RACE 1 – (5) FORTIFY wasn’t bad two back when stuck trying to rally from 6th against some classy foes, then
kicked home full of pace for 2nd behind the Borgata player WHATS STANELY GOT A – a live trip would give him
a good shot in this well-matched opener. (3) FAMILY RECIPE was a game front end winner 2 back and kicked
home with good energy in his last to finish just behind the top choice – he’s been good since a recent freshening, and
is another that can have a big say with the right journey. (4) HIMSELF N actually ran down DESPERATE MAN in a
PcD qualifier but then managed to lose in back to back starts to lesser foes – he did win his next, however, and has
been holding his own with tougher since then – would definitely consider here if the price is right. (2) CAPTIVATE
HANOVER won 10 races last year and already has 5 victories in 2024 – he hasn’t been on his best game lately,
though, so insist on a good price if using on top. (1) VICI has been terrific all year, and he picked up wins in his last
pair – he steps up to face much tougher now, and may end up a bit overbet tonight. (8) KOMODO BEACH does fit
with these but has to deal with Post 8 – if you think Kakaley may take a shot and leave with him, he’s a great bomb
to consider. (7) KINGSVILLE wasn’t his usual sharp self two back but his last was better than it looks – brutal spot
tonight, however. (6) ITALIAN DELIGHT N is sharp for sure, but is also up in class from a bad post.
RACE 2 – Good Race! (4) DUNKIN actually made breaks behind the gate 2 and 3 back (one was uncharted),
recovering on 6/10 to win the race, but out of it on 6/17 – he got away cleanly last week, and put in a BIG three wide
move to pick up a close 3rd from a very difficult spot – we know he loves to win races, and we’ll give him a narrow
edge over some pretty nice rivals. (1) TIP TOP CAT earned over $250K at 3, banging heads with the best in the
division – he’s done all good work so far at 4, right there every week against a strong group of KySS 4 year olds –
he did pick up a 2nd over the half last year (Millstein, at Nfd.), but the rail at Yonkers is sometimes tricky for horses
making their first try here...threat for sure, but could be overbet. (5) COMBUSTION was also banging heads in KY
and made up a ton of ground last week in his YR debut – a live trip makes him a late threat. (2) ALL CLASS wasn’t
at his best in his last 2 local tries, and will need to step up his game to seriously threaten tonight. (3) ITS A ME MA
RIO hasn’t won in his last 5 tries, and his barn is 0 for 41 since mid May – underneath only. (6) HAZEVILLE is
good right now, but figures to be buried moving all the way outside against this strong crew.
RACE 3 – (5) ULTIMAROCA got involved in a mild boggling duel with POUND FOR POUND 2 back that saw
him battle through insane fractions of :26, :53.4, and 1:22 but still only lost by 4 lengths – he (understandably) took
off the gate last week, but was actually charging late for 3rd from a very tough spot – maybe a more aggressive try
tonight could help him pull off a mild upset? (3) SONNY WEAVER N is hitting on all cylinders again for a barn
that seems even hotter than usual lately – he steps up once more, but he’s very sharp and loves to win races –
possibility. (2) NONE BETTOR A stole one on the lead last week and gets a free ride in this NW30000 class –
clearly a threat to pull it off once more. (4) NANDOLO N is always a threat, but wasn’t on his best game last week –
like his barn, he’s struggled to win races lately...probably better used underneath, than on top. (1) HEAVEN ON
HIGH returns from Stga. off a pair of sharp wins and has also won here in the past – he’s looking at a good trip from
this spot but note that he did look a little “erratic” at times in a couple of starts here in April. (7) WHATS STANLEY
GOT A showed that he can still deliver big miles, scoring in 2 of his last 3 starts (vs. easier) – tough spot tonight,
though, as he seems damned if he leaves, and damned if he doesn’t. (5) GINGRAS BEACH is on a great roll, but
probably up too high right now to be a threat.
RACE 4 – (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF last two tries in this class were 8 holes vs. POUND FOR POUND so we’ll just
forgive those – his previous three in this class produced 2 wins (and a close 2nd behind PFP), and he’ll get to control
the action tonight as he drops down from the 60s – the one to beat. (4) VERDUN ships in from Delaware off a pair
of victories, moves to a barn that improves almost all fresh stock considerably, and gets Kakaley in the bike – would
be no surprise at all. (2) TWO FACED really perked up after the 6/10 claim. Picking up a pair of wins and a 2nd – he
steps up in class razor sharp for another new barn, and the inside draw should make him a player from start to finish.
