RACE 1 – (4) FLIP THE SCRIPT threw a dud on 2/27 but has otherwise hit board in 3 of her last 4 starts – she had
good pace at both ends of the mile last week, and catches a pretty camera shy field for tonight – deserves top billing.
(2) SUNSET SOPH was a “right place/right time” winner 3 back but at least she capitalized when given the chance
– tough trip in her last, and a smoother journey tonight could put her in play. (3) WESTERN ROSIE picked up a 2
nd and 3rd recently, gets a good draw, and may be able to grab a good chunk here too. (1) SHORTYS GIRL is 0 for 23
at YR but the rail draw may keep her close enough to take home a piece of this. (6) SEZANA N has bounced around
the classes recently but seems to go home with only minor spoils each time – would need a good price to try her on
top here. (7) PRINCESS ARONA won her local debut (upon joining our leading barn) but has lost 11 straight since
then – tough draw off the sick scratch. (5) ROLL WITH SHORTY sports a 26-1-1-1 local slate over the past 3 years
making it hard to consider her for a top slot. (8) SPITTING IMAGE may get a look when she gets a better draw.
RACE 2 – (5) ELSIES DELIGHT raced very conservatively from Post 8 in her local debut but still finished full of
pace - was super in her win the next week, then a rallying 2nd the start after that – was never given a chance (Post 8)
in last week’s “Stake Your Claim” Final, but she catches a much easier field tonight from a much better spot – look
for an aggressive try! (1) PARADISE ROCK L had a very tough trip last week and really wasn’t a bad 5th – her
overall form since the January claim has been very good, and she looms the main danger from the pole. (2) CHUPP
AH ON just stopped last week but it’s probably a good sign that she’s right back in the box – chance for a decent
piece with any of her “typical” efforts. (4) IDEALINFUN has just 1 start in 39 days and it wasn’t a good one – hard
to get excited about using her on top tonight with that 5/2 ML price! (3) WOODMERE HARRIET has been limited
to minor spoils lately and may be in that same boat tonight. (6) ANNELIESE HANOVER is capable of good efforts
at times but draws outside off back to back duds – nice to see Dube back in the bike, though!
RACE 3 – (4) THAT DOG WILL HUNT made a few starts and a few $$ at 2, then did some good things at 3 as
well, both for his previous connections and after moving to the Dynamic Duo in August – he’s been freshened,
qualified back very nicely (on Lasix), and we’ve seen enough of these score right off the bench to assume that this
guy will be ready to roll. (2) TWO FACED used a fast start to grab a good trip last week, leading to a mild upset
victory – he fits very well in here too, and should have a big say once more. (1) RAYRAY doesn’t have the greatest
YR record but he’s been hurt by horrible posts in a large number of his starts – he hung in okay in a much tougher
field last week, and could have an even bigger say tonight. (5) CHIEF CORLEONE was an even 4th last week in his
first start of 2024 – could be tighter now, but drawing outside his main foes figures to hurt a bit. (6) ALLBETSONF
RITZ put in a good bid last week but fell apart once it stalled out – tonight’s draw won’t make things any easier. (3)
PINE BUSH ITALIANO is 19-0-0-1 locally over the past 2 years.
RACE 4 – (3) DOWNRIGHTDELICIOUS was 9-3-3-0 at 2 and earned over $170K (including a stakes win here at
Yonkers) – he only made 10 starts at 3, but did win 6 of them...including 4 of 5 here at The Hilltop – he has 2 solid
preps for a barn that can have one ready, and we’ll give him the narrow call in his 4YO return. (1) NIGHT HAWK
has returned sharp in 2024 but after a winless ’23 campaign, he now has three 2nds from his 4 starts this year –
maybe this is the spot where he gets over the hump? (5) ALL ALONE has 3 wins and pair of 3rd from his 5 local
starts this year, and is 7-3-2-2 overall – remains a very dangerous threat for our leading trainer/driver tandem. (4)
ROCK THE BELLES caught a fast mile from a tough post in his 2024 return and should benefit from the effort –
could have a bigger say tonight, though the top few do look strong right now. (2) PANETTONE HANOVER is on a
good roll but he was scratched sick last week, and he’s not the smoothest horse here at Yonkers – may struggle a bit
tonight. (6) KOUNT BLASTER lands outside off a dull try last week.
