RACE 1 – Good opener! (1) MR MATT MAJOR N only raced twice in NZ in 2023 but showed ability prior to that,
and has certainly looked good in a pair of U.S. qualifiers – just may prove best in his stateside debut for a barn off to
a good start in 2024. (8) VICI has been super since arriving at YR and his last start was outstanding (even though
2nd best to a very talented rival with a much easier trip) – may be able to beat these even from Post 8. (3) SURFSIDE
BEACH was an excellent 2nd to VICI 2 back and just ran into too tough a trip from Post 7 last week (but still raced
well for 4th) – should find himself in the hunt from start to finish. (2) COTTON ON N arrives from Australia
showing a stellar 11-8-0-3 last year – his qualifier looks solid, and the tote board will hopefully offer some clues. (4)
HUNTING ZONE was solid in many of his 2023 starts and was certainly good in his 2024 return – catches a strong
field here, but still a candidate for a good chunk. (6) OHOKA LEBRON N is another fresh import and he lands in a
barn that has done some stellar work with these types – ignore that 12-1 ML price, and check the tote board for a
more accurate appraisal. (7) ALLBETSONFRITZ could be tighter in his 2nd local try but he lands in a brutal spot
and may need to wait for a better scenario to strut his best stuff. (5) FULL HORSE adds Lasix but would need to
improve dramatically to be a serious player in this field.
RACE 2 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (3) YS SENSATIONAL CITY added Lasix for her first start of the year and
just missed, despite over a month off – she should be a perfect with these, but last week’s card cancelation makes it
almost a month since her last start – very tough if ready, but try not to take too short a price. (5) IRON MISTRESS
has been racing well vs. better for a hot barn, and should fit very nicely with these- live player. (4) CHUPPAH ON
surprisingly took no $$ for her seasonal return, then came up with a pretty dull effort – her best effort would give her
a chance here, so perhaps the tote board will offer some more clues tonight. (2) WOODMERE HARRIET seems a
notch below the main players, and will need to up her game to be a more serious player. (1) LARJON LEAH had
Post 7 for last week’s cancellation so obviously is in a better spot tonight – she’s also been losing to cheaper, and is
as camera shy (at Yonkers) as they come. (6) CORAL BELLA hasn’t been sharp in a long time – draw doesn’t help.
RACE 3 - “Stake Your Claim” Series – very tough race to figure!: (4) SEZANA N has been struggling for some
time but may have found a spot where she can perk up – she was entered for $50K in the canceled card, but this soft
bunch is much more up her alley – one of a few possibilities. (1) SHORTYS GIRL was just 1 for 30 last year and
she’s 0 for 19 at Yonkers over the last 3 seasons – she MAY just trip out and be able to win tonight, however. (2) FE
ELIN RED HOT has been burning $$ at short prices for weeks and her last start was her worst yet – that being said,
would anybody really be surprised if THIS was the field that she can outlast to the wire? (5) WESTERN ROSIE
throws a decent one here and there, and this is a spot where IF she’s close turning for home, she may have a shot at a
rare Yonkers victory. (3) SUNSET SOPH has yet to hit board in 4 local tries and just seems cheap...of course, she’s
probably no worse than any of the others in here. (6) PRAY THE ROSARY is 0 for 29 locally over the past 2 years,
and 1 for 44 over the last 3 seasons – would need things to just fall apart to win from out here.
RACE 4 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (4) MCANGEL has been on a seemingly endless form spree, though she did
have to settle for a bunch of 2nds to SALE EL SOL along the way – she seems to thrive in any barn, and the guess is
that she’ll remain sharp after the latest claim – gets the edge in what shapes up as a very solid division. (1) SHEIKH
YABOOTY N was used hard early last week then fell apart late– she’s otherwise been very good since the barn
change 4 back, and the rail draw could land her a very good trip tonight – definitely possible. (2) IDEALINFUN
wasn’t bad in her first local start of the year, finishing decently against better from a no-chance spot – she skipped
the first leg of the Series and lands in a decent spot tonight – could be right in the mix. (3) PARADISE ROCK L
benefited from a “fall apart race” in that sweeping victory over 25s 2 back...but then showed it was no fluke when
an excellent 3rd up at this $50K level last week – has to be respected in her current form. (7) PURE SILKY was one
of several from the barn that came to life recently, reversing form with her front end score – this does feel like a
much tougher spot, though. (5) PINK RUBY is a hard hitter for sure, but may be better suited for a little cheaper –
still a threat to rally for a piece. (6) ANNELIESE HANOVER is actually racing well right now, but figures to have a
tough time working out a manageable trip from this spot.
