RACE 1 - (1) ORILLIA JOE is not the reliable commodity he once was, but the classy 12YO catches a
pretty shaky bunch tonight and might get brave on the lead against these - logical spot for him to come up
with a good one. (2) DAVIDS COMING HOME was facing light years better pretty recently, but just not
clicking at all - did have some sneaky pace finishing last start (dropping to this bottom level), and may be
able to make his presence felt tonight. (4) ST LADS NEPTUNE was an ok 3rd in his last, and his sharp
young conditioner is off to a 15-4-3-5 in the new year - hard to take too short a price, though, as he hasn't
won a race at Yonkers in ages. (5) LONG TRAIN RUNNIN is another that has really come to life lately for
a new face on the scene - we'll see if he can translate that sharp upstate form vs. the locals. (3) DING DING
DINGER has struggled ever since arriving here in Nov. - moves inside, and we'll see if he can find a better
effort. (8) SIX DAY WARS is hard to evaluate off that qualifier since the track was pretty awful - he has the
ABILITY to be a player here IF "ready"...maybe the tote board can offer some guidance? (6) WAR DAN
DELIGHT N picked up a couple of ok 4ths in his last pair but lands outside, and is just 1 for 38 at YR (last
3 yrs.) - minor piece? (7) BULLVILLE KYLE is 20-0-0-2 locally over the past couple of seasons and draws
outside - sticking with others.
RACE 2 - (2) FLYINGEVENBETTOR N seemed to race well against better several times last year...so it
was surprising to see that he was 0 for 12 here at Yonkers - qualified back decently in NJ, and perhaps he
can get 2022 off on the right foot. (1) SOMEBEACH BARON wasn't high on our list for those canceled
cards as he didn't seem all that ready in his first start of the year...but his barn has caught fire over the last
couple of weeks, so perhaps HIS chances need to be upgraded considerably! (7) WALTER MITTY was a
solid 2nd at this level to a sharp winner on 11/30, but then was dull in his last 2 starts of 2021- started off
the new year with a perfect trip victory, and his barn has been solid so far in 2022 - deserves a look, even
from out here. (3) RETOUR AU JEU seemed to give Siegelman trouble from early on last start, leading to
a ridiculous trip - much better draw here, and can rally for a piece...with a more "normal" journey. (4) YAY
AS HOT SPOT N had a brutal 2021 season, with his only win coming on the lead, all out, at the bottom
level - hasn't raced since 11/16, but we'll see if the extra time off actually benefits him. (6) STELLAR
YANKEE steps up from age-restricted NWPM classes to face older foes, showing a qualifier that's hard to
gauge (it was a terrible track) - probably a pass for tonight, but will at least take a glance at the tote board.
(5) TERRITORY finished up the track in his only start of 2022 - prefer to just observe, for now.
RACE 3 - (6) AUTHENTIC HANOVER looks a little cheap off those Ohio lines but he makes his local
debut for a top barn, while leaving a trainer that was only winning at a 5% clip- he may have a conditioning
edge over some of the locals. (1) RISKY MILLION was 3 for 13 here last year, and shows a couple of
recent 2nds at this level in PA - legit threat if he shows up on his best game off the bad date (for a new
barn). (2) MCARDLES LIGHTNING qualified nicely last week but he's been away since last April, and
just too hard to consider on top at that 7/5 ML price...certainly has a chance to take this, though. (4) CARR
ACCI HANOVER was able to take advantage and win a "fall apart" race last start - steps up, and may not
be so fortunate tonight - small piece only. (7) WAVES OF FIRE A hasn't been clicking for a while, but does
throw some big efforts from time to time - ok bomb for 3rd. (5) HASH TAG SWAG drops below the recent
$30K claiming price, and just hasn't looked good at all lately - feels like red flags all around. (3)
CONFIDENCE MAN had to work very hard to beat much cheaper at Monti last week - not sure he's up for
these right now. (8) MAJESTIC KIWI N has been racing ok but steps up and draws Post 8 for a new barn -
and that's probably not a recipe for success.
