RACE 1 - Field full of very sharp competitors in tonight's opener! (1) BAD TOTHE BONE N got a little
lazy to 3/4s last week and was too far back to threaten for a bigger piece once he found his better stride in
the lane - he goes back to Bartlett tonight and our leading driver seems to know how to push his buttons,
steering him to a win on 1/30 and then a close 2nd the next week to FUNATTHEBEACH N (from Post 7) -
we'll give him the edge from the pole. (5) JAHAN HANOVER earned only $53K last year in 35 starts but
our leading conditioner really got him sharp in 2023, already earning $35K in just 6 starts - gets a nice drop
out of the Open, and should be ready for a big effort tonight. (2) GENIUS MAN has been racing well every
week for a hot barn- he would probably like to be in a little easier, but can still make a lot of noise from this
spot. (4) SETH HANOVER has been picking up good pieces every week and there's no reason he can't do
the same tonight - needs to be a little sharper for a shot at the top slot, however. (6) JUDDY DOUGLAS A
was a sharp winner in his last local start and returns from Fhd. having won two more - he moves up in class
and lands a tough post so make sure to get a good price if trying him on top. (3) FOREVER FAV continues
to deliver solid efforts ever week - he may be in a little too tough here, but still a chance to rally late for a
minor share. Both (7) DEAN B HANOVER and (8) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N are as sharp as any of these,
but will have to find a way into the race from the extreme - won't be easy, but they will be excellent prices!
RACE 2 - (3) ILL DRINK TO THAT has always been a bit of an enigma, capable of some big miles while
also prone to total clunkers and dull streaks - he returns off the layoff for a new barn, and qualified nicely
behind a pair of Borgata hopefuls (and HE'S surprisingly been entered to the series as well) - may be worth
a shot. (6) SHADOW CAT returned from a 3 month layoff with a win right off the bench in NJ - just an
even 5th in his last (up in class), but he has a strong local history, and is capable of beating better than these
- major threat! (4) LEVINE did terrific when Zeron purchased him a couple of years ago but was 0 for 14
last year (with only $18K earned) - he was actually pretty (sneaky) good last start, but he has just that one
race in over 6 weeks - ok for a piece. (2) HEEZ OURPERSEUS N took no $ and was never close in his YR
(and U.S. debut) - hails from sharp connections, however, so check the tote board before making any
decisions. (1) NOWHERE CREEK A took no $$ from the pole last week and lost any chance with a break
before the start - he's very camera shy, but COULD grab a piece from this spot. (5) OHOKA CHOPPER A
makes his Hilltop debut and his lines suggest he may be on the cheaper side.
RACE 3 - (4) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N came up super in that powerful 18-1 front end score 2 back -
was hammered down to 6/5 for his next and delivered another sharp victory...moves up another notch, but
seems sharp enough for a chance at the "threepeat" (but may have a tougher trip here)! (1) DELIGHTFUL
TERROR looms the main danger - he started off the year by beating this class, and raced well (vs. better) in
several starts since then - tonight's drop and draw should make him very tough. (3) HICKFROMFRENCHL
ICK has been picking up lots of pieces lately but the winner's circle has eluded him - may be looking at a
similar result tonight. (5) TIGER BARON only weakened late after a tough first over trip in last - gets some
class relief, and will have a chance to be around late if the trip goes his way. (6) B LIKE CRUISER seemed
a little hot early on last week and that may have hurt his chances - tough draw here, but not a bad one for
longshot fans to consider. (2) CIGAR SMOKING TONY shows a very nice looking qualifier but he's been
away since June and does figure to need a start or two. (7) BECKHAMS Z TAM has been better lately
(after a rough patch) but seems up against it starting from Post 7.
RACE 4 - (1) THE REGULATOR was able to run and hide from cheaper 2 back then was a solid 2nd best
to the frontrunning PEACE OUT POSSE last week - he steps up a notch but the rail draw should offset that
and allow him to call the shots - very tough in here, but will surely be heavily backed. (3) PRETTY HAND
SOME was no factor in his last couple but did beat a NW20000 field 4 starts down - dangerous player for a
strong trainer/driver combination. (5) SOUTHWIND SANDOR finished full of pace 2 and 3 starts back but
didn't have quite as much pop last week (when used earlier in the mile) - still a legitimate threat with the
right trip. (2) ODDS ON PICK SIX appears to be badly tailing at first glance but he did land on a horrible
trip 3 back, then was stuck in impossible spots (at Dover) in his last pair - he may pop up with a good one
here and take home a decent chunk. (6) ROCK CANDY hasn't won in some time but his last 2 efforts were
solid, and his barn is starting to come around - would consider for exotics despite Post 6. (4) REIGNING
DEO does his best with easy trips vs. cheaper - minor piece only. (7) CAN B PERFECT is clearly racing
very well (neck loss followed by 2 wins) but the class hike and draw figure to slow him down quite a bit.
