RACE 1 – Amateur Race: (4) PSALMFORTYSIXFIVE has been very good since adding hopples on 7/3 and likely
would have been much closer last week if not trapped in the back for way too long – if they mix things up enough
on the front end, he may be able to rally late for the upset. (1) WINDSONG PIONEER has thrived in these events
recently and will surely have his speed on display from the pole – figures to be a player from start to finish, (5) SKY
WAY PROFESSOR made an unexpected early miscue last week but raced ok after recovering – he’s another that has
enjoyed success in these amateur races, and looms a very live player tonight. (3) DRACO S has been camera shy the
past couple of years but he does fit with this bunch – his pilot picked up her first Yonkers win recently, and could
have a big say here too. (2) BARRY BLACK has a driver that has been winning at a scary rate the past few weeks
but he’s been off for almost 4 weeks and that’s definitely a concern. (8) FANATIC landed on a really good trip last
time and had no excuse for not winning – lands all the way outside now, and will likely be limited to a smaller slice.
(7) EXPLOSIVE RIDGE picked up an easy trip 3rd last time but figures to be too far back tonight. (6) PERRON
draws poorly after missing a month after being scratched lame.
RACE 2 – (5) CRISTAL TRIO IT has been racing very well vs. the Invitational BOYS the last 2 weeks while (also
Italian) barnmate DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been picking up a couple of wins against these mares – tonight she gets
HER turn in the FM Invitational and she certainly seems sharp enough to pull off a mild upset. (6) TIPSY MONI has
been virtually automatic in this class all year so it was a bit of surprise to see her come up “just ok” last week – of
course she can bounce right back and make her customary trip to the winner’s circle...or perhaps she’s starting to
level off just a bit after a long, tough season? (3) P L NOTSONICE hung in well for 3rd after a tough trip last time
and she’s been ultra reliable all year long – would be no real surprise. (4) WARRAWEE XENIA raced well in both
local tries but was unable to come out on top either time, and still remains winless since 2022 – she’ll get it done
eventually, but for now it’s hard to take short prices on top. (1) QUEEN OF ALL hasn’t won in a while but always
grabs a piece – could easily do the same tonight. (2) CANTKEEPMIASECRET was a sharp front end winner trying
this class off the $40K claim but struggled in her next, then was no threat last week – leaning elsewhere.
RACE 3 – (4) TO THE HUNT came up big in his first 3 starts after shipping in – could only manage a 4th off a
tough trip last week but he lands in a better spot tonight, and may be able to return instant dividends for another new
barn. (7) TARGET AQUIRED faced much better in his only 2 local tries – he should really appreciate the drop in
for a tag, but that MAY be offset by the poor draw – that 8-1 ML price is appealing, for sure. (5) LAZ felt like he
may be on the upswing but didn’t fire enough last week – would consider only if the price is juicy. (2) HIGH ON
ROCK NROLL is as camera shy as they come but always eligible for a small piece if the trip comes up easy. (1)
EURO STEP returns from Monti off a pair of wins but he’s definitely disappointed here more often than he’s
delivered – will probably be overbet from the pole. (6) HUNT FOR CASH has raced well when the trip goes his
way but tonight’s draw may see him struggle to find a good journey. (3) VANDALISM usually finishes with some
life but often tends to lag too long for it to matter enough.
RACE 4 – (3) BRAEVIEW BONDI A is just 1 for 25 this year (0 for 16 locally) but he’s been in the hunt in many
of his starts, and been finishing his miles well lately – in a (short) field where all the main players have question
marks, maybe he can come out on top? (2) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N is another with a poor win profile (1 for 18
this year, 0 for 11 at Yonkers) – but he also is usually in the mix, and he was a good 8 hole 2nd in his first try for a
new barn 3 back – might be time for a much more serious effort with the move inside. (1) MAXIMUS RED A was
“meh” in his first 2 starts off the claim – gave way to pressure after trying to cut the mile last week, but he can be
very dangerous here IF he brings his best effort. (4) I DRAINTHSWAMP A definitely fits well with this bunch but
h’se racing off a sick scratch, and it’s hard to know what to expect tonight. (5) EMINEM HANOVER was a sharp,
well-meant winner last week – he steps up in class here, and would need to be a decent price to merit using on top.
