RACE 1 - (6) MACH N CHEESE is a legitimate Open pacer when "right"....but he can be pretty bad when
NOT on his game - after an assortment of scratches this Fall he qualified back nicely in NJ on 1/22, but
then failed to beat a horse in his first start back off the layoff -- it would be hard to bet him here with any
real confidence (especially at a short price) but it would also be pretty tough pick against him at this bottom
level. (3) PASS A GRILLEBEACH was claimed for $50K on 12/18 but has failed to win in 4 starts since
then, despite racing is softer company - another obvious threat at this low level, but also another that MAY
be vulnerable right now, at a short price. (1) GIVENUPDREAMING was just 3 for 40 last year, and he's 1
for 35 at Yonkers over the past 3 years - his current form looks pretty shaky, but this is clearly a spot where
he could at least come to life for a good piece. (2) SECRECY has been racing well enough to grab some
small pieces lately, and may be able to do the same tonight. (7) EFFRONTE A went on a remarkable for
spree after a barn change last year....then came crashing back down in equally remarkable fashion - his last
couple of lines suggest he may be coming back around, and his talented young pilot isn't afraid to race one
hard - decent bomb for exotics? (5) CAVIART SAGE debuts for a top outfit but does look to be on the
cheap side - will just watch, for now. (4) ROCK KING DEO has shown little in his 3 local tries.
RACE 2 - (3) OAKWOOD CORAL IR is hard to gauge off her lines overseas and in The Maritimes, but
it's probably a safe guess that she'll be a pretty good fit against the NW2 locals - apparently word of the
success of the talented training tandem has spread to the UK, as they add a new owner here...and look to get
the new relationship off on a winning note. (6) IDEAL CHIP comes into tonight with SIX straight second
place finishes...and there's a decent chance she could extend that to 7, despite the outside draw. (1) BUMP
IN THE ROAD was a decent rallying 4th two back, but a "meh" 4th in last - needs to bring that better effort
if she hopes to be a serious player. (4) MAGICAL LILY BEAR disappointed in her first local try, then was
"ok" in her last couple - another with a chance to contend for a good piece IF she brings her best game. (5)
HELLRUNNER HANOVER is 0 for 9 at Yonkers but did hit board in 5 of those losses - tough spot here,
as she draws outside AND hasn't raced since 12/8.
RACE 3 - Tough race! (2) BROWNIE often figures, and was a solid 3rd at Fhd. in his seasonal debut - he's
also just 1 for his last 22 here at Yonkers, so Dube's own is tough to ever use on top at a short price...but he
MAY have found a winning spot for tonight. (3) BAZILLIONAIRE is another that has been camera shy at
YR (2 for last 53), but he's held his own many times against much better, and does have to be respected in
this spot. (8) SERRANO VOLO got too hot in her first Yonkers start and made a break - returned a month
later (on Lasix) and was far more comfortable, putting in a big move from the back to finish a close up 2nd
- was just in a bit too tough last time but should find this bunch more to her liking....will be a great price if
you think that Brennan can work out a manageable trip from out here. (5) J A T O hasn't raced since 11/15
of 2020, but was banging heads with solid company in Ohio at that time - hard to feel good about his fitness
off that last qualifier, but still couldn't blame anybody looking to take a chance on him at that 20-1 ML
price. (1) HOBBS was 0 for 14 in a very disappointing 4YO campaign, and his 5YO season isn't starting
off any better - he does have speed and stays trotting, so perhaps he can stick around for a small piece? (7)
PRESCOTT made a costly break before the start last week but made a very nice recovery to finish a decent
5th - he had been doing good work out of town, but his chances looked a lot better when he drew the rail
for last week's canceled card...obviously a much tougher assignment now. (4) PETERS EXPR ESS drops
back down to the level he beat on 10/20 but he's struggled since then, and made a break in his only start of
2022. (6) TOTAL DIVA has been terrible in all starts this year - waiting for some better signs.
RACE 4 - (3) PAPPY GO GO hadn't raced here much over the past few years and his form shipping in last
week was suspect at best....but the 8YO certainly showed up on his game, slingshotting off cover into the
stretch to fly on by to a very easy victory - he'll face some much tougher foes tonight, but last week's effort
suggests that he should be up for it. (6) KANDY SWEET drops in class and that might result in a much
more aggressive try here - she's a much better horse when on/near the lead, and we may see that tip for her
tonight. (8) IM THE MUSCLE can be pretty inconsistent, but he's more than capable of handling a field
like this...even from the outside - consider if the price is juicy enough. (2) MY BOY CHRISTIAN has been
consistent in his last few and seems to get a little sharper each week - chance to rally for a piece. (4) MUSC
LE STAR has been on our tickets for weeks, so hopefully somebody cashed in with last week's 33-1 upset -
faces much tougher now, and is likely looking at only a smaller slice against these. (7) FASHION
FOREVER is actually pretty good right now, but he'll be coming from last and figures to have a hard time
getting involved here. (1) TORKIL was an upset winner (vs. cheaper, in a race that "fell apart") after the
winter break...but hasn't raced since 1/12, and moves up in class - prefer others. (5) WISHFUL MAR just
hasn't looked good in her last couple - pass for now.
