RACE 1 – (6) CELCIUS has been a solid performer for our leading trainer and most of her starts have been
WITHOUT Bartlett at the lines – she returns off a trio of sharp tries in NJ (after adding Lasix) and feels like a very
good fit here...especially with Jason on board. (4) NIKASA N landed on a very good trip for her 2025 return and
easily cashed in – she was claimed that night and gets a good draw for her new connections – very logical threat, but
also figures to be heavily backed. (5) RACEY RACH was a winner off the barn change on 12/13 then claimed from
her next – she makes her first start in 39 days here, but the barn sent out several live ones last week...not impossible.
(8) FORTUNADA was a well-backed winner off the winter break and was claimed by a hot barn – this is a much
tougher spot, though, so insist on a pretty good price if trying her on top. (2) SUNBURNT seems better suited with
easier, but at least she’s been racing recently. (1) LOOKOVERYOUR ended her year on a dismal note but was also
racing over her head – she’ll probably need a start, but keep an eye on her for next time. (3) SUGAR BRITCHES is
a streaky mare and she hasn’t been clicking lately – hard to predict a form reversal for tonight. (7) PINK RUBY is
an excellent $20K claimer but finds herself in a difficult spot for her seasonal debut (up in class, Post7, layoff).
RACE 2 – (1) TOBAGO TIME ended her year with a pair of victories, the last one being particularly impressive –
she’s been away since 12/17, but the barn did send out a couple that were ready to go last week – we’ll give her a
tepid vote. (4) PARADISE ROCK L was a little camera shy in 2024 but still raced well in the majority of her 37 YR
starts – she started off the new year with a solid 2nd last week, and could have a big say here too. (8) ROCKNROLL
ANNIE finally got sharp near the end of 2024 and has been holding that form since then– she was claimed last week
by owners who always seem to distribute their stock among the sharpest conditioners, and we know she has the
speed to blast even from out here – possibility! (5) PAST MOMMA finished with life from an impossible spot in her
local debut, and just may be a good fit here – a big price makes her worth at least a look. (6) REAL LADY SADIE
had to work a bit to secure the lead last week and paid for it late – she was a 14 time winner last year (9 here at YR),
and can never be taken lightly...even from tough spots. (7) NUTTINBUTHEBEST disappointed last week and was
claimed by a barn that has won races with her in the past – feels like a pretty tough spot, though. (2) HARPER SEEL
STER was no threat last week and seems to do her best work at the $20K level...and the same can probably be said
for (3) TYRA MAKES BANK.
RACE 3 – (4) KOPI LUWAK was a winner in his first local try back on 12/17 – he was handled conservatively in
his ‘25 return, but definitely finished alertly – guessing he’ll be cranked up for a big try tonight for a barn that’s off
to a quick start this meet. (7) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N was very sharp when claimed last fall and gave the barn it’s
only winner of the meet – he’s been struggling since then, but may be in a spot where he can do some damage (at a
price) – IF handled aggressively. (1) REAL WILLEY started to perk up in December and has begun to climb back
up the class ladder with better weekly efforts – looking at a good trip here...and possibly a good piece. (8) ALWAYS
A THRILL may have been right there on the wire last week if not for a costly miscue entering the stretch – would be
willing to give him a look here (despite Post 8), but that 4-1 ML price is definitely a turn off! (6) KARLOO BRADL
EY N wasn’t all that sharp at the end of 2024 so last week’s first over 11-1 score was definitely a surprise – we’ll see
if he can handle both a class jump, and tough post. (2) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK picked up a win and a 2nd to
close out the year, but vs. easier – gets a much better draw for his 2nd start of ’25, and we’ll see if it results in a better
effort. (3) ALWAYS ROCKIN ships in showing good NJ form but he’s just 1 for 22 locally over the past 2 years,
and that’s hard to ignore. (5) WINDSUN RICKY was dull in his ’25 return and may need another start or two before
we see his best – check the tote board?
