RACE 1 - Tough opener: (4) COALITION HANOVER is having a strong season so far though he did
through a bit of an unexpected dud last week (where he was claimed for the 5th straight start) - drops right
back in the box for his new connections, should be a fair price and is definitely worth a look in this well
matched affair. (3) CAVIART SARGENT woke up on 3/3 and has held that good form ever since - he's
proven that he fits well at this level, moves inside and looms a legitimate threat. (5) BELLS DAVID looked
a little cheap on paper upon arrival 4/5 but he was a steady 4th that night, and MAY have been able to win
last week had he found room at the cones to the wire - has to be considered at that 8-1 ML price. (2) STEL
LAR YANKEE can be a hard horse to motivate but Dube knows how to press his buttons - comes into this
off a pair of 6-1 victories, and the possibility of a "threepeat" does exist. (6) THEFLYINGROCK dropped
in for this tag last week, hit the top and was able to hang on for the win - may be able to do it again, but it'll
be tougher from Post 6. (7) JK STANDIGOVATION does fit with these and the Super Siblings have been
making a lot of noise lately - not sure he can reach from out here, but a big price makes him worth a look.
(1) JIM BLUE has avoided getting too hot lately....but his form has also dropped off significantly.
RACE 2 - (2) INFINITY STONE has been having trouble staying flat lately but he did behave last week
wearing hopples for the first time - he's used to facing MUCH better than this and figures to be very tough
if he behaves again...but be careful about falling in love at a short price! (3) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM is
just 1 for 17 since arriving from Canada but this may be a spot that suits him - look for improvement with
the drop, and move inside. (5) GREG dropped to this level last week and actually did very well to hold 2nd
behind the total stickout winner- a quick start (and good trip) would make him a very live player, especially
if the top choice jumps. (6) DOWN THE PIKE MIKE also benefited from last week's class drop, finishing
right behind #5- a quick start puts him in the hunt again tonight. (7) EMOTIONS RICHES hasn't been a
threat in a long time and draws poorly again tonight - his barn did send out some very sharp performers on
Mon. night, if looking for an angle to play him. (1) TESLA SEELSTER draws best but just hasn't looked
good for some time - rail and hot barn are the two things she has going for her. (4) JUST MAYBE THE
ONE is just 14-0-2-0 at YR over the last 3 years - prefer others. (8) TORKIL seems very unlikely to get
anywhere near the action from out here.
RACE 3 - John Brennan Trotting Series Leg #3:(4) ARMSTEAD COLE really charged home powerfully
for 2nd in his YR debut so it was no surprise to see him build off that last week, winning with ease off the
two hole trip - faces a few talented foes here, but he just feels best right now. (2) TACHYON decided to get
his act together in Leg 1 and managed to stay flat AND beat PAPPARDELLE (and SWAN FLYER) -
couldn't build on that, however, and reverted to bad habits with an early miscue the next start (he did make
a BIG recovery before breaking once more on the final turn) - tries hopples tonight, and we'll see if that
helps him stick to business. (3) C YOU AGAIN DK was a front end winner in Week 1 but not nearly as
sharp when 4th in his last - he can be a little inconsistent from week to week, and will need to bring that A
Game if he hopes to threaten tonight. (5) WHAT SHOULD I GOO raced very hard from Post 8 less than a
week before the Series started and it seemed to hurt her in Leg 1 - raced better in her last (got up for 2nd off
an easy trip), and we'll see if she can continue to sharpen off that mile. (1) VALI HANOVER has been
mostly just "ok" other than that win 3 back - leaning to a few others. (6) FIREINSIDEMYVEINS was
sharper than expected in Leg 1 (close 3rd) but in a very tough spot last week - tough draw for tonight.
RACE 4 - John Brennan Trotting Series Leg #3 - very strong division: (1) HOOLIE N HECTOR was a
front end winner in both legs despite starting from Posts 6 and 7 - faces several very sharp rivals tonight but
the inside draw gives him the edge (he'll need to be at his best if he hopes to take another). (2) OUTSIDE
THE FIRE saw his 4 race winning streak snapped last week when no match for a VERY sharp PAPPARDE
LLE - he now sports a 12-7-3-1 record here at YR, and remains ever dangerous...especially with another
good draw. (3) CANTSTOP YANKEE was able to relax early on last week and that helped him deliver the
dead game first over score - he has plenty of ability, and is now 5 for 13 here at The Hilltop (and 4 for 5
overall in 2023) - very legitimate player. (6) PRIMADONNA DEO missed Leg 1 after a mega-blowout on
3/30 - she made a break leaving in Leg 2, looked hopelessly out of it but showed up through the lane with a
TON of trot, earning a DH for 3rd - decent bomb to at least consider. (5) P L OSCAR had been holding his
own in the Open so it was no surprise to see him report home a winner in Week #1 - wasn't as sharp last
start (weakened to 3rd after cutting the mile), and he'll need to bring his best if he wants to be a serious
threat tonight. (4) GAELIHILL impressed both on AND off the pace in his first 2 local starts but an early
miscue sealed his fate last week - wouldn't be a shock here (if he minds his manners). (7) PERFECT
TITAN was 3rd in both Series starts but lands a brutal spot for tonight.
