RACE 1 - (3) NEXT BIG THING went off at 108-1 in a $15K claimer on 2/11 and finished a well beaten
6th - since then he's won 3 of 4 (beaten by a neck in the loss), and that includes last week's crushing of the
40s - takes on the 50s tonight, and has a solid chance to beat these too! (1) KINNDER JACKSON was a
wire to wire in his last 2 starts, and moves from one mega-high % barn to another - clearly the main danger.
(6) ROBBIE BURNS N was right there 2 and 3 starts back but took off the gate last week and never had a
prayer - if Stratton is willing to handle him a little more aggressively tonight, he may be able to find his
way into the exotics. (4) CRUZING HILL was terrific 4 starts back when he flew home to beat the 30s off a
long layoff - been no factor in his last 3 tries against the 50s, but 3 terrible posts may have something to do
with that - license to be closer tonight with the post improvement. (2) LACHIE MAGUIRE N hasn't had
much success in this class lately, but draws well enough for a chance to tow along for a small piece. (5)
THE DOWNTOWN BUS seemed a bit overmatched vs. the 75s - drop may help, but he's also been away
for 3 weeks - minor share? (7) DARK ENERGY was razor sharp to close out 2021 but has struggled to find
that form in 2022 - tonight's draw won't help his cause. (8) SUMTHINBOUTIM draws Post 8 after being
away for 3 months - pass for now.
RACE 2 - (3) MACH DORO A perked up with a very sharp win over cheaper 3 back - solid 2nd best to
ROCKATHON in his next, then hit the wire with good energy from an impossible spot in last - barn is
finally starting to come around, and this guy seems like a pretty good value play at that 12-1 ML price. (5)
AIR FORCE HANOVER has been good for awhile, and probably is in his best form since arriving here last
year - very dangerous if he lands on a manageable trip. (1) PRINCE MCARDLE N has rallied well late a
bunch of times, often close at the wire - legitimate threat from this spot, if he lands on the right trip (his
barn is 0 for 20 here this year, but winning plenty of races across the river)! (2) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N
threw a dull one last time after finishing 1st or 2nd four straight times - can be a big threat if he can bounce
back to that previous top form. (6) VELOCITY KOMODO has held form beautifully for a long time, but
will be at the mercy of his trip from this spot - if things get testy up front, his chances go up considerably.
(4) WEONA SIZZLER A was a winner in his last 2 starts, but steps back up to a level where he's struggled
in the past - leaning towards others. (7) PADUKA N raced much better than expected (in this class) 2 back,
but was very disappointing vs. much cheaper in his last - hard to know what we'll get from him tonight. (8)
PATRIOT NATION wasn't as sharp in his last pair, and now is stuck behind the 8 ball.
RACE 3 - Borgata Series, Leg #1: (5) THIS IS THE PLAN makes his 2022 debut in the series that he won
last year, with an outstanding performance from Post 8 (as part of his $806K season!) - his qualifiers
suggest that he'll be ready right out of the box, and his barn rarely sends them out short - we'll give the
reigning champ the call, despite the time off. (7) AMERICAN HISTORY still has a ton of ability, but was a
little unreliable last year (when he only banked $84K) - he's looked much better so far in 2022 (across the
river), and we'll look for him to be a big player tonight, despite the difficult draw. (4) FUNATTHEBEACH
has been a hard knocker here for the past 2 seasons, mostly at the top levels - could easily pick up a piece
tonight in his sharp current form. (3) CHASE H HANOVER showed a ton of potential at 2, equaling the
world record for freshman geldings on a half mile track - some tough spots against the top of his class at 3
resulted in just a 3 win campaign last year, but he still earned nearly $370K - he qualified sharply in NJ but
his local prep definitely suggests he could be ready for action tonight - we'll see how he fits against his
elders. (1) WALKNAFTER MIDNITE made a break in his first local try but rebounded with an excellent
2nd last week - may be a little cheap, but the inside draw could help him grab a share. (2) SONNY WEAV
ER N may be a little on the cheaper side but he did win here 3 back, and may land on a good trip from this
spot - chance for a minor share. (6) TOWN GOSSIP certainly has plenty of local experience, going
10-3-6-0 at 2 and 3 - can't fault his preps, but he draws outside tonight and will be facing tough older foes
for the first time - sticking with others this week. (8) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH won 8 races and $428K
at 3, and was the January sale topper at a whopping $390K - that being said, this a very tough spot to start
off his 4YO campaign!
