RACE 1 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg 1: (1) CANTSTOP YANKEE always had plenty of ability
and last week's victory (making him 3 for 3 on the season) was a definite reminder - he's definitely the one
to beat in tonight's opener, but consider that he does make an occasional miscue before falling in love at too
short a price. (2) SUMMIT CITY SONNY has taken 5 in a row at Stga. and while he may have been facing
some lesser stock, it's dangerous to ever ignore such a solid streak - the fact that he's getting Dunn tonight
makes him very playable, if looking to knock off the top one. (5) SHARE THE WEALTH has been banging
heads with solid older trotters for a long time, and should be a nice fit with these - definitely one to use in
exotics. (6) SPICY NUGGET really disappointed upon arrival 2 back but did make amends with last week's
(all out) front end score - can never dismiss these connections, but he'll have to be a bit sharper for a chance
to knock off a couple of the top ones. (7) MUSCLEDOVER still hasn't really clicked for his current barn
and lands all the way outside - it IS strange to ever see our leading trainer/driver team listed at 20-1 ML,
though! (3) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM sat a perfect two hole trip last week but just caved badly once into
the stretch - hard to endorse right now. (4) HAND DOVER DAN has ability but broke at the start in both
local tries this year - prefer to just observe, for now.
RACE 2- John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg 1: (6) PAPPARDELLE won all 3 starts here in 2022 including
a very impressive, field sweeping win (over older trotters) to close out the season - hard to know how tight
he'll be off the layoff but he'll be a good price, and is worth considering (for value)! (5) SWAN FLYER is a
perfect 3 for 3 this year and comes into the series in perfect fashion - should have no trouble making the
top, and looms a very dangerous player. (2) HARRY KNOWS IR was the Irish Champion before shipping
over to the U.S. in search of MUCH bigger purses - he's shown that there's PLENTY of ability there...but
he just blew up on the final turn at Pocono last week (with a big lead, at 5 cents on the dollar), and also
broke in NJ in his first U.S. start - would obviously be no surprise....but does seem a little risky in his YR
debut. (3) TACHYON was good for a few starts but comes into tonight with breaks in 3 of his last 4 starts -
chance for a piece IF he behaves. (1) LONESTAR FASHION does have some ability hidden among those
rough looking lines...but he's another that's way too risky to endorse right now. (4) THE BOSS MAN seems
the "weakest" of these, but he does stay trotting...and that could help him grab a piece tonight.
RACE 3 - (1) NO DRAMA PLEASE shipped in sharp and figured to have a good chance last week -
showed good speed, worked out the two hole trip, but then became the latest "victim" to end up trapped all
through the stretch behind a Gingras front end winner - can call the shots tonight, and try to make amends.
(2) HAT TRICK MARLEAU has been inconsistent at best lately but anything close to his best effort would
make him very dangerous from this spot - likely the main threat. (4) FULL RIGHTS may need to be in a
little cheaper to pick up a win but this may be a spot where he can leave the gate, sit a trip, and bring home
a good piece - use underneath. (3) LUCKY WEEKEND was hurt by poor cover last week and had to
launch very wide, sustaining that rally in the lane to just miss - he's been close in all his recent starts, and
can grab a nice chunk tonight too. (5) BANK BOX TREASURE's efforts have been a little in and out and
he'd probably like to be in a bit easier - another with a chance at a piece if the trip goes his way. (6) MUFA
SA AS hasn't been on his best game lately but does usually rebound at some point - tough spot even if he's
sharper tonight. (7) SECRET OR NOT was a bit better here 2 back then won at PcD last week - seems to be
on the upswing, but will have a hard time making an impact from out here.
