RACE 1 – (1) SPORTY M THREE got really good for a stretch last year, but then fell off that form for a long time
– he’s actually looked very good in his last pair, and may be coming back to that top form we saw previously – could
trip out here, with a chance to take the opener. (4) ADAM TWELVE hit board in 15 straight Yonkers starts but has
now failed to do so in his last 4 outings – he’s definitely been hurt by a couple of very tough trips, and tonight’s class
drop may perk him up in a hurry – very dangerous player. (2) KINGSVILLE hasn’t won in a while but he keeps
coming close, and it’s not like he’s camera shy – the biggest knock here is that there’s a good chance he’ll end up
sitting 3rd...leaving the possibility of a tough trip. (3) SON OF A TIGER N gets ignored at the windows every week
yet continues to race well every start – could easily grab himself a piece of this. (6) ULTIMAROCA is a streaky sort
and he definitely feels a bit off his game right now – the outside draw also figures to hurt his chances, even if he
shows up sharper tonight. (8) SONNY WEAVER N was dull in his last, and inconsistent in general lately – hard to
see him reaching from out here. (7) TWIN B RISENSHINE has hit board in 4 straight but from inside posts vs.
easier – brutal spot for tonight. (5) MASONS DELIGHT N looked overmatched last week and that was vs. softer.
RACE 2 – (3) ENDOFSTORY was a sharp winner here on 7/30, picked up a new 1:49.4 in his next start at PcD,
came up 2nd best to Open pacer CARABAO A the start after that (also PcD) then just couldn’t quite overcome a very
tough 7 hole trip returning to Yonkers last week, finishing a very close 3rd – the one to beat tonight with the move
inside. (1) FRANCO NANDOR N turned in a mega-form-reversing 43-1 winning mile here on 8/13 then showed it
wasn’t just a fluke with sharp tries in his next 3 starts as well – has to be seen as a legitimate player in his excellent
current form. (7) BIG GULP did pick up a front end win here 3 back but his overall form has been less than super,
and he draws poorly for tonight – possible, but no value (on top) at that 5/2 ML price. (8) ODDS ON CAPITALISM
was a solid 2nd in his YR return – the class jump isn’t nearly as big a concern as Post 8, however. (2) MY CARBON
COPY N is just 1 for 33 locally over the past 2 years but he is sharp enough right now for a chance at a minor share,
with an easy trip (4) POUND FOR POUND had an amazing run for a while but hasn’t approached that form in some
time – needs to be better. (5) GREAT SOMEWHERE has been pretty solid lately but he couldn’t last on the lead vs.
easier last week, and could be in for a tough night up in class tonight. (6) POINTOMYGRANSON finally looked
like his god self on 9/2 but faltered on the lead in his next, then was scratched sick from his last.
RACE 3 – (3) MUSCLE BART A caught a 1:49.2 mile at Chester for his U.S. debut and just never had a prayer –
was stuck with Post 8 here at Yonkers in his next, was caught way back early on but then “sneaky ok” at the end –
may have found a spot here where he can strut his best stuff (4) MAXIMUS RED A caught a soft field in last week’s
amateur race, made the lead and was able to prevail – he was really just “ok” in his starts prior to that, but his barn
IS starting to really percolate again these days – possible, but likely to be overbet (9/5 ML). (5) QUALITY BUD
hasn’t been a threat in a while but he drops, and is listed at 20-1 ML...maybe worth a look? (6) IKES DREAM
wasn’t terrible after landing on a tough trip in his local debut – he was handled very aggressively in his last, and
fought every step before succumbing grudgingly – steps up and tough post tonight, though. (2) CYRUS N drops a
peg, and is eligible to grab a piece with a good trip. (7) CERULEAN HANOVER has upped in his game the past
few weeks and would have definitely been rated higher if not for the outside draw. (1) MY ULTIMATE STAR A
hails from a barn that’s been sending out live longshots, but this guy just hasn’t been sharp at all lately.
RACE 4 – (2) FINAL CHEESERECIPE can run into bad trips at times (because of his racing style) but he’s a hard
hitter most weeks, and MAY get to sit relatively close to a strong pace tonight – decent value play in a fairly wide
open affair. (1) TWO FACED has been good/very good most weeks for the past few months, and comes off a jog
city victory in his last – he was claimed for the 5th time in 6 weeks, and now bumps up a notch for a barn that’s once
again elevating fresh stock dramatically...could easily beat these too. (4) MIND HUNTER struggled for a long time
but has been a new horse since changing barns 5 starts back, and clearly is no longer camera shy – have to respect
his chances in current form. (3) TWIG popped off a big mile for 2nd 2 back then threw another strong effort last
week off the reclaim (and class bump) – can’t be ruled out. (6) SAN DOMINO A went from “never wins” to taking
3 in a row (albeit with beautiful trips each time) – came up 2nd best with a tougher journey in his last, and tonight’s
poor post won’t help his chances. (8) FULSOME is good right now, but facing a long haul from out here. (5) TUFFE
NUFTOWEARPINK takes a drop back down to 40s but may not be sharp enough to take advantage – short ML
price too. (7) MARLBANK ROAD seems somewhat overmatched in this spot.
