RACE 1 - (2) MOONLIGHT SHADOW struggled for a few starts after being claimed by our leading barn
but he charged home full of pace on 4/11 (in a big wake up effort) then was a very easy front end winner
last week - figures to be able to control the action once again tonight, and the road to the winner's circle
runs through him. (1) ON ACCIDENT had some good recent efforts in NJ and was able to bring that good
form with him over to Yonkers...where he left from Post 7 last week and was a solid 3rd behind the two
favorites - he should be able to be right in the hunt again tonight. (3) TIN ROOF RAIDER had no chance
last week (8 hole) but a couple of his other recent efforts are a bit better than they look on paper - chance to
land somewhere on the ticket tonight. (5) ALEX TYE wasn't his usual sharp self 2 back but did rebound
last week, right there 3rd (at 35-1) after a nice ground saving trip - always a good one to include in exotics.
(7) PURPLE POET has been facing better and should fit very nicely with these - the poor draw may limit
him to a smaller piece, however. (4) KERFORD ROAD A picked up a couple of 4ths in his first 2 starts
since adding Lasix - probably looking at a similar result for tonight. (6) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N found a
soft spot last week and was able to wire 'em - figures to have a tougher time with these, though.
RACE 2 - Short field but a few possible winners: (2) TACK ROOM CHATTER was 3rd in a NYSS to start
his career last year, raced a couple more times in Canada then stopped for the year - looks to have changed
hands while turned out, qualified nicely but wasn't ready for that 1:51.3 mile in his return - his connections
usually have their horses with the "Super Siblings", but this one lands in more than capable hands as well -
maybe he'll be sharper in his 2nd start back, in this seemingly easier spot. (5) HUNTING ZONE went a few
nice efforts at 2 vs. Excelsior A competition - qualified back solidly, and raced very well for 3rd in his '23
return - legitimate threat (6) THUNDER HUNTER JOE raced well enough at 2 to qualify for the NYSS
Final, and was only 6-1 in that $200K race - hard to gauge his readiness from those qualifiers, so perhaps
the tote board will offer some assistance? (3) URIKA BLUE CHIP hails from top connections and qualified
nicely up at Monti - another that will require a check of the tote board as he makes his pari mutuel debut.
(1) LAY UP just didn't function here in his 3YO return but raced much better at Monti the next week - good
week to just keep an eye on him. (4) DAVIDS IDEAL arrived from Canada with an 0 for 32 slate, and was
well beaten in his local debut.
RACE 3 - (8) COWGIRL LILLY is 3 for 4 since arriving back from Canada, the lone loss coming from
Post 8 to a dropdown winner with a much easier trip - we'll see if she can overcome the 8 hole tonight,
hopefully at a better price. (2) BETTER WATCH IT was a winner the last two times she drew inside at this
level - a live trip would give her a real chance to take another. (3) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX came up
2nd best to the top choice last week despite a tough first over journey - she's been very good the last few
starts, and looms a solid threat once more. (5) CORAL BELLA couldn't get near the lead from Post 7 last
week and her fate was sealed early on - she's been a solid threat in just about every other start for weeks,
and tonight's better draw could put her right back in the hunt. (1) WILDCAT ANTONIA has been racing
well here for her current connections, and draws the pole for her first crack in this $50K claiming class -
she SEEMS like she may be a little cheap, but we'll get a better picture after tonight. (4) HEY HEY DBAY
has been enjoying a solid season, and comes into this off a sharp 9-1 upset last week - she may be looking
at a tougher trip tonight, but would never try to convince anybody NOT to pay her if the price is right. (6)
NUTTINBUTHEBEST has been racing well for a while but lands a tough post off the claim, and may be
looking at a less than stellar trip from this spot. (7) LARJON LEAH can be a real threat at this level on her
best effort but just may not be sharp enough right now to overcome the terrible draw.
