RACE 1 - (2) FUNATTHEBEACH N won 10 races and nearly $600K last year, including a couple of
stakes finals - he hasn't been in "peak" form for a while, but last week's victory was a big step in the right
direction - he gets to stay in the same class tonight and looms a tough, short-priced favorite. (1) BILL HAL
EY N ended '22 with a victory and was sharp in his two 2023 starts as well - draws best, adds Dave Miller
in the bike, and has a big chance to grab another good piece. (5) SMOKIN BY N stayed sharp during the
hiatus with a win in PA, then held that form here at Yonkers the past 2 weeks - he steps up a notch but can
still be a player here, especially with a quick start. (7) BAD TO THE BONE N was much better than his
line might suggest two back, so last week's powerful front end score was really no surprise - he's sharp
enough to contend with these too, but will need a lot of trip luck after drawing so poorly. (4) EUPHORIA N
arrived stateside showing a solid Down Under resume and certainly raced very well in his 2 Fhd. starts -
he'll face much tougher in his YR debut, and we'll see if he's able to hang with these. (3) ODDS ON PICK
SIX has thrived for his current barn but vs. easier - he's another that will have to prove that he fits here. (6)
UNCLE JORD A has been solid for a long time, but gets a poor post for tonight - will probably need a
better draw in order to be a player at this level.
RACE 2 - (2) AMERICAN DEALER N went a HUGE try (in NJ) in his first start off the layoff and was
sent off as the deserving favorite here last week - there was no speed to his inside and he figured to make an
instant lead....but Bongiorno inexplicably took him back to last instead, leaving him with no realistic
chance - he did pace a BIG final quarter, though, and we'll go with him tonight...hoping for a more realistic
steer. (3) PRICELESS BEACH, like many of his barnmates, returned from the layoff in top form - he paced
a :54 final half to come up 2nd best last week, and looms a very dangerous threat for tonight. (4) THE IDE
AL DANCER A was an impressive winner in his Hilltop debut on 1/23 - he stepped up to the Open last
week and may have been a lot closer at the wire had he found more room into the stretch - of particular note
is that Stratton opts off the classy COVERED BRIDGE (trained by one of his best accounts!) to drive this
guy tonight. (7) COVERED BRIDGE was an easy winner in his first local start of the year then raced super
again last week, though settling for 3rd after a very tough trip - he's at a major post disadvantage vs. his
main rivals here and as noted, Stratton (surprisingly?) opts to drive #4. (1) ITALIAN DELIGHT N was
super 2 back and even better in last week's ultra-impressive victory - it's hard to believe he was recently
losing races at Monti, but he's in raging form right now - we'll see if he can handle the class jump. (5) THE
DOWNTOWN BUS has a couple of decent efforts but really seems buried against the top ones in here. (6)
BUDDY HILL is looking at a tough trip from this spot...wait for a better scenario.
RACE 3 - (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES used a beautiful trip to win his seasonal debut but came up flat
last week - moves to a barn that has been hitting on all cylinders for several months, and we'll give him a
shot to pull off the mild upset. (4) ELWELL will take plenty of $$ here and looms the one to beat- he hasn't
looked to be at his "best" in his recent starts, however, so maybe he'll be a bit vulnerable tonight. (1) ITALI
AN DELIGHT N had no chance shipping in last week but did finish alertly from an impossible spot - he
draws best, and Holland does take him over a couple of others - possibility in this modest $30K division.
(6) BETTER B SWIFT clearly outraced his 44-1 odds last week and gets Gingras filling in for tonight -
decent value horse to consider for exotics. (3) MENLO PARK ships in from Canada for a barn that has only
clicked at 6% with their local starters over the past couple of years - seems a little cheap for these, but the
good draw at least gives him a chance at a small piece. (5) AUDI HARE N drew Post 8 after missing a year
last week and really wasn't bad - should be tighter now, but still think he may need another start or two
before we see his best. (7) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER was ALMOST able to break a very long local losing
streak last week, but was reeled in late - he's definitely sharp enough for a chance at a piece IF some racing
luck comes his way. (8) DEETZY was a close 4th off the layoff but faces an uphill battle from out here.
