RACE 1 - (6) TWO FACED shipped down from Canada sporting some good looking form to start his
career, added Lasix for his U.S. debut but was handled very conservatively, kicking home full of pace for
2nd behind the runaway prohibitive favorite - look for a much more aggressive try tonight, with a solid
chance to get his picture taken. (5) COALFORD BET ALINE rallied crisply for 3rd in his U.S./local debut
then rallied sharply again in his next, though not quite able to get the win - the UK import looms the main
danger tonight. (2) AMBITIOUSBEACHBOY has shown some gait issues at times in his 2 local tries but
wasn't bad last week - a smoother trip could help him add some value to the exotics. (3) THORN TOAD
moves inside and figures to be handled aggressively by Bartlett - may be able to last for a piece. (1) BEST
ONEYET HANOVER is 0 for 21 to start his career but does show mostly competitive efforts at Fhd. -
Siegelman takes him over #3, and we'll see if he can hold his own in this NW2 field. (7) RED RIVER SAL
raced very well in his local debut but not as sharp last week - has to blast from out here and hope for some
trip luck...and then he'd at least have a chance at a share (4) BEST BETTOR has yet to hit board in 14 local
tries - prefer others. (8) TREVORS HUNT draws Post 8 off a break - will just observe, for now.
RACE 2 - (4) WALKINSHAW N showed sneaky life when 34-1 on 1/23 and the public jumped all over
him the next week, sending him off at an astonishing 2/5 price - he ended up getting brutalized for the lead
after a rare leave attempt, then hopelessly locked in through the stretch behind the horse he let take over
past turn two - hoping for a better price tonight...and some better racing luck! (1) KERFORD ROAD A had
a rough year here in '22 but finished the season with a pair of 2nds, then just missed when 2nd last week -
has to be considered a legitimate threat from this spot. (7) TWIN B DELUXE was able to score from Post 8
in wire to wire fashion last week (over #1) - steps up a notch and will now have to overcome Post 7...and he
may be able to do it. (3) WARDAN EXPRESS A was a New Year's Eve winner at Chester, was "sneaky
ok" here the next start then finished full of pace to be a close 3rd last week - decent bomb to at least give a
look to. (5) SO MANY ROADS drops in class but remains at the mercy of the pace up front - if it's hot, he
may be able to rally late for a good chunk (but he doesn't win very often). (2) ROCKATHON just stole one
last week, getting over the half in :59.2 and easily beating a NW5000 field- will be a lot tougher to replicate
that against these. (6) PRAIRIE PANTHER was a fast closing 2nd at this level 2 back but may have some
trouble finding a way into the hunt from this tough post - wouldn't be a shock, though.
RACE 3 - (7) IMA HAPPY FELLA GB has won 4 of his 5 starts since arriving from the UK and those
last 2 local victories suggest that he could be a pretty nice horse - assuming he doesn't run into a disastrous
trip from Post 7, there's no reason he can't take another. (1) LOUS BEACH is just 3 for 31 but he's raced
well in his last 3 since the barn change, and should be a solid player again with the rail draw. (4)
LUCKBEWITHA LEX was used hard off the layoff last week and only tired near the end - should be
tighter now, and it's a good sign that Kakaley sticks with him- include in exotics. (6) HEART OF DIXIE
hasn't won in his 3 starts since moving up to NW4 but he continues to race well, from tough spots - chance
for a share with any half decent trip. (2) SPORTS SECTION returns from a layoff and while his earlier
starts here wouldn't be good enough to beat these, his barn is in the midst of a major hot streak right now -
he's worth a look at that 15-1 ML price, but note that Kakaley does opt for #4 tonight. (3) COMET
CRUSADER N was all out to beat lesser 2 back then an easy trip 3rd in last - just seems a tad below the
main players. (5) C BET HANOVER has been behaving and racing well vs. easier - he'll have to prove that
he can contend with these better ones, though. (8) WHAT ABOUT BOB came into his last with a 13-0-0-0
record here at Yonkers (1 for 47 overall) but the public sent him off at an astonishing 3/5, expecting him to
undergo a major transformation for his new barn - that's exactly what happened (he jogged on the lead!),
but it does seem unlikely that he can produce that kind of effort up in class, from Post 8...but it wouldn't be
shocking if it did happen!
