RACE 1 – (5) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A drew Post 8 returning to YR last week and just toured the oval from the
back – his form prior to that start was pretty solid, however, and he had a few good starts right here earlier in the
year – he’s still seeking his first Yonkers victory, but a big price makes him worth a look. (3) J B GRAM ships in
showing plenty of good lines at Dover and his barn shipped in a winner last Monday night – he’s a very logical
player, but he’s also moving up in class, and figures to be well backed...may not be much value here. (4) BARON
MICHAEL took some $$ off the class drop at PcD last week and responded to some aggressive handling with the
victory – he fits just fine with this bunch too, but that 2-1 ML price will probably result in him being overbet. (2) KB
MAC is sharper than he may look on paper, and a couple of recent overdrives has made things even worse– if you’re
looking for a longshot in tonight’s opener, he’s not a bad option. (1) LUCIANO N looks pretty poor on paper right
now and is an infrequent winner – he may be able to at least contend for a small piece from this spot, however. (7)
ARTIST BEST hit board in 4 of 10 starts this year but just hasn’t been on top of his game – brutal post won’t help
his cause. (6) HURRIKANE GEORGIE has been going in the wrong direction the last few starts – he’ll likely
bounce back sooner or later, but he’s hard to back right now.
RACE 2 – (1) STRIKING IMPACT came into his last race sharp, took all the $$ and it was all over once he made
his way to the lead– figures to be the heavy favorite to repeat after drawing the rail tonight. (2) AUSSIE HANOVER
started off the year with a pair of wins and a 2nd, tailed off for a couple of starts but seems back on track right now –
should be a solid player once more. (4) JUST ENUFF STUFF was no factor last week, handled conservatively off a
sick scratch – any of his “typical” efforts would make him a much more serious player here. (5) TWIN B DELUXE
has to be taken seriously at the moment after picking up a win and two 2nds from his last 3 starts – have to include
underneath. (3) FLIRTIN JK had bad experiences in both of his local starts– perhaps he’ll be better this time around,
but others seem like “safer” bets at the moment. (6) LOUS THE ATTITUDE has been struggling, and getting stuck
on the outside doesn’t figure to make things any easier!
RACE 3 – MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 4: (5) DESPERATE MAN is now 3 for 3 in the series, and that last win was a
lot more impressive than it may look on paper (he made a BIG move to take over on turn two, and was still a pretty
effortless winner) – he’s stamped himself as one of the two leading contenders for the Final (at least through the first
3 legs), and it would be hard to go against him tonight. (4) COVERED BRIDGE was a first leg winner but been hurt
having to come first over against #5 the last 2 weeks – perhaps Stratton can find him a little better trip this week, and
maybe a bit better result? (1) DUNKIN proved his “class” quickly in Leg 1 (rallying for 3rd) and then last year’s
winningest horse in N. America picked up front end wins the next 2 weeks – he draws the pole again, is looking at
another good trip and likely another big piece. (6) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A was 2nd to the top choice in Leg 1
then 2nd to LINEDRIVE HANOVER in his last (with a tough spot 4th in Leg 2) – tonight’s draw is the issue, and he
may have trouble overcoming it. (2) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A missed Leg 3 after a disastrous first leg, and dull 2nd
week – we’ll see if the extra time off helps get him back on track. (3) TORRID SAINT A seems overmatched.
RACE 4 - – MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 4: (2) LEONIDAS A has been well off his top form for some time but last
week’s effort at least offered SOME hope that he may be starting to turn things around – all the main players in here
have question marks, so perhaps this isn’t a bad week to give him a look? (1) PLEASELETMEKNOW hasn’t been
‘bad” so far in 2024, but he also hasn’t shown his best – he skipped Week 3 and elected to qualify on Lasix in NJ
instead (finishing just behind ADMIRAL HILL...a winner Sat. night in the Meadowlands “Winners Over”) – this
MAY be the spot where he puts it all together, but he also figures to be overbet. (5) HEMSWORTH N was an even
4th in a hot mile in Leg 1, then an excellent 2nd to DUNKIN in Leg 2 – his skipped Leg 3, but can be a threat tonight
if the trip goes his way. (3) FUNATHEBEACH N came up with a big one when 2nd in Leg 2 but was unable to build
off that mile, a tiring 5th the following week – the former champ can never be counted out, but he’s inconsistent at
best, these days. (4) THIS IS THE PLAN (another former champ) benefited from an easy trip to be 2nd in the first leg
but folded badly after trying to cut it the next start – took last week off, and would need to be a good price to be
worth using on top tonight. (6) STRENGTHFROMABOVE still needs to prove that he belongs with these.
RACE 5 – (2) OZONE BLUE CHIP has been very good lately but just got unlucky when well meant last start, but
parked by the very sharp MOTIVE HANOVER – he still managed to hang in there for 3/4s of a mile, and even took
home a 5th place check...deserves a chance to make amends tonight. (4) THRASHER hasn’t been as effective facing
the 50s the last 3 starts but drops back down to a more comfortable level, and deserves plenty of respect here.
