RACE 1 - (2) BARGAIN SHOPPER seemed to be in a winning spot last week but ended up badly
blindswitched before 3/4s and was clear too late to do any better than 2nd - catches another soft group
tonight and has a solid chance to make amends...but that senseless 7/5 ML price will make it hard to get fair
value with him. (3) LANAS DESIRE had been horrible for weeks but started to show a little better life a
few starts back, and was actually right up with the leader while four wide on the final turn last week when
he went offstride - at 15-1 ML, he deserves at least a look. (5) WILD WEST was solid in a pair of 2nds 3
and 4 starts back but then reverted to his lesser form the next week - last at Monti looks solid, and he's
definitely one to include underneath. (6) CAUSWAY was 85-1 and 120-1 in his last 2 starts at Nfd. before
shipping in last week but that didn't stop Clegg from going to the top and parking two rivals (effectively
killing his own chances, along with altering the race completely) - shows up with a new trainer listed this
week, gets Kakaley on board, and should be able to outperform that 20-1 ML price. (1) ART HISTORY
often perks up when he draws the pole but he's been having too rough a year to consider for more than just
a small piece. (4) RISKY MILLION is hard to gauge off all the Amateur lines, but he's 0 for 19 on the year,
and may need more than a switch to a catch driver to become a contender - not a fan at that 3-1 ML price!
(8) VILLAGE CHAMP can be forgiven for his last as he was just trapped in for way too long behind CAU
SWAY, but he gets no luck with the draw tonight, and it may be hard for him to find a way into contention.
(7) FATHER FRED looks pretty cheap AND draws Post 7 - will just watch for now.
RACE 2 - (1) THOR AND DR JONES shipped in with solid Stga. form but was a bit overmatched in a
NW4 race and had to settle for 4th - dropped down to NW2 last week, took some $$, but got all erratic as
he was about to drop into the early pocket and had to spend a ton of energy first recovering, and then
rushing up to take the lead at the quarter....really didn't tire badly after being pressed into submission to the
final turn by the tripsitter, and has a solid chance to make amends from the pole tonight. (4) NORTHERN
BACCARAT has picked up three 2nds from 4 Canadian starts this year, and ships down to a very live local
barn - major threat in his YR debut. (8) UNWRITTEN RULE looked good until he didn't while cutting the
mile last week - the addition of Lasix would suggest that he bled that night, and he could easily outperform
that 20-1 ML price...check the tote board for some clues as to his intentions. (5) RAILIN JENNINGS was
an ok 3rd in his local debut, and beat a soft field with a pocket trip in last - this bunch just seems tougher,
and he seems likely to be looking at a smaller piece tonight. (2) ROCKIN THE ARENA ships in off a few
decent Stga. efforts and is looking at a decent trip here - chance for a small piece. (3) BEACH BLOGGER
improved for his new barn in those Monti starts but it's hard to say how he'll fit with the locals - good week
to just observe. (7) KAUAI KING added Lasix last week but he really didn't race any better - would give
him a longer look had he drawn inside. (6) ELS DISCO JOHNNY seems a bit cheap - we shall see.
RACE 3 - (3) ANDRES HANOVER could be an interesting bomb here - showed some ability at 2 from his
5 starts, then qualified nicely for his 3YO return - caught a 1:51 mile in his first start back (just excuse that
mile), broke in his next, then struggled in the slop last week - may just be no good right now but he hails
from a sharp barn, and it wouldn't be a shock if he showed up with a much better effort tonight - at a big
price. (5) IDEAL BEACH sat back and rallied for 4th on 6/11 (his 3rd career start) - was hammered down
to 9/5 in his next and picked up a nice 1:53.3 victory (at Chester) - 3YO definitely appears to be on the
upswing. (6) ICANGOGO caught a 1:49.3 mile in his first try back at 3 but has done good work since then,
picking up a win and three 2nds in his last 4 start (including a close 2nd here last week) - may be the one to
beat, but not much value as the 2-1 ML choice (after going off at 16-1 last week). (1) BARRYWHITE
HANOVER wired a soft Maiden bunch two back, then had no prayer from Post 8 in his last - should be
able to have a much bigger say tonight, although a few look more appealing for the top spot. (2) MIKI U
SO FINE is 1 for 20 and was dull in his only YR start but does add Lasix tonight, and perhaps we'll see
some improvement. (8) OLD TOWN ROAD was handled more aggressively last week and was a good 2nd
- not sure he'll be as aggressive against these, from Post 8. (4) HAPPY CAMPER raced conservatively last
week off the sick scratch - he probably has some ability, but he may need to be in a little cheaper before we
see it. (7) ROSE RUN WOODROW had some good Chester tries before tiring in last - faces a tough task
from all the way out here.
