RACE 1 - Well matched, tough opener: (7) BARRYWHITE HANOVER was very consistent for weeks but
left with no chance in the MGM Gents series final when unable to even leave for position - may have a
tough time from this spot as well, but at that 20-1 ML price he's certainly worth at least a look in this wide
open affair. (1) GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE raced well in all three starts since returning from NJ, and may
end up with a nice journey from this spot - figures to be a fair price, and he's another worth considering. (2)
SPORTS SECTION dropped down to NW2 last week (after the series) and was a game first over winner -
he can hold his own with these too, and another possibility in the opener. (3) BALI BEACH picked up a
pair of 2nds in the recent series, and fits well with this crew - wouldn't take a short price, but have to
respect his chances. (8) SAMSON BLUE CHIP cut the mile from the rail the last 2 weeks and came up 2nd
best both times - will only be harder from Post 8, but his pilot has been awfully hot lately - maybe if the
price is good enough? (6) MIDNIGHT REBEL just qualified back for a hot barn at Fhd., but his 2 for 37
career slate makes it hard to use him on top - wouldn't shock, but leaning to others for the top slot. (4) HES
GONNA GETYA should appreciate dropping down from the series....but he faces a few others in the same
boat, and may need easier before we see his best. (5) MAJOR SHOW was an ok, easy trip 3d vs. easier last
start - figures to have a tougher time with these, however.
RACE 2 - (1) HIGHLANDBEACHSBEST showed a lot of promise at 2 but had a shortened, somewhat
disappointing 3YO season - he did beat this class here last summer, though, and had a very useful tightener
last week for his new barn - could be ready for a top effort in his 2nd start of the year, but that 2-1 ML price
is admittedly a bit of a turn off. (6) AMERICANLIGHTNINGN was sent off at 1/10 for his U.S. debut and
wired a NW4 field very convincingly - raced from off the pace the next week and was able to sweep the
field from last - moved up to NW6 for his next start and was dead game on the front end...but did get
outmuscled at the end (by a VERY sharp rival) and had to settle for 2nd - could easily bounce back and get
his picture taken tonight, but may also be a bit vulnerable with the outside draw. (2) HIGH BALLER has a
LOT of ability, but throws in a lot of bad steps as well (cost him a win in the "MGM GENTS" series final) -
bit surprised to see him back in the box here at Yonkers (he figures to be better on a bigger track), but he
can definitely be a threat with an easy enough trip (and smoother gait)! (3) RHODENA ROAD drops out of
the series but lands in with even tougher tonight - could pick up a small share with a kind trip. (4) IMOUTT
HEDOOR wasn't bad last week, but he just couldn't stick with the top ones at the end - may find himself in
the same situation tonight. (7) MARLBANK ROAD was a VERY good 2nd to a beastly winner last week
but the terrible draw may have him waiting for a better spot before showing his best effort again. (5) TUGG
IN ON MY HEART was a sharp pocket winner in his local debut, giving his talented young pilot his first
Hilltop victory - meets tougher now, and he'll have to prove that he can hang with this type as well.
RACE 3 - (5) SAVE ME A DANCE is a bit off his best form right now but he's hardly been "bad" - takes a
big drop in class here, and really should be able to handle this assignment. (3) FINE DIAMOND was empty
in his first start of the year but looked much more interested last week- if he can continue to improve a bit
more tonight, he may be able to find his way onto the ticket somewhere. (2) DELIGHTFUL TERROR
broke as the odds on choice 3 back but made amends at 2/5 in his next - was very good making it 2 in a row
last week (over a rival that looked mighty good on paper), and there's no reason he can't grab a big chunk
tonight, as well. (1) IDEAL LINER N got beat a nose at Fhd. in his U.S. debut but he hails from very solid
connections, and should be even sharper tonight in his first YR attempt - include underneath. (6) SILAS
SEELSTER was very sharp in that win 2 back, but reverted to his "lazier" self when 4th last week - maybe
can rally for a minor share, if the trip goes his way. (7) DANCIN DRAGON used a quick start to establish a
two hole trip last week, but came up disappointingly short in the lane - drops a peg but draws poorly once
more, and will need to be sharper tonight if he hopes for a bigger piece. (4) GLACIS was seriously overbet
last week but somehow landed on a dream trip and was able to get there by a neck - moves up to face
tougher here, and doesn't figure to be as fortunate. (8) FIZZING N will likely need to wait for a better spot
before he can make some noise again.
