RACE 1 – (3) VIBRANCE was no threat at all in her local debut but she was MUCH better in her next, coming first
over to the sharp MC ANGEL and still battling to the end (finishing a close 3rd) – faces some younger foes tonight,
gets another good draw, and is one of a few with a legitimate shot in the opener. (1) ULTIMATE SPEED demolished
a soft NW2 field in her local debut – faced a much tougher field last week but with the help of a perfect trip, was
able to take another – the rail draw makes her a legitimate threat to make it 3 in a row. (8) WINDSUN TIARA
shipped in razor sharp from PA (to a very strong barn) and went a BIG mile from Post 8 last week, battling much of
the way and still only giving way late – loses Brennan and spots her main foes a significant post edge, but she can
still be right there with a manageable trip. (2) DONTKARENIFIDO is a strong 9-4-1-3 here at YR but has been idle
for 7 weeks and figures to need a start – minor share only. (5) SILKY STRIDE should be ready for action after three
qualifiers and she did show ability as a 3YO – lands in a tough spot, however, and may be looking at only a smaller
piece for tonight. (4) EXCITING TIMES A was an “ugly”, life and death winner over much easier last week, and
will need to be a lot better tonight to be a serious threat. (6) VIRTUAL KISS draws a tough spot returning from NJ
and seems a bit buried. (7) MARATHON MARY finished way back in her qualifier – pass for now.
RACE 2 – “Stake Your Claim Series”: (3) WILLIAM HANOVER looks terrible on paper, having failed to even get
a check in 7 straight starts, and often way back...he’s worth a stab tonight, however, as he’ll be debuting for a trainer
that at age 40, seems to have developed a knack for improving fresh stock tremendously, and is currently on an
unconscious roll at multiple tracks. (4) STRETCH THE LINE is usually his own worst enemy, especially here at
Yonkers – that being said, he has more than enough ability to crush these, with a “smooth” trip – tough one to get
excited about at that 3/2 ML price, however. (6) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N hasn’t been “sharp” in a long time but
this is a spot where he can probably use his speed, and maybe capitalize if others fail to function (2) MAJESTIC
KIWI N gets post relief and may be able to show up late for a piece with the right trip. (1) MACHLICIOUS used a
very easy trip to be a distant 3rd two back – maybe another small piece with a similar journey. (6) SWAGASAURUS
REX returned from the winter break looking as dull as before – needs a major wake up call.
RACE 3 - “Stake Your Claim Series”: (4) NOB HILL FLASH was a very good 2nd behind the standout winner 2
back, then just landed on an impossible trip last week – may prove the right one in a field of questionable players.
(2) MISTER SPOT A was a surprise claim as he was just 1 for 22 at Yonkers last year – he did have a legitimate
excuse in his last, and he may perk up for a new barn – not impossible. (1) BROTHER JAMES has been facing
cheaper out of town but his form is good enough to suggest he’ll still fit with these – the good draw could make him
a player. (3) SHOREVIEW had been pretty good for a few starts before a dull one last week – the real issue is that
he seems to have forgotten how to win races! (6) LIBERTY N FREEDOM has been away for 5 months, drops in
class, and draws poorly – not sure he’s worth that 5/2 ML listing, but he would hardly be a shock. (5) OHIO
VINTAGE goes from a very high % barn to one that doesn’t win nearly as often – we’ll see if he can hang in there,
especially up in class.
RACE 4 – (5) BETTA WATCH OUT N had missed 9 months before her first U.S. qualifier and really wasn’t bad
considering who she was in with – she looked super in her next prep, kicking home in :27.3 (while beating a pretty
classy import in the process) – have to believe she’s ready for this bunch...and possibly a lot better. (2) BLANK CH
EEK was very well backed last week but saw her chances disappear after an unexpected early miscue – could be
2nd best with a mistake-free effort. (6) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK seemed to have a lot of positives heading into her
last but lacked speed when called upon at the start, then never really grabbed the bit for Bartlett after that (even
though still a close 3rd) – we’ll see if she shows up better tonight. (4) C DIDDYS GAL re-qualified after being
scratched lame – hard to gauge for tonight, especially since the barn started off 5-0-0-0 after the “sibling change” in
the program (check Tuesday’s results to see if they do any better). (3) SILKEN SMILE’s last line LOOKS a lot
better than it really was (she had dead aim in the lane on a winner that was falling apart, and never did go by) – we’ll
see if she can bring a bit better effort tonight. (1) URSULA BLUE CHIP moves inside and that may be enough to at
least help her find a more competitive effort. (7) J M SPEAK EASY showed some life in her last couple, but draws
poorly once more. (8) PINE BUSH MAGA is another that figures to be hurt by the outside draw.
