RACE 1 - (1) JET ACE had "pace in spurts" last week, getting on and off the bit then finishing up well,
after the fact - if he can avoid getting lost during the mile tonight, maybe he can pull off the mini upset? (5)
IMOUTTHEDOOR sat the pocket in his YR debut then lacked the room he needed in the stretch for a
chance at the win - Iowa invader won 16X at the fairs, and looms the one to beat tonight (but also figures to
be overbet). (4) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER has become a steady player at this level, though only for smaller
pieces so far - needs to find a bit more for a chance at the top prizes. (6) HUMBOLDT HANOVER raced
"ok" in both local starts - seems to fit well enough, but the outside draw may limit him to another minor
piece. (7) HIGH ST CORRIDOR picked up a win and two 2nds from 3 starts here earlier this year but was
scratched sick on 5/18 and only now making it back to the races - the two Monti qualifiers suggest he may
need a start or two. (3) ZOES LUCKY GUY just hasn't impressed in his 6 local tries - sticking with others.
(2) LATEST ATTRACTION ships down from Canada with a mixed bag of efforts - he does show some
breaks, so we'll just observe, for now.
RACE 2 - (3) ULTIMAROCA takes a class jump (NW4 to NW6) that can sometimes slow a horse down...
but he looked SO good in that last effortless victory, he should have no trouble making the transition - solid
choice once again. (4) L DEES JACK LOPEZ finished strong in his last pair (2nd and 3rd) and clearly is
feeling pretty good right now - maybe he can complete the exacta with another late rally? (1) NATIVES
FILOU was handled aggressively after getting post relief last week but faltered at the end - maybe an easier
trip tonight will help him finish better...and contend for a good piece here? (2) CAPTAIN SLEAZE may
end up in the pocket to the top choice but he hasn't been finishing well enough lately, and that could come
in to play tonight, as well. (5) MARLBANK ROAD has been hurt by some tough trips and bad spots - ends
up drawing outside in this short field, and that may limit him tonight, as well.
RACE 3 - (6) TEXAS TERROR N ran into a VERY tough trip from Post 8 two back but the classy 13YO
was still able to prevail - just dominated this type from Post 6 last week, and will be heavily backed to do
the very same thing tonight. (2) MOXLEY endured a lot of traffic trouble last week but was pacing well
late - draws inside, and perhaps can add some value to the exotics. (5) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN threw a
rare dud 2 back but rebounded quickly with a 2nd (behind #6) last week - hard to not have him in your
exotics again tonight. (1) OUR REGAL IDEAL N threw a clunker in NJ last week but had been doing good
work upstate most of the year before that - rail draw should give him a chance to grab a decent piece here.
(8) ROCKIN INDY draws worst after throwing a dud at The Swamp last week, but his starts before that are
good - ok bomb for 3rd? (3) FURIOUS BEACH hasn't come around even after dropping to the lower levels
- needs a wake up call! (7) MACH TIME N has just one win and one 2nd from 20 starts this year - hard to
like his chances from Post 7. (4) VILLAGE CHAMP has unraveled since the claim on 10/15.
RACE 4 - (5) RHODENA ROAD is 4 for 4 since arriving here at Yonkers and won by open lengths each
time - this field is definitely stronger than he's been facing...but we'll stick with the hot hand. (2) ARRHYT
HMIC SURGE has been finishing strong in all his local starts and finally gets a good post - definitely one
to use in exotics. (7) SETH HANOVER went a BIG mile to just miss in his Hilltop debut then followed
that up with easy wins in his last pair - faces tougher AND draws outside, but still deserves plenty of
respect. (3) DANCE IT OUT shipped back in to YR off a pair of Chester wins and used a quick start from
Post 7 to grab a 3rd - license to take home a small piece here too. (6) BET ON BLAKE has been banging
heads with some tough claimers and currently sports a 7-2-3-1 local slate - he debuts tonight for a new barn
(off the claim), and it's hard to say if he'll be able to maintain the same form for his new connections - we'll
find out more tonight! (1) UNCONTROLLABLE seems to be a notch below the main players in here, but
the rail draw at least puts him in play for a minor piece. (4) HIGH BALLER ends up on the bottom of the
selections but it would hardly be a surprise to see him pick up a small piece....if he can be a little sharper in
his 2nd Yonkers attempt.
