RACE 1 - (4) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N was a sharp first over winner 3 back - had plenty of pace finishing
in his next (after sitting last) and was good again last week from a very difficult spot - could pull off a mild
upset in the opener if the trip goes his way. (1) FAMILY RECIPE was stuck racing first over vs. better last
week and can probably be forgiven for tiring in the lane - looking at a much easier trip tonight, and looms a
major danger from the pole. (3) BB LUCKY BOY was 4 for 4 here as a 3YO and showed a ton of speed -
has struggled so far since returning from some time off but looked a bit better last week - couldn't blame
anybody looking to take a shot with him tonight, if the price is right. (2) BUDDY HILL got to cut the mile
vs. cheaper last week and reported home a winner - has more than enough back class to handle tonight's
jump, and is a very viable player for exotics. (5) CAPTIVATE HANOVER was 0 for 15 here last year but
does have 2 wins from 8 starts already this year (and hit board in 7 of 8) - goes for a new barn tonight
(while exiting claimers) and we'll see how well he fits. (6) QUALITY BUD is off to a good start this year
but may need a better draw to bang heads at this level. (7) KASHED UP A earned nearly $200K Down
Under - he won his first U.S. start in Ohio, but has only managed smaller pieces there since moving up to
the higher levels - tough spot for his YR debut (but don't be shocked if he still races well tonight).
RACE 2 - Short field, but a good race: (2) OZONE BLUE CHIP had a rare disappointing try 2 back but
bounced right back last week, a solid 2nd best to the razor sharp winner - may get to control the action here,
and that may help him get back to the winner's circle. (5) GREAT SOMEWHERE was actually very good
last week - he left hard but after being committed to trying for the top, Dunn had to grab up hard and retreat
to 4th...could have called it a night after that, but actually went a strong final half to be a pretty close 4th at
the end - loves to win, and races well for seemingly every barn- possible. (4) PYRO saw his 4 race winning
streak snapped last week when like #5, he had to make a hard retreat after leaving - could easily bounce
back tonight with a better trip. (3) PLEASELETMEKNOW was 6-3-1-1 $125K as a 2YO then banged out
another $429K at 3 - he loves Yonkers for sure but he's been away since Nov. and just may not be fully
cranked for tonight. (1) ARDEN MESSI N has a couple of nice recent wins but was also no factor in his
last pair - may prefer to be in just a bit easier. (6) THE REGULATOR has been ultra-consistent but finally
draws a bad post and that may slow him down a bit.
RACE 3 - MGM Borgata Series, Leg 3: (5) BACKSTREET SHADOW has been excellent since moving to
this barn 4 starts back, delivering strong finishes every week - hard to be certain about his trip tonight but if
it's a good one, he may have the edge over a couple of main rivals with question marks. (3) THIS IS THE
PLAN was handled very aggressively (as expected) last week but the former Levy champ just wasn't able
to keep it going after rattling off 3/4s in 1:23 - he may be ready now to deliver his best, but there's
definitely some uncertainty there. (1) OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR wasn't terrible (in traffic) 2 back and
was actually very good last week, pacing a big 3rd quarter just to get close to contention, then kicking
home with crisp pace once free into the lane - he's pulled off some upsets in the past, and he may be able to
pull off another tonight (under the right circumstances). (4) NANDOLO N has no shortage of ability but his
last pair haven't been up to par - needs a wake up call...and quickly! (2) SOARING NOW tired from the
pocket with no excuses in Leg 1 then took last week off - hard to back with any real confidence right now.
(6) DEAN B HANOVER has continued to hold his fine form even up at this top level and might have been
able to be 2nd last week if not trapped too long into the stretch - tough task from Post 6, however.
RACE 4 - Sharp field: (1) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD was cruising along on the lead as the odds-on choice
last week when he made an untimely miscue (he's done that in the past as well) - he drops back in quickly
(for the same $50K price) and we'll ASSUME he's patched up and ready for action...but he's not one to fall
in love with at a very short price right now. (2) BALLERAT BOOMERANG is always a big player in this
class but he merits some extra consideration tonight moving to a barn that does some amazing work with
fresh stock (their last pick up, JOJOS PLACE, improved at least 5 lengths and was a blowout winner in his
first start....only to finish LAST the very next week, after leaving the barn) - include him on your tickets.