RACE 5 - Tough race: (8) ALTA MADEIRA N was sent off at 2/5 for her local debut and was the easiest
of winners vs. a NW2 field - this group is tougher for sure, and the draw just makes things that much harder
- but the price will certainly be fair, and she's definitely one of several with a chance to come out on top. (1)
GABBYS GIRL was happy to be back at Yonkers last week but still got a little tired at the end and wound
up a close 3rd - live player once more, but needs to be just a bit sharper to get her picture taken. (7) WHOS
SMOKIN N won her first 2 starts here easily, then just missed by a nose bumping up to NW4 last week -
would have really liked her chances tonight with a better draw, but she still has a legitimate chance from
Post 7. (6) SEA OF LOVE BC returned sharp from the winter break and was a game front end winner on
1/26 - not quite as sharp when 4th last week, and now gets stuck with Post 6 -- tough assignment, but not an
impossible one. (2) CATIE FAYE HANOVER is a bit below the top ones, but sharp enough for a chance at
3rd/4th with an easy enough trip. (4) ) KATHYS MOMENT took no $$ last week, took back to last and was
already going nowhere when she made that break - definitely leaning towards others this week, but will at
least take a peek at the tote board, for some possible clues. (3) KIANNA was our selection last week
(canceled card) but that was vs. a MUCH easier NW2 field - will really need to up her game to be a threat
vs. these. (5) LOVELY LADY MAY has been racing ok at Monti, but seems a bit overmatched with these.
RACE 6 - (1) SWEET SOUL DAVID just didn't bring his best last week and got beat at 3/5....to a horse
that also faltered on the lead the week before...as the 1/10 favorite! -- catches an overall modest bunch here,
and probably deserves a chance to make things right. (7) HAMMER CREEK was very aggressive off the
car last week (to seat a couple of leavers) and that may be why he came up short at the end - obviously not
a great spot tonight, but he should still be able to leave at least enough to improve position....and that would
give him a chance to be a player, at a nice price. (6) MOMMS MY DAD has to figure some way into
the mix but IF Bongiorno can do that, this guy is absolutely sharp enough to make some noise...at a big
price - use in exotics. (2) TAX SAVINGS has never really clicked since joining this high % barn, but she
hasn't been "bad", either - draws well enough for a chance to follow along, and pick up a small piece. (3)
TIME OUTA JAIL has a 2nd and 3rd from 3 starts since shipping in from Ohio (broke in the other), and
may be able to rally late for a piece tonight...assuming he behaves again. (5) THE IRISHMAN put in a nice
brush last week (as the odds on favorite) but couldn't clear to the lead to turn three (or at 3/4s) and
eventually weakened once they turned for home - would have been more likely to give him another chance
tonight had Jordan been driving, but wouldn't be surprised to see him race ok for Cory, either. (8) CYCLO
NE MAXIMUS went a big mile last week despite some pretty hard use - unfortunately, tonight's draw
figures to leave him too far back to be the same kind of player. (4) MISS YOU KELLY was short in her
start after the winter break, and has been away for over a month since then - sticking with others for tonight.
RACE 7 - (3) COMMANDER CATHY N has hit board in all 6 U.S. starts, and that includes 2nds behind
both BITTY BITTY and BEST HEAD WEST - she's still seeking her first stateside victory, though, and
while she MAY be able to get it tonight, don't take too short a price if using her on top! (4) HEAVENISSO
FARAWAY moves to new connections for tonight, and may be in store for an aggressive try - definitely
capable, and worth using IF the price is fair. (1) STAR CAPTAIN showed ability at 3, including a very
sharp win here on 9/29 - recent qualifiers make it hard to gauge her current fitness, so perhaps the tote
board can offer some more clues. (7) MOSSDALE LOTTEE N is pretty good right now, hitting board in 4
of her last 5 starts (with a miscue in the other) - will need some trip luck to get involved from Post 7, but
she's worth including underneath at a big price. (2) LINE EM UP disappointed off an easy trip last week
but has raced better than that many times - could rebound here, and grab a piece...at a good price. (5) NUT
TINBUTTHEBEST ended the year on a VERY sharp roll but made a break to start of 2022, then wasn't in
the hunt in NJ last week - wouldn't be shocked to see her rebound tonight, but others just look more
attractive right now. (6) PULL ME THROUGH ships down from Canada with "ok" form - inclined to stick
with the locals but her new trainer has been hot for months, so maybe the board will offer some clues?