RACE 4 - (6) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A raced well from tough spots in his first 2 U.S. starts then absolutely
jogged in his last couple (at miniscule prices) - faces a much tougher assignment tonight, but we'll stay on
his team...especially since the price should be a lot better. (1) INDICTABLE HANOVER hasn't had a ton
of local success but he gets some class relief, draws the pole, and his barn has been turning horses into
airplanes lately (won 7 of 12 last week!) - looking for a big effort tonight. (2) MR DS ROCK has a mixed
bag of starts lately but he was a well meant 3rd last week, and does have the back class to pull this off if the
trip goes his way. (4) SAYING GRACE N raced well (vs. easier) from bad posts the last 2 starts, picking up
a win and a 3rd - Bartlett elects to drive #1, but Dave Miller is a pretty capable replacement - definitely one
to include in exotics. (3) DIAMONDBEACH is capable of beating better when "right", but just had to
re-qualify after a pair of miscues - seems a little iffy right now. (8) ONTO EL DORADO N didn't function
2 back but actually raced well last week, despite a very hard trip - would have considered him a bit higher
up if not for another terrible draw. (5) HYPNOTICDREAM was only 3 for 39 last year, seems cheaper, and
may need a start. (7) STRAIGHT UP COOL tripped out to beat lesser last week, but figures to have a tough
time getting into play tonight.
RACE 5 - (3) FLOW WITH JOE was a solid 2nd to a raging UPTOWN FUNK to close out 2022 but has
been hampered by a pair of 8 holes to start off the new year - finally gets a decent draw, is listed at 9-1 ML,
and seems like a good value play in a race with no stickouts. (4) CAPTIVATE HANOVER was 0 for 15
here in '22 but ALMOST pulled out a win in his first start of '23 before getting his picture taken last week -
legitimate threat to repeat. (2) TIN ROOF RAIDER A charged home full of pace to start off the new year
then was a gutsy first over winner last week- another very live player in here. (7) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD
was riding a 2 race winning streak coming into his last, was handled way more aggressively than expected
and still looked good until weakening very late (then making a break near the end) - clearly sharp enough to
take this, but the outside draw may leave him battling for a smaller share tonight. (5) FOX VALLEY REN
was a big price debuting in this class last week but raced decently to be 4th - chance for another small slice
tonight. (6) MONGOLIAN HERO N needed a "fall apart" race in 30s to finally reach the winner's circle
and the bump up to 40s seems a bit ambitious - still, there's always a chance his late kick can earn him a
minor piece. (8) SOHO CHELSEAA was able to win at the bottom level from the pocket 2 back, but came
up light in his last - Post 8 will likely really hamper his chances tonight. (1) SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN
moves all the way inside here but still seems overmatched.
RACE 6- Interesting race: (7) PYRO was handled conservatively off the layoff but finished with crisp
pace, suggesting he'd be ready to do some damage this week - he gets no luck with the draw, but is still
capable of coming out on top, depending on how the race plays out...one of several live players in here. (1)
MARL BANK ROAD was actually ready for action off the layoff but had no room at all in the stretch last
week, resulting in him going inside some stretch pylons - he has the speed to be aggressive from this spot,
and that's what Holland will likely do - possibility. (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW ended the year with a
close 2nd at the bottom level but remained sharp over the hiatus, scoring a sharp win to start the new year,
then putting in a big try for 2nd last week - double jumps in class tonight but Yannick sticks with him...and
he just may be sharp enough right now for a chance to beat these. (3) PASS A GRILLEBEACH does throw
some miles that could be good enough to win here but his last few don't inspire a ton of confidence, and
he's listed as the 9/5 ML choice - just not much value tonight. (6) FOREVER FAV threw a bit of a dud lat
week after a bunch of solid efforts - was camera shy throughout 2022, so insist on a good price if trying
him on top. (2) JUSTA LITTLE BIT A had been non-functional in his first 3 U.S. starts but was at least a
"little better" last week - still not ready to hop on his team, though. (8) STRETCH THE LINE raced just
10X as a 3YO but did win a NYSS race here at YR - has looked good in a couple of preps (and one NJ
start) since returning at 4, but faces a tall task starting from Post 8. (4) FULLBACK debuts for another new
barn after a pair of dismal Fhd. efforts - have to pass, for now.
RACE 7 - (5) OZONE BLUE CHIP was 1st or 2nd in 19 of his 32 Yonkers starts last year and he started
off 2023 in similar fashion, winning easily in 1:52.3 - hasn't raced for 3 weeks since then, but that's likely
because there were simply no classes for him -- guessing he'll be ready for his usual big mile tonight. (2)
LONG WEEKEND A went a big effort last week but unfortunately for him, BARBADOS went an even
bigger one - has a post edge on a few other players in here, and that should help him grab a good piece. (7)
RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N underwent a major transformation last year when claimed by our leading barn,
quickly becoming an OPEN winner....he missed a few months after a great run then came back to win 4
straight at this level - went on the shelf after the victory on 10/10 and just recently resurfaced (in NJ) for a
new trainer...we'll see if he can get this guy as good as he was (4) DELIGHTFUL TERROR benefited from
a dream trip in that win 2 back but he was very good in his last start as well, hurt by an overaggressive
drive - chance for a piece. (8) THE REGULATOR dropped back to the cones last week then ended up in
traffic throughout the lane - his barn has been winning races at an amazing clip this year, but tonight's draw
may slow him down a bit. (1) PURPLE POET was really (sneaky) sharp in his '23 return but came up dull
in his last couple - we'll see if he can rebound here. (3) REDBANK BLAZE A disappointed last week, and
loses Stratton for tonight - prefer others. (6) MAXIMUS RED A was empty last start off the hoatus.