RACE 4 - (4) B LIKE CRUISER clearly had some issue on 1/16 but then qualified back sharply (behind an
Open pacer) just 4 days later - just wasn't at his best when he finished 3rd in his next start but we'll take a
shot that he shows up better tonight....and we'll give him the narrow edge. (1) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N
was even from the back from Post 8 two back then finished alertly from another tough spot in his last -
drops to the basement, draws the pole and looms a big threat tonight. (6) GARDYS LEGACY A was a nice
horse not too long ago, and comes into tonight off a nice qualifier for new connections - if the tote board
suggests that he's "serious" from this spot, you may want to include him on your tickets. (5) AMERICAN
BOY N has been off form for several starts but drops to the bottom level and is eligible for a wake up call -
unfortunately for him, there are few other "droppers" in here who may be sharper right now. (8) MIKEY
CAMDEN also lands in the basement after showing some life after last week's drop - the draw figures to
hinder him significantly, though. (3) WEONA SIZZLER A doesn't have too many good lines lately, but at
least draws inside - minor piece? (2) ON THE VIRG has been away since 12/16 and the guess here is that
he may need a start or two. (7) DA GHETTO WIZARD has been struggling in NJ and draws poorly tonight.
RACE 5 - (2) MILLWOOD BONNIE N was sent out to one of the highest % trainers on the planet during
our winter break - was in a no chance spot the first week, but delivered a solid victory in her next start -
returns locally to a red-hot, high % barn and we'll look for her to come up with another big mile. (5) BALF
AST N isn't blessed with good gate speed but she does get the job done the hard way on many occasions -
she's on her game right now, and has to be given serious consideration. (1) PAIGES GIRL is another that
isn't ultra handy, but she generally finishes well and could land a good trip from this spot - possibility. (3)
SEZANA N used to be very camera shy here at Yonkers but did grab 3 wins last year, and already has one
in 2023 - may be sharp enough right now to have an impact tonight. (6) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX is a
steady player but the outside draw figures to leave her looking at only a smaller piece tonight (4) SHELLIE
DE VIE was dull off the hiatus last week - leaning towards others right now.
RACE 6 - (2) WICHITA LINEMAN was just an "ok" 3rd in his first 2 starts of the year but he was facing
much tougher than these - made a miscue early on last week but he drops right back in the box, and gets
some class relief - look for him to bounce back tonight. (3) GOTHIC ROCK has been racing better than his
lines look (he's had some legitimate excuses in some unlucky miles) - good value horse to give some
consideration tonight. (1) L DEES JACK LOPEZ was a solid 4th in his first start of the year but he's been
away for 3 weeks and goes for new connections tonight - very hard to know what we'll get from him here.
(8) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK is quick enough to blast from Post 8 but he doesn't seem to be on his best
game right now - may have some trouble in the latter stages, and end up settling for a smaller piece. (6)
ARRHYTHMIC SURGE disappointed as the favorite 2 back then had no offer last week - he's capable of
better, but this is a tough spot....small piece? (4) YER SO BAD looks a little cheaper off his recent NJ lines
and he struggled here the last time he raced in these parts (2021) - leaning towards others. (5) VANQUISH
ED N missed all of 2022 but seems to be getting his legs back under him at Fhd. after recently returning to
the racing wars - still, prefer to watch a local start first. (7) GO WEST GO FAST hasn't looked sharp since
recently changing barns.
RACE 7 - Good race: (3) SARANAC BLUE CHIP is sharp right now, but was hurt by a very tough trip 2
back, then shook free a little too late last week to outkick the winner - maybe he can land on the winning
trip in a race with several legitimate contenders. (1) BIG SIR has faced (and beaten) better than these, and
is sharp right now (ended up with a tough trip last week after the leader went :59 to the half and forced him
to move too soon) - very dangerous if the trip goes his way. (2) SAVE ME A DANCE is finding some form
down at these lower levels but did look a little "ouchy" in last week's game victory - may be a little overbet
here...and may be a bit vulnerable? (4) REBELLIOUS has been 2nd for 3 straight starts and has to keep
moving up as a result - this level is still within his comfort zone IF he can land on the right trip (prefer the
top three a bit more, though). (8) BOILING OAR seems pretty sharp at Dover but it's hard to say how he
fits class-wise with these....it's even tougher to know if he'll be able to overcome tonight's horrible draw.(5)
QUALITY BUD is capable of big miles but just seems well off top form right now - waiting to see some
better life from him. (6) HEISMAN PLAYER should appreciate the class drop, but that may be offset by
the outside draw - maybe a minor share? (7) MISTER DONALD A went a big effort in this class 2 back
but he broke in his next, and now gets stuck out here.
