RACE 1 - (4) GINGER TREE PETE gave it a good try from Post 8 (off the claim) 2 back, then was able to
pounce on the pocket trip to pick up the win last week - can handle any trip that comes his way, and has a
decent chance to make it 2 in a row. (5) TONY TOO TALL dropped down to 40s last week and was a sharp
2nd, offering good pace at both ends of the mile - was claimed by a barn that's off to a good start in 2022,
and looms a legitimate threat tonight. (1) RECORD YEAR hasn't been able to beat the 40s since the 11/3
claim, but he's held his own a bunch of times - should land on a decent trip here, and wouldn't really be a
surprise. (2) IN SPADES beat the 30s in 2 of his last 3 attempts - steps up to tackle the 40s tonight and
while he definitely has a shot to beat these too, we're leaning a bit more to a couple of others. (6) CINNAM
ACK continues to outrace his odds most weeks, and remains a good one to include underneath in exotics.
(3) ER VEGAS has used some ground saving trips to pick up pieces, but would look a lot better with a
class drop. (8) EDDARD HANOVER was 2nd in his last pair (off the claim), and while obviously sharp
enough to be a big threat once more, he'll need quite a bit of trip luck to overcome the brutal draw. (7) PRO
VOCATIVEPRINCEN needs some class relief, and a spot where he can hit the lead.
RACE 2 - (1) BIG SIR has gone some big efforts against the high priced claimers recently, and now gets
both a significant class drop AND the rail - should be a tough customer tonight. (3) WESTERN FAME
hasn't really thrived since being claimed for $100K back on 11/8....but it would be hard to NOT consider
him a major threat with tonight's class drop. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N had no prayer from Post 8 last week
but was a very game 2nd the week before - he's a solid fit at this level, but drawing outside a couple of
main foes won't help. (2) ON ACCIDENT has been a weekly threat in the Fhd. Preferred for a long time...
but hasn't been able to WIN in a long time either - will benefit from the services of Mr. Zeron tonight, but
likely still looking at a smaller piece. (6) SON OF A TIGER N prepped nicely for his U.S. debut but still
seems to be trying to find his best form - maybe can land a small piece in his YR debut?(4) REVELRY is
one of many from this barn that just suddenly came to life at the end of 2021 - he's missed 3 weeks, and
catches a pretty tough crew tonight, however. (7) FABRICE HANOVER looked well short returning from
the layoff last start, and now gets stuck all the way outside - keep an eye on him for future consideration.
RACE 3 - (4) GROOVY JOE ships in off a sharp front end try in NJ that saw him come up 2nd best to a
currently sharp ROCKAPELO - he's won here in the past, he's used to facing better, and this feels like a
good spot for him to grab a victory. (1) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH really hasn't been a threat in a while, but
has also been in a few impossible spots - his last try at this level resulted in a wire to wire win from Post 7,
so clearly there's a good chance we could see a big wake up call tonight - the main danger. (2) AINTNOBE
TTOR A is another used to facing better, but he's been away for a couple of months and may need a start -
or maybe he won't? (5) MCCLINCHIE N won 2 of his last 3 local starts in 2021, but vs. easier - maybe can
beat some of the others for a small piece? (3) MISSILE SEELSTER is definitely much cheaper than the
main players, but the inside draw may help him take home a small purse check. (6) DON DOMINGO N is
a good fit one level down...and when he drops to that class next week, we'll give him a much longer look.
(8) FLYING FINN N was dull off the claim last week and now lands Post 8 - keep an eye for some life
from the back, for future consideration. (7) J B MAUNEY N tried to leave last week but was looped and
made a break - just hasn't been sharp, and we'll wait for better signs before considering.
RACE 4 - (3) MARK WITHA K wasn't able to last cutting the mile vs. a tough field off the claim last
week - drops back in for $50K, and deserves a chance to make amends. (5) BELTANE A was 1 for 25 here
last year until he was claimed on 10/18....then rattled off wins in 4 of his next 5 starts - hasn't been a threat
in either start in 2022 so far, but this is definitely a spot where a wake up call is possible. (4) LACHIE
MAGUIRE N had been in a bit of a rough patch but did show much improvement last week in NJ (albeit
vs. much cheaper) - we'll see if he can gain some confidence from that effort, and give these tougher ones a
tussle as well. (6) MIGHTY SANTANA N landed on a no chance trip off the claim last week but did finish
solidly - he hasn't been a prolific winner here at Yonkers, however, and also draws outside tonight - maybe
can rally for a piece, at a nice price? (7) VELOCITY KOMODO benefited from a hot early pace (and a
perfectly timed move vs. a tiring leader) to score the 8-1 upset last week - no reason he can't come up with
another big try tonight, but he'll likely be coming from pretty far back (8) MELODIES MAJOR is
undeniably sharp right now, but draws Post 8 while moving up in class, and that's a tough combo to
overcome. (1) SOHO CHELSEA ships in after winning 2 of 3 at Fhd. but will face much tougher now, and
doesn't have the greatest local history - prefer others. (2) MACINTOSH N doesn't win all that often any
more, and the 13YO seems better suited for a much easier class.
