RACE 1 - (1) MAJESTIC KIWI N was claimed on 9/23 for $25K but never dropped back in the box,
instead re-surfacing over 4 months later for new connections (at this reduced price) - qualified ok, had a
useful tightener, and may be worth a stab tonight, hoping he's ready for a big effort. (3) KIMANI N put in a
decent 8 hole try last week and should really appreciate the move inside - could be a legitimate threat with
an easy trip. (6) MINGO JOEL put in a determined effort last week to pick up his first win since the 12/2
claim - can never discount anything this incredible barn sends out, but this definitely is a tougher spot, and
he's sure to be overbet with that 9/5 ML listing. (2) HUDSEN A has been very consistent but his barn has
yet to send out a winner here since the start of 2023 - prefer to use underneath only. (4) SPORTS BETTOR
put together a solid string of efforts in Nov/Dec. but hasn't been as good in his last few - he's also just 3 for
34 over the last 2 years, so insist on a good price if using on top. (7) TOATSMYGOATS blasted from Post
8 here 2 back and almost pulled off a 100-1 shocker - the price will still be long tonight, and couldn't blame
anybody looking to use him in exotics. (5) ROBBIE BURNS N hasn't been sharp - prefer others right now.
RACE 2 - (2) MARINER SEELSTER put together a pair of "career years" at ages 12 and 13 but started to
(finally) tail off towards the end of 2022, then struggled to start off 2023 - he did show some improvement
last week, however, and that may have been a signal of better things to come - willing to consider this week
(4) MARTY MONKHOUSER A, like the top choice, is also 14 years old....but apparently nobody told him
he SHOULD be slowing down at this point as he has 4 wins and a 2nd from his last 6 starts- too sharp right
now to NOT include on your tickets. (1) LETTUCERIPRITAA is "only" 13 years old, and has 11 local
wins over the past 2 seasons (so far) - fell apart in the lane last week, but he's rebounded from disappointing
tries in the past...and is eligible to do so tonight. (6) DAVIDS COMING HOME has been rallying
consistently lately - tough draw, but may still be able to pass a few for a share of this. (3) SWEET N FAST
throws more lesser ones than "good" ones, but is still in a spot where he may be able to snag a minor piece.
(5) AMERICAN WAY hasn't been able to lift his game even after a couple of recent claims - waiting to see
some better signs. (7) POSH ONTHE BEACH A isn't clicking for a cold barn AND draws Post 7.
RACE 3 - (1) CAVIART SARGENT had a big 4YO season ($125K) but has been off that top form for a
while now - he deserves an excuse for his last (paced a 3rd quarter in :27 first over against a sharp winner)
and this is a much softer field than he's used to facing - prime spot for a wake up call (especially with the
rail and Bartlett), but not one to fall in love with at a very short price. (3) LADYFORD BUCK GB is an
interesting story as the 7YO was sent over from Ireland despite having only SEVEN career starts, including
none in 2021, and just 2 in 2022 - he did looked pretty good in a couple of preps, and was sent off at 4/5 in
his Pocono debut last week (cutting the mile before weakening to 3rd) - would certainly be no surprise! (5)
L DEES JACK LOPEZ is another capable of facing/beating much better, but who has fallen off form lately
- chance for a wake up call with these, but hardly guaranteed. (4) EDDARD HANOVER disappointed 3
back off the barn change but seems to be heading in a better direction in his last couple - not sure he's
ready to win one, but is playable in exotics for sure. (7) SHOREVIEW really hasn't been sharp and draws
poorly tonight - he does move to a new barn, though, and Brennan was hot on Wednesday (4 wins) - maybe
can sneak onto the ticket somewhere? (6) BRAZEN BRAZILIAN is 0 for 41 here the past 3 years and has
just 4 career wins in 88 starts - still, good enough right now for a chance at a minor piece, with an easy trip.
(2) ZACH MAGUIRE N is now 16-0-0-0 locally over the past 2 years and 0 for 42 over the last 3 - tough
one to endorse. (8) LAST MACH draws outside after showing little in either of his 2 local tries.
