RACE 1 – (2) GENIUS MAN has been very consistent lately, putting in some solid moves week after week – gets a
good draw, meets some camera shy foes, and may be in a spot where he can pick up a victory. (7) IM A POWERPL
AY A drops back down to 30s after picking up a win and a pair of 3rds at the $40K level – has to be respected, even
from out here. (3) SAN DOMINO A used to have trouble getting his picture taken, but he’s picked up 4 wins since
late August, including a very game victory last week – legitimate player from this spot. (6) KOOTENAY SANTAN
NA is a very solid player at this level but he’s just 3 for 39 locally and draws poorly – playable in exotics. (1) MIDN
IGHT LIGHTNING was a surprise claim 4 back and even more surprisingly, re-claimed immediately in his next
start – he didn’t seem all that serious vs. 40s the last 2 weeks, but the drop to 30s (from the pole) gives him a shot to
at least grab a piece here. (5) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N looked like an easy winner at the top of the lane last week,
but then proceeded to hang badly the length of the stretch, showing WHY he’s now 0 for 31 this year – underneath
only. (4) THREE GRAND has gone some huge miles off awful trips but threw a dud last week, and that’s a concern
– leaning towards others. (8) SADDLE UP goes for a new barn and draws the same post that stymied him last week.
RACE 2 – (3) MIND HUNTER just became transformed after moving to this barn in August, and comes into
tonight having won 4 straight, 5 of 7 and 6 of 8– his LAST victory wasn’t his “sharpest”, however, so while he still
deserves top billing, he WILL need to be a little sharper if he hopes to extend his streak. (5) BECHERS BROOK A
has come up 2nd best in 4 straight starts, including twice behind the top choice – remains a very real threat with any
decent trip (2) GENTLE GIANT has gone some HUGE miles recently, but was no factor in his last pair – if you
think he can perk back up with a big one tonight, he’ll definitely be a fair price. (1) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N
gets a pass for 2 back (8 hole) but his last start wasn’t all that sharp, despite an easy trip – willing to thrown in
underneath in exotics. (6) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER won at this level 2 back and absolutely fits with these –
won’t be easy to overcome the awful draw, though. (7) ORLANDO BLUE A likely needs a much better post to
seriously threaten at this level. (4) JUSTASEC N just didn’t look good in his last pair – waiting for better signs. (8)
TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK will look much better from a good post, and with a class drop.
RACE 3 – (1) MAXIMUS RED A came into his last race very sharp so even though he started from Post 8, the 36-1
win price was simply a massive overlay– obviously his odds will come WAY down tonight (and you know what
they say about “missing the wedding”)...but he still looms the one to beat moving all the way inside. (5) BIG
DREAM FELLA came into his last off 3 weeks, off a claim, and after a dismal try on 9/16...but he came up with a
very solid effort, rallying for 3rd behind the top choice – may prove an even bigger threat tonight. (6) LYRICAL
GENIUS A is 0 for 15 at YR this year but he’s raced well (in defeat) in some recent starts, and does have some
appeal at that 20-1 ML price. (3) DELESTON drops in for a tag, gets a better draw, picks up Bartlett and may show
some improvement tonight – ok for exotics. (7) OZONE BLUE CHIP raced ok in his last couple after a trip of
disappointing starts – would have liked his chanced a lot more had he not drawn so poorly here. (8) AUSSIE
HANOVER has been racing ok for a while but faces a daunting task from out here. (2) HES SPECIAL hasn’t raced
since 9/21 (just re-qualified) and he’s facing tougher here for his new barn – prefer others. (4) MARLBANK ROAD
seems ambitiously placed at this level, racing off a sick scratch and qualifier.
