RACE 1 - (3) JOJOS PLACE struggled for a long time but has been a solid roll lately, picking up 2nds in 4
straight starts - goes for a new barn now, and maybe the change of scenery will bring him a change of luck -
one of a few with a legitimate chance to take tonight's opener. (2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A didn't get
the benefit of an easy lead and snail's pace last week but still was able to win from the pocket, giving the
14YO his 3rd straight win - hard to leave off your tickets in his current form! (6) LETTUCERIPRITAA
finally moves up from 15s to 20s after last week's 7 length demolition job - the class jump and poor post
MAY slow him down a bit, but he's still a very valid consideration as long as the price is fair. (1) SHOREV
IEW used a good trip to pick up a close 3rd last week, but had a chance to win, if sharper - he tends to be
camera shy, and seems better used underneath, rather than on top. (4) DAVIDS COMING HOME hung in
okay chasing a hot pace last week before finishing well for 3rd - may be able to use his late kick to grab
another decent piece tonight. (5) GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE moved up from 15s to 20s shipping in from NJ
and still was a game first over 2nd - this is a tougher group, but a live trip may still allow him to pick up a
piece. (8) MARINER SEELSTER had amazing 12 and 13YO seasons but does seem to be struggling now -
Post 8 won't make things any easier. (7) PONDERINGJACKSFAME could certainly use a better draw -
and some class relief wouldn't hurt either.
RACE 2 - (2) KINGSVILLE did some good work as a 3YO racing for our former leading trainer - was
away for 3+ months, re-qualified at Fhd. for a new barn, and really didn't race bad in his 2 starts there,
despite being in the top class, with an extremely unaggressive pilot - lands in the bottom class returning to
YR, and may be ready to start doing some damage as a 4YO. (5) ROLLING WITH SAM isn't blessed with
the greatest gate speed and as a result, has been parked the mile in 2 of his last 4 starts - he's more than
capable of winning at this level, but he's listed as the 9/5 ML choice and likely won't be offering all that
much value on top. (1) CAVIART SARGENT took a shot leaving from Post 8 last week - he ended up
parked, but stuck around right to the final turn before tiring...and that suggests that he may finally be
starting to come back around - could be a very live player tonight with the move to the rail. (4) LYONS
PEGASUS was stuck with horrible posts in all 3 starts this year and raced better than his lines might imply
- could easily land somewhere on the ticket with the improved draw. (6) RANDOM HANOVER finished
solidly for 3rd in his 2 starts at this level and definitely fits - the outside draw may limit him to a smaller
share tonight, however. (7) KEY ADVISOR has been outracing his odds every week but will be hard
pressed to do much damage from out here. (3) HEAVENLY SOUND seems off form right now and we'll
wait for some better signs before considering.
RACE 3 - (3) WINDSUN RICKY had some equipment issue in his first start of the year but avoided any
mishaps last week, and delivered the sharp first over victory - he steps up a notch in class tonight, but he's
used to taking on even better than these - chance to make it 2 in a row. (5) PRAIRIE PANTHER was a fast
closing 2nd on 1/16 upon arrival from NJ - was no factor in his next, but really had no chance in his last as
he tried to rally into a hot :55.1 final half- could add some value to the exotics tonight. (6) DRAGON SAID
is the "x factor" here - his outstanding local history is well documented, but he does seem well off his top
form right now, and it's hard to explain how Bongiorno ended up sitting in with him last week as the 1/5
favorite (unless he sensed that he just wasn't any good) - really just a guessing game as to what he'll give us
tonight. (4) TRUFFLE DOG was sent off favored upon arrival last week and raced very well, coming up
2nd best to the top choice - still a legitimate player but may have a tougher trip from this spot. (1) SARAN
AC BLUE CHIP can be highly inconsistent, as a quick look at his last 2 lines will attest to - the "good"
version can make a lot of noise here...but will we see it? (8) I DRAINTHESWAMP A was sent off favored
in his YR debut last week, overdriven, then tired after finally getting repelled - still seems like a good fit,
but we'll see if he's more conservative after drawing Post 8 tonight. (7) HEISMAN PLAYER gets the drop
he wants, but clearly not the post - may need to wait for a better spot. (2) AINTNOBETTOR A was just 1
for 31 here last year, and hard to recommend....even with the inside draw.