RACE 4 - Good race: (1) SOUTHWIND PETYR added Lasix for his YR return last week, went right to
the front and left nothing else a chance in an easy blowout win - faces tougher now, but he also has quite a
bit of back class....may be able to pull off another. (2) HEISMAN PLAYER had a horrific trip last week and
really raced better than his line might suggest - he's very comfortable at this level, may trip out, and seems
worth considering at that 9-1 ML price. (5) LYONS PEGASUS figured to have a much bigger say with the
post relief last week and sure enough, he delivered a sharp front end score - he was BIG value that night
(9-1) and while he may be able to beat these too (he was Bartlett's choice), the price will surely be much
lower (8) ALEX TYE has been "sneaky sharp" for weeks so last week's easy score (off the class drop) was
pretty much expected - not sure there's any way into the hunt for him from out here, but he's definitely a
good one for longshot fans to consider. (6) DRAGON SAID has gone off favored in 6 of his last 7 (odds-on
in 4 of them) and failed to win ANY of those starts - Bartlett bails for #5, and we're inclined to look
elsewhere as well. (7) MIKEY CAMDEN took advantage of the post relief to wire cheaper in last - would
have given him more consideration had he not drawn so poorly tonight. (3) FULLBACK went the mile of
his life on 10/11 but left our leading trainer after that and has gradually gone downhill - probably needs
easier right now. (4) FREE ON THE BEACH seems overmatched in his local debut.
RACE 5 - (1) SULLIVAN caved on the front end last week but it's not the first time he's done that - he's
much better racing from off the pace, and it's likely he'll get to do that tonight - the price figures to be much
better for those willing to give him another shot. (4) PEDRO HANOVER rushed right on by the top choice
and jogged last week, making it 2 in a row - he's clearly the one to beat tonight and will likely be the
prohibitive favorite....but things figure to be a bit tougher this time, and he MAY be just a bit vulnerable.
(3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN has hit board in all 3 starts this year, all at this level - he may get to cut the
mile tonight, and that's really when he's at his best....worth considering if the price is decent. (6) PICARD
A has been grabbing good pieces almost every week, and did pick up a 3rd stepping up to the 25s in his last
- tough post, but he has a chance at another small share if he can improve a bit at the start. (2) SWAGASAU
RUSREX figures to be a little closer to the pace this week, and that may help him rally late for a share -
good one for 3rd/4th. (5) MY MIND IS MADEUP just hasn't been sharp enough to be a serious player in
some time - needs to find more (or drop in cheaper). (7) SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN has fit NW5000 for
a long time yet continues to drop into tougher spot (with no success) - definitely puzzling.
RACE 6 - (1) BETTOR SUN was pretty hot in the pocket last week and that may have hurt him a bit at the
end of the mile (was still a solid 2nd to the stickout winner) - Bartlett may look to cut the mile this week,
and that may be just what the doctor ordered for this one. (3) ROLLING WITH SAM continues to take $$
every week as he's been plummeting down the class ladder but he hasn't won since October - he'll surely
beat these soon/eventually, but there's just not any value tonight at that 8/5 ML price. (2) GOTHIC ROCK
hit board in his last pair but came up a little light at the end - still a threat to land in the exotics from this
spot, but will need a bit more to contend for the top slot. (5) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N was an "ok" 2nd
two back but really wasn't bad last week from an impossible spot - at 20-1 ML, he's worth including on the
bottom of exotics. (6) SARANAC BLUE CHIP is quite capable with these when on his best game, but he's
disappointed in several of his recent starts - if you think the "good" version may show up tonight, he's not a
bad one to include. (7) PRAIRIE PANTHER charged home to be a close 2nd in his '23 debut but hasn't
been a factor since - would need things to really fall apart up front to have a chance to be there tonight. (8)
GARDYS LEGACY A was well backed in both starts since returning for a new barn but came up a bit
short both times - not giving up on him, but this just doesn't feel like a spot where he can have a big impact.
