RACE 1 - Tough race, to kick off a tough card! (7) ROCKIN RAMBARAN doesn't have very good
looking NJ lines recently, but he was actually doing very well this spring before he was claimed - moves to
a new barn tonight and the classy veteran does have 12 wins over the past 2 years - good 20-1 ML horse to
take a stab with in this hard to gauge opener. (3) LITTLE BEN ships in from Delaware in fine form, should
fit well with the locals, and Siegelman takes him over 3 others - seems like a live player. (5) BLAYDE
HANOVER was 5 for 12 here earlier this year so it's hard to understand why he's been racing exclusively in
NJ recently - maybe he can reverse form with a return to his favorite oval? (1) VILLAGE CHAMP is a
solid player in this class when he gets an easy trip, and that could be in store for him from the pole - logical
player. (8) MILITARY MASTER A went a very solid effort off the layoff last week, but he lands Post 8 and
loses Siegelman - not sure he can work out a manageable trip from this spot, (2) AMERICAN NITRO was
able to steal one with a quick start 2 back, but caved badly last week after used much harder early on - will
probably be well backed off the barn change, and there just may be better value to be found with a few
others. (6) FAST ON THE DRAW picked up a (very rare) win 2 back, but quickly reverted to his lesser
form in last - not a big fan tonight. (4) PINE BUSH ROCKET seems a bit too cheap for these.
RACE 2 - (4) WHAT CHAPTER has never been a great "Yonkers horse" but the truth is that he struggled
most places -- until really upping his game in 2021 - was a good 2nd here at this level 3 back, an even 5th
vs. better in his next, then broke on an off track (in the Preferred) last week - may be able to come out on
top in a field with no standouts. (7) MADHATTER BLUECHIP was claimed back by his long time owner
for $5K more than he lost him for on 5/20 - had no prayer from Post 8 vs. better in last, but still looked
good trotting across the wire...no draw luck again tonight but at 15-1 ML, he's definitely worth having on
your tickets. (3) SECRET BRO is a very solid performer at this level and an absolute threat to take this -
he's also 0 for 19 this year, so don't be too quick to take a short price on top. (2) WINDSONG PIONEER
has always been a different horse on the lead so while he may have been 35-1 last week, his "real" odds
were much lower than that once he hit the top - faces better now, and will have a harder time outrunning
these...but hardly impossible. (5) SUMATRA wasn't too sharp for much of this year but found a basement
field he could beat on 5/12, beat a NW10000 field 3 starts later, and he's been racing "ok" with better since
then - prefer others, but it wouldn't be any great surprise if he raced well here. (6) EVS GIRL was an ok 4th
at this level last week, but her best work comes with a bit softer - outside post won't help either. (8) MYSTI
CAL SOMOLLI has been ok out of town but gets stuck with Post 8 shipping in, and he was 3-0-0-0 here
last year. (1) MISS YOU KELLY really seems overmatched with these....even from the pole.
RACE 3 - Another very tough race: (5) MASTERSON was one of the horses that propelled his trainer to a
couple of excellent seasons a few years back, so it's fitting that the 9YO broke a LONG Yonkers losing
streak recently....as his trainer has also been enjoying a revival this season! He's been very consistent lately,
his barn is going strong, and we'll give him the narrow edge in this difficult race. (7) ROCKABILLY
CHARM raced pretty well last week despite a trip he doesn't really like - no luck at all with the draw once
again, but he does drop in class and did beat this level in NJ just 3 starts back - good value horse. (2)
SLUGGEM N has been very sharp but he exits a barn that has been REALLY hot lately, and it's hard to say
how he'll do racing for somebody else - we'll find out tonight. (6) IDEAL SON was no factor in NJ in his
first 2 off the claim but went a big mile to score the victory here last week for his talented young trainer -
move up and Post 7 may slow him down a bit tonight, though. (1) SHOREVIEW has won plenty of races
here at YR and is shipping in showing solid form - will take plenty of tote action from this spot, but not
sure that he's worth playing at the expected short price. (8) LANAS DESIRE had been going off at big odds
every week, BROKE the week before, but was still sent off at an incredible 2-1 last week...the proceeded to
win EASILY, despite being parked almost every step of the way - guess a check of the tote board would be
a good idea! (3) MACHING TIME just hasn't been sharp lately - he can perk up and beat these at any time,
but is hard to recommend right now. (4) TERRITORY may benefit from the barn change tonight, but he
just seems a little cheaper than these - would hardly be a shock, though.
