RACE 1 – (3) KEYSTONE DASH drops back down to 25s after racing well in a pair of tries for $30K (2nd and 3rd)
– he faces a few live players in here, but we’ll give him the narrow edge. (4) KOOTENAY SANTANNA has been
loving things at this $25K level, and comes into tonight off a pair of nose victories – would surely be no surprise at
all. (5) FINAL CHEESERECIPE was no threat in either start since the barn change but he also caught a couple of
hot miles, vs. some sharp rivals – may be able to make some late noise tonight if the trip goes his way. (2) KOUNT
BLASTER lost all chance last week when Siegelman made a bad choice to go three wide on the 2nd turn around a
horse that was retreating to the back – he hit board in his previous two, and the move inside gives him a chance to
add some value to the exotics tonight. (1) SPEEDY DOMINIC A arrives from Ohio and draws the pole for our top
trainer/driver tandem– have to respect his chances, but he also figures to be way overbet off some shaky recent form.
(7) MARLBANK ROAD should benefit from the drop in class but the terrible draw may offset that – leaning to a
few other inside rivals. (6) SHOTGUNINTHEHOTSUN was a no threat 5th debuting for a new barn last week – not
ready to jump on his team. (8) ALWAYS ROCKIN has just 1 win and 2 seconds from his 25 local starts (last 3 yrs.).
RACE 2 – (4) CENTRAL PARK had to make up about 15 lengths just to catch the field after an early miscue last
week, but was still rallying in the stretch to be a fairly close up 3rd – she’s raced well in all of her local starts, and
reunites with Stratton, for whom she jogged here on 11/13 – we’ll try her over a couple of other live players. (6) CHI
PPER DALE feasted on the Maine Sire Stakes competition at 2 and 3, contributing to the bulk of his 24-17-4-3
career slate – he moved to our leading trainer after winning this year’s final, and picked up a win, 2nd, and 3rd (in NJ
and PA) in his 3 November starts – clearly a big threat in his Yonkers debut. (3) STOCKHOLM HANOVER has
done good work here in the past, even if sometimes hinting at more ability than he’s shown – fits very well here, and
should be able to make his presence felt at some point. (1) PAPA JOE LOZITO seems a notch below a couple of the
top ones in here, but a close up trip would at least put him in the mix for a small piece. (7) THE THING IS tends to
hurt his chances by lagging early on – may be able to rally late and pick off a bunch to take home a piece. (2) JEAN
NIES ACTION is somewhat unreliable, but her best effort would add her to the contenders for a minor share. (5) EL
EGANT RESOLVE just hasn’t been able to hit on all cylinders since arriving from Canada – he’ll turn it around at
some point, but hard to like right now (8) FORTRESS LOUISBURG makes his YR debut from Post 8 after finishing
way back in his last pair out of town – just observing tonight.
RACE 3 – (4) ROCK THIS WAY is good right now, putting in solid tries for the last several starts – he definitely
deserves top billing but be careful about taking too short a price, as his racing style does leave him prone to some
bad trips! (6) SWAGASAURUSREX has been in and out recently but he does have a few decent efforts, and could
be worth a look if anything close to that 15-1 ML price. (8) CAVIART ROCKLAND might be a tempting choice off
his good current Monti form but he does start from the worst post, and his 11-0-1-2 local slate does suggest that you
should demand a decent price if considering on top. (3) LUCIANO N rarely wins but is still more reliable than
several of the others in here – inclined to use him underneath only. (7) DELIGHTFUL TERROR struggled mightily
for 5 straight starts before last week’s “meh” Monti qualifier– seems tough to justify his 3-1 ML price at the moment
(5) JOJOS PLACE got good for a few starts but his last couple has seen his lesser form creep back in – needs a wake
up call. (1) MISSILE SEELSTER finished 6th in his last 3 starts, all from inside posts – just not clicking. (2) HURRI
KANE GEORGIE remains winless on the year, and continues to struggle.
RACE 4 – (1) BETTA WATCH OUT N made only a handful of starts this winter (after arriving from Down Under)
before going on the shelf for 8 months – her return try last week was very promising, she drops right back in the
box, and Bartlett takes her over #3 – she faces some solid competition here, but may be ready to deliver a winning
effort. (4) REIGNING JADE went a couple of very nice miles in this class back in October, and returns to Yonkers
for a new barn, after a couple of ok tries in NJ – she figures to be a fair price, and could be a big player. (6) KISS
MY CHEEK has made it clear that she loves racing on the lead, and was able to overcome Post 8 last time to deliver
another front end blowout (with #1 finishing 2nd) – she remains a threat to do it again tonight, but MAY have at least
a bit tougher time finding the front – still very playable if the price is fair. (3) KATIES UP wasn’t serious from Post
8 in her lone local try but she followed that up with a win in PA, and should be a very good fit here – Bartlett opts
for #1, but that doesn’t mean this mare can’t still be a big threat. Both (7) SHOWBOAT HANOVER and (8) TWIN
B EMPRESS fit well with this group, but both also figure to be severely hampered by the terrible draws. (5) URSU
LA BLUE CHIP gets a pass for her last (caught behind a quitter) but would still be a surprise in here. (2) FATED
FUTURE will need to prove that she can do as well with these, as she’s done vs. much easier upstate.
