RACE 1 - Tough opener! (7) LIKE CLOCKWORK is almost certainly the "best" horse in here, but he has
to contend with an unfavorable draw - as long as Marohn can find him a manageable trip, he'll have a
decent chance to beat these, even from out here....but make sure to get a fair price! (5) MOHAWK WARRI
OR wasn't "great" in his last start, but it was his best effort in some time - if he can build off that mile, he
may be able to have a big say here. (3) SMOKIN BY N was handled aggressively last week and made the
top, but was worn down by the winner and weakened a bit in the lane - definitely a chance here, but that 8/5
ML price makes him far less appealing. (4) ABERDEEN HANOVER rarely wins and hasn't been all that
sharp -- but he does get the red hot Bartlett at the lines tonight, and he may be given a far more aggressive
steer - consider at a decent price. (1) FROMASHESTOASHES N hasn't been doing all that much lately but
he's also been in some tougher fields, from bad posts - wouldn't be shocked to see a better effort from him
tonight. (6) DENVER SEELSTER has been camera shy the past few years, and isn't all that sharp at the
moment - maybe a minor share? (2) BULLVILLE KYLE is 25-0-0-3 locally over the past 3 years - hard to
like his chances. (8) SPORTS BETTOR has shown little so far in his 2022 starts (but the barn DID have a
form reversing 45-1 winner last Friday).
RACE 2 - (2) MICKY GEE N has looked MUCH sharper in his last couple, heating up at the same time
that many of his barnmates are doing the same - he's looked much crisper finishing his miles, and should be
able to overpower these in the lane in his current form. (3) MAJOR BETTS was unable to deliver as the
favorite while racing first over the last couple of starts - he'll probably look to cut the mile tonight...and
may be able to hang on if the top choice doesn't fire his best shot. (1) STELLAR YANKEE went his best
effort of the year last week, and should be looking at a very good trip tonight - definitely one to use in
exotics. (6) GHOST DANCE wasn't bad last week racing off the layoff, from a no chance spot - not a bad
bomb to throw onto the bottom of exotics this week. (5) CINNAMACK was a little disappointing dropping
to this level last week, weakening to 3rd after sitting a pocket trip - chance for another small piece tonight.
(4) SHINY BLACK BEAMER has been inconsistent at best lately - maybe can just save ground from this
spot, and beat out a few for a minor piece? (7) MAJOR BEAN paced a BIG third quarter last week, finally
wearing down the leader for a hard fought win - steps up and moves outside now, and that may limit his
output this time. (8) APEX SEELSTER has just one start in 6 weeks, although it was a victory - hard to like
from Post 8 off a sick scratch (and 3 weeks), though.
RACE 3 - Wide open race: (1) MACH TIME N reversed form in a big way on 1/11 and has held that
excellent for ever since - missed a little extra time after his last (hard used) start but it seems like a good
sign that he returns at the same level....major threat from the pole. (4) PACING MAJOR N won both starts
since dropping to this $20K level, but did benefit from perfect trips each time - have to respect his chances
of taking yet another, but he also figures to be overbet with that 9/5 ML price. (2) MISTER HAT is listed at
20-1 ML but he's raced well several times at this level in the past - moves inside, and could outperform his
price this week. (5) IN SPADES is the hardest one to gauge in here - was scratched lame before his last
start, re-qualified, and now drops in for half the claiming price of his last start - is this an absolute red flag,
or are his crafty connections just looking to "steal" one? (7) LL MYSTRO seemed to gain confidence with
that win at Fhd. as his last start here was excellent (2nd to the currently streaking Lettuceriprita A) - tough
spot, but wouldn't hesitate to include in exotics at a juicy price. (6) KINGSTONS BAD BOY really wasn't
bad last week in what should serve as a useful tightener - another value horse to consider, (3) BAKERSFIE
LD was an ok 3rd last week in his 2nd off the layoff, and his barn is going very well right now - can't be
counted out! (8) VERGEOFGREATNESS N seems unlikely to get near the action from out here.
