Very tough card, as many of tonight's entrants were affected by the cancellation of the
last 2 Friday cards...AND the track figures to be rain-soaked tonight as well!
RACE 1 - (2) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN wasn't serious last week (Post 8 off a month) but he came
across the wire with plenty of energy once finally cut loose at the end - he won 9 races and $171K last year,
while also taking a new lifetime mark (at age 8) - look for a big effort tonight, from a barn that's off to a
good start in 2022. (1) STREET GOSSIP earned over $350K at 2 and 3, and has been holding his own
against Ohio Open trotters in his last few starts - should be a good fit here, with a legit chance to come out
on top in his Hilltop debut. (7) HEY LIVVY was absolutely scary when she first arrived here from Canada
last summer, but tailed badly after a few starts - has struggled to regain that form up North, so we'll see if
the barn's local team can get her back to her best game again - the "x factor" tonight. (5) BIG NUDGE has
been a tear for some time, and that includes a powerful victory here on 11/18 - he'll be tested for class
moving up to this level, so we'll see if he's up for this...especially having been away since 12/17! (6) ON
HIGHER GROUND just had too far to come last week, but he's been delivering sharp efforts on a weekly
basis for a long time - debuts tonight for the Super Siblings (who just started to really heat up this week),
and he may be able to pick up a good chunk here. (3) EYE OFA TIGER AS used a ground saving trip to
pick up 4th last week, and will need another opportunistic trip to grab another piece tonight - he just seems
to have lost a step lately. (4) LUCKY MATTER is being picked "on the bottom", but he could easily do
better than this...he's clearly sharp (and from a very strong barn), but does face better tonight.
RACE 2 - (4) ORILLIA JOE is not the reliable commodity he once was, but the classy 12YO catches a
pretty shaky bunch tonight and might get brave on the lead against these - logical spot for him to come up
with a good one. (6) DAVIDS COMING HOME was facing light years better pretty recently, but just not
clicking at all - did have some sneaky pace finishing last week (dropping to this bottom level), and may be
able to make his presence felt tonight. (3) ST LADS NEPTUNE was an ok 3rd in his last, and his sharp
young conditioner is off to a 15-4-3-5 in the new year - hard to take too short a price, though, as he hasn't
won a race at Yonkers in ages. (5) LONG TRAIN RUNNIN is another that has really come to life lately for
a new face on the scene - we'll see if he can translate that sharp upstate form vs. the locals. (1) DING DING
DINGER has struggled ever since arriving here in Nov. -- but if he's ever going to perk up, it would be in a
spot like this. (7) WAR DAN DELIGHT N picked up a couple of ok 4ths in his last pair but lands all the
way outside, and is just 1 for 38 at YR (last 3 yrs.) (2) BULLVILLE KYLE is 20-0-0-2 locally over the past
couple of seasons - sticking with others.
RACE 3 - (2) TEXAS TERROR N was a terror in 12.5s over the last few months of 2021 - tried to start off
his 14YO campaign against the 20s, and actually went a big effort before weakening just a bit to 3rd - drops
back down to 15s for tonight, and that may be enough to get him back to the winner's circle (he also had
Post 8 when the card was canceled last week...but now has a MUCH better spot)! (8) MACH TIME N got a
surprising barn change last week, was absolutely hammered at the windows and went his best mile in ages,
the easiest of front end winners - if he's as sharp tonight, he'll have a chance to make it 2 in a row, even
from Post 8....but note that HE had Post 2 when last week's card was canceled...and now has lost that edge
to his main rival (6) GOTHIC ROCK was reclaimed by a barn that recently did very well with him- terrible
draw, but a good bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) COACH CAL wasn't at his sharpest off the layoff last week - could
definitely be tighter now, and maybe can rally for a small piece. (5) WELL DONE SON is very hard to
predict from week to week - ended 2021 on a sour note, and now has been away since 12/17 - the drop
down to 15s may also be a bad sign. (1) DERECHO tired after sitting the 3 hole last week, and just hasn't
been all that sharp for a while - needs to be better, but maybe the 3 weeks off will see him return tighter?
