RACE 1 - (7) TWO FACED was handled very conservatively in his local debut but still was able to kick
home full of pace for 2nd - raced from the back again in his last but was able to get to the leader by 3/4s
and gradually wore that one down for the victory - could beat these too, but it would be nice if Stratton
would get him in play a little earlier! (1) HURRIKANE CHUCK is the "x factor" - raced well enough at 2
to make it to the NYSS Final (where he was a close 4th) but his 3YO season lasted only 5 starts before he
landed on the shelf - hard to get a good read off his 4YO return qualifier but IF he comes back ready, he
might be a major threat tonight. (8) OAKWOOD VEGAS IR has raced well in all 3 U.S. starts and the UK
import picked up a win in NJ last week - Gingras will surely be leaving from Post 8, and he'll likely be
around at the finish...as long as his trip is manageable. (4) AMBITIOUSBEACHBOY seems to be getting a
little better each week - a small share is within reach. (3) BEACH BOY HILL seems to have improved a bit
since arriving from Running Aces and getting some time off - may be able to add some value to the exotics.
(5) COALFORD BYTHESEA struggled to win races in the UK but has looked ok so far at Monti - he may
be a notch below the top ones in here, but we'll know more after tonight. (6) THORN TOAD has struggled
in most of his local tries, and draws poorly for tonight. (2) BEST BETTOR IS 15-0-0-0 here at Yonkers.
RACE 2 - (1) CHUPPAH ON has been away since 12/20 but qualified nicely and is always a major threat
at this level - catches a very modest field, and her trainer has been finishing 1st or 2nd with her horses at an
incredible rate here (nearly 50% over the last few years!) - gets top billing. (3) BETTER WATCH IT went a
big mile for 2nd last week but she isn't always the most consistent mare...her barn has also struggled so far
in 2023 (0 for 37), so make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (4) BALFAST N is another that struggles
from inconsistency, racing very well 2 and 3 back before coming up flat last week - her "good" version can
be a live player here. (2) SHELLIE DE VIE raced a bit better 2 back but reverted to her lesser form last
week - should get a decent trip, and may be able to spice up the exotics a bit. (6) PAIGES GIRL is a
"steady" player in this class, but usually ends up with a smaller piece - likely looking at similar tonight. (5)
CORAL BELLA just hasn't looked like a $50K claimer in some time - her gate speed always gives her at
least a puncher's chance, though. (7) KATYS DELIGHT is still iffy at this $50K level and comes off a total
clunker last week - leaning towards others.
RACE 3- (5) VELOCITY KOMODO toured the oval in his first start back off the winter break but finished
alertly for 4th in his next - had no prayer last week (out into a :27.1 third panel) but he loves to win races,
and may be ready to take one IF the trip goes his way. (4) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH was hampered by 8
holes 2 and 3 back but was able to leave from Post 7 last week (easier spot) and was a good looking front
end winner - steps up a notch, but he can beat these too if things go his way again. (1) NOWHERE CREEK
A has been notoriously camera shy here at YR but was finally able to get back to the winner's circle last
week (barely!) - the rail draw should offset the class hike, and he looms a real threat once again...though the
top 2 do like to win a lot more than he does! (3) MAJOR DESIRE went a very game 1st over trip last week
and just missed pulling off the 10-1 upset (over #1) - faces a tougher overall field tonight, but should still
challenge for a good chunk. (6) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK can fly off the wings and has a pilot that loves
to leave...it's the finishing part that has been a little tougher for him - maybe can stick around for a small
slice? (2) SO MANY ROADS doesn't win often but rallies late for pieces much of the time - on the flip side
he's off a sick scratch, and his barn is still looking for their first local win of the year. (7) SAYING GRACE
N was sharp for a couple of starts then struggled in his last couple - Post 7 doesn't figure to help. (8) HYPN
OTICDREAM finished well 2 back but was no threat in his last - not too any options from out here.
RACE 4 - (5) MUSCLE MACH A was a nice 2nd to the runaway winner in his first start off a long layoff
(and for a new barn) - was hurt by stalled cover in his last, but still finished with good pace once into the
lane - maybe a better trip tonight can get him to the winner's circle? (3) BARRYWHITE HANOVER went
sour for a long time but started to come around a bit recently and his last mile was excellent (even if not
"fast") - seems sharp enough right now to make some serious noise here. (4) UNICO LEGEND N hadn't
won here in a long time (and hadn't even been sharp) but Bartlett handled him aggressively last week and
he was able to come up with the 32-1 shocker....on the flip side, the horse he just beat was over 100-1, and
now he's listed at 9/5 ML - just tough to take a very short price now, after missing him at that huge in last.