RACE 4 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg 1 - some very good ones in here...and all drawn outside: (5) P
L OSCAR has been good ever since the new year began, and has been holding his own even at the Open
level lately - he lands in a strong division and also goes with a new pilot....but he's still earned the narrow
nod. (6) WHAT SHOULD I GOO did excellent work as a 3YO filly and was even holding her own here at
YR in the FM OPEN Trot - was freshened up, scored nicely in her 4YO debut at Pocono but hard to say
why Bongiorno raced her so aggressively from Post 8 the other night, knowing she'd be coming back here
on short rest - if that race didn't hurt her, she can be a big threat tonight. (7) GAELIHILL shipped in from
Dover looking a little one-dimensional but his effort from OFF the pace was excellent, and makes him
much more formidable - brutal draw tonight, but has to be respected off that last performance. (4) SWAN
TRIXIE earned $126K at 3 and she fits well in this series - might have been the favorite in a few of these
divisions but has the misfortune of landing in this tough spot - may have to settle for a smaller piece tonight
(3) FIREINSIDEMYVEINS won 3 of 4 starts here last year - prepped for his 4YO season in Florida but his
return try (at PcD) suggests he may not be in peak form just yet - smaller piece only. (2) MUSCLE DAN
draws nicely but may find the top ones in here a little too tough - he'll likely be battling for a minor piece
against these. (1) GREG can use his speed to stay closer to the action here but still seems a bit overmatched.
RACE 5 - (6) COALITION HANOVER has been very good lately, picking up 2 wins and 2 seconds from
his last 4 starts - he starts at a post disadvantage for his new(est) barn tonight, but he's shown that he can
handle all types of trips...we'll look for him to take his 2nd in a row. (1) BETTOR SUN made what seemed
to be the winning move last week (first time in this class) but he was likely to get run down by the top
choice even if he hadn't bobbled in the stretch - we'll see if he can turn the tables tonight. (3) THEFLYING
ROCK gives mixed feelings - he's gone several very good miles this year and hails from top connections...
he also feels like he MAY be tailing, and that coincides with his drop in for a tag tonight - could go either
way! (8) JK STANDINGOVATION sat last with no chance upon arrival from NJ but certainly finished
strong to be 3rd - definitely fits with these, and would have a chance if handled more aggressively here -
despite another terrible post. (4) JIM BLUE did finally relax last week....but then never made any moves -
he's become quite an enigma, but he's also just too unreliable to back with any confidence right now. (5)
CAVIART SARGENT was able to beat a couple of softer fields but failed stepping up to NW10000 last
week and this field probably isn't any easier - leaning towards others. (2) BELLS DAVID has a good post
and Gingras but just seems much cheaper than the locals. (7) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK grabbed a 4th by
saving ground last week but doesn't figure to be as fortunate from out here.
RACE 6 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg 1: (4) OUTSIDE THE FIRE has an outstanding local record
(10-6-2-1) and comes into tonight having won his last 3 starts, for a hot barn - faces some legitimate
competition here, but is clearly the one to knock off. (1) CALL ME DANI has been sharp in all 3 starts
since coming over from The Swamp, picking up a win and a pair of 2nds - she's looking at a very good trip
from this spot, and should be a solid player from start to finish. (7) ARMSTEAD COLE changed hands
between his 3 and 4YO season and got off to a fast start in Ohio, picking up a win and pair of 2nds before
making a break (in the Open) last start - the talent is clearly there, but he draws horribly for his YR debut
and also hasn't trotted a clean mile since 3/7 - insist on a good price if using on top. (3) SOUTHWIND
ARTURO added hopples before the start of the year and has been rock solid ever since - he does seem a
notch below the top ones, however, and may be looking at only a smaller slice tonight. (5) CRESCENT
BEAUTY has been disappointing in a few starts before a much better effort last week - she may be able to
build on that, but also faces a few pretty tough rivals here - maybe 3rd/4th? (2) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO
seems better suited for a bit softer - leaning towards others. (6) OH BOY raced well in his first local try but
wasn't nearly as good in his last couple - Post 6 isn't going to help his cause tonight.