RACE 5 – (3) WHATINEEDISAMAN wasn’t bad last week, finishing just off the leaders from a tough spot – she
was a winner the week before, and may be in a spot where she can come out on top again. (2) DREAM DANCING
has taken 4 of her last 5, and 5 of her last 7– she was just re-claimed by a barn that has a couple of those recent wins,
she draws inside, and has to be taken very seriously. (4) ON THE MONEY GB always “figures”, is almost always in
play BUT does struggle a bit at the end of her miles – has to be included in exotics. (1) TALL POPPY N won her
last 3 starts here but that was last spring, and she hasn’t been seen since May– hard to gauge mush from her qualifier
and we’ll see if the tote board can offer some additional clues. (8) ALWAYS B MIMI landed on a perfect trip last
week and converted it into a victory – moves from the rail to Post 8 tonight, and it’ll be very hard for her to replicate
last week’s success. (5) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX was a promising 4th in her first start of the year but was a bit
sluggish last week – maybe she can rally for a small slice? (7) LOOKATMYART had things her own way last week
but just couldn’t quite finish the job – won’t be any easier starting from out here. (6) LARJON LEAH rarely wins,
and will start from a bad post with just one start in 6 weeks.
RACE 6 – (5) SKIFROMTHETOP IR was a no threat 4th in his U.S. debut here – raced 3 weeks late at PcD, was
pretty well backed and came up 2nd best to a nice horse in a sharp 1:51.2 mile...stamps him as the one to beat
tonight. (6) AYR BALMORAL GB was 2nd in both U.S. starts to the top choice’s barnmate (just missing last week)
– could be the main threat, even with the bad draw. (1) OLYMPIC BLAZE was right there in the hunt 4 back when
derailed by broken equipment – was an even 4th in his next, then raced well for 3rd in his next two (just behind #6) –
he has the post edge tonight, and has to be included in exotics. (7) TIN CUP CHALLENGE probably didn’t get the
trip his connections expected when he ended up out the entire way from Post 8 in his career debut – he actually
raced well under the circumstances, and there does seem to be ability here...another terrible starting spot for tonight,
however. (2) HEIR OF SOUTHWEST took no $$ and was way back in 4th (same PcD race as #5) upon arrival from
Canada – was off a bad date, so he may be more competitive tonight for his new barn. (4) ROCKIN PHAROH
hasn’t raced since 2022 – inclined to just pass, but will at least peek at the tote board. (3) MAN RAY was pretty
dismal in his 3YO debut – pass for now.
RACE 7 – Tough race: (5) BLANK STARE shook free too late last week to be any closer than he was – he typically
holds his own vs. better, and may be worth a play tonight if the price is decent. (1) WICHITA LINEMAN figures to
be handled very aggressively from this spot and can be a big threat if on his best game. (6) JAHAN HANOVER
definitely benefited from the perfect trip last week but the horse he beat looked very sharp winning easily on Mon.
night – if he finds another easy trip, he can be a threat again. (4) FAMILY RECIPE probably prefers to be in a little
easier these days but he has a good draw and Gingras, and that could put him right into the mix. (8) LAYTON HAN
OVER rallied very nicely for 3rd in his first start of the year but was also helped by being in a very live flow – may
not be as fortunate tonight. (2) FEELIN WESTERN brought his “A Game” in that first over victory 2 back but then
offered only even pace off a live trip last week – moves up in class, and will need to get back to that better effort to
be a real threat. (3) THREE GRAND has been “ok” but he moves up in class off last week’s 5th and is another that
would need to step things up a bit. (7) CYRUS N has looked good so far in ’24 but may be coming from too far back
to make any real noise tonight.