RACE 4 - (3) ARDEN MESSI N went a big first over try 2 back, taking a tough beat at the wire vs. (Open)
repeater SPEED MAN N - came back with another sharp try last week, finishing full of late pace for 3rd
behind a very sharp ROCKNROLL RUNA A - not a fan of that 8/5 ML price, but this guy does seem due
to land on a winning trip. (1) BOILING OAR couldn't finish quite strong enough the last 2 starts but now
drops down to the level he beat 3 starts down, and also draws the pole - dangerous player. (6) SHINE A
LIGHT would have been closer last week had he just pulled on the back side, rather than wait for (bad)
cover - he had legitimate excuses in the two starts before that as well, and he's definitely worth a look in
here, as long as the price is right. (2) NOWHERE CREEK A seems to race well pretty much every week,
although he does remain fairly camera shy - always a good one to use underneath in exotics. (7) FEELIN
WESTERN had a trip of 2nds prior to being no factor from post 8 last week - unfortunately, this draw isn't
much better. (5) WARDAN EXPRESS A has some good recent efforts but he does appear to be pushing it
up at this level. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N is another that likely will need some class relief to be a real player.
RACE 5 - (4) FAMILY RECIPE was a close 2nd vs. better 3 back (as the favorite) then did as well as he
could from bad posts the last 2 weeks - drops, gets a better draw, and that stamps him as the one to beat
tonight. (6) FEARFUL INTENT was unraced at 2 but banged out $111K as a 3YO, going some big miles in
Ohio - has been on a nice roll in both Ohio and PA for his new connections, and looms a dangerous threat
tonight even taking on older rivals from a tough post (he does figure to be overbet with that 8/5 ML price,
though). (2) BRAEVIEW BONDI A can be a little inconsistent from week to week but his "average" effort
would give him a solid chance to pick up a piece in here. (5) BETTORBUCKLEUP is on a good roll,
beating the bottom class 3 back, handling NW7500 in his next then going another good mile in NW10000
last week, though only for 4th (after a tough trip) - steps up yet again, but still a reasonable one to use for
3rd/4th. (3) LUCIANO N comes into this with 5 straight on-the-board finishes (vs. cheaper, and with no
wins) - would still use underneath, even in this somewhat tougher field. (7) STRAIGHT UP COOL drops
down to the level he beat 3 back, and where he was 2nd 6 starts down - he'll likely be a BIG price, and is
definitely worth throwing in some exotics (hoping for some trip luck). (8) DIAMONDBEACH has been
well backed in his last 3 starts (vs. better), but unable to last on the lead in any of them - the class drop may
help, but drawing Post 8 certainly will not - could be in for a tough trip tonight. (1) AINT HE SPECIAL
draws best, but still seems overmatched in this field.
RACE 6 - (3) CYRUS N has strong Down Under credentials, qualified nicely, took plenty of $$....but was
handled ultra-conservatively in his U.S. debut and never had a chance - he did finish crisply and while this
field is definitely tougher than last week's, we'll still stay on board one more time. (5) TOPVILLE SOMRO
CKET has been getting sharper with every start since returning in March for his 4YO season and he ships
back in from PA off a pair of excellent efforts - belongs on your tickets. (7) RB really had no excuse when
collared late last week but his overall recent form is excellent, and he does have the speed to overcome Post
7 - eligible to bounce right back with a winning effort. (1) BLOODHOUND had a solid 3YO campaign but
despite qualifying nicely for his 4YO return, he was sent off at 37-1 (in PA) and failed to beat a single rival
- he just seems capable of much better, and perhaps we'll see that here tonight. (4) BOUNTY HUNTER
was sent off favored here 3 starts back and didn't sire at all - not writing him off just yet, but also not taking
a short price right now. (8) SOUTHWIND BRONN has been excellent ever since joining his current barn
recently but does seem to be up against it starting from Post 8 tonight (especially with #7 likely to leave
right inside of him). (6) TWO FACED seems better suited vs. a bit easier, and the outside draw won't help
his cause vs. these. (2) AUSSIE HANOVER is another that may need some softer competition to thrive.