(3) THRASHER has proven that he fits with these and was a 32-1 upset winner 3 back - a good value horse
to include if spreading a bit. (6) TIN ROOF RAIDER may be a bit more comfortable in 40s but he's raced
well twice in this class since recently being claimed - would have a chance in here if things unravel a bit up
front. (5) PRETTY HANDSOME got hit with the deck in that win 2 back but was worn down last week
when stuck with a tougher trip - still a legitimate player, but less attractive at that 3-1 ML price. (7) WICHI
TA LINEMAN is clearly very sharp right now but he's more of a "grinding" type, and tonight's draw may
pose some problems for him - not impossible, but some racing luck would definitely be needed. (4) FLOW
WITH JOE does his best work with a bit easier - feels like a tough spot in this strong field. (8) NOWHERE
CREEK A made an uncharacteristic break 3 back but has otherwise been sharp - drops in for a tag, but
figures to be slowed down by the terrible draw.
RACE 5 - MGM Borgata Series, Leg 3: (4) LOCHINVAR ART A was already a millionaire when he
arrived in the U.S. and has done nothing to tarnish that image since arriving, going 5 for 5 and showing that
he can win with a variety of trips - he's had some good fortune along the way but REALLY gets some
tonight as none of his rivals in here have managed better than a 4th in the series so far...he'll likely be 5
cents on the dollar tonight - and it would be hard to make any logical case against him. (2) BELMONT RO
YALE N was in a tough spot last week (3rd over in the slop) and we'll give him a pass for not being able to
do much - he's in a much better spot here, and may be able to complete the exacta for Dave Miller. (3) HE
MSWORTH N also had no prayer last week and we'll give him a pass too - may be charging late for a good
piece of this. (1) BAD TOTHE BONE N would surely like to be in easier but he'll likely feel Bongiorno
"jumping" behind him from the start, and a good getaway may help him stick around for a piece, especially
if Tritton goes a slow pace up top with the big favorite. (5) BEE TWO BEE may be in a tough spot if #4
leaves inside of him, forcing him to try to outkick some solid closers at the end - mixed feelings about his
chances tonight. (6) IM SIR BLAKE A will be coming from last, and likely need some trip luck to grab any
decent piece from out here.
RACE 6 - (3) KEYSTONE DASH was in very tough spots the last couple of weeks after finishing 2nd in 3
straight starts - it's hard to predict how this race will go but IF he lands on a good trip, he'll have a shot to
be right there at the end...and a good price makes him worth a stab. (4) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N has
been excellent since that 13-1 upset on 2/24, going 5-3-2-0 during that time - he remains the one to catch,
and beat. (1) SHERIFF N has certainly seen his game improve since joining this barn 4 starts back, but he's
probably not AS sharp as he looks on paper (nose winner in 25s, dream trip DH winner in 30s, then perfect
trip 3rd last week) - he has the rail and Bartlett and certainly has to be respected, but that 9/5 ML price does
seem a bit too low. Both (6) GINGER TREE PETE & (8) LOVE THE BLUES N are at post disadvantages
for sure, but both are capable of winning IF somehow the trip goes their way - both will be big prices, and
may be worth considering if using this as a "spread" race. (7) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES was reclaimed
on 3/20 and paid quick dividends with last week's victory - he steps up AND draws outside tonight, and
that's always a tough combination to overcome. (2) MONEYMAN HILL returns at a reduced level after
being on the shelf since last May - prefer to just watch for now. (5) SHANWAY N also returns off a layoff
and was just 2 for 26 here last year - guessing he may need a start or two as well.