(7) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN looked appealing from the rail (when the card was canceled), but will have a
long way to come tonight after drawing Post 7. (3) NEXT BIG THING went some nice miles here last year,
and won 2 of 8 starts - hard to gauge off his current form, though, and the drop in for $15K could be a red
flag - maybe the tote board will offer some clues?
RACE 4 - (5) SOUTHWIND ONYX couldn't find enough of a 2nd move to threaten the top 3 last week
but that was a quick mile for that night, and he was racing off a month - he's eligible to be tighter now,
draws ok, and we'll give him the nod. (1) APEX SEELSTER was a little short off the winter break but
was racing "ok" prior to that - draws best, his barn is going well right now, and he could have a big say in
the outcome tonight. (2) KIMANI N was 1 for 36 last year, and he's 0 for 15 in the last 3 years at YR - on
the flip side, he hails from a powerful barn, draws inside, and gets Kakaley back in the bike...willing to use
underneath, in exotics. (6) TIME OUT IM TIRED drops below the level of the 12/8 claim price, and that
MAY be a red flag - on his best he can definitely beat these, but hard to really be certain what to expect
from him tonight - maybe the board will yield some clues? (4) CARRACCI HANOVER was able to take
advantage and win a "fall apart" race last start - steps up, and may not be so fortunate tonight - small piece
only. (3) MAJESTIC KIWI N exits a sharp barn, and also moves up in class - inside draw helps, but still
leaning towards others. (7) CASHNCAM hails from a barn that has been thriving, but HE just hasn't been
looking too sharp lately - draws outside, and we'll just observe this week. (8) WAVES OF FIRE A seems
unlikely to find his way into contention from out here.
RACE 5 - (3) OUR MAX PHACTOR N was hammered down to 6/5 from Post 8 despite the bad date and
still managed to get 2nd despite a very unlucky trip - draws much better tonight than he did for the first
canceled card (had Post 7), and absolutely deserves top billing. (1) WALTER MITTY was a solid 2nd at
this level to a sharp winner on 11/30, but then was dull in his last 2 starts of 2021- started off the new year
with a perfect trip victory (beating the top choice), and his barn has been solid so far in 2022 - the main
danger IF he brings his best game. (7) FLYINGEVENBETTOR N seemed to race well against better
several times last year...so it was surprising to see that he was 0 for 12 here at Yonkers - qualified back
decently in NJ, and could easily outperform that (juicy) 20-1 ML price. (4) RETOUR AU JEU seemed to
give Siegelman trouble from early on last start, leading to a ridiculous trip - much better draw here, and
can rally for a piece...with a more "normal" journey. (5) SOMEBEACH BARON seemed to be tailing a bit
at the end of 2021, and weakened badly into the stretch in his 2022 return - will need to get back to his
better form if he hopes to have any say tonight. (8) YAYAS HOT SPOT N had a brutal 2021 season, with
his only win coming on the lead, all out, at the bottom level - we'll see if a few weeks off helps him a bit
(although it's hard to imagine how he'll be able to get into the hunt from out here). (2) TERRITORY ended
up "distanced" after backing through the field in his first try of the year - may just shrug that off and bounce
back with a big effort, but he'd be hard to endorse in here at any kind of shortish price. (6) IWONTDOTHA
TAGAIN was dismal in his first start of the year - waiting for a better effort before considering.
RACE 6 - (7) CHAMPAGNE ON ICE put the hopples back on for last week's Fhd. qualifier and looked
super, trotting a mile in 1:55.4 while beating a high end PACING mare in the process - she's a legitimate
Open mare when on her game, and we'll gamble that the terrific training tandem will have her ready for
tonight. (2) SKY CASTLES was on the move way too early last week, or he might have been even closer at
the wire - goes for a new barn tonight, moves inside and gets a major switch to Bartlett - worth a look here.
