RACE 1 - (1) SHARED INTEREST A put in a solid effort at Fhd. last week despite racing off a bad date -
draws the pole tonight, gets Stratton at the lines, and certainly looks like the one they'll have to catch, and
beat. (3) DA BOOGIE MAN isn't really "sharp", but he's still racing better than most of these - logical
threat to land somewhere on the ticket. (4) PILGRIM CAVIAR made a break in his local debut but his
upstate lines suggest he can hang with these IF he minds his manners tonight. (6) CLYCLONE MAXIMUS
never really found a gear last week but persevered well enough to pick up a (distant) 2nd - move outside
and loss of Brennan will hurt his chances tonight, though. (5) ALL NIGHT CREDIT seems to have gone
the wrong way since a recent barn change - if he can get back to his better form, he'd have a chance at a
piece of this. (2) CHECKMATE HILL really hasn't been sharp for some time - best asset tonight is the
draw, but that may not be enough. (8) CREWS HILLTOPPER has held his own with better here not that
long ago but he draws Post 8 off a month, and we'll wait for a better scenario before hopping on board. (7)
MOMMS MY DAD has really been struggling - needs a major wake up call.
RACE 2 - (5) BIZET was a jogburger off the layoff at Fhd. last week - returns to YR at a level well below
the NW15000 field he beat back on 9/18 (at 126-1!), and the barn also sent out a 40-1 winner last week -
won't be anything close to that price tonight, but he's definitely the one to knock off. (4) IN MY DREAMS
was a solid 2nd best vs. better last week, and the streaky veteran would have been the clear choice tonight if
not for the presence of #5 - next in line should the top one falter. (1) WILLIE B WORTHY faces much
tougher after obliterating cheaper last week, but the good draw should put him close enough to grab a good
chunk tonight too. (7) TIMESTORM lands in a tough spot upon arrival from Canada but as noted here
recently, his barn is currently clicking both in NY and NJ - ok to include underneath. (2) WISHFUL MAR
has been unable to build off that promising try here on 12/9, but has last week's tightener under her belt and
may be ready to deliver a better effort - maybe 3rd/4th? (6) AWOL HANOVER seems a little overmatched,
but may be able to take home a minor share. (3) SEVEN KNIGHTS benefited from a pocket trip and tiring
leader to beat cheaper last week - may not be as fortunate against these, however. (8) KING CAST draws
Post 8 off a sick scratch - pass for now.
RACE 3 - (5) DASHINTOTHEBEACH N hit board in 4 of her 5 Yonkers starts (8 hole in the other), and
showed that she can race on or off the pace - she debuts tonight for a high % upstate outfit, and figures to
be a decent enough price - good week to give her a look. (3) KATHYS MOMENT has won 4 of her last 5
starts, the lone loss being here to a razor sharp Gabbys Girl (in a fiery 1:53.1 mile) - looks like the one to
beat, but she's been away since 12/17 and figures to be heavily backed. (4) SEA OF LOVE BC was just 2
for 24 here last year, but did hit board in 8 of those losses - barn had a winner off the layoff last week (Ideal
Artillery), so this mare would hardly be a shock. (6) FASTERTHANARUMOR was caught way back last
start and really wasn't bad - she draws outside all of her main foes tonight, and that will likely leave her
looking at only a smaller piece....ok to include underneath. (7) AINT SHE PERFECT does have ability, but
doesn't seem to be clicking (yet) since returning from the layoff - one to watch for future consideration. (2)
LENA wasn't doing all that much down at Dover - we'll see if she can improve locally for a new barn. (1)
PINEBUSH SWEETLIFE seems better suited to face a NW2 field - not sure the rail assignment is enough
to make her a contender. (8) CATIE FAYE HANOVER lands Post 8 after missing 6 weeks - pass for now.
]
RACE 4 - (2) IT AINT THE WHISKY was caught too far back early on last week and never had a prayer -
the start before that was more like it, however, when he came up 2nd best to a sharp Emotions Riches - he's
used to facing much better, and anything close to his "A Game" would make him very tough tonight. (6)
BIG BAD SWAN just never really took off for his current connections (after a purchase from a low profile
upstate crew) - he did win 2 of his 15 local starts, and this field is definitely in his comfort zone...could be
the main danger. (3) CHIEF JUSTICE is pretty unpredictable from start to start, but he has won here in the
past, and he can make some noise in here if the "good" version shows up. (5) HOBBS is still in the same
funk that prevailed through all of his (disappointing) 4YO campaign - chance for a small piece, but will
need to really pick up his game for a chance at a top prize. (4) TIME OUT JAIL was an ok 3rd in a slow
mile in his YR return - the 11YO may need easier at this point to be a threat, but a minor share is within
reach. (1) TOTAL DIVA was dismal in a pair of 2022 starts, and hard to recommend...even from the pole.
(7) TIDQUIST will get a longer look when he drops in class, and draws much better.
RACE 5 - (2) STICK WITH ME KID steps up a notch but last week's 8 hole victory was so dominant, it
really shouldn't be a problem for him (and while his barn is always "hot", it's actually been smoking lately)!