(5) REAL WILLEY ended 2023 sharp and returned the same way in ’24, although he did weaken last week facing a much
tougher crew – he should appreciate dropping in for $40K tonight, and he’s shown that he CAN race from behind, if
necessary – logical player. (6) GDS THUNDER GB has continued to thrive since recently being claimed by a barn
having a career year (so far) – tonight’s draw MAY be a bit of an issue, however. (3) AMERICAN ZEST A won his
only local start of the year but that was with a perfect trip, vs, easier, in a “fall apart” race – maybe a small slice? (1)
TALK RACY TO ME steps up and seems a bit below the main players – minor share only. (7) POUND FOR POUN
D used a good trip for 3rd last week but may not be so fortunate starting from Post 7. (8) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N
needs a much better post in a much easier field to be effective.
RACE 6 – Good race! (4) TAKE A GAMBLE brought his best in his 3rd start of the season and crushed ‘em on the
front end – came up 2nd best to the red hot BOILING OAR in his next (in a sizzling 1:51 mile) but may be able to
turn the tables on that one with his post advantage tonight – of course, there are some OTHER very sharp players in
here as well! (7) BOILING OAR has taken 4 of his last 6 starts and raced super in the two losses (a 2
nd and a 3rd) – he’ll obviously need some luck to win from out here, but he’s too sharp to leave off the ticket if the price is decent!
(6) ADAM TWELVE was sent off at 5 cents on the dollar last week but it was clear into the stretch that he wasn’t
100%, and he got collared right near the wire – he has an amazing 15-8-7-0 record here at Yonkers, and may bounce
right back (after a week off) with a winning effort...but be careful about taking too short a price right now. (3) AME
RICAN DEALER N shipped in sharp from NJ and was an easy winner in his YR seasonal debut – he wasn’t as good
in is next, however, then was simply given no chance last week (but did finish well for 4th) – chance tonight if the
top ones falter. (2) BURNHAM BOY N is solid right now but probably prefers to be in a bit easier – the good draw
does give him a chance for a piece, however. (5) FORTIFY gave it his all vs. NANDOLO N before coming up 2nd
best- leaning towards a few others tonight, but he’d hardly be a shock. (1) ALWAYS A MIKI can probably improve
on his last try, but still needs to prove that he can beat these types.
RACE 7 – Another excellent race: (5) EUPHORIA N had plenty of success here last year and seems to be shipping
back over from Fhd. in peak form – he should be a decent price in this well-matched field, and he’s one of several
with a legitimate chance to take this. (4) MACH N CHEESE somehow ended up trapped through the lane 2 back
(despite only 3 horses left battling to the wire) and had to settle for 3rd – he finished well from an impossible spot
last week, and looms a dangerous player with the move inside. (7) ALL ALONE was off 3 weeks to his last but still
delivered a powerful first over victory, wearing down a very tough DEETZY in the process – deserves plenty of
respect, even from Post 7! (1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX had a promising first start of “24 on March 4th but never really
built off that – we’ll see if he can up his game a bit with a class drop and the pole. (3) FEARFUL INTENT has a
good local record, finishing 1st or 2nd in 9 of 19 starts last year, and winning his seasonal debut here on 2/5 – he may
prefer to be in a little cheaper, but a good price tonight makes him worth a look. (2) PRICELESS BEACH was no
factor on 3/19 and has been away for 3 weeks after being scratched sick from his next – prefer others right now. (6)
SEVEN HUNDRED was much sharper in his 2nd start of the year but may be post compromised here. (8) MOVIN
ON UP is having a terrific year but lands in a brutal spot off the re-claim.
RACE 8 – (3) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER hasn’t won in some time but he’s picked up lots of good chunks vs. tough
$40K claimers– he drops down to 30s, catches a very modest group, and may have found himself a winning spot. (2)
HIGH ON ROCKNROLL is usually a logical player most every week, and he figures to have a big say tonight– he’s
also just 1 for 25 at Yonkers, so keep that in mind before accepting too short a price. (6) DANCE ON THE BEACH
has done good work here in 2024 but he comes into tonight with just one start in 5 weeks, and lands a tough post –
insist on a fair price if trying on top. (1) PASS A GRILLEBEACH was overbet here on 3/15 but did deliver the front
end score – no chance in his next (8 hole vs. 40s) but he disappointed on the lead last week dropping back down to
30s– chance for sure, but likely won’t offer much value. (5) SHARK PLAY never really took off after being claimed
by our top barn but he’s become a steady player in this class – another with a chance, but who figures to be overbet.
(8) SURFSIDE BEACH was putting in good moves (then tiring) vs. solid horses in those NWPM races – he just
missed last week in an age-restricted $30K claimer, and would have been listed higher if not for the bad draw. (4)
QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP goes a good one here and there but is just 1 for 35 over the last 2 years for a reason. (7)
BALLERAT BOOMERANG hasn’t been sharp in some time, even as many of his barnmates have excelled.
