RACE 1 – (2) THE BALLYKEEL DEAL hasn’t exactly been doing great work lately but he’s also been facing
MUCH tougher than these – wouldn’t bet the rent money on him right now, but this does look like a spot where he
should be able to perk up significantly. (3) BLACK TIE BASH flattened a bit at the end last week but it was still a
step in the right direction – can definitely make his presence felt against this bunch. (6) LADY JETER was a steady
4th last week with the class drop, and drops a bit more tonight – the draw does figure to hurt, though, so make sure to
get a good price if trying her on top. (1) VALI HANOVER probably wasn’t 100% last week (off the sick scratch and
qualifier) but he could be tighter now, and draws the pole with Gingras – he also figures to be overbet. (7) BUCKTO
BER seems overmatched on paper off his Canadian lines but he does move to a barn that has been known to
improve these considerably, and he also adds Lasix – wouldn’t be a shock to see him hold his own here. (4) TEA LA
KE was an even 4th in her local debut – chance for a piece with some improvement. (5) CONGRESS HILL EVA has
been racing ok in NJ but does seem a little on the cheaper side.
RACE 2 – (6) LYDEO was understandably a bit short when 2nd on 2/14 as it was her first race since October – she
was actually VERY good in her next start, retreating to last (after a full four wide leave into the first turn), then still
kicking home full of pace in the lane – Bartlett takes her tonight over a couple of others, and we’ll give her a try too.
(3) GOLDEN QUEST N was definitely disappointing off the big class drop 2 back, but did make amends last week
(dropping even more) – anything close to her best effort would make her very tough here, but she also figures to be
very heavily backed. (4) DOUGS BABE A returns at a level below where we’re used to seeing her but her first
couple of starts this year (in NJ) have been less than stellar – we’ll see if she can step up her game a bit. (2) VIBRA
NCE has been lacking consistency for some time – IF she brings her best tonight, she can contend for a good piece –
but that’s a big if! (7) EASY TO PLEASE hasn’t been on her best game this year and struggled to get in play from a
similar spot last week– may face the same difficulty tonight. (1) RACIN HUNGRY was no factor in her first start off
the layoff (NJ) and lands in a relatively tough spot tonight– leaning towards others (5) KAIRAKICONFIDENTL N
had been improving and was able to use a good trip to pick up a victory over lesser last week – may struggle a bit
with these, though. (8) IDEAL COVER draws Post 8 after just backing up from the 3 hole in her last.
RACE 3 – (3) ABRUZZO went a big effort (vs. MUCH better) 2 back and anything close to that would be too much
for these – he deserves top billing, but he’s definitely too inconsistent/unreliable to ever take TOO short a price. (1)
LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO hasn’t been clicking lately but he’s also used to facing much better, and will go from the
rail tonight, with Bartlett – very logical threat, but also very likely to be way overbet. (4) FULL RIGHTS came up
with a much better effort last week, even if helped by an easy trip – if he can build off that at all, he can be part of
the action here. (2) BIG CHARLIE MORAN is another that can be very inconsistent, but he usually does ok off easy
trips – maybe he can tow along for a share? (5) ENERGYSOURCE is just 1 for 22 locally and looking at only minor
scraps tonight. (6) PSALMSFORTYSIXFIVE fits well at this level but the draw does figure to hurt his chances here.
RACE 4 – (4) MCMARKLE SPARKLE served notice 2 back that she may be ready for a winning effort - her next
start was a tough trip (with a lesser pilot) across the river but she returns to Yonkers at a reduced level, gets Bartlett
back and deserves the nod. (1) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP ended 2024 in solid form and just qualified back nicely in
PA – as noted, her barn deserves serious attention right now as they sent out a few big priced winners this week! (2)
DELITFULCATHERIN N really appreciated an easy lead in a soft field last week and won easily as the heavy
favorite – may have to settle for a bit smaller piece against these, however. (5) PRIDEFUL hung a bit at the end last
week but her 3rd local start was still her best – we’ll see if she can build off that mile and be a player here too. (3)
TWO PISTOL ANNIE just hasn’t been sharp and obviously wasn’t up to last week’s aggressive try – an easier trip
may help her grab a piece tonight. (6) LADY CORONA used easy trips (in weaker fields) to pick up a pair of 2nds,
but moves up a bit and draws outside here...and that does figure to slow her down a bit.