(2) MAAJAACKKOBE debuted for a new barn off a bad date last week but raced very well for 3rd - has to
be considered here off that improved effort. (6) TERRITORY hasn't done much lately and draws poorly -
he does fit decently with these, however, and isn't a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (7) KINGSTONS BAD BOY
was a bust after being claimed for $20K on 1/20 and he was REclaimed by his previous trainer for $5k less
last week - will need lots of racing luck to reach from out here. (1) BAMSKI has struggled for a long time
and the rail may not help enough. (8) ARTMAGIC wasn't terrible last time but draws horribly yet again.
RACE 5 - (2) THE REGULATOR was very well meant from Post 8 last week (dropping to NW10000) but
was hurt badly when trapped behind MAXIMUS RED A - drops another notch, moves inside, and that
stamps him as the one to knock off. (3) SAULSBROOK HERO was handled conservatively last week (off
the scratch) but looked very good finishing once clear - can build off that and be a player tonight, as well.
(4) JUSTA LITTLE BIT A has been a disappointment since beginning his U.S. career this Fall but at least
he's showing some better signs lately - maybe he can add some spice to the exotics? (5) REAL PEACE has
really been just "ok" across the river for his current barn - he probably fits well enough with the locals, but
also figures to be a bit overbet tonight. (6) KING TRITTON A was hammered down to 4/5 shipping in
from NJ but couldn't keep it going on the lead, a tired 3rd behind the top pair....draws outside a few solid
foes tonight, and that does figure to hurt his chances a bit. (1) OUR MAJORDAN A seems a little cheaper
but he draws the pole for a hot barn and may be able to tow around for a minor share. (7) MAXIMUS RED
A was handled very aggressively as the favorite last week but was out of gas by the top of the lane - terrible
spot tonight, but that 20-1 ML does seem a bit long considering his last start....ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (8)
CAVIART REAGAN hasn't been sharp and lands outside once again.
RACE 6 - Some VERY sharp horses in here! (4) A ROCKNROLL STAR is now 8-6-1-0 since arriving
from the UK, with the lone off the board finish a 4th vs. older pacers - he faces several very sharp rivals
tonight but he showed last week that his gate speed gives him a bit of an edge - gets the nod, but will face
competition, for sure. (3) HEART OF DIXIE was an excellent first over 2nd to the top choice last week,
remaining game right to the wire into the quick final half (and that was on the heels of an outstanding win
the week before) - could easily reverse that decision tonight. (6) DP REALORDEAL finished 5th behind
the top pair last week but was off 4 months and caught too far back early - the right trip could put him in
play for an upset here. (1) BUCHANNON HANOVER just missed after getting parked the mile 2 back,
then held his own (up in class) last week, finishing 3rd behind the top pair - the rail draw puts him in play
for another good chunk tonight. (7) TWIN B HEART THROB has been very good for some time but could
only manage a (close) 4th last week and now starts from Post 7 - some trip luck will be needed to be close
enough to threaten. (8) JAY BRACKEN A has looked good in his 4 U.S. starts and is Bartlett's choice - he
also draws post 8 after missing a month, and that makes him a little suspect for tonight. (2) MASTER MIKI
is good right now but moves up off a loss in NW4 and just may be in a little too tough here. (5) BETTOR
ROLL ON A catches a very tough field after being scratched sick from his last - prefer others tonight.
RACE 7 - Tough race: (4) GENIUS MAN is very solid at this level, hails from a pretty hot barn, and has
options from Post 4 - we'll give him the narrow nod in a race that can go a lot of different ways. (5) BOILI
NG OAR was an 8 hole winner upon (from well back!) upon arrival at YR and raced well just to get 5th
from an impossible spot last week - it seems like he does fit with these, and should be a fair price - possible
(6) PEACE OUT POSSE throws his share of big miles and wins more than his share of races - hard to say
what trip he's looking at tonight, but he has a chance to outrace his odds if it's a good one. (1) BRAEVIEW
BONDI A hasn't been on his best game lately but he also hasn't been "bad" - moves all the way inside, and
it would hardly be a surprise to see him pop off a good one tonight. (2) DELIGHTFUL TERROR benefited
from a perfect trip in that NW10000 win 4 back but he's also held his form vs. better in his last 3, picking
up a trip of 3rd place finishes - can't dismiss. (3) WICHITA LINEMAN found a spot he could handle in
that win 2 back but has otherwise been mostly "ok" in recent starts - will need to be better here for a chance
at a top prize. (7) TIGER BARON is actually very good right now, but the class jump and Post 7 won't help
his cause. (8) MACH N CHEESE lands Post 8 off the layoff - just observing, for now.
