RACE 1 – Good opener! (5) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has been good for a while, and particularly sharp in that win
2 back – he could only manage even pace in the lane last week, but that was with a much tougher field – one of
many who could take this, depending on how the race plays out. (1) MIND HUNTER is off to a “mixed” start this
year, racing very well in a pair of starts, while coming up terrible in a couple of others – if he brings his best effort
for his new connections tonight, he’ll be very tough from this spot. (6) MACH N CHEESE is listed at 20-1 ML but
he’s VERY good right now, and his barn has been heating up...don’t ignore him at a big price. (3) I DRAINTHESW
AMP A has proven that IF he lands on a very easy trip, he can be a powerful late player – another worth a look if the
price is right. (2) LUCAPELO A drops in for a tag after coming up a little light at the end in his 3 local tries – may
suffer the same fate with these, however. (4) TWIN B DELUXE just kept coming last week and was able to overtake
COVERED BRIDGE at the wire...though that feat is not quite as impressive these days...leaning towards others,
but still have to respect his chances. (8) ORLANDO BLUE A puts his 4 race winning streak on the line tonight (for
another new barn) but he’ll probably need a lot to go his way to overcome the horrible draw (in this solid field) –
wouldn’t blame anybody looking to use him at a big price, though. (7) SPEED MAN N just isn’t in fightin’ form
right now.
RACE 2 – (1) PRINCE OF TIDES was doing excellent work for some time in 25s and had no trouble making the
jump to 30s last week, scoring on the front end (despite being used pretty hard) – we’ll give him the narrow edge as
he looks to repeat. (2) REAL PEACE only raced 4X last year but recently started to sharpen in 2025 – he was in a
very tough spot vs. 40s last week, and now is looking at a good trip with the drop to 30s – very dangerous threat. (3)
OZONE BLUE CHIP isn’t in ‘top form”, but he’s racing well enough right now for a chance at the top prize should
the top pair falter. (4) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL was just 1 for 40 last year but he notched his first victory of 2025
last week, and that was on the heels of an excellent 2nd the week before– another that could be heard from with some
trip luck. (5) SAN DOMINO A landed on a perfect pocket trip last week and picked up his first victory in a while –
not impossible, but seems more likely to be looking at a smaller piece in this field. (6) HEISMAN PLAYER picked
up a win in this class 5 starts back but really looks like he’d appreciate a little class relief right now. (7) SADDLE
UP threw an unexpected dud 2 back, then was no good again last week – waiting for better signs.
RACE 3 – (2) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL N had been finishing well from tough spots (vs. better) in his first few
starts this year – he was really charging late in his last, gobbling up ground to be a close 2nd...he drops again, and
will likely be handled more aggressively from this spot. (3) FUNATTHEBEACH N was well meant and raced very
well last week, but put himself at a disadvantage after he got away patiently in 3rd, then was forced to battle into a
hot :27.2 third panel with his main rival – he was still a solid 3rd, and looms a legitimate threat tonight. (4) KINGSVI
LLE was solid in his first 2 starts of the year but came up dull last week – will need to be sharper here for a chance
to knock off the top pair. (5) TWIN B POWERBALL has been all that sharp in recent starts, and his barn has been
dull as well – maybe a small piece with the class drop? (6) DUVAL STREET flashed some life with the class drop
last week and drops a bit more tonight – the tough draw may hurt his chances, though. (8) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP
was super in 2024 but still trying to find his form in ’25 – will need a major wake up call to be a serious threat from
out here. (1) YOROKOBI N qualified ok but has been on the shelf for 2 months and figures to need a start. (7) HIC
KFROMFRENCHLICK could use some class relief...and a (much) better draw.
RACE 4 – Well matched field: (4) FINAL CHEESERECIPE disappointed 2 back but rebounded quickly last week,
an excellent 2nd that saw him sharp at both ends of the mile – should offer decent value in this wide open affair. (3)
FLIP MY CHIP folded badly last week but he was used very hard early on, and it was his first “bad” effort in a long
time – he goes to his 5th barn in 5 weeks here, and it would be no surprise at all to see him bounce right back (2) TW
IGGS PUB was well backed off the big barn change last week bit landed on an impossible trip, and really didn’t tire
that badly considering the circumstances – a fair price makes him worth a look here. (7) LYONS BENJAMIN win in
NJ on 2/1 in his 2nd start off the barn change then raced very well in his Yonkers debut, rallying all the way from last
to 3rd – clearly he fits nicely, but he lands outside again and will need some trip luck for a chance at the top prize. (6)
J B GRAM has gone a lot of big miles here but he gets a bad draw for his 5th barn in 5 weeks, and may be at a bit of
a disadvantage- would hardly be a surprise, though. (1) IM THE PRINCE was a good 2nd to #4 in his first local try
but broke the next week then disappointed (off the claim) in his last (getting rough off turn three )– leaning more
towards others tight now. (5) EMINEM HANOVER wasn’t bad last week, but still seems like s stretch in here.