RACE 8 - (2) PLUMB made her first start for the Dynamic Duo last week - went right to the top but was
soon offstride, recovered and caught the pack, then actually rallied late to be a good 4th - puts the trotting
hopples back on for tonight, and we'll try her one more time. (6) MAJESTIC MARVEL has been good
most every week recently, but really was sharp in last week's victory - Post 6 will make things tough, but
will also bring a better price...worth considering. (1) DC ANNA has gone a couple of decent efforts at this
level, but comes into tonight off a sick scratch, and with just one start in 2 months -- may come up a little
short. (3) MADHATTER BLUECHIP was clearly well short in his first start of the year, even if it was in
the Open - dropped in for the $50K tag in his next but was scratched sick - total guessing game for tonight.
(8) CHIEF JUSTICE has been consistent lately, and that hasn't always been the case with him - he was one
of our top choices when the card was canceled last week, but he had the rail that night and now gets stuck
all the way outside - probably looking at only a minor share from out here. (4) VOLARE was sharpening
before a miscue last week, and lands in a pretty tough spot here - would think a conservative trip seems
likely. (7) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN was no good at all at the bottom level in his first start of the
year, but looked much better wiring tougher in his next start - he has plenty of back class to him, but may
be up against it after drawing Post 7. (5) HENDERSON SEELSTER offered a weak bid upon arrival last
week - waiting for better signs.
RACE 9 - This marks the debut of this $75,000 trot claiming class....and the $30K purse is a LOT more
than most of these horses would ever race for in conditioned classes! (2) WILD AND CRAZY GUY ships
up from Florida and moves to the barn of the same barn that brought in VAINQUEUR R P NO from out of
town...then proceeded to win 3 in a row with him (before getting claimed for $50K) - we'll see if he can
have the same success with this guy. (3) VAINQUEUR R P NO as mentioned, won 3 in a row upon arrival
from Ohio before getting claimed, and is 3 for 4 here (with a 2nd) for his current connections - hasn't been
winning "pretty", but he clearly has a nose for the wire. (4) HAT TRICK MARLEAU was claimed for
$50K two back and was a winner in his first start for a new barn - these 75s are really no better than the
50s, and he should continue to be a weekly threat. (6) VOYAGE TO PARIS has gone some solid miles here
up in the higher classes, and does fit with these - may have some trouble overcoming the draw, but still a
good value horse for exotics. (8) OH SO PINE probably fits with these too (based on his work upstate), but
really will be hard pressed to overcome Post 8. (1) MANHATTANUP NO ICE tried his luck in the 50s last
week and really had no excuse to not be 2nd - needs to be better to be a more serious late threat. (5)
BLUFFINER just hasn't fully clicked yet since a couple of recent barn changes, and losing Bartlett is going
to hurt, as well. (7) BIG BAD SWAN has been more consistent lately, but seems up against it from Post 7,
against these.
RACE 10 - (5) THEBEACHISCALLING ended her year with a pair of 2nds to Open mare JODY, and a
2nd to the talented BEST HEAD WEST - changed barns over the winter break and was no factor at all in
her first 3 starts, but was handled aggressively the last 2 weeks and raced much better - maybe she can
build off those miles and grab a win against these. (6) ANDRA DAY is a solid 8-1-2-3 since arriving from
Canada, and came up 2nd best to BITTY BITTY in her last pair - should be a major threat with any half
decent trip. (2) VIOLETS RAINBOW has been a little inconsistent at times, but still sports a 7-3-1-1 record
here at YR - the concern tonight is that she was scratched sick from her last start, and hasn't raced since
1/12 - hard to know how tight she'll be. (4) MYSTIFYING ships down from Canada off a pair of wins, but
would have been more appealing a few weeks ago, when her barn was sending out a lot of live ones -
mixed feelings about her chances tonight. (3) LARJON LEAH should appreciate the post relief, but does
seem a notch below a few of these right now. (1) FLIRTY FORTY has 3 wins in her last 5 starts, but facing
much cheaper - will have to prove that she can hold her own against this tougher competition.
RACE 11 - (6) IN MY DREAMS came back in good form after the winter break, and meets a softer
(overall) group tonight then when 2nd in his last pair- worth a shot in the finale. (5) LOOK IN MY EYES
was too far back to be a player last week but was 2nd best to the stickout winner the week before - logical
threat against these. (2) OOH RAH got beat on the front end as the 1/10 choice two back with no excuses
whatsoever (program odds are incorrect)....then came back the next week to win first over, UP in class, over
the odds-on leader -- clearly he's tough to gauge from week to week, but his "best" version could be in the
hunt here. (7) DRAZZMATAZZ fits well enough at this level, but gets stuck outside once more - ok bomb
for 3rd/4th. (1) CON AIR HALL is definitely on the cheap side, but the rail draw at least gives him hope
for a small piece. (4) WILLIE B WORTHY is also a bit cheap, but the right trip may help him land a minor
share. (3) INNISFALLEN drops out of the $50K claimer, but he just never seems to bring anything close to
his best when racing here at Yonkers. (8) MASTER MIGHTY draws horribly for his local debut - keep an
eye for future consideration.