RACE 5 - (3) MAJOR DESIRE has been sharp for a while, converting last week's aggressive try into a
victory - steps up from 25s to 30s but is capable of making it 2 in a row...if a decent trip comes his way. (4)
SHERIFF N failed to fire in his first try off the claim but the classy 9YO was much sharper last week,
toughing out a nose victory - his (hot) barn shows confidence bumping him up one notch to 30s, and he
may be able to handle this assignment too. (1) SOUTHWIND ONYX wasn't able to overcome the trip from
Post 10 last week but returns to YR in overall solid form, and should fit well from the rail with Gingras -
very logical player. (6) PEDRO HANOVER rallied nicely off the claim last week to be a close 3rd (behind
#3) - definitely fits here, but will start with a post disadvantage vs. his main foes - might be able to be right
on the wire again with some trip luck. (5) BETTER UP benefited from a slick drive last week and finished
2nd to the top choice - would include again underneath, but he's been too camera shy at YR the past couple
of years to recommend on top. (2) GOTHIC ROCK hasn't been finishing well enough lately and that last
speed try was a disaster - minor share only. (7) AINT HE SPECIAL hasn't been sharp - could use a better
post, and additional class relief. (8) KEY ADVISOR was both ambitiously placed AND driven last week -
does drop to 30s, but hard to see him threatening from out here.
RACE 6- (3) COVERED BRIDGE has been sharp for some time and that includes the excellent (hard
used) close up 4th two back, as well as last week's 2nd to LOCHINVAR ART A's 1:51 mile - figures to be
very tough once again. (1) LOUS SWEETREVENGE was beaten only a length and half off the qualifier 2
back, then had solid pace finishing in a hot mile last week - seems ready to be a serious threat from this
spot. (5) CERTIFIABLE, like so many before him lately, improved dramatically after moving to our
leading trainer - finished right behind the top choice last week, and can be right in the thick of it once more.
(7) SOARING NOW only made 14 starts as a 3YO but won 6 of them, and banked $374 K - the powerful
victory in his 2023 return (for a new barn) suggests that he may have a big 4YO campaign...but he does
land a very tough spot for his Yonkers debut - may have to settle for a smaller share tonight. (4)
UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N was able to just outrun a NW15000 field upon arrival from NJ but did
weaken a bit in the stretch taking on better last week - likely looking at only a smaller slice tonight as well.
(6) QUALITY BUD has been holding form right up the class ladder but will need a lot to go his way to be
a serious threat from this spot. (2) WINDSUN RICKY brings an impressive 4 race winning streak into
tonight but still seems overmatched vs. several of these - would be a surprise, even in his current raging
form. (8) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N finished with good pace last week but faces an uphill in this spot.
RACE 7 - (3) OUR CORELLI N finished full of pace to just miss 2 back then charged home again last
week for 2nd, despite missing 3 weeks - gets right back in the box, and may just be a good trip away from
getting his picture taken. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N had been a bit off his game before coming up with a
better looking effort last week - draws the pole with Yannick, and has to be considered a legitimate threat
here. (6) PEACE OUT POSSE took full advantage of the class relief last week with the sharp front end
score - bumps up a notch but this level is still within his comfort zone - worth considering if the price is
right. (5) THE REAL ONE landed on a perfect trip last week and helped a previously ice cold barn take
home both halves of last Monday's early double - can never count the classy 13YO out, but he MAY not
end up with as good a trip against this tougher crew. (7) VELOCITY KOMODO was a dead game first over
winner 2 back (vs. a bit easier) but couldn't last on the front end last week- will need to pass 'em all to win
from Post 7. (4) ECSAPETOTHEBEACH is capable of winning miles, even if somewhat inconsistent - can
be a player here if Holland tries to be aggressive. (2) GAMBLINGTERROR was 40-1 upsetter 3 back then
right there at 45-1 last week - remains a viable option (at least in exotics) for longshot fans.