RACE 4 - (3) SLY ELEANOR N is not the smoothest mare to drive so when she lands on a less than stellar
trip (like last week), it makes it hard for her to overcome it - her previous 3 starts in this class yielded a win,
2nd, and 3rd, and a decent trip here would give her a chance to rally by late for a mild upset. (1) MILLWO
OD BONNIE N was a game first over winner off the claim on 3/15, then charged home from last to 2nd in
her most recent, despite racing off a sick scratch - should be a big threat here. (8) FEELIN RED HOT has
come up a little light at the end in her last 3 starts after jogging in the previous 2 - classy 9YO is eligible to
wire these on any given week (even from Post 8), so consider her on top IF the price is decent enough. (2)
ROYALTYWESTHO beat cheaper from the pocket 3 back, had no chance in her next, but did come up
short in the stretch last week - chance for a decent piece here if she brings her best effort. (5) APRIL AVA
ships in off a PcD win and is listed as the ML favorite...she really disappointed in most of her last few local
starts, however, and others just look more appealing right now. (6) TEAM KIWI N has three straight 2nds
before last week's clunker, but those were from inside posts - wait for a better spot to consider again. (4) YS
TALLIA acts like she needs to be in a lot easier in her current form (7) AMERICAN TOUR N flattened out
after a wide move last week for her new connections - lands a tough spot for tonight.
RACE 5 - (7) ALEX TYE started off the year winning 4 of his first 6 starts here, at the top claiming levels
- ran into a couple of tough trips, and then a couple of bad posts, and suddenly his form didn't look as great
on paper - his last couple at Freehold are actually a bit disappointing, but he lands at the bottom level for
his YR return and it would be hard to go against him here (but wouldn't bet the rent money at a tiny price,
either)! (5) MISSION BAY's first try for his new barn (3/19 at Fhd., off a bad date) was very good, missing
by only a length to an import that raced very well here last week - his first local try wasn't bad either,
finishing a decent 4th behind 3 rivals that would all be big threats in this field - definitely one to use in
exotics. (6) ODDS ON DELRAY has been facing better across the river but with more lesser efforts, than
good ones - he does throw a big mile here from time to time (when in the right mood), so he's worth at least
a look at that 9-1 ML price. (4) SWAGASAURUS REX wasn't all that "good" in his last couple of starts,
but he was at least better than he had been recently - ok for a small piece. (2) J B MAUNEY seemed
content to just come up with a clean mile last start (when 3rd), coming off a miscue and qualifier - another
playable for a small share. (1) WESTERN WALTZ returns from PcD at the bottom level but showed little
in his 2 previous local starts - prefer others. (3) ZACH MAGUIRE N has no wins and one 2nd from his last
29 local tries - sticking with others. (8) STARK HANOVER failed to improve off the claim last week, and
now lands Post 8 - wait for a better spot before considering.
RACE 6 - Interesting race! (2) GIBOR appears to be a quick learner, as he's gotten better each week in his
short 3 start career - ships in off a couple of rugged Pocono tries, and we'll if he's ready to take the next
step...and get his picture taken. (1) BORN A REBEL struggled a bit in the "MGM GENTS" series, but was
a total jogburger in a PcD maiden race last week - legitimate threat to wire this bunch too. (4) THEBIZNES
BLUECHIP was ready right out of the box as a 2YO last year, just missing (right here at Yonkers) in his
Springfield elimination, then finishing 2nd in the Final the next week - tailed quickly right after that,
though, and was on the shelf after 2 more starts and a sick scratch - hard to glean much from his Monti
qualifier, so perhaps the tote board will offer some assistance? (3) LIFETIMEEXPERIENCE was empty in
his first local try but looked better last week - maybe can sit close enough to take home a piece of this? (7)
A SHORE LEGACY has been racing ok out of town, and may have enough speed to leave for position here
- would consider for 3rd/4th. (8) RIGHTHERERIGHTNOW really didn't take any $$ for his local debut but
he certainly raced pretty well, getting away in the two hole then finishing with pace in traffic through the
lane to end up with the show DH - not sure he can get into the race from out here, but that 20-1 ML price
does make him worth at least a look. (6) STILL THIRSTY shared 3rd with #8 in his local debut and could
easily improve in his 2nd try for a very live barn. (5) BEST BETTOR shipped in off a couple of solid PA
tries but drew Post 8 and never got involved - we'll see if he can have a bigger say with the post relief.
