RACE 1 – (2) THE REAL ONE is not having the typical season of a 14YO as he’s currently in his best form 9
months into the year, and still holding his own with higher level competition – if things go his way here, there’s a
shot he can rally by late at a pretty decent price. (5) NANDOLO N certainly isn’t having a “bad” year ($124K
midway through September) but he’s definitely come up a little light this year in spots where he would have won in
the past – still a major threat here (class drop and back to Bartlett), and probably the one to beat. (1) SPORTY M TH
REE definitely benefited from an easy trip last week but he may be in line for another kind journey tonight – if he
built some confidence with last week’s victory, he can have a say against these too. (4) GINGRAS BEACH has been
holding form beautifully for some time, even at these higher levels – a good trip makes him a legitimate threat to be
around at the end. (6) SONNY WEAVER has always thrived at Yonkers but he hasn’t WON in a while, and likely
looking at only a smaller share tonight, as well. (3) BRAKE AHEAD has plenty of good looking Ohio lines, but vs.
easier – will need to prove that he can go with these too. (7) SHADOW CAT is up in class from a bad post, and not
likely to get the easy trip he benefited from last week.
RACE 2 – (3) RACING RAMPAGE never had a horse a horse finish in front of him in his first 8 local starts – that
streak finally ended last week, but it took a very tough trip to make it happen (and he still only lost 2nd right near the
wire) – his price may inch up a bit here, and he’s surely earned a chance to get back to the winner’s circle. (4) VENT
URESOME ARDEN N was terrible in last week’s Aria Pace but racing on short rest (and over a surface that was
drenched just moments earlier) may have been responsible – we’ll take it as a good sign that he’s right back in to go,
and he’s been way too good all year to not get a chance at quick redemption. (1) CAMARA MOMENT arrived
sharp from PA and has done good work in his 4 starts since arriving – leaning more to the top pair, but an easy
enough trip could land him close up at the end. (2) THUNDER HUNTER JOE finally put a couple of local wins on
the board recently but vs. easier than these – needs more consistency...and needs to prove that he can beat THESE
types too. (5) TIP TOP CAT came up a little short in all 3 local starts in July – he has just one start in almost 7
weeks, and that has us leaning elsewhere tonight. (6) HAZEVILLE was 42-1 last week (racing off a month) but that
didn’t stop him from engaging in a suicide mission with the 1/10 favorite – he actually raced very well, but lands in
a bad spot here.
RACE 3 – (2) CHIMICHURRI N conceded from a tough spot here on 8/12 but followed that up with a well backed
win in NJ the following week (new lifetime mark), then was 3rd the next start behind a couple of classy rivals in a
1:47.2 mile – he’s always hinted at some serious ability and the good draw may give him a chance to show it tonight
(4) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A has developed into a very hard knocker at this level, and comes off a rallying 2nd
behind the razor sharp TYPHOON BANNER N – legitimate threat, though Bartlett does opt for the top choice. (1)
MAMBA has done some very good work since arriving on the local scene, he draws the pole for tonight and his
barn has definitely been clicking – legitimate player. (5) WHATS STANELY GOT A is very good when not in the
Open and always a threat when he can use his speed and work out a good trip – he certainly won’t mind getting
Brennan \back on board, and can be a player with the right trip. (6) HIMSELF N took a long time to find his game in
the U.S. but he’s now a proven commodity at this level– tonight’s draw figures to hurt, however. (3) ULTIMAROCA
is a streaky sort and doesn’t seem to be on his game right now – not sure he can benefit from the class drop right
now. (7) CADILLAC BAYAMA figures to be trailing most of the way – sticking with others.
RACE 4 – (6) BIG DREAM FELLA did some good work at the $50K level but he was super vs. the 40s and drops
back down to that level tonight– catches an overall soft field and can come out on top...even from Post 6 (5) FINAL
CHEESERECIPE gives a solid try every week, and is usually pacing strong at the end – hard to predict his trip from
this spot, but he can be a serious late threat if it’s a good one. (1) MY ULTIMATE STAR A hasn’t been all that sharp
but his streaky barn did have a few recent wake up calls, and there’s at least a chance this guy could be next. (4) MI
CKY GEE N is one of the tougher horses to predict from week to week (he was a very game 2nd two back, then
never grabbed the bit last week) – the “good” version can be a player here...but will he show up? (8) BECHERS
BROOK A has won 4 of 9 local starts and demands respect off that alone – he’s also in a brutal spot (after getting
roughed up last week), and may be handled a bit more conservatively tonight. (3) MIND HUNTER continues to race
well since the recent barn change but tonight’s bump up to 40s may be a little ambitious. (2) AROUND MIDNIGHT
disappointed in his local debut and will need to improve to be a threat vs. these. (7) DONT JUDGE A BOOK is
good right now, but faces a daunting task in this spot.