RACE 5 – (1) TWO FACED finally got a decent draw last week and raced very well...but had the misfortune of
having to battle with the “good version” of MIND HUNTER – his barn is really clicking right now, and his post
edge tonight (over some main rivals) may prove the difference. (5) SHINE A LIGHT has been very good recently
and can be excused for tiring a bit last week after being parked two turns before finally finding the two hole –
remains very dangerous with an easier trip. (6) HAMMERING HANK had some issue 3 back but has otherwise
been 2nd in 3 of his last 4 starts – tough draw, but still playable IF the price is fair. (3) BILL HALEY N was an
excellent 3rd last week and was Bartlett’s choice in here...he’s also pretty camera shy here at Yonkers, so make sure
to get a good price if using on top. (4) SCRIBBLERS perked up to pull off the upset 3 back, then raced ok in his
next pair – chance to grab at least a piece of this. (7) AROUND MIDNIGHT raced better last week (class drop) but
tonight’s draw may leave him waiting for an easier spot. (2) VENIER HANOVER is a streaky horse and he ships in
off a pair of Batavia wins – he’s also missed 3 weeks, and moving way up in class. (8) MASONS DELIGHT N
draws Post 8 after a weak effort last week – prefer others.
RACE 6 – (4) VENTURESOME ARDEN N can be pretty unreliable these days but he still brings his “Open” form
when in the right mood – he’ll be a nice price here, and it may not be a bad week to give him a try. (3) BLUE LOU
gets Bartlett to stick (over #2) and he gets a class drop after finishing with pace in traffic in last week’s Invitational –
he was 8-5-0-2 here last year, and may be primed to bring his best tonight. (2) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has been
rock solid since arriving from Down Under, and tonight’s slight class jump really shouldn’t slow him down – he
loses Bartlett, but does get Gingras...remains a very live player. (5) BACKSTREET SHADOW is too classy to ever
just outright dismiss but he’s missed 3 weeks after a disappointing try, and his last WIN did come vs. easier- leaning
more towards the top trio. (7) TWIN B HEART THROB is in razor sharp from for a red hot barn – he also gets stuck
with Post 7 (while moving up in class, again), and his 3 race winning streak will be put to the test from this spot. (1)
SOUTHWIND CELSIUS had a strong 3YO campaign and should continue to thrive at 4 – he doesn’t have a lot of
experience tackling tough older foes, however, and that could hurt a bit tonight. (6) PAT MCGARRY A qualified
nicely but lands in a very tough spot after missing 3 months. (8) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A is good right now, but
may need a better post in an easier field to have the same success.
RACE 7 – (3) NANDOLO N has been very good lately, gets Bartlett back and shouldn’t be coming from too far
back with the good draw – he’s the one to beat, but this NOT an “easy” spot. (1) THE IDEAL DANCER A has been
terrific since joining his current barn, and was a jogburger in his last pair – he loses Bartlett to #3, but he draws the
rail with Kakaley and can be very dangerous once more. (6) BLAZING HOME N was a classy performer Down
Under and qualified very impressively for connections that are no strangers to success with these types – he caught a
very tough spot for his local debut and while this spot could prove tricky as well, a good price makes him worth a
look. (2) TASTE OF HONEY is capable of big efforts and his last was certainly one of them (even if helped by a hot
early pace) – on the flip side, he’s missed 3 weeks since then, and is moving up in class – he should be a pretty good
price, though. (5) AMMO qualified sharply for his new connections but while he did win 11 races last year, he had
some trouble at the upper classes here at Yonkers – the time off is a concern, as well. (8) LEONIDAS A is racing
well these days, but maybe not well enough to overcome tonight’s terrible draw. (4) JANELLE GRANNY is a big
earning barnmate to DUNKIN and he does get Brennan to take the drive (over #5) – the time off and class jump may
be a little too much to overcome, however. (7) ROCKIN JUKEBOX has gone more than his share of big miles here
but he’s been away for 2+ months and starts from Post 7 in this very strong field.
