RACE 1 - Tough race, right off the bat! (1) HESPOISEDTOPOUNCE A hasn't lit the world on fire since
arriving from Australia, but he was a solid 2nd best in his local debut, losing out to a rival that had a better
trip (#6) - draws best in a wide open field, and we'll see if he can trip out from this spot and beat these. (6)
SON OF A TIGER N was handled aggressively off the class drop 2 back and was a solid 2nd - ended up
with a perfect trip in his last (despite Post 8), and was able to use his fresh legs in the lane to outkick the top
choice - license to take another. (3) FLYING FINN N hasn't lived up to expectations since being claimed
for $50K on 1/17, but he's been right there in his last couple since dropping down to this level - legitimate
threat. (4) HEART ON MY SLEEVE was claimed on 12/17 and he's another that hasn't really worked out -
used a good trip to finish 2nd last week (dropping in class), and we'll see if he can build off that effort. (8)
EHRMANTROUT was handled aggressively in his 2nd start of the year and was a game 2nd best (as the
favorite) - may be the best of these, but will need some trip luck to overcome Post 8. (2) GIVENUPDREA
MING used a good trip to win in a very fast mile 2 back, but reverted quickly to "no factor" status in his
last- deserves respect with the move inside, but just doesn't win often enough to recommend. (7) CRUNCH
HANOVER will be racing with Lasix, so perhaps he bled in that last qualifier - he has ability (6-2-3-0 at
YR), but may need a start or two before we see his best. (5) SPORTS BETTOR was dull off the layoff last
week, and his barn remains ice cold (welcome back to Brent Holland, racing for the first time in 2022!).
RACE 2 - (3) COACH CAL was well backed last week moving inside but got stuck first over into the
blistering 3rd panel, and can be excused for giving way (as most of these would have done the same) -
should be a decent price here, and he's as good as any in this very modest basement claiming crew. (5)
LOTTERY WINNER is now 0 for 12 here over the last 3 years but he's hit board in 3 of his last 4, hails
from a very high % barn, and does seem to be getting close a victory - could be tonight, but he figures to be
overbet....don't fall in love! (7) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY also hit board in 3 of his last 4, and finished ahead of
#5 last week - won't be easy to overcome Post 7, but still worth using IF the price is juicy enough. (6) CAR
RACI HANOVER beat a NW5000 field in his first start of the year, and that bunch was similar to this one -
he does like to win races when "feeling good", and he's another that could be a threat tonight...with the right
trip. (1) ARI ALLSTAR will be handled aggressively from this spot but he's 0 for 24 here (last 2 years), and
also figures to be overbet - no value on top. (4) CHACHING HANOVER doesn't look good on paper, but
he has been better than in many of his previous starts - chance for a minor piece, at a big price. (2)
WINNING LINE hails from a top barn, but just seems to need to be in cheaper.
RACE 3 - (4) TEXAS TERROR N is moving up in class after being claimed away (again) from his
favorite barn - that being said, he's much sharper than just about all of these, and the classy 14YO has a
solid chance to pick up yet another win. (7) LETTUCERIPRITA had been well off form for a while
(plummeting through the classes) but looked like a completely different animal in last week's romp over the
12.5s - jumps all the way up to 20s, but anything close to last week's effort will make him the main danger.
(1) BAKERSFIELD is hard to gauge off that qualifier, and he's been away since August - would only need
to be CLOSE to top form to have a legitimate chance in here, though. (6) SEEUINNASHVILLE A is
winless in 12 local starts over the past 3 years, but does pick up pieces - ok to use underneath. (8)
VERGEOFGREATNESS N raced well here a few times last year, although always with easy trips - hard to
see an "easy" trip coming his way from Post 8, though. (2) LL MYSTRO hasn't been sharp for some time,
but perhaps last week's win at Fhd. (vs. much cheaper) will help his confidence a bit - small piece? (3) P H
KENNY seems to have qualified decently, but he's been away since 12/26, wasn't sharp at that time, and his
barn remains ice cold. (5) WAVES OF FIRE A is in need of a major wake up call.
RACE 4 - (4) AINTNOBETTOR A found a spot to drop in 4th from Post 8 last week and Kakaley was
able to keep him motivated after that, picking up the sharp first over win - steps up a notch, but he's used to
facing even better than this - good chance he can repeat. (1) NOME HANOVER has been holding his own
with better, and now drops AND draws the pole - seems next in line should the top one fail to deliver. (3)
LUCIANO N was a nice 2nd in his first start back off the layoff but got a little lost on the rim to 3/4s last
week when the pace really accelerated - at 15-1 ML, he's a definite one to include in exotics. (2) ON THE
VIRG was no factor in his 2022 return but should benefit from the outing - may be a lot more competitive
the 2nd time around, especially with the better post. (7) WARDAN EXPRESS A held ok last week racing
off the layoff- terrible draw, but an ok bomb for 3rd/4th, if spreading in exotics. (8) SANTAFES COACH
comes into this off a pair of victories, but those were from close up (easy) trips, vs. softer - not sure he can
ever get close from out here. (5) QUALITY BUD struggles in NW7500 last week and now bumps up even
higher. (6) KILOWATT KID N has gone sour, and still hasn't shown any signs of returning to form.