RACE 7 - MGM Borgata Series, Leg 3: (1) TATTOO ARTIST folded from first to last as the 1/5 choice in
Leg #1 - the public still had enough faith to send him off as the 3/5 choice last week, and were rewarded
when Dunn let him relax a bit more early on before delivering the powerful "brush and crush" victory - he
lands in a field overloaded with good ones tonight, but remains the one to beat thanks to the draw. (2) PRIC
ELESS BEACH was a last-to-first 30-1 upset winner 4 back then just missed the next week (kicking home
in :26.4) - his 2 series starts have been strong as well, coming up 2nd best to LEONIDAS A in Week 1,
then rallying from 7th to 2nd behind the top choice last week - has to be considered from this spot,
especially if the price remains decent. (7) LEONIDAS A will be up against it from Post 7 tonight but he
DID win at 10-1 from a similar spot in Leg 1, and his overall Yonkers record makes him always worth a
look at any good price (37-22-8-3). (6) FUNATTHEBEACH N has a history of showing up from "unlikely"
spots - he would need a lot to go his way to win from out here, but he'll be a BIG price and is worth
considering if spreading this race as well. (4) HELLABALOU was very sharp in the first leg, even if given
some big help from his pilot - was a no match 2nd to IDEALSOMEMAGIC A last week and while he can't
really be eliminated from consideration tonight, that 2-1 ML price does make him less appealing from a
wagering standpoint. This MAY be an unpopular opinion, but (3) NONE BETTOR A wasn't that great last
week - he had things his own way through a reasonable 3/4s, and simply didn't finish well enough, collared
late thanks to his nearly :29 final quarter - he has a ton of class, but will need to be sharper tonight for a
chance at the top prize. (5) UNDRTHSOUTHENSUN N lands in a stacked division and seems
overmatched - sticking with others.
RACE 8 - (3) LOUIE THE HORSE N was no factor in NJ in his first start off the layoff but he was
definitely sharp here last week, rallying crisply for 2nd behind LOORRIM LAKE A (who came back to jog
from Post 7 the next week) - "gets stuck" with Dave Miller tonight, and looms a solid threat from this spot,
(4) PURPLE POET raced well for 3rd last week, especially impressive since he was off a month - could be
a big threat tonight with even a bit of improvement. (5) PEACE OUT POSSE has been good and fits very
nicely with these - would likely have been the top choice if not for the sick scratch (and 3 weeks off). (2)
ON THE CARDS A raced much better than expected here on 2/20 (layoff, new barn) but he wasn't able to
build off that in his next 3 starts - drops back down a notch, draws well, and we'll see if that perks him up a
bit. (1) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK finished better than usual last start and was able to score from the
pocket over a currently sharp rival - he's up in class tonight, and has been away for 3 weeks... leaning to
others. (6) STRAIGHT UP COOL has usually needed to be in easier to be a threat but he's actually holding
his own up in class, as well - not sure he'll be able to overcome tonight's tough draw, though. (8) MACHEA
SY A raced very well last week in his 2nd start off the layoff but lands in a brutal spot for tonight - drops a
win off the bottom of the card after this, so maybe give him a look NEXT week? (7) ROSE RUN X CON
weakened a bit after getting a good start last week - won't be any easier from Post 7.
RACE 9 - MGM Borgata Series, Leg 3: (3) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A went from "can he race from off the
pace?", to "does he really belong in this series?", to "can he actually WIN races against these?", to "is there
ANYBODY in here that can beat him tonight??" -- he faces a strong bunch here, but as good as he was
BEFORE recently adding Lasix, he's even sharper now...we'll stay on board. (7) JIMMY FREIGHT was
trapped too long for any real chance in Leg 1 but he certainly looked super in last week's victory (even if he
was somehow pacing well inside the final 3 pylons) - remains a very real danger, even from out here. (2)
AMERICAN COURAGE made his 2023 debut in Leg 1 and beat them all except for the late flying top
choice - never got close to contention after getting away 7th last week but it seems safe to expect a much
bigger effort tonight - would be no surprise to see him battling for the top spot. (6) COVERED BRIDGE
had absolutely no prayer last week after sitting 8th but he reminded us how sharp he is right now by
rallying for 4th, not far off the show spot - great bomb to use on a few tickets if you think Buter can find
some way into the hunt for him. (1) AMERICAN DEALER N went his best effort in a while 2 back and
built off that with last week's 2nd place finish behind #7 - can grab a good chunk here, if not over-driven.