RACE 4 - (2) OCEAN COLONY has been facing some tough foes at Plainridge and hardly embarrassing
himself - was doing good work vs. similar claimers at The Swamp prior to that, and raced well here a few
years back - should have a solid chance with the good draw. (1) RUTHLESS DUDE almost beat this class
from Post 8 two starts back so clearly he'll be a big threat from the pole - the main knock is that he's 0 for
11 here at Yonkers. (4) BEGINNERS LUCK was a solid 2nd to Rough Odds off the claim 2 back, but
things just didn't work out in his last - drops down a notch, and could easily be a player once more. (3)
LATE MAIL was 0 for 18 this year before beating a cheaper field at Harrington - see how barn's other
horses do earlier tonight, and use that as a gauge for this guy. (7) ROCK ON LINE drops again off a pair of
dull tries and it's hard to say WHEN we'll see him wake up - we're not fans right now, but could see why
anybody would be willing to give him a shot, at the right price. (5) MR DS ROCK has some Ohio lines that
would make him a decent fit here but he's just 1 for 21 this year, and his (new) trainer is 0 for 23 at Yonkers
- maybe a small piece? (6) THUNDER SOME WHERE needs an easier class, and better post. (8) UNICO
LEGEND N is the clear outsider...both literally and figuratively.
RACE 5 - (6) SECRECY doesn't exactly have exciting form right now but it's hard to get excited about any
of the players in here - he should at least be a good price, and we'll give him a shot. (2) BIG BAD BILL put
in a good looking bid last week before just running out of gas and tiring - he could definitely build off that
effort, but that 9/5 ML price makes him hard to pick on top. (3) BOURBONS COURAGE shipped in with
horrendous looking form but got a big barn change, added Lasix, and improved significantly to pick up 2nd
to the standout winner - has to be considered a player off that last mile. (8) STARK HANOVER may never
get into the hunt here but he's generally used to facing better, and does have the speed to leave (and the
driver to try it) - if the barn has sent out some live ones earlier tonight, maybe give this guy a look? (1)
DEEDENUTO A just hasn't thrived since coming to the U.S., but he has to at least have a chance at a piece
starting from the pole. (7) PROVEN DESIRE would be worth a look from an inside post but he's just 1 for
21 here over the last 2 years, and hard to endorse from out here. (4) MAURICE has thrown a few good
ones here in the past, but he doesn't seem to be on his game at the moment. (5) SOFER ships in off a Stga.
win but just seems a bit cheap...even against these.
RACE 6 - (3) BLUFFINER handled the move from NW6PM to facing older in NW15000 very smoothly
last week, rallying nicely for 3rd despite a less than stellar trip - will have a legit chance to beat these with a
bit smoother journey. (5) MISS MCKEE won 7 of 13 as a 3YO last year for $111K - has come back just as
sharp at 4, and beat this same class at Chester back on 4/25 - should be a big threat in her Hilltop debut. (4)
TAD KRAZY HANOVER showed some life 3 back, was a sharp winner one level down in her next, but
couldn't get close from the back of the pack in her last - should be able to make some noise from this
improved spot. (6) GREAT UNKNOWN wasn't always the easiest horse to handle in his previous starts
here, but has definitely been doing good work for his current barn, out of town - on his best, he can contend
for a good piece here. (2) FASHION CREDITOR worked out the two hole trip here 2 back but came up
short at the end, finishing 4th - he's 0 for 15 at Yonkers over the past 2 years, and is probably looking at a
minor share at best tonight. (1) COOL CLIFFORD probably needs to be in a bit cheaper to be a serious
player - seems unlikely, even from the pole. (8) ARMAGEDDON SEELSTER was dull off the brief layoff
at Chester, and lands Post 8 tonight - he does love Yonkers, but we'll wait for a better spot before giving
him a serious look. (7) LUCKY WEEKEND needs a much easier spot to be a player right now.