RACE 5 – (1) SEVENSHADESOFGREY gets the very potent “trifecta” of benefits tonight as he drops in class,
moves all the way inside and gets a switch to Bartlett – a big wake up call is expected. (3) RITSON disappointed
here 2 back but looked much better easily wiring cheaper last week – when he’s good, he can hang with much better
than these...we’ll see if that last mile gives him enough confidence for a chance to beat these too. (4) CHINESE
WHISPER N drops out of the 40s and just missed to EYE OF A TIGER AS the last time he raced in this class – the
right trip makes him a legitimate player here. (2) NO DRAMA PLEASE was no good at all last week but he drops
right back in the box for a sharp barn so the guess is that he’ll come up with a better effort here – playable
underneath. (8) HAND DOVER DAN drops in class but that may be offset by the terrible draw – hard to imagine
him finding a manageable trip from out here. (5) THE LAST CHAPTER was able to outrun much softer last week
but this is a much tougher assignment – looking at minor spoils tonight. (6) J S HOPSCOTCH gets some class relief
but also draws poorly – may need to find a better scenario before he can seriously threaten. (7) MOHATU AS towed
along from a pocket for 2nd to #3 last week but tonight’s draw will likely slow him down considerably.
RACE 6 – Interesting race: (7) MIGHTHAVTIME N had a nice return try off the layoff on 2/21 in NJ then was
super here last week, uncorking a sharp final half to crush her rivals on the lead – she moves up a bit, draws poorly,
and (surprisingly) loses Bartlett to #8...but she still could be a good value play. (2) REC TIME should be ready to
roll off a pair of PA qualifiers and her barn currently deserves plenty of attention...possibility. (4) INTOTHEMYSTI
CMOON is an Invitational mare when sharp...but she hasn’t been performing at that level for some time, and her
last local try (1/31) was dullish – would need a decent price to use her on top tonight. (8) ATREACHEROUS A
failed to function in her last pair, making Bartlett’s choice to drive HER (over #s 1, 3, and 7) all the more surprising
– does he know something we don’t? (1) LUCKY ARTIST A double jumps off a 2nd place finish but the classy
12YO does draw the pole and that could at least put her in the hunt for a piece. (3) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK has
had some success here in the past but may be returning at a little tougher level than she’d like – small piece? (5)
ULTIMATE SPEED came up with a big winning mile from Post 8 two back but failed to build off it, a no factor 4th
last week – still hasn’t found her best form this year. (6) TALENT TO SPARE A used a perfectly timed move to
score in her last, but the class jump and bad post may hurt her chances tonight.
RACE 7 – (6) CHERYLS SHADOW was a bystander most of the way last week but still rallied nicely at the end for
3rd – she should be a decent price here, and Holland figures to give her more of a chance tonight...decent value play.
(4) ELEKTRA A returns from the Opens at Dover and was an excellent 9-4-2-2 here last year – her trainer has been
on fire since the year started, and she figures to be a major threat tonight. (1) MALUKA MISS N has been very
good since arriving from NJ, and draws the pole as she drops out of the Invitational – look for her to be in the hunt
from start to finish. (3) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N came into her last sharp, and actually raced very well despite a
hard used trip – she may prefer to be in a little easier, but she also seems sharp enough right now to at least have a
say here. (2) AWESOME HILL didn’t seem all that sharp coming into her last but she was able to crawl a half in
:59.2 and she basically just “stole” a victory – she’ll have to prove that she can battle as well with these tougher
ones. (5) TWIN B SUNKISSED used good trips to pick up a win and a 2nd in her last pair – may have trouble
replicating that tonight.
RACE 8 – (4) BLACK MAGIC went some BIG miles here last year (when sharp) and he appears to be finding his
best form across the river lately – he’ll be tough tonight if anything close to his best. (1) TUSCAN PRINCE still
hasn’t found the Yonkers winner’s circle but he’s hit board in 4 straight and looms a big threat to stretch that streak
to 5 tonight. (3) THE HAZLETON was struggling to get rolling this year but was able to grab the leader in a softer
spot last week and prevailed safely – he may have built some confidence with that mile, and that would make him a
very live player once more. (6) TORRONE was a very nice 2nd in his first start of the year but ended up brutally
parked last week – he fits with these for sure, but MAY take a somewhat conservative approach tonight (drawing
poorly, after getting hung out in his last). (5) CAL MILES N SHELL had been very sharp vs. easier and it’s hard to
say how much trot he really had last week (he was in some stretch traffic) – maybe a small piece? (8) CREATIVE
VENTURE is good right now but will have to pass a bunch just to grab a minor share (2) SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE
is forced to move up in class after a trip of 4th place finishes – leaning to others. (7) EMBRACE THE FUTURE was
no factor from a similar spot last week – still needs to prove she can trot with these types.