RACE 4 - Borgata Series, Leg #1: (5) DRAGON SAID looked super in his first 2 starts of the year but just
wasn't quite as sharp last week, and had to settle for 2nd best (to the tripsitter, who has been sharp for a
long time) - catches a fairly modest division tonight, and certainly deserves top billing...but wouldn't bet the
ranch on him at a short price! (6) NONE BETTOR A struggled in this series last year, but went plenty of
big miles later in the season - has just one qualifier since jogging here on 12/6, but he kicked home in :25.2
with his trainer in the bike - could be a decent value horse to consider. (4) ELVER HANOVER was a big
earner as a youngster, but had a more modest season last year at 4 - has looked very good so far in 2022 (in
Ohio), and should be able to make his presence felt tonight, as well. (7) POSEIDON SEELSTER has gone
some big miles when sharp, but on the bigger tracks - lands in a very tough spot for his YR debut, but he's
at least worth a look at that 20-1 ML price. (1) ILL DRINK TO THAT was a bit inconsistent at 3, but was
REALLY good when on his game (like when he won the NYSS Final, here at Yonkers) - shows a solid
enough qualifier, but he's been off 4 months, and his barn isn't really known to rush one...may need a start
or two before we see his best. (2) BRAEVIEW BONDI A goes for new connections tonight, and does seem
to be a notch below the main players. (3) SAVE ME A DANCE just hasn't been on his best game in recent
weeks - will need to be sharper to be a threat here. (8) SPLASH BROTHER can throw some big miles at
times, but he starts off the series from the worst possible post - wait for a better spot.
RACE 5 - Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #1: (7) AMERICAN DEALER N was sent off at even money against
a pretty solid field in his U.S. debut last week - it took him a while to get rolling first over but once he
kicked in through the lane, he looked super...scoring in 1:49.2 in his prep for this series - the poor draw
should make him a decent price here -- and that makes him worth a play. (1) WESTERN JOE was forced to
retreat to last early on last week and he gets a pass for that effort- was really sharpening prior to that, and he
may just take these wire to wire with the move all the way inside. (6) COVERED BRIDGE has been razor
sharp in NJ this winter, and even has a good looking "maintenance qualifier" in preparation for this series -
would be no surprise at all. (4) NICHOLAS BEACH is the "x factor" tonight - when on his game, he has a
ton of ability....but he's been idle since Nov., and hard to read off his lone qualifier - inclined to stick with
others here, but will at least glance at the tote board for some clues. (3) GROOVY JOE seems a notch
below the top players, but he may use his speed to land a good trip here...and that could help him take home
a piece. (5) DEAN B HANOVER is a very solid 4YO, but may be coming from too far back tonight for
anything more than a smaller piece. (2) WOODMERE STEALDEAL appears to be ambitiously placed in
this series as he arrives from Canada.
RACE 6 - Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #1: (1) LEONIDAS A showed he was serious about this series when
he was handled conservatively in his last start (still an excellent, rallying 2nd), and then took 3 weeks off in
preparation for the upcoming battles - couldn't have asked for a better spot for the first week, and he'll have
a good chance to trip out, and come out on top. (7) TATTOO ARTIST qualified sharply over in NJ and his
local start should serve as an excellent prep for tonight - gets no luck at all with the draw, but look for a
quick start and expect Dunn to find him a manageable trip...legitimate threat. (2) SHOOBEE DOO A may
not be as "classy" as some of the top ones in this series, but he has plenty of speed and throws more than his
share of very sharp efforts- he should be sitting close up throughout...with a chance to take home a good
chunk of this. (8) JACKS LEGEND N loves to win races, can handle any trip, and tries his heart out start
after start - his qualifier looks sharp but he draws Post 8 off 3 months, and may need a start before we see
his best. (4) SEMI TOUGH was off 3 weeks to his last and not on his best game - he's enjoyed plenty of
local success, however, and may be ready for a sharper tonight - include underneath. (3) CAPTAIN BARB
OSSA had a mixed season as a 4YO, and his 3 local starts were mixed as well - wouldn't be a shock here,
but others do look more appealing right now. (6) OSTRO HANOVER has done good things since being
claimed for $100K back in Nov. and was a winner here last week - may find himself compromised by the
draw for tonight, however. (5) TYGA HANOVER tries hard and is an overachiever...but may find this field
a little tougher than he can handle.
