RACE 1 - (2) BARGAIN SHOPPER is just 1 for 18 on the year but he shows several solid tries against
similar at Fhd. recently - in his first start off the claim (5/29) he finished 3rd behind Dreamfair Charro (in
for $40K on Mon.), and Rockabilly Charm (just beat the $15s at The Swamp) - feels like a good spot for
his YR return. (1) VILLAGE CHAMP just missed in this class at Chester 3 back, then came up 2nd best
here in his last - draws best, and looms the main danger (but also figures to be heavily backed). (4) LODI
MACHETE MAN has shown that he can be a contender at this level when he shows up on his game - good
one to use in exotics. (8) RANSOM DEMAND is a solid player in this class but he did get beat from inside
posts in his last pair, and now starts from the extreme outside - seems more likely to grab a smaller piece,
than a bigger one. (6) LANAS DESIRE wasn't "good" in his last pair, but at least he's finally "functional"
again - decent bomb to throw in for 3rd. (3) CAUSWAY ships in from Nfd. showing some pretty weak
form - we'll just observe, for now. (5) ASTOR has enjoyed some success here in the past, but the current
version is struggling - sticking with others. (7) COACH CAL is another who has seen better days.
RACE 2 - (6) THOR AND DR JONES raced well throughout the JP Morel Series at Stga., facing some
decent rivals in there - was stuck in a NW4 race for his local debut and finished an even 4th...this NW2
bunch should be much more up his alley, and will allow Buter to handle him more aggressively - major
threat here. (7) KAUAI KING is very attractive at that 20-1 ML price - he's raced well here a couple of
times, has the ability to leave the gate, and adds Lasix for the first time - good one to have on your tickets.
(4) SHAKESPEARE was left cutting the mile in a 3 horse race last week (after the rest were wiped out off
turn one) and still finished 3rd (after weakening to 4th after cutting his previous mile) - he has a license to
be a little sharper and beat these...but at 3/2 ML, the value will be playing against him (1) DANCE IT OUT
was ready to start his career at Chester this May, finishing 2nd in his debut before winning his 2nd start -
has leveled off a bit in 3 starts since then, but still racing "ok" vs. NW3 fields - legit player from the pole.
(2) SOLID ALIBI hails from a very live barn but was just "ok" in a couple of local tries this spring - use
him underneath. (8) YER SO BAD has thrown a few good efforts here, but faces a long haul from Post 8 -
ok bomb for 3rd/4th, if spreading. (3) MOONLIGHT HANOVER and (5) DENSITY HANOVER seem
like the clear cut outsiders tonight.
RACE 3 - (6) HITMAN HILL was sent off here at 1/2 on 5/18 upon arrival from Ohio but clearly there
was some issue, and he was beaten by nearly 30 lengths - took a month off, qualified back beautifully, and
gets a chance tonight to make amends. (2) VELOCITY KOMODO endured 3 straight 8 holes before finally
getting a good draw for tonight - meets a pretty soft (overall) crew, and we should see big improvement
from him here. (1) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR was facing much better in NJ last fall but just hasn't come
back nearly as sharp after some time off - came close last time dropping to this level and suppose he'll beat
this class some time soon....but we'll keep using him underneath only, for now. (3) SEEUINNASHVILLE
A was too far back to threaten in his local debut but draws much better here, and that should give him a
shot to at least take home a piece of this. (5) SECRECY was hampered by horrible cover last time and lost
any chance for better- might consider leaving this week, and that would put him play for a share. (4) DEE
DENUTO A got parked in last (excuse) but generally just takes home minor pieces - looking at the same
for tonight. (7) TITANIUM N probably needs an inside draw to be considered for even a small piece. (8)
VANQUISHED N raced ok a couple of times at this level recently, but Post 8 figures to limit him tonight.