RACE 9 – (3) LLOYDS LOVES hasn’t gotten her picture taken yet in 2025 (she had an incredible 19 wins in 2024)
but she’s been in the money in all 4 starts, and that includes 3 races against the locally undefeated WALKIN ON
SUNSHINE – she faces a couple of other Invitational dropdowns in here, but the draw may give HER the advantage
(8) SILK CLOUD A had an outstanding 2024 campaign and already has a pair of close 2nds to start off 2025 – if
Stratton can find her even a half-decent trip from out here, she’ll still have a realistic chance to come out on top. (1)
TONYS MOM did super at these levels for a long time....but then hit an extended rough patch – she’s started to
come back around, and drops (and draws the pole) after a 3rd in last week’s Invitational – solid chance for another
good chunk. (5) BEAUTIFUL SEASIDE has been a solid performer against the top mares in Ohio and should fit
very well with the locals as well – would be willing to give her a look tonight, if the price is right. (4) CELIA B MO
NEY probably went her best local mile ever in last week’s very impressive victory, but it may be another story
trying to replicate that against these better mares. (2) ALITTLESIDEHUSTL N shipped in sharp from Stga. and
raced very well here last week- but this is a big step up! (6) A FEW CHOICE WORDS “drops” from the Invitational
but is still facing those types of mares – could probably use another start...and another drop. (7) FRONT PAGE
STORY is another that’s technically “dropping”...but still in tougher than she’d like – especially from Post 7.
RACE 10 – (2) CHULO couldn’t have won any easier in his local debut – steps up a bit, but he really should be able
to handle these as well. (6) DULY RESOLVED was no factor in his only local try this year but he wasn’t all that
sharp in general at that time – he returns off a good looking Pocono victory, his barn has been hot all year, and he
figures to have a much bigger say this time around. (3) DWS POINT MAN has been holding form as he’s been
climbing back up the class ladder and he did have good trot finishing from an impossible spot last week – he moves
inside, and may be able to grab a nice piece of this. (1) WINDSONG PIONEER gave it a good try on the front end
in NW15000 last week, almost pulling off a 31-1 upset – no reason he can’t stick around for another good share
tonight. (4) RODEO HILL is now 0 for 17 locally, and that includes plenty of losses vs. easier – he does follow ok,
though, and picks up his share of minor pieces. (5) P L OSCAR just swelled up on the lead in a very soft field last
week and delivered a blowout win – not sure he can be that kind of player with these much tougher ones, though. (7)
STREET GOSSIP threw a rare dud last week and now starts from Post 7 – keep an eye for future consideration. (8)
FULL STRENGTH draws Post 8 after reverting to bad habits last week.
RACE 11 – (2) VILLAGE JADE is used to facing much tougher, has solid overall recent form and catches a field of
mostly shaky rivals – hard to go past her in the finale. (4) ELLAS REASON was no factor arriving from Canada but
she had missed 7 weeks, and was facing better – she certainly figures to be sharper tonight as she makes her 2nd
start for our leading trainer/driver duo. (6) YOU BEDA ROCK has been racing well across the river and is listed at 15-1
ML – would definitely use her in exotics, hoping to add some value to the ticket. (8) CALLMEQUEENBEE A
would be hard to like “on paper” but if her barn is having a good night, she may be worth at least a look, at a big
price. (1) SUGAR BRITCHES has been a non factor for weeks...we’ll see if the class drop and rail can at least help
her find a better effort. (3) SMOOTH DEBATE N finished 4th last week, but mostly by default – will need to be
much better to grab even another small slice tonight. (7) BADDITUDE has gone in the wrong direction lately, and
tonight’s draw isn’t going to help correct her woes. (5) ROLLIN IN THE SAND exceeded expectations in her first
local try, but has really struggled to get anything going in the 4 starts since then.