RACE 1 – (2) CREATIVE VENTURE hasn’t raced in 6 weeks but the barn did pop a winner on Monday night off a
similar layoff, and this guy comes off a solid 2023 season – may be able to deliver at a price in tonight’s opener. (4)
DIAMANTE TRIO IT just doesn’t seem to get much respect from the public, having 4 recent wins at 11-1, 12-1,
and a pair at 8-1 – she scored from the pocket last week and while the public is FINALLY likely to hop on her team
tonight, she still deserves plenty of respect. (5) BLUEBIRD BISHOP shows recent NJ form that would make him a
serious threat here, but he also struggled here in 2 previous appearances – would probably need a “fair” price to try
him on top. (6) MAHONE SEELSTER shipped in off 3 straight Fhd. wins and came up a neck shy of making it 4 in
a row here last week (just missed to #4) – we’ll see if he can overcome the tougher draw. (1) INN AT RODANTHE
has won 3 of 6 since arriving for Canada but has done his best work vs. a bit easier – have to always respect these
connections, but he may be overbet from this spot. (3) JACKED hails from a barn going strong but he struggled first
over in his seasonal debut and may be looking at only minor spoils tonight. (7) TACHYON’s barn has REALLY
been clicking but he’ll need a form reversal from a brutal spot to be a serious threat tonight.
RACE 2 – (5) SIMON SAYS HANOVER ended his outstanding 2023 campaign with a powerful victory and started
off the new year in the same fashion, kicking home in an eye popping :26.4 to charge on by for the win – pretty hard
to go past in this abbreviated 5 horse field. (1) ADAM TWELVE has been terrific since joining our leading barn,
going 8-6-2-0 – he’s performed like he should be able to make the jump to the 3-6YO Open smoothly but just like
stickout barnmate COACHES CORNER last week, he may come up 2nd best to the top choice tonight (3) CAPTAIN
COWBOY was a steady 3rd off the easy trip last week, racing off a bad date – should be tighter now, but may still
have to settle for another smaller slice. (4) GREG THE LEG was handled surprisingly aggressively off the hiatus
and paid for it late – he’s a strong performer, but the draw may hurt a bit tonight. (2) SALE EL SOL tries to move
from the $50K FM claimers to this Open for her new connections...seems awfully ambitious!
RACE 3 – (4) A MAJORSMACKIN was just 1 for 19 last year (in the Midwest) and 2 for 32 overall but he still
looks like a good fit in this field, especially making his debut for a barn that has had success with these types – his
Monti qualifier suggests he can have a big say here. (5) KOVU AS broke trying for the top last week after winning a
pair out of town just prior to that (as the favorite) – if he minds his manners tonight, he’ll be a major threat. (1) LOV
ELY HEART just missed in her only local try but really had no excuses that night – have to respect her chances from
this spot, but that 9/5 ML listing means that she’ll likely be way overbet. (2) WAVERLY HANOVER hasn’t really
impressed in her 5 local starts but still may be able to tow along for a small piece. (3) STRATEGIC has more than
enough ABILITY to beat these, but he misbehaves far more often than he trots – would need a big price to consider
on top. (6) KT DOUBLE DEUCE draws outside and is 1 for 41 lifetime.
RACE 4 – (4) TEXSONG SOPRANO sharpened in Ohio for his new connections and really brought his “A Game”
for his Yonkers debut, burying the field by 8 lengths – it seems unlikely he can just go out and thrash THIS bunch so
easily, but he’d also be hard to go against off that last mile. (6) OUTSIDE THE FIRE was well backed against the
top choice last week but never really looked comfortable on the off going and eventually made a break – the ability
is definitely there, and he can make noise tonight with a clean effort. (5) SWAN FLYER ships in off a career best
1:53 victory in NJ and he’s had success here in the past (although he did make a break in his last local start)– another
that can be right in the mix if he avoids any miscues. (2) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS took advantage of an easy trip
(and the misfortune of others) to end up (placed) 2nd last week, though way behind the top one– he should be sharper
tonight, and could easily land somewhere on the ticket. (3) PAPA DOC was going to be 2nd best to #4 last week
when he made a costly break in the stretch – he’s prone to mistakes, but does go sharp miles when in the behaving
mood. (1) X O X O draws best, but may be a bit overmatched here (7) ABBEY D has missed 6 weeks- pass for now.
RACE 5 – (1) ADAM CROCKER A has really perked up since the recent barn change, and puts his 2 race winning
streak on the line tonight – he’s up in class, but there’s no killers in here and he may be able to extend his streak to 3.