(6) SURFSIDE BEACH has been a strong player all year, and that’s why he’s been claimed in 5 straight starts– he’ll
have to deal with a class jump and tough draw for his new connections, however. (3) SHAKESPEARE was better
last week than his line might suggest but he’s having a tough year overall, and would only be worth a look if the
price drifts way up. (7) TWIN B DELUXE does fit with these but he draws Post 7 after getting parked the mile last
week and will probably be handled conservatively. (8) BOUNTY HUNTER was 2 for 5 here at 3 and 4, but he lands
in a brutal spot for his YR return. (5) C BET HANOVER feels like he’s gone the wrong way recently.
RACE 5 – (4) SHINE A LIGHT appreciated the month off as he raced super in his first start back, absolutely flying
though the lane as he rallied from 8th to 2nd– he’s come up a little short in a bunch of starts this year, but facing better
– feels like a good spot for him to get over the hump. (2) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK struggled in 60s but has been
a different horse since dropping down, currently riding a 3 race winning streak – he gets to draw inside (by dropping
in for $40K, instead of 50), and has a legitimate chance to extend his streak to 4. (5) THRASHER seems to race well
every week, for every barn, and despite his lack of “handiness” – can never be counted out, and a big threat any time
they mix it up in front of him. (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION N went his best local start 2 back so it was no surprise to
see him win off the two hole trip last week – may have a tougher time overcoming the draw tonight, however. (1)
SAN DOMINO A was a somewhat surprising claim, considering he’s just 1 for 28 locally over the past 2 years –
still a chance to trip out and grab a piece, though. Both (7) JIMMY CONNOR B and (8) CENTURY ENDEAVOR
are legitimate players in this class, but will face uphill battles trying to get in play from out here. (3) LOORRIM LA
KE A did stay pacing last week, but got parked the mile – just too risky to endorse against this bunch.
RACE 6 – Tough race! (1) AIR FORCE HANOVER has held form at these higher levels much better than he
usually does – he drops a notch, moves all the way inside, and has a chance to trip out from this spot – one of several
with a chance in here. (5) SAVE AMERICA moved to a new barn last week, had things all his own way and looked
good turning for home...only to see his quest to make it 3 in a row come up short in the latter stages – he’ll get his
chance to make amends tonight, but he’ll need to be a better price to be worth a play (on top). (4) BILL HALEY N
remains ever unpredictable, but he may be feeling good about himself after last week’s easy win at PcD – he almost
knocked off #1 four starts back, and could be worth a look IF the price gets juicy. (7) BUGABOO LOU won a pair
of starts here this Spring but took a month off after a sick scratch on 6/1 – qualified back sharply, and deserves
respect tonight...even with the bad draw. (8) LOUS SWEETREVENGE has been stuck too far back in his last 3
starts and that may happen again tonight...he IS good enough to win with some trip luck, however, and worth using
at a big price. (6) SPLASH BROTHER hasn’t been a threat in his last 4 starts and may need some more class relief
before he perks back up. (3) CASINO ACTION N’s starts in the U.S. have been mixed – leaning towards others, for
now. (2) YOROKOBI N will look more appealing with a class drop, next week.
RACE 7 – (4) PAT STANLEY N was caught in a horrible spot last week and probably should just get a pass – he
was reclaimed by the last barn to win with him, and will have the same driver tonight as well – very tough if he
shows up with his best effort. (6) GINGER TREE PETE isn’t in “top form” right now, but he’s at least been going in
the right direction – he was claimed by a barn that has been killin’ it with fresh stock all year, and the classy 8YO
has to be worth a look at that 8-1 ML price. (2) IM A POWERPLAY A beat the 20s twice recently, and almost got it
done in 30s last week – definitely a threat in his current form. (3) ARTIST BEST had a rough few starts but seems to
be heading back in the right direction – ok for exotics. (7) NOME HANOVER was much better off the claim last
week, but the easy trip may have been the reason – we’ll see if he can continue to improve, even from this much
tougher spot. (1) NOWHERE CREEK A was no good at all 2 back – he moved down a class last week, but it was a
“drop and flop” effort...feels risky right now. (5) KERFORD ROAD A threw back to back clunkers after joining a
barn that normally has them go in the OTHER direction– hard to back at the moment. (8) HEART ON MY SLEEVE
hasn’t been terrible, but he’s also still without a win or a 2nd all year.