RACE 5 – (1) OPTICAL ILLUSION N had been racing well without a victory (for a while) but got back to the
winner’s circle last start, in his 2nd try for our leading trainer (8 hole the first week) – he’ll probably be the best price
of the 3 “main players” in here, and that makes him worth using. (4) TICKERTAPE HANOVER was helped when
the leader gave way to him without much fight last week but he was still a sharp 1:51.3 winner upon arrival from
Ohio (racing with a broken headpole)– figures to have a big say once more, even moving up a notch (6) BLUE LOU
returns to Yonkers where he was 2 for 2 in July (beating this class, and also one level up) – very dangerous player,
even with the poor draw. (5) CHANTEE had a solid 2023 season here – missed some time, raced back into shape in
Canada and has looked good since returning to the local scene – he’ll be rallying late, but probably for a small share.
(2) DEETZY hasn’t been consistent at all this year, after a stellar ’23 season – probably looking at only a smaller
piece, even if he brings his best. (3) THE IDEAL DANCER A may take a conservative approach here after tiring
last week – he’d also look better with some class relief. (7) SINBAD N still needs to prove he can bang heads with
these older foes – he may need a better post to do that. (8) BENHOPE RULZ N drops a peg but also lands Post 8 –
willing to wait for another class drop, and better post.
RACE 6 – (1) YS DO IT RIGHT normally does his best work in 20s but he stepped up to 25s last week and was a
good 2nd, and now adds Lasix (and draws the pole) as he looks to take on a modest bunch of 30s – one of several
with a legitimate chance here. (4) KOOTENAY SANTANNA was one of 4 horses to miss the start in his last race
and he deserves a pass for that night – he jogged in this class 4 back, and looms a solid contender tonight too. (6)
PRETTY HANDSOME was one of a few horses way off the gate at the start in his last – he caught the pack in last
to the quarter, and was somehow pacing fastest of all at the end (just a length and half back in 4th) – not sure how he
gets into the hunt here, but that 20-1 ML price makes him worth including. (2) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK had been
on the subtle upswing so last week’s upset victory came as no big shock...although he did benefit from both a two
hole trip AND 4 rivals completely missing the start – still, good draw for a hot barn, and a live player. (8) TARGET
AQUIRED also had a poor getaway last time (even though ultimately sitting 4th) and that may be why he never fired
– tough spot tonight, regardless. (5) PAT STANLEY N broke last week and remains as unreliable as they come –
note that he does have 6 wins this year before tossing him too quickly. (3) GINGER TREE PETE just hasn’t been
clicking at all – he’ll reverse form at some point, but hard to make the case that it’ll be tonight. (7) THREE GRAND
is actually pretty good right now, but has landed a long run of impossible trips...and now, Post 7.
RACE 7 – (1) SADDLE UP chased a hot mile 2 back and held 3rd, then was a game 2nd last week to the currently
streaking WICHITA LINEMAN – the rail draw gives him the edge tonight, but certainly not one you’d want to bet
the rent money on at a short price. (7) BECHERS BROOK A blasted his way to a 2 hole trip last week from Post 8
and only lost by a diminishing nose – deserves a spot on your tickets tonight, even from Post 7. (4) IM A POWERP
LAY A is probably more comfy in 30s but he did beat the 40s once as well – he moves to a hot barn (that has
become active again at the claim box), and can’t be ignored. (2) AROUND MIDNIGHT feels a notch below a
couple of the others but an easy trip of a contested pace could at least give him a chance to upset. (6) BILL HALEY
N remains ever-inconsistent, but did throw a big one in last week’s victory – may have a tough time replicating that
effort from this spot, however. (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP was outstanding in that sharp 1:51.4 blowout 3 back but
wasn’t nearly as good in his last pair, and now lands Post 8. (3) OCEAN RIDGE N was a winning machine last year
but just hasn’t been the same in 2024 – sticking with others. (5) BOSTON has been away since last November.