RACE 4 – Tough race: (4) GINGRAS BEACH has put together a nice season, adding consistency to his game and
taking on much tougher than last year – he drops, moves inside, and may be ready for an aggressive try...one of
several with a legitimate chance in here. (2) THUNDER HUNTER JOE has had a frustrating 4YO campaign, never
finding any real groove (at least with any consistency) – he does get both post and class relief for tonight, and a good
price makes him worth a look. (1) SEMI TOUGH comes off a no-excuse loss vs. easier last week, cutting the mile at
1/5 and just watching the tripsitter roll right by him – he steps up off that loss and while he’s still at a level within his
comfort zone, he’d need to be a “decent’ price to be worth using on top here. (6) TICKERTAPE HANOVER was a
sharp 1:51.3 winner in his local debut but has been unable to replicate that mile in his last 3 starts – playable tonight,
but only if he’s a good price. (3) ROLLING WITH SAM seems to get stuck first over almost every week, usually
holding well after a tough trip – he’s WAY overdue for a winning journey ...maybe tonight? (5) WALKINSHAW N
is sharp right now, even if he’s been facing mostly easier – add him to the list of possible players (if things go his
way). (8) DEETZY actually has a few very good tries recently but faces an uphill climb trying to get in play tonight.
(7) SON OF A TIGER N has outraced his odds on many occasions recently, but the draw figures to really hurt.
RACE 5 – (2) MUSCLE BART A may be worth a stab – he drew Post 8 in 2 of his 3 local starts but was a winner
(from Post 3) in the other – he’s listed at 12-1 ML, and may be able to pull off an upset. (5) THE IDEAL DANCER
A had some very good starts (in defeat) over the past few months – he was stuck with Post 8 last week but finally
put it together and picked up his first local victory of the season, absolutely romping in a sharp 1:50.3 mile – he’ll be
very tough if he brings that same kind of effort tonight! (6) POUND FOR POUND went his best effort in ages last
week, a sharp 2 move jogburger from Post 6 – if he built back some confidence with that win, he could have a big
say here too. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N came up a well beaten 2nd to #5 last time, and is a solid player in this class –
very playable in exotics. (3) IKES DREAM was taken off the gate last week and came up empty – his best efforts
have been when he’s aggressive, and we may see him driven that way tonight – ok underneath. (7) SLING SHOT
drew Post 8 for both starts returning from the layoff and wasn’t bad either time – unfortunately, tonight’s draw isn’t
much better! (1) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK has speed from the pole and will surely be close all the way– he hasn’t
been finishing well, however, and figures to be overbet tonight. (8) SPEED MAN N lands all the way outside
making his first start in 4 months – good week to just observe, for future consideration.
RACE 6 – (1) SHAKESPEARE still throws big miles but has been plagued by inconsistency this year – his win 2
back was HUGE, and was also very sharp last week, coming first over to the streaking MIND HUNTER (who
crawled the half in :58) and still a close 3rd – was re-claimed by a barn that’s very familiar with him and he’ll be very
tough here – IF he maintains his current form. (2) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK makes a big jump from 30s to 50s but
he’s won 3 straight for a hot barn, and may be able to have a say here too, thanks to the draw. (3) C BET HANO
VER has held form nicely and gets both post and class relief tonight – could add some value to the ticket. (4) BIG
GULP will attract plenty of attention dropping in for a tag but he’s managed just one 5th from his last 5 starts, and
does figure to be overbet – feels like better value to be had with others. (6) WICHITA LINEMAN has won 3 of his
last 6 starts (since joining this hot barn) and was a good 2nd last time to a pumped up #1 – would have liked his
chances better with a good draw, though. (5) BRAEVIEW BONDI A doesn’t win very often but a good trip could
help him take home a minor share. (7) JUST ENUFF STUFF has been just “ok” in many of his recent starts, and
now lands a terrible post while moving up off the claim – leaning elsewhere. (8) SCRIBBLERS had trouble reaching
from a similar spot last week.
RACE 7 – Good race: (4) CARABAO A, like barnmate HIMSELF N, was severely underachieving after arriving in
the U.S.– but both have turned things around completely, blossoming into legitimate Open threats (with HIMSELF
N recently winning 3 in a row) – this guy should be plenty tight returning from Pocono, and looms a solid threat
with any decent trip. (5) WHATS STANLEY GOT A was a sharp winner last start but that was 3 weeks ago – he’s
moving up a notch, but this field is well within his comfort zone too – chance at the mild upset with some trip luck.