RACE 4 - (3) BABS JANSEN hasn't won in a while but she's right there almost every week, is right at
home in this class and should offer a fair price - worth a look in a pretty competitive event. (1) MOMENTA
RILY only raced 14X in 2022 but won 5 of those starts (in Canada) - qualified back nicely for her new barn
and really ended up in a tough spot (in NJ) for her 4YO debut - lands the pole for a deadly trainer/driver
combo, and figures to have a big say here. (7) TUGGINGONCREDIT battled hard in her YR debut and can
be forgiven for weakening a bit in the lane - charged home very nicely for 2nd in her next, and that 20-1
ML price does make her worth a look...even for the top spot. (2) COMMANDER CATHY N raced well
without winning for a long time but does come into this with 2 wins from her last 5 starts - she should be
able to handle the switch from NW6 with a chance at a piece of this. (5) NEWSY N faced better in her 2
local tries but was no factor at all - may be a different horse with the class drop, but it's hard to justify her
being the ML favorite. (4) KICKUPYAHEELS N has a few good local tries but MAY need to be in a little
easier - we'll get a clearer picture after tonight. (6) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS is being listed on the
bottom but only because of the time off - she returns on Lasix, does go miles that can beat these, and has
her favorite pilot on board.
RACE 5 - (3) DRAMAACT appears to have appreciated the time off as she qualified back impressively in
NJ, then effortlessly thrashed the locals with last week's brush and crush victory - we'll stick with the classy
mare even though she faces a tougher assignment tonight. (1) KARMA SEELSTER really hasn't looked her
"best" since returning from Canada, but she certainly has been "good" - gets a chance to race much more
aggressively this week and we'll see if she's up for it. (2) TECHYS ANGEL has been very sharp for a
while, handling any trip that comes her way - would be no surprise to see her land somewhere on the ticket.
(7) MORNING HAS BROKEN lands all the way outside but we'll probably still see her big late rush - ok
to include underneath, as she may bring some value to the exotics. (4) SHECANDANCE N has been
outstanding since joining a barn that has quickly transformed from being a developer of young trotters to an
overnight racing/claiming PACING juggernaut - she's 8 for 8 on the board since the barn switch, and has a
chance to keep that streak going tonight, with a bit of racing luck. (6) EASY TO PLEASE is a legitimate
Open mare and been outstanding since being acquired by her current connections 2 years ago - her qualifier
suggests she may need a start, however. (5) MAN DONTFORGET ME has been solid in 2023 and finished
2nd behind the top choice last week - this may prove to be a much tougher spot for her, however.
RACE 6 - (2) ODDS ON DELRAY seemed overbet 2 back (off 2 months after being scratched lame) but
went out and crushed a field of 15s - was an absurd 3/5 price in his last (vs. 20s) and reverted to his more
typically unreliable tendencies, finishing a no-factor 5th -- he drops back down to 15s and while he can
never really backed with any serious confidence, he does have a good chance to handle this crew. (1) MIN
GO JOEL seemed like an iffy claim back on 12/2 and even his ultra-high % trainer has been unable to get
him to win since then - he does drop and draw the pole tonight, so maybe this is the spot where he can
finally get his picture taken? (3) REYS N A RUCKUS is listed at 10-1 ML but he drops down to his more
comfortable $15K level and could easily be in the hunt tonight - good value horse for exotics. (4) HUDSEN
A just missed in this class 2 back and held 2nd to the runaway winner last week - he's a very logical threat
in his current form, but his barn is STILL winless here in 2023...and hard to use on top at a short price. (8)
KIMANI N fits well with this bunch but may have to be used too hard from Post 8 to get into the race -
small piece only. (7) MAJESTIC KIWI N was claimed for $25K on 9/23 and only starting now....in a $15K
claimer - iffy, to say the least! (6) TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN was 1 for 25 last year (0 for 18 here) and lost
his qualifier by 25 lengths - pass for now. (5) NORTHERN NETWORK didn't function last week.
RACE 7 - (4) ALEX TYE has been racing much better than his lines might suggest, and now lands at the
bottom level in a field that would be considered modest at best - feels like a spot for him to get into the win
column. (1) BETTOR SUN was well backed last week, Bartlett's choice, but could only manage 4th despite
what turned into a very nice trip - he's the main danger for sure, but no value on top at that 6/5 ML price.