RACE 5 – (1) BLUE HUNT effortlessly thrashed a bit easier last week in a crisp 1:50.4 mile – he does face a few
better ones tonight, but the result is very likely to be the same, especially after drawing the pole. (4) TICKERTAPE
HANOVER had a good 2YO season, only made 7 starts at 3 but has done good work in Ohio at 4, banking nearly
$100K – he should be a good fit upon arrival, and may prove the main danger. (6) LUCKBEWITHALEX didn’t
start his 2024 campaign until July and just picked up his first win (at PcD, in start #6) – if he can build some
confidence off that mile, perhaps he can add some value to the exotics. (3) BUGABOO LOU figures to use his speed
to grab a trip here, but FINISHING has been an issue lately – be careful about using him at too short a price. (5)
LYRICAL GENIUS A is listed at 20-1 ML but he’s been 2nd for 4 straight weeks, including his last start (behind the
top choice) – another worth considering underneath. (2) CAPTIVATE HANOVER has certainly been off his best
game but he probably never dreamed that he wouldn’t even be able to complete a retake last week – leaning towards
others, even with the good draw. (7) ROCKME ROLLME ships down from Canada to a live barn but also exits a
high % outfit – may be in too tough here. (8) MUSCLE BART A was no factor in his U.S. debut and now lands Post
8 for his first crack at The Hilltop.
RACE 6 – Tough race: (1) JUSTASEC N definitely was helped by the ground saving trip last week but he did finish
well, and rebounded quickly from a dull try the week before – may be the one to land on the winning journey in a
field with several possible players. (5) ORLANDO BLUE A has been racing well with better, and can only benefit
from the drop to 50s – if he lands in a good spot turning for home, he can be very dangerous. (6) HEZ ALLTHE
RAGE N draws poorly but may be able to still leave quickly and land on a good trip – worth a look if the price is
decent. (8) GENTLE GIANT was wildly overbet last week (1/10!) and picked a bad week to come up terrible – he
was reclaimed by the barn for whom he jogged the week before, and it would be hard NOT to include him on at
least a few tickets at that 15-1 ML price. (4) ITALIAN LAD N has raced well in a bunch of his recent local starts but
it’s hard to gauge if 50s is the right claiming class for him – another to consider if the price is juicy. (3) JIMMY CO
NNOR B showed little in 3 tries vs. the 60s but he drops down here and did win in this class 4 back – leaning
towards others, but he’d hardly be a chock. (2) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK won a “fall apart” race after the claim
but has regressed since then – needs to pick up his game to be a threat. (7) SHAKESPEARE shocked at a huge price
2 back but then disappointed off a good trip in his last – very tough spot, even if sharp tonight.
RACE 7 – (7) SOUTHWIND PETYR was handled conservatively last week (8 hole off a break) but still finished
steadily for 4th – he’s been holding his own with much better than these lately, and can come out on top IF he can
find a manageable trip from out here. (1) GREAT SOMEWHERE is not the beast that won 10 races and $184 K last
year but he’s pretty good right now, and can be expected to come up with a very aggressive try from this spot –
would be no surprise to see him wire these. (4) KARLOO BRADLEY N was a close 2nd despite a brutal trip 2 back,
and did finish with pace from a tough spot last week – a quick start (and good trip) could put him right into the mix.
(5) GALANTE A is solid right now, has a good local history, and his barn has been very live recently – if #4 doesn’t
leave, maybe HE will? (2) ALABAMAJAMMA got a barn change last week and picked up a win over cheaper at
Tioga – hard to say if he’s improved enough to go with these much tougher ones. (3) CYRUS N comes up with a
good one here and there but his only recent win came vs. much easier, and others just look more appealing for the
top slot. (6) KIMBLE A has held his own vs. better, but could use a better post.
RACE 8 – Good race: (2) HEMSWORTH N elected to sit the cones last week and that left him loaded with pace in
the lane, but nowhere to go – he’s done more than his share of winning recently, and may be able to get his picture
taken with a live trip. (5) ROCKNROLL RUNA A has been a tough one to guess with recently but he shows up too
often to dismiss...and he can be VERY good when on his game. (3) AMERICAN DEALER N steps up to the Open
here but he should be brimming with confidence off those easy wins in his last pair – legitimate threat in his current
form. (4) ROCKIN JUKEBOX normally needs to be in easier to be a serious threat but he’s in raging form, and his
barn is sending out some serious airplanes lately – his last win was huge, and he has to be respected off that effort.
(1) PLEASELETMEKNOW benefits from the rail assignment and should end up with a good trip as a result – he’s
had trouble WINNING races this year, but always a threat to grab a good piece. (7) CARABAO A was struggling in
the U.S. until suddenly starting to click in July, and he was finishing right there with DESPERATE MAN just a few
starts later – he’ll have to pass ‘em all to win tonight, however. (7) SPIRIT OF STLOUIS N shows over $1M on his
card Down Under and is obviously a VERY good horse – would still prefer to just watch in his U.S. debut, though.