RACE 7 - (3) NOCTURNAL BLUE CHIP was a very sharp front end winner (Post 7) three back, came up
2nd best to a razor sharp PYRO in his next, then rallied for a solid 4th from an impossible spot in his last -
moves inside, and looms the one to beat tonight. (5) GENIUS MAN wasn't bad when 4th (off a bad date) 2
back, but was really outstanding in last week's front end blowout - gets to stay in the same class, and could
easily be a big player once again. (1) SHADOW CAT returns off a win at Chester, and this level is right in
his wheelhouse - should be a player from start to finish from his inside post. (7) AINTNOBETTOR A
kicked home with much better pace than expected last week - will be coming from way back again tonight,
but a small piece is not impossible. (4) AMERICAN BOY N was a perfect trip winner 2 back, but this feels
like a spot where he may struggle a bit - an easy trip could help him take home a minor piece. (8) ROCKIN
SPEED has been stuck in the back in his last couple of NJ starts but could face that same dilemma tonight -
he fits ability-wise, but may have trouble getting himself in play here. (2) RAUKAPUKA RULER N is still
trying to find his form - waiting for better signs before endorsing again. (6) CYCLONE BANNER N could
use a class drop, and better post.
RACE 8 - (3) LOTTERY WINNER exits a hard barn to take one from but his new connections are having
a pretty good meet of their own (with limited starters) - he's clearly the sharpest of these and remains the
one to beat...but don't bet the rent money at a short price! (4) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY has had no prayer at
all in his last 3 starts but does get some post relief for tonight - maybe he can perk up and add some value to
the exotics? (6) CARRACCI HANOVER landed on a good trip last week and was able to pick up 2nd
behind the top choice - goes for a new barn tonight, and perhaps he can complete the exacta once again. (5)
COACH CAL was overdriven last week and it probably cost him 2nd (ended up 3rd) - 13YO is a solid
weekly performer, and always has a chance to land somewhere on the ticket against these. (7) PANTHEON
HANOVER gave it a big try 2 back when he came up 2nd best to #8 (who had the easier trip) - just not sure
he can find a way to reach from out here. And the same holds true for (8) HERE COMES SWIFTY, a
winner here in his last, but who moves from the rail to Post 8 and may struggle to get into the mix. (2)
DEERFIELD BEACH shows a few decent tries recently in NJ, but his local history has way more "bad"
tries than "good" ones the last couple of seasons. (1) TANNER J ships in from The Swamp with some
pretty uninspiring form - pass (and watch) for now.
RACE 9 - (2) PATRIOT NATION has been competitive vs. the 75s more often than not and gets some
class relief for tonight - assuming last week's miscue was just a one time event, he should be a serious
threat with the move inside, against this easier group. (5) STANFORD COURT went a scary good mile 2
back in his local debut....which makes last week's 2nd place finish (no excuses) all the more disappointing -
can't write him off after that one mile, but also can't "love" him tonight moving up in class- at least the price
will be better! (6) PASS A GRILLEBEACH ran and hid from lesser in his last two and MAY have built up
some confidence with those victories - would hardly be a shock here. (1) MIKES Z TAM had been
disappointing for weeks, but was able to get the job done last start (with the help of a perfect trip) - we'll
see if that win triggers a return to his better form...or if he's back to "meh" tonight. (4) GAMBLINGTERR
OR looked more alert last week in his 2nd start off the layoff - not sure if he's ready to show us his best just
yet, but he's definitely getting closer. (7) LUCIANO N isn't bad right now but another 7 hole will likely
have him looking at only a minor share for tonight. (8) MR KELLY has a good local history and does fit
with these....the draw is a major issue, though. (3) MCCLINCHIE N just hasn't been sharp, and seems to
need easier right now to be a threat.