RACE 8 - Five horse field and they ALL have a chance, depending on how the race shakes out: (2) BELM
ONT ROYALE N hasn't done much wrong since arriving in the U.S. 5 starts back, and that includes a near
miss to NANDOLO N in that 1:48.3 mile across the river - his efforts suggest that he could be as good as
any of these. (1) MOONSHINE KISSES was helped a bit by a contested pace last week but he was still
wide a long way, and very impressive- a repeat performance would be no surprise at all. (3) SEMI TOUGH
has been sharp for several starts, and his quick starts have been a big help - could be the one to trip out here
(5) NANDOLO N is just a neck shy of a 5 race winning streak - clearly taking another is quite possible, but
he MAY end up with a tougher trip this week. (4) OAKWOODINITOWINIT IR returned sharp like most of
his barnmates...and was right there 2nd last week - can be right there again if things go smoothly.
RACE 9 - (6) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N has maintained his form as he's climbed the class ladder since
beginning his U.S. career in Nov. - he'll need some racing luck to be in position from this spot, but he'll be a
good price is worth considering. (4) BLANK STARE has been in impossible spots in 2 of his 3 starts this
year but came up 2nd best to the promising THE IDEAL DANCER A the one time he drew well - chance
to be a big player tonight. (3) FEELIN WESTERN paced evenly at the back of the Open field last week but
now drops back down to the class he beat 2 starts back - no reason he can't do it again. (2) PEACE OUT
POSSE was the 2nd longest shot on the board last week but blasted hard to make both of the co-favorites
drop in behind him - ended up being hounded hard for a long way but still battled gamely, only giving way
late - chance here, even though he usually does his best damage with a bit easier. (1) EHRMANTROUT is
a bit of a question mark at this level but he recently rattled off 3 straight (vs. cheaper) and may just be good
enough now to be a legit threat. (5) GENIUS MAN was recently 2nd and 3rd at this level but was helped by
pocket trips - may have a much tougher journey tonight. (7) AMERICANLIGHTNINGN is much better
lately but still is prone to drifting late, and weaker finishes - tough spot tonight.
RACE 10 - (1) JKS CHAMP was making his first start in over 5 weeks but the shipper was well backed for
his new connections and right there all the way, not really shaking free until late - should be even tighter
now, and may be able to pick up the win from this spot. (7) WESTERN JOE banked $116K last year to go
over the $1M mark and while his best days may be behind him, he's still more than capable at this level -
has last week's tightener under his belt, and can be a big threat if able to get in play from Post 7. (3) I DRAI
NTHESWAMP A hasn't won yet in 5 U.S. starts but he's been solid in his last few (after adding Lasix), and
looks like a very good fit with these - legitimate player in first YR start. (2) ADAM CROCKER A was a
winner in his first YR start (November), and his only other local try was at the NW20000 level - his last
couple in NJ are "ok", but he'll need to be a little better to beat these. (4) MCCLINCHIE N was 0 for 17
here last year but the 11YO has been ok lately in NJ - ok to use underneath. (8) HES ELECTRIC will be
coming from way back, but still has a chance to rally for 3rd/4th. (5) GAMBLINGTERROR's last win
came at this level, but a few others just seem more appealing right now. (6) GOTTA MINUTE N has been
away for 3 weeks after a couple of scratches - prefer to just keep an eye on him for now.
RACE 11 - (6) TWIN B HEART THROB unleashed a wicked brush to crush easier 2 back, then went
another big mile late week (coming up 2nd best to the easier trip JAHAN HANOVER) - maybe he can
reverse that decision tonight? (1) JAHAN HANOVER steps up once more after 2 straight wins but draws
best, and his barn has been doing amazing work lately - big threat to take another. (2) NVESTMENT BLU
ECHIP was dull upon arrival from Ohio but much sharper last week - could pose a late threat if things go
his way. (4) BENHPE RULZ N was hammered down to 3/5 off the drop last week and was able to deliver -
we'll see if he can repeat against this better bunch (a possibility, for sure). (3) VELOCITY KOMODO
draws much better for his 2nd off the layoff but that last start suggests he may need another mile before we
see his best - ok underneath. (5) TIGER BARON was ok the last couple of weeks but did have the rail both
times - may not get the same good trip this time. (7) SON OF A TIGER AS had been sharp but did
disappoint a bit last week - tough draw if he's hoping to bounce right back. (8) GALANTE A has a couple
of recent Fhd. wins but seems up against it starting from Post 8 for his YR return.