RACE 1 – Tough opener! (5) MISS DOTTIE MAE is hard to gauge as she was scratched sick on 5/25 then dull last
week – on the flip side, she’s been very solid for much of the year (even vs. better), and can race on OR off the pace
– we’ll give her the narrow vote in what looks like a wide open affair. (2) BETTER WATCH IT hasn’t gotten back to
“peak” 2023 form but she’s certainly been very “good” lately – she’s another that can handle a variety of trips, and
that may come in handy tonight. (1) SALE EL SOL got very good for a while and even tried her luck in the Borgata
Series – she hasn’t been better than 3rd since that series ended, however, and it’s really hard to say if THIS is the spot
where she really perks up. (6) VILLAGE JADE has been an “all or nothing” type this year, picking up 3 local wins
but NO 2nds or 3rds – she easily handled lesser last week, and we’ll see if she can handle both tonight’s class jump
and bad draw. (4) NITE TIME DEAL crushed cheaper 2 back but showed it was no fluke with a close 2
nd (behind #2) in her next – may be good enough right now to grab a piece of this. (3) TWIN B ALLURE has been pretty solid
lately in PA but vs. a bit easier – she was just 6-0-1-0 here earlier in the year, so we’ll see how she does returning to
YR. (7) SUPER GIRL was all out to beat a soft bunch on 5/10 but did race well for 2nd NW7500 last week – she’s
another that will have to contend with both a bad post, and class hike.
RACE 2 – (3) FORGOT THEWALLET A wasn’t too happy coming off the gate last week but did settle in last then
finished alertly, even if near the back – she’ll have the opportunity to be handled more aggressively tonight, and
Dave Miller will get the assignment – good value play in another very competitive event. (5) LISA LANE just
wasn’t herself when she caved on the lead as the favorite 2 back but bounced right back last week, charging home
for 2nd from well out of it – another worth considering, as long as the price is right. (2) HELLO YES HI has hit
board in 7 of her 9 local starts, including her last 6 – she’s proven to be very versatile, and is another worth a look –
as long as she’s not overbet! (6) NO WIN NO FEED A drops in for the optional claiming tag every week, never gets
claimed, and has already banked over $100K on the strength of her 14-4-5-3 local record – gets a rare outside draw,
so perhaps she’ll be just a bit more vulnerable tonight. (1) HONEY LOVE hit board in her first 6 local starts but did
weaken on the front end last week trying this class for the first time – leaning more towards others now. (4) ULTIM
ATE SPEED is having a terrific year but didn’t seem as sharp in her last pair – still, would hardly be a surprise.
RACE 3 – (4) ITSONEOFTHOSE threw a dud at Monti last week but it seems unlikely that his connections would
bother shipping down here if they weren’t expecting a much better effort – he’s 5-3-1-0 locally over the past 2 years
(with his owner/trainer/driver at the lines), and he’ll get Mr. Brennan to handle the assignment tonight – willing to
give him a shot. (2) DRACO was grabbing pieces vs. better earlier in the year but has still been stuck on smaller
pieces even since dropping to these lower levels – he’s also missed 3 weeks, and hard to use on top at a short price.
(1) DOUBLE DEALING also figures to be heavily backed off his decent out of town form, especially with the rail
and Tetrick– he’s also 0 for 26 at YR since 2023, and another that’s tough to take at a very short price. (7) FANATIC
was probably better than his line looks 2 back, and definitely good when 2nd last week – the tough draw may leave
him looking at only a smaller share for tonight, however. (3) PERRON will likely attract attention off another class
drop but he just hasn’t been sharp at all, and definitely needs to be better. Both (5) BROWNIE and (6) BAZILLION
AIRE both seem a bit overmatched at the moment and either would be a surprise.