(3) AMERICAN WAY failed to improve off the claim last week and now moves to another new barn for
tonight (now owned by partners that seem to have horses with most of our current top barns!) - we'll see if
he can find a better effort this week. (5) EDDARD HANOVER disappointed off the barn change 2 back but
was much better last week, even if from an impossible spot - willing to include underneath here. (2) LAST
MACH was no factor at 41-1 in his first local try - maybe the post relief can help him stay closer? (6)
BUTTER UP is struggling and draws outside - sticking with others. (7) ZACH MAGUIRE N was 0 for 40
here over the last 2 years and that includes last year's 14-0-0-0 record.
RACE 8 - (5) LIT DE ROSE rattled off 5 straight wins before being derailed for a couple of weeks by the
extreme outside post (but still finishing alertly) - she should be tight off that NJ speed try last week, and
maybe SHE'LL be the one to finally get her trainer to the winner's circle for the first time this meet. (3)
LUCKY ARTIST A has been sharp for a long time and was finally rewarded with a victory last week -
would be no surprise if she was able to repeat. (4) DELITFULCATHERIN N is 2 for 2 here this year and an
outstanding 17 for 38 since 2021 - remains a threat every time she's in to go, but she's missed 3 weeks and
figures to be the favorite. (1) DARBY HANOVER was never involved in her 2 starts at The Swamp but
should at least be in the hunt from the pole in this short field - still seems a little cheap, though. (2)
DRAGONS LUCKY LADY has been on a terrific roll but moves way up in class tonight off the claim -
lands with another red hot barn, but may just be in a little too steep here.
RACE 9 - (5) TRICK OF THE LIGHT was hammered down to 4/5 for her Yonkers debut and the 4YO put
in a big mile, only nailed late by the sharp LUCKY ARTIST A - she should be a little better price tonight,
and we'll hop on board this time. (2) RACINE BELL is a top Open mare when on her game, but she's
making her first start in 3 months and surely has bigger fish to fry as the season goes on - may be a
vulnerable favorite tonight. (3) JIVE DANCING A charged home for 3rd in her first start of the year then
finished with good pace from an impossible spot in her last - chance to outrace those long ML odds and
grab a piece of this. (1) DISARONNO HILL is a solid player at this level - draws best, and belongs in
exotics. (4) UPTOWN HANOVER threw a rare dull effort last week and creates some doubt for tonight -
IF she brings her typically sharp try, she can bounce back to be a part of this. (8) VIOLETS RAINBOW has
been pretty good against better recently - got a drop last week, but ended up with no room in the stretch and
no chance for better....she's ready to do some damage, but may have trouble doing that from THIS spot. (6)
ANDRA DAY just hasn't been sharp and draws poorly in a good field. (7) MCMARKLE SPARKLE is
going to perk up one of these nights - guessing it's NOT tonight, but a check of the tote board wouldn't hurt.
RACE 10 - Tough finale: (1) SULLIVAN drew his 3rd straight bad post last week but did finish with much
better life - steps back to 25s but he's won at this level, and he draws the pole tonight - one of a few
possible winners. (4) UPTOWN FUNK is the ultimate question mark - he was beyond sharp and beating
the 40s to close out 2022 but dropped in for $25K when the meet re-started, and ended up jogging (despite
the obvious red flags) - was right back in for $25K the next week and won again....finally getting claimed -
makes his first start for the new connections tonight bit has been away for 3 weeks, and does NOT move up
in class...what to do?? (3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN has started the year off with a 2nd and 3rd and we
know he CAN beat these when in the right move - possibility. (5) PEDRO HANOVER had no chance in his
local debut (8 hole) but was bet down to 4/5 for his nest and won from Post 3 - definitely a license to repeat
(2) MY MIND IS MADEUP seems a notch below the main players in here but an easy trip could see him
take home a small piece. (7) PICARD A left from Post 8 in his last 2 local tries and raced well both times -
he faces much tougher now, and may not be able to have that same kind of effort tonight. (8)
SWAGASAURUSREX is usually good for some late pace but he;; be coming from way back tonight -
rough assignment. (6) POSH ONTHEBEACH N changed barns last week and came up awful - prefer to see
a better effort before hopping back on his team.