RACE 1 - (3) CHIEF JUSTICE had a very good tightener vs. much better on 1/18, but blasted a little too
hard from the pole in his next start (on the off going) and was offstride early - this field is well within his
capabilities, and a more patient steer may help him grab his 1st win for his current barn. (2) BEERTHIRTY
K seems well off his best form but this is a mighty soft spot - hard to imagine him not being a player, even
if not 100%. (1) IM THE MUSCLE has faced (and beaten) much better than these, but appeared well short
in his first start after the winter break- it's really anybody's guess as to how much sharper he'll be for tonight
(4) BY A HOFF HANOVER was just 1 for 33 last year (0 for 13 here at YR) but he does grab his share of
smaller pieces - chance to grab one tonight. (7) MANWILLING blasted way too hard into the first turn last
week and broke as a result - gets no luck with the draw tonight, but may still be able to pick up a small
piece, with some racing luck. (5) BLOGMASTER has been pretty camera shy the past couple of years but
he's always capable of a smaller piece at this level with an easy trip. (6) MISS YOU KELLY only throws a
few good starts every year but they're generally at this bottom level - suppose she's ok to throw in for 3rd or
4th. (8) MARQUIS VOLO lands another 8 hole, this time after a sick scratch - prefer others.
RACE 2 - (6) ON THE MONEY GB compiled a 9-5-3-1 record in the UK then picked up 2 wins across the
river after arriving in the U.S. - seems the one to beat here at Yonkers too as she looks to make it 3 in a row
(1) THINKING OF A CARD was doing outstanding work at Monti with her owner/driver enjoying several
trips to the winner's circle - earned herself a trip down to Yonkers and did come up with the victory last
week, only to be DQ'd for causing interference to 3/4s (when she tried to slip out around the dawdling
pacesetter) - looms the main danger! (5) CATIE FAYE HANOVER has hit board in 5 of her last 6 local
tries, using good rallies each time - chance for another good piece tonight. (2) ICARUS FALLS N was no
factor in 2 starts here last Dec. but from difficult spots - may be able to grab a piece tonight with a better
trip. (4) TOP HONORS failed to really impress in 3 starts here late last year - she's on Lasix now, and we'll
see if that helps her produce some better efforts. (3) DIFFERENTFORGIRLS didn't seem all that good
when she left Ohio and hasn't clicked since arriving at YR - needs to find a better effort. (7) ROBMOTION
BLUECHIP is just 3 for 76 and draws Post 7 for her YR return - pass for now.
RACE 3 - (4) INFINITY STONE can be forgiven for weakening a bit vs. MUCH better last week, and did
grab a win and a 2nd in his prior two - drops back down to a much more comfortable level, and his barn has
been winning at an eye-opening 33% clip since the new year began...the one to beat (6) LINDSEYS PRIDE
was just 1 for 24 here last year but often finished right behind the same few dominant trotters in this class -
he's already 3-1-2-0 to start off 2023, has the speed to offset the draw, and looms a viable threat. (3) MISSI
ON VOYAGE broke adding hopples in his 1/6 qualifier but behaved in his last 3 times behind the gate and
is racing pretty well - eligible to make some noise here. (5) UP HELLY AA showed improvement last week
even though he weakened to 4th - we'll see if he can continue to head in the right direction, and be a player
here. (2) BAZILLIONAIRE is as camera shy as they come but he does reliably grab smaller pieces -
chance to do that here too. (1) SWAN FINE LADY tried this class last week and struggled a bit - too soon
to write her off at this level, but this feels like a spot where she may end up overdriven. (7) AFTER ALL
PAUL doesn't seem sharp enough right now to do much damage from all the way out here. (8) P L OSCAR
is capable in this class when "right", but does seem to be trying to find his game right now.
RACE 4 - (5) YES hasn't raced here since 2021 but he won 3 of 4 local starts that year - his efforts at Nfd.
in late 2021 suggest he still gets around the half, and he lands in a barn that's off to a hot start in 2023 - the
one to beat. (1) CAVALIER GEORGE wasn't bad last week making his first start in 6 weeks and draws the
pole - he was definitely a bit camera shy in '22, however. (6) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO fell apart badly
after being claimed for $50K back on 10/5 - he finally took some time off, and that qualifier does suggest it
might have helped - drawing outside the top choice does figure to hurt his chances, however. (7) TRANQU
ILITY K seems to have come back well after a couple of months off, but she's just 3 for 48 lifetime and
draws horribly...willing to use underneath. (2) PRIMO PADRE has some ability when he behaves...but he
does seem to go offstride way too often - guessing that Lachance's main goal will be keeping OFF the
qualifying list tonight. (4) TORKIL had a rough (overall) 2022 season and hasn't looked any better to start
of '23. (3) SHOWMEYOURGUNS makes his first start in over a year - we'll just observe, for now.
