RACE 1 - (3) AFTER ALL PAUL has been very good lately, though with no recent victories to show for it
- he may end up with a good trip tonight, and he'll likely be the best price of the main players...worth a shot
in this short, but very competitive field. (1) ALL CHAMPY comes into tonight off four straight 2nd place
finishes (which followed a pair of victories) - he's rock solid with any trip, and in any barn....major threat
from the pole. (4) LINDSEYS PRIDE has been a strong player at this level for a long time, and his quick
starts often help him land very nice trips - goes for a new barn and driver tonight, and is eligible to be even
sharper than usual - another very legitimate player! (6) P C FREE WHEELING had been knocking on the
door before that blowout win 2 back - wasn't nearly as sharp last week, however, and draws outside a few
main foes tonight - some racing luck will be needed. (5) BAZILLIONAIRE is as camera shy as they come,
but always has a chance at a small piece, with an easy trip. (2) MUSCLE STAR could use a class drop.
RACE 2 - (5) GREAT SOMEWHERE saw his 4 race winning streak snapped last week when used hard
early, and then blown away late by a razor sharp tripsitter (who was making his debut for our leading barn)-
look for him to bounce right back tonight...even if Kakaley has to race from a bit off the pace. (2) SILENT
SPLENDOR is racing well right now, and may end up with a nice trip from this spot - good one to use in
exotics, and maybe even on top (if the price is juicy enough). (4) WHAT ABOUT BOB moved to our
leading trainer recently and went from weekly NW2 "auto-toss", to beating the tough $50K claimers in just
a few starts - he's looking at a tougher trip tonight, but this trainer/driver team is tough to ever ignore. (3)
GET E UP has been very good out of town, hitting board in 7 straight vs. older rivals - should be a very
good fit, but he's off 3 weeks and also is being handled by a young pilot...would still consider underneath.
(6) ROSE RUN X CON has an outstanding record in this class but wasn't on his best game last week, and
lands on the outside tonight - may have to settle for a smaller share. (1) ONE LUCKY DUDE raced better
than expected when 3rd in this class 2 back (off the layoff, at a big price) - was no factor last week (after a
barn change), but that doesn't mean he can't bounce back with a much better try tonight - we'll see!
RACE 3 - (2) WINDSONG PIONEER has been facing better, and usually from bad spots since returning
for 2023 - drops a bit more, draws inside and also gets reunited with Holland....who won with him twice
(vs. better) back in Nov. - not a bad week to give him a look. (3) IN MY DREAMS isn't on his "best" game
right now, but it's not like he's racing poorly - he's still a very solid fit with these, and a very live player. (1)
KASHA V rebounded from that miscue 2 back to rally nicely for a close 3rd in his last - he's not the most
reliable trotter in town, but he's more than capable of beating these if he brings his best effort (and was
Siegelman's choice over #2, and #4). (4) BIG CHARLIE MORAN finished up well last week after shaking
free from a final turn blindswitch - he can be unpredictable from start to start, but his best effort could put
him right there at the end. (6) THE LAST CHAPTER wasn't bad in his last couple after an "ugly" bottom
level loss 3 back - still a tough one to use on top, but worth including on the bottom of exotics. (7) BANK
BOX TREASURE was shuffled back in his last (off the layoff) and is capable of better - may need to wait
for a better spot to show it, however (5) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE was able to deliver vs. cheaper last week
but usually struggles bit when facing these types - leaning towards others. (8) STEALING isn't bad right
now but he figures to struggle up in class, from Post 8.
RACE 4 - (1) STELLAR YANKEE rallied nicely for 2nd last week despite some dull cover - he ends up in
tonight's much easier $50K claiming division, and could be very tough after drawing the pole. (3) COLD
CREEK FELIPE was no factor in his last couple but he's gone some big miles in this class, and may land
on a much kinder trip tonight - decent spot for a wake up call. (6) MOMENTSTHATMATTER was no
factor in his last couple but is another that has thrived at times at this level - his chances would go way up if
he could leave tonight, and get into play. (2) ROCKET RUSSELL hasn't been a player in 3 starts since
arriving at YR and is also off 3 weeks - we'll see if the inside draw can help him find a better effort. (4)
HURRIKANE GEORGIE had an outstanding 2022 season but has been well off that top form for a while -
he'd be very dangerous if he could find it tonight, but he hasn't shown any recent signs that a big turnaround
is coming - ok for underneath. (5) COALITION HANOVER hasn't been nearly as good since the claim on
2/1 - hard to like at that 5/2 ML price, just hoping for a big wake up call. (7) DA GHETTO WIZARD was
able to charge on by off the good trip 2 back, but squandered the pocket trip last week - hard to really love
his chances starting from Post 7.