RACE 4 - (4) HITMAN HILL was sent off at 1/2 on May 18th debuting here for the "Super Siblings" but
something was obviously wrong, and he just came to a complete stop - qualified back sharply, and was our
strong selection last week when scratched due to a transportation issue.....we'll go with him again tonight.
(8) BRANQUINHO earned over $200K at 2 and 3 but only made 12 starts at 4 (winning 3 of them) -
recently returned from a 4 month layoff to be 2nd in his first try back (in NJ), and figures to be a dangerous
player tonight...even from Post 7. (1) VELOCITY KOMODO might have been shipping in with #4 as he
was scratched that night too - goes from three straight 8 holes to the rail, and should be a much bigger
player this week. (2) SECRECY (also a transportation scr. last week) is hard to gauge right now, but he
draws well for a sharp barn, and may be able to grab a decent piece. (3) ARQUE HANOVER was a "trip
3rd" in last, never a threat to the top 2 - he's winless in his last 25 starts here, and is looking at a minor
share, at best. (8) DARLINGS DRAGON was able to grab a win off the class drop at Chester last week, but
seems up against it from Post 8, vs. this better bunch. (6) UNICO LEGEND N was short last week off the
long layoff - waiting for a spark of life before hopping on his team. (5) ULTIMATE FLYER N doesn't seem
sharp enough right now to have any impact.
RACE 5 - (1) WELL DONE SON instantly improved significantly upon entering this barn recently, but
that should come as no surprise to those that have been following the trainer's incredible success over the
past 5-6 weeks - tonight marks the 4th start for the hottest trainer on the planet, and so far he's picked up
three excellent 2nd place finishes (unlike most of his barnmates, who have been winning almost every start)
- we'll take a shot that he gets over the hump this week. (4) SOUTHWIND PETYR took on some of the top
colts at 2 and more than held his own - came back "good" at 3, but it took 5 starts before he finally got back
to the winner's circle - perhaps that victory will set him off on a nice tear heading into stakes season, but
since he'll like be a pretty short price, we'll take a shot against him (with our top pick), (6) CAPTAIN SLE
AZE was a nice 2nd to Billy Clyde in his local debut, followed up with last week's impressive 8 hole win -
he may have some leavers inside of him tonight, though, and that could compromise his chances a bit (as he
seems pretty one dimensional). (7) MAD MAN HILL ships in having won 2 of his last 3 in PA, and should
be a good fit - will need some trip luck from out here, but can pick up a decent piece if he gets it. (5) BRAZ
EN BRAZILLIAN is winless in 14 YR starts this year but he's been 2nd/3rd six times, thanks to his quick
starts - chance for a small piece, at a big price. (2) ROLLING WITH SAM threw a rare clunker 2 back -
was still sent off favored in last, but was unable to handle the first over trip - sharp barn drops him right
back in the box, so maybe he'll rebound with a better effort tonight. (3) SURREALIN comes into this off 3
straight wins but this field is much tougher than anything he's been facing - will have to prove that he
belongs. (8) AQUAMAN HANOVER looked very good wiring cheaper for his new barn two back but was
unable to get involved from Post 7 moving up in class last week - may find himself in the same boat here.