RACE 8 – Short field, but a tough race: (4) VERDUN probably appreciated a couple of months off as he was
definitely not in “peak form” at the end of 2024 – his outstanding work at Yonkers last year is well known, and he’s
shown that he can win from any spot on the track – on the flip side, it’s hard to know just how “tight” he’ll be off the
one qualifier, and his barn has struggled so far in ‘25...we’ll give him the slight edge. (3) WHATS STANLEY GOT
A was well backed on 2/3, went right to the top and jogged – he took no real $ last week, however, and made no
attempts to get into the hunt after getting away last...which version will we see tonight? (1) FINVARRA A may or
may not distinguish himself as a “true” Open pacer this year but he’s very sharp right now, looking at a very good
trip, and hard to leave off your tickets. (5) BINGE ON YANKEE hinted 2 back that he may be ready for a bigger
effort and that’s exactly what we got with last week’s victory – tricker spot tonight, but hard to count him out. (2)
AARDIES FLASH N won his first 4 U.S. starts before coming up light on 1/27 in his first try at the top level – he
hasn’t raced since, and feels a bit iffy for tonight. (6) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A is good enough to grab a piece
here but will be hard pressed to threaten for the top spot with the bad draw.
RACE 9 – (1) SHERLOCK N just never seemed to grab the bit in his local debut but he seems capable of much
better – he drops, draws the pole, and reunites with Stratton...for whom he had 2 good starts in NJ– narrow vote. (4)
ROCKIN N TALKIN made his Hilltop return a winning one, using his speed to grab a good trip, then digging in late
to safely hold off a sharp rival – legitimate threat to repeat. (6) MYULTIMATE SNOWY A had a quartet of solid
Canadian starts before shipping down to a very sharp outfit – he does get a tough draw for his Yonkers debut, and
his qualifier could have been a little stronger – still, deserves respect. (8) OUTLAW MAN N hit board in 4 straight
to start off the new year but failed to pick up a victory (losing twice as the odds on choice) – lands in a tough spot,
but at least there will be a price this week, for those still on his team. (5) GALANTE A seems to be sharpening and
could find a way into the exotics, with a good trip. (2) REAL WILLEY took 4 weeks off after tiring in the pocket
last start – seems pretty risky for tonight. (7) AMERITRIC found it a bit too tough in the 50s in his last 2 local tries
– not sure this spot is any easier. (3) THEBEAUDENBLUES N probably needs to be in easier to be a serious threat.
RACE 10 – (5) BRAKE AHEAD perked up with a sharp try 2 back, just missing to a currently sharp TWIN B
DELUXE – he built off that with last week’s solid victory, and may be able to step up a notch and come out on top
here too. (1) PRICELESS BEACH caught two bad posts returning from the long layoff and didn’t embarrass himself
either time – guessing he’ll be ready for a much more serious try tonight, and he has no shortage of back class... one
to consider. (2) WICHITA LINEMAN gave it a big go in his 2nd start off the layoff but got used hard to make the
lead then weakened after giving way to pressure to 3/4s – could rebound here with an easier trip. (6) SAMHARA N
can be a little inconsistent but he shows up enough times every year (and often at good prices) to at least be worth a
look tonight. (7) ROLLING WITH SAM rarely throws a bad mile but yet another terrible draw will likely leave him
battling for only a minor piece of this. (4) SHADOW CAT has yet to really elevate his game since joining our top
barn 4 starts back – wouldn’t be a shock here, but definitely leaning more to others. (3) QUALITY BUD hails from
a hot barn, but likely will need to be in easier before threatening for one of the top slots. (8) SOUTHBEACH HANO
VER will have more appeal after dropping to NW5000 next week.
RACE 11 – (1) SOHO DOW JONES A won 16 races and $172K Down under so clearly there’s some class here –
he lands in a very sharp outfit and his qualifier was excellent, forced to a fast 3rd quarter (going around a quitter) and
then pacing home right with VERDUN, under his own power...could be a very nice acquisition. (3) MOSSDALE
BEN N fooled very few people in HIS stateside debut, going off the odds-on choice (despite the 10-1 ML listing)
and winning impressively, despite a brief miscue off the first turn – he’s a pretty nice horse too, and likely the main
danger. (2) GENERAL MONTANA N ships in off a nice Stga. victory, should be looking at a good trip and may be
able to take home a decent piece in his first local try since 2023. (7) BOILING OAR was content to trail from Post 8
last week but may see an opportunity for a more aggressive start tonight – may be one who can add some value to
the exotics. (6) RENAISSANCE DEO is sharp right now but lands a tough draw in a field with some solid players –
will need a good trip to work out for a chance at a good piece. (5) PURPLE POET had a very useful tightener off the
layoff, and could be even tighter tonight – would be no surprise to see him grab a piece. (4) POP IT has come back
sharp in 2025 but bumps up TWO classes tonight, and catches a sharp field– could be looking at a more modest
piece this week. (8) ULTIMAROCA may be handled pretty conservatively tonight after leaving from Post 7 last start
and tiring.