(7) ABSATTITUDEEXPRESS is a classy mare, closing on $400K lifetime - she no doubt has the ability to
beat much better than these, but she's also making her first try over the track, and from a difficult post -
still, the one with the best shot at upending the top choice. (5) STONE IN LOVE has gone some big miles
here in the past, so it was no surprise to see her race very well last week upon arrival from Stga. - use in
exotics. (1) DRAZZMATAZZ is a solid fit from this spot, but he's been idle since 12/17 and may not be
ready to show his best. (6) LOOK IN MY EYES actually went off favored against the top choice last week
but came up a non-threatening 2nd best - chance to land somewhere on the ticket again tonight. (3) VOLA
RE chased the top one from the pocket last week and held 2nd a long way before finally weakening to 4th -
seems a notch below the top ones in here, but the good draw gives him a chance for a minor share. (4)
MANHATTANUP NO ICE couldn't last on the lead vs. cheaper last week, weakening to 2nd - may find
these a little too tough. (8) FASHION FOREVER rallied very nicely for 3rd last week and has gone some
good efforts lately - has an awfully long way to come tonight, though.
RACE 6 - (1) SULLIVAN had been "sneaky ok" in a couple of recent starts so it was really no surprise to
see him pull off the upset last week...but the EASE of victory was definitely worth nothing - steps up to 25s
this week but also catches a field where the main players are a little iffy - definitely a chance he can repeat.
(6) JOJOS PLACE dropped from 40s to 25s last week and came up with a better effort - if he can build a
bit off that mile, he can be a legit threat tonight. (8) MY MIND IS MADEUP just flew off the car last week
(for his new connections), enjoyed a big lead into the stretch but got a little tired late, and let it slip away
(finishing 2nd) - will almost certainly be blasting again (despite Post 8), and he's worth using as long as the
price is fair. (5) STARK HANOVER has improved in his two starts since being claimed on 12/10, finishing
2nd both times - include in exotics once more. (2) PLAY THE FIELD enjoyed an outstanding 2021 season
but doesn't seem to be on his best game right now - maybe can take home a small piece? (4) BRANDON
HANOVER seems better suited vs. a bit easier - maybe can rally for a small piece with an easy enough
trip? (3) IDEAL STAR N gets a new pilot tonight, after a couple of brutal trips the past 2 weeks....but he
just hasn't been good in a while, especially since the claim 4 starts back. (7) MISTER SPOT A is
struggling, and lands Post 7 - still in "watch mode" for now.
RACE 7 - (2) LUCKY MATTER was an impressive first over winner in this class last week, and also
jogged at this level back in November - catches a short, overall modest field tonight, and will be heavily
favored to win his 2nd in a row. (4) MAJESTIC MARVEL followed the top choice last week, and ended up
about a length back in 3rd - will need to find a bit more if he hopes to turn the tables on that one tonight. (5)
DC ANNA has proven that she can hang with these, finishing 2nd three starts back, and only beaten by a
couple of lengths in her last pair - definitely a chance to land somewhere on the board tonight with a decent
trip. (1) EVA DAIRPET FR only has one start in over 7 weeks, and may be just be a bit cheaper than the
main players - prefer a few others in here. (3) INNISFALLEN has ability, but always seems to disappoint
here at Yonkers - waiting for a good local effort before hopping back on his team. (6) MUFASAAS has
been racing well lately, but vs. easier - short field helps, but landing all the way outside doesn't.
RACE 8 - (4) BITTY BITTY has taken 6 of 7 local starts, and has been razor sharp in her last two victories
- the winner of the one race she lost is in here tonight (BEST HEAD WEST), but that one has been away
since 12/16....we'll look for Bitty to get her revenge tonight. (5) BEST HEAD WEST is a perfect 3 for 3
since arriving from Canada and as mentioned, defeated the top choice on 12/1 - she's been idle for 6 weeks,
though, and may be spotting her main foe too much of a conditioning edge this week - we shall see! (1)
LINE EM UP doesn't get a lot of respect but she races well most weeks, and could be looking at an easy
trip tonight - maybe can land somewhere in the exotics? (3) ANDRA DAY was no factor in his first start of
2022 (bad date, 7 hole) but finished 2nd to the top choice with a more aggressive effort last week - chance
for another good piece tonight. (2) EXTRILLA HANOVER was aggressive off the bad date last start and
came up just a little short at the end - the inside draw puts her in play for a piece of this. (7) THEBEACHIS
CALLING was no factor for her new barn last week (off the winter break) but really wasn't bad finishing -
would have picked her higher tonight if not for the terrible draw. (6) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE has 2 wins and a
3rd for her current barn, but tonight's draw may leave her with a difficult trip - prefer others. (8) HEAVENI
SSOFARAWAY seemed way overbet last week but the public had it right, as she hit the top and jogged -
steps up and lands Post 8 this week, and will be hard pressed to replicate that big effort here.
RACE 9 - (3) CON AIR HALL drops off a pair of ok 3rds, catches a shaky field, and will likely get a very
aggressive steer from Bongiorno - wouldn't bet the rent money on him, but he does get top billing. (7)
HAMMER CREEK's last line doesn't look all that impressive, but he actually raced pretty well, despite a
tough trip - not a bad bomb to consider if looking for a last race longshot. (1) MY BOY CHRISTIAN was
terrible in his first start of 2022, and just "dull" in his last - would be a big threat from this spot if he
decided to show up with his best effort, but hard to bank on that happening off his last couple. (2) SHAKE
IT OFF LINDY went an even effort in NJ last week for a new trainer, off a bad date - may be able to build
off that mile, and have some say upon arrival. (5) CR BLAZIN BEAUTY drops and gets a better post -
license to improve, but hard to endorse at that 3-1 ML price. (4) TAX SAVINGS is one of the few horses
that just hasn't clicked upon joining this high % outfit - needs to find more than he's been showing. (8)
THANKS FOR LEAVING was handled aggressively last week but folded badly - guessing she'll probably
be stuck too far back to make any noise tonight. (6) PREACHER MAN is struggling at the moment -
waiting for some better signs before considering again.