RACE 4 – MGM Yonkers Trot Elimination – top 5 return for next week’s Final: (5) FLY BY may be worth a stab in
here – he did some good work at 2, and seems to be getting sharper each start (so far) at 3 – Zeron has some options
from his mid-pack post, and the price should definitely be attractive. (3) IM OUT was okay at 2 but has definitely
upped his game at 3 – he’s hit board in all 6 starts this year, handled a variety of trips and stayed trotting every time
– hard to not give him a good look starting from the rail with Tetrick. (2) BARGAIN may have the “home track
advantage”, having won his career debut here last summer, then finishing 2nd in the NYSS Final as well – his 2024
campaign was off to a rocky start at VD, however, so make sure to get a fair price if using on top here. (1) FLYING
KRONOS flashed ability at 2 but his season unfortunately ended with a sick scratch in the Valley Victory – his 2
preps should have him ready for action tonight, and his trainer rarely races one that’s “short” – he does figure to be
overbet, though. (2A) DUKE OF WALNER banked $125K at 2 and has been solid so far in his 4 starts at 3 – useful
entrymate to BARGAIN. (4) IT WASNT ME picked up a pair of 2nds to start off his 3YO season but was no threat
in his last pair – the good draw (Post 3) should at least have him in the hunt for a chance at making the Final. (1A)
SOUTHWIND METRIC was 2nd and 3rd in NJSS races to start the season but was scratched from the Final, then
broke in his next – he starts from Post 8, and that has us liking his entrymate much more. (6) MR GRANT gets a
tough draw for his 3rd start of the year and may have trouble getting into the hunt.
RACE 5 – (3) FOR A DREAMER’s last mile was much sharper than it looks as he was way back at the half (thanks
to a gapper), but still not far off 2nd/3rd by the end of the mile – he’ll be a good price tonight, and he could be a threat
with the tight trip. (4) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND has been very reliable all year long, handles any trip and gets class
relief from his last – definitely deserves a look at that 8-1 ML price. (6) TOP ME OFF tends to be “very good” or
“very bad” in most of his starts – we definitely saw the good version in last week’s easy victory – the question is
WHICH version will we get tonight? (5) SWEET SOUL DAVID had some tough outings here earlier in the year but
has done much better for most of the last couple of months in PA – Brennan does take him over a couple of other
players, so perhaps we should look for a big mile tonight? (1) BARRY BLACK was a solid 1st over 2nd last week,
providing the cover for #6 – he draws the pole again, but this is a much tougher overall field...may be looking at a
bit smaller piece tonight. (2) IMMANUEL K S is somewhat of an enigma, his efforts varying greatly on any given
week – he’s also 0 for 9 this year and off weeks, making him hard to endorse on top at a short price. (8) VALI HAN
OVER was a good front end winner last week, and the place horse came back to beat a NW15000 field in his next
start – brutal draw, however. (7) BLACK TIE BASH may be coming from too far back to have much say here.
RACE 6 – MGM Grand Messenger Elimination – top 4 return for next week’s Final: (2) HOWLENTHEHILLS was
nothing special at 2 but it’s been a different story at 3, as he’s now 5 for 5 with a sizzling 1:51 victory at Stga. and a
pair of wins over last year’s NYSS Champ, BOSTON ROCKS – his trainer is no stranger to winning this race with
sons of American Ideal, as he’s already done it twice (with AMERICAN COURAGE, and PLEASELETMEKNOW)
– the one to beat. (7) CAPTAIN SKIPPY was 5-3-1-0 at 2 (broke in the other start) and has started off his 3YO year
with a broken equipment 2nd and a victory – the post is an obvious concern, but it’s a safe bet that his trainer will
have him ready to go. (1) BONAPARTE has 4 wins this year including one right here at Yonkers – no reason he
can’t be a player from start to finish. (4) ARMADA HANOVER was 9-3-4-0 at 2, and 5-0-3-1 to start off his
sophomore campaign – he’s another from a barn that can be counted on to show up ready. (6) AMERITRIC was
winless at 2 but did qualify for the NYSS Final – he’s already won 4 of 7 to start off the year, but will need to find a
way to overcome the tough draw. (3) ESCAPE TO AMERICA comes into this off 3 straight wins but that was in the
easier Excelsior A fields – gets a class test tonight. (5) LOUS WORLD has just one win and one 2nd from 14 starts –
will likely look to save ground and try to crack the Top 4.