RACE 7 - (5) HEY LIVVY actually set a track record in her qualifier (5/21) so it was no surprise to see her
race huge in her first start of the year, delivering a powerful first over 1:54 victory - she followed that up
with a track record performance in her next, stopping the teletimer in a scorching 1:52.4 (while winning by
8 lengths!) - she was scratched sick from her next, though, so while she's hard to BET here at a short price
(off a month), she's also pretty hard to pick against. (1) MELADYS MONET may be just a tad off his
absolute best game right now, but the 12YO is still awfully good - the rail draw is a big asset here, and he
should end up with a big chunk of this. (3) CHAPTIAMA banked nearly $400K at 2 and 3 and he's
continued to thrive as a 4YO - there's no doubt that he fits with these, but he's missed 3 weeks and goes
from Dunn to Trond - MAY be just a little short this week. (4) PATRIARCH HANOVER won 4 straight
Yonkers starts before coming up a nose shy in the Open - remains a solid threat for a good piece. (2)
MOSTINTERESTINGMAN was feelin' it last week, rolling on the lead and never stopping, registering a
new lifetime mark (in his 163rd start!) - don't think he can outrun THESE, however. (7) MAGICAL JOUR
NEY hung on by a nose to score the upset last week, but he's punished with an outside post and seems
unlikely to overcome it against this tougher field.
RACE 8 - MGM Springfield Stakes Final - $150,000: (7) PLEASELETMEKNOW left quickly and
finished powerfully to win the quickest of last week's three divisions - barnmate American Courage was
also an elimination winner last year....before going on to take the Final (and many more races since then,
including The Messenger 2 weeks ago) - we'll see if we can get some deja vu for his connections! (3) THE
BIZNESS BLUECHIP put in a strong closing kick to be a close 2nd in his elim. (and first lifetime start) -
hails from top connections, and is eligible to be even sharper tonight. (4) WOLFTRAX looked like he
might roll by last week but Zeron had to yank hard on the right line as this guy was running in a bit, and the
winner was drifting out at the same time - the ability is there, and a smoother trip could put him right there
on the wire. (6) SILVERSTONE blasted to the top last week, raced hard but came up 2nd best to the top
choice - you know his barn will have him ready for tonight...and he is one to consider at that 9-1 ML price!
(5) LETMECALLYOUBACK was a winner last week but it helped that the leader gave way without much
fight, and then WOLFTRAX had some steering issues when taking aim at him in deepstretch - we'll see if
he can time his move just right tonight, as he's proven that he does fit with these. (2) TE AMO BLUECHIP
turned in that impressive qualifier behind Monica Gallagher (who beat a NW20000 field on Thurs. night),
but came up a little light at the end of her elimination - needs to bring her "A Game" tonight for a chance at
a big slice. (1) AMERICAN ARTIST K was sent off favored last week off a good Chester effort but was
just an "ok" 3rd - needs to up her game a little bit tonight. (8) GONE BEFORE DAWN won her elim. but
wasn't a "pretty" victory - draws worst, Bartlett bails, and we're leaning to others this week.
RACE 9 - (8) FLAMING FLUTTER N showed major life charging home for 3rd in this class 2 back, so it
was no surprise to see him score easily off the drop last week - when the old boy is feeling good (as he
seems to be right now), he can handle better than these...willing to give him a shot from Post 8, assuming
the price is decent. (6) LYONS NIGHT HAWK gave a it a go on the front end from Post 7 in his only start
here this year, but weakened late - the track wasn't nearly as speed favoring back then as it is right now, and
he may be able to take these a long way tonight. (2) RETOUR AU JEU gets some post relief while entering
at a level he has shown he can handle in the past - looking for a much better effort from him tonight. (3)
HERRICKROOSEVELT N has been burning quite a bit of $$ lately, thanks to some tough trips but also
because he just hasn't been on his best game - he's eligible to perk up and crush one of these fields on any
given week....but for now, we'll just use him underneath. (1) NO ORDINARY MAN can be dangerous from
a spot like this when on his game, but he just doesn't seem all that sharp right now - using for a small piece
only. (5) WAR DAN DELIGHT N will appreciate the class relief and definitely can have a say here - but
he's just 1 for 25 at Yonkers, and hard to use on top against these. (4) CENTURY ENDEAVOR gave it a
shot last week but came up well short - just doesn't seem sharp enough right now to threaten these. (7)
MCCLINCHIE N is ok at this level from a good spot, but will likely struggle from all the way out here.
