RACE 1 – (2) JENDEN STRIKE A hit board in 3 of 5 local starts this year, including a 3rd in NW15000 (not long
ago) – she gets a BIG driver switch to Bartlett for tonight, and we’ll see if that’s enough to help her grab her first
Yonkers victory. (5) VIBRANCE took a couple of months off recently and has been good in all 4 starts since
returning (including last week’s game front end score) – she steps up a bit, but does seem sharp enough to handle it
right now – legitimate threat. (4) SILKY STRIDE has really upped her game recently, and keeps getting sharper
every week – her last victory was very impressive, and she’s another that seems capable of handling tonight’s class
jump without much issue – possibility. (8) FADE OUT was off to a slow start in 2024 but has definitely started to
turn things around – she was very sharp in last week’s front end score, but does have to contend with a class hike
AND 8 hole for tonight – would consider if the price is right. (3) ROCKN PHILLY can be very unpredictable and
last week’s weak effort was certainly hard foresee – leaning towards others, but it would never be a surprise to see
her win at this level. (1) LATE FOR DINNER gets a pass for her last (8 hole off a sick scratch) and could be much
better tonight – maybe underneath? (6) BETTER WATCH IT never really got it going again after a brief miscue to
3/4s last week – very tough spot tonight. (7) LADY NEWTON figures to be too far out to threaten here.
RACE 2 – (4) SILK CLOUD A won her last under wraps and thanks to a win dropping off the bottom of her card,
gets to stay in the same class...solid chance to repeat. (6) COACHELLABOUND N had an outstanding first year in
the U.S. when she banked $163K last season – she’s already earned $191K this year (in about 6 months!), but she
comes into tonight having missed a month, and starting from the outside– while the race conditions were completely
re-written to “fit her in”, she still seems up against it under the circumstances. (3) CHERYLS SHADOW was used
hard to make the top last week and that may have cost her the win – she’s been solid lately, and may be able to add
some value to the exotics. (5) UPTOWN HANOVER has been good for a while, after a bit of a rough patch – her
success here will probably come down to how a good a trip Buter can find for her. (2) GOLDEN QUEST N has
enjoyed an outstanding year but just never looked interested last week – too soon to write her off (after one dull try),
but we’ll stick with others, for now. (1) OKINAWA BEACH A is very good right now, but does face tougher here.
RACE 3 – Solid field for this bottom level: (1) DYLADMAR was coming into his last off a miscue and seemed
content to “go conservative” and just grab a clean mile – he’s shown ability vs. better in the past, and may be a lot
more serious tonight. (2) CAL MILES N SHELL can be a little unreliable/unpredictable, but he can hold his own
with better than these when in the right mood – he finished with good trot last week, and could easily be a threat. (3)
BAR COINS improved dramatically after the barn change last year but quickly started to fizzle – 2024 has been
unkind to him so far, but his last effort was his best try in a while...consider if the price is right. (5) MUFASA AS
was almost able to steal it on the front end last week after a blowout win Goshen the week before – leaning to others
on top, but could see him landing somewhere on the ticket. (6) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND would normally stand out
dropping to this bottom level but he’s just not 100% right now – he does become dangerous with a wake up call, so
at least consider if the price drifts high enough. (4) TOWN VICTOR makes his local debut for a new barn – prefer to
just watch, for now. (8) DOUBLES N BUBBLES lands Post 8 after failing to threaten in his local debut. (7) EXCHE
QUER makes his first start here since 2022...and he was 0 for 22 locally that year – pass for now.
RACE 4 – (1) SEVENSHADESOFGREY is clearly a little risky coming off a miscue but Bartlett is a serious
student of the game and surely knows the best way to handle this guy – more than capable of beating these with a
clean trip, but never one to bet the rent money on. (5) SOUTHWIND ARTURO had a terrific ’23 season but has
been slow to come around this year – he’s showing some better signs lately, and maybe this is a spot where Brennan
can gamble on being a little aggressive...worth a look? (6) DWS POINT MAN represents Pat Lachance’s first drive
back since the accident (about 6 weeks ago) – we welcome him back, and he does have a shot in here with a trotter
that drops in class, and has been very consistent all year. (7) WINDSONG PIONEER is a good one for longshot fans
– he’s a different horse on/near the lead, and Holland MAY try to blast a big price. (2) NO TURNING BACK had a
very rough patch but has been MUCH better recently, winning her last pair – this is a much tougher spot, so we’ll
see if she’s up for these too. (3) NO DRAMA PLEASE wins his share every year but is probably more comfortable
in just a bit easier. (4) MANCLANE benefited from a good trip in a fall apart race when 2nd last week – he wouldn’t
be a shock, but wouldn’t seem to be offering much value at that 7/2 ML price.