RACE 5 - (3) STATEMENT MADE A has turned in a pair of BIG 8 hole tries since being claimed on 1/27,
just missing each time - moves inside, and that stamps him as the one to knock off. (1) SHARK PLAY
drops back down to the level he's beaten 3X recently, and is looking at a good trip from this spot - the main
danger. (2) SHERIFF N disappointed off the claim last week, but it's hard to say if he was just "no good",
or just stuck with a bad trip, into the fast final half - not ready to write him off just yet, but also not ready to
consider on top, at a short price (he's listed at 2-1 ML). (5) JK LUCKY CHARMS landed on beautiful trips
the past 2 weeks and cashed in both times, for 2 different barns - moves to new connections once again,
steps up another class, and may not be quite as successful this week....but still worth using in exotics. (7)
JOJOS PLACE rattled off 4 straight 2nds before picking up the win (off the claim) last week - goes back to
his previous connections now, lands outside while up in class, and may be looking at a smaller share this
time around (8) BETTER B SWIFT turned in a big one last week, parked every step (through hot fractions)
yet still able to somehow finish 4th - would have surely listed him much higher had he not landed the worst
post. (6) LATE MAIL N picked up a nice 2nd at this level 4 back but weakened off a pocket trip last week -
he also never seems to WIN at Yonkers, so consider for a minor share only. (4) KENRICK N throws some
big ones at times but just seems to be struggling at the moment.
RACE 6 - (5) PASS KEY raced here a couple of times last year (in the Brennan Trotting Series) and picked
up a win, and solid 4th - he returns to Yonkers for the first time since then and will now be racing for our
leading trainer.....who has shown an uncanny ability to improve horses dramatically in their first start -
looking at a very short price tonight. (2) ARABELLAS CADET hasn't looked all that "pretty" lately but
she's been staying trotting and still tries very hard - the move inside will keep her closer to the action, with
a chance for a good piece. (7) BRECKENRIDGE was a good earner as a youngster in the Midwest but had
a bit of a tough time as a 4YO - made a couple of local starts for his current connections before getting
some time off, and that qualifier at Pocono looks very promising - terrible draw, but maybe the tote board
will offer some clues as to his intentions tonight. (1) SUMATRA had a rough year in '22 (just 1 for 22) but
did come up with a food one from time to time - wouldn't be shocked if he was able to stick around for a
small piece of this. (6) SECRET OR NOT just hasn't been good in too many local starts for this barn, and
also draws poorly tonight - maybe can grab a minor check? (4) SHOWMEYOURGUNS wasn't bad after a
long layoff but now has 3 starts under his belt and still hasn't picked up his game - hard to recommend right
now. (3) COUNT JOGGING exits the NW4 class...where he finished poorly in most of his starts.
RACE 7 - (6) LYDEO was hurt by stalled cover in her local debut, but still almost kicked in on time to win
it - tough draw tonight (in a very competitive field) but IF she can get away to a good start, she'll have a
chance to get it done....at a decent price. (1) AMERICAN HALO really had no excuses last week and we've
seen her disappoint here in the past - she's also won a couple of times, and still deserves respect from this
advantageous starting spot. (7) CAPTAINS STAR has taken her last pair and is now 8-3-3-1 here at YR -
she may land on a much tougher trip tonight, and could be a bit vulnerable from out here - still playable,
but make sure to get a good price. (2) CHERYLS SHADOW thrived here at Yonkers after arriving from
Canada, compiling a 7-4-1-1 record - she did take 4 months off after a sick scratch and a 4th, however, so
it's hard to say if we'll see her best right off that qualifier - check the tote board? (4) DOCS DELIGHT had
some sneaky pace behind the top bunch last week, and has gone some good miles at times - not a bad bomb
if you think the race might fall apart. (3) CLEAR THE WAY has been collecting only minor pieces lately
and seems destined for more of the same tonight. (8) LOUISIANA GB was an outstanding 15-13-2-0 in
the UK but has really struggled to get her act together since arriving in the U.S. (including last week's
disastrous Yonkers debut) - now lands Post 8, but she WILL be a huge price if you think we'll see the
"good' version tonight. (5) RAISE THE ANTE seems unlikely in her current form.
