RACE 1 - (1) TUGGIN ON MY HEART (trying this class for the first time last week) took off the gate
and landed on a less than stellar trip...but still finished strong to be a close 4th in an excellent try - moves
all the way inside, gets to call the shots tonight, and looms the one to beat. (2) OSTRO HANOVER was
scratched lame in back to back starts recently but made it to the gate last week and was right there 2nd off a
perfect trip - assuming he shows up fit for tonight, he can be a player here too. (4) PEDRO HANOVER got
caught in a duel last week and probably deserves a pass for that awful looking line - assuming an easier trip
for tonight, he can contend for a nice chunk. (3) ALOTBETTOR N may not be on his best game right now
but he moves inside, gets Bartlett on board and may be able to be part of the equation. (5) SETH HANOVE
R wired a much softer crew 2 back but was dull last week (after sitting in all the way) - maybe 3rd/4th? (6)
REIGNING DEO really isn't a bad horse but somehow he has just one win and one 2nd from his 20 starts
this year-maybe he can rally late for a minor share if things go his way? (7) PANNETTONE HANOVER
was facing much tougher last week (after crushing cheaper the week before) but did offer a decent late rally
for 5th - may have given him more consideration tonight with a better draw. (8) SAILBOAT HANOVER
folded badly last week and now exits a high % barn while also drawing Post 8 - prefer others.
RACE 2 - (5) LOUS THE ATTITUDE had a rough patch a while back but seems to have bounce back fully
from those lesser efforts - had NO chance last week (but still raced well), and he should be able to land on a
much better trip tonight - gets the narrow vote. (1) SLING SHOCK neglected to leave the gate last week
and landed on a horrible trip as a result - looking at a much better journey tonight, and a legitimate threat
from this spot. (2) KOUNT BLASTER was no threat in either local start but he raced much better than his
lines might suggest - moves inside, and absolutely worth considering at what figures to be a fair price. (4)
TWO FACED can be pretty inconsistent but he's proven that he can go with these on his best effort - gets
Gingras tonight, and that never hurts. (7) STRIKING IMPACT didn't fire his best shot last week and now
moves all the way outside - will need things to get pretty heated up front to be able to reach from Post 7. (3)
RB struggled since returning from a layoff this summer but finally picked up a win at Chester last week -
still leaning towards others, but he's at least back on the radar screen. (6) FULSOME has raced well here on
several occasions but the draw may limit his opportunities for tonight.
RACE 3 - (2) POINTOMYGRANSON may have tailed a bit from the stellar form he held for so long but
it's not like he's fallen apart - really wasn't bad from hopeless spots (vs. better) in his last pair, and gets both
post and class relief for tonight - look for a big effort this week. (7) IMA HAPPY FELLA GB raced very
well here earlier this year, compiling a 6-2-2-1 local slate - was recently freshened up, then turned in a very
nice try for 2nd last week at Plainridge - could be a big player here, despite the draw. (4) MY CARBON
COPY N has 3 wins this year but is 0 for 16 here at Yonkers - he definitely fits with these, but make sure to
get a decent price if using him on top. (1) ROSE RUN X CON should appreciate the post relief and will no
doubt be close up early on...we'll see how well he can stick around late. (3) THINKBIG DREAMBIG can
go some big miles at times but he has just once start in 6 weeks and his current sharpness is a question
mark, for sure. (5) ROCK THE DEVIL had a promising start off the layoff but regressed in his next pair -
leaning towards others right now. (6) SWEET TROY probably needs to be in a lot easier to be a threat, (8)
MIND HUNTER is 3-0-0-0 here at YR and draws Post 8 after finishing up the track in NJ last week.
RACE 4 - (2) ALL ATTITUDE threw a clunker here on 11/7 but rallied for 2nd in his 2 other starts (and
placed 1st in one of them) - clearly the one to knock off from this spot, but also figures to be a very short
price. (3) BIG DREAM FELLA was handled very aggressively last week for his new connections but was
already out of gas on the final turn - definitely too soon to write him off, and we may see a much better
mile from him tonight. (8) CAPTAIN MIKEY struggled in 3 previous Yonkers starts but vs. better fields -
he added Lasix for his last at Monti and jogged, but that's also his only start in the last 5 weeks - would give
a look if the price gets juicy enough. (6) CROSS CREEK was behind a quitter 3 back, somehow held 2nd
to the runaway winner in his next then ended up bumping with the top choice into the lane last week when
behind a drifting leader - fits for sure, but a tough post. (1) PINE BUSH MONSTAH wasn't bad in either
local try - draws the pole, and definitely one to include in exotics. (4) FOX VALLEY PATRIOT has been
terrible in all 4 local starts- his barn did perk up last week, so maybe he's one for longshot fans? bumping
with the top choice into the lane last week when behind a drifting leader - fits for sure, but a tough post. (7)
HESTONATOR has a trio of 3rds from 4 local starts but figures to be hurt by the draw tonight. (5) LOUIE
HANOVER just hasn't been clicking at all.