RACE 9 – (6) MOTIVE HANOVER couldn’t finish well enough 3 and 4 back (2nd and 3rd) but was a sharp front
end winner in his last pair – remains the one to beat for tonight. (5) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK was dull 2 back
(vs. 50s, off a sick scr.) but raced much better in his last, dropping to 40s – his best effort (with a live trip) could
make him a player tonight. (3) KING JAMES EXPRESS was a 25-1 winner in a “fall apart” race 2 back but showed
it wasn’t a complete fluke when 3rd last week – his barn is having an outstanding year so far, and perhaps it’s time to
start taking this guy more seriously? (2) SULLIVAN hinted that he was starting to come back around recently then
used perfect trips to beat the 30s in his last pair – may have a tougher time vs. these much better foes. (4) AS ALWA
YS has only managed a pair of 5ths and 6th from his last 3 starts after being much sharper earlier this year – have to
always respect his connections, but still leaning elsewhere at the moment. (1) KOUNT BLASTER doesn’t have a
great local slate but he MAY be able to grab a small share from this spot...if not overdriven early on. Both (7) OST
RO HANOVER and (8) MY ULTIMATE STAR A fit well enough, but face long hauls from their outside posts.
RACE 10 - – MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 4 – well matched division! (2) BACKSTREET SHADOW was the selection
here last week but that was before hearing Kakaley pretty much signaling that we probably wouldn’t be seeing a
particularly aggressive effort that night – he STILL managed to get 3rd from an impossible spot, and he really needs
to take this if he hopes to have any real chance of making the Final...but it won’t be easy! (1) ROCKNROLL RUN
A A found his top form as this series began and hats off to his connections for having him peak at the right time – he
already has a pair of Borgata leg wins, and looms a real threat to grab another from this spot. (3) COACHES CORN
ER doesn’t get the headlines of other “flashier” foes but he’s been 2nd in all 3 legs so far, and there’s no reason he
can’t have a big say yet again. (4) HELLABALOU wasn’t at his best in his first 3 starts off the layoff but he brought
a much better game last week and gave DUNKIN all he could handle – a similar effort makes last year’s Borgata
winner a major threat tonight. (5) VENTURESOME ARDEN N was a solid 3rd in Leg 1 and while he had NO prayer
the last 2 weeks, he did finish full of pace both times – maybe he can sneak onto the bottom of exotics with some
trip luck? (6) FOUREVER BOY is the outsider...both literally and figuratively.
RACE 11 – (1) TUGGIN ON MY HEART had taken 3 in a row when claimed for $40K by one of our top claiming
outfits...who stepped him up to 50s last week, making it 4 straight in a seasonal best 1:52 – will be heavily favored
to extend his streak to 5 tonight. (4) SAILBOAT HANOVER perked up with a good one last start, rallying stoutly in
the lane for 2nd (behind the top choice) – his barn continued to do well the rest of the week, so perhaps this guy can
turn in another good one tonight. (5) FULSOME weakened from the pocket last week, his first start off the board all
year – we’ll see if he bounces right back, or if it was a sign that he could be starting to finally tail a bit. (2) REIGNI
NG DEO steps up to 50s this week but for him, it’s always been more about “trip” than the class he races in – an
easy journey could land him on the ticket here. (3) WICHITA LINEMAN didn’t have the greatest trip when 3rd at
this level 2 back – he finished with pace from an impossible spot last week, and an easy journey tonight could see
him rally for a share. (6) ALEX TYE has raced much better than expected since being claimed for $40K on 2/19 –
tonight’s draw could limit his production, however. (7) HAMMERING HANK was dull in NJ in his 2024 return and
lands a brutal spot for his YR return.
RACE 12 – (4) YS DO IT RIGHT was hammered at the windows last week, very well meant, but lost all chance
when hung out to dry by Bartlett (who sure would have expected to be given the lead, had the circumstances been
reversed) – he’ll be a MUCH better price tonight, and may be worth a follow up in this pretty wide open finale. (3)
BIG SIR can be wildly inconsistent but he already has 3 wins this year, and remains a big threat against these when
he does bring his best. (1) ROSE RUN X CON will appreciate the class drop and also the rail – his barn has sent out
more than its share of good-priced winners this year, and this guy does deserve a look from this spot. (2) KERFORD
ROAD A doesn’t win very often but he landed on the dream trip last week and cashed in – a repeat IS possible, with
another fortuitous journey. (5) FLOW WITH JOE has struggled in many of his starts this year but a piece seems
within reach against these – maybe 3rd/4th? (8) NOWHERE CREEK A showed his first life last week since the barn
change, but faces a very tough task from Post 8 tonight. (7) FOX VALLEY PATRIOT beat lesser in PA last week but
he’s 0 for 8 at YR and draws Post 7, up in class. (6) STATEMENT MADE A has been struggling for a long time.