RACE 1 - (5) MARK WITHA K looked like a standout last week and was (properly) sent off as the 1/2
choice....but Kakaley inexplicably failed to retake command from a 16-1 shot, and lost all chance (of
winning) when that one gave way and tired to last - we'll give "Special K" a pass for that (very) rare poor
drive, and look to stay on board tonight...at a better price. (2) EXPLOIT came up a just a little light when
favored 2 back, but was very sharp in taking his last - could land on a beautiful trip here, and definitely has
a shot to repeat. (1) KEYSTONE PHOENIX was instantly transformed into a new horse after joining this
barn in April, and has been on an amazing tear ever since - clearly the one to catch and beat, but he's going
to be a very short price from this spot! (4) QUALITY BUD got his first decent draw last week (since his
return from the layoff) and actually raced better than his line might look- may add some value to the exotics
(6) MOTIVE HANOVER was a steady 4th last week after winning in this class in his prior 2 starts - faces a
big disadvantage tonight starting outside several main rivals...small piece? (3) PADUKA N raced well in
both recent YR starts, from horrible posts - moves inside tonight after being claimed, but he may just be a
little bit cheaper than these. (7) CINNAMACK has done good work since the recent claim but he's
probably pushing his luck up at the $75K level....especially from Post 7. (8) WATERWAY needs an easier
class, and much better post!
RACE 2 - (3) BIG BAD SWAN was a very sharp winner two back, grinding it out first over then digging
in gamely for the win - no chance from Post 8 last week (but still rallied for 4th), and now moves back
inside - worth a shot in here. (1) WILD AND CRAZY GUY "figures" every week, is right there almost
every start, but he hasn't WON since April, and is listed at even money on the ML - it would seem the value
is in taking a shot against him (on top). (6) IN MY DREAMS is an in and outer, but definitely brought his
best when 2nd last week - a similar effort puts him into the mix tonight. (7) HOMER HALL shipped in
sharp from Indiana, and picked up a win and a 2nd in his first 2 local starts - made a break last week,
however, and now gets stuck all the way outside - maybe if the price is big enough. (5) ABSOLUT UNCE
RTENTY lost all chance after an early miscue last week but he was a big upset winner the start before, and
a nice 3rd 4 starts down - willing to include underneath. (4) ZIG ZAG is as inconsistent as they come, but
may be a notch below even if he brings his best tonight. (2) MUSCLE STAR picks up some checks, but has
been in need of some class relief for some time.
RACE 3 - (5) IM SIR BLAKE A has a strong Yonkers history and won't be facing the likes of American
Courage, This Is The Plan, Jacks Legend, etc, tonight - if he can work out a decent trip, he can come out on
top here. (2) TRACEUR HANOVER is really feeling good these days, as his last 2 victories can attest to -
gets a free ride off last week's blowout, and the millionaire is a major threat to extend his streak to 3. (4)
MOVIN ON UP just missed 2nd last week at the Open level - should appreciate the drop, and can have a
big say here. (3) ROCK THE DEVIL gets both post and class relief, but has only one win from 15 local
starts (last 3 years) - would consider if the price is good enough. (1) MIKES Z TAM has been good for
some time, and draws the pole - may be a notch below the top ones, however. (7) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH
wasn't really a surprising winner last week, but the EASE with which he won was definitely unexpected -
his barn has enjoyed a fine year so far, but this may be a spot that gives him some difficulty. (6) PEACE
OUT POSSE still can come up with some big efforts, but his last few tries at this level have been lacking -
needs to be sharper. (8) SHADOW CAT comes off a solid win, but the class jump combined with the move
from the rail to Post 8 really figure to slow him down considerably.
RACE 4 - (1) BARBADOS was in a no prayer spot in his first try against the 75s (for a new barn) but still
only lost by 3 lengths - he moves all the way inside now, and Kakaley can handle him more aggressively -
the one to beat, assuming he has no early miscues. (4) APEX SEELSTER showed that his Stga. form was
"for real" when he finished with plenty of pace for 2nd last week behind the streaking BENJIS BEST - his
barn is strong right now, and he may be able to have a say tonight...even bumping up to the $75K level. (2)
AMERICAN BOY N normally does his best vs. easier, but he's been very good lately, and deserves respect
from this spot - certainly one to include in exotics. (7) WICHITA LINEMAN took a new lifetime mark two
back in his 195th career start, and that last effort was sharper than it looks on paper - he's good enough right
now for a chance to beat these...IF Bartlett can find some kind of manageable trip for him. (3) AIR FORCE
HANOVER really would prefer to be in cheaper, but draws well enough got at least a chance at a small
piece. (5) REAL PEACE was stuck making a long uncovered bid last week and couldn't sustain it into the
lane - an easier trip could put him in play for a small share. (6) HEISMAN PLAYER is normally a rock
solid 75 but he moves to a barn that has struggled when taking horses from our leading trainers - and may
suffer the same fate with this guy. (8) PERFECTLY CLOSE would need some major trip luck to have any
impact from all the way out here.