RACE 4 - (3) SPORTY DRAGON made his first start for a new barn last week (off a 2 month layoff) and
was a respectable 4th - he'll be a good price here, the favorites may be a bit vulnerable, and it's not a bad
week to use him on your tickets. (1) CAPTIVATE HANOVER was pushed three wide before the half by
Rolling With Sam, then hurt when he had to wide around him to the final turn - still rallied well for 4th, and
is in a great spot for tonight...the knock is that he'll be a pretty short price, and is just 1 for 28 over the past
2 years! (8) TOWN GOSSIP showed a ton of promise at 2, earning $155K on the strength of a 7-2-4-0 slate
- certainly hasn't been "bad" so far at 3, but he also hasn't significantly elevated his game from last year -
now he's stuck with Post 8 in an overnight event, and he definitely could be a bit vulnerable at the moment.
(2) HAGGARD was a steady 4th (vs. older) after a conservative trip in his YR debut - should fit nicely
with these, and could definitely have a say in the outcome. (5) KEYSTONE NOLAN has been a consistent
performer the last few starts, with a win 3 back - bumps up from NW2 to NW4 tonight, and that may leave
him looking at a smaller piece this week. (6) FURIOUS BEACH did some good work recently upstate, then
paced evenly from a tough spot in his last - he's better than that 20-1 ML might suggest, but this definitely
is a tough spot. (7) YANKEE ON THE MOVE shows a few good midwest lines but he was "distanced" in
his last, and he ships in from an ultra-high % outfit - prefer to watch a start. (4) ALWAYS ON THE HUNT
may need to hunt for an easier spot.
RACE 5 - (3) CLAYTONS BETTOR N picked up 3 wins this spring at Chester but that left him racing at
levels a little tougher than he would prefer - arrives in a very manageable spot tonight, and has a good
chance to make his Hilltop debut a winning one. (1) TOM ME GUN N probably figured that he landed in a
winning spot last week but his hopes were dowsed by the form-reversing (but heavily backed) front end
winner - steps up a notch tonight, but the rail draw should keep him close throughout - use in exotics. (2)
SWEET TRUTH's only local win came on the lead vs. cheaper, but he should be ok at this level with the
move inside - use underneath. (6) JOJOS PLACE hasn't raced here since 2019 but he was decent here in
several 3YO starts - returns from Ohio in solid recent form, and could easily pick up a good chunk of this.
(4) CHEYENNE REIJANE needs easier to be a threat for the top prize, but an easy trip from this spot
could give him a chance at a small piece. (7) ZIGGY SKY is good right now, but has to deal with both the
class hike AND move outside - will need some trip luck for a chance at even a piece. (8) PARTY BOY
came back solid off the layoff in NJ, winning in his 2nd start back - has leveled off after moving up in class,
though, and now lands Post 8 (with his owner on board) for his YR return - tough spot.
RACE 6 - Good race! (2) BELTANE A kept coming gamely for 2nd 2 back then endured an extremely
brutal trip from Post 8 last week...but still lost by less than 2 lengths -- has had a rough year so far but
maybe tonight's the night he gets off the 2021 schneid...at a big price. (4) MCCLINCHIE N is right at home
at this level, handles any kind of trip, and will definitely be a live contender if things go his way - hard to
predict how this race will be contested, though. (3) TIGERS WAY figured to leave last week but took back
to 7th instead...then rallied impressively for 3rd - he does fit well with these, he's sharp now, and has a shot
at the top prize with some trip luck. (7) ORILLIA JOE has faced (and beaten) better recently, so it's hard to
NOT give him a look at that 20-1 ML price - does his best on/near the lead, so a quick start would help his
chances considerably. (5) MISTER DONALD A was hammered down to 3/5 for his local debut, made the
top, and handled an easier bunch with authority - won't be nearly as easy vs. this bunch, however, so make
sure to get a much better price if looking for him to repeat. (1) BIGONPERSONALITY N crushed cheaper
in PA last start, but his efforts against THIS type aren't nearly as impressive - he has a shot against these,
but he also figures to be seriously overbet. (6) YAYAS HOT SPOT N raced much better last time, but has
struggled way too much this year to assume that he'll just continue to improve - outside draw could also
limit his output here. (8) AWESOMENESS is actually pretty good right now, but lands the worst post.
