RACE 1 - Good opener! (2) SHECANDANCE N disappointed here on 8/15 returning to her favorite
trainer but was a much more alert 3rd last week - she won 6 of 9 starts here earlier this year, and may be
ready to get back to the winner's circle. (7) CHUPPAH ON went a strong mile last week but had to settle
for 2nd best behind the new and improved HP XANADU - she's been 1st or 2nd in 24 of her local starts the
past 2 seasons, and can leave well enough to create a trip even from out here - legitimate threat. (4) MIKI
THE CLOWN was a solid winner three back then landed in no chance spots the last 2 weeks - much better
draw tonight, and could be a live player, with the right trip. (1) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX is just 1 for 29
this year, but reliably picks up good pieces - worth including underneath in exotics. (3) PURAMERI put
together a nice string of starts before being hurt by the draw the last 2 weeks - moves back inside, gets a
very aggressive pilot, and may be able to make some noise tonight. (5) MC ANGEL hasn't embarrassed
herself since arriving 4 starts back but she lands in a well matched field and may be looking at only a minor
share. (6) LARJON LEAH showed a little more life the last 2 starts - she does fit NW5000, and we'd be
more interested in her in THAT class, rather than this one.
RACE 2 - (2) SWEET IDEA rallied nicely from tough spots in his first 2 career starts (in PA) - he was a
solid 1:53.1 winner in his next and after taking 6 weeks off and re-qualifying, he was a winner again last
week - gets the nod in his Hilltop debut. (3) TOUGH LAZ had a tough time in those NJSS races and the
2YO has also missed 25 days...on the flip side, he made his career debut back on 7/2 over the half miler at
Goshen, and was 2nd in a Landmark division - should be a good fit here. (6) I B LOVIN benefited from an
inside trip in last week's Excelsior A race but still raced well for 3rd - he's improving, and the short field
helps as well - chance for a piece of this. (1) BROOKVIEW DICE came up disappointingly short at the end
of his mile last week but to be fair, he was racing for a new barn, off a bad date - we'll see if he can find a
better effort tonight. (4) TRANSFER THE ERA cut a very soft pace last week but still gave way on the
final turn without a fight, only holding 3rd because none of the others fired at all - may have a tougher time
here. (5) GANSBAAI is a 2YO making his debut after a couple of qualifiers up North - have to believe he'll
be handled very conservatively tonight.
RACE 3 - (4) FLIP THE SCRIPT was an ok 4th dropping to this level 2 back then gave it a BIG front end
try from Post 8 last week (collared late by #5) - gets a much better draw now, and that may be enough to get
her over the top. (5) DANCE CLUB just kept grinding first over last week and was finally able to collar the
top choice on the money - certainly a chance to repeat. (1) MCNATURAL was a little disappointing last
start but drops down from the 50s, draws the pole, and is eligible to be much better tonight - possibility. (6)
FEELIN RED HOT was another great rehab project by her high % trainer but started to show some cracks
3 back, folded badly in her next then was a "meh" 2nd last week behind the mega form reversing (yet 3/5!)
winner - not surprised to see her drop in class tonight, and suspect she may be vulnerable even vs. these.
(3) ALWAYS B MIMI finished well (vs. cheaper) in her last pair and was claimed by our leading barn - has
to be respected, even bumping up one notch to 25s. (7) SWEET SANDY LOU beat the 25s off the drop 3
back, was an ok 3rd in her next but didn't really fire last week - not sure if she'll be able to reach from out
here. (2) BETTORSHIGHLIGHT N is off a month and just 1 for 29 at YR over the last 2 years.
