RACE 1 - (1) OAKWOODINITOWINIT IR had a great shot even from Post 8 last week...but apparently
his driver disagreed, and took him back to last (really giving him NO chance, despite pacing a :54.2 final
half)) - let's assume that he'll be driven a little more aggressively from the pole tonight, and make amends
for that last mile. (4) FAMILY RECIPE makes his local debut and his Ohio form stamps him as the main
danger for a barn having a solid year - not sure if he's good enough to beat the top choice, and it would also
be hard to recommend him on top as the 6/5 ML choice. (5) GLACIS was caught too far back (after a soft
opening half) to have any real chance last week - he's been sharp for a long time, and could grab a piece of
this with his usual good kick. (3) ROCK LIGHTS' efforts have been all over the place the past few months
but he'll have a shot for a piece with the good draw...and hopefully good trip. (6) DANCE IT OUT is
unproven against these types, but he's definitely been racing well lately in PA - willing to throw him in for
3rd. (2) BONDI SHAKE N is just 1 for 12 here this year, but that's partly because he's been 2nd best to
AMERICANLIGHTNING N several times - he's missed 3 weeks, and taking on older foes for the first time
- we'll see how he does. (7) PRETTY HANDSOME has been solid when drawn inside, but has frequently
struggled from the outside posts - willing to wait for a better spot.
RACE 2 - Excelsior A - (1) MAKADUSHIN N CHEEZ has done plenty of racing in his young career, and
sports a nifty 25-12-5-5 career record - comes into tonight off a dominant win (in this class) up at Monti,
and just may be too sharp for these right now. (2) VALENTINE EXPRESS is 0 for 8 so far this year but
definitely sharp right now, just missing to QUINCY MARKET at Goshen, also finishing 2nd at Monti
(behind the top choice) - should be a solid player again tonight. (3) GREY CLOUDS has been very good
when on the lead, but it's doubtful that he'll be there unless something happens to the top choice - ok for a
good piece, though. (5) DOWN THE PIKE MIKE beat the top pick at Tioga at the end of May, but doesn't
seem quite as sharp lately - could be a threat if he finds that better form. (4) MAKIN NO BAKIN seems a
notch below the others.
RACE 3 - (5) HECANDANCENCRUISE has been a little in and out for much of the year but his "better"
efforts would probably be to much for these - he picked up his first win of the year in blowout fashion last
week, and should be full of confidence for his YR debut - deserves top billing. (4) MAKE MY DEO was
sharpening at Chester right before shipping over here last week, and he went a solid mile to be a close 3rd -
could be the main danger. (3) YS DO IT RIGHT finished 2nd in his local debut, then was an ok 4th last
week after a shuffle - a good trip puts him in play for a decent piece. (7) COOL MAN DUDE was ok at
Chester 3 back, found himself too far back (here at YR) in his next, then rallied nicely for 3rd last week -
wish he had drawn a bit better, though. (1) DANCING JOE hasn't shown much since returning in 2022 but
does race with Lasix for the 2nd time tonight, and also draws the pole - maybe we'll finally see some
improvement? (2) THOR AND DR JONES was 3rd here on 6/21 then stayed tight with a Monti qualifier
last week after a sick scratch - maybe he can tow along for a minor share? (6) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK
has been "meh" in 4 local tries, picking up some smaller pieces - won't be easy to improve on that tonight
with the outside draw. (8) ALWAYS BETTER ships in from PA showing some "ok" form, but faces a tall
order starting from Post 8 in his local debut.
RACE 4 - Interesting race with FOUR fresh faces arriving into FOUR barns that usually do very well with
these types! (4) SHARKY BEAR was a winner up in Canada last start, has plenty of half mile experience,
and goes from a low profile operation to the perennial leading barn in the country - one of the 4 newcomers
with a chance to take this. (2) COLD CREEK FELIPE also arrives from up North, and also off a win (in his
first start of 2022) - lands in a top barn, adds Lasix, and may prove to be the right one. (1) LATEST ERA
won his last pair at Ocean Downs, is 7-3-3-1 on the year and also joins a barn that has always done well
with fresh stock - legitimate threat for sure, but that 8/5 ML price is a bit of a turn off. (3) PICK A GENRE
struggled to stay pacing as a 2YO at the Iowa Fairs, but is off to a good start at 3 racing at Running Aces -
he joins the Super Siblings' barn, and that has been a winning angle for a long time! (5) LONE WOLF
AMERICAN might be the best of the Yonkers "regulars", but he needs to finish his miles a bit stronger. (6)
BUD TRUCK was an "ok" 3rd in his first local try of the year, but was scratched sick after that and draws
poorly for tonight. (8) A SHORE LEGACY didn't distinguish himself in a couple of tries here earlier this
year...and draws Post 8. (7) BUCKEYE EMERY disappointed in both local starts - waiting for a better try.