RACE 7 - (1) FLYING FINN N has been sharp for weeks, and from less than stellar spots - the inside draw
should allow him to finally control his own fate a bit more...and hopefully that'll translate into a win. (3)
WINDSUN RICKY nearly went to his knees after the start last week, recovered well back in last and by the
time they hit the wire, he was just 3/4s of a length back (in a pretty fast mile) - very dangerous here with a
clean trip. (2) TIN ROOF RAIDER A did everything right from Post 7 last week other than hold off the
very sharp winner - moves inside, and looms a dangerous player once again. (4) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN
N has 4 wins this year, and one of them was at this level, 4 starts back - no prayer in his last couple but this
is a much better spot, and he should be able to make some noise here. (5) ELWELL shocked with that win
off the long layoff but he's been unable to replicate that mile in 3 starts since then - draw won't help his
chances tonight (unless things get really hot and heavy in front of him). (6) GINGRAS BEACH has found
some much better form, but it may not be enough to threaten against these, especially from Post 6. (8) BET
TOR THAN SPRING rediscovered his form recently and has been very good in his last few starts - gets
stuck way outside while moving up in class tonight, however, and that figures to slow him back down a bit.
(7) HEAVENLY SOUND probably needs a much better post to be a factor against these.
RACE 8 - (3) SHINY BLACK BEAMER has raced very well in all 4 local tries, and that includes last
week's close 2nd to the talented Exploit - even better, he's usually not all that popular with the wagering
crowd, and hopefully that'll be the case tonight too! (2) GAMBLINGTERROR had been going some strong
miles in defeat recently so last week's sharp score was hardly a surprise....but considering the 3 for 69 slate
he brought into that race, the even money payoff WAS a bit shocking - steps up a level tonight, but he's
more than sharp enough to handle it - belongs in your exotics. (1) KING JAMES EXPRESS always had
ability (he won last year's NYSS Final) but he made a series of breaks to end his 2YO season, and he's still
trying to find his top form in 2021 - would be no surprise at all from this spot, but he's really not worth the
short price he'll likely be sent off at. (5) TREVORS ACE's last mile here was his best local effort in some
time - if he can replicate that mile, he can pick up a good piece tonight too. (6) SAILBOAT HANOVER
had trouble staying flat in recent starts here, and is currently 0 for 11 at YR - that last qua. does look sharp,
though, so we'll see if that's a sign that he's ready to start doing better things here. (7) RETOUR AU JEU
just doesn't seem sharp enough right now to do much damage from out here - waiting for a better draw
before seriously considering. (5) STRATEONTILMORNING trailed all the way in his local debut - drops
in with others his age tonight, so we'll see if his 2nd YR start is any better. (8) MASTER CONRAD lands
Post 8 after being no factor here in his last couple - pass for tonight.
RACE 9 - (1) THE REAL ONE drew poorly off a bad date last week and can be excused for never getting
involved - he drops down to a level he rarely (if ever) sees, lands inside, and it's pretty hard to pick against
him - that being said, it would also be hard to make any kind of serious wager on him at a very short price!
(2) DENVER SEELSTER probably has the best shot at the (mild) upset - he's only 1 for 15 this year but
did hit board in 10 of the 14 losses - his last start (vs. better) was much better than it looks, and Stratton
surely knows this is a spot where he can be aggressive (knowing #1 won't be arguing with him early on) -
can't blame anybody looking to take a shot with him. (3) SILAS SEELSTER still has just one win on the
year, and has disappointed more than he's delivered - still, this is a good spot for him to bring home a pretty
decent piece. (5) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP seems to have fallen off form, but a drop to this level may be
what the doctor ordered - very possible he'll get a wake up call tonight. (6) DON DOMINGO N is another
that hopes to perk up with the class relief...although he didn't really draw into a great spot. (7) BLACK CH
EVRON N had good life 3 back, scored from the pocket in his next (at the bottom level) but disappointed a
bit from the pocket in last (not holding 2nd) - moves up and draws outside, and likely looking at a minor
share at best.(4) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING N used a pocket trip in a slow mile to grab 2nd last week, but
steps up tonight and may not have as much luck - this level may just be a little steep for him at this point.
(8) LUCK N ROLL K drops off a dull try but Post 8 will likely hinder him once more.