RACE 8 - (5) MILLWOOD BONNIE N was a jogburger in her last Ohio start and had no trouble winning
as the odds on choice in her Hilltop return (for her new barn) - remains the one to beat, although this does
seem like a little tougher spot. (3) LADY DELA RENTAA was an excellent 2nd for her new barn in her
first start of the year - threw a dud the next week but was back on her game for her last, rallying nicely for
3rd from an impossible spot - chance here if she can time her brush just right. (6) ELLEOFADELI finally
got a win in 2022 in her LAST start of the year (after 32 losses!) but like her barn, has remained hot into
2023, already picking up a pair of victories - got roughed up in her last, but can be a player here with an
easier trip. (7) SARA JANE ended last year with a win here then started off 2023 the same way - couldn't
get it done at Stga. last week, and gets no luck with the draw tonight - still, can grab a good piece. (2) LINE
EM UP gets post relief and is a proven player at this level - could have a better effort in store for tonight.
(1) SHEIKH YABOOTY N would be a threat from this spot if on her best game, but does seem a bit below
that right now - leaning toward others tonight. (4) LINCOLNS GIRL N seems likely to need one off the
layoff and that qualifier.
RACE 9 - Another very competitive field: (5) FLASH GORDON has been battling conditioned claimers in
Ohio and certainly ships in sharp to his new barn - he was Stratton's choice (over #s3 and 4), and the guess
is that he'll fit well with the locals - one of several possibilities in here. (6) ONE LUCKY DUDE raced
better than expected in his 2023 return and was quickly acquired by new connections - we'll see if he can
continue that good form tonight. (1) SUNSHINE LOVE ships in from Canada with a 2 for 23 record, but
was 2nd in 10 of those losses - lands in a top barn, draws best, and may be a legitimate threat. (4) BLACK
EDITION N drew Post 7 for his U.S. debut and had no chance, pacing evenly at the back - if the tote board
suggests he's "live" tonight, you might want to consider including the import on your tickets. (7) LOUS BE
CH was horrible last start but tonight's addition of Lasix suggests that he likely bled- look for a much better
effort tonight but also note that he's just 3 for 32 before taking too short a price. (8) AMERICAN FRONTI
ER was just 1 for 23 lifetime when he arrived here on 12/20 but went out and delivered a 6 length romp -
has continued to hold his own since moving up in class after that, but it won't be easy from Post 8 tonight.
(3) COMET CRUSADER N was all out to prevail at 2/5 in NW2 three back - raced ok for 3rd in his next,
then was no factor last week - needs to be a bit better. (2) R CAPTAIN HANOVER is just 3 for 42 to start
his career - consider for a small piece only.
RACE 10 - (2) INDICTABLE HANOVER was 3rd in the "Winners Over" at Chester as recently as 12/18,
and he really hasn't been bad lately despite plummeting through the classes - hits the bottom level, draws
inside, and looms a very short priced favorite for our leading trainer and driver. (4) BARON MICHAEL is
used to facing (and even beating) better - if the top choice falters, he could be the one next in line. (1) IM A
POWERPLAY A has been solid in his Fhd. starts but came up terrible in his only recent YR try - barn has
been ice cold locally, but this guy still can grab a good chunk from this spot. (3) BETTORBUCKLEUP can
be a bit camera shy, but he often finishes decently and his barn is going well right now - chance to grab a
piece. (8) EXOTIC SAND does fit well here but the terrible draw figures to really limit his opportunities -
maybe he can find a way to grab a piece? (6) THOR AND DR JONES wasn't bad in his '23 return - ok
bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) REAL LUCKY N ruined his own chances by leaving from Post 8 last week, and hurt
a few others along the way - better spot for sure, but still seems a bit below the main players. (7) NOTA
REPLICAA was no good at all in his last pair and now draws Post 7.
RACE 11 - (4) SHERIFF N was on an extended form spree stretching over a couple of years but just went
the opposite way after being claimed on 11/21 - moves to a new home for tonight, and he can be a serious
threat if he bounces back to his better form. (2) PURPLE POET hasn't been on his game over the last few
starts but tonight's class relief may help his cause - chance for a wake up with these. (3) LUCIANO N drops
to a more comfortable level and also moves inside - look for a more aggressive try tonight. (5) ONE OFF
DELIGHT A drops, and goes with Lasix for the 2nd time - he may bring a better effort tonight, but he also
hasn't won here since 2021 - demand a good price if using on top. (7) DESIRES CAPTAIN was no factor in
his last couple but did finish ok - reasonable bomb for a small share. (1) KEYSTONE DASH went some
big miles here last year but was terrible in his last 6 starts of the year - the time off may definitely have
helped him, but that 2-1 ML price makes him hard to consider on top! (6) SANTAFES COACH has been
dull for a cold barn, and draws poorly - prefer others. (8) EL JACKO N had some life at a big price last
week - willing to consider when he draws much better.