(6) EMOTIONS RICHES is hitting on all cylinders right now for a barn that was pretty quiet here for a
long time, but is suddenly sending out a ton of serious beasts - he steps in class of three straight blowout
wins, and he seems sharp enough to continue to hold his own even against these tougher foes - include in
exotics! (1) STICK WITH ME KID steps up seeking his 3rd in a row for a barn off to a very hot start in
2022 - another that belongs in exotics. (4) ALTUS HANOVER rallied nicely for 2nd from well back last
start, and can be a late player once again with a similar effort - chance for a small piece, despite class hike.
(3) ABSATTITUDEEXPRESS shipped in from NJ with some solid credentials, but fell apart after sitting
the pocket to #1 - will need to be much better tonight if she hopes to be any kind of player. (5) MUFASA
AS seems to need easier these days to be a serious threat - this bunch seems a little tough for him right now.
(8) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN perked up with a nice win vs. cheaper last week, but the class hike and
Post 8 will be major obstacles tonight.
RACE 7 - (6) SEAFARER caught a quick mile off a month last week but was still able to kick in late and
rally for 2nd - he beat this class 3 starts back, and has a decent chance to beat these too IF Miller can work
out a manageable trip. (5) TASTE OF HISTORY was winless in 16 local starts in 2021 but he delivered a
blowout win to start off 2022, despite racing off a month - makes a big jump from 12.5s to 20s off that
powerful victory, but this is a pretty blank field, and he may be sharp enough to pull it off. (2) RISKY MIL
LION was 3 for 13 here last year, and show a couple of recent 2nds at this level in PA - legit threat if he
shows up on his best game. (7) RYCROFT N was still pacing ok at the wire last week despite a tough 8
hole trip - gets a slightly better draw, has Kakaley at the lines, and that 20-1 ML price makes him worth at
least a look. (3) MCARDLES LIGHTNING qualified nicely last week but he's been away since last April,
and just too hard to consider on top at that 2-1 ML price! (1) TOLLY HO had Post 8 for the canceled card,
so clearly he's in a much better spot for tonight - that being said, his current form has been lacking. and he'll
need to up his game if he hopes to take advantage of this good spot. (8) MISTER HAT was good in a bunch
of his starts here last year, but may need to wait for a better draw before we see his best (4) CONFIDENCE
MAN had to work very hard to beat much cheaper at Monti last week - not sure he's up for these right now.
RACE 8 - (3) HAYEK was sent off slightly favored against WARRIOR ONE in NJ last start, engaged in a
good battle with that rival and was just beaten by that one for 2nd, as both were run down to the wire by a
fresh foe - we'll give him the narrow edge back at Yonkers tonight. (6) WARRIOR ONE has been a model
of consistency for months, and as noted, comes off a good battle across the river with the top choice - could
easily be the one to come out on top tonight, even from Post 6. (2) FANATIC has done some excellent work
here since arriving from Ohio, but is probably a peg below the top ones - still can take home a decent piece,
though. (1) LEAN HANOVER was able to hang on for 2nd in the Open on 1/14, but broke in NJ last week
-always a chance he can trip out from this spot, and land in the exotics. (4) BARRY BLACK figures to be
stuck racing from the back, and may not be able to do much damage from this spot. (5) STORMY
KROMER is hard to gauge right now - he's won a LOT of races here at Yonkers, but only managed to make
12 starts last year - qualified back in NJ after a lengthy absence, but was then scratched from his first
scheduled start...maybe the tote board will provide some clues?