RACE 4 - Blue Chip Matchmaker, Leg #2: (7) RACINE BELL is in the midst of an improbable streak
where she's finished 2nd in her last EIGHT STRAIGHT Yonkers starts - would seem to have only one real
threat in this weaker division, and we'll look for her to get over the hump....and back to the winner's circle
tonight. (1) SCARLETT HANOVER landed on a tough trip in Leg 1 (making her first start of the year) and
just weakened a bit at the end - figures to be that much sharper now, is looking at a very nice trip from this
spot, and looms the main danger - very talented 4YO figures to be right there. (2) DELITFULCATHERIN
N was off a sick scratch and qualifier last week and had license to be a little short - should be sharper
tonight, and the good draw certainly helps. (4) MYSTIFYING was a (big) upset winner over lesser 2 back
but wasn't bad at all in Leg 1, rallying steadily for 4th - chance for another piece here. (6) COMMANDER
CATHY N is 0 for 9 here at Yonkers but did hit board in 7 of those starts (mostly vs. NW6 PM mares) -
seemed very ambitiously placed in this series, but actually paced a very fast final half from a completely
impossible spot last week - maybe she can rally for a piece, at a big price? (3) LUCKY ARTIST A skipped
the first leg to face cheaper and didn't beat those - just doesn't seem sharp enough right now to be a player.
(5) WESTERN WISH was dull in both starts since arriving from Canada.
RACE 5 - Blue Chip Matchmaker, Leg #2: (6) DRAMAACT was sent off at 2/5 for her YR debut in Leg 1
and was "as advertised", easily wiring the field with an effortless :27 kicker on the end - doesn't figure to be
nearly as easy in this spot, but she seems versatile enough to handle a variety of trips, and we'll give her the
narrow nod tonight. (1) DRAGON ROLL had all her gameness on display last week, holding off threats on
both sides to prevail in Leg #1- she now has 16 local wins over the past 2 years, and it would be no surprise
if she was able to notch #17 tonight. (4) EASY TO PLEASE elevated her game significantly when acquired
by her current connections last year, and it was really no surprise to see the blossoming 4YO come out on
top last week - this is a much tougher test, and it'll likely take a pretty big mile to knock off the top pair. (2)
SWEET HEAVEN qualified sharply for her new barn but faltered in the stretch after cutting the mile last
week - could be tighter now, and perhaps she'll race better with a more conservative approach here? (3)
BLUE IVY can be forgiven for not being "razor sharp" in her prep race for this series, but she really wasn't
on her best game in Leg 1, coming up flat in the lane off the two hole trip - way too early to write her off,
but also not the best week to hop back on her team. (7) LA BELLA VITA N really outraced her odds last
week when she used a ground saving trip to finish up nicely for the show spot - will be tough to replicate
that from Post 7, though (her charted line is inaccurate). (5) THE BETHINATOR tried it first over from 3rd
to 3/4s last week (her charted line is incorrect) but couldn't sustain her bid and weakened - hard to see her
working out a good trip from this spot, though.
RACE 6 - Blue Chip Matchmaker, Leg #2: (4) MISS YOU N was outstanding in the first leg, charging
home from well back to get beat by a head - moves inside and while this certainly isn't an easy field, she
certainly deserves top billing. (2) SIESTA BEACH landed on a horrendous trip in her first start back so just
forgive that effort - looked much more like her good self last week and may be even sharper tonight- classy
6YO has gone a zillion big miles here at Yonkers. (3) LIT DE ROSE has been a model of consistency since
arriving from Canada this winter...and that includes last week's solid 2nd behind DRAMAACT - it would
be hard to leave her out of your exotics. (7) MAN DONTFORGET ME is actually razor sharp, but lands in
another spot that leaves Bartlett few options - good bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) BOLT OF BEAUTY flew home
(vs. cheaper) in her last start before the series, then was full of pace finishing last week - she's another that
will need a lot of trip luck, though, thanks to the outside draw. (1) SURREAL FEELING draws best, but
will need to be a lot sharper if she hopes to contend for any kind of decent piece. (5) NO WIN NO FEED A
has gone a couple of good miles here, but remains unproven against this type.