(5) ROCKIN WITHELVIS A is a pretty nice horse and did pick up a 2nd in the first leg - he does figure to
be too far back to be a real threat tonight, however. (4) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N prepped nicely for the
series on 3/6 but was hurt by a tough trip in the first leg, then was never close last week - may need a bit
easier right now to show his best stuff.
RACE 10 - (1) SPLASH BROTHER just wasn't right three back, turned a potentially disastrous trip into a
winning one in his next but then looked super last week, crushing the field effortlessly from Post 8 - the
class bump here is meaningless if he shows up anywhere near as good as last time. (3) TIGER BARON has
been sharp for a while so last week's victory came as no surprise - he's also moving up a notch tonight, but
still looms a very big player. (2) ADAM CROCKER A hasn't looked too sporty at times but he did look
good last week, and raced well to be a close 4th - chance to land somewhere on the ticket tonight, as well.
(4) LUCIANO N hit board in 4 of his last 5 starts and has a chance to do the same tonight...especially if
Kakaley gets him away to a quick start. (5) PRO BEACH finished ok last week despite the double jump to
NW15000 - drops back one peg, and may be able to rally for a small piece...with the right trip. (6) WARD
AN EXPRESS A was a winner vs. lesser 2 back and that remains the barn's only victory of 2023 - he's
good right now, but figures to be hurt by the draw. (7) CANTSTOPLYING was no factor from a similar
spot racing off the layoff last start...and figures to struggle tonight as well.
RACE 11 - (1) SONNY WEAVER N won 6 of 12 starts here last year and his last couple in NJ suggest that
he's returning to YR in top form - we'll give him the edge tonight over his main rival. (3) MIKES Z TAM
recently left his long time barn and has been thriving for his new (top) connections, winning his first pair
then just missing last week (across the river) - figures to give the top choice all he can handle. (2) LEVINE
had a dismal 2022 campaign but has really turned things around this year, and comes into tonight in razor
sharp form - he steps up in class, and he'll also likely be sitting 3rd...may have to accept a smaller piece this
week. (4) SPEED MAN N was beaten with no excuses 2 back, then an "ok" 3rd last week - he doesn't seem
to be in "Open" form right now, and may have trouble with the top few - smaller piece tonight. (5) WINDS
UN RICKY was well back over the off going 2 back but rebounded with a much better try last week - he
may be able to save ground and rally for a small share. (6) GENIUS MAN has gone some big efforts
recently but comes into tonight after a break last week, and has plenty of speed to his inside - may need to
wait for a better spot. (7) JUDDY DOUGLAS A was no factor at all in his last pair and draws poorly again.
RACE 12 - (4) MAJOR DESIRE has been coming up with some very sharp efforts lately, and last week
was no exception (out all the way from Post 8 and somehow still 3rd) - there's a couple in here that figure
to take a lot of tote action, and that means this guy may go off at a nice price...could be a good value play in
the finale. (5) JOJOS PLACE was just reclaimed (for $5K more) by the barn that sent him out to an open
length demolition in the only start they had him - very dangerous, even in for $30K. (3) MACH DORO A
was sent off favored in 40s last week after being claimed by our leading barn - he was driven very
aggressively, but was repelled by the sharp winner and faded into the lane...drops back down to 30s, and
could easily rebound with a winning effort. (2) SULLIVAN sat last and never got the hot pace he needed,
but still finished up well to grab 5th last week - better spot tonight, and could have a bigger say with a
better trip. (1) GOTHIC ROCK rallied a bit for 3rd last week, rebounding from a disappointing start the
week before - has to avoid being used too hard early on if he wants to be able to finish strong. (7) AUDI
HARE N was well meant for his new connections last week but weakened in the lane after blasting to the
top from Post 7 - lands in a similarly tough spot tonight, but still could outperform that 20-1 ML price. (8)
ROBBIE BURNS N landed on an impossible trip last week but tonight's draw will probably leave him with
another bad journey tonight. (6) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER has raced well here (for pieces) many times, but
it's hard to overlook his 0 for 39 local slate!