RACE 7 - (3) CHEESY LADY faced cheaper and didn't go "fast" in her 2 wins in Canada but she certainly
acted like a racehorse (over the half mile track) - lands in a strong local barn, and may be worth a shot as
she looks to go 3 for 3 to start her career. (2) HAILEYS SISTER started improving quickly at Pocono in
March and brought that good form back here to Yonkers, winning sharply last week - definitely a chance
she can take another. (1) COALFORDSUNSHINE GB came up 2nd best to MISS DOTTE MAE in her
only local try and that one has been super for a while - took a month off then tired last week in NJ after a
big middle move - chance for sure, if on her best game tonight. (5) RHYDS ECLIPSE GB was sent off at a
VERY short 2/5 price for her U.S. debut, gave way to #2 to the final turn and folded badly - she's clearly
capable of better, and the price will be much higher tonight if willing to give her another chance. (6) BENI
CIO finished alertly for 3rd in her YR debut last week (in the race won by #2) - gets hurt by the draw
tonight, but still not a bad one for 3rd/4th. (4) PAPILLON earned herself a trip down the NY Thruway after
a couple of wins at Monti - we'll see how she does with this assumedly tougher bunch. (7) PEMBROKE
SOUTHIE draws all the way outside for her 3YO debut - sticking with others, for now.
RACE 8 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg 1: (2) C YOU AGAIN DK followed up a pair of close 2nds
in his first two YR starts with a sharp rallying win in his next - broke the following week but rebounded in
his last, finishing 4th but just a hair off 2nd - had a little extra time off after that start, and hopefully that has
him sharp for the opening leg of this series. (7) LEXUS MARKUS has been solid on his climb up to the
Open levels at Northfield and has the speed to at least find a good spot in his YR debut - seems like a good
value horse to include at that 9-1 ML price. (1) TORRONE was an excellent 8 hole 2nd in his local debut
but a little short in the lane last week (perhaps not fully cranked knowing the Series would be starting a few
days later) - should be a close up player from start to finish. (4) VALI HANOVER had been struggling
before coming up big in last week's sharp first over score (and was the 3rd horse that Gingras owns to win
that night...for 3 different trainers!) - a similar effort could land him somewhere on the ticket, but that 2-1
ML price just seems a little short. (5) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS had a successful 3YO season in Canada,
banking $134K - he was scr, lame on 11/21 to end his season, and his lone qualifier suggests he may need a
couple of starts before we see his best. (3) MARK OF A BEAST also saw his season (at Stga.) ended on
Nov. with a lame scratch...prefer to watch him for now as well. (6) PERFECT VIXEN was a very good
Excelsior A performer at 3, but it's hard to gauge her fitness at the moment (couple of qualifiers around an
8 hole start at Fhd.) - wouldn't be shocked if she raced ok here, but still seems below the main players.
RACE 9 - (2) HUNTRESS arrived from Iowa with a stellar 24-17-5-1 record - she had no trouble winning
her first 3 Yonkers starts, then ended her 3YO season with a career best 1:52.1 win at PcD on 11/7 -
qualified back nicely in NJ but was handled conservatively in her first start of the year, only able to rally
late for 2nd behind the red hot MISS DOTTIE MAE - chance to get her first win of the season tonight. (1)
SOMESWEETSOMEWHERE has continued to sharpen in her first few starts this year and her last (win)
was by far the best she's looked this season - could be the main danger. (3) TONYS MOM wouldn't be
getting a look here off those Stga. lines other than the fact that she's joining a barn that routinely improves
horses by multiple lengths (seconds?) - has to be considered for exotics on that angle alone. (5) WILDCAT
ANTONIA looked very good winning her first YR start and was a solid 2nd to a sharp winner in her next -
may be hurt a bit by drawing outside her main foes, but could still show up for a good piece, with the right
trip. (4) FEAR HER TOUCH ships in off a win last week at Monti but will have to prove that she can hang
with these too. (7) CLEAR THE WAY is normally relegated to smaller pieces - may have trouble even
doing that from all the way out here.
