RACE 1 – Very tough opener! (2) FAMILY RECIPE came up short at the end last week but he was also caught
three wide early into a sharp opening quarter – his prior starts saw him finish just behind talented barnmates
CHIMICHURRI N and ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N, and he might be able to come out on top tonight with an easier
trip. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N is listed at 8-1 ML but he was a dead game winner 2 back, and very game again last
week, when a close 3rd behind #4 and #8 – could be dangerous here if things go his way. (8) ROCK THE BELLES
was our choice last week and he went a BIG mile before getting edged out on the wire by #4 – lands in an even
tougher spot tonight, but a good price makes him worth trying once more. (4) SPEED MAN N landed on a perfect
trip last week and was able to edge out #8 and #1 for the victory – absolutely a chance to repeat, but there may be
some better value with a couple of others. (7) HUNTING ZONE has been very sharp week after week against some
very legitimate foes, and he should handle this class move easily – he lands a tough post with a pretty conservative
pilot, however, and may just have too far to come when they turn for home. (5) PURPLE POET gets a pass for last
week (no room stretch) but lands in a tough field and may need an easier spot. (6) KARLOO BRADLEY N draws
poorly and is looking at a class drop for next week.
RACE 2 – (1) ARTIST BEST was the play here last week but he really shook free in the lane a little too late to have
any realistic chance at DANCE ON THE BEACH – we’ll try him on top once more, mostly because he’ll be the
better price once again. (2) DANCE ON THE BEACH had things his own way on the lead last week and was able to
beat this class for 3rd time in his last 4 tries – the road to the winner’s circle still goes through him. (4) BARON MIC
HAEL won at this level 4 back, threw a couple of clunkers but then bounced back with a very nice try for 3
rd last week – next in line should the top pair falter. (3) NOWHERE CREEK A felt like he was sharper than his lines might
suggest but then came up short last week after earning himself the two hole trip – he’ll be a decent price if you want
to try him one more time. (6) PRETTY HANDSOME has been limited to smaller pieces from good posts – tonight’s
draw definitely doesn’t help. (5) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP is usually limited to minor spoils only.
RACE 3 – (6) JUST ENUFF STUFF raced huge in defeat last week, leaving for a spot in 3rd then coming first over
against the razor sharp POUND FOR POUND, fighting that one all the way home (in a 1:52 mile) as they beat the
others by many – deserves another chance tonight. (2) TWIN B DELUXE is a rock solid player in this class and
now debuts for a barn that’s 29 for 84 (35%) off the claim over the last 3 years – major danger. (1) DONTLIKEITLE
AVE has one local try this year and that produced an easy from end win 3 starts back – should be right in the hunt
once more as he returns after a couple of tries in the Harrington Open. (5) GDS THUNDER GB was a no threat 4th
in a similar spot last week and likely looking at only a smaller slice for tonight. (3) HOPNROLL HEAVEN has
some sharp Monti tries for his current connections but he’ll have to prove that he can race as well against the locals.
(7) FULSOME has enjoyed an excellent season so far but he draws poorly off a sick scratch (after being no factor
the week before) and we’re leaning towards others for tonight. (4) CLEVELAND B MIKI was a no factor 5
th in his first try in this class and is another that still needs to prove that he belongs at this level (3rd time Lasix).
RACE 4 – (2) NANDOLO N is always susceptible to tough trips (because of his racing style) and that’s what
happened in his last pair, with him ending up 2nd and 3rd as the odds-on favorite – the presence of #1 should help his
price a bit tonight, and we’re willing to try him on top this week. (1) THIS IS THE PLAN needs no introduction but
it’s also clear that the 9YO has lost a few MPH on his fastball – still, a dangerous threat at this level...especially if
he can steal some cheap fractions on the front end. (3) POUND FOR POUND sprouted wings in that eye-popping
1:51.4 blowout 2 back then was able to score again in his last in a 1:52 mile – clearly in raging form, but will also be
class tested tonight against these better foes (6) JIMMY CONNOR B has been holding form very nicely as he makes
his way back up the ladder – maybe he can grab a piece (at a big price) with the right trip? (4) JAHAN HANOVER
has to move up in class after missing 3 weeks after a 7th place finish – sticking with others here. (5) EUPHORIA N
shipped in sharp, picked up a pair of excellent 2nds but wasn’t as sharp up in class last week – another tough spot.