(3) KOOTENAY SANTANNA wasn’t beaten all that bad in his first start off the layoff and faces considerably easier
tonight – if he shows up anywhere near his best, he’ll be a legitimate threat. (2) MAJOR SHOW has his share of
decent local starts including last week’s 2nd place finish – he’s pretty camera shy, but more than capable of landing
somewhere on the ticket. (5) GINGRAS BEACH really should have been able to hold 2nd last week (behind the top
choice) but it’s not like he raced poorly – threat for another good chunk tonight. (6) ALWAYS ROCKIN perked up
with a win in NJ over lesser, then wasn’t bad from an impossible spot last week – could see him picking up a minor
slice tonight, with the right trip. (8) KJ HUNTER is a steady Monti Open horse that does fit with these...but the
draw may really limit him tonight. (4) ROSE RUN X CON has been away for 7 weeks and likely will need one. (7)
SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL has also missed time, and draws horribly (just to make things worse).
RACE 6 – (6) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK raced only twice at 2, then 8X at 3... but did display legitimate ability
at times – she’s been freshened up, and shows a very nice Monti qualifier (behind what is probably a solid
Australian import) – may be ready to start doing some damage as she begins her 4YO campaign. (3) EXCITING
TIMES A did not get off to the start she wanted to after arriving in the U.S. but like the top choice, she just qualified
very nicely upstate, and seems ready to start delivering...major threat if she can bring her best. (1) BLANK CHEEK
was a good trip 2nd to close out 2023 then started the new year with a good trip 3rd – the rail draw gives her a good
chance at another good chunk tonight. (2) PINE BUSH MAGA was “ok” in a bunch of start near the end of ’23 and
ships back in off a confidence building blowout over weaker at Monti – maybe 3rd/4th? (5) SILKEN SMILE started
her career with an 8-1 upset blowout at Fhd, followed up by an odds-on win here at Yonkers – she just came up
terrible in her last, however, and it’s hard to predict how she’ll respond after that. (4) ON THE WATERSIDE goes
back on Lasix after tiring in her NJ qualifier – guessing she’ll be handled very conservatively tonight. Both (7) J M
SPEAK EASY and (8) URSULA BLUE CHIP will be hard pressed to find a way into the hunt from their terrible
posts.
RACE 7 – (1) SOUTHWIND ONYX had Post 7 off a bad date last week and may not have been all that motivated –
he was very good in the latter part of 2023, and catches a pretty lackluster field for tonight – might show up with a
lot more energy tonight. (2) SMOKIN BY N shipped in from PA and quickly picked up a pair of wins and close 2
nd – he has excuses for his last pair, and anything close to his best effort would make him very dangerous from this spot –
but he also figures to be overbet! (7) ALWAYS CLOSE was a pocket winner here 4 back and is listed at 20-1 ML -
a lot would need to go his way to win from out here, but a big price makes him worth a look. (4) UNIQUE BEAC H
has a few decent tries in NJ recently – he was just 2 for 38 last year (and 3-0-0-0 at YR), but he’s another that can at
least be considered at long odds. (5) SHOREVIEW is actually racing ok lately but his 0 for 35 record last year
makes him tough to recommend for the top slot! (6) CAPTAIN T HANOVER was used hard and weakened (in NJ)
on Sat. night and now drops back in on short rest – not sure it’s a great spot for him. (8) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN
will surely be given every shot by Bartlett (despite Post 8) but the 14YO seems up against it from this spot. (3)
WILLIAM HANOVER has struggled too often lately to merit an endorsement.
RACE 8 – (1) ULTIMATE SPEED was hammered down to 2/5 for her YR debut (getting a big barn change upon
arrival from Canada) and her effortless 11 length demolition made that look like a great price – she’ll be facing
much tougher tonight, but also has a major post edge over a couple of her main foes – we’ll stay on board (as does
Gingras, who also won with #7 last week). (8) WINDSUN TIARA ships in after taking 4 of her last 5 in PA and will
move to a barn that does very well with these types – could be a legitimate threat, despite the worst draw. (7) FAVO
RITE BEACH hit board in all 3 YR starts in ’23 – added Lasix to start her 2024 season and reported home a game
front end winner – definitely a solid chance here, even if Yannick opts for #1. (3) DEVILISH DREAMS came up
dead empty in her seasonal debut and it’s hard to say if she’s off form right now, or if the bad date and off track hurt
her chances– we’ll learn more tonight (4) PRINCESS ARONA was an “ok” 4th off the winter break and has a chance
at another small piece tonight, with the right trip. (6) CHARMING VIXEN probably fits ok with these but may find
herself trying to rally from last from this spot – may have to wait for a better scenario. (5) ANNELIESE HANOVER
throws a good one here and there but is prone to too many clunkers for our tastes. (2) LYONS MIKI just seems more
comfortable when in with cheaper.