(3) HEMSWORTH N hasn’t threatened in his last few starts but he’s eligible to throw a big one at any time, and
wins his fair share – playable IF the price is fair. (2) ROCKIN JUKEBOX has been razor sharp for weeks, gets
another good draw, and really wouldn’t be much of a surprise. (1) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP has been on a nice tear
but he’s another that’s off a bad date, and this field is definitely tougher than the one’s he’s been facing – leaning
more to a few others. (6) ACT FAST disappointed in both local tries – he’s surely capable of better, but this feels
like a tough spot, even if he brings a sharper mile. (7) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A finished full of pace last week but
the class jump and bad post figure to make things tough on him. (8) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE has gone good miles
in very good fields but from much easier posts – not sure he can get in play this week.
RACE 8 – (4) AMERICAN DEALER N has been on an extended form spree, though some tough spots have kept
him from the winner’s circle lately – gets a good draw for tonight, and we’ll give him the slight edge. (8) HIMSELF
N was assigned Post 8 last week (after winning 3 straight) but immediately erased that disadvantage with a fast start
– shook free a little too late in the lane to win last week (ROCKNROLL RUNA A got the jump on him), but still
was huge finishing 2nd – legit threat once more, even with another 8 hole assignment. (1) MY ULTIMATE BYRON
A moves all the way inside and that should produce a good trip tonight – can be right there from start to finish. (5)
HE ABALOU has struggled (for the most part) since his Borgata victory, but he’ll likely leave fast to grab a trip, and
he can certainly be around for a piece of this. (7) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR has held his form beautifully since
the recent barn change, despite having to race in the Invitational – he’s VERY sharp, but may be coming from too
far back to do major damage. (2) BOILING OAR could be tighter after last week’s start but still seems a bit below a
few of the top ones. (6) NANDOLO N figures to be coming from well out of it – not sure he can reach tonight. (3)
EUPHORIA N likely needs to drop a class or three before we see his best again.
RACE 9 – (1) JB GRAM was an excellent 2nd two back, then followed that up with last week’s sharp front end score
– he’ll get to call the shots again tonight and while he meets a few other solid ones in here, he remains the one to
knock off. (3) TO THE HUNT has compiled a strong 9-3-2-2 local slate and was 4th in the two off-the-board starts –
he has thrived in several different barns, and there’s no reason to think it’ll be any different for his new one – solid
player. (6) CAPTAIN T HANOVER continues to enjoy an outstanding season, currently 32-9-10-5 here at Yonkers
this year – he’s won 3 of his last 5 starts but goes back tonight to the barn who sent him out to those 2 losses (a pair
of 2nds!) – tough draw, and that may leave him looking at a slightly smaller piece tonight. (4) SOUTH POINT has
been putting together a streak of solid efforts – gets another good draw, and may be able to parlay that into a board
spot. (2) LYONS PRIDE was a weak 3rd last time but he does add Lasix for tonight, and gets an excellent draw –
could easily make some noise here. (5) TARGET AQUIRED seems to need to be near the lead to race well – hard to
predict if Kakaley will be able to get him there tonight. (7) VANDALISM figures to be too far out of it to make any
noise. (8) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL seems damned if he leaves...and doubly damned if he doesn’t!
RACE 10 – (5) SAMHARA N woke up with a sharp try at 63-1 two back – he was well backed last week, and able
to deliver the VERY sharp victory, despite a brutal trip...may be able to move up a notch and beat these too. (2) YO
ROKOBI N gets a class drop AND major post relief – he’s a perfect fit with these, and a very logical threat. (3) THE
REAL ONE is 14 years old but showing no signs that he doesn’t want to be out there – he’s another getting post and
class relief tonight, with a license to make some major noise if things go his way. (1) CAVIART SARGENT can
throw big miles at any time, and often at big prices – his barn has featured several “big bomb” winners this year,
including this guy...good one for longshot fans hoping for a last race “get out” horse. (6) SOUTHWIND PETYR
had things his own way from the pole last week and still proved no match for the much-tougher-trip SAMHARA N
– won’t be any easier starting from Post 6 tonight! (7) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A added Lasix last week but was
caught inside behind a quitter and had no real chance – a better draw would have been nice. (4) GREAT SOMEWH
ERE feels like he’ll need some class relief before we see his best again. (8) CENTURY ENDEAVOR landed on a
good trip last week but had only even pace in the lane – doesn’t figure to get the same kind of journey tonight.