RACE 7 – MGM Grand Messenger Elimination – top 4 return for next week’s Final: (3) WISH YOU WELL may
be worth a look – he was 14-6-4-1 for almost $200K as a 2YO, but has been a little slow to get rolling at 3 – he does
add Lasix tonight, so that may answer some questions – one of a few possibilities in a seemingly well-matched field.
(6) JANELLE GRANNY hails from the same connections that brought us DUNKIN and this guy was 16-6-9-1 as a
2YO (with some big miles on the Ohio circuit) – his form is a little more mixed (so far) at 3, but he has the speed to
overcome the draw and figures to have a big say in the outcome. (2) SWEET BEACH LIFE made his local debut a
winning one and he lands the pole for tonight’s elimination – barnmate to HOWLENTHEHILLS could have a big
say here. (4) HUNTINGFORCHROME seems to be peaking and he’s shown some big ability at times – he’s also
struggled in both Yonkers starts, so that does temper our enthusiasm just a bit. (5) TENACIOUS HANOVER raced
well in his local debut, a solid finishing 3rd from a tough spot – the bad draw may leave him just trying to find a trip
to make the Final, however. The entry of (1) MR THREE O FIVE and (1A) BET ON MAC may go off favored here
but the former really didn’t impress in his lone local try and the latter may just be a bit on the cheaper side.
RACE 8 – (6) MAX was driven by an amateur pilot in his first start off the claim but still finished with good trot,
against better – too tempting NOT to give him a try with Brennan at the lines tonight. (4) ONION GUM was a god
earner at 2 and 3 but always felt like he had more to give – his 4YO campaign has struggled to get going but he does
add Lasix tonight, and we’ll see if that helps his cause. (3) BIG CHARLIE MORAN is pretty good these days, and
likely looking at a good trip tonight – use in exotics. (5) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM is just 1 for 14 this year, but
does grab lots of smaller pieces – may be in that same boat tonight. (8) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is a good fit at this
level but struggled to get in play from a similar spot last week. (2) IN MY DREAMS hadn’t been any good but a
perfect trip in a fall apart race led to a win over cheaper last week – still skeptical, but we’ll see if he built some
confidence with that victory. (7) MR CONTESTANT probably wants to be on the lead, vs. cheaper – tough spot. (1)
NO TURNING BACK was dismal in her last pair – waiting for better signs before considering.
RACE 9 – (5) SILK CLOUD A remains a good value play – she was never able to get in the hunt last week but did
have plenty of pace finishing – Stratton may look to be more aggressive from this spot, but she remains a threat to
win from off the pace as well. (6) COACHELLABOUND N was sent off at an absurd 1/20 last week but did reward
her backers with the $2.10 payoff – faces a tougher field tonight, but does have a chance to beat these too...at a
better price. (3) UPTOWN HANOVER has been sharp in general lately but was REALLY good last week,
overcoming a very tough trip to still be a rallying 2nd behind #6 – a live trip gives her a chance to add some value to
the ticket. (1) BEACH COWGIRL was moving up in class for her Yonkers debut last week but was way overbet at
the windows, and unable to last on the lead (despite a very easy trip) – maybe she’ll race better sitting a bit off the
pace tonight? (7) LIT DE ROSE is PROBABLY too far out to reach tonight but it would be hard to not at least think
about playing her at that 20-1 ML price (she has 26 wins and over $800K in the bank just in her last 3 years here)!
(4) MAN DONTFORGET ME tailed off for a bit but she’s certainly back on her game right now, most appreciative
of the recent barn change – she beat this class last week, but did benefit from a picture perfect trip...may not be
quite as fortunate tonight. (2) CHERYLS SHADOW had a terrific 2023 and is doing good work in 2024...but this
level is probably just a bit out of her comfort zone. (8) KARMA SEELSTER has been very good for some time but
it's hard to see a way for her into the race from out here.