RACE 7 - (2) ROCK DIAMONDS N is just one of many recent additions to this barn that has quickly
elevated his game (and he certainly has the back class to KEEP rolling) - faces a tough customer to his
inside, but we'll stick with the hot team and go with this guy on top. (1) PACE N PRIDE N just missed 3
back to a very sharp rival (that has won 3 straight) - he was cruising along the next week (at 2/5) when he
just blew up on the lead heading to 3/4s, then had NO chance in his last when parked three wide to a
blistering opening panel - his barn is certainly overdue for some better luck! (4) SHADOW CAT got to
chase the winner from the pocket into slow fractions last week and easily held 2nd - his overall form has
been pretty "meh", however, and he'll need to be sharper if he hopes to threaten for the top slot. (6) FOREV
ER FAV should be able to win at this level some time soon, but tonight's draw will probably leave him
looking to rally for a smaller piece- needs some major battling for a chance at a bigger prize (5) VIVA LAS
VEGAS N can usually finish well when he doesn't do much racing - maybe 3rd? (3) TIME TO DANCE
found some life 2 back (thanks to an easy trip) but continues to be well off his best form - in desperate need
of a wake up call. (7) OHARE HANOVER is the outsider....both literally and figuratively.
RACE 8 - (3) HAZEVILLE clearly has some serious issues (unraced at 2, only 7 starts at 3) but the (now)
4YO certainly has plenty of ABILITY, when he does hit the track - he ended last year after beating SEMI
TOUGH in a July qualifier, then returned last week and defeated a talented COPPER TEEN in his first
qualifier in 9 months - guessing he'll be ready to go right off the shelf! (2) ITS A ME MARIO displayed
legitimate ability right off the bat as a 2YO but saw his season curtailed after just 5 starts - he's come back
looking good at 3, winning both starts (with sharp final quarters each time) - the main danger! (5) HURRIK
ANE CHUCK is a steady player at this level ,but does draw outside his main foes - likely looking at
another smaller piece tonight. (6) HOUND ON THE BEACH had some success as a 2YO against the NJ
breds - shows a couple of nice preps, and it seems like a good sign that Luke Hanners is coming in to drive
him - tough spot, however, for his seasonal debut. (4) COUNTER OFFER was 2 for 57 when he arrived
from Canada last week, went off at 39-1 but swooped by the field in the lane to deliver the shocking victory
- was it a fluke, or can he rally for a piece against these too? (7) AMBITIOUSBEACHBOY has become a
reliable player in this class but may have trouble getting near the action tonight. (1) HUNTSVILLE PLACE
now has 3 qualifiers and 2 starts under his belt but still feels like he may be a notch below some of these -
the rail draw at least puts him in play for a minor piece. (8) MASK ON MASK OFF seems unlikely to be
anywhere close to the action from Post 8.
RACE 9 - (5) LAURIE LEE is holding her form nicely after the recent barn change and even looked good
finishing 5 days ago against male rivals - catches a very vulnerable group tonight, and is worth a play in the
finale. (1) KATYS DELIGHT hasn't had enough at the end in her last couple, taking home only smaller
pieces - if she can up her game just a bit more, maybe she can make a little more noise tonight? (4) LADY
DELA RENTA A has come up flat at the end of miles in the past but last week's brutal hang was one of her
worst ever - nevertheless, Stratton does elect to stick with her over a couple of other contenders...so maybe
we should give her another chance too? (6) VEL DONNA has been pretty consistent recently and seems
like a decent fit as she tries this class for the first time - not impossible, and certainly worth at least a look at
15-1 ML. (8) CHUPPAH ON cut easy fractions on the lead last week and still faded to 4th - she's capable
of better for sure, but this may not be the place for her to find that better form. (2) EMMY LOU HAYES
show success against similar up north not that long ago but her Monti qualifier doesn't seem all that
inspiring, and it's also a turn off that Stratton choiced off her tonight. (7) BOTTOMOFTHENINTH found
her stride late the last 2 starts and was able to hit board both times - she'll be coming from further back
tonight, and that might hurt her chances of a similar result here. (3) NORMANS MADELINE seems like a
pass off her recent tries but the tote board usually gives signals when a form reversal is imminent.