RACE 10 - Good race! (4) SPLASH BROTHER came up 2nd best to Dragon Said in his only start here
this year but he shouldn't feel too bad, as EVERY horse that has faced Dragon Said (since the barn change
to the "Dynamic Duo") has been defeated - he's made the jump beautifully from 3YO to 4YO, and looms a
major threat tonight. (5) GRAY DRAGON jogged in his only local start this year, winning in 1:51.3 over an
off track - he's won 6 of his last 8, but he does draw outside a few very sharp rivals - may be sharp enough
that it doesn't matter. (3) SERIOUSLY HANOVER has done excellent work all year as a 4YO, holding his
own with some high end stock across the river - hasn't won since 5/1, however, and doesn't have the benefit
of a trip over the track - would be no surprise, but we'll still give the edge to the top two. (1) LEVINE has
an outstanding 16-3-6-5 here at Yonkers, and finds a way to be right there every week, no matter what trip -
just not sure he's quite in the same league as the top ones in here. (2) TITO ROCKS has raced well in every
local start but he's been away since April, and figures to need a start (or two) before battling these tough
ones. (6) DIAMONDBEACH is a quality 4YO but he draws outside all his main foes, and will need some
trip luck just to grab a decent piece. (7) CAN B PERFECT looks great on paper but still will have a hard
time getting into contention in this terrific field.
RACE 11 - (6) ROCK OF CASHEL appeared to be leveling off a couple of years ago but he seems to have
found the Fountain of Youth these days, and the 11YO is as sharp now as he was as a youngster- he's been
sharp for weeks, had success here in the past, and Buter is familiar with him - he's closing in on $800K, and
he has a good chance to surpass that mark tonight. (2) EYE OFA TIGER AS has been behaving himself
most every week, and racing pretty well right now - logical threat from this spot. (8) HILL OF A HORSE
found himself much closer to the pace than usual last week and chasing the hot pace actually hurt his
chances, unable to rally in the stretch, then losing the place spot late - could easily rebound tonight and has
beaten better than these many times....but some luck will be needed from Post 8. (1) BARRY BLACK still
isn't on his "best" game, but he's more than sharp enough to be part of the equation here - ok for a piece. (5)
GINGER TREE SKYR ships in very sharp from Harrington, but he MAY be a little cheap for these - we'll
find out tonight. (7) NEW HEAVEN has been good for some time, and comes into this off a strong 2nd -
often struggles from spots like this, though.
RACE 12 - (7) BRANQUINHO had a disappointing 4YO campaign but he appreciated some time off and
has looked since returning in June - should be able to leave for position here (at worst), and looms a solid
threat to extend his winning streak to two...even against this tougher field. (1) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP
has some ugly looking lines but also has some pretty valid excuses - on his best he'd be very dangerous
from a spot like this...certainly one that belongs on your tickets. (5) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N is a tough
to predict - takes a big drop, but never really belonged in $50K claimers to begin with - barn seems to be
perking up, so maybe this is a good one to use? (3) SEEUINNASHVILLE A was a solid 2nd best to the
heavy favorite in last (#4), and his trainer sent out a very sharp winner on Thurs. night - may be able to add
some value to the exotics? (6) WARDAN EXPRESS A was stuck first over vs. better in his last couple -
maybe can rally late for a piece, at a big price? (8) THE REAL ONE rarely (if ever) drops down to this
level, but he'll be coming from way back, and probably be overbet - better value with others. (4) ISLAND
SPECIALMAJOR ended up on the lead in a short field (in a paceless race) and scored as the (ridiculous)
1/20 favorite - doesn't seem like a likely repeater, though. (2) CHEYENNE REIJANE is 0 for 33 here over
the last 3 years - used an easy trip to pick up a 3rd last week, but may not be as fortunate tonight.