RACE 5 – (5) VENTURESOME ARDEN N was finishing full of pace early on in the Borgata Series but from
impossible spots – he almost pulled off the upset in Leg 4 (but got rolling a little too late), then was a razor sharp
winner in the 5th Leg, followed by another impressive score in the Consolation – he goes for a new pilot tonight, but
we’ll stay on board his team. (6) DUNKIN showed that he indeed belonged right off the bat in the Borgata, but had
no luck with the draw in the Final and could only manage a 5th– he also will go with a new pilot tonight, but remains
one to fear. (2) ADAM TWELVE is now 18-8-9-1 here at Yonkers but has come up just a bit short in 5 straight starts
– he’s another getting a new driver this week, as he looks to make it 19 for 19 on the board at Yonkers. (7) IT’S A
ME MARIO is a nose shy of being 7 for 7 as a 4YO and Bartlett pays him the ultimate compliment by taking him
here over #5 and #2 – his ability is not in question...but his ability to find a manageable trip tonight IS a real
concern – would want a “fair” price to try him on top. (4) TAKE A GAMBLE got done in by the draw last week but
still raced as well as he could from an impossible spot – he’s won half of his 24 local starts, and can never be taken
lightly. (3) LAYTON HANOVER steps up off back to back sharp scores, and is only listed this far down because of
the quality of some of the competition. (1) NIGHT HAWK can have a bigger say from the pole, but would still need
to step up his game to beat a couple of the big guns in here.
RACE 6 – (3) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK deserves a pass for his last (8 hole, up in class, with impossible trip) – he
won 3 of 4 (with a nose loss 2nd) just prior to that, and he draws inside hie main foes for tonight – narrow nod. (5)
THAT DOG WILL HUNT is still winless in 2024 but he’s picked up three 2nds from his last 4 starts, and may just
be a good trip away from getting over the hump – maybe tonight? (7) SURFSIDE BEACH went a BIG mile when
2nd two back and came back just as sharp last week, holding off #5 to pick up his first win of the season – remains
dangerous despite the draw, though Kakaley did opt to drive the top choice (2) ROSE RUN X CON has been limited
to smaller pieces all year and is probably in the same boat for tonight – okay for 3rd/4th. (4) J B GRAM disappointed
in 2 of his last 3 starts and even his 3rd place finish was just “ok” – needs to be better if he hopes to threaten the top
trio. (6) OH COFFEE BEAN ships in for a barn that has been doing major damage at multiple tracks for some time
– he's also up in class and forced to deal with a tough draw...and that could limit him a bit for tonight. (1) KINGST
ON PANIC gets a better draw for his 2nd local start but we’d like to see a better effort before hopping on his team.
(8) OTHERS PEOPLES BEER likely bled in his only local start – goes with Lasix now, but lands a brutal spot.
RACE 7 – (3) BUGABOO LOU can be prone to some clunkers but he’s also capable of throwing big miles, when in
the right mood – he followed up a sharp NJ qualifier with last week’s local victory, he may not be facing any tougher
tonight – seems the one to beat, once again. (2) GREAT SOMEWHERE came to life (at 32-1) with a good try for 3rd
two back, and just couldn’t quite overcome the tough first over trip last week (against a very sharp ROCK DIAMON
DS N) – could be next in line should the top one falter. (5) OCEAN RIDGE N carved out a hot clip last week but
was still worn down and overtaken in the lane by a couple of classy foes – he fits well here, and should be part of the
equation. (1) MIGHTY SANTANNA N remains winless on the year but is often good for a late rally, and has picked
up a few 2nds at big prices – good one to include underneath. (4) SLING SHOCK kept grinding first over last week
and toughed out a win over a bit easier – may be limited to a smaller share tonight, though. (7) THE REAL ONE is
on the comeback trail but he’s up in class here and will likely be too far back as they turn for home for more than a
minor share. (6) RULE OF LAW looked terrible for 3/4s last week but did finish alertly, after the fact – keep an eye
for future consideration. (8) KIMBLE A has finally started to do better work in the U.S., but may be severely limited
by tonight’s terrible draw.