RACE 4 – RHYDS SUPERFLY GB arrived from the UK and qualified sharply behind a solid winner – he picked
up 3rds in his next 2 starts behind a couple of VERY nice horses, then was driven by his owner last week – gets
Bartlett for his Hilltop debut, and he could be a handful tonight. (3) ICACO HANOVER has been a rock solid
player in this class, and was a close 2nd (behind #8) last week – should be right in the hunt once more. (1) LAST
GOODBYE has been racing well across the river, while facing older foes – draws the pole for his Yonkers debut and
looms a threat against these. (8) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N puts his 3 race winning streak on the line and faces a
tall task from Post 8...definitely could be a bit vulnerable this time. (2) SPECIAL DRAGON finished well for 3rd
last week and his barn is going well right now – willing to include underneath. (6) BETTOR MAKE A WISH was
no factor in his only local try and draws poorly for tonight – he does add Lasix, though. (7) KID FROM THE
BRONX gets a bad draw off the layoff and figures to be an outsider this week. (4) KURT LONGJOHN arrives from
Illinois with fairly uninspiring lines – new barn, but we’ll just watch, for now.
RACE 5 – (7) YS SENSATIONAL CITY was hitting on all cylinders to close out 2024 and may have come back
even sharper in ’25, getting brutally parked to a half in :56 last week only to pace on by the leader to 3/4s and still
win easily – another bad draw, but hard to go against her right now. (2) FREESTARFLIGHT was used hard chasing
the hot opening half last week and still finished up well for 3rd – she won 7 of 19 starts here last year, and could have
a big say tonight. (1) MORNING HAS BROKEN was well backed last week (in her first start since July) but could
only manage an even 4th in the hot mile – eligible to be tighter tonight, and come up a bigger player. (3) SILKY STR
IDE has been idle since 12/17 but her barn had a few others ready to roll last week – she did beat this class on 11/19,
and may be able to outrace her 20-1 ML odds tonight. (6) AMBUSHED has been racing well out of town but it’s
hard to say how that’ll translate against these, especially with the bad draw. (5) LADYCORONA threw some big
efforts here last year but seemed to tail off at the end of 2024, and may need a start (after missing a month). (4) MC
ANGEL may look to go very conservative here after getting cooked badly trying to park the top choice last week.
(8) WAITFOREVER N lands in a brutal spot for her local debut – prefer to just observe, for now.
RACE 6 – (3) GENTLE GIANT was very conservative in his first start of the season but looked very good finishing
–on his best he’d be very tough in this spot...and we’ll look for him to bring that “A Game” tonight. (1) GREG THE
LEG has some fairly uninspiring lines right now but this feels like a good spot for a wake up call – not a bad week to
consider him, at least for exotics. (5) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK was very aggressive in his first start back and
lasted a long way on the lead – could be even tighter now, and a logical player in here. (2) VIVA LAS VEGAS N is
another that could benefit from last week’s start – he moves inside, and may be able to tow along for a share. (4) REI
GNING DEO came up terrible last week but his barn was much more live on Monday night – he’s another that could
bring a much better effort tonight. (7) BARON MICHAEL seems up against it from all the way out here but the
barn’s other starter this meet turned in a big effort – could be a good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (6) GAMBLIN
GTERROR came up short of an easy trip last week and lands in a tough spot for tonight – prefer to wait for a better
draw. (8) MY ULTIMATE STAR A figures to have a hard time getting in play coming from all the way in the back.
RACE 7 – (3) BEANTOWN BABE held off her only rival to win off the winter break last week, and now has 2
wins and a 2nd in her last 3 starts in this class – meets nothing scary tonight, and looms a short priced winner for her
new connections. (1) RACIN FOR ROYALTY is hard to gauge class-wise off her NJ form but she seems more than
sharp enough to be right in the mix with these, especially starting from the pole with Brennan. (2) THUNDRA was
no factor in her first start of 2025 but this is the type of field where she can usually be a player – look for a better
effort tonight. (4) UNITY won 9 races here last year but most were earlier in the year – she’s been away for almost 6
weeks, and likely looking at only a smaller share. (8) SHEIKH YABOOTY N hung in ok off the pocket trip last
week but faces a much tougher task starting from all the way out here – at least the price will shoot up if you’re
thinking of including her underneath. (5) WHATINEEDISAMAN came up empty last week after sitting the cones –
needs to be better. (6) AT THE HOP ships in from across the river, seems a bit cheap and draws poorly. (7) FATED
FUTURE has had success at Monti vs. easier but the homebred needs to prove that she can compete with these.