RACE 5 - (5) MIKES Z TAM was (deservedly) sent off as the odds on choice last week but was content to
sit the pocket, and that left him in too tight through the lane for a legitimate chance to win - hopefully
Lachance will be more aggressive here, as this is another field he should be able to handle. (6) IM SOME
GRADUATE is having a tough year, but he's still a legitimate threat against this type (and did jog in PA 2
starts back) - a decent trip would put him in the hunt. (2) GRIFFON HANOVER got lost at the back last
time but was a close 2nd in both starts prior to that - draws inside, and is one to include in exotics. (1)
SPOILERONTHEBEACH tried to cut the mile in his only local try but was used hard and tired badly after
giving way - has looked better across the river since then, and might be okay here with an easier trip. (4)
IDEAL STAR N came back sharp off a layoff and was racing well for weeks before a major clunker on
11/29 - took a big drop from 75s to 30s (major red flag), and was running out very badly through the lane
(possibly costing him a win) - was claimed that night, and we'll see if he continues to decline, or if a new
barn can get him back on track. (7) GINGRAS BEACH really isn't bad right now but has been in a little too
tough - gets a drop here, but unfortunately is stuck outside - may need to wait for a better spot to strut his
stuff. (3) CENTURY FURY was claimed from his last and was empty in his last 2 starts - we'll just watch,
for now. (8) FINE DIAMOND wasn't sharp in his last pair, and now lands Post 8.
RACE 6 - (5) BOLT OF BEAUTY landed in a tough spot after drawing Post 7 last week but still just
missed 3rd - Miller should be able to handle her more aggressively from this spot, and this a field she can
beat with even a half decent trip. (2) FIRSTUP was a question mark shipping in last week but raced very
well for 3rd (in a race where the top choice was 2nd) - use her in exotics tonight. (1) MORNING HAS
BROKEN rallied just enough for 3rd last week returning from NJ - she may need to be in a little easier to
contend for the top prize, but a good piece is within reach, for sure. (6) COWGIRL LILLY drew the pole
last week and made them pay, seating the leavers and scoring the sharp front end win - likely looking at a
much tougher trip tonight, but she's definitely sharp and can be considered as long as the price is decent. (3)
BALFAST N was too far back to be a player last week but she moves inside here and may be able to rally
late for a share. (4) CLASSY CHAPEL N wasn't up for the two move effort last week and just doesn't seem
to be on her best game right now - prefer others. (7) POPPY DRAYTON N was a nice 2nd last week but
was helped tremendously by a quick start and pocket trip - faces an uphill battle from Post 7 tonight. (8)
MALNIFICENT failed to get close from a similar spot last week - wait for a better scenario.
RACE 7 - (6) SAULSBROOK HERO was a tough trip 4th in his local debut then won his next 2 starts -
rallied very nicely for 3rd in his next, but broke in the start after that - was WAY back at the half last week
(behind a gapper) but paced a HUGE final half to rally from 6th to 2nd....like his chances tonight, even with
the outside draw. (7) NORTHERN NETWORK was hurt by horrible cover last week and raced better than
that line may look - definitely has some ability, will be a big price here and may be able to bring some
value to the ticket. (2) CONTROL ME ONCE hasn't gotten untracked yet for his current connections but
moves inside and may bring a better effort this week - ok to use underneath. (1) MUDVILLE had some
issue the first time he raced here and backed up badly - had some mixed tries out of town after that, but
failed to impress in his YR return last week - it FEELS like he's better than he's shown...but he needs to
start showing it. (4) BRAZEN BRAZILIAN seems to have tailed a bit but he may just have been in no
chance spots - maybe can leave tonight, grab a trip...and grab a piece? (5) DANCING JOE used a good trip
to grab 3rd last week but his overall form has been "meh" - prefer others. (3) CHARLIES DRAGON
disappointed in his 2 starts here (for a different barn) a couple of months back, then broke in his return last
week - prefer to see a clean mile before considering hopping on his team.