RACE 5 - Tough race: (7) ROCKAPELO is a very streaky horse and it seems like the 7YO returns to YR
in the midst of a solid form spree - will need some things to go his way from all the way out here, but the
price should also be decent - one of several capable of taking this. (1) TYGA HANOVER never really gets
a lot of respect on the tote board, but he comes off a solid $131K season, and is looking at a pretty good trip
from this spot - definitely can be a live player. (6) BRAEVIEW BONDI N paced evenly at the back in a
fast Open mile last week, and now drops back down to the level he beat the start before that - would have
liked his chances a bit more with a better draw, however. (2) JESSE DUKE N won his last 2 starts before
the winter break, then returned to win again off the layoff- that streak ended last week (vs. $100K claimers)
but he appeared to be FULL of pace while hopelessly trapped in the lane - would be no surprise at all. (4)
MIKES Z TAM hasn't been finishing well enough in his last couple, and will need to up his game in order
to be a serious player tonight. (5) SPOILERONTHEBEACH was a very impressive first over winner last
week, and his 40-1 price was the SECOND major bomb the barn has delivered recently - not sure he can
replicate that effort against these tougher foes, however. (3) KILOWATT KID N is struggling at the
moment - waiting for some better life before hopping back on his team.
RACE 6 - (6) MAGRITTE is riding a 6 race win streak thanks to last week's gutsy first over score, and he's
shown that he can handle any trip necessary to get the job done - tonight's draw won't make his life easy,
but he still deserves top billing as he looks to get to "Lucky Seven". (5) REGAL SON moves from one very
high % to another after getting worn down on the front end last week by the top choice - he's won 3 of his
last 5, and seems the one with the best chance to upend #6. (2) PROVEN DESIRE raced much better last
week when a decent 4th behind the top pair - it's possible he could improve enough for a chance at the top
prize but insist on a good price if using him on top (as he's just 1 for 27 here over the past 3 years). (1)
LATE MAIL N moves to the barn of a young lady who came on the scene last year and had outstanding
success from her limited barn - he seems to have forgotten how to win over the past year, so we'll see if he
can regain that winning touch for his new owner/trainer. (4) ITSGOODTOBEDAKING was well backed
despite being away for almost 6 weeks and was able to deliver the front end score - steps up to face tougher
now, and we'll see how he handles that class test. (3) YANKEE ROLLER A has been in some tough spots
lately but he's beaten only ONE horse over his last 3 starts and while he's capable of much better than he's
been showing, it would be hard to recommend him right now...even as hot as his barn has (otherwise) been.
(7) ROCK N TONY does his damage one level down, from a better post - wait for a better scenario. (8)
AMERICAN WIGGLE was no good at all off the claim last week, and now draws Post 8.
RACE 7 - (1) JOESSTAR OF MIAA was really kicking into high gear into the stretch last week when he
start to run in badly, had to be steadied, and it probably cost him the win - he's one of a few that could take
this well matched $100K claimer, and definitely worth using. (5) WALKINSHAW N wasn't on his game 2
back but that mile was sandwiched between a pair of victories - more than capable of taking another. (3)
LYONS KING qualified at Fhd. in standard Bongiorno Blowout fashion, and it's possible that the time off
will benefit him - he's proven he can beat these, when on his best game. (4) ALEX TYE continues to come
up with sharp tries almost every week, and moves back inside after racing from Post 7 last week - he'd be
no surprise at all. (2) TELLITSABB saw his 4 race win streak snapped on 11/22, and hasn't been able to
win since then - it's not like he's been bad, though, and the right trip could see him land right on the wire
tonight. (7) FOREVER FAV paced evenly when a bit overmatched in the Open last week but he drops back
down into this claimer and his form has been stellar for ages - the obvious knock is the draw, but he can at
least be considered if the price is juicy enough. (6) MONEYMAN HILL rattled off 3 straight before the
hiatus but is now trying to get back to that top form - Post 6 won't help his cause. (8) WHITECOOKIE just
doesn't seem sharp enough right now to seriously threaten from out here.
RACE 8 - (5) LEONIDAS A saw the latter part of his season interrupted by sickness, but he certainly
showed no rust winning easily off the qualifier last week - no reason the classy 7YO can't take another. (2)
SPEED MAN N was perfectly driven by Bartlett last week and was able to finish 2nd to the top choice at
38-1 (hopefully some Empire Report readers were able to cash in on some of those very juicy exotics) - the
price will surely come way down this week, but he still has a solid chance to grab another nice piece. (3)
FUNATTHEBEACH N jogged vs. softer in his 2022 return, then was an excellent first over 3rd last week -
he's feeling good again, and could easily pick up a big part of this. (7) SAN DOMINO A has three 2nds and
a win from his last 4 starts against the $100K claimers - moves to a new barn for tonight, but will have his
work cut out for him from Post 7. (4) TITO ROCKS looked short off the qualifier last week...and may need
another. (1) MACHEASY A was very sharp in his last pair (a win and a 2nd), but steps way up to the big
table for tonight, and will have to prove that he can hang with these. (6) PYRO was razor sharp to close out
2021, but he's been away for 7 weeks and lands outside - sticking with others for tonight.