RACE 8 - (2) FULL RIGHTS has been a bit overmatched in a long stretch of recent races but still managed
to grab pieces almost every week - finally gets to drop down to the level he beat back on 11/23, and he's
surely the one they'll have to catch tonight - probably not the best (short priced) horse to bet the rent money
on, though. (1) TIDQUIST has been a lot steadier since adding trotting hopples back in December - he's
been a bit better than his lines might suggest, and may be able to pick up the pieces late should the top one
falter. (3) FASHION FOREVER raced over his head (at Yonkers) for most of 2022, content to just pick up
small checks most weeks - this is a spot where he CAN have a say, and should end up somewhere on the
ticket. (4) TORKIL finally showed some life 2 back but instantly regressed to his lesser form last week -
maybe he can just tow along for a minor share? (5) BY A HOFF HANOVER needs to be near the lead to
be effective - if Bartlett can leave hard and sit a close up trip, he may be able to stick around for a small
share. (6) CAVALIER GEORGE is still trying to get things going in 2023.
RACE 9 - (3) BELTANE A is sharper than his lines look, but he's been hurt by mostly terrible posts for a
while - he gets a good spot for tonight, and faces nothing particularly scary in here - feels like a spot where
he can pick up his first win of the season. (2) HES ELECTRIC has always been incredibly unreliable and
unpredictable....and that's why it was no great shock to see him hang badly off a perfect trip last week after
charging home so powerfully in his two prior starts - he should be a better price now (4/5 last week) for
those looking to give him another chance. (1) PRO BEACH battled all he could for a long way with last
week's winner and was still right there at the wire - would be no surprise if he was able to get the job done
tonight, but he does figure to be somewhat overbet. (5) CHIEFS BEACH had good kick finishing last week
but his 1 for 17 local record is hard to overlook - another that would need to be a good price to consider on
top. (4) MENLO PARK held "ok" for 4th off the pocket trip 2 back - would consider using underneath,
hoping to add some value to the exotics. (6) BRAZEN BRAZILIAN hasn't been terrible lately - maybe he
can save ground and grab himself a minor share? (8) REAL LUCKY N just doesn't seem nearly sharp
enough to make any real noise from out here. (7) NOTA REPLICAA looked ok for a couple of weeks but
has reverted to "struggling mode" in his last few.
RACE 10 - (6) WILLY WALTON threw a couple of clunkers (after a LONG form spree) but has definitely
bounced back in his last pair - has the speed to overcome the tough draw but can also race from behind if
necessary - gets the narrow nod in the finale. (8) ON HIGHER GROUND just missed in his first start of
2023 after receiving probably the only drive that could have gotten him beat that night - came right back to
win from Post 7 the next week (with Bartlett), and now Bongiorno will look to match that from Post 8 - and
he just may be able to do so! (4) NEW HEAVEN has become pretty unreliable over the last couple of years
but still has to be feared at this level - still prefer the top two, but could see him grabbing a win should they
both falter. (2) MUFASAAS missed an opportunity to leave last week and was left with no chance once he
got away in 7th - much better spot tonight, and an opportunity to pick up a decent chunk. (1) DOWN THE
PIKE MIKE is on the cheaper side but he's definitely sharp enough to pick up a small piece from this spot.
(5) BLUEBIRD JESSE just never really clicked for one of our highest % barns and failed to do any better
for a new trainer last week - needs to be better (or get in cheaper). (3 STICK WITH ME KID came up
empty last week after some solid tries - probably would like to be in a bit easier, but can land a small share
if he gets back to that better form. (7) LADY JETER made a break in her last (and 2 of her last 3) - draws
Post 7 after missing 3 weeks, and we'll just observe this time around.