RACE 5 - (2) NANDOLO N was Bartlett's choice (over other live ones) and surely remains the one to beat
at this reduced level...but as we saw last week (and at other times), his racing style does make him
vulnerable at times, when things don't go his way - just don't fall in love at a very short price. (1) SHINE A
LIGHT had been sharp recently so last week's dullish effort was a bit of a surprise - he MAY have disliked
the off going, and should be a fair price if you think he can rebound here. (7) DOWNRIGHTDELICIOUS
showed plenty of talent at 2 but was delayed in finding his stride as a 3YO - he's hitting on all cylinders
right now and while he's facing a very tough task here (facing classy older foes, from Post 7), he still can't
be discounted. (3) ULTIMAROCA hasn't been at his best lately, but he's still won 8 of his 19 local starts
this year - he raced erratically in his last, but was still full of pace coming through the wire - drops, and
would be no surprise at all. (5) LOUS BEACH has legitimate excuses in his last couple - he does fit well,
but may just be in a little too tough tonight....small piece? (4) JIMMY CONNOR B was a game first over
winner in his last, but may find tonight's assignment a little tougher than he'd like. (8) SEVEN HUNDRED
has 2 recent wins at this level but faces an uphill battle trying to be a player with these from Post 8. (6) SA
MHARA N draws poorly after missing a month (sick scratch).
RACE 6 - (6) MY MIKI BEACH has been sharp for some time but he really stepped it up a notch since
joining forces with Gingras - looks to make it 3 in a row tonight, and may very well do so. (1) STONEBRI
DGE REX was able to get it done off the pocket trip 2 back, then rallied nicely in the lane for 3rd last week
- if he gets away in the pocket tonight, he could be a major threat. In a very surprising move, the (new)
owner of (4) SHAKESPEARE just claimed him from his own primary trainer - assuming there hasn't been
a rift in that relationship, it's probably safe to assume that the new listed trainer will be able to keep this one
going strong - he's won 4 in a row, but MAY face a tougher time tonight (loses Brennan, and doesn't have
the quickest gate speed) - still, hard to leave him off your tickets. (2) TOPVILLE SOMROCKET picked up
his game in his last pair, grabbing a 2nd and a 3rd - leaning a bit more towards others on top, but one to
consider for exotics. Both (3) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE and (5) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK have been
sharp for a while, but both face uncertain trips in a solid field - either could land a small piece. (7) DP REA
LORDEAL is now 0 for 19 here this year and draws his first bad post in a while - prefer others here. (8)
TWIG doesn't figure to be able to get into the mix from this spot.
RACE 7 - (1) RJ SPORTS IMAGE had a long streak of big miles before starting to tail off a bit - perked up
with a much better effort when 2nd two back, then followed that up with last week's pocket victory - the
one to catch and beat tonight. (2) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER had some better life in his last couple - if the
top choice blasts right down the road here, this guy will get his chance in the lane if that one comes up light
tonight. (3) THRASHER drops back down to the level he was claimed for on 10/9 (a winner that night) -
would give him a look here if the price is decent. (4) MICKY GEE N drops right back in the box after
being scratched sick last week - he's hard to consider on top (just 1 for 24 this year) but always eligible to
rally late for a good piece. (6) BALLERAT BOOMERANG followed up his victory from 2 back with a
nice trip 2nd last week - tonight's tough draw may leave him with only a chance at minor spoils, however.
(7) GOTHIC ROCK is also sharp, and for a suddenly hot barn....but he'll need a lot of action up front to
make his late rally count from out here. (5) HEART OF DIXIE has a couple of recent 3rds at this level but
will need to be sharper to be a more serious player tonight. (8) LONG WEEKEND A is the outsider, both
literally and figuratively.