RACE 9 – (5) BRUE HANOVER was stuck in a no-chance spot in his last local try but did have pace finishing - he
followed that up with a close 2nd behind CHIMICHURRI N the next week (in NJ), and now returns to YR in a much
softer spot – the one to knock off. (3) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A picked up his first U.S. win 3 back, was a close 3rd
in his next then had good pace finishing from a hopeless spot last week – the main danger? (2) DEETZY has been
inconsistent all year but did turn in a dead game effort to win his last, and a similar effort would put him in play for a
good piece here too. (4) SON OF A TIGER N hasn’t been able to find the winner’s circle this year but he’s turned in
a series of sharp efforts lately to pick up good pieces, at big prices– remains a good one to use underneath. (1) TWIN
B RISENSHINE has been knocking on the door lately but continues to come up just a little short – could be looking
at another smaller piece tonight. (7) BRAEVIEW BONDI A had been finishing well in all of his recent starts before
finding himself too far back last week – may be in that same boat tonight. (6) MASONS DELIGHT N has wins in 2
of his last 3 starts but draws poorly while up in class here.
RACE 10 – (6) NIGHT HAWK is getting the narrow nod here – he drops back down to the level he beat 2 back, and
is always tough in this class – he does draw poorly, however, and could end up with a less than perfect trip – don’t
take too short a price. (3) POUND FOR POUND rattled off some scary miles earlier in the year but has obviously
leveled off over the last few months – he did win at this level 4 back, however, so this definitely could be a spot to
look for a wake up call. (4) CHANTEE is thriving since returning from Canada, picking up a 3rd and pair of 2nds –
he’s also forced to move up TWO classes tonight, and that might slow him down a bit. (5) POINTOMYGRANSON
finally looked like his good self in that front end score 2 back but regressed quickly last week, weakening in the lane
after a pretty easy trip – which version tonight? (1) C BET HANOVER has some good recent tries but vs. easier –
seems more likely to end up underneath, rather than on top. (2) GAMBLINGTERROR finds a few pretty good miles
every year but usually vs. a bit easier than these. (7) MIDNIGHT THUNDER draws poorly off a bad date, while
also moving up in class – prefer others.
RACE 11 – (1) WICHITA LINEMAN has taken 2 of 3 (at good prices) since the recent claim, and was in a no
chance spot the other start – he’s looking at a very good trip tonight and though the price will come down, he’s still
worth using on your tickets. (4) OZONE BLUE CHIP just didn’t bring his best last week, tiring in the lane with no
real excuses – he moves back to a barn that recently did super with him, and could easily rebound with a winning
effort. (2) SAN DOMINO A is riding a 3 race winning streak, somewhat strange to see (considering how camera shy
he HAD been here over the last 3 seasons – chance to extend that streak to 4, but he’ll need to beat a couple of good
ones to do it. (3) UCANTTOUCHTHIS has been “ok” in his 5 local starts, but has generally been limited to minor
pieces – may be looking at more of the same tonight. (6) PAT STANLEY N raced well in 2 of his last 3 starts but
may have trouble finding a way into the hunt from this spot. (5) TWIG went a BIG mile last week but he moves up
to 40s after yet another re-claim and may need to be in a little easier. (7) SURFSIDE BEACH appreciated the much
needed sit-in trip last week, but lands in a brutal spot for tonight.
RACE 12 – (1) KOOTENAY SANTANNA moves to a barn that often clicks off the claim, draws the pole and was
an easy winner 3 back from a similar spot – Holland is certainly not afraid to play “catch me if you can”! (2) TAKE
A CLOSER LOOK feels like he may be getting sharper, and his barn has sent out a couple of wake up calls recently
– he may really benefit if the top choice just takes no prisoners, leaving this guy with a nice, close-up trip. (4) TARG
ET AQUIRED raced well in his last pair vs. age-restricted 30s – he should do fine against these older foes as well,
but that 9/5 ML price is a turnoff, for sure. (6) THREE GRAND keeps landing on horrible trips but still making the
most of them – wouldn’t hesitate to use him on a few tickets at a big price. (7) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING has just
one win and one 2nd from his last 24 local starts so it was surprising to see the 12YO claimed last week – we’ll see if
some new surroundings (after all this time) picks up his spirits a bit. (8) PRETTY HANDSOME fits just fine with
these but the draw will likely leave him looking at smaller scraps. (3) SMOKIN BY N has 9 wins this year but just
doesn’t seem to be on top of his game right now. (5) SOUTH POINT was much improved 2 back but failed to build
off that last week.