RACE 6 - (2) FLAMING FLUTTER N went his best mile in a long time last week and we know what the
mega-classy 12YO is capable of when "right" - hard to go past him in this spot. (6) B LIKE CRUISER was
sent off at 2/5 off the Chester class drop last week and was a dominant winner - that effort should give him
a confidence boost, and he lands in a field that should suit him well - logical player. (1) MACINTOSH N
doesn't win too often but this is the type of spot where he can just sit close and take home a decent piece -
include him underneath. (4) VIRGIN STORM is well off his best game right now but it's not like he's been
terrible - have to believe he'll at least make his presence with the drop to the bottom class. (7) HERRICKR
OOSEVELT N is another that's not on his best game, but he did keep trying all he could last week, coming
up just a head short - the knock tonight is the post, and he may end up with a pretty bad trip from out here -
will use for 3rd/4th this week. (3) SNEAK ON BYE seems a bit cheap for these - we'll see if Dube can
wake up the Stga. shipper a bit. (5) JUST WAVE GOODBYE has been racing "ok" in lower classes across
the river - not much luck when he's raced here in the past, though. (8) DESIRES CAPTAIN went off at
32-1 off the barn change last week (NJ) and was no factor at all - hard to like his chances from Post 8
tonight.
RACE 7 - (5) GRAY DRAGON has been doing some outstanding work in NJ and PA, and ships in off a
2nd place finish in a 1:48 mile - the 4YO will be taking on some solid older rivals here, but he seems more
than sharp enough to prevail in his YR debut. (2) TIN ROOF RAIDER was 2nd from Post 7 in his last start
after cutting the mile - moves inside, and looms a serious threat once again. (4) AMERICAN ZEST A is a
tough call - he's never had any luck here at Yonkers, but he's been hitting on all cylinders out of town lately,
and appears to be in career form right now - wouldn't be surprised to see him come up with a big effort
tonight, but still not ready to use him on top. (3) DELIGHTFUL TERROR finished very well in both local
starts - if they mix things up a bit, he can make some noise at the end (definitely one to include in exotics).
(1) SKIP TO MY LOU was sent off at 3/5 last week, had things his own way but still couldn't hold off #6 at
the end - willing to throw in for 3rd, but definitely prefer a few others tonight. (6) ANTHEM N was a
pocket winner last week, but this is a much tougher spot - probably looking at a minor share, at best. (7)
ELWELL came up huge off the long layoff to win on 5/17, but hasn't been able to replicate that mile ever
since - Post 7 isn't going to help his cause. (8) HEAVENS GAIT is just way too unreliable to consider from
Post 8, even with the class drop.
RACE 8 - (4) KING JAMES EXPRESS is sharpening a little more each start and last year's NYSS champ
may be ready to finally grab his first win of the season - there's enough speed in here that things may set up
nicely for his late rally - should offer a decent price in a pretty wide open race. (3) GAMBLINGTERROR
has been notoriously camera shy his whole career but he started to really get sharp back in May, and comes
into tonight's race off TWO straight wins - definitely a chance he could pull off the hat trick. (2) CRUNCH
HANOVER is off to a 7-3-2-1 start as a 3YO and that includes a win here 2 starts back - more than capable
of taking another if he lands on a favorable trip. (8) WATER SPORTS TEEN has been doing very good
work in Ohio and PA and will now race for the "Dynamic Duo" - terrible draw, however, and he also has
just one start in the last 7 weeks....may not be fully cranked for tonight. (7) MAJOR BEAN added Lasix
last week but just seemed too hot early on and ended up being used too hard against the sharp, frontrunning
favorite - terrible spot tonight, but not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) COALITION HANOVER was a non-
threatening 2nd here in a Reynolds division, then a no-factor 5th in this class 2 starts back - seems a notch
below a few of these right now. (1) FAR BETTER is a perfect 7 for 7 since changing barns, but those wins
have come vs. softer upstate - he'll have to prove that he can deliver the same kind of miles against this
type. (6) STRATEONTILMORNING draws outside in a solid field off a "scratched injured" line - will just
observe, for now.
RACE 9 - (6) PAT STANLEY N was handled very conservatively last week, no doubt just looking for him
to get back some confidence after falling in his previous start in NJ (and causing a bad chain reaction
accident) - he paced a sharp final quarter against better, and now finds himself in a pretty soft NW 7500
field - we'll hop back on his team tonight. (1) JACKAMINO gets some major class relief here, while also
drawing the pole - should be an up close presence from start to finish. (4) JOJOS PLACE disappointed in
his return to YR last week but it's way too soon to write him off - willing to include him in exotics, looking
for a sharper effort this week. (5) YAYAS HOT SPOT N was good in 2020 but this year has been a
nightmare so far, as he's currently 0 for 18, including several losses at the bottom level (and to make things
even worse, he's often overbet!) - willing to use for 3rd/4th. (3) PROVEN DESIRE has failed to hit board
in 5 starts here this year, but this is a field where he has a chance at a small piece, with an easy enough trip.