RACE 9 - Tough race! (5) ROCKIN JUKEBOX raced here 3X in December, picking up a win, a 2nd, and
a 3rd - we'll ignore that last Delaware effort and look for him to bounce back to his top form - one of
several possible winners in here. (1) KEYSTONE NOLAN tripped out and was a winner off the hiatus (at
12-1) and also came out on top 3 starts back (at 16-1) - the price will come way down now, but he does
have a chance to take another. (3) KEYSTONE DASH just missed last week off the barn change and is sure
to take plenty of $$ tonight - he's not known for his reliability, however, and may be a bit vulnerable in this
wide open affair. (4) MOONLIGHT SHADOW grabbed a win here on 11/12, then stayed very sharp over
the winter break at Chester (a win and two 2nds) - didn't like his chances on the first canceled card (Post 8),
but tonight's better draw changes things considerably - month off still a concern, however. (6) CENTURY
GRIZZLY exits a top barn but lands with a trainer that suddenly started winning races in bunches late last
year (and has continued to do well in 2022) - the issue here is that he had the rail when the first Friday card
was canceled, and is stuck with Post 6 tonight- maybe a piece? (2) BOLT OF LUCK did a lot of good work
after being claimed by his current connections, but it's hard to gauge his readiness off his upstate qualifiers
- perhaps check the tote board? (7) FOLLOW YOUR HEART wasn't bad from an impossible spot last
week, but lands in the same boat tonight - prefer to wait for a better scenario. (8) BARRYWHTE
HANOVER is the outsider - both literally and figuratively.
RACE 10 - (4) HILL OF A HORSE added Lasix 2 back and missed by a neck, followed up with a win here
last week - steps up in class, but he's beaten this kind in the past...gets the narrow edge in a tough race. (1)
ALL CHAMPY has shown in the past that he can trot with these, but he's been away since 11/26 and it's
hard to know how tight he'll be for tonight - assuming he's a good price, he's worth considering (barn off to
a 15-4-3-5 start this year). (6) GREY battled a long way with the top choice last week before finally tiring
near the wire - should be able to get away to a decent start even from Post 6, and that would give her a
chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (5) BLUE AND BOLD had been off form for a while but loved the
class relief and the lead last week and was an easy winner - we'll see if he can gain some confidence from
that mile, and give this bunch a tussle too. (7) NEXTROUNDSONME had a perfect trip last week but
couldn't find enough to grab the win....but may have been a little short off the bad date - not sure if he'll be
close enough when they turn for home to do any serious damage tonight. (3) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE was
good to end 2021 and has returned sharp in the new year as well - may find this crew a little tougher than
he can handle, though. (2) FULL RIGHTS was clearly short off the winter break - draws well, but would
still like to see a sharper effort before hopping on his team. (8) SO LONG HANOVER folded badly after a
first over try last start, and now moves all the way out to post 8 - will just watch, for now.
RACE 11 - (8) FASHIONONTHEBEACH was no match last week for the barn changing, incredibly well
meant winner....but was still easily 2nd best - he'll need some luck to get it done from all the way out here,
but he still looks like the one to beat against these. (3) BUGGER BRUISER drops down to 12.5s and this is
where he's most dangerous - should be an up close player from start to finish. (1) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY
took 4 months off after a poor try on 9/15 and his qualifiers look "ok", with trainers handling the driving -
wouldn't be shocked to see him show up ready...and the tote board may offer some help. (5) CHACHING
HANOVER has been an "autotoss" for some time, but wasn't really too bad in his last couple - maybe
include for 3rd/4th tonight? (7) LITTLEBITASWAGGER would seem like a good fit with these but he was
entered for $20K (off the layoff) on the canceled cards, but drops in for the bottom tag of $12.5K tonight -
could be a red flag. (4) LOTTERY WINNER hails from a top barn and will attract $$ dropping to the
bottom level tonight....but since he's struggled just to function in his 3 starts since arriving at Yonkers, it
would be hard to endorse him at that 5/2 ML price! (6) ARI ALLSTAR remains unreliable from week to
week, as a quick look at his last pair can attest to - always a chance he can save ground, and rally for a
small share. (2) WE THINK ALIKE throws way more bad ones than good ones - sticking with others.