(6) JUDDY DOUGLAS A was just “ok” off a pocket trip in his YR return – tough draw for tonight.
RACE 5 – Very tough race: (1) NO MORE SWEETS may very well have needed his last start, off 3+ weeks to his
last (Ohio) effort – eligible to be tighter the 2nd time around (for our 2nd leading barn), and one of several with a
legitimate chance tonight. (3) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO has some pretty spotty recent lines but also has 2 wins
and 2 seconds at this level not long ago – definitely some appeal at that 20-1 ML price. (5) ENOLA is still trying to
find her proper level – she’s raced well in her 2 starts in this class, and is certainly a possibility tonight (dropping out
of the FM Open). (4) FULL STRENGTH is listed as the ML favorite for his Yonkers debut but while he does show
4 recent wins at Hoosier, he failed to hit board in his OTHER 12 starts this year – feels a little risky to accept a short
price. (8) MAX is very solid at this level, and sharp right now...he also lands all the way outside, so demand a “fair”
price if looking to try him on top. (7) STEUBEN HANOVER really should have been able to get the job done off
last week’s perfect trip – won’t get any easier starting from Post 7 tonight. (2) CARRERA HANOVER was a (very)
dull 3rd last time, and draws poorly for tonight – needs to be sharper. (2) QUIKSILVR BLUECHIP seems a bit over
his head in this field.
RACE 6 – (4) CHANTEE was an ok 3rd in his Yonkers return and is eligible to be that much sharper in his 2nd start
back – meets nothing too scary here, and we’ll give him top billing. (7) MARLBANK ROAD draws terribly but he
finished 2nd cutting the mile in 2 of his last 3 starts, and may be able to gun to the top here too – upset potential? (1)
OSTRO HANOVER hasn’t been “good” in his few starts since some time off but he hasn’t been horrible either – if
he’s going to get a wake up call, it could be from a spot like this. (8) THRASHER was having trouble getting rolling
into a quick final half last week, then made a break in the lane when it looked like he may finally be kicking in –
he’s better than most (all?) of these, but can Bartlett find him a manageable trip from out here? (2) FOREVER FAV
has been better (overall) since recently changing hands (the overdrive two back notwithstanding), and may be able to
have a say tonight with a trip that suits him. (5) DIAMONDBEACH has been struggling for a long time, but did
flash a hint of life last week – reasonable for longshot fans. (6) RULE OF LAW has been stuck on minor pieces and
is currently 14-0-1-1 here this meet. (3) HEISMAN PLAYER has been no factor in way too many starts this year.
RACE 7 – (2) HAT TRICK MARLEAU came back with a nice effort after a sick scratch and (re)qualifier – Bartlett
(who doesn’t usually drive him) takes him over a couple of steady clients- maybe we should too? (4) PASSIONATE
PROMISE no doubt disappointed many last week when he was offstride before the start as the odds-on choice – he’s
very tough at this level (when behaving!), and probably deserves a chance to make amends (6) BAR COINS worked
out a nice trip last week (considering the terrible draw) and picked up his 2nd win in a row – if things go his way here
he’s sharp enough for a chance at a “threepeat”. (1) FIGHT SONG is hard to gauge – he raced well here upon arrival
from PcD but quickly went in the wrong direction – went back to Pocono and raced very well in his last 3 (vs.
easier), but it’s hard to know what we’ll get from him tonight. (5) WILLY WALTON gave it a nice try on the front
end last week before weakening to 3rd – may try to blast again, and that would give him a chance to be in the hunt.