RACE 5 - (4) ALL CHAMPY has been on what feels like an eternal form spree, and he seems able to
thrive for any barn, and with most any trip - been facing a bit better than he's used to in his last 3 starts but
drops back down to his most comfortable level, and we'll look for him to take advantage. (1) MISSION VO
YAGE dropped in for the $50K tag last week, rattled off a sharp 3/4s and was able to hold off the tripsitter
to score in 1:54.4 - the main danger starting from the pole tonight. (2) EMPEREURTHEBEST FR threw a
clunker here on 3/15 but rebounded with a big try in PA, then really wasn't bad here last week (hit the wire
solidly from an impossible spot) - moves inside, and can have a much bigger impact tonight. (6) IN MY
DREAMS broke early on 2 back but was trotting well at the end after recovering - built off that effort with
a sharp rallying score last week, and can be part of the equation tonight (IF Marohn can find him a decent
trip from this tough spot). (3) ALTUS HANOVER was sent off even money in his YR return last week but
just never seemed to grab the bit - needs to find a much sharper effort if he hopes to be a more serious
player tonight. (7) EPOS OSTERVANG DK picked up 2nds in both starts since the layoff but from much
easier spots - tonight's draw may limit his success a bit, but his connections can never be taken too lightly.
(5) LADY JETER has been a bit better lately but does seem to be a bit below a few of the main players in
here. (8) BLUEBIRD JESSE is the outsider...both literally and figuratively.
RACE 6 - (2) HUNTING AS beat this class here back on 2/8 and was sharp in NW15000 in his last 2 local
starts - returns from PA off a good front end try (2nd best), and figures to be a big threat from this spot with
any half decent trip. (1) IM THE MUSCLE hasn't been a factor in his last 4 starts but the 2 efforts prior to
that were back to back 1:55 front end scores - good spot for Dube to get aggressive, and see if this guy is up
for it. (3) CANTKEEPMIASECRET finished 3rd then 2nd in a pair of conservative local tries - gave it a
shot first over last week and came up a good 2nd best after doing all the heavy lifting...seems to be getting
sharper, and a live trip can put her right in the mix (not a fan of that 5/2 ML price, though). (5) LINDSEYS
PRIDE hasn't been all that great since the 2/22 claim but did find a field he could outrun last week - his
speed always gives him a chance, but he needs to be stronger at the end of his miles! (7) I DA PRINCESS
is the "x factor" tonight - she had really hit the skids for one the nation's leading barns but a move to our
own leading stable resulted in a massive form reversal on 3/29 (won by 6 here, in 1:55.1) - she couldn't
follow that effort up when stuck with Post 8 last week, and it's hard to know which version we'll see tonight
- playable, as long as the price is right. (6) LOOK IN MY EYES has some less than stellar recent form but
he did do damage at this level earlier this year - not a bad bomb for exotics. (8) FULL RIGHTS was dull 2
back but really perked up last week, tripping out and scoring the 9-1 upset - can't see him being as fortunate
from out here, though. (4) FASHION FOREVER got hit with the deck in his 52-1 shocker last start but has
missed 3 weeks since then - figures to have a much tougher time against these.
RACE 7 - (7) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN was well meant on 3/22 in his first start of 2023 but broke on
the first turn after blasting to the lead - trotted evenly at the back of the pack in NJ the next week, then
delivered last week's 7 length blowout upon return to Yonkers - steps up a notch, but has the speed (and
class) to handle this assignment too. (3) UP HELLY AA is still winless at YR since arriving from Canada
for his top connections - he does seem pretty comfortable at this level and will surely use his speed to land
a decent trip....but he's hard to endorse as the 2-1 ML favorite. (4) VELVET STYLE seems over his early
season breaking issues, but he's also not quite as sharp as he's been in the past - should be able to contend
for a good piece here, but not sure if he's sharp enough to be a winner. (5) BIZET is used to facing better
than these, but he's been off form for a while - the wake up call could come at any time, but hard to guess
when that might be! (2) CIEL BLUE usually is trotting well late, but from too far back - could be facing
that same dilemma tonight. (1) BAZILLIONAIRE never wins, and even his pieces have been smaller lately
- we'll see if the rail draw can help his cause. (8) NEXTROUNDSONME made the top last week but faced
pressure from before 5/8ths and was worn down into the lane - gets no luck with the draw tonight, and may
need to wait for a better spot before he can be a threat again. (6) YES gets Stratton to bail off a few other
contenders but just doesn't seem sharp enough lately to merit a play tonight.