RACE 10 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg 1: (7) HOOLIE N HECTOR has been sharp for a LONG
time, and gets a pass for his last couple (tough spots, in high classes, and actually was "sneaky good" last
time) - obviously this is not an ideal spot, but he just seems sharp enough to find a way to overcome it. (4)
BRAVE BY DESIGN was a strong earner at 3 ($163K) and his last start suggests he's ready to start doing
some damage at 4 - the main danger. (1) WICKENBURGH made an uncharacteristic miscue last week but
has otherwise been very solid for weeks - a clean mile puts right in the hunt for a nice piece of this. (3) PER
FECT TITAN was a strong 15-7-3-1 at 3 (1 for 2 here at YR) and that last start at Stga. should have him
ready to race well in this series - may be a notch below the top ones in here, but we'll find out tonight. (6)
INFINITY STONE has the ability but just hasn't thrived since being claimed away from our leading trainer
on 2/22 - waiting for some better signs before hopping back on his team. (5) DOWN THE PIKE MIKE was
racing well recently but vs. softer - not sure he can hang with the top ones. (2) KATKIN MORGAN arrives
for this series off a break and a lame scratch - we'll stick with others.
RACE 11 - (5) P C FREE WHEELING jogged 4 starts back, threw a couple of duds then jogged again last
week - if he brings the "good" version again tonight, he's going to be tough to knock off. (1) AFTER ALL
PAUL races well pretty much every week but he's 1 for 11 here this year after going 1 for 13 in 2022 -
seems better used underneath, rather than on top (especially at 9/5 ML). (2) ZIG ZAG has come back sharp
in '23, finishing 3rd in both starts - draws well, and can use his late rally to pick up another good piece
tonight. (3) FIT BITT was the 3rd horse owned by Yannick to win last Wednesday, for the 3rd different
trainer - he raced well, but also kind of "stole" that win...won't be as easy against these. (6) BLUEBIRD JE
SSE was asked to leave last week, couldn't, then wasn't heard from after that - could rebound tonight, but
it'll be hard to get more than a minor share from this spot. (4) SWANSEA was a winner here on 2/8 but then
took 7 weeks off before re-qualifying...the fact that he now drops in for a tag MAY be a red flag. (7) IN MY
DREAMS was re-claimed by his long time connections but failed to function in his first start - waiting to
see a better effort before considering an endorsement.
RACE 12 - (8) I DA PRINCESS just wasn't clicking at all in NJ for her Hall of Fame trainer to start off
2023 - Gingras & Co. moved her to our leading conditioner, shipped her in to Yonkers and benefited from
the instant form reversal, crushing the field in a hot 1:55.1 mile - moves up in class and lands Post 8, but
there's no reason not to expect another eye-opening performance tonight. (2) BIZET will throw a clunker
from time to time and last week was certainly one of them - he's also been known to bounce back quickly,
and this may not be a bad spot to use him in exotics, hopefully at a better price. (7) LINDSEYS PRIDE
hasn't been all that great since the recent claim but last week's mile was a bit better, and he does have the
speed to get in play even from out here - ok for exotics. (1) YES really disappointed last week off what
should have been a decent trip - maybe he can bounce back and grab a share from the pole? (6) MISSION
VOYAGE was aggressively handled last week and kept to a robust drive in the lane even after the issue was
already well decided - might be able to build some confidence off that easy win, but this is a much tougher
spot -- we'll see how he fares. (3) CIEL BLUE was no factor last week but did finish ok for 4th - chance to
rally for a small piece if things fall apart a bit. (4) STEALING has three 3rds from his 4 local starts but
comes into this off a sick scratch and feels like a bit of a question mark. (5) UP HELLY AA sometimes
feels like he's finally ready to start producing but never seems to get over that hump - he's become a hard
horse to predict!