RACE 7 - Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #1: (1) NANDOLO N has enjoyed plenty of success since arriving
in the U.S. last year, much of it right here at Yonkers - has prepped beautifully for this series (2 qualifiers
and one start in NJ), and should get away fairly decently with the inside draw - look for him to be the
strong horse at the end. (6) LYONS STEEL is capable of a big speed try at any time, and should be feeling
pretty confident after last week's easy front end score - legitimate threat to take these wire to wire, if on his
best game. (7) BEE TWO BEE transitioned beautifully from the "NW8PM" class to facing top older pacers
last Fall - has returned sharp from a freshening, and a could do some damage tonight if Gingras can find
him a half-decent trip. (2) PAT STANLEY N has come a long way from causing that terrible wreck in NJ
last May, and comes into this series with 3 wins in his last 4 starts (albeit vs. cheaper) - may be sharp
enough right now to make some late noise...even against these tougher foes. (3) BELMONT MAJOR N
went some big miles here last Fall, and seems to have come back sharp upstate for new connections - may
be able to to hang with these too. (4) DIAMONDBEACH came up 2nd best to #6 last week - he can hang
with Open types at times, but may find this crew a bit tougher (overall) than he'd prefer. (5) IM SIR
BLAKE A has been a solid player for a while, but does seem a bit overmatched at this level.
RACE 8 - (6) RED RIGHT HAND really blossomed after arriving here in late November, rattling off 5
straight wins before finally finishing a close 4th in his first crack at the Open - has since proven himself at
this level, and is a rock solid performer week after week - may need a little trip luck from Post 6, but very
dangerous if he gets any. (7) SPEED MAN N has hit board in all 7 starts this year, and has taken 2 of the
last 3 Opens (knocking off #6 three starts back, and DRAGON SAID last week) - dangerous any week he's
in the box! (3) ON THE CARDS was solid here in 2021, even at the top levels - has returned sharp off the
layoff, and comes into tonight off a close 2nd behind AMERICAN DEALER N at The Swamp, last week -
at 8-1 ML, one worth considering for your tickets. (1) JOESSTAR OF MIA tries the Borgata Series after
banging heads week after week vs. the $100K claimers - may be a little overmatched, but note that his
amazing trainer has won 1/3 of his starts since December, and his horses have been 1st/2nd an incredible
50% of the time! (4) ROCK CANDY has been a real hard knocker for weeks, and can handle any trip that
comes his way - may be a notch below these, but we'll get a better gauge after tonight. (2) CASUAL COOL
is very good right now, and that last line can probably just be ignored (Post 8) - may find this group a little
tougher than he'd like, but at least he'll have every chance to be a player with the inside draw. (5) BUDDY
HILL comes off a career year in 2021, doing a ton of good work after joining a barn that has been elevating
fresh stock for some time - needed his last (off the layoff), and may need one more.
RACE 9 - (1) JESSE DUKE N has been holding his own vs. much better the past several starts, and now
drops back down to the level he wired as the odds-on choice back on 1/10 - look for a repeat of that effort.
(5) ALWAYS AND AGAIN gets some class relief after picking up a couple of smaller pieces vs. tougher -
expect an aggressive try with Yannick back on board. (7) MONEYMAN HILL was a bit disappointing last
start but was 2nd best to CASUAL COOL the start before that, and facing much better in most of his recent
starts as well - difficult post, but worth using in exotics at that 15-1 ML price. (2) THE WILD CARD has
been consistent lately for a barn that has started to warm up the past couple of weeks - another to include in
exotics tonight. (4) ON THE VIRG gave it an aggressive try in his 2nd start off the layoff and came up 2nd
best - may be able to build off that mile, but he's definitely facing a much tougher crew in here. (6)
SPRINGSTEEN was easily repelled by the leader the past 2 starts, and now moves up in class and draws
outside - perhaps he'll race better from OFF the pace here? (3) GIVENUPDREAMING used perfect trips to
grab wins in 2 of his last starts - faces much better now, and may find these just a bit out of his comfort
zone. (8) FLYING FINN N has been right there in his last 3 starts, but now double jumps and lands Post 8.