RACE 8 - (3) ALEX TYE only shows one recent victory but he's actually been deceptively sharp for
weeks, that good form being somewhat obscured by a bunch of terrible posts and trips - the move inside
gives him a chance to strut his best stuff...and that would make him a solid threat tonight. (6) HEISMAN
PLAYER is another who has been hurt by some bad draws - tonight's isn't any better, but he may be able to
still work out a manageable journey - could be a big player if that happens. (5) CHANTEE added Lasix last
week, benefited from a "fall apart" race and was one of the barn's 2 winners last Monday- he'll be coming
again late but perhaps for a smaller share this time. (1) VESPA N couldn't last on the lead when 3rd on 2/13
- was scratched sick from his next but still handled aggressively on 3/6, popping out of the pocket (at 21-1)
and never getting by the leader (but helping all the closers) - could be ok here with an easier journey. (4)
STATE SENATOR has been struggling but did actually leave into the pocket before last week's miscue -
he'll try it for a new barn tonight, and we'll if that helps him turn things around. (2) BIG SIR was well back
debuting for a new barn last week - sticking with others, for now. (7) GINGRAS BEACH does his best
work in easier company....and from better posts.
RACE 9 - (1) ELWELL was used early to work out the two hole trip last week but was hurt when the
leader gave way and never really recovered from the shuffle to the final turn - he won his prior 3 starts, and
the rail draw stamps him as the one to beat...but there are a few other pretty sharp horses in here too! (2)
CHANGE STRIDE N was able to immediately turn things around after being moved to this highly
successful barn 4 starts back - gets another good draw, and does look appealing at that 8-1 ML price. (5)
FLOW WITH JOE drops back down to 40s and his last 2 starts at this level produced a win and a 2nd -
another decent value option. (3) BRACKLEY BEACH has been inconsistent at best lately but he just
missed last week (at 10-1) and figures to still be a decent price tonight - not impossible. (6) CAPTIVATE
HANOVER has been a very consistent performer for weeks but he draws outside several sharp foes, and is
also just 1 for 20 locally over the past 2 seasons - has a chance if he lands on the right trip, but make sure to
get a decent price. (4) GINGER TREE PETE is as tough as nails and loves to win races....but jumping from
30s to 40s figures to hurt, and his trip is a bit unpredictable from this spot - leaning to others this week. (7)
LOVE THE BLUES N has been very good in 3 of his 4 Yonkers starts this year, but now jumps up to 40s
while also landing outside - tough task ahead. (8) ROCKIN JUKEBOX is the outsider, for sure.
RACE 10 - (6) RAUKAPUKA RULER N returned from the winter break under new connections, and has
raced well in NJ in all 3 starts (though no wins) - catches a pretty modest spot for his YR return, and we'll
give him top billing. (3) SON OF A TIGER N added Lasix last week but was limited after drawing Post 8 -
still raced ok for 5th, and he's been holding his own vs. better than these lately - the main danger? (8) CEN
TURY HANNIBAL seems a bit cheap off his Canadian form but lands in the barn of our top trainer, and
that makes him hard to ignore....even from Post 8 - would hardly be a surprise to see him have a big say for
his new connections. (5) SO MANY ROADS hasn't been a factor lately but this is the type of spot where h
can save ground, and perhaps show up late for a small share. (4) FOX VALLEY REN has really been
struggling but he drops in class, and is eligible to come up with a bit better effort tonight. (1) LYONS PEG
ASUS was a sharp 9-1 upsetter 3 back but his own worst enemy in his last pair - hard to hop on his team
right now, even from this spot. (2) SARANAC BLUE CHIP has been well off his best form for a while -
waiting for better signs before hopping back on his team. (7) ROCKIN MARTY A was very successful
Down Under but hasn't (yet) replicated that form here in the U.S.
RACE 11 - (3) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD has taken 4 of his last 6, with the two losses being when he
broke on the lead, and when he was wiped out at the start - he steps up a notch but if he's anywhere near as
good as he has been, he'll handle it seamlessly (especially joining our leading barn) (2) TIN ROOF
RAIDER also bumps up a notch off the claim after finishing 2nd to the top choice last week - chance to be
a big part of it once more. (4) LONG WEEKEND saw his string of 5 straight 2nds ended with last week's
dud- drops right back in the box for his 5th barn in 5 weeks, and we'll see if he rebounds quickly. (5)
BARBADOS hasn't clicked in his 2 starts since the claim but that doesn't mean he won't rebound with one
of his better efforts tonight - a little tough to gauge right now. (8) PURPLE POET enjoyed a couple of easy
trips and picked up a win and a 3rd - moves back to 50s tonight and lands all the way outside...but is still a
decent bomb for 3rd or 4th. (7) PASS A GRILLEBEACH had tough trips out of town the last 3 starts and
will probably be handled more conservatively from this spot - we'll see if he can rally late for a minor
piece. (1) L DEES JACK LOPEZ came up with a couple of good tries vs. cheaper but the move into 50s
tonight may prove a bit ambitious. (6) MIKEY CAMDEN showed that he can still go good miles in the
right spot...but tonight's draw (in this tougher field) may limit his chances considerably.