RACE 7 - Blue Chip Matchmaker, Leg #2 -- wide open race! (3) MACHNHOPE (winner of last year's
Final) has always been a bit inconsistent, and some tough spots have made her form look even more uneven
lately - McCarthy may see this spot as an opportunity to race more aggressively, and we know that she can
beat these, under the right circumstances....could be a good value play tonight. (1) MYSTICAL CARRIE
was a very determined winner last week and the homebred has been sharp overall - would be no surprise to
see her repeat with the rail draw. (4) KEEP ROCKIN A will probably be a bit overbet off last week's big
rally, but she's clearly feeling good right now, and Tetrick knows how to push her buttons - very possible.
(5) KARMA SEELSTER was beaten (by #1) as the 2/5 choice last week with no real excuses - eligible to
rebound here, but make sure to get a decent price if using her on top. (2) BEST HEAD WEST is somewhat
of an enigma - she's blossomed into a legitimate Open performer, but she seems to have developed a habit
of stalling BADLY on the final turn, then finding her life again into the stretch and charging home - that's
going to catch up with her eventually! (6) JODY seems to have fallen well off form - pass for now.
RACE 8 - (3) MISSISSIPPI STORM is ultra reliable from start to start, comes off a win in his last (vs. a bit
cheaper) and really gets a break by winning the 3-7 draw -- figures to hold a tactical advantage over his
main foes tonight, and that may allow him to make it 2 in a row. (5) WARRIOR ONE has been on what
seems like a never ending form spree, and he's thrived here at Yonkers for the past 3 seasons (24-6-8-4) --
has shown that he CAN race well from off the pace if necessary, and has to be seen as a threat almost any
week he's in to go. (6) STORMY KROMER got his nose up at the wire to take his last - that wasn't nearly
as big a surprise as the 9-1 price he paid (awfully good for a horse that's won this race as often as he has) -
another that's eligible to get his picture taken almost every start. (4) STREET GOSSIP had the look of an
Open trotter from the time he arrived here in February, and did indeed beat these on 3/4 - been away for 3
weeks since then, however, and that may leave him just a little short this week. (2) HAYEK was really
sharp for a while, but does seem to have slipped a notch the last couple of starts - will need to get back to
that top form if he hopes to be a serious threat again. (1) HUNTING AS is in unfamiliar territory up at this
level, but he's definitely sharp - we'll see if the inside draw can help him bring home a piece. (7) HAT
TRICK MARLEAU showed that he can hang with these the last couple of weeks, and is quickly becoming
the barn's latest "Trotting ATM" - may be in a tough spot tonight, however.
RACE 9 - (1) MOONLIGHT SHADOW struggled vs. the "open" 40s last week but drops back down to the
age-restricted 30s for tonight, and his last 3 starts at this level produced a win and two 2nds - gets to call the
shots from this spot, and could be the one to beat. (2) TOWNLINE FLIGHT was a solid 10-1-3-2 here last
year and wasn't bad in his return last week, finishing well to just miss 3rd behind a trio of solid rivals - at
20-1 ML, he's certainly worth at least a look. (4) BOLT OF LUCK is another dropping back down in class
to the level he just recently beat - could be a major threat here, but not a fan of that 8/5 ML price! (3) REM
EMBER THE BEACH drops in for a tag this week and seems like a good fit against these - worth using in
exotics. (5) THIRD EDITION will likely take plenty of action upon arrival from Ohio and it's hard to say
how he stacks up against the locals - demand a decent price if using on top here. (6) KEYSTONE DASH
throws way more clunkers than good ones, but can't blame anybody for taking a shot with ANYTHING this
amazing barn sends out...especially at a nice price. (8) FOLLOW YOUR HEART tried to be aggressive last
week and caved badly on the front end - figures to take back to last here, and that's going to make it hard
for him to be a contender. (7) ROCKIN THE ARENA picked up a nice 2nd upon arrival last week but that
was with a good trip, v. cheaper - this spot will be a LOT tougher for him.