RACE 8 – (1) LINCOLNS GIRL N shipped in from Fhd. with some less than stellar form but was handled very
aggressively on 2/27 and was a dad game 2nd best – came back to be a good 2nd the following as well, and showed
that the first try was no fluke – may be a spot where she can get over the hump. (6) CHARMING VIXEN wasn’t
plagued last week by the gait issues she’s had in the past and was able to score the upset win – chance to repeat,
even from Post 6 (if she continues to pace cleanly). (2) DANDYS SHOWTIME went right to the lead last week but
blew up on the first turn – she’s burned a lot of $$ in her 2 local tries, and we’ll see if she can start to make amends
tonight. (4) AINTNOHOLLABACKGRL went her best mile of the year 2 back but failed to build off it, instead
turning in a dull 3rd in her last – needs to find that top effort if she hopes for a chance at the top prize. (3) TUAPEKA
JESSIE N was back to her hanging ways in the stretch last week, ending up 4th when a much better piece seemed
possible – she goes for a new barn tonight, and may be destined for just another smaller piece. (5) EVAS SPORTS
CZECH had a couple of ok recent efforts but remains hard to endorse for a top slot. (8) TUGGINONCREDIT lands
Post 8 after being away since Sept. – she’ll be in “watch mode only” for tonight. (7) ODDS ON UNICORN seems to
be somewhat overmatched in this spot.
RACE 9 – (5) SINBAD N shows finishing 2nd in a Grade 1 event in NZ last spring so it’s not really a surprise to see
that very good looking qualifier – he lands in a strong field for his U.S. debut and the barn isn’t known for really
cranking them up right out of the box...but that 12-1 ML price does make him very tempting! (3) HUNTERS HERO
couldn’t have had a better 4YO return, charging home with abandon to just miss to #4 (pacing an eye opening :26.4
final quarter – he’ll be very dangerous tonight, but also figures to take plenty of $$! (1) VICI hasn’t won in a few
starts but he’s been earning nicely with all those 2nds and 3rd while still staying eligible to this class – would be no
surprise at all from this spot. (4) TRAIN STATION finally got his act together on 2/6, beginning his 4 race winning
streak – he may take another, but tonight will be a major test! (2) HUNTING ZONE is a solid performer but may be
a notch below a few of the bigger guns in here. (6) CENTURY INSPECTOR wasn’t bad in his first local try of the
year but he lands in a brutal spot tonight – maybe minor scraps? (7) COTTON ON N rebounded with a good one last
week but has his work cut out for him from Post 7 against these.
RACE 10 – (6) LA BELLA VITA N has thrived since dropping in for the $50K tag, racing very well in all 3 starts –
not a great draw but Gingras should be able to find a manageable trip – gets top billing. (2) VIBRANCE was dull in
her first local try but has now raced very well in 3 straight – gets another good draw, and looms a very live player for
the nation’s leading barn. (1) ONEDERFULBEACH has speed from the pole for our winningest trainer/driver duo
but she’s listed at 8/5 ML and a couple of these may be a bit better – possible for sure, but probably no value offered.
(5) BE MY ROSE has raced well in the 5 starts since moving to her current barn – one to include underneath. (4)
LINE EM UP hasn’t won locally in a while but she does grab pieces when the trip goes her way – maybe 3
rd/4th? (3)CORAL BELLA showed her best life in ages last week, but that may still not be good enough to be a threat vs. this
solid crew – we’ll see if she can build off that last mile. (7) COMMANDER CATHY N is typically good for only
smaller pieces, and even that may be hard from out here.
RACE 11 – (6) BLUEBIRD GRAF landed on an impossible trip last week and gets a complete pass – not exactly a
great draw for tonight but at least it’s a spot that Brennan can work with...chance to start a new winning streak. (7)
PLEASURE SEEKER comes out of the same race as the top choice and also deserves a pass for that night – she
won 2 straight prior to that, and a good price makes her worth considering tonight. (1) SHEIKH YABOOTY N
really perked up with change in scenery at the end of 2023 but does seem to have fallen back to her lesser form
lately – this could be a prime wake up spot, but be careful about taking too short a price right now. (8)
HEAVENISSOFARA WAY makes her first start back since October and draws all the way outside after qualifying at
Monti – inclined to just observe for tonight, but a glance at the tote board might be in order. (3) BROOKDALE
JESSIE hasn’t won in eons but does pick up smaller pieces – never a bad one to throw in underneath at a big price.
(2) SHOWMEMAGIC hasn’t been better than 3rd here in 18 starts but does move inside and some improvement is
not out of the question. Both (4) PHELGON and (5) BETTOR B SAWYER likely need to be in easier fields for a
chance at a top prize, but either could grab a small slice with the tight trip.