RACE 5 - (2) EYE OF A TIGER AS had been "sneaky sharp" from difficult spots to start off 2022 before
being left with NO chance last week (thanks to a strange drive) - gets a new pilot for tonight, gets his first
good post of the season, and we'll see if the classy gelding can take advantage. (1) B NICKING was run
down by a talented winner in a quick mile 2 back, then lost to a classy tripsitter after cutting the mile last
week - can't fault his current form, and he'll be a major threat again tonight. (6) IT AINT THE WHISKY
was off a bad date to his last (pair of sick scratches) but was still a close 2nd to HUNTING AS... who came
back to win again last week - he does look appealing at that 15-1 ML price. (3) KINDA LUCKY LINDY
had good trot finishing in his first start of the year but came up empty in his next pair - perhaps the move
back inside will help him find one of his better efforts. (4) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE retreated all the way
to last after trying to leave from Post 8 last week, and his fate was instantly sealed - better spot tonight, and
he may be able to grab a small piece. (5) IM THE MUSCLE was able to hit the top and wire cheaper last
week, but this is a much tougher field - sticking with others. (7) EMOTIONS RICHES has gone a lot of
good miles here at Yonkers but was unable to get involved from a similar spot last week, and may be facing
a similar fate tonight. (8) MY BOY CHRISTIAN seems completely buried in this spot.
RACE 6 - (7) STANFORD COURT earned over $250K at 2 and 3 - only made 12 starts as a 4YO but won
5 of them, including a sharp 1:50.1 mile at Northfield - was away for 5 months, but qualified sharply for his
new local barn, and we'll gamble that he'll be ready to roll right off the bat. (3) EL JACKO N was a winner
up at Stga. last week, really no surprise considering how sharp he was right here, the week before - returns
at a comfortable level, and should be able to have a big say. (2) MACH N CHEESE can go with high end
pacers "when right", but he's been well off his best form for some time - found a soft bunch that he was able
to just outrun last week, and we'll see if perhaps that easy win will help set off a form spree. (6) LIKE
CLOCKWORK can hold his own with better than these - not a great spot, but willing to include in exactas
at that 15-1 ML price. (4) GLACIS is extremely camera shy, and his off the pace style doesn't help - always
a chance he can rally late for a piece. (1) MISSION BAY arrives from Canada for a barn that usually does
well with the acquisitions - he's missed a month, though, and likely will need a start or two. (5) RETOUR
AU JEU finally found his game 2 back and easily wired softer...but quickly reverted to his lesser form in
last - hard to know what we'll get from him tonight. (8) ROCK LIGHTS draws Post 8 off a sick scratch and
we'll just keep an eye on him this start.
RACE 7 - (4) HEY LIVVY isn't close to the "beast mode" version we saw a few times last year, but her
qualifier was sharp, and her last start was solid- should be able to handle this field...assuming she continues
to behave. (8) ETHAN T HANOVER had a useful tightener on 2/25 then raced well last week, kicking in
nicely at the end for 2nd - should be tight enough now for Bartlett to at least consider leaving with him, and
that would give him a chance to be part of this. (6) ROCK OF CASHEL comes off one of his best years
ever...at age 11! His first start as a 12YO wasn't bad, showing speed across the river and finishing 3rd...at
20-1 ML, no reason to not include him in some exotics. (1) BARRY BLACK can be a little inconsistent
and does come off a miscue....he was good the week before, though (just missed, the placed first via DQ),
and he'll have a say in this if anything close to his best. (2) NEW HEAVEN just hasn't clicked yet in 2022 -
maybe the class drop (and good post) will perk him up a bit? (5) CHAMPAGNE ON ICE won her first
start of the year, but it wasn't "pretty" - weakened on the lead in her next, then was no factor in her last -
needs to be better. (3) CASINO CUTIE IT has been away for 2+ months and this is probably a good week
just to observe. (7) OOH RAH got good for a few starts but has started to tail up at these higher levels -
tough task from all the way out here.