RACE 5 - (2) FORTIFY was a little hard to get a read on off his handful of Canadian starts this year but he
certainly raced super in his Yonkers debut, rallying from well back to be a close 2nd behind the very well
meant winner - he debuts tonight for a new barn, and we'll look for a big effort from him. (6) HIGHLAND
BEACHSBEST had been having a spotty work schedule but will finally race tonight in back to back weeks
- look for a sharper effort now, with a chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (5) SAULSBROOK HERO
had a couple of "meh" 4ths after that impressive 3 race win streak, but last week's 4th looked a lot crisper -
a live trip could see him rally for a share tonight. (3) EHRMANTROUT beat (much) cheaper in his last 2 at
Chester, but he certainly did so with authority - it's possible that he built up enough confidence with those
wins to contend for a piece against these tougher ones tonight. (7) ONE EIGHT HUNDRED is just 1 for 10
so far as a 4YO but he's faced some stiff competition in a few of those starts - would have liked his chances
a bit more had he not drawn so poorly for his Hilltop debut. (4) GENIUS MAN hasn't been bad by any
means - but he also hasn't been "good enough" to have major appeal against these - maybe can land a
smaller share? (1) WAR DAN DELIGHT N has five 2nds from his last 9 starts, but facing much softer - not
sure he can hang with these at the end, even starting from the pole. (8) PAT MCGARRY A ships back to
YR in undeniably sharp form, but faces a tall order from all the way out here.
RACE 6 - (1) B LIKE CRUISER made an extended move 2 back (off the claim) to rally for 2nd behind the
razor sharp BENJIS BEST - ended up parked the mile from Post 7 last week and incredibly was still 2nd on
the final turn (after chasing the fiery 1:21.4 clip) and lasted for 4th in the 1:50.1 mile - would be pretty hard
to go against him from the pole tonight...even at a very short price. (4) BECKHAMS Z TAM has shown
that he can hold his own at this level - one of several in the hunt for the place spot tonight. (2) MACH
DORO A appreciated a couple of races at a reduced level (a 2nd and a win) - hard to gauge his return to 50s
last week (Post 8), but the guess is that he'll be able to chase pretty well from his inside post tonight. (8)
CONBOYVILLE may have a hard time getting involved from Post 8 but IF he does, he's good enough right
now for a chance at a piece...at a nice price. (5) ALOTBETTOR N was claimed after dropping down to
$40K last week and now bumps back up for his new connections - good enough for a piece if the tip goes
his way. (3) LL MYSTRO is good right now, but the move up to 50s may not agree with him- sticking with
others until he proves he can hang with these. (6) KINNDER JACKSON quickly went the wrong way after
being claimed by this team - waiting for better signs before considering. (7) BETOR B OSCAR figures to
be too far back to have any real say tonight.
RACE 7 - (1) SMOKIN BY N was locked on a line and impossible to steer 2 starts back - he was claimed
that night, and looked like a new horse last week, delivering an eye opening "brush and crush" win against
the 40s, pacing his final half in a sizzling :54.1 - hard to say if he can do the same thing against the 75s -
but as long as he's a fair price, we'll give him a shot. (3) CHANGE STRIDE N has been very good for his
past several starts and the 11YO now has been first or second 22X over the past year and a half - legitimate
shot here. (2) DON DOMINGO N has been a solid player at this level since recently being claimed for
$50K - can be right in the mix again tonight. (5) ROLLING WITH SAM was no factor in his first 3 tries
for this barn but he took all the $$ last week, quarter moved to command and was able to hang on - license
to repeat, but others will be offering better value. (8) MAJOR BETTS draws Post 8 tonight after being
away for 3 weeks and has just one win from his 22 starts here in 2021-22 -- he's sharp enough to include
underneath, but we'll stick with others for the top spot. (4) TELL THEM LOU has been away since April
and figures to need a start or two. (6) JESSE DUKE N is another that hasn't clicked since being claimed
recently by this crew - waiting for better signs. (7) FINE DIAMOND was razor sharp in back to back wins
before bleeding on 5/9 - returns tonight on Lasix, but we'll just watch, for now.