RACE 8 - (4) HERRICKROOSEVELT N has been very good since returning from the layoff, and even a
recent sick scratch didn't knock him off his game - he's not known for gate speed but IF Zeron could coax
him out of there tonight, his chances of pulling off an upset will definitely go up. (1) DEAN B HANOVER
has shown ability since arriving from Canada in Nov. - was a little disappointing when 2nd two back, but
he was back on his "A Game" last week as he blew by the leaders through the stretch with his potent late
kick - the one to beat from this spot, but also figures to be a very short price. (2) FLYING FINN N has only
managed a couple of 2nds (vs. cheaper) since being claimed for $75K five starts back - will need to up his
game a bit if he wants to contend for a top prize here. (5) THE REAL ONE wasn't bad two back facing
better, off a bad date....but he failed to fire at all in his last, and has been a little tough to predict from week
to week for much of this year. (3) BARON MICHAEL had a nice win over cheaper 2 back, but may be a
notch below a couple of these. (6) CONBOYVILLE has done good work in his 5 starts since shipping in
but may find this bunch a little tougher than he'd prefer.
RACE 9 - (5) CAPTAIN FANCY has looked very good in the two starts where he raced from OFF the
pace, since adding Lasix (didn't seem to like cutting the mile, in the other) - should end up with a live trip
in here, and may be able to spring the upset. (2) SOUTHWIND PETYR jogged as the odds on choice 2
back but faltered late when heavily backed in his last, fortunate just to hold 2nd - very tough when he
shows up on his best game but since he'll likely be the favorite again, it may not be a bad idea to take a shot
against him (on top). (4) TELL THEM LOU was terrific two back when he toughed out a game first over
win, despite racing off a "scratched injured" line - he just missed to #2 in a blazing mile on 10/12, and he's
another that's capable of big miles, when on his best game - consider if the price is decent. (1) RED RIGHT
HAND shipped in sharp from The Swamp and charged home to score in his local debut - he faces much
tougher tonight but Zeron sticks, he draws the pole, and he can definitely be a serious threat. (6) IDEAL
ARTILLERY has been a very consistent "piece getter" in this class, but hasn't won in some time - poor
draw may really hurt his chances tonight. (3) CAPTIVATE HANOVER hasn't been as effective since
moving up to this NW8 level - will need to be sharper for any chance at a good piece. (8) GAMBLINGTER
ROR is enjoying an outstanding season and has even blasted from spots like this in the past - not sure
Marohn will risk that tonight, however. (7) SHINY BLACK BEAMER was totally empty last week and
now lands Post 7.
RACE 10 - (1) CAPTAIN BARBOSSA was way overbet in the Open 2 back but could only rally for 4th -
willing to just excuse his last (probably didn't care for the off going) and assume that he'll be able to handle
this much easier spot....but still wouldn't bet the ranch on him at what figures to be a very short price. (6)
OSTRO HANOVER has been a good "bet against" for most of the year but he did look a bit better off the
barn change last week, and this wouldn't be the worst week to at least give him a look...especially if you
think Bongiorno may look to leave with him. (2) BRAEVIEW BONDI A crushed cheaper 2 back and was a
solid 2nd best last week, despite missing 3 weeks - should be an up close player here from start to finish.
(3) KERFORD ROAD A has been good for some time, and was a DH winner in this class 3 starts back (at
42-1!) - may end up with a less than stellar trip from this spot, and he's probably looking at only a smaller
piece tonight. (5) DON DOMINGO N has climbed his way back up the class ladder and that last line is
better than it looks on paper - still seems a bit below several of these, however. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N is
feeling good right now but may be slowed a bit by this tougher field.
RACE 11 - (5) FOUR STAR FLASH is worth a stab in the finale - aborted his leave attempt last week
under a good Bartlett hold, unleashed a major brush at the short priced winner to 3/4s and held nicely for
3rd after finally being turned away - maybe a better trip can help him get come out on top tonight. (2) ONE
OFF DELIGHT A just missed in a NW10000 field 2 back but came up terrible dropping to NW7500 in his
last - plunges to the bottom tonight and his best effort would make him a legit threat...but he is pretty
camera shy so make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (3) SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN ended up in a
good spot after a brief shuffle last week but just couldn't find the kick to go by late...and maybe that's why
he's just 1 for 28 here this year - he's another that's playable...but only if the price is fair. (1) ODDS ON
DELRAY looked good to the final turn last week...but really gave way in the final 1/8th of a mile - he has a
license to show up sharper this week, but wouldn't take a short price after his last performance. (4) SIR
PUGSLEY just hasn't clicked since moving to this mega-high % barn - needs to be better. (8) SECRECY
came up with back to back sharp tries at Fhd. but his recent local work has been lacking, and he's stuck
with Post 8. (7) DRACARYS Z would need a much better post to be considered - his 4 local tries just
haven't been good enough. (6) KING OF HEROES N seems overmatched with these.