RACE 5 - Excelsior A- (3) BY THE BOOK showed ability at 2, and closed out the season with a close 2nd
in a Simpson division - changed hands for 2022 and started the year with a pair of sharp qualifiers before
heading up to Tioga to try the NYSS - was well backed and put in a good bid before tiring, but his
connections have opted to avoid shipping all over NY State, racing primarily in PA instead - looks like he
lands in a field tonight that he can handle. (1) DEBS PRINCE HALL was 7-3-3-1 as a 2YO - came back
solid again at 3, and picked up a couple of good looking Stga. wins in May - his recent form is a little more
spotty, but he still looks like the main danger...assuming he behaves himself. (2) TANKER EXPRESS got
Stratton on board for the first time last week and rallied nicely for 3rd at Monti - draws inside, and can be
part of the equation once more. (6) CREDRENA was ok in her 2 local starts this year, picking up a 2nd and
a 3rd - tough draw, but gets Bartlett to drive and that may help her get a quick start - chance for a piece. (4)
SCREAMER has 4 wins this year (and SIX for his career) but those were vs. easier - will need to find a bit
more to be a serious threat against these. (5) SPICY NUGGET seems a bit overmatched against these.
RACE 6 - (1) LOOKATMYART finished well from an impossible spot last week, after landing on a
horrible trip the week before - she just missed to the streaking PURE COTTON the start before that,
however, and should be looking at a very nice trip from the pole tonight - the one to beat, but don't accept
too short a price (she can be a little camera shy). (5) SUMMER RAE has been slow to get her act together
as a 4YO but she showed much better signs in her last couple, and her barn seems to be heating up as well -
would certainly include on your tickets. (7) CAVIART CHERIE is a solid performer at this level - will need
some serious trip luck from out here, but may have a chance to upset if she gets it. (2) VELOCITY
MCSWEETS was able to find a softer spot last week and pick up the wire to wire win - she still doesn't
seem to be at her best, but she can still land a good share from this spot. (6) MILLWOOD BONNIE N
seemed to be on the upswing but definitely disappointed in her return to this level last week - maybe
3rd/4th? (3) BRING ME DIAMONDS isn't really a $50K claiming mare but she does pick up some pieces -
another that's playable for 3rd/4th. (4) SEZANA N is 1 for 35 at Yonkers over the last 2 years and couldn't
even hang on last week after building a big lead at the bottom level - hard to recommend her tonight. (8)
WOODMERE SKYROLLER really seems to have gone in the wrong direction lately - Post 8 won't help!
RACE 7 - NYSS - looks like it could shape up as a battle between last year's NYSS winner, and last year's
runner up: (2) COOL PAPA BELL (2nd in last year's NYSS Final) made a break before the start of the
Zweig last week with Zeron driving - the last time he went offstride was when Tetrick drove him last Fall --
Sears drove him every start in between, and will be back in the bike for tonight...we'll give him the narrow
edge. (1) MOLOTOV COCKTAIL was a sharp wire to wire winner in last year's Final - returned with a
pair of sharp qualifiers for his 3YO season, but made a break in his first start back - looked good in the two
tries since then, and figures to be the main danger tonight. (5) CHAPHEART was bothered in last year's
Final but has otherwise been a very steady performer - probably not up to the top pair, but may be next in
line. (4) TANTRA BLUE CHIP clearly has some ability, but the lightly raced gelding is still a work in
progress - sticking with the more proven commodities. (3) PERFECT TITAN is improving, but still seems
below this group.
RACE 8 - NYSS - (2) VELVET STYLE has definitely sharpened recently, and definitely handles Yonkers
very well - he also gets along beautifully with Stratton, and we'll give him the edge in this short NYSS
field. (4) CASTLE HOUSE has been a steady NYSS player this year, though he did make a break up at
Monti last week - can be a dangerous threat if he stays trotting tonight. (1) QUINCY MARKET had no
chance in his first try off the barn change (in the Yonkers Trot elimination) but he prevailed over an
Excelsior A field at Goshen the next start, then won his NYSS division at Monti last week - can't be ruled
out. (3) SECRET RULE flashed ability at 2 but was still learning the game - makes his first start of 2022
tonight, and the guess is that he may need one.
RACE 9 - (2) PJ LOU showed plenty of ability at 2 so it was no surprise to see him start off his 3YO
campaign with a sharp win here (in this same NW4 class) - crossed the finish line first the next week too,
but was disqualified for going inside pylons to the half - continued to race well in PA and can surely be
forgiven for his last couple of starts (Messenger Final from Post 8, and the Meadowlands Pace elimination)
- back to a MUCH more comfortable spot tonight, and is supposed to be able to handle this. (5) AINT HE
SPECIAL was terrific in his local debut, winning despite a VERY long first over move - charged home for
2nd after sitting last in his next, and there's no reason he can't continue to do well tonight. (1) HP LIS
SHADOW showed flashed of ability up in Canada so it was no surprise to see him score in his local debut,
adding Lasix for a sharp barn - steps up in class tonight, but can still make his presence felt from the pole.
(6) THRESHOLD was handled aggressively last week and was able to hold off the favorite (#7) for the win
- this is a tougher overall field, and a much tougher post....may be looking at a smaller share this time
around. (7) MY MIKI BEACH surprisingly allowed THRESHOLD to take over and cut the mile last week,
lost some ground to the top of the lane and was unable to make it back in time before the wire - the ability
is there, but tonight's draw may cause some trouble for him. (8) STILL THIRSTY behaved himself the last
2 weeks and picked up a pair of victories as a result - lots of luck will be needed to get involved tonight,
however. (4) BORN A REBEL surprised with that off the pace win 2 back, then wasn't bad off the pace last
week either - this is just a tougher spot, and he may struggle a bit. (3) NORTHERN NETWORK hasn't
been "bad", but he hasn't been on his best game either - will need to be sharper to contend for a piece here.