RACE 10 – (2) LUCKY ARTIST A hinted that she may be turning things around when she kicked home strong two
starts back for 4th – she was hammered in her next start and delivered a sharp 1:52.2 front end score...she seems to
be feeling good enough right now to take another. (4) TRUE BLUE HANOVER has been very steady in this class
and Holland actually took her over the top choice – any decent trip could put her right there at the wire. (1) SUGAR
BRITCHES took a little while to get going after a 2 month hiatus but is back to being a weekly player right now –
hard to leave out of the exotics starting from the rail. (5) ROCKN PHILLY is a tough call – it FEELS like she may
be tailing (after a nice run) but tonight’s class drop may just perk her right back up – maybe the tote board can offer
some clues? (3) TALEN TO SPARE A had been racing well for a few starts but just fell apart in the lane last week
after sitting the two hole trip – another that’s tough to predict for tonight. (6) DIXIE DREAM arrives from Hoosier
and debuts for the nation’s leading barn – she’ll probably do good work for her new connections but she’s missed
almost 4 weeks and draws poorly for her local debut...we may not see her best just yet. (7) JIVE DANCING A won
the Borgata Consolation not long ago but her form has really tailed off recently – in need of a major wake up call to
threaten here. (8) STAY HAPPY was an encouraging 3rd off the layoff, but an empty 5th the next week – gets a pass
for her last (in stretch traffic) but does seem unlikely to be a player from all the way out here.
RACE 11 – (5) HALLELUJAH HANOVER is reluctantly getting top billing here – she’s winless in 16 starts this
year but this is the softest field she’s faced, and Holland has to see this as an opportunity to get aggressive – maybe
she can find some of the form that saw her go 13-6-4-0 here in ‘23. (7) COMMANDER CATHY N is another facing
much softer than she’s used to but even the recent addition of Lasix hasn’t helped her improve her game – maybe
she can get an overdue wake up call against these? (2) GAME OF SHADOWS is a total question mark – a good
form spree saw her taking on much better for some time, but the recent class drops haven’t helped, and she was just
terrible last week – could go either way. (1) BETTOR B SAWYER shows way more poor lines than good ones but
she did win a start here both last year and this year, and does draw the pole with a major switch to Kakaley – would
be no shock at all. (3) TESLA POWER raced well out of town through April and May but June hasn’t been so kind
– needs a quick turnaround in her YR debut. (4) SILKY STRIDE is listed at 3-1 ML but sports a weak 9-0-0-2 local
slate – hard to even consider at a short price. (6) SEZANA N has disappointed in nearly every start for ages.
RACE 12 – (2) LATE FOR DINNER raced well at 2 and 3 – she got off to a terrible start at 4 (out of town), but
added Lasix upon arrival at Yonkers last week and was a MUCH better 4th, despite 3 weeks off – she should still be a
decent price tonight, and we’ll try her on top. (3) MY RED SEA had a useful tightener on 6/4 (off the layoff) then
was a good 3rd when used harder last week, finishing just ahead of #2 – she’s probably the one to beat tonight, but
also figures to be heavily backed. (4) CELIA B MONEY has been tough to predict from start to start, and she hasn’t
really found her groove yet this year – she should be able to have a say tonight (with the class drop), but still may be
chasing the top pair. (1) COWGIRL LILLY remains winless in ‘24 but she’s been 2nd or 3rd in 9 of her 17 local starts
– moves up a notch, but still a threat for another small piece. (6) ARCO N held her own in a pair of NW15000 starts
here in May, but seems to have tailed a bit since then – willing to use underneath, but going with others for the top
slot. (7) LAURIE LEE picked up wins in her last pair but the dreaded combination of both a class hike and poor post
figures to slow her down a bit tonight. (5) UNCONTROLLED has some ok recent tries out of town but does seem a
bit cheaper than some of the main players. (8) DREAM DANCING has been going in the wrong direction – Post 8
is never the solution.