RACE 5 – (4) NUTTINBUTHEBEST has certainly been incredibly inconsistent lately, picking up 3 wins from her
last 6 starts but a pair of 6th and a 7th in the other 3 races – her “pattern” of “good/bad/good/bad...” suggests she’ll
show up on her game tonight...and moving to a barn that has been super with fresh claims all year doesn’t hurt
either. (2) HARPER SEELSTER hasn’t won in a while but seems to still hit board ever week – definitely a chance to
get over the hump tonight, especially if #4 doesn’t bring her best. (7) THUNDRA clearly appreciated the drop to 20s
last week, scoring a solid first over victory – she clearly is an excellent fit here, but the outside draw may result in a
tough trip – get a good price if using on top. (5) BETTER WATCH IT was a solid 3rd last week but did benefit from
a very live flow – ok for exotics. (8) ITTY BITTY went her best mile in a long time last start but she’s another that
benefited from a very live trip – we’ll see if she can still have a big impact from out here. (1) SHEIKH YABOOTY
N went a bizarre effort 2 back, looking like she was going to finish distanced heading to 3/4s only to suddenly come
alive on the final turn, and rally for 2nd – her other four starts for this barn have been total blanks, however, and
we’re inclined to stick with the more reliable players in here. (3) LYONS MIKI can throw a good one her and there
but just tends to gap too badly (for too long) most weeks, killing her chances. (6) TUAPEKA JESSIE N has 39 starts
this year with just one win and no seconds – the bad draw makes it even harder to make a case for her.
RACE 6 – (8) BUSY MAKING MONI went on the shelf for 7 months after his 4/1 start in Ohio but certainly seems
to be hitting on all cylinders right now, following up a strong victory over the Pocono slop with an effortless 5 length
blowout in his Hilltop debut – will need at least a bit of trip luck from Post 8 (against a few solid rivals), but just
may be good enough right now to pull it off. (3) GREEN PASTURES has put together a solid 3YO campaign and
that includes a very easy victory in his only local appearance (with Bartlett, 3 starts back) – should be a big threat
here too. (6) AUSTRAL HANOVER was racing off a bad date for a new barn last week but still kicked home full of
trot to rally for the show spot – drops right back in the box, but gets no luck with the draw...still worth considering
if the price drifts high enough. (1) WIN TOGETHER S started her U.S. career here at Yonkers this summer and won
3 of 4 starts – has been stuck on smaller pieces out of town since then, and the guess is that whatever caused that last
poor try in NJ was nothing major – good one to use underneath at that 20-1 ML price. (2) NOTTINGHAM can be
frustratingly inconsistent but he showed up in a good mood last week and was a sharp front end winner – he
wouldn’t be a shock, but he’s definitely a little risky at times. (4) ATTA GIRL DANI is 0 for 12 since arriving at
Yonkers and 0 for 23 on the year – minor share only. (5) ENERGY KING rebounded from a miscue 2 back to win
last week, but in a softer field and in a very slow mile – prefer others tonight. (7) MOHATU AS was sharp 2 and 3
back but just unmotivated at the back last week – hard to know which version we’ll see tonight.
RACE 7– (1) EMBRACE THE FUTURE added Lasix two back, dropped out of KySS competition and
immediately recorded back to back victories (one in KY, one in PA) – makes her local debut for our leading
trainer/driver duo, and looms a short priced winner from this spot. (3) MUSICAL RIDE lacked room in his local
debut then made an early break in his next – his Canadian form suggests he can be a big threat here, and a good
price makes him worth a look. (5) PREMIER VICTORY is hard to gauge class-wise off his Stga. lines but his
connections have recently enjoyed success with WOW LOVE , who arrived with a similar profile...maybe this guy
can thrive here too? (4) HL OLMAYA has had a decent 3YO campaign and the filly raced pretty well in her only
local try – willing to use in exotics IF she’s a decent price. (6) NAUTILUS B arrives from Canada for connections
that have done well with these types in the past – tough spot for her YR debut, however. (8) CHASING CRYSTALS
has flashed some ability at times out of town and may be a good fit with these...but seems destined for a very
conservative drive after drawing Post 8 for his local debut. (2) ENTERTAIN ME picked up a 2nd at Chester (after
arriving from Canada) but just seems a notch below some of these – will observe, for now. (7) WISTERIA
HANOVER wasn’t nearly the same last week (when finally used harder) and faces a long haul from Post 7 tonight.