RACE 5 – (4) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS made an uncharacteristic early miscue last week but then turned in an
excellent recovery, catching the pack and actually rallying from 3/4s to be 4th – he’s raced well vs. better many times
and may be able to grab his first victory of the season tonight. (1) CREATIVE VENTURE bobbled off turn three last
week, lost action for a bit, and cost himself a chance to be closer at the end – figures to be tighter tonight, and could
have a big say starting from the pole. (8) BONTONI DEGATO S looked good winning his last pair but both starts
from the pole – moves all the way outside, but we’ve learned to never count out anything this team sends out there –
chance for a nice price, if you think Bartlett can find him a manageable trip, (5) DIAMANTE TRIO IT finally won
at a short price last week after scoring at nice mutuels in a few recent wins – remains a threat for sure, but this is a
tougher spot, for sure. (7) MAHONE SEELSTER shipped in sharp and has continued to thrive here at YR, finishing
2nd to #5 in his last pair – post could be an issue tonight, however. (3) JACKED used an easy trip to finish well for
3rd last time – another kind journey could help him take home some minor spoils. (2) ONION GUM went some nice
miles at 2 and 3 – he’s been away for 4 months, though, and debuts tonight for a new barn – prefer to watch, for now
(6) BLUEBIRD BISHOP has missed 3 weeks after last week’s sick scratch, and he’s still a question mark over the
Yonkers half-miler – make sure to get a good price if trying him on top here.
RACE 6 - “Stake Your Claim Series”: (5) IM J BEE N finished full of pace to just miss 2 back, then was a sharp
front end winner last week – goes for a new barn tonight, but we’ll still give him top billing. (3) BEN SOLO is used
to facing better, and is actually racing pretty well right now – this FEELS like it could be a winning spot for him, but
it’s also a bit suspicious that his connections seem to be throwing in the towel on him (at this reduced price) – be
careful about taking a very short price. (2) SOUTHWIND ONYX was just reclaimed by a barn that did well with
him, but he also seems a bit off his best game right now – would consider on top IF the price is decent. (4) FULLBA
CK lost all chance from the pole 2 back after an early miscue, then was away slowly from the rail last week – he
really wasn’t bad either start, though and could have a say tonight on his best effort. (6) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN
left from Post 8 last week and earned himself a two hole trip, but came up empty when called upon for a 2
nd move – just doesn’t seem sharp enough for more than a minor shar tonight. (1) BUCKEYE EMERY shows weak recent
lines out of town, and is 13-0-1-0 here at YR. (7) UNIQUE BEACH starts from Post 7 with his trainer on board –
would need things to really fall apart to have any real say tonight.
RACE 7 – (3) NAUTICAL HANOVER comes off a strong 4YO season in Canada winning 8 races ($156k) and
establishing a 1:48.2 mark – his current form doesn’t look all that stellar, but he lands in a spot that he really should
be able to handle (and he did win here as a 3YO). (4) SARANAC BLUE CHIP took no $$ last week, got away
7th, but still finished very alertly for 4th – he can be in the thick of this if Siegelman handles him a bit more aggressively
tonight. (5) KJ HUNTER ran into a brutal trip last week (8 hole) but raced better than his line might look – not a fan
of that 3-1 ML price, but willing to include in exotics as long as there’s some value. (2) HYPNOTIC DREAM hasn’t
won here in a long time but he’s racing well right now, and a spot somewhere on the ticket is not out of the question.
(1) ON THE VIRG hasn’t really been a consideration for some time, but he does draw the pole with Bartlett so we
may see a better effort – that 4-1 ML price IS a turnoff, however. (8) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A, like most of his
barnmates, is very good right now– he faces an extremely tall task starting from Post 8, however. (7) KOOTENAY
SANTANNA went a game mile last week to tough out 2nd but he may have a hard time getting into play tonight. (6)
ROSE RUN X CON needed his last off the hiatus, and lands in a tough spot for tonight.