RACE 4 - (2) CHAMPAGNE ON ICE put the hopples back on for last week's Fhd. qualifier and looked
super, trotting a mile in 1:55.4 while beating a high end PACING mare in the process - she's a legitimate
Open mare when on her game, and we'll gamble that the terrific training tandem will have her ready for
tonight. (6) EMOTIONS RICHES is hitting on all cylinders right now for a barn that was pretty quiet here
for a long time, but is suddenly sending out a ton of serious beasts - he steps in class of three straight
blowout wins, and he seems sharp enough to continue to hold his own even against these tougher foes -
include in exotics! (1) BELIEVER goes back to facing older foes tonight but he's shown that he can handle
- overall form is solid, and he figures to be a close up player all the way. (3) STICK WITH ME KID steps
up seeking his 3rd in a row for a barn off to a very hot start in 2022 (but which will have a new trainer
listed while the boss serves some days for a PA testosterone violation) - another that belongs in exotics. (5)
ALL CHAMPY has shown in the past that he can trot with these, but he's been away since 11/26 and it's
hard to know how tight he'll be for tonight - assuming he's a good price, he's worth considering (barn off to
a 17-5-3-5 start this year). (8) SKY CASTLES was on the move way too early last start, or he might have
been even closer at the wire - goes for a new barn tonight, but draws Post 8 off a bad date (due to the
cancellations) - maybe can still rally for a small piece? (7) VOYAGE TO PARIS has raced well several
times here in the past but seems to have lost his form in Ohio recently - prefer to just observe from Post 7 in
his YR return. (4) MUFASAAS seems better suited vs. easier.
RACE 5 - (3) TEXAS TERROR N was a terror in 12.5s over the last few months of 2021 - tried to start off
his 14YO campaign against the 20s, and actually went a big effort before weakening just a bit to 3rd - drops
back down to 15s for tonight, and that may be enough to get him back to the winner's circle (he also had
Post 8 when the card was canceled 2 weeks ago...but now has a MUCH better spot)! (8) MACH TIME N
got a surprising barn change last start, was absolutely hammered at the windows and went his best mile in
ages, the easiest of front end winners - if he's as sharp tonight, he'll have a chance to make it 2 in a row,
even from Post 8....but note that HE had Post 2 when the 1/28 card was canceled...and now has lost that
edge to one of his main rivals. (1) TASTE OF HISTORY was winless in 16 local starts in 2021 but he
delivered a blowout win to start off 2022, despite racing off a month - he was actually entered for $20K
when last week's card was canceled, so this is definitely a better scenario - possible. (4) LITTLEBITASWA
GGER would seem like a good fit with these but he was entered for $20K (off the layoff) on the canceled
card, and now drops in for $15K tonight- could be a red flag. (2) WELL DONE SON is very hard to predict
from week to week - ended 2021 on a sour note, and now has been away since 12/17 - the drop down to 15s
may also be a bad sign. (5) DERECHO tired after sitting the 3 hole last start, and just hasn't been all that
sharp for a while - needs to be better, but maybe the 3 weeks off will see him return tighter? (6) BLUEBER
RY HEAVEN looked appealing from the rail (when the card was canceled), but will have a long way to
come tonight after drawing Post 6 - maybe can rally for a piece? (7) NEXT BIG THING went some nice
miles here last year, and won 2 of 8 starts - hard to gauge off his current form, though, and the drop in for
$15K could be a red flag - tough spot regardless.
RACE 6 - (1) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN wasn't serious last week (Post 8 off a month) but he came
across the wire with plenty of energy once finally cut loose at the end - he won 9 races and $171K last year,
while also taking a new lifetime mark (at age 8) - look for a big effort tonight, from a barn that's off to a
good start in 2022. (4) HEY LIVVY was absolutely scary when she first arrived here from Canada last
summer, but tailed badly after a few starts - has struggled to regain that form up North, so we'll see if the
barn's local team can get her back to her best game again - the "x factor" tonight. (2) LUCKY MATTER is
clearly sharp, hails from sharp connections, and will likely get a good trip here - chance for a good piece,
even if facing better. (8) ON HIGHER GROUND just had too far to come last week, but he's been
delivering sharp efforts on a weekly basis for a long time - debuts tonight for the Super Siblings (who just
started to really heat up last week), and he may be able to pick up a piece here, even from Post 8. (5) EYE
OFA TIGER AS used a ground saving trip to pick up 4th last start, and will need another opportunistic trip
to grab another piece tonight - he just seems to have lost a step lately. (7) BIG NUDGE has been on a tear
for some time, and that includes a powerful victory here on 11/18 - he'll be tested for class moving up to
this level, so we'll see if he's up for this...especially having been away since 12/17 (and starting from Post
7)! (6) KASHA V will be coming from well back, and probably would like to be in a bit cheaper. (3)
WHAT CHAPTER hasn't made a start since 11/19, and definitely would look better down a class or two.