RACE 5 - (4) GOT THE GOLD had a strong 3YO campaign in Canada banking over $130K - was used
hard and disappointed for her new connections on 11/18 in NJ, but came back from a freshening with a
sharp qualifier, and should be ready for action tonight - note that Stratton opts off a very sharp #3 to drive
this mare in her YR debut. (1) PURE SILKY flew home from Post 8 on 1/18 and that led to her being the
odds on choice in her next pair - wasn't able to get her picture taken either time, but did continue to race
very well - legitimate threat (and a better price now). (3) CAPTAINS STAR threw a clunker on 1/18 but has
otherwise raced well in her 4 other Yonkers starts - Stratton does opt to drive the top choice, but this mare
does have a very realistic chance regardless. (6) DOCS DELIGHT is a steady weekly player but she lands
outside while her main foes all land inside....and that's going to hurt! (2) CLEAR THE WAY tired in 3
straight starts but did finish better when taken off the gate last week - license to tow along here for a small
share. (8) MISS DOTTIE MAE has been a productive homebred for her connections and continued to
improve during her 3YO season - she fits decently here, but the draw figures to really hurt her chances. (7)
RAISE THE ANTE was never close from a similar spot last week trying this class for the first time. (5)
BETTOR B SAWYER failed to hit board in her first 6 local starts but landed in a very soft spot last week
and was able to hang on after cutting the mile - doesn't figure to be as successful with these, however.
RACE 6 - (1) TITANS HOPE was cruising along here on 1/18 with a big final turn lead when she just
unexpectedly went offstride - re-qualified back nicely in NJ and will be mighty tough tonight IF she
behaves....but that added element of doubt suggests treading a bit lightly if the price is very short! (2) STA
RLIT RAMBO normally would be a BIG threat from this spot but he definitely disappointed here 2 back,
then got lost at the back of the pack last week - if he can show up anywhere near his best tonight he'll be a
real threat...even if the top choice behaves. (8) ARABELLAS CADET got looped into the first turn last
week then ended up making a break - she's good enough to do some damage here, but it'll be on Siegelman
to find her some way into the hunt. (3) DOWN THE PIKE MIKE gave it a big try 2 back but was just "ok"
last, shaking free in the stretch but outgamed late in the 3 way battle - still worth including underneath. (6)
SECRET OR NOT has some ability, but hasn't been able to find his groove in some time - looking at only a
minor piece from this spot. (5) JUDGE KEN has some amateur wins locally but is a question mark
class-wise with these....it's also hard to say how tight he'll be off that last qualifier. (4) JEKYIL N HYDE
may be a little cheap, and did make a break leaving in his last start here in 2022. (7) QUINCY MARKET
went a game mile 3 back but was well back in his next, then made a break last week...and now lands post 7.
RACE 7 - Good race! (2) STRIKING IMPACT dropped back to the cones on turn three 2 back, lacked
room into the stretch or he might have had a chance to win - elected to sit the pocket last week (rather than
cut the mile), and that may have cost him as well - he's definitely sharp enough to win if things go his way.
(4) CERTIFIABLE changed tactics and went to the top last week, crawled the half in :58.1 and that left him
with enough for a big final half (and a victory over #2) - won't be able to just steal this one, but may still be
sharp enough to win again, with a good trip. (5) COALITION HANOVER jogged in this class 2 back then
was an unlucky 4th (terrible trip) last week - more than sharp enough to win here, but he'll need to do it for
a new (low %) barn. (1) GREG THE LEG moved to one of the hottest barns on the planet 2 back, went
from 10-1 (the week before) to 1/5 and jogged by open lengths at The Swamp - couldn't quite hang on after
cutting the mile here last week, but will have every chance to get it done tonight. (7) STATE SENATOR
never goes a bad one but now will have to do it from Post 7, with several sharp foes to his inside - much
luck will be needed! (6) ROSE RUN X CON is another that has remained unbelievably consistent but will
have to overcome both a new barn and bad post to come out on top tonight. (3) STELLAR YANKEE will
be overlooked in the wagering in this stacked field but he's likely to get a much better trip tonight, and is
hardly impossible. (8) ROCKYTOP OH OH is the one horse in here that would truly be a surprise.