RACE 10 - (5) SPLASH BROTHER was a good 2YO but really elevated his game at 3, going some huge
miles (even if not at his best when 2nd in the NYSS Final) - he's shown so far at 4 that he's destined to be a
high end Open pacer, and he's the one to beat tonight. (4) DRAGON SAID is now 6 for 6 since the
incredibly transformative barn change earlier this year and he might have been the pick tonight had he not
been just "good" in last week's victory - it would obviously be no surprise to see him come out on top, but
the top choice does deserve the edge in tonight's match up. (6) GARDYS LEGACY A finished right behind
#4 in his YR debut last week, and he's done good work since arriving recently from Australia - he's in a
tough spot here, though, as he draws outside both of his main foes. (3) QUAGMIRE BLUECHIP was a
sharp 3rd last week, rallying stoutly in the lane - good one for the bottom of tris and supers. (7) SO MANY
ROADS wasn't at his best last time but he loves to just save ground all the way then rally in the stretch - a
good bomb for the bottom of the gimmicks. (1) BETTOR AT HIGHTIDE moves up after failing to bat
cheaper for weeks - not a bad horse, but in a very tough field here. (2) LOUS SWEETREVENGE grabbed
3 wins vs. easier here earlier this year, but remains unproven against this type - at least the inside draw will
help. (8) SUMTHINBOUTIM gets yet another terrible post, and that probably seals his fate once again.
RACE 11 - (1) BUDDY HILL has been a completely different horse since the barn change 6 starts back -
raced big in his last, involved for most of that :26.2 opener and still right there on the wire - may be able to
pick up a rare Yonkers victory this week.(4) OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR shows lines at The Meadows that
would likely make him a solid player here - barn has shipped in endless similar winners over the years, and
this guy may very well be the next. (2) LETS HAVE ANOTHER does his best on the front end but not sure
that he'll get that opportunity here - he can race from up close too...but that may leave him looking at a bit
smaller prize. (3) HIGHLAND TARTAN was overdriven in his last but still only tired near the very end -
definitely sharp enough now to land somewhere on the ticket...with an easier journey. (8) GENTLEMAN
JIM II IE is probably sharp enough now to be a threat in this class but another 8 hole draw will likely leave
him having to wait another week before doing any real damage. (6) KASEY JOHN A went an excellent
mile last week, though no match late for a very sharp winner - the combination of the class hike and Post 6
will probably hurt his chances tonight, though. (7) KEYSTONE PHOENIX was able to leave and hit the
top 2 back and that resulted in a solid 2nd place finish - he has less options from THIS spot, though, and
may have a hard time getting in play this week.
RACE 12 - (7) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER found much better form in his last pair at PcD (vs. a bit
cheaper) and we know this level is within his comfort zone when sharp - has the speed to leave from out
here, but can race well off the pace if the top is not an option - worth a play in the finale. (1) SKIP TO MY
LOU had a lot more pace available than he was able to show last week (no room) - he definitely fits nicely
at this level, and looms the main danger from the pole. (8) PAT STANLEY N moves to yet another new
barn after having no luck at all in his short stay with the "Super Siblings'' (broke in PA in his first start, then
broke on the lead in the stretch at The Meadowlands, causing a terrible chain reaction accident, and
resulting in a suspension being handed down to his driver by the NJRC, followed by a 20 day ban by the
track owner) - qualified ok for his new trainer, but draws Post 8 and Siegelman opts to drive #5 instead -
guessing he'll be racing conservatively, but can still rally for a share against a bunch of these. (6) NO
ORDINARY MAN has had some success here in the past - decent bomb to use for 3rd/4th. (4) ANTHEM
N does his best work in cheaper, but he's still capable of landing a small share against a field like this too.
(3) DARK ENERGY N normally needs to be in softer to be a serious threat, but a minor share in here is not
out of the question (he's in decent overall form right now). (2) REAGANS AVENGER beat the bottom
class 4 back, and was close in NW7500 2 back....but this is probably too tough a spot for him. (5) BILBO
HANOVER put in a few good efforts vs. cheaper but has struggled since moving up to this class - gets to
start dropping NEXT week, and that's when we'll give him a closer look.