qualifiers – we’ll keep an eye on both for future considerations.
RACE 11 – (3) SLING SHOCK had an overall disappointing 4YO campaign and took a few starts to come around
for his current connections after a $50K claim in October – his last few NJ starts suggest that he’s definitely starting
to feel good again, and he returns to YR in a beatable field, off a win – decent chance to make it 2 in a row. (4) VUL
CAN STAR N was no factor in a pair of December starts here but he was facing much better – should be able to
have a much bigger say against this crew. (2) YKNOTTHISHOS had a new trainer listed for his last at Fhd, and was
able to deliver a blowout victory – we’ll find out if he’s able to handle the step up against these better ones. (6) UND
RTHSOUTHRNSUN N was racing well vs. some good horses earlier last year but started to tail off, unable to really
take advantage of class drops – he did win in NJ off a barn change 3 back but that was vs. cheaper, then he was no
threat in his last pair – the tough draw won’t help his cause here. (5) QUALITY BUD showed some wear and tear
near the end of a solid season – not sure he’ll be ready for his best tonight off that qualifier. (1) KOUNT BLASTER
had a couple of solid efforts vs. the 3-5YO 50s this December but has been idle for 45 days – guessing he’ll need
one. (8) CRUNCH TIME A was a fast horse at one time but failed to earn a check in his 5 starts last year – was
moved to a new barn before that last qualifier, and the guess is that he won’t be fully cranked from Post 8 tonight –
but a quick look at the tote board wouldn’t hurt. (7) CAVIART VAN figures to be too far back to threaten.
RACE 12 – (2) VALI HANOVER went a bunch of miles last year that would easily handle these – can’t say for sure
if that one start back has him at his “best” right now, but he’d still be hard to go against vs. these (but don’t bet the
ranch at a very short price). (3) DWS POINT MAN was “ok” in a few starts at The Swamp and showed at Fhd. that
he handles the half okay – should be able to have a decent say in his first local try. (6) FULL RIGHTS is a camera
shy sort but he’s definitely sharp enough to land somewhere on the ticket tonight...especially with a good start. (4)
PERFECT VIXEN should benefit from last week’s start and he drops a peg too – another to consider for exotics. (1)
URNTROUBLE HANOVER beat cheaper in NJ 2 back and his overall form is solid enough for a chance at a small
piece. (7) LOUS LANCELOT managed only one win and one 2nd from 29 starts out of town last year – hard to like
from this spot. (8) LUCKY WEEKEND lands Post 8 off a sick scratch – sticking with others tonight.