RACE 8 - (3) WARRIOR ONE ended up with a brutal trip last week when parked every step of the way -
he had license to finish up the track after that journey, but somehow was only 3 lengths back at the wire -
he's been on a seemingly endless form spree, has shown that he can win from OFF the pace (if necessary),
and we'll look for better luck to come his way this week. (6) MISSISSIPPI STORM was the one who
parked the top choice, and he ended up taking a tough nose loss at the wire - he's had enormous success
here the past few years, and certainly deserves respect in this short field. (4) STORMY KROMER got
parked 2 back and didn't seem all that interested last week - we've seen him rebound with big efforts
MANY times in the past, and there's always a chance that he'll bring his best tonight...and that would make
him a threat. (1) EUROBOND hasn't lost since adding trotting hobbles, and moving to his current high %
barn (although he was DQ'd to 2nd 2 starts back) - he has the back class to handle tonight's jump, but that
9/5 ML price does make him a lot less attractive from a wagering standpoint. (2) STREET GOSSIP looked
like he was going to quickly become an Open trotter and he was able to notch his first local victory at this
level last week (though certainly helped by a perfect trip) - may not be quite as fortunate tonight. (5) HAT
TRICK MARLEAU benefited from the contested pace last week and rallied nicely for 3rd...but he's another
that may not have that same good luck this evening.
RACE 9 - (7) IM BENICIO A looked like a cinch heading into last week's race, was sent off at 1/10 and
was an easier winner than the final margin might suggest (although he probably also isn't at his best on the
front end) - he'll be a much better price tonight, but still looks better than most of these - willing to stay on
his team one more time. (2) FOO FIGHTER N has showed little in 4 recent local starts but all were against
much better, and he got away 7th each time - he drops, moves inside, and that Fhd. mile from 2 back would
make him a solid player here - possible! (4) HEAVENS GAIT was off 3 weeks to his last and driven like it
was known that he'd be short - gets right back in the box now, and we'll look for a better effort this time. (3)
ALOTBETTOR N seemed to be on the brink of finding his better form, but last week's 2nd was really just
"meh" - needs to find more if he hopes to seriously contend here. (1) APEX SEELSTER got class relief
after being claimed 2 back, enjoyed a good trip and returned quick dividends to his new connections - faces
tougher now, but may still be able to land a good piece from this spot. (5) MISTER SPOT A has been much
better recently, but has to move up tonight despite not having won recently - probably looking at only a
minor share. (6) DON DOMINGO N ended with a perfect trip at the bottom level last week and was able to
pick up a win - he may build some confidence from it, but he still feels like he's in a tough spot against
these. (8) PERFECTLY CLOSE had a useful mile last week off the layoff but now gets stuck all the way
outside - inclined to pass, and keep an eye for next time.
RACE 10 - (3) NO MAS DRAMA qualified back sharply after taking 3 months off, then was an excellent
2nd here last week in her first start of 2022 - that mile was sharp enough to stamp her as the one to beat
tonight -- even if Bartlett opts for her main foe. (4) HAYEK (Bartlett's choice) has been a very solid
performer for weeks - he was our choice in last week's Open, got the trip he should have loved, but just
didn't the pop he needed when called upon, then flattened a bit in the lane - clearly the main danger off the
class drop, and it would surely be no surprise to see him in the winner's circle. (1) MAGICAL JOURNEY
tired badly from the two hole in his first start of the year but was a sharp "pocket rocket" winner last week,
looking like a different horse - he can pick up a good piece again tonight with a similar effort. (2) MOSTIN
TERESTINGMAN is almost always a player at this level, and tonight should be no exception - use
underneath. (5) HUNTING AS was sharp wiring lesser 2 back (despite some inactivity) then was REALLY
sharp in last week's first over victory (over #2) - draws outside several main foes tonight, though, and that
may limit him to a smaller piece. (6) BIG NUDGE has only ONE start since 12/17, and it would seem
likely that he'll need this mile...especially after drawing outside.
RACE 11 - (4) LOUIE LOUIE was a solid 2nd to the currently raging VENIER HANOVER in his first
local start - was outleft through the first turn last week and ended up parked, when no holes opened (so just
excuse that mile) - moves to a barn that seems able to improve almost any horse they get, and that will
make this guy pretty tough tonight. (1) FOLLOW YOUR HEART had a decent finish last week and can
build off that with the good draw tonight - use in exotics. (5) CASHNCAM had a few decent efforts before
last week's dud - perhaps can rebound at a price, and add some value to the exotics? (6) ITS ROCKING
RANDY may be a little cheap, but moves to a barn that has done well with some fresh stock the past
several months - maybe 3rd/4th? (3) BOURBONS COURAGE never wins, but can grab pieces when the
trip is easy enough. (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES failed twice here on the lead, then failed to sustain his
bid from off the pace in last - needs to be a bit sharper. (7) ER VEGAS is a trip horse...and he's unlikely to
get a good one from all the way out here. (8) ELS DISCO JOHNNY is the outsider, both literally and
figuratively - wait for a better spot.