RACE 8 - John Brennan Trotting Series Leg #3: (2) PAPPARDELLE was handled conservatively in Leg 1
(his first start of the year) and finished 2nd, his first ever loss at Yonkers....didn't take long for him to get
back to the winner's circle, however, just leaving OUTSIDE THE FIRE in the dust last week, scoring by
open lengths in 1:54.4 -- clearly the one to knock off tonight! (1) SPICY NUGGET was a bit disappointing
when a dull 4th on 3/23 but he followed that up with a pair of wins, and was actually good again last week
(though from an absolutely no-chance spot) - look for him to be right back in the hunt with the move inside.
(3) SHARE THE WEALTH was a BIG overlay at 18-1 last week, and it was a tough beat if you had him on
top - he has a pair of just-miss 2nds in his 2 series legs, and should be able to grab another good chunk
tonight. (6) MUSCLEDOVER was an ok 4th in Leg 1 and was sharp in his last, rallying crisply up the
cones to be a close 2nd (behind HOOLIE N HECTOR) - definitely seems to be on the upswing, but faces a
tough road after drawing Post 6. (5) SOUTHWIND ARTURO made his first break in a while 2 back, then
was stuck in a no chance spot last week - he'll probably be trotting well late, but may still be stuck with
only a small piece against these. (5) MUSCLE DAN was actually very good last start, even if helped by an
easy trip - may have trouble replicating that success against these, however.
RACE 9 - John Brennan Trotting Series Leg #3: (2) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS was making his first start
since November in Leg #1, landed on a very tough trip and was still right there 2nd in a huge effort - got
stung very hard before making the lead in Leg 2, but still was able to deliver the front end score - draws
well tonight, and we'll stay on his team. (6) SWAN FLYER rattled off 3 straight local wins before coming
up a little short in Leg 1 (finishing just behind a pair of good ones) - wasn't on his best game when a DH
3rd last week, but has every license to bounce back with a big one tonight - won't be much value with that
3/2 ML price, however. (4) CALL ME DANI had been racing very well prior to the Series, making her dull
try in Week 1 very surprising - she looked much better last week (plenty of trot while navigating stretch
traffic), and could be a legitimate threat tonight IF the trip goes her way. (3) TORRONE was an excellent 8
hole 2nd on 3/23 (at a BIG overlay price) but was just "ok" in his next couple - looked much sharper in his
last, and can pick up a nice chunk here if he brings a similarly sharp effort. (5) CRESCENT BEAUTY just
woke up unexpectedly on 3/30 with that excellent first over 2nd - raced "ok" for 4th last week, and may
find herself in a tough spot starting from this spot. (1) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO seems a bit below these
right now but he CAN hurt a few others early on with his speed.
RACE 10 - (4) HUNTRESS was just a winning machine at 2 and 3 at the Iowa Fairs and was able to
replicate that form after shipping East, winning all four starts before being turned out in Nov. - came up 2nd
best in her '23 return (behind a razor sharp MISS DOTTIE MAE), but got right back to the winner's circle
last week, scoring easily on the front end- remains the one to beat in here. (1) KELE KELE has never been
the smoothest going horse, but she did manage to go 4-1-2-1 here last year as part of her solid $136K
season - her seasonal debut in NJ last week looks strong, and she looms the main danger from the pole. (3)
MCNATURAL L proved she belongs when she charged home at 12-1 to win her local debut - wasn't as
good on the front end last week, but can still be a player here with her best effort (2) THE GYPSY QUEEN
IR didn't really impress in her 2 local starts but seems to have sharpened in NJ and PA - ok for a piece. (5)
SOMESWEETSOMEWHERE has been very steady, but really had no excuse to not be 2nd last week -
leaning to a couple of others. (6) CLEAR THE WAY was better last week, but this is a tough spot.
RACE 11 - (1) HIGH FASHION STAR came back plenty sharp for her 3YO season but can be forgiven for
not collaring the leader into the :55.2 final half - has both a post and conditioning edge over her main foe,
and that makes her the one to beat. (6) HALLELUJAH HANOVER failed to win at 2 but hit board in 7 of
10 starts and made it to the PaSS Final - will need to be very good to beat #1 from this spot, however. (3)
DINNER AND DANCING was an ok 3rd in her local debut and may go home with a similar prize tonight.
(5) CHEESY LADY was no match for the dominant winner in her YR debut but the 3YO was easily 2nd,
and continues to improve every start - another good piece is possible. (4) PAPILLION wasn't bad when 4th
upon arrival from Monti - another minor share seems her fate against these too. (7) FOX VALLEY CACH
ET will be finishing well late, but likely too late for more than a minor piece. (8)ANNALIESE HANOVER
showed ability at 2, but lands in a brutal spot for her 3YO return - keep an eye on her for next time. (2) RO
LL WITH SHORTY is just 1 for 47, and disappointed way too many times here at Yonkers.