RACE 8 - (6) HOOLIE N HECTOR was battling better than these here not long ago, and certainly fits very
well with this bunch - he'll need to find a way to deal with the poor draw, but that 8-1 ML price makes him
worth a stab in a race with no stickout. (1) SKYWAY KON MAN has lines out of town that would make
him a solid player here, and he also draws the pole for an always dangerous trainer/driver tandem - could be
the one to beat, but not sure he's worth that 9/5 ML price. (3) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND raced here a few
years back with some mixed success - his out of town lines would make him a decent fit here, and his new
barn tends to do well with fresh acquisitions - definitely worth using if the price is fair. (2) FULL RIG HTS
has held "steady" form at this level, though generally for smaller pieces- maybe he can trip out tonight and
pull off the upset? (8) STREET GOSSIP has "Open type ability" but hasn't been close to that form in some
time....in fact, he's been a "chronic disappointer" - perhaps the brief freshening has helped his cause, and
the qualifier does look decent -- have to demand a nice price from Post 8, though. (7) KASHA V has been
throwing more "good" races than "bad" lately, but he's usually not too handy, and it won't be easy finding a
trip from out here. Both (4) STICK WITH ME KID and (5) HUNTING AS are coming off decent efforts,
but would seem to need to be in easier to be serious threats.
RACE 9 - Not sure of the race office seeded this class for tonight, but this is definitely the "easier"
division: (3) SILENT SPLENDOR was facing MUCH tougher in those last 2 OPEN 50s and should find
the move to this age-restricted group much to his liking - he's a proven player with these, and may finally
give his slumping barn their first winner of the meet. (4) MOMENTSTHATMATTER couldn't get involved
from the back last week but he was favored in this class the two starts prior (finished 2nd and 3rd) - very
logical player here. (1) SHIP WRECK BEACH K had a long winning streak last year before leveling off -
through a major clunker last week, and now we'll find out if he can bounce right back, or if he's simply
going well off form. (8) JIM BLUE was his own worst enemy in a few starts at the end of last year after
shipping in from PA, but he seems to be settling down - this is obviously a brutal spot and he may never get
into the hunt....but he DOES have enough ability to beat these with some luck, and could be worth
considering if the price is really juicy. (5) ARTIST BEST was no factor at all in his last couple nut nay be
able to work out a little better trip tonight - small piece? (6) STILL THIRSTY used a very live trip to score
a win 2 back but wanted no part of last week's first over journey - not sure he can work out a decent trip
from Post 6. (2) EXPLOIT can be a good horse when on his game, but he'll need a big wake up call looking
at his last few tries out of town. (7) ROCKET RUSSELL probably has more to offer than he was able to
show in his first 2 local tries, but may need a much better spot before he can do that.
RACE 10 - (1) C YOU AGAIN DK was recently imported to the U.S. by our current leading trainer (and
his assistant) and scored in his first U.S. start (in NJ) with his co-owner in the bike - draws the pole for his
Hilltop debut and gets the services of our leading driver....stamping him as the one to knock off. (5) BIG
CHARLIE MORAN was hopelessly trapped in the back in his first start of the year and never had a prayer -
he throws some big efforts at times, and is a good value horse to consider, at least for exotics. (6) HAT
TRICK MARLEAU is well off his top form, but still has to be respected at this NW7500 level - a live trip
could land him a good chunk. (4) FASHION FOREVER took another fruitless stab at the 50s last week but
drops down tonight to a more suitable level - chance to grab a piece at a nice price. (2) MUFASAAS is
another that's off his top form, but he's looking at a decent trip from this spot and that may be enough for
him to tow along for a share. (3) SWANSEA just seems to disappoint far more often than he delivers -
chance for a piece if he brings his best....but that's a big if. (7) THE LAST CHAPTER has never been a
great finisher, but it was really disappointing to see him come home in :30.2 last week to get beat at the
bottom level - needs to be much sharper to be a serious threat tonight. (8) MY BOY CHRISTIAN figures to
be well out of this most of the way.