RACE 8 - (5) ROCKIN WITHELVIS A offered no clues with that qualifier but the import was heavily
backed at the windows for his U.S. debut and went a BIG mile for 2nd, hinting at some serious ability - not
sure why Kakaley opted to drive #6, but we'll stick with this guy for tonight. (1) DEAN B HANOVER was
well supported from Post 8 in his 2nd start off the long layoff and raced very well to be 3rd - look for an
even sharper try tonight. (4) CARLISIMO seems to race well in most of his local starts but wins have been
hard to come by the last couple of years - he's looking at another good piece tonight. (3) BRAEVIEW
BONDI A threw a rare dud last week but drops right back in the box - if he can rebound to one of his more
typical efforts, he can land somewhere on the ticket. (6) JUDDY DOUGLAS A really didn't take much $$
last time but he was handled aggressively and was a close 2nd (though placed 3rd for a pylon violation) - he
was Kakaley's choice over the top pick, but perhaps that's just loyalty to the connections - this feels like a
tough spot. (7) FORTIFY failed to menace from his outside post last week and may suffer the same fate
tonight. (2) GINGRAS BEACH won his last, but ends up moving from the bottom class to NW20000!
RACE 9 - (6) BUCHANNON HANOVER added Lasix in NJ 2 back then raced ok in a tough spot -
shipped in to Yonkers and raced well for 3rd, and would have been 2nd to the standout winner had Gingras
stayed outside to the final turn, rather than take the inside route - look for a more aggressive try tonight. (5)
BETTOR ROLL ON a had a few good starts here last year, grabbing 2 wins & 2 seconds from his 7 starts -
qualified back nicely behind DIAMONDBEACH, and should be ready to be a live player right off the bat.
(7) AMERICAN FRONTIER arrived with a 1 for 23 record on 12/20 but like so many from this barn,
delivered a blowout front end win here at The Hilltop - finished 2nd to a promising winner in his next, then
had no chance from Post 8 last week - draws poorly once more, but can at least try to get into position here
- use on your tickets. (1) VEL LARRRY picked up a couple of small pieces here late in the year vs.
claimers, and should be able to hold his won from this spot against these NW4 types - ok for the bottom of
exotics. (2) LETMECALLYOUBACK was a dull 5th last start but was racing off a bad date - could be a
little tighter now, with a chance for a minor share. (3) SWEET SHUNEY MOON struggled in his YR debut
but may be capable of better with some adjustments - maybe 3rd/4th? (4) DANCING JOE made only 10
starts last year and failed to win any of them - been away since Sept., and we'll just watch, for now. (8)
CRACK A SMILE was caught in the back in his last 2 in NJ, and now draws Post 8 tonight - wait for a
better spot before considering.
RACE 10 - (1) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY had trouble finding her form early on in 2022 but ended the
year strong, and found a home in these $50K claimers - joins a new (top) barn for tonight, and comes into
this off a pair of blowouts....and will be heavily favored to make it 3 in a row. (5) NUTTINBUTTHEBEST
won out of the pocket 2 back, then was 2nd best (to a razor sharp winner) off another two hole trip last
week - may be able to earn yet another pocket trip tonight, and that would make her the main threat. (3)
LADY DELA RENTAA went a sharp front end try for a new barn last week (off the bad date), and should
be plenty tight for tonight - a more conservative trip may see her use her good move later in the mile...and
perhaps effectively? (2) BETTER WATCH IT was a good 2nd last week (2nd time Lasix) and a good trip
tonight could see her land somewhere on the ticket once more. (4) CAVIART CHERIE seemed to benefit
from the winter break, looking good in her return (lacked room in the lane) - could easily outperform that
15-1 ML price. (7) LINE EM UP was finishing strong from off the pace last week but may find herself too
far back to threaten tonight. (6) ALWAYS B MIMI moves outside after a couple of rails - tough spot.
RACE 11 - (2) WINDSUN RICKY returned on Lasix after the winter break, was well backed and in the
midst of a very live trip when he suddenly went offstride pacing to 3/4s- it was attribute to an equipment
issue, so it would seem that he deserves a chance to make amends. (4) BELTANE A actually looked to
leave from Post 8 two back, suggesting he was well meant - raced ok in his next (from Post 8 again), and
may be able to pull off an upset tonight (12-1 ML). (6) PRO BEACH shows some mixed recent form but
his "good" efforts would make him a player here, and he's done some damage at YR in the past - another
that could offer some value tonight. (1) TRUFFLE DOG ships in for an always dangerous trainer/driver
combo and draws the rail - clearly a major threat, but does figure to be overbet. (5) KINGSTONS BAD
BOY debuted for a live barn last week but his chances were hurt when forced to move much earlier than he
would have liked - good one to include in exotics. (3) IM A GIGOLO N was no factor last week but drops
tonight while making his 2nd start off the layoff - improvement is possible. (7) LAST MACH and (8)
WAIMAC ATTACK N both draw all the way outside, and figure to struggle getting anywhere near the
action - sticking with others.