RACE 9 – (5) IM J BEE N took a while to kick in last week but was gobbling up ground late and almost got to the
favorite – catches a pretty shaky field tonight, and may have found a winning spot. (1) FULLBACK seemed like a
very live player heading into last start but an untimely early miscue blew up his chances – worth considering tonight
if the price is decent. (6) STRETCH THE LINE actually has ability but tends to be his own worst enemy, especially
here at Yonkers – still, his barn is hot and he’ll probably be a fair price if you think he’ll have a “smooth” start. (4)
MISTER SPOT A is hard to gauge off the qualifiers with an owner doing the driving – he should fit well with these,
and a decent effort could be coming. (2) MACHLICIOUS used an easy trip to pick up 3rd last week and tonight’s
good draw may put him in a spot to rally for a share once more. (3) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N came up dead short
off the layoff, and wasn’t all that great in many of his starts prior to that – leaning towards others. (7) MAJOR DESI
RE used an easy trip to pick up a 3rd last week but faces a tougher task from Post 7 tonight. (8) MAJESTIC KIWI N
doesn’t seem sharp enough right to contend from Post 8, but does get Bartlett.
RACE 10 – (1) BONTONI DEGATO S rebounded beautifully from that clunker at The Swamp on 1/5 with last
week's sharp “pocket rocket” victory – landing the pole stamps him as the one to beat (again) tonight. (4) ALLSUM
MERLONG AS was a little dull in last week’s 3rd place finish, but could have been short off the layoff – he seems
capable of better. (8) MANCLANE carved out the fractions last before coming up 2nd best to the top choice – gets
the worst of the draw tonight, but mat still be able to leave well enough to land somewhere on the ticket. (2) SHOP
PING IN PARIS was handled conservatively off the winter break but had good life finishing – no reason she can’t
grab a piece tonight with the inside draw. (7) NANCY LOU NO was a little disappointing in her U.S/YR debut last
week – she still seems capable of much better, but may have to wait for a better spot before she shows it. (5) CRED
ARENA was one of the barn’s two layoff winners last week, but faces a tougher crew tonight – may have to settle
for a smaller slice. (3) NEWTOWNS BLACKGOLD did well with lesser, but still needs to show he can step up and
go with these. (6) IRISH COFFEE is still a work in progress for the Dynamic Duo.
RACE 11 – (7) STOP STARING ships in off a win in 20s across the river and he beat the 25s here not too long ago
– there’s certainly nothing too scary in here, and he should have a good chance to beat these even from Post 7. (6)
NOB HILL FLASH was very good when 2nd last week, coming first over and digging in gamely for the place spot –
has to be worth at least a look at that 8-1 MLL price. (3) PRESTIGE SEELSTER has won 5 of his last 7 starts
including an easy front end try here last week – he also exits a very strong barn and we’ll have to see if he’s able to
replicate that form for his new connections...be careful about taking a very short price. (1) SWAGASAURUSREX
hasn’t been good in some time, but usually finds a wake up call at some point – maybe tonight? (2) LYONS JOHNN
YJNR has disappointed fairly often, and tired off the easy trip last week – seems a bit vulnerable at the moment. (4)
LEAVE AND ROLL had a nice wake up call when 2nd at 30-1 on 12/13 but most of his other efforts have been
lacking – we’ll see if Yannick can help his cause. (5) SHANWAY N returns from The Swamp where he hasn’t been
sharp. (8) PHELGON draws Post 8 off a break as he ships in from NJ.
RACE 12 – Tough finale: (7) SARANAC BLUE CHIP can be pretty unreliable at times but he also throws some big
efforts at times, and can leave the gate – one of several possible value plays in here. (1) ALEX TYE doesn’t have the
best looking lines right now but he came up with his share of good efforts last year, and gets both post and class
relief tonight – could be a spot for a wake up call. (4) HOUND ON THE BEACH was facing better when last seen
here on 12/12, and did win here earlier last year – could be a live one, but not thrilled about that 5/2 ML price. (6) TI
N ROOF RAIDER was actually pretty good last week, digging in gamely for 2nd after coming up first over – tough
post, but a good price makes him worth a look. (3) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A gave his backers a good root at 35-1
last week, cutting the mile and looking good to the final turn before tiring – can be a player again, but the price will
also come way down. (5) WESTERN JOE will probably attract attention here but his current form is questionable at
best, and that’s after making just 8 starts last year – mixed feelings. (2) HEISMAN PLAYER was an “ok” 4
th last week, and an easy trip could help him take home another minor share. (8) MR KELLY finished well back off the big
barn change last week (in NJ) – hard to hop on board tonight from Post 8, but obviously anything this incredible
trainer/driver team sends out can never be dismissed entirely.