(4) RHODENA ROAD looked dullish in that qualifier - guessing he'll need a start or two.
RACE 7 - Well matched field: (1) KARMA SEELSTER was racing "well" since returning from Canada
but her back class was really on display last week as she tenaciously held off a sharp DRAMAACT to
hang on for the win - she's technically moving up in class tonight but that really isn't a concern...we'll see if
she can take advantage of the pole and pick up another win. (2) MORNING HAS BROKEN was too far
back to threaten last time but did finish crisply - she's capable of charging home on any given week....if the
race sets up in her favor. (3) DRAMAACT qualified back sharply and dominated in her first start of the
year -- but was unable to deliver as the 2/5 choice last week when she ran into a very stubborn #1 - she'll be
a much better price this time if you want to stick with last year's Matchmaker winner. (5) DELITFULCATH
ERIN N was shooting for 3 in a row last week and might have gotten it had she had more room in the
stretch - she's won 17 of her last 39 local starts and can never be counted out! (6) LUCKY ARTIST A has
been sharp for weeks and came out on top in her last pair - she figures to have a tougher trip this week, but
she still can't be eliminated from consideration. (4) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY seemed to be taking a BIG
step up last week (after being claimed for $50K) but she still delivered a big try to be a close 3rd - still not
sure she really belongs with these, but we'll get a better picture after tonight.
RACE 8 - (4) RACINE BELL should benefit greatly from her 2023 debut where she was handled very
conservatively, and paced home well for 3rd - not sure that she's 100% just yet, but she should be tight
enough to race at least aggressively enough for a chance to beat these. (2) UPTOWN HANOVER was
uncharacteristically dull 2 back but bounced back with a much sharper try last week - anything close to that
makes her a big threat tonight. (3) MAN DONTFORGET ME is off to a good start in 2023, with a 4-1-2-1
slate - solid chance to land somewhere on the ticket once again tonight. (1) BABS JANSEN is a very
consistent performer, but definitely prefers to be in a little easier - the rail may help her stay close enough to
pick up a small piece, though. (5) SEZANA N has remembered how to win races and has also added
consistency to her game - hard to believe how far she's come from a year ago, but may be able to grab a
piece even at this high level as long as the trip goes her way. (6) LIT DE ROSE was terrific during a long
winning streak in Nov/Dec but started to tail, and is now struggling along with most of her barnmates -
she'll turn things around eventually, but is hard to back with any confidence right now. (7) TECHYS ANG
EL A was sharp for several starts but threw a dull one last week, and now draws outside - prefer to wait for
a better spot. (8) NEWSY N managed to hang on over cheaper last week, but seems up against it tonight.
RACE 9 - (7) TUGGINGONCREDIT gave it a good speed try on 1/27 in her local debut then raced well
from impossible spots the last 2 weeks - tonight's spot isn't any better but she'll be a good price, and may be
able to upset in the finale with some racing luck. (5) DISARONNO HILL came up surprisingly empty last
week but is usually much better than that - drops right back in the box, drops in class, and she'd be a legit
player with a bounce back mile. (3) COMMANDER CATHY N has raced well in most of her 38 local
starts but has managed only wins - always a good one to include underneath. (4) RIGHTFULLY MINE
perked up with a few big efforts this Fall but that was when our former leading trainer was listed - seems to
have returned sharp (upstate) from her layoff, and may be ready to go with these too - not a fan of that 5/2
ML price, however. (1) LADYBELUCKYTONITE is just 2 for 37 here over the last 2 years and usually
vs. easier - does draw the rail for a hot barn, but seems a notch below a few of these. (2) CASH ROLL
ships in showing some good recent NJ tries but has disappointed way too many times here vs. cheaper. (6)
REACHTHRUTHESKY AS has faced (and beaten) better, but seemed well short off the qualifier last week
- prefer to see a sharper mile before hopping on her team. (8) EDGE OF ETERNITY has a couple of recent
blowout wins but vs. cheaper - figures to have a much tougher time from this spot.