RACE 8 - Wide open: (2) IM A GIGOLO N has 4 wins from his 20 local starts, and was racing well here
against these types back in May/June - figures to be a good price, and he's just one of many who could
come out on top here. (4) DIAMONDBEACH would be very tough at this level if anything close to 100%
but he comes into this off 4 weeks (sick scratch), and it would be hard to accept a short price right now. (7)
CARLISIMO has been right there with better in his last few starts, and the only real knock here is the draw
- If Buter can find him a decent trip, he may be able to beat these. (1) MANKAT looked super in his first
few tries after the recent barn change but has come to earth a bit in the last couple (vs. better) - drop and the
rail may perk him tonight, though. (5) MULLINAX banged out $224K as a 3YO but like so many others,
he's still trying to establish himself at 4 - his starts have been mixed, but his best effort would make him a
player tonight - wouldn't take a short price, though. (6) THE REAL ONE looked like he was coming
around then stepped up to outbattle MACH N CHEESE last start (who came back to win his next couple) -
not sure if this guy will be able to reach from this spot, however. (3) DARLINGS DRAGON has climbed
the class ladder recently on the strength of 4 straight solid efforts - may find THIS crew a little too tough,
but we'll find out tonight. (8) HERRICKROOSEVELT N is struggling right now - Post 8 won't help.
RACE 9 - (3) AMERICAN COURAGE was a winner the last 2X he didn't have to face (new world record
holder) BULLDOG HANOVER and co., and he has an outstanding 8 for 10 Yonkers slate - gets a good
draw for his YR return, and that makes him worth top billing. (7) JACKS LEGEND N had a rough couple
of weeks recently but seems to be back to his old self - loves racing here at YR, and that 8-1 ML price
makes him worth considering. (4) RED RIGHT HAND was a little hard to read off his recent out of town
form but he was clearly happy to be back at Yonkers last week, finishing a sharp 2nd from the pocket - the
good draw should put him in the hunt tonight, as well. (2) IGNATIUS A was a strong performer Down
Under and he's gone some big miles since arriving in the U.S. - good tightener at Chester last week (off 5
weeks), and could definitely make some noise tonight. (8) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N was a big earner
Down Under so it's no surprise to see him hitting on all cylinders right now - he might have beaten
TATTOO ARTIST and LEONIDAS A 2 weeks ago if he had more room, then was a sharp winner last week
- hard to say if he'll be able to find a way into the race from Post 8, though. (5) NO LOU ZING has been
racing ok at these top levels, but does seem to need easier to threaten for a top prize. (1) SEMI TOUGH has
been away since April and the guess is that he'll need at least a start before we see his best. (6) NONE
BETTOR A usually races on/near the lead so it was surprising to see him score the big upset from off the
pace last start - clearly he's sharp, but he gets a tough draw in a tough field for tonight.
RACE 10 - (3) CHASE H HANOVER was caught in no-man's land from early on last week and his 3 race
win streak never had a chance to increase - gets a better draw, goes back to Kakaley, and definitely will
have a chance to make amends. (4) PYRO was an excellent 2nd to the well-regarded HELLABALOU last
week, after finishing 2nd to the razor sharp TRACEUR HANOVER the week before - always a big threat
at this level. (5) FEELIN WESTERN dropped out of the Open last week and was right there 3rd in a well
meant effort - would be no surprise at all. (2) ALWAYS AND AGAIN is more comfortable vs. a little
easier, but the inside draw gives him at least a shot at a minor piece. (1) ILL DRINK TO THAT looked
vulnerable heading into last week and while he did prevail, he was all out vs. cheaper - at that 2-1 ML
price, it seems like a good spot to take a shot against him. (8) ROCKAPELO is clicking right now, and
would have surely been rated higher if not for Post 8 - at 20-1 ML, he's still worth including on some
tickets. Both (6) GINGRAS BEACH and (7) WALKINSHAW will be hard pressed to reach tonight.
RACE 11 - (4) BENJIS BEST crushed the 20s, crushed the 40s, then made a big brush to beat the 50s last
week...with a 1:50.1 mile - he goes for 4 in a row tonight, and will be the odds on choice to do so. (1) EL
JACKO N is right in the hunt every week and did pick up the pocket victory last week - looking at another
good trip...and probably another good piece. (2) BALLERAT BOOMERANG just missed last time in his
first try for our dominant trainer/driver combination - should have another big say here. (3) IDEAL STAR
N wasn't bad from Post 8 last week with Dustin Blumenfeld filling in at the lines - he's a little cheap on
paper, but may be sharp enough to add some value to the exotics. (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW was 2nd in
this class on 6/13, then a close 4th dropping back to this level last week - another good value horse for the
exotics. (6) ARRHYTHIMIC SURGE is a bit of a sluggo at times but he drops in class and gets reunited
with Joey B. - for whom this barn's horses always seem to go well for. (7) MACINTOSH N rattled off 3
straight for our leading barn before tiring last week - goes for another very high % outfit now, but the draw
may be an issue. (8) DARK ENERGY N was solid last week off the sick scratch - long way to come
tonight, though, and may have trouble getting himself in play.