RACE 8 – Good race: (3) HEMSWORTH N had been racing pretty well in his Borgata legs, usually finishing
solidly for pieces...but he definitely found his full “A Game” last week, unleashing a vicious first over brush from
5th (including a BIG :26.3 third panel!) to wear down SUMOMENTSOMEWHERE A, and score convincingly – a
similar effort gives him a good chance to repeat...but note that he gets a new pilot, and hasn’t always been known
for his consistency. (2) SUMOMENTSOMEWHERE A probably went faster than he would have liked on the lead
last week, and definitely didn’t appreciate all the heat that the top choice threw at him to the final turn – he showed
throughout the Borgata that’s he’s capable of better, and shouldn’t be written off too quickly. (6) ENERGETIC HAN
OVER was a very sharp 2nd in his YR return two back – he was actually sent off favored in last week’s Invitational
(despite moving up in class), and was a sharp 2nd behind #3 – has to be respected here, despite the bad draw. (7) WH
ATS STANLEY GOT A was the surprise of the Borgata Series, picking up a win and three 2nds before rallying for
4th in the Final – he fits for sure and will be a nice price...but can Brennan find him a way into the hunt? (4) CAPTI
VATE HANOVER has been on one of his insanely sharp rolls, even finishing a solid 4th bumping up to this top level
last week – he wouldn’t be a shock, but you’d still want a good price to try him on top. (5) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE
N is another streaky sort that’s been climbing his way back up the ladder – may be looking at a smaller piece in this
strong field, however. (1) NONE BETTOR A can throw some BIG miles when sharp, but he’s been away for 8
months and does figure to need a start or two.
RACE 9 – (5) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A was WAY overbet moving up in class off the claim last week, landed on
a brutal trip and can be forgiven for tiring to 7th – drops back down to a more comfortable level, will be a much
better price, and may be worth a play in a race with some seemingly vulnerable main rivals. (2) MOTIVE HANOV
ER was recently looking very good beating the 40s here, but had a rough outing (at 4/5) on 4/15, then was unable to
get involved at PcD last week – he drops to 30s tonight and if he’s anywhere near his best, will probably beat these –
but he does seem a little risky at the moment to bet the rent money on at a very short price. (4) YS DO IT RIGHT
landed on a very nice trip 2 back and picked up his first victory of the season – he finished well from an impossible
spot last week, and now moves to a barn that’s 61-15-11-8 off the claim (since 2021) – possible if things go his way.
(1) BIG SIR has 3 wins and 2 seconds from his 10 starts this year but is also prone to clunkers (like when he
squandered a pocket trip completely, two back) – would want a “fair” price to use him on top. (3) HIGH ON ROCK
NROLL is usually in the hunt and grabs plenty of good pieces...but note that he’s just 1 for 28 locally before
accepting too short a price on top. (6) KB MAC picks up his share of smaller slices and isn’t a bad bomb to use for
3rd/4th. (7) CHIEF CORLEONE is still trying to find his game since a recent barn change.
RACE 10 – (4) REAL WILLEY was razor sharp in that win (at this level) 3 back – no threat vs. the 50s in his next
but came up huge again back in 40s last week, used VERY hard to open a big lead to the final turn, only to take a
heartbreaking late loss (to #7) – looking at an easier trip tonight, with a big license to come out on top. (1) GINGER
TREE PETE is a different horse when on/near the lead and that’s where he’ll be tonight – Siegelman knows him
well, and he looms the main danger to #4. (2) KING JAMES EXPRESS has been unreliable at best but he moves
inside, should get an easy trip, and may be able to tow along for a small share. (7) MAXIMUS RED A benefited
from the winner’s brutal trip last week but still worked hard himself to be in position to win it when that one finally
tired – he’s undeniably sharp right now, but also gets his first bad draw in ages...hard to say if he’ll be able to
overcome it. (5) SAN DOMINO A went a dull try off the claim last week but that was vs. 50s – the drop back to 40s
gives him a chance to take home a decent piece. (3) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER is now 0 for 13 on the year and often
looks like he’s just going through the motions – biggest asset here is the good draw. (6) SWEET TROY upset these
on the front end 2 back but a much tougher trip last week left him tiring by the final turn – the tough draw may leave
him as an outsider tonight, as well. (8) GIVEITATRY A was 4-0-0-0 at Yonkers before finding his game vs. cheaper,
out of town – he’ll have to prove that he’s ready to tackle the locals now, especially from Post 8, at this level!