RACE 7 - (3) SEAFARER caught a quick mile off a month last start but was still able to kick in late and
rally for 2nd - he beat this class 3 starts back, and has a decent chance to beat these too...especially since his
trainer is en fuego at the moment (1) SOUTHWIND ONYX couldn't find enough of a 2nd move to threaten
the top 3 last week but that was a quick mile for that night, and he was racing off a month - he's eligible to
be tighter now, draws best, and looms a legitimate threat. (2) TIME OUT IM TIRED drops below the level
of the 12/8 claim price, and that MAY be a red flag - on his best he can definitely beat these, but hard to
really be certain what to expect from him tonight - maybe the board will yield some clues? (5) RYCROFT
N was still pacing ok at the wire last start despite a tough 8 hole trip - gets a better draw, has Brennan at the
lines, and that 20-1 ML price makes him worth at least a look. (7) APEX SEELSTER was a little short off
the winter break but was racing "ok" prior to that - liked his chances when the card was canceled (he had
the rail), but obviously things will be a lot tougher from Post 7. (8) KIMANI N was 1 for 36 last year, and
he's 0 for 15 in the last 3 years at YR - he starts from the worst post now, but does hail from a very sharp
outfit - maybe a minor share? (6) TITANIUM N was recently claimed by a red hot barn but is definitely a
bit of a question mark up at this level - prefer others. (4) CASHNCAM hails from a barn that has been
thriving, but HE just hasn't been looking too sharp lately - waiting for some better signs before considering.
RACE 8 - Tough race: (1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX raced here 3X in December, picking up a win, a 2nd, and
a 3rd - we'll ignore that last Delaware effort and look for him to bounce back to his top form - one of
several possible winners in here! (2) KEYSTONE NOLAN tripped out and was a winner off the hiatus (at
12-1) and also came out on top 3 starts back (at 16-1) - the price will come way down now, but he does
have a chance to take another (3) KEYSTONE DASH just missed last start off the barn change and is sure
to take plenty of $$ tonight - he's not known for his reliability, however, and may be a bit vulnerable in this
wide open affair. (4) CENTURY GRIZZLY exits a top barn but lands with a trainer that suddenly started
winning races in bunches late last year (and has continued to do well in 2022) - could easily be a serious
player tonight. (7) MOONLIGHT SHADOW grabbed a win here on 11/12, then stayed very sharp over
the winter break at Chester (a win and two 2nds) - didn't like his chances on the first canceled card (Post 8),
drew better when the card was canceled again last week, but now is stuck outside once more...and the
month off is still a concern too! (6) BOLT OF LUCK did a lot of good work after being claimed by his
current connections, but it's hard to gauge his readiness off his upstate qualifiers - perhaps check the tote
board? (8) FOLLOW YOUR HEART wasn't bad from an impossible spot last week, but lands in the same
boat tonight - prefer to wait for a better scenario. (5) BARRYWHITE HANOVER probably needs an easier
spot to do any serious damage.
RACE 9 - (2) HAYEK was sent off slightly favored against WARRIOR ONE in NJ last start, engaged in a
good battle with that rival and was just beaten by that one for 2nd, as both were run down to the wire by a
fresh foe - we'll give him the narrow edge back at Yonkers tonight. (7) WARRIOR ONE has been a model
of consistency for months, and as noted, comes off a good battle across the river with the top choice - could
easily be the one to come out on top tonight, even from Post 7. (1) STORMY KROMER is hard to gauge
right now - he's won a lot of races here at Yonkers, but only managed to make 12 starts last year - qualified
back in NJ after a lengthy absence, but was then scratched from his first scheduled start (and then qualified
nicely, again...maybe the tote board will provide some clues! (6) MISSISSIPPI STORM last started on
10/15, but his 2 qualifiers suggest that he could be ready right off the bat - hard to say how aggressive
Stratton will be from Post 6, though. (5) FANATIC has done some excellent work here since arriving from
Ohio, but is probably a peg below the top ones - probably looking at only a minor piece here. (3) LEAN
HANOVER was able to hang on for 2nd in the Open on 1/14, but broke in NJ last week - always a chance
he can pick up a small piece with an easy enough trip. (4) BARRY BLACK may be in a little too tough to
have much say this week.
