RACE 1 – (7) SPLASH BROTHER showed a lot more interest finishing in his 2nd start back off the layoff – he
drops to a very comfortable level, and has more than enough speed to overcome the bad draw – good week to give
him a shot. (1) ULTIMAROCA won 8 races here last year but was struggling late in the season – he found a field to
his liking last week (returning from Canada) and was able to deliver the sharp front end score – clearly a threat if he
can replicate that performance. (2) CYRUS N returned sharp from the winter break, winning at the bottom level –
followed that up with a solid 3rd last week, and he can make some noise in the lane tonight if not too far back turning
for home. (4) MIND HUNTER was 2nd best last week to a sharp import and a solid player at this level – logical one
to include in exotics. (3) SON OF A TIGER N gets important post relief for tonight and that could help him be a
more significant player – could add some value to the exotics. (6) VIVA LAS VEGAS N had a nice return try at
Fhd. and does fit at this level – he’ll likely be coming from 7th, however, and may just have too far to come. (5) TIM
MC MIKI looked a little better in his 2bd local try – maybe 3rd/4th? (8) KIMBLE A lands another brutal post.
RACE 2 – (4) IT’S A ME MARIO won 5 races and over $100K last year, taking a mark of 1:49.4 and qualifying for
the NYSS Final – he’s 7-4-1-1 here at Yonkers, and his qualifier suggests he’ll be ready to get his 4YO campaign off
on the right foot. (1) OHOKA LE BRON N had a solid qualifier upon arrival in the U.S. and it’s hard to fault his
first local start (sharp 2nd after being used early – the main danger, should the top one not be 100%. (5) UNDER
YOUR SCARS seems a bit below the top two, but could be best of the others – he has some decent tries here in the
past. (7) RAYRAY was just 15-1-1-1 here last year but he was plagued by a lot of horrible draws – unfortunately, it
looks like 2024 is starting off the same way (still, chance for 3rd/ 4th). (2) ALLBETSONFRITZ got lost at the back
last week but did manage a 3rd when inside the start before – chance for another small slice. (3) FULL HORSE has
shown little since arriving from Canada. (6) PINE BUSH ITALIANO is 17-0-0-1 locally over the past 2 years.
RACE 3 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (1) SHEIKH YABOOTY N moves down to a much more comfortable, draws
the pole, and will look to become a “drop and pop” winner in Leg 3 of this series. (4) WHATINEEDISAMAN was a
winner at the bottom level 3 back but struggled a bit vs. better in her last pair – drops in for a tag now, and should be
a very good fit. (5) NUTTINBUTHEBEST was 1 for 17 here in 2022, just 1 for 20 in 2023 but already 1 for 1 to
start off 2024 – we’ll see if she can replicate last week’s blowout win, or if it was a bit of an anomaly. (2) FLIP THE
SCRIPT took some $$ last week and turned in a better effort for 2nd (though no threat to the winner) – her barn is
going well, and she’s usable underneath here in exotics. (3) TUAPEKA JESSIE N drops back down to a more
sensible level and could land somewhere on the ticket if the trip goes her way. (6) BRONZE OVER N looks ok on
paper but really has been mostly “meh” – may struggle from the tough post. (7) TARGARYEN EMPRESS raced
better than expected in her last pair, but tonight’s draw does figure to slow her down considerably.
RACE 4 – (2) STATESIDE DEUCE GB qualified super upon arrival in the U.S. but was then scratched from his
first pari-mutuel start – took some time off, re-qualified even better, but had the misfortune of catching a VERY
good field in his first start and had to settle for 3rd (as the favorite) – 3 weeks off, but still clearly the one to knock off
tonight. (4) AYR BALMORAL GB (like the top choice) is a UK import and it’s hard to fault HIS qualifier – could
be a live player in his debut. (8) TIN CUP CHALLENGE shows an excellent qualifier, pacing an impressive final
half with the trainer’s brother(?) on board – perhaps the tote board will indicate how serious he’ll be as he starts his
career from Post 8! (3) SINGFORYOURSUPPER showed some ability in an abbreviated 3YO campaign but also a
several clunkers – hard to gain much insight from his last Dover qualifier. (1) OLYMPIC BLAZE has some ability
but he’s been idle since 1/30, and a question mark for tonight. (7) FANTOME EN JOIE ended the year with 4
straight up at Rideau Carleton but likely facing lesser competition – he has also missed a month since qualifying
here on 2/1. (5) FERRAGAMO HANOVER was a distant 3rd in his only local try, but is 0 for 18 for his career. (6)
BEST BETTOR is now 1 for 64 after finishing up the track in his 2024 return.