RACE 5 – (5) LIT DE ROSE surprisingly got beat after controlling the action last week but she may prefer to be
taking aim at other horses (rather than vice versa), and it’s not like she lost to a “bad” mare – have to give the $1.2M
earner a chance to make amends tonight, especially with her longtime pilot back in the bike. (4) PURE SILKY had
been on a nice tear (vs. easier) before last week’s no threat 7th – definitely could rebound tonight, and be a bigger
part of the equation. (7) ULTIMATE SPEED is obviously in a tough spot but that 20-1 ML seems mighty high for a
mare that’s been 1st or 2nd in 15 of 22 local starts this year – good one to try to land somewhere on the ticket. (1) BL
OOD MOON A went absurdly slow to the half last week and that resulted in here getting blown past on turn three –
she never quit, though (despite chasing the :26.2 third panel!), and really did super to be 2nd – could grab a piece
here too, even up in class. (2) TALENT TO SPARE A struggled 3 and 4 back but quickly rebounded with much
sharper efforts in her last pair – the right trip puts her in play for a piece here too. (3) FAVORITE BEACH is having
a terrific year but she took no $$ last week and trailed all the way – was it because of the bad post, or because of the
barn change...suppose we’ll get a better idea after tonight. (8) TWIN B SUNKISSED is very in-and-out but even
one of her better efforts could leave her short tonight starting from out here. (6) HONEY LOVE gets a poor draw
after a disappointing try – leaning elsewhere.
RACE 6 – (4) FRONT PAGE STORY was “hot and cold” as a 3YO but capable of big miles when in the right mood
– her 4YO campaign started off horribly in Canada but she immediately perked up after shipping down to Chester
(and adding Lasix), and arrives off a series of 4 solid efforts– legitimate chance in her YR debut. (7) MORNING
HAS BROKEN changed barns two back and jogged, though the effort was hard to really gauge (since she landed on
a perfect trip)– she ended parked every step in her next, but was still battling to the final turn and somehow managed
to last for 4th – definitely a chance she can outperform that 20-1 ML price. (3) EASY TO PLEASE delivered her best
win time in 3 years with that victory 2 back but in her typically inconsistent way, failed to be any kind of a threat last
week – if you think the “good” version will show up tonight, this is definitely a field where she can be a big threat.
(5) SUPER GIRL has upped her game lately, and really raced as well as she could from an impossible spot last week
– another listed at 20-1 ML that can have a much bigger say than that. (2) DIXIE DREAM was well backed last
week after a promising local debut but struggled on the rim after pulling to 3/4s – too soon to write her off, but
would need a good price to try her on top tonight. (8) SOMWHERUNDERHEAVN has ability and qualified sharply
in NJ for her new barn – she’s never shown much early speed, however, and may take a conservative approach after
drawing so poorly for her Hilltop debut. (1) HUNTING LINDY has a bunch of good speed tries but is stepping well
up in class tonight and will need to prove that she belongs. (6) RACY ROXY A has raced well when shipping in
here in the past but may be slowed down a bit by tonight’s poor draw.
RACE 7 – (2) JIVE DANCING A has been a great “play against” for weeks, as the class drops (and barn change)
haven’t helped her to find her form – she WOULD have been one to go against tonight as well, but she lands in a
basement field where it would be hard to even consider anybody else – we’ll list her on top, but certainly won’t be
betting the farm at a short price. (4) PURAMERI was 10-0-0-0 locally this year before picking up a 3rd two back –
she showed some speed (across the river) in her next, so maybe she’s on a bit of an upswing – maybe a value horse
to consider? (8) ELISES DELIGHT was handled aggressively off the class drop last week but tired in the pocket –
she drops again...maybe she can do more damage against these? (5) COMMANDER CATHY N is 0 for 21 this year
and neither the class drops or adding Lasix has really helped perk her up – another with a chance, even if by default.
(6) WESTERN ROSIE was a decent 2nd two back (2nd time new barn) but failed to threaten last week – worth a look
if the price is good enough. (7) GAME OF SHADOWS had a good stretch earlier in the year but even returning to
the bottom level hasn’t helped her find that better from – tonight’s draw won’t help her cause. (1) SEZANA N hasn’t
been a serious consideration in ages. (3) FASHIONATTIFFAYS has some decent tries upstate– seems cheap, though.
RACE 8 – (7) CECIL HANOVER is technically stepping up in class off last week’s blowout victory but he’s a
pretty talented trotter and this field is still well within his comfort zone – gets the solid nod, despite the draw. (3)
UNFORGETTABLE was putting a good one 3 back (FM Open) when she broke late in the mile – not as sharp in her
next but returns to YR off a 3rd in PA and may be able to complete the exacta here. (2) VOYAGE TO PARIS debuted
for his new barn last week and delivered the game front end score – no reason he can’t be in the hunt for a good
piece here too. (1) BARRY BLACK was a very game 2nd last week after coming first over against #2 – another rail
draw could help offset the class jump, and a spot in the exotics is within reach. (8) MAX will be coming from well
back – he should be able to pass a few, but may have trouble doing much more than that. (4) HOOLIE N HECTOR
finally picked up his first win of 2024 two back but failed to build off that, a dull 5th last week – needs to be better.