RACE 8 - (6) COVERED BRIDGE was forced to sit last from Post 8 all the way last week, yet still
exploded him in the lane to still finish 2nd - even if unable to leave he'll be closer tonight, and perhaps be
able to pick up victory #18 in this amazing season. (5) HELLABALOU jogged at 1/5 two back and thanks
to extremely generous post assignment last week, was able to do it again at 2/5 - things do figure to be
tougher tonight....but he's still more than capable of taking another (he has 5 wins and a head loss 2nd from
his last 6 starts). (1) AMERICAN MERCURY just wasn't on his game last week and squandered a pocket
trip to finish 5th - a return to one of his more typical efforts could land him much closer tonight. (3) HEMS
WORTH N serves notice 2 back that he might be ready to turn things around and he followed that up with
last week's 1:51.3 blowout - Kakaley sticks with him as he moves back into the Open, and he may be sharp
enough to make some noise here too. (2) DESPERATE MAN seemed destined to find his way back to the
Open after that ship in win here on 1/5 vs. a NW10000 field - 4 (impressive) starts later he's here, but it is a
bit surprising that Kakaley opts for #3 tonight....we'll see how he goes. (4) IDEEALSOMEMAGIC A has
enjoyed an amazing season but does seem a bit off his best game right now.
RACE 9 - (3) BURNHAM BOY N was sharp before joining his current barn in early October and has
certainly elevated his game since then - drops back down after a couple of even tries in the Open, gets
Kakaley for tonight and gets the narrow nod in what feels like a very competitive affair. (1) ROCKIN JUK
EBOX wasn't the "complete beast" last week that we've seen in some recent starts, but he still battled hard
on the lead while beaten less than a length in 4th - always a chance he comes back breathing fire this week
and makes amends. (4) FAMILY RECIPE has been overachieving lately, doing good work even at these top
levels - can't discount his chances in current form, though that 5/2 ML listing seems pretty low. (7) CRANB
OURNE N likely fits perfectly with these, and was even sharper last week than his might look - hard to
predict if Siegelman will be able to get him into the hunt a bit more tonight. (2) FORTIFY didn't fire his
best shot last week but that doesn't mean he won't bounce right back tonight - can be a player here in his
best effort. (6) JAHAN HANOVER has been on a nice form spree lately, but may have trouble doing the
same damage against these, starting from this tough post. (5) DEETZY appreciated the class drop and
pocket trip last week and found the winner's circle - much tougher assignment tonight, however. (8) TWIN
B HEART THROB is having a terrific year, but he's up in class from Post 8 tonight...tough task!
RACE 10 - Wide open: (4) WE SHALL SEA made an early miscue last week but has been finishing close
in all his recent starts - maybe the switch from Cory to Jordan can help get him to the winner's circle? (5)
JUST ENUFF STUFF moved to the Super Siblings for his last start and like so many before him, was an
instant winner - clearly capable of taking another. (7) PEPPERMINT MAN absolutely has the ability to
beat these but it seems something goes wrong every time he races here - don't hesitate to try him on top IF
the price turns out decent, (2) FULL SUPPORT worked a bit for the lead last week but eventually turned
his first local start into a rout - the final half (and especially the final 1/4) were very slow, however, so don't
accept too short a price on top. (3) GANDOLF THE BLACK may or may not have caused interference in
the lane last week but the judges deemed that he did, and that's what matters (finished first, placed 3rd) -
eligible to make amends tonight. (1) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER has a win and a 2nd since the recent barn
change but very good trips have helped tremendously- could be a bit vulnerable here with a tougher journey
(6) BOOM TOWN BOY and (8) CANY SWAY ME both figure to have hard times getting into play here.
RACE 11 - Tough finale: (6) DIAMONDBEACH has been off form for a long time but his trainer sent out
some very live ones last week and perhaps this guy could be next - should be a pretty big price with no real
reliable players to choose from. (4) PURPLE POET has a mixed bag of recent Monti tries but also had his
trainer driving - gets Stratton for tonight, and may be able to have a say in his YR return. (3) LOUIE THE
HORSE N was hammered at Chester (1/2) in his 2nd start off the layoff and delivered the easy victory - has
to be considered a big threat here, despite an 0 for 9 local slate in 2023. (2) PAT STANLEY N is capable of
jogging at this level on any given week....while also capable of not showing up at all - respect his chances,
but a tough one to take at a short price. (5) BLACK HAWK JOE A doesn't have great lines out of town but
also doesn't look terrible - at 20-1 ML, worth at least a look. (7) MAJOR SHOW ships in sharp from Monti
and gets a pretty significant driver change - he also lands Post 7, and is just 1 for 25 lifetime at Yonkers -
get a good price if considering on top. (1) NOWHERE CREEK A has no chance at Fhd. in his first start off
the layoff but there's no guarantee he'll be any better tonight. (8) WILLIAMS HANOVER draws Post 8
while already struggling.