RACE 5 – (4) VENTURESOME ARDEN N rebounded in a big way last start, shrugging off a 23 length loss with a
sharp victory – he’s shown legitimate ability when on his game, and he deserves the edge here over a couple of foes
he knocked off last time. (1) VICI is now 6-2-2-1 locally, with the lone “blemish” when he had an equipment issue –
moves from Post 8 to the rail, and has to be feared from this spot. (3) SURFSIDE BEACH has been hurt by some
less than stellar trips, but the ability is there – chance for the upset, if things go his way. (2) TRAIN STATION
looked like a different horse with that 8 hole blowout here 2 back, then followed that up with a win at PcD – we’ll
see if he’s become sharp enough to give the top trio a tussle. (8) HUNTING ZONE has come back sharp to start off
2024, already picking up a win and a 2nd – tonight’s draw may slow him down a bit, though. (5) MR MATT MAJOR
N was sent off favored for his U.S. debut and was disappointing, to say the least – not writing him off just yet, but
also not ready to try him against these. (7) COTTON ON N was a steady 4th in a promising stateside debut – may
need to wait for a better spot to be a more serious player, however. (6) CAPTAIN MAX HENRY hails from always
dangerous connections, but may prefer to be facing a bit easier.
RACE 6 –“Stake Your Claim” Series: (3) BLUEBIRD GRAF failed to thrive at Dover but has been a different
mare since returning to Yonkers, winning her last pair in dead-game first over fashion -meets no killers tonight, and
a “threepeat” is very possible. (1) SHOTGUN PERSUASION jogged dropping down to this level 2 back – wasn’t as
sharp in her next (new barn, 7 hole), but goes to another new barn for tonight, and lands the rail...could be a very
live player. (6) ROSEY TIME was hurt by poor cover last week but did rally nicely for 2nd from the final turn – if
she can find a live trip tonight, she can be right there at the end. (7) PRINCESS ARONA looked like a winner at the
top of the lane last week but hung badly when it mattered most – leaning more to a couple of others, but it would
hardly be a shock to see her take this. (4) AINTNOHOLLABACKGRL gave it an aggressive try for new
connections last week and that just didn’t work out – was re-claimed that night, and may be able to rally here for a
piece. (5) UNITY found a weak field, worked her way to the lead and was able to come home a winner last week –
might have a much tougher time against these, however. (2) BROOKDALE JESSIE hasn’t won in an eternity – does
get some smaller pieces, though.
RACE 7 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (2) TERACITA is the lukewarm choice in here – she doesn’t dominate the
50s the way she did the 20s, but she does hold her own every week – she catches a somewhat questionable bunch in
this division, and it may be a spot she can handle. (4) BETTERB CHEVRON N was wiped out off turn three last
week so give her a pass – she’s a proven player in here, and that 10-1 ML price makes her worth a look. (1) OKINA
WA BEACH A is the “x factor” – she was scratched injured from her last, and now drops in for a tag 25 days later –
some red flags, for sure! (7) YS SENSATIONALCITY was bet down to favoritism last week despite missing a
month and still delivered the front end score – she’s clearly GOOD enough to win, but we’ll see if she’s able to
overcome the horrible draw. (3) LOVE THAT SMILE just hasn’t been at her sharpest lately, and has been stuck on
minor shares – more of the same tonight? (6) COMMANDER CATHY N is another that has been limited to smaller
pieces lately, and the poor draw may leave her in that same boat tonight. (5) CHUPPAH ON was struggling to win
races in the latter part of 2023 and really hasn’t looked all that sharp so far in ‘24.
RACE 8 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (4) LOOKATMYART couldn’t sustain her first over bid last week but that
was vs. a much tougher bunch of 50s – drops down to a much more comfortable spot, and may have a much better
result. (6) PINK RUBY also drops from 50s to 20s and she’s proven to be a serious player at this level – draws
poorly, but still a big threat...especially if her trip works out. (1) ITTY BITTY has really struggled since returning
from Ohio BUT she’ll make her first start for a barn that has performed overnight miraculous turnarounds so many
times in the past...will she be the next? (2) SUNSET SOPH was in the right place at the right time to beat a very
soft field last start – seems an unlikely repeater, but a small slice is within reach. (4) SHORTYS GIRL finished
behind #2 last week when 2nd, but she’s another that figures to have a tougher time in this tougher field. (5) TIGERS
WATCHING N was no factor in her seasonal return – keeping an eye for any signs of improvement. (7) PRAY THE
ROSARY seems destined to trail for most/all the way.