(5) FANATIC has turned in a series of solid miles but vs. easier – he may be a bit out of his comfort zone against
these. (6) FRENCHY HANOVER seems somewhat overmatched in this spot.
RACE 9 – (4) RANDOM EXPRESS could be worth a stab tonight – he doesn’t have a great local history but he was
“sneaky ok” two back, and MAY have had a good chance last week had Bongiorno not made a bad decision to stay
glued to the cones – a live trip gives him a chance at the upset. (1) PINEBUSHDRAGONROLL was racing well
before the barn change in May, then rattled off 3 straight at The Swamp right after that (easily beating #3 a couple of
times) – he started to level off a bit, but his last effort against decent stock at Tioga wasn’t bad at all – could be
primed for a big mile in his YR debut. (2) GOTHIC ROCK tried to air it out on the front end last week and that’s
really not his preferred style – could see him coming up with a much better effort tonight with a more patient steer.
(7) THREE GRAND had to back off when a rival left to his inside last week and never had a chance – lands another
poor post for tonight, but that 20-1 ML price at least makes him worth a look. (3) PASS A GRILLEBEACH battled
hard and did earn that victory last week – he COULD repeat, but there just seems to be a few better value options
this time around. (6) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL rarely wins but he does grab pieces at prices sometimes (see 2 back)
– never a bad bomb for the bottom of the ticket. (5) PRETTY HANDSOME throws a good one here and there...but
just not often enough to recommend. (8) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING will be hard pressed to get in play.
RACE 10 – (6) ELEKTRA A shipped in off a blowout win in PA and was actually very good in her local debut,
used pretty hard but still pacing well for 3rd behind a pair that would both be heavily favored against these – worth a
play here. (1) TWIN B ALLURE landed in a very soft spot last week and easily handled the assignment – outside of
the top choice, these don’t seem all that much tougher...and she could prove the main danger. (3) HOW SWEET IS
TH AT has some decent Chester form, albeit vs. easier – feels like a spot where she can grab a decent piece. (2)
MACHS LEGACY A has shown little in her 2 U.S. starts – inclined to pass, but take a peek at the tote board for any
hints that a form reversal could be coming tonight. (5) ROCKNROLL ANNIE was “ok” in her last couple but she’s
2 for 48 over the last 2 years and hard to consider for more than a small slice. (4) COWGIRL LILLY is still winless
on the year but at least she used to be in the hunt most weeks– she’s been iffy at best lately, and that has us leaning
to others (8) BLANK CHEEK actually does some good work out of town but always seems to struggle at Yonkers
(11-0-2-2 last 2 years) – the draw doesn’t help matters. (7) FORTUNADA draws poorly after a dismal try last week.
RACE 11 – (1) ATREACHEROUS A is actually moving up TWO classes tonight but her two starts since returning
to YR were so solid, that she still gets top billing here – she should get to “pick her trip” from this spot, and that
could give her the edge. (6) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY was very well meant last week but her chances were hurt
when the leader just dropped anchor to the half, altering the race and leaving this mare with a less than stellar trip –
she still raced well, and could be a big player tonight too. (4) HELLO YES HI had been sharp for several starts vs.
better before throwing a dud last time out – the extra week off could help her, and a good price makes her worth a
look tonight. (2) NITE TIME DEAL had a couple of good starts after returning from NJ and was good again last
week – an easy trip puts her in play for a share. (3) TRUE BLUE HANOVER throws a good one at times but her
overall season has really been “meh” – possible, but feels like better value with others...at least on top. (6) MISS
DOTTIE MAE hasn’t been on her best game for several starts – looking for better signs before hopping back on her
team. (8) HALLELUJAH HANOVER was actually pretty good last week, but hard to see her getting in play from
out here – watch for next time. (7) SALE EL SOL has been too sluggish in too many starts to endorse from out here.
RACE 12 – (8) YANKS DUGOUT beat a NW20000 field here just six starts back, and returns from PA in a much
easier spot – he has more than enough speed to create a trip for himself despite the draw, and he may even go off at a
fair price. (2) FOR A DREAMER had only 3 inside draws since 5/3 and picked up a win and two 2nds those nights
– look for him to have a big say here, and outrace that 10-1 ML price. (1) THE BALLYKEEL DEAL drops from
40s, moves inside, and should be right in the hunt from start to finish. (5) HELPOFTHESEASON has gone down as
the favorite in 3 straight, the last one at 2/5 (here at Yonkers) – she’ll win some time soon, but we’ll stick with others
tonight. (6) WILLY WALTON failed on the lead from Post 8 two back (off the claim) but was able to hang on last
week, vs. easier – these will be a lot harder to outrun! (4) BIG CHARLIE MORAN doesn’t own a lot of local wins
but he does race well in many of his Yonkers starts – chance for a minor piece. (7) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM will
likely be coming from too far out to threaten. (3) CONGRESS HILL EVA seems a bit cheap for these.