RACE 9 - Tough race: (3) THISJETSABOOKIN just wasn't any good in his first start after the winter
break but he finished with good energy in his last after a very conservative steer - may be ready for a bigger
effort tonight, and is one of several that could come out on top here. (2) JIMS PERFECT TEN seems to
race well most weeks, and has accumulated a bunch of smaller pieces - maybe he can trip out and finally
visit the Yonkers winner's circle? (8) MACHIAVELLI was claimed last week by an owner that seems to
disappear for a while, then reappear aligned with new "hot" trainers - this barn has done some top notch
work with fresh stock, and perhaps can pull off an 8 hole upset tonight. (1) FOX VALLEY INFERNO had
some physical issues at the end of 2021 - looked good in a pair of 2nds to start the new year, but got very
erratic before the start last week and had to spend a ton of energy just getting back into the race - goes for a
new barn now, and it's hard to know which version we'll get...and hard to endorse him on top as the 2-1 ML
choice. (4) I GET THAT was able to kick in late to win a somewhat weird race last week - steps up in class,
and we'll see if he can be as successful with these. (5) AVATAR J took advantage of an easy two hole trip
last week to pick up a 2nd - looking at a tougher trip tonight, and probably a smaller share. (6) ABRAXAS
BLUES A wins his share of local starts, but usually vs. easier, from a better spot. (7) AWESOMENESS
qualified after being away since 12/8, lands outside, and figures to need this start.
RACE 10 - (3) GENIUS MAN was off almost 2 months to his last start but kicked home full of pace from
the back - when "right", he can throw some big efforts and that last effort suggests a strong mile could be
coming tonight. (2) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N moved all the way inside last week and responded with a
much improved effort, finishing 2nd best to the stickout winner - another good draw should have him back
in the hunt again tonight. (4) IDEAL ARTILLERY returned from the winter break adding Lasix and was
ready right off the bat, dead-heating for the win - faces older horses now, but a repeat of that last effort
would put him right back in the mix. (5) HERRICKROOSEVELT N wasn't at his best last week when he
used an easy trip to squeeze out a 3rd...he did make a miscue the week before, however, and may not have
been cranked up for his best effort...use in exotics. (1) SO MANY ROADS rallied to be a close 4th off the
bad date last week, and might have won had he been tighter - may end up a bit overbet from this spot, and
we'll likely be using him underneath, rather than on top. (7) GRIFFON HANOVER has a few good recent
starts in this class, but has Post 7 to contend with tonight - may struggle to get into the hunt from out here.
(6) ONE OFF DELIGHT was no factor moving up in class last week - wait for an easier spot.
RACE 11 - (1) MACH DORO A was handled conservatively off the layoff last week but finished full of
pace from an impossible spot - he beat this class 3 in a row last Fall, and now gets to control the action
from the pole - the one to catch and beat. (2) LOUS SWEETREVENGE just didn't show up from Post 8
last week, but he's been a solid player most other weeks in this class - look for a quick rebound with the
move inside. (3) PATRIOT NATION was a dead game first over winner last week - he's unproven at this
level, but he'll have his chance at a decent piece with the good draw. (4) WEONA SIZZLER A made a nice
brush to go by the leader to 3/4s last week but came up disappointing into the stretch, weakening to 4th -
needs to be a bit sharper to contend for the top slot. (6) BLACK CHEVRON N was well backed last week,
went right to the top but gave way and backed through the field - we'll see if he can bounce with a better
effort racing from behind tonight. (7) MYKINDACHIP picked up small checks in this class the last 2 starts
but it does look like he could use a class drop, and better post. (8) MAJOR CROCKER A lands Post 8 off a
sick scratch - we'll just observe for tonight. (5) LETSGOTOBRAZIL A seems ambitiously placed for his
first Yonkers try.
RACE 12 - (4) CHANGE STRIDE N seemed to be tailing a bit but did race better last start after dropping
down to this level - we'll give him the narrow edge in the finale. (1) MARINER SEELSTER rebounded
from a disastrous effort 2 back with a "more like it" 2nd last week - he was reclaimed by a barn that has
done super with him, and he should be a major threat from this spot. (3) SWAGASAURUSREX did good
work for a low profile barn before getting taken for $30K (a nice premium!) last week - it would be no
surprise to see him really take off for his new connections, but he does seem to like an "easy" trip...so we'll
see how he holds up to the more aggressive handling he's likely to receive now. (2) SHOREVIEW seems to
need a bit easier for a chance at the top prize, but can certainly pick up a nice chunk against these from a
good spot like this. (7) DESIRES CAPTAIN was much improved in last week's 3rd place finish - tough
draw, but willing to include for 3rd/4th. (6) HASH TAG SWAG and (8) KASEY JOHN A both seem to be
struggling right now, and will need a turnaround to become players in here.