RACE 8 – (3) LOUS SWEETREVENGE was no factor last week after finding a tuck from Post 8 but the mile
should still benefit him – he’s hard to go against in this pretty soft spot, but it’s also hard to get excited about a
wager at 1/5 (or less)! (1) HOPNROLL HEAVEN seemed to benefit from the time off as his last start was better than
expected – the barn had a good night on Monday, so maybe this guy can be your play of looking to go against the
short priced favorite. (5) WHITECOOKIE ships in with some decent NJ form and used to race here regularly (vs.
better) a few years back – could be a good fit, and that 12-1 ML price does give him some appeal. (2) CALIBER
hasn’t been doing much across the river lately but the good draw may at least allow him to tow along for a piece
tonight. (6) ROCK THE BELLES really struggled here in 2024 after doing good things the year before – his
connections are hoping a new trainer has some better luck with him, but it’s hard to really like his chances from Post
6. (4) GREAT SOMEWHERE wasn’t close in his ’25 return and that’s after a disappointing 2024 season. (8) ALWA
YS A LOOK has been flashing speed in NJ lately – not sure he can do that from this spot, but he’s not a bad one for
longshot fans to consider (at least for a piece) (7) RAYRAY figures to be coming from too far back to have a real
say.
RACE 9 – Good race: (2) TEDDY DISCO A was very good in his local debut, finishing 2nd after battling hard first
over with the front end winner – his barn is as solid as ever, and maybe he can come out on top here with the right
trip. (4) ALL ALONE gave it a big try from Post 8 last week, lacking room in the lane and still right there 3rd – to
say his barn has been “hot” would be a major understatement! (5) WESTERN ERA (recent barn change) was very
well meant last week and almost pulled it off on the front end, losing only to the classy, tripsitting BOILING OAR –
would be no surprise at all! (1) SPORTY M THREE was camera shy here last year but still has to be seen as a
legitimate threat for a good piece from this spot. (8) COVERED BRIDGE hasn’t been himself for some time and
now also has to contend with Post 8 – it would never be a shock to see the Open performer win at this level, but he’d
need to come up a lot better to pull it off tonight. (3) PRINTVILLE has some ability for sure but the 4YO lands in a
tough field for his first start of the year and figures to be taking a conservative approach. (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION
N finished 2nd last week but it would be hard to say he was all that “sharp” – tough draw, and outside of a few very
tough players. (7) ODDS ON CAPITALISM used a pocket trip to hold 2nd to a runaway winner last time, but is
looking at a much more arduous journey tonight.
RACE 10 – (7) OUTLAW MAN finds himself in the bottom class tonight after finishing a close 3rd last month in
NW20000, right behind ROCKIN JUKEBOX and BACKSTREET SHADOW – he may not be at his “best” right
now, but he should still be good enough to handle these. (1) TWIN B RISENSHINE came up short after cutting the
mile in his seasonal debut but he’s held his own with much better in many starts – use in exotics. (4) UNDRTHSOU
THRNSUN N made an uncharacteristic miscue last week but drops right back in the box and a clean effort would
give him a solid chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (2) JETT STAR N beat this class last Wednesday but is
able to stay for another try thanks to being eligible at the time of entry– another to consider underneath (5) BETTOR
B SIRIUS was getting both a big barn change and Lasix last week...making his start all the more disappointing –
too soon to give up on him, and more than willing to use him on some tickets. (3) WE BE JAMMIN had a couple of
good Pocono starts after the claim in November but does seem to have tailed a bit– needs to find that better form. (6)
JUDDY DOUGLAS A had a useful tightener last week but the tough draw figures to hurt. (8) TAKE A CLOSER
LOOK had a big year in 2024...but doesn’t appear to be functioning at all at the moment.
RACE 11 – (3) IRON MISTRESS was sharp to close out 2024 and came back solid to start of 2025 as well, a game
4th despite a tough trip from Post 7 – should be tighter now, and likely looking at an easier journey – we’ll try her on
top. (1) PLEASURE SEEKER probably wasn’t all that serious from Post 8 last start (off 5 weeks) but she moves all
the way inside, and could pop off a much bigger effort tonight. (6) MIKI THE CLOWN is a very legitimate player at
this level, gets Brennan back, and should be able to have a good say, despite the draw. (8) MIKILOB ULTRA waited
too long to move last week and it cost her a real chance at the winner – she fits well for sure, is usually a good price,
but finding a trip from out here won’t be easy. (4) SACAGAWEA ships in sharp from Ohio but she’s been facing
easier, and also exits a 20% winning barn – may find these a bit too tough, but we’ll find out tonight. (7) EXOTIC
DRAGON was well backed last week and right there 3rd on the wire...but it would be hard to say she was “sharp” –
tonight’s draw won’t help her cause. (5) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL was scratched from her seasonal debut and has
now been away for 6 weeks – her barn has been off to a slow start, as well. (2) IRIS SEELSTER would be hard to
endorse off that last dismal effort.