RACE 5 – (4) NANDOLO N seems to have appreciated a little time off as he qualified back sharply, and looked
very good charging on by to victory in his first start of the season – no reason he can’t handle these too, especially
with Bartlett hopping off #6 to drive him. (1) LOUS SWEETREVENGE disappointed when unable to finish the job
2 back, then never got involved last week – might be a good spot to look for a better effort, but be careful about
taking a short price. (2) SHADOW CAT is up in class but he looked good winning his last, and may land on a good
trip here – playable in exotics. (5) CARABAO A was already a bit of a guessing game from week to week BEFORE
being scratched sick from his last – his best effort puts him in play here, but it’s hard to know if he’ll bring it. (7) GR
EG THE LEG is a very nice horse but hasn’t quite found his top form so far in ’24 – he’s better than a bunch in here,
but the draw may leave him waiting for a better spot. (3) JIMMY CONNOR B has been away for 2 months and
usually does his best with easier – good week to observe, for future consideration. (6) LOUS THE ATTITUDE was
an ok 3rd off the layoff but has missed 3 weeks, draws outside, and Bartlett opts to drive #4. (8) BEREAVED HANO
VER draws Post 8 and a win drops off the bottom of his card after tonight – keep an eye for next time.
RACE 6 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (1) GOLDEN LEADER had a couple of good recent starts with Chindano
driving and now switched to MacDonald while drawing the pole – absolutely worth a good look at that 10-1 ML
price. (7) SHOTGUN PERSUASION dropped from 50s to 20s last start and was the easiest of winners– has to deal
with a barn change and bad post, but would be hard to leave out off that last mile. (4) PLEASURE SEEKER came
up 2nd best in her last pair and is a very logical player – she’s also winless in her last 19 local starts, and was just 2
for 34 overall last year – make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (2) BRONZE OVER N was able to hang on 3
back after moving to the lead but was nothing great in her last pair – a contender for sure, but leaning more to a
couple of others. (3) EVAS SPORTS CZECH raced better than usual last time – willing to consider for a minor
piece. (6) FLIP THE SCRIPT has been limited to only minor pieces lately – draws poorly, and seems like no value
at that 3-1 ML price. (5) TIGERS WATC HING N just re-qualified in PA and the guess is that she’ll need a start or
two.
RACE 7 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (4) ROSEY TIME was well supported in her local debut but had some
trouble on turn three and the ground she lost cost her a chance to be closer at the end – the ability is there, and she
gets Brennan for tonight...decent value play? (3) ALMOST KAREN has technically been facing cheaper at
Freehold but she’s certainly been sharp – she may be able to have success with these “classier” mares as well,
especially with the switch to Bartlett. (6) WINDSUN MOJITO was well backed last week but got WAY too hot on
the lead and caved badly – she’ll probably be ignored off that effort, but there’s certainly a chance she could rebound
– may be worth a stab. (1) HARMONY OF NOTES used an easy trip to rally for 2nd last start, also from the pole –
another kind journey could lead to a good piece here as well. (5) DANDYS SHOWTIME is hard to gauge – she’s 2
for 2 since moving to this barn but that was vs. cheaper NWPM types at Stga. – she may be a good fit here, but that
5/2 ML price does take away some appeal. (2) NUTTINBUTHEBEST returns from Ohio in good form but she’s
struggled to win races here in the past, and is listed at 3-1 ML despite a month off – could be vulnerable. (7) JOSSIE
JAMES A hasn’t functioned here since 2022.
RACE 8 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (5) ONEDERFULBEACH dropped in for $50K last week, took all the $$
and had no trouble delivering the front end victory – solid chance to repeat, but won’t offer much value. (2)
LOOKATMYART bumps up to 50s after being claimed for $25K from her last but this field lacks any “killers”, and
she does figure to improve off the barn change – worth a look at that 12-1 ML price. (3) LINE EM UP was never
involved from Post 8 last week but she moves inside, and has held her own with these plenty of times – can be part
of this. (4) LOVE THAT SMILE finished ok last week from a hopeless spot – she hasn’t been on her best game
lately, but can make some late noise if she can find that “A Game” for tonight. (7) BETTERB CHEVRON N is one
of several from this barn to come to life recently – hard to predict her trip tonight (from Post 7), but she can grab a
chunk if it’s a good one. (1) ALWAYS MIMI was just an “ok” 3rd in 25s after the claim so it’s a surprise to see her
trying the 50s tonight – leaning towards others. (6) GET ANSWERS had a valid excuse 2 back but was just no good
last week- tough draw has us looking elsewhere.