RACE 8 – (2) SALE EL SOL really hasn’t been “bad”, but she’s been facing tougher, and often from difficult spots
– we’ll see if tonight’s class drop AND move inside helps her produce a winning effort. (5) PINK RUBY added
Lasix two back and would probably have won had she found room inside sooner– she did score as the heavy favorite
last week, and figures to have a big say again tonight. (1) DEVILISH DREAMS is just 2 for 37 this year but those
wins did come over the past 5 starts – she’s been a much better horse since joining this barn a few months back, and
has been a weekly threat for some time. (8) GINGER TREE LIZ raced much better than expected last week, a sharp
3rd (at a big price) despite Post 7 – another terrible draw for tonight, but a repeat of that last mile could land her
another nice chunk. (4) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL broke early last week but just never LOOKED right after that –
feels a bit risky, even though she drops right back in the box. (6) PROVE EM WRONG was able to take advantage
of a good spot with that win 3 back, but suffered from bad draws in her last pair– stuck outside once more. (7) LINE
EM UP was a winner last week, but with a very easy trip in a soft field – much tougher scenario here. (3) ACEFOU
RTYFOUR ALEX still hasn’t been 1st or 2nd in 33 starts this year.
RACE 9 – Tough race: (4) SHADOW IN RED shows some pretty mixed form in his 4 local starts but he flashed
enough ability vs. the 25s to suggest that tonight’s drop to 20s may pay dividends – one of several with a legitimate
chance in here. (5) CONTACT ZONE beat the 20s at Chester on 11/10 then was a close 2nd here the next week – he’s
missed 3 weeks (after being scratched injured from his last), but he’ll have a solid chance IF he’s 100%. (2) DIAMO
NDBEACH failed to function for a long stretch this season – his current form has been upgraded to “erratic”, but at
least he’s shown that he can still throw a big one from time to time – a threat for sure, but also hard to accept too
short a price on top. (8) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES hadn’t won in a while before delivering back to back victories
in his last pair – brutal spot tonight, so make sure to get a good price if he’s your choice. (1) THREE GRAND is
hard to really gauge off his recent out of town form but he was facing better when seen here last – suppose he can be
in the mix if he brings his best game. (3) BUCHANNON HANOVER was just 1 for 25 here in 2023 and is 7-0-0-1
in 2024 – minor share only. (7) NOWHERE CREEK A retreated after the start last week and was never heard from,
after wiring the field the week before– tonight’s draw figures to hurt his chances again. (6) SWEET SHUNEY
MOON arrives from PA and his current form is less than stellar.
RACE 10 – (6) LUCKY MUM is now 4 for 4 in the U.S., even if the TOTAL margin of victory for the 4 wins
COMBINED is barely a length – we’ll stick with the hot hand, even if there won’t be much of a price. (1) KORIAN
DER SISU S is 4-1-3-0 since arriving from Sweden, and that includes last week 2nd place finish here at Yonkers –
likely the main danger after moving all the way inside tonight. (3) CAVIART IRISH LUCK was 2nd in her first local
try then was a no-threat 3rd behind a pair of solid rivals last week– logical player for a piece of the exotics. (8) WOW
LOVE shipped in sharp from Stga. and continued to perform very well here at The Hilltop, charging home to win
her local debut (in a slow mile) before putting in another big rally last week to b 2nd best to the top choice – she
clearly tries very hard, but it’s hard to say if she’ll just be coming from too far back this week. (2) ALEXANDER
has been just “ok” so far since arriving from Canada– will need to be better if he hopes to contend for a bigger share.
(5) BO SILAS was our choice last week (and heavily backed at the windows as well) but the Michigan invader just
stopped badly after cutting the mile – good to see him right back in the box, but hard to get too excited about his
chances after that last performance. (7) BARN CREDIT is having a tough 1 for 21 season, while 0 for 8 here at YR
– he did finish 2nd two back, but may have trouble replicating that effort tonight. (4) SHINY NEW PENNY arrives
from PA sporting a 1 for 33 record this year – watch mode only for tonight.
RACE 11 – (2) GINGER TREE PETE hadn’t finished better than 6th in weeks but a drop to 15s and the ability to be
on the lead perked the classy 8YO right up, and he was able to prevail (despite working hard all the way) – we’ll see
if he built enough confidence to take another. (6) B COOL FOOL was well backed and in a good spot when he made
an unexpected miscue in the pocket last week (before pulling up with broken equipment) – assuming he shrugs that
right off, he can be a big player here...with a decent trip. (4) JUST A WRANGLER has 3 wins from his last 5 starts
but was well back in the other two (with bad posts) – moves back inside, and can rebound with a big effort here...
especially if the top choice fails to repeat last week’s performance. (5) DEEDENUTO has been sharp at Freehold but
note that he’s 7-0-0-0 locally this year before getting too excited about his chances tonight. (1) MAJESTIC KIWI N
has 18 starts here this year and yet to be 1st or 2nd – minor share only, even from the pole. (8) YOUR BROTHER
looked like he was really sharpening again but threw a disappointing try in his last, and now draws Post 8 off 3
weeks – leaning elsewhere. (3) CENTURY IGLESIAS hasn’t hit the board in ages, although he did “improve”
enough to be 4th last week – still not ready to consider. (7) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP finally makes his way to 15s
after losing his first 35 starts this year (on the heels of LAST year’s 1 for 25 campaign).