RACE 10 - Another tough race: (1) ROCK OF CASHEL qualified back nicely, and was 3rd in his first start
back (in NJ) - really wasn't bad in last week's hot mile, and should be looking at a good trip from the pole
tonight - youthful 12YO worth a look here, as long as the price is fair. (6) KASHA V is often ignored at the
windows but he's actually been very good in a lot of recent starts, including last week's 2nd to the currently
clicking HEY LIVVY - relies on a live trip to do his damage, but just may land in the live flow he needs
tonight. (5) SECRET BRO had a useful tightener last week for the terrific training tandem, and may be
ready for an aggressive try tonight - he's definitely a good fit with these. (4) VOYAGE TO PARIS was a
sharp pocket rocket winner on 2/23, then making a nice wide move on the final turn when he broke the next
week - decent value horse to consider for exotics. (3) IM THE MUSCLE (needlessly) forced a blazing
:26.3 quarter before yielding last week, and did actually finish up ok after finally clearing a shuffle - seems
better suited vs. a bit cheaper, but it wouldn't be a total shock to see him land somewhere on the ticket. (7)
STEUBEN HANOVER makes his first start off the claim and lands the worst possible post - may have
trouble working out a manageable trip from this spot. (2) HOCKEY HANOVER steps up off a pair of
victories, but may have a much harder time against these better foes.
RACE 11 - (1) STONEBRIDGE DUEL showed huge potential from day one....but has spent far more time
on the sidelines than on the racetrack for much of his career - he's finally back racing every week, and ships
in from Fhd. off a good looking 2nd - won't offer much value here, but he does look ready to beat these. (3)
FEELIN WESTERN raced well and kept sharp upstate, and should fit just fine with these in his YR return
- gets Jordan back in the bike, and the pair teamed up for a win on 1/11 - live player. (6) KEYSTONE
NOLAN has a few recent wins and was just reclaimed by the barn that won with him 2 starts down - worth
using. (7) ROCKIN JUKEBOX has held form pretty well even as he moved through a few different barns -
will need quite a bit of trip luck from out here, but a big price makes him worth considering (at least for
exotics). (5) MARLBANK ROAD is hard to gauge as he may or may not need another start or two before
we see his best - mixed feelings. (4) AIR GUITAR was winless here in 16 starts before wiring cheaper last
week - was reclaimed by a barn that wasn't nearly as successful when they had him, and that makes him
hard to endorse as the 5/2 ML choice! (2) RISKY MILLION moves up in class after being "just ok" with
lesser. (8) ROLLING WITH SAM drops, but never belonged in those higher classes in the first place.
RACE 12 - (3) B NICKING made a HUGE recovery after a break last week (a break he might have made
by being uncomfortable coming off the gate) - can go right to the top here, control the action, and get it
done...like he did two back. (6) THE LAST CHAPTER was able to hit the lead in his 3rd start back and
wire similar last week - remains a danger against these too. (2) AWESOME TRIX has PLENTY of ability
but has gone offstride in her last 3 pari mutuel starts - if you think she can behave tonight, give her a shot...
as long as the price is worthwhile. (4) NEXTROUNDSME has been our pick a few times and he just seems
to disappoint more often than he delivers - probably a good week to use him now that WE are jumping
ship! (1) MY BOY CHRISTIAN is a "steady" sort who tends to just keep on grinding, waiting for
something good to happen (almost got him a 22-1 upset win last week!) - don't see him beating these, but a
piece is not out of reach. (5) OOH RAH has a few decent tries at these higher levels but generally does his
damage vs. a bit lesser - tough spot tonight. (8) WINDSONG PIONEER popped out of the pocket at a big
price last week, went by the leader but couldn't find enough at the end to keep it going (at 22-1, first start
off the layoff) - had he not drawn so poorly here, he would have been ranked much higher up. (7) PAPPY
GO GO could really use a class drop, and better post.