RACE 8 – “Stake Your Claim Series”: (6) CAPTAIN T HANOVER was listed at 20-1 ML last week but he was
well backed throughout, then turned in a big effort to charge home after being way wide from 6th to still outkick the
favorite – as noted earlier, this barn has been on a tear at multiple tracks, so sometimes you just have to stick with
the hot hand. (2) SMOKIN BY N landed on what should have been the winning trip last week but he didn’t fire his
best shot and was outmuscled late by the top choice – we’ll see if he can turn the tables tonight. (3) MAJOR
DESIRE went a good one last time, blasting from Post 7 to earn a two hole trip, chasing the favorite home 2
nd best – a repeat effort makes him a player once more. (7) ALWAYS CLOSE gave his fans a good root when he cut the mile
at 32-1 last week, and almost beat the top pair – not opposed to using him here if the price remains juicy. (1) MR
KELLY would be hard to like off his current form, but as always, anything this barn sends out is capable of jumping
up and winning at any time (would still need a pretty good price to consider, though)! (4) CAMPORA N had a few
good tries this fall but doesn’t really seem sharp enough right now to try on top. (5) PROM KING seems better
suited for a bit easier.
RACE 9 – Tough race: (1) ALWAYS ROCKIN perked up in NJ three back with an easy win over cheaper, then
really was better in his last 2 local starts than the lines might suggest – he’s 0 for 14 here (last 3 years) but this may
be a spot where he can pick up a win (and help his pilot get off the 2024 schneid). (8) HEART OF DIXIE has a few
real clunkers lately but also some good miles sprinkled in – his barn is off to a good start this year, and this guy may
offer some good value from Post 8. (5) TIN ROOF RAIDER A went a good mile to be 2nd two back then laid an egg
last week – if the “good” version shows up tonight, he’d have a chance to threaten here. (3) ALEX TYE had things
his own way last week and really should have been able to finish the job – willing to give him another shot, but only
if the price is decent. (2) SHINY BLACK BEAMER seems on the cheaper side these days but maybe the good draw
can help him bring home a small slice. (4) HOUND ON THE BEACH landed on a very easy trip last week and just
hung through the lane – he’ll need to be much better if he hopes to be a significant player. (6) SPRINGBRIDGE
DUEL is capable of better than he’s been showing...but waiting for some better signs before considering. (7) HEIS
MAN PLAYER was empty last week, and now stuck outside.
RACE 10 – (2) CHALLENGER took on some major competition in his 3YO season, even qualifying for both the
NJ Classic and Canadian Trotting Derby Finals – he’s in new hands for his 4YO campaign, and his first start back
was certainly very encouraging...we’ll try him on top, with his talented young pilot. (5) INTERVIEW FRA A has a
mixed bag of tries since starting his U.S. career in late 2023 – a good trip in his Hilltop debut could put him in play
for a big piece of this. (6) CAL MILES N SHELL showed ability throughout his 4YO campaign and the homebred
qualified back solidly after some time off – tough draw, but that 15-1 ML price makes him worth a look for exotics.
(1) BEACON BEACH turned in several nice efforts here last year, but his current fitness is a question (after a month
off) – can contend for a piece if ready for action. (7) HAND OVER DAN does have ability, but has history of either
making breaks or being hard to drive here at Yonkers – not opposed to using him, but only at a pretty good price. (4)
TOMBSTONE has a couple of local victories and just missed in his last – one of several in here with a chance for a
piece, under the right circumstances. (3) BARABOBBITT S was no factor last week, but does move inside – he’s
been a tough one to predict from week to week. (8) STRATEGIC is the outside, both literally and figuratively.
RACE 11 – (5) DANCE ON THE BEACH crushed a field at Chester in 1:51.4 on 12/17 but was subsequently
disqualified after testing positive for a medication generally used to treat atrial fibrillation – he qualified back nicely
at Freehold and if he has no a-fib issues tonight, he may be up for beating this bunch. (1) STOP STARING was
unable to overcome the bad post last week but gets a much better draw tonight – he’ll also be racing for a new barn,
and that gives us mixed feelings. (2) ATLANTIS has now won 4 of his last 5 and takes another bump up in class –
we’ll see if he can be as sharp with these tougher ones. (6) LYONS JOHNNYJNR gave it an aggressive try last
week and almost pulled it off – not sure if he’ll be able to replicate that mile from Post 6, however. (3) PRESTIGE
SEELSTER has won 4 straight, and 6 of his last 8 starts – he’s another getting a barn change, however, and it’s hard
to say if he’ll display that same form for his new crew. (7) SHANWAY N reversed form with a much better effort
last week – it’s anybody’s guess what we’ll get from him tonight, though. (8) BRUSHING UP was an ok
3rd last week, and fits well with these – he’ll have lots of work to do from out here, however. (4) OUR CORELLI N would
be a bit of a surprise in this field.