RACE 10 - (3) PARMESAN N got lost at the back on 1/25 but kicked home full of pace for a close 3rd last
week - should be a fair price tonight, and he's definitely worth a look against some vulnerable competition.
(1) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR had a disappointing 2021 season, going just 1 for 19 - he's been facing
mostly better than what he's in with tonight, he's Bartlett's choice and he starts from the pole- logical threat,
but hard to endorse at what could be a very short price. (6) OUR MAX PHACTOR N was hammered down
to 6/5 from Post 8 despite the bad date and still managed to get 2nd despite a very unlucky trip - should be
a live player here, but the canceled cards leave him racing off a bad date, and Bartlett did opt off to drive #1
(2) TIGER BARON was used hard in his last couple and weakened in the stretch - he's moving up a notch,
but should actually be pretty tight off those miles, and could definitely have a say tonight. (4) TYMAL
PEACEMAKER ended the year with a major dud then was no factor (in NJ) is his first start of 2022 - he's
normally a lot better than that, and we'll see if he can take a step in the direction here. (8) PROVOCATIVE
PRINCEN drops down, but his best game is the front end and this doesn't seem like a spot where he can get
there - waiting for a better scenario for him. (5) ALL CHEDDAR ships in from Canada with a 2 for 35
career slate - we'll just watch, for now. (7) IWONTDOTHATAGAIN failed to function off the winter break
- lands outside, and it's hard to like his chances here.
RACE 11 - (7) FASHIONONTHEBEACH was no match last week for the barn changing, incredibly well
meant winner....but was still easily 2nd best - he'll need some luck to get it done from all the way out here,
but he still looks like the one to beat against these. (2) BUGGER BRUISER drops down to 12.5s and this is
where he's most dangerous - should be an up close player from start to finish. (3) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY
took 4 months off after a poor try on 9/15 and his qualifiers look "ok", with trainers handling the driving -
wouldn't be shocked to see him show up ready...and the tote board may offer some help. (1) LOTTERY
WINNER hails from a top barn and will attract $$ dropping to the bottom level tonight (from the rail)....but
since he's struggled just to function in his 3 starts since arriving at Yonkers, it would be hard to endorse him
at that 3-1 ML price! (5) CHACHING HANOVER has been an "autotoss" for some time, but wasn't really
too bad in his last couple - maybe include for 3rd/4th tonight? (6) WE THINK ALIKE throws way more
bad ones than good ones - sticking with others. (8) ARI ALLSTAR seems unlikely to be able to get in the
hunt from out here. (4) KING OF HEROES N seems unlikely to threaten here of those Monti lines.
RACE 12 - (2) HILL OF A HORSE added Lasix 2 back and missed by a neck, followed up with a win here
last start - steps up in class, but he's beaten this kind in the past...gets the narrow edge in a tough race. (5)
GREY battled a long way with the top choice last start before finally tiring near the wire - should be able to
get away to a decent start here, and that would give her a chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (3) NEX
TROUNDSONME had a perfect trip last start but couldn't find enough to grab the win....but may have been
a little short off the bad date -- draws much better than he did for last week's canceled card, and that could
help grab a nice piece here. (4) BLUE AND BOLD had been off form for a while but loved the class relief
and the lead last week and was an easy winner - we'll see if he can gain some confidence from that mile,
and give this bunch a tussle too. (8) STREET GOSSIP earned over $350K at 2 and 3, and has been holding
his own against Ohio Open trotters in his last few starts - should be a good fit here, but he had the rail when
the card was canceled, and now starts from Post 8 after missing a month - may need this start. (1) FULL
RIGHTS was clearly short off the winter break - draws best, but would still like to see a sharper effort
before hopping on his team. (7) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE was good to end 2021 and has returned sharp in
the new year as well - may find this crew a little tougher than he can handle, though, especially from all the
way out here. (6) SO LONG HANOVER folded badly after a first over try last start, and now moves out to
Post 6 - will just watch, for now.