RACE 9 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (3) CHARMING VIXEN was no factor in her last 2 local tries but had bad
posts in fields much better than this one – she did race okay here in a couple of December starts, and may have
found herself in a spot that she can handle. (7) UNITY was in the midst of a good move last week when she just
seemed to lose action on the final turn – she’s certainly a possibility in here, though that 2-1 ML price is quite a turn
off. (4) PHELGON just missed last week in a solid try – would be no surprise at all in this equally vulnerable field.
(2) BROOKDALE JESSIE is the Queen of Camera Shy, but she does rally for pieces – always ok to include
underneath. (5) BETTOR B SAWYER won a division in the first leg (over #4) but she pretty much just stole that
one – it’ll be a lot harder to pull that off here. (1) THUNDRA’s local wins are few and far between – would need a
pretty good price to use her for the top slot. (6) JAVA has hinted at some ability at times but she just loses action in
too many races to back in here, especially with just one start in 2 months.
RACE 10 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (1) AINTNOHOLLABACKGRL has been “ok”, though not quite at her
best lately – she gets a new barn and driver, draws the pole and could be worth a stab. (3) PRINCESS ARONA has
been one of the few overall disappointments for our leading barn but she should definitely appreciate the drop in for
a tag – definitely a logical spot for a wake up call. (5) BLUEBIRD GRAF struggled mightily in Dover but perked
right back up on returning to YR, delivering the solid first over score in Leg #1 – could easily be a threat tonight as
well. (6) DREAM DANCING has won 2 in a row and 3 of her last 4 – on the flip side, she goes for another new
barn and draws poorly...certainly a contender, but would want a fair price to use her on top from this spot. (2) TARG
ARYEN EMPRESS seems a bit below the main players but she raced well last week and had a chance for some
minor spoils. (7) MEADOWBROOK JENNY was a LOT better last week but another bad draw may leave her too
far back to do any real damage. (4) ITTY BITTY drops, but in pretty dismal form.
RACE 11 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (4) LA BELLA VITA N takes a bit of a suspicious drop into a claimer but
Kakaley gives her a vote of confidence by staying with her, and this really isn’t a strong bunch – we’ll give her a try.
(2) ELSIES DELIGHT was handled very conservatively in her first local start (8 hole) but did finish alertly – hard to
say how well she fits at this $50K level but a good price makes her worth at least a look. (3) TERACITA has shown
that she can hold her own with the 50s, but is definitely more effective with a bit easier – has to be respected, but
also figures to be overbet. (5) KICKUPYAHEELS N had a solid 2023 season but was 0 for 11 here at YR (hit board
5X) – would definitely consider using underneath, but would want a good price to try her on top. Both (6) COMMA
NDER CATHY N and (7) CALLMEQUEENBEE A draw outside, and both mares probably need better posts in
order to be serious players against these. (1) TUAPEKA JESSIE N tries the 50s after being claimed away from our
leading trainer – she’ll have to prove that she can contend at this level.
RACE 12 - (1) LIP READER A sports an impressive 112-25-19-24 $172K Down Under resume and also shows as
good a qualifier as you’ll likely ever see at Monticello (and very much like the qualifier of barnmate FORGOT
THEWALLET A...who would have won on Fri. Night if not shut off in the lane) – very willing to give him a shot in
his U.S. debut...and definitely NOT expecting him to be 8-1. (4) MIND HUNTER has several solid recent tries for
our top trainer/driver tandem and should be a major player tonight. (6) PURPLE POET is sharp right now, and
moving up a class shouldn’t be a problem – he will have to overcome the draw, however. (2) DIAMONDBEACH
actually raced pretty well after recovering from a miscue last week – if he minds his manners, he has a chance to
land somewhere on the ticket. (7) LYRICAL GENIUS A has been no good since adding Lasix – he goes without the
medication tonight, and he may find a better effort – ok bomb for 3rd/4th . (3) IB NOTORIOUS IR qualified ok upon
arrival in the U.S. but he earned only $14K in 56 UK starts and he MAY be just a little bit cheaper than these – we
shall see. (8) KIMBLE A drops a notch but another bad draw may leave the recent import waiting for a better
scenario. (5) TIM MCMIKI may need some class relief before we see his best.