(2) VANQUISHED N has been doing his best work vs. cheaper - has a good post tonight, but still prefer
others. (7) MACH IT SO probably has a few good miles left in him...but probably not from spots like this -
waiting for a better draw. (8) SEEUINNASHVILLE A is 0 for 18 this year and draws all the way outside
while also moving up in class - not a winning formula.
RACE 10 - (1) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER was given a horrendous drive last week and still ended up a
close 3rd, despite being parked the entire mile - draws the pole tonight and even though there are a couple
of live foes in here, no excuses will be accepted. (4) LETS HAVE ANOTHER is a much better horse on the
lead but he hasn't had a chance to cut a mile in some time - seems like a good spot for Stratton to be very
aggressive...we'll see if that produces a sharper try. (6) MISTER DONALD A has certainly taken to
Yonkers, scoring back to back, wire to wire jogburger wins in his first two tries here - he'll likely have to do
it from off the pace tonight, so we'll see if he can be as effective that way (especially stepping up in class).
(2) GINGRAS BEACH was a little overmatched in NW15000 so tonight's drop should prove useful - throw
him in underneath from this spot. (7) DON DOMINGO N finished very alertly last week but gets no luck
with the draw tonight - maybe can find a way to grab a small piece? (3) DARK ENERGY N really prefers
to be in cheaper, but draws well enough for a chance at a minor piece, with an easy enough trip. (5) ST
LADS NEPTUNE went a very encouraging mile here on 5/21 (off yet another layoff) but immediately
regressed in his next couple - just never could get back to his good younger form for his current
connections. (8) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING will be hard pressed to get in play from out here.
RACE 11 - (6) GARDYS LEGACY A was an excellent 2nd to the amazing Dragon Said 2 back, then 3rd
behind that same rival and Splash Brother in last week's 1:49.4 mile - neither of those beasts is in here
tonight, so it's a good opportunity for this guy to pick up his first Hilltop victory. (2) DIAMONDBEACH
throws some big miles when on his game - no chance trip in his last, but an easier journey tonight could see
him picking up a big piece of this. (4) QUAGMIRE BLUECHIP is off a sick scratch but was very sharp in
his previous 2 starts - willing to throw in underneath, hoping he's 100%. (1) LOUS SWEETREVENGE was
an even 4th in last week's blazing mile - draws best here, and that makes him a candidate to pick up a small
piece. (5) BETTER UP has improved quite a bit since the recent barn change, and comes into tonight with
wins in 2 of his last 3 - he'll be facing better here, but Stratton does take him over #4 - not quite sure what
to expect from him against these (7) SO MANY ROADS will save ground from the back, and hope to pass
a few in the lane - ok bomb for 3rd. (3) SUMTHINBOUTIM gets his first good post in weeks, but all those
no-chance draws may have dulled his form a bit - we'll see if he perks up with a better effort tonight.
RACE 12 - (1) ALTA LEROY N has been a bit overmatched lately but he gets an important drop here and
also lands inside - if he's close at the top of the lane, he'll have a shot to beat these. (6) KEYSTONE
PHOENIX was totally wiped out 2 back on the final turn, then bothered significantly off the first turn in his
last - guessing he'll look to blast tonight, and his last win did come at this level - legitimate chance, but not
willing to take a very short price on him. (2) KASEY JOHN A was a very good 2nd to a sharp winner 2
back, but just wasn't right in his last - drops right back in the box so his trainer must feel he's ok - chance
for a good piece if he rebounds. (3) HIGHLAND TARTAN made an unexpected miscue last week and it's
hard to say if that was just a one-time "bad step", or if we're going to see him regressing now - we'll have a
better idea after tonight. (7) GENTLEMANJIM II IE has more than enough ability to be a big threat in this
class but he draws his 3rd straight terrible post and he may have to wait yet another week before being a
serious contender. (8) BELTANE A is racing very well right now, but he may struggle to get himself in play
from all the way out here. (4) LORD WILLOUGHBY A shows a couple of recent Stga. wins vs. cheaper -
not sure he can bang heads with the better ones in here. (5) REAGANS AVENGER will get out attention
again after he gets a couple of class drops.