RACE 8 – (1) SPIRIT OF STLOUIS N drew outside for his U.S. debut and while he had no real chance to threaten,
he did pace his final half in :54 seconds – this very classy import banked $1M Down Under, and should be ready for
an aggressive try tonight – we’ll give him a shot. (6) AMERICAN DEALER N gets the worst of the draw but he’s
been razor sharp for weeks, and could have a legitimate chance here IF Bartlett can find him a decent trip. (2) MY
ULTIMATE BYRON A has blossomed into a very solid high level performer for a barn enjoying a terrific year –
he’s taken 2 of his last 3 starts, with a 2nd at this level in the other – not impossible. (3) HIMSELF N took a while to
get going in the U.S. but he’s become a reliable performer, usually finishing with good life – could grab a decent
chunk. (5) HELLABALOU is a 2X Borgata winner that can never be dismissed, but his only recent wins have come
vs. lesser, and that 8/5 ML price does make him somewhat unappealing for the win slot. (4) COVERED BRIDGE is
having a “good” season, but not nearly as good as 2023 – he’s been away for a month, and may need this start.
RACE 9 – (5) CARABAO A struggled in the U.S. for some time but suddenly started to find his best form in July,
and has rattled off a string of excellent efforts since then (including a hard charging 2nd behind DESPERATE MAN 4
starts back) – even though he was no threat last week he still paced sub :27 third and fourth quarters, and may be
able to blow by this well matched field at the end with some trip luck. (4) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE was well
backed in his last 3 starts and hit board each time – he’s been knocking on the door, and maybe this is the spot where
he’s able to get his picture taken. (1) CADILLAC BAYAMA finished crisply from a tough spot last week, moves all
the way inside, and is a good value horse to include in exotics. (6) WHATS STANLEY GOT A was actually not bad
last week, sustaining his bid decently to the wire despite getting pushed wide off turn three – he’s won enough of
these to merit a look at what figures to be a good price (2) NANDOLO N comes off a solid first over win over easier
and while there’s always a chance he could repeat, others do figure to be offering some better value in here. (3) MA
MBA is 7-2-2-2 since arriving on the local scene and his barn has quietly been doing some very good work – would
consider if the price creeps high enough. (7) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP is hitting on all cylinders right, winning 3 in a
row – he also has missed 3 weeks and draws Post 7 up in class, and that has us leaning elsewhere. (8) ROCKIN N
TALKIN is also sharp, but seems really up against it vs. this field, with this draw.
RACE 10 – (4) ROLLING WITH SAM is light in the win column this year but that’s largely due to an endless
string off tough trips, in pretty solid fields– he’s way overdue for some better luck to come his way...maybe tonight,
in this very well matched field? (2) FRANKIE FRANKIE found life with cheaper at Tioga 3 back, built off that with
a win in PA in his next then made his local debut a good one last week, coming up 2nd best from Post 7 to a very
sharp winner (#3) – belongs on your tickets tonight. (3) DECISION DAY rallied nicely for 3rd two back (arriving
from NJ) then was put on a speed mission from the pole last week and was more than up for it, jogging in a crisp
1:52 mile – would be no surprise at all to see him repeat. (1) I DRAINTHESWAMP A had a pretty difficult trip last
week but kept coming gamely in the lane to take home 2nd (behind a sharp, classy winner) – he’s still looking for his
first local win of the season, and definitely has a shot tonight, especially with the good draw and switch to Stratton.
(5) LUCKBEWITHALEX has had success here in the past but disappointed last week, especially off a 1:50
jogburger at PcD – sticking with a few more consistent foes tonight. (8) SOUTHWIND PETYR can throw a big one
at any time but he may need a better draw before we see that happen. (6) KIMBLE A goes with Lasix for the 2nd
time but another poor post figures to hurt. (7) SURFSIDE BEACH figures to be too far back to threaten tonight.
RACE 11 – (5) GENTLE GIANT had an off week 2 back but was right back on his best game last week, delivering
a powerful 8 hole victory – he’ll be mighty tough to knock off with anything close to that effort. (3) ITALIAN LAD
N has been good for some time, and last week’s mile (tough trip!) was very good – could add some value to the
exotics. (1) SHAKESPEARE has his share of big efforts this year but he’s also been unreliable from week to week –
anything close to his best would put him right in the mix tonight...but will be bring it? (2) JUST ENUFF STUFF
was collared by #1 two back then stuck in a hopeless spot last week – he’s gone plenty of miles this year that would
make him a live player here. (7) HEZ ALLTHERAGE N grabbed a beautiful trip last week but couldn’t find the 2nd
move to take over 2nd after #5 took over in the lane – needs another fast start if he hopes to be in play tonight. (6)
PURPLE POET deserves mention just off the claim but he’s struggled to WIN races here the past 2 years (3 for 48),
and better used underneath. (4) MACH N CHEESE used an easy trip to grab 3rd last week but may have trouble
doing as well tonight. (8) SHINE A LIGHT had to re-qualify after a post race positive test – returns from Post 8, and
we’ll wait for a better spot to consider.