RACE 9 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (5) ON THE MONEY GB had no prayer from Post 8 last week but her prior
3 efforts were good tries, vs. better– drops in for a tag, and that may prove a winning move. (3) PLEASURE
SEEKER was a solid 2nd in back to back starts before turning in last week’s front end jogburger – legitimate threat
once more. (4) WINDSUN MOJITO has been her own worst enemy, getting WAY too hot 2 back, then making an
early miscue last week (but then recovering very nicely to be 3rd) – willing to give her a look IF the price is right. (7)
ALWAYS B MIMI has to be respected dropping down to 20s after a 3rd vs. the 50s last week – she also moves from
the rail to Post 7, and that does complicate things a bit. (1) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX qualified nicely for her 2024
return but she was just 1 for 38 last year, and pretty hard to consider for the top slot! (6) BETTOR B SAWYER
comes off a win and a 2nd but those were vs. easier fields, from better spots – could be in a bit deep tonight. (2)
LINCOLNS GIRL N would need to improve dramatically off her current Fhd. form just to get a small check here.
RACE 10 - “Stake Your Claim” Series – totally stacked division...possibly the 7 “best” in the series: (3) ELSIES
DELIGHT was an ultra-impressive winner last week, making multiple moves throughout the mile and still
managing to dig in for the win – has to get the slight edge over a rock solid group of mares. (2) LA BELLA VITA N
made a VERY long early move to make it to the lead past the stands last week and kept it going right to the wire,
despite coming up 2nd best to #3 – will have her chance to get revenge tonight. (4) VIBRANCE had a BIG wake up
call when 3rd two back then followed that up with a sharp victory in her next – has been away for 3 weeks, however,
so it’s hard to say if she’ll be at her absolute best. (1) IRON MISTRESS is a solid player in this class but catches a
very tough field tonight – still capable of a piece from this spot. (5) LINE EM UP gets plenty of pieces, but hasn’t
won here in a while – that streak may continue tonight. (6) ONEDERFULBEACH is 2 for 2 in the series but from
much easier spots – she’ll need to be that much better to be as successful against these. (7) PURE SILKY comes into
this off an easy win and solid 2nd, but the post may be a bit much to overcome...even with her speed.
RACE 11 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (4) DREAM DANCING was claimed for the 3rd straight start last week –
she didn’t fire that night but she’s won 3 of her last 5 starts and faces a field of mares that has just ONE Yonkers win
between them over the past 2 seasons – has to get top billing. (5) CHARMING VIXEN was hurt by poor cover last
week, but did rally in the stretch for 3rd – could be the main danger with a better trip. (3) PHELGON just missed 2
back – chance for a piece here if she brings one of her better efforts. (7) ROLL WITH SHORTY hit a tough patch
after rattling off a bunch of wins at Monti – shipped back upstate and picked up a win last week, so we’ll see if that
helps her build back some confidence. (1) EVAS SPORTS CZECH finished just behind #3 two back, draws the pole
with Kakaley and may be able to land a share. (2) WESTERN ROSIE draws well, but hasn’t been doing all that
much lately. (6) SHELLIE DE VIE has been dull, and draws poorly.
RACE 12 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (5) SUGAR BRITCHES was a little overmatched in her last pair but she
drops back down to the level where she’s been a beast, and deserves top billing in the finale. (4) PARADISE ROCK
L has done good work in her 3 starts since the claim, the last 2 at this level– may be next in line. (2) ANNELIESE
HANOVER has a history of very mixed efforts but can throw some nice efforts when on her game – if Smith is
coming up for ONE drive (in the last race), the guess is that he thinks she can be okay. (1) WOODMERE HARRIET
hasn’t done much but the rail draw (in an overall weak field) gives her a shot at a small piece. (7) CALLMEQUEEN
BEE A lands another awful draw but may be able to pass a few weak ones late for some minor spoils. (6) PURAME
RI picked a terrible spot to try to leave last week and was predictably parked (at 44-1) – may be best of the others.
(3) SEZANA N is puzzlingly entered for $50K again when she’s been struggling vs. much easier. (7) CORAL BELL
A needs a much better post in a much easier field in her current form.