(7) TOP ME OFF was a very solid 2nd last week and his overall form is fine (and he’s already won 8X this year) –
the obvious concern is the draw, and it may slow him down tonight. (3) J S HOPSCOTCH isn’t really “good” or
“bad” – he’s just been limited to minor pieces, and probably will be tonight, as well. (8) MISSION VOYAGE will
likely need to wait for a (much) better spot.
RACE 8 – (6) PAPPARDELLE had a fair of amount of good fortune last week but was still razor sharp in that
1:53.4 victory, and it extended his winning streak to 3 – he faces a somewhat uncertain trip from Post 6 but he’s
shown that he can be just as dangerous from OFF the pace – giving him the edge, but would still need a fair price to
use on top (in this good field). (2) STORMY KROMER hasn’t been 100% just yet but he has 4 starts under his belt
now and is getting closer – he always races well for Bartlett, and the recently-turned millionaire could have a real
say tonight. (5) BLACK MAGIC looked super in both local July wins, even if vs. easier – guessing that he does fit
with these, and can be part of the equation (if he shakes off last week’s PcD miscue). (3) NOWS THE MOMENT
hasn’t won in a while and did make a break in his last – on the flip side, he’s won here a zillion times, and figures to
be a nice price – worth at least a look! (7) AMIGO VOLO makes his first local start of the year after making just
one Yonkers appearance in 2023 – his overall form is solid, but this is a tough spot...at least that 15-1 ML price
makes him worth considering. (4) I GET IT did good work here after arriving from Delaware but has been away
since early June, and probably will need a start or two. (8) MISSISSIPPI STORM (like STORMY KROMER) just
eclipsed the million dollar mark with his victory last week – he’s very good right now, but faces an uphill battle from
Post 8 tonight. (1) INFINITY STONE has thrown some big miles this year, but generally “outrunning” much easier
– prefer others, but Dube CAN hurt some rivals along the way.
RACE 9 – (3) STORMONT DIVIDE is finally racing on a regular schedule after making sporadic starts for a while
– he gets important post relief for tonight, and that may be enough to push him over the top. (6) DJIMON landed on
a good trip for his local debut, had no trouble at all navigating the half miler and charged home in the lane to an easy
win – stays in the same class, and is a legitimate threat to take another. (5) BULLY BOY HILL is talented but erratic
and he seems to really be thriving since the recent barn change – his Yonkers record (from limited starts) is less than
stellar, but that 12-1 ML price gives him some appeal. (2) STREET GOSSIP regained his form after falling to lower
levels but has been holding it on his way back up the ladder – definitely ok to use underneath. (4) HELPOFTHESEA
SON broke in the pocket last week and lost all chance – she “drops” from the FM Invitational, but this field may not
be any easier – leaning more towards others. (1) ENERGYSOURCE seemed solid shipping in from PA but threw a
dud last week – moves inside, and we’ll see if he can perk back up tonight. (8) ROGER RABBIT was a front end
winner vs. the 40s last week but faces tougher now, and has to do it from Post 8. (7) SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE gave
Pat Ryder his first Yonkers victory last week (congratulations!) but faces a MUCH tougher task tonight.
RACE 10 – Another well-matched race: (2) CAPTAIN T HANOVER hasn’t had the best of trips lately but feels
like he’s still very sharp– may end up the best price of the main players here, making him worth a look (1) TWO
FACED can be forgiven for not holding off the late charging (and very well meant) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE last
week – he’s another that’s been a big player for weeks, and that figures to be the case tonight, as well. (3)
SURFRIDER has shown to be more than capable at this level when the trip goes his way – add him to the list of
possible winners. (5) THAT DOG WILL HUNT is another that has done lots of good work in this class, and was
very popular at the claim box for a while – he comes into tonight with just 1 start in 5 weeks, however, and may be
at a bit of a disadvantage. (4) HES SPECIAL raced ok adding Lasix last week – if things fall apart up front, he may
be able to make some late noise. (7) VICTOR CRUISE raced better than expected last week but the move from the
rail to Post 7 has to hurt.