RACE 10 - (5) REVELRY has REALLY elevated his game since being claimed by this ultra-high % barn
(so much so that he actually was sent off FAVORED against WESTERN JOE two back, before coming up
2nd best) - didn't fire quite enough in the stretch last time (when 3rd), but he did pace a 3rd quarter in :27
just to get into contention - chance to pull off the mini upset tonight if he can work out a decent trip. (1)
ROCKAPELO has a win and two 2nds from his last 3 starts and the streaky veteran certainly seems to be
feeling pretty good these days - he'll be cutting this mile, and he's the one to knock off. (2) SOHO LENNO
N A wasn't quite on his best game last week but he picked up a win and a 2nd the prior two starts - has
rebounded from disappointing tries many times in the past, and could easily do so tonight. (4) ROCKATH
ON is at his best vs. a bit easier, but the decent draw at least puts him in play for a minor piece, with an
easy enough trip. (6) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH is another that thrives vs. a bit easier, but becomes a little
more iffy up at this level - outside draw doesn't help, either. (8) SHADOW CAT has been ok, but seems
unlikely to be able to have much impact from all the way out here. (7) CONBOYVILLE has been a model
of consistency, but has been helped by an abundance of inside posts (and easy trips) - may not be so
fortunate tonight. (3) RAUKAPUKA RULER N has been struggling to find his game since the layoff.
RACE 11 - Tough race: (1) WESTERN HILL has been VERY tough any time he's been on the lead, so it
was a bit of a surprise to see him handled so conservatively from the pole last week -- here's hoping that
Stratton tries him on the front end tonight, at what figures to be a better price than last week. (3) TONY
TOO TALL delivers solid tries week after week and he'll try his luck for the first time tonight for the
Dynamic Duo - clearly a major threat to take down the top prize. (5) JMS PERFECT TEN has really been
sharp since the 2/7 claim (excuse that line from 2/28 when he hooked wheels) - if the trip goes his way, an
upset is definitely possible. (2) AMERICAN BOY N drew Post 8 last week off a sick scratch and qualifier -
moves inside now, and should be a lot more serious....good one to include in exotics. (4) BETTOR BE
OSCAR A had no chance in his local debut but wasn't terrible - jury still out as to whether he fits with these
but not a bad bomb to throw in for 3rd tonight. (8) CHANGE STRIDE N beat the 30s twice then beat the
40s twice as well - has picked up a 2nd and a 4th since bumping up to this $50K level, but will need some
major trip luck to do as well from Post 8. (6) BALLERAT BOOMERANG wasn't bad when 2nd off the
claim 2 back but was no factor in his last moving up this level - will need to be sharper against these. (7)
SOHO WALLSTREET A is another that seems better suited against cheaper.
RACE 12 - (2) PRETTY HANDSOME jogged at this level back on 12/13 then just missed to CAVIART
LUCA the next week - struggled for the next few starts from bad posts (while up in class) but easily
returned to his winning ways with the class drop (and post relief) last week - gets to remain at the same
level, and looms a short priced repeater in the finale. (5) UNCLE JORD A was in impossible spots the last
2 weeks but wasn't bad either time - drops to a more suitable level, gets a much better draw, and could
definitely add some value to the exotics. (1) MARK WITHA K has some "ugly" recent lines but does have
valid excuses) - could easily be right there tonight with an uneventful journey. (6) JUST PLAIN LOCO
found a seam into the stretch 3 back and charged home to score the upset - finished with sneaky pace in his
next, and we'll just ignore that last start over the Fhd, slop - good bomb to use for 3rd/4th tonight. (4) HUD
SON PHIL ships down from Stga. and probably fits well with these - he's been away for 23 days, though,
so it's hard to say just how tight he'll be. (8) CAPTAIN FANCY has been away for 3 weeks and gets stuck
all the way outside - sticking with others, but will keep an eye on him...for the future. (3) COALITION
HANOVER has just one start in the last 5 weeks but at least it was a win (vs. easier, at PcD) - mixed
feelings about his chances for tonight. (7) QUALITY BUD charged home to win in 2 of his last 3, but vs.
much easier than these - hard to see him reaching from Post 7 against this bunch.