RACE 8 – (7) DESPERATE MAN had a nightmarish night at Nfd. for the Battle of Lake Erie, having to rush up
under urging from the 2nd tier, making a break on the first turn, then making up at least 15 lengths to (incredibly) be
right on the wire in 3rd (not unlike when he was parked the mile HERE in the Borgata Final, and miraculously still
finished 3rd)– he’s 13-10-1-2 at Yonkers and gets top billing here, despite a month off and Post 7. (4) BACKSTREET
SHADOW got a trip more to his liking last week and delivered the game victory – could be a good value horse at
that 10-1 ML listing. (5) HELLABALOU has just one win here in 2024 but it was the Borgata Final – not a bad 3rd
last week, and a fast start could put him in play to be right there once more. (3) COVERED BRIDGE seems to have
appreciated the short break, coming up with a win, 2nd, and 3rd since returning – his versatility gives him a chance to
be a player regardless of trip. (6) HEMSWORTH N might be riding a 3 race winning streak had he just moved a bit
sooner 3 back – not sure that he can find a manageable trip for tonight, however. (8) ENERGETIC HANOVER has
been sensational in his 7 starts since shipping in but he’s assigned Post 8 (after missing a month due to sickness) and
that makes him extremely risky for THIS week. (1) ROCKNROLL RUNA A has the credentials to be a player from
this spot, but probably isn’t in peak form right now. (2) CENTURY HEINEKEN is sharp, but taking a big step up.
RACE 9 – (2) COACHES CORNER was 7 for 7 here in 2023 (as he rose up through the conditions) then continued
to excel in 2024, racing well all through the Borgata Series before picking up a 2nd in the Final – he’s continued to
thrive in stakes races out of town, and will probably appreciate the 3 weeks off since returning from Canada – gets
the edge for tonight. (5) BIRTHDAY shipped in sharp from Ohio and has continued to race very well here at YR,
picking up a 2nd and a 3rd from 3 local starts – solid threat again tonight. (6) VENTURESOME ARDEN N has been
rock solid for a long time, and comes into tonight off a pair of wins, and a nose loss to a razor sharp HEMSWORTH
N – the only knock is the draw, but it MAY derail him a bit. (3) POUND FOR POUND hasn’t been able to just run
and hide at this level (like he was doing vs. the claimers) but it’s not like his form has dropped off dramatically – can
still be a threat if left alone on the lead early on. (1) LAYTON HANOVER won his last 3 local starts but that was for
a different barn – he’s continued to race well (for new connections) at Harrington, and does get Kakaley back and
the rail – would hardly be a shock. (4) GREG THE LEG finally picked up the overdue victory last week but will
have to take on a pretty tough bunch tonight.
RACE 10 – (3) FREQUENT IMAGE returned to Yonkers (back in his favorite barn) last week and came up a nose
shy of wiring ‘em from Post 8 – could be even sharper this time, and we’ll give him a shot to turn the tables on (1)
HUNTING ZONE, who was able to sit the pocket and nip him last week (1) HUNTING ZONE left well and secured
the two hole behind the top choice last start, finding room in the lane and getting up at the wire – certainly a chance
that he can do it again, and may not even be favored this time. (7) HOPNROLL HEAVEN has been keeping better
company in most of his local starts, and was right there 3rd the last time he raced at this level – much tougher post
tonight, however, so it’ll be Bartlett’s job to improve enough early on for a shot at the top two. (8) WALKINSHAW
N is good right now, and very dangerous at this level – he’ll likely be trying to rally from last, though, and that may
limit him to just a small slice for tonight. (2) TWIN B RISENSHINE was left alone on the lead last week and was
able to find the wire in time to last for the victory (the barn’s ONLY win since mid-May) – he’s looking at a close up
trip, and may be able to stick around for a decent share. (5) GAMBLINGTERROR is going to pop up with a good
one one of these nights but does figure to be hurt by the speed to his inside. (4) EMINEM HANOVER had a few
good starts but has tailed back off. (6) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE has been dull lately, and draws poorly.
RACE 11 – (2) CAPTAIN T HANOVER picked up a win 3 back (at 11-1), had no room in next, then raced much
better last week than his line might suggest (he actually tried to leave, retreated to last, and was still pacing well at
the wire) – possible upsetter in the finale? (1) SOUTH POINT has been showing speed every week in PA, and will
likely look to cut the mile in his local debut – definitely a chance he can make his speed hold up, but he’s just 1 for
13 this year and does figure to be overbet from this spot. (3) THAT DOG WILL HUNT is just 2 for 14 this year but
he usually races well and that’s why he was recently claimed 6 weeks in a row – his last effort was disappointing,
however, so we’ll see if he can bounce back with a better one tonight. (6) LOOTABLE was a decent 4
th in his first start off the big barn change – he could improve even more tonight, but his 2 for 44 lifetime record is
concerning. (8) LAZ was a steady 3rd off the claim last week but his overall form has been a little “meh” – he also will be coming
from well out of it. (5) ROSE RUN X CON still hasn’t been 1st or 2nd this year but he did pick up a big price 3rd three
back – maybe a bomb for the bottom of tris and supers? (7) CLEVELAND B MIKI will likely look to save ground
from the back, hoping for some minor spoils. (4) VANDALISM won 3 straight in NJ recently but vs. much easier –
he’s 4-0-0-0 here at Yonkers.