RACE 4 - (3) LOUIE HANOVER moves to a barn notorious for improving fresh stock immediately, and
even shows a sharp qualifier with his trainer on board - figures to be a pretty short price against this very
modest NW2 field. (6) CLEVELAND B MIKI landed on a golden trip last week and finally broke his
maiden (in start #15) - he'll be sitting back and rallying late here, but may still be able to kick home well
enough to land somewhere on the ticket. (4) SILK ROAD still isn't finishing strong enough, but he is doing
a bit better at the end of his miles- he came up 2nd best in his last pair, and likely looking at another smaller
slice tonight. (5) ROCKINFORREAL shipped back from Pocono after a well backed, sharp victory but was
nevertheless completely ignored at the windows - he sat too far back to have any real impact, but may at
least be able to land somewhere in the exotics from the improved post position. (7) JUST CALL ME ART
feels like he may be on the upswing upstate, but lands a terrible post for his YR debut - maybe he can rally
for 3rd/4th? (1) JULIUS HANOVER is a 2YO shipping down from Canada after a couple of starts - the
guess is that he may need an acclimating mile before we see his best. (2) BEST BETTOR is now 0 for 40 at
Yonkers, and only hit board in 5 of those starts.
RACE 5 - (5) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE is technically moving up in class but the mares she's been
facing in her recent starts are as good, and mostly better than these - she's been sharp overall, won her last,
and has a chance to make it 2 in a row. (1) WILDCAT ANTONIA has disappointed far more often than
she's delivered but she shows up just often enough to at least respect her chances tonight with the class
drop, and move inside. (3) NORMANS MADELINE is probably the "queen of the form reversals", often
going weeks without entering contention and then suddenly just going to the top and wiring the field - this
is a group that she COULD handle, if this is one of those "wake up weeks". (6) MC KELLA has been
facing cheaper out of town, but is definitely sharp - her biggest roadblock tonight could be her desire to
race on/near the lead...which may be a problem from this spot. (2) BROOKDALE JESSIE squandered her
two hole trip last week (tiring to 4th) and is now 0 for 57 over the past 2 years - maybe 3rd/4th? (7) SHOT
GUN PERSUASION threw a dud 2 back but rebounded with a solid (close up) 3rd last week - would have
definitely been listed higher (especially dropping tonight) if not for the brutal draw. (8) A CRAFTY LADY
picked up a pair of 2nds 2 and 3 back but really was no good at all last week - hard to like her chances from
Post 8 tonight. (4) LITTLEBEARCAT hasn't clicked in her 3 local tries.
RACE 6 - (2) CENTURY INSPECTOR has been finishing right behind a few strong NW4 players in his
last several starts - he avoids them all tonight, and looms the one to beat...but note his 2 for 32 career slate
before considering a large bet, at a small price. (3) ROCK THE BELLES has been racing well in both
overnights and Excelsior A events, at a variety of tracks - he moves to a barn that has an incredible record
of improving fresh stock, and that makes him the main danger for tonight. (4) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER
has won 4 straight (3 for 3 at YR) but vs. much easier - we'll see if he can keep the ball rolling against this
tougher competition. (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF shows some lines out of town that would make him a
player here - he debuts for a new barn, draws well, but the 23 days is a bit of a concern. (7) COUNTER OF
FER got sharp this summer and was rallying well week after week - he's been away for a month, however,
and will be sitting last most of the way...probably a good week just to take notes, for future reference. (5)
HUNTSVILLE PLACE has been "meh" at best since moving up to NW4 - minor share only. (6) UNDER
YOUR SCARS has 2 recent wins vs. cheaper, but has to prove he can handle these better ones too.
RACE 7 - (5) CALLMEQUEENBEE A just missed to #7 last week but her overall form since joining the
Dynamic Duo has been outstanding - she'll be a fair price tonight, handles any trip, and we'll give her the
edge over a couple of other sharp foes. (1) MIKI ROSE was forced to come first over to the top choice last
week and ended up a close 3rd after being unable to go by - she's won 6 of her last 8 starts, and clearly a
serious threat from this spot. (2) SHECOULDBEGOOD N hasn't been quite as sharp in her last pair here
(3rd and 4th) as she was in her victory on 7/26 - she's looking at a good trip here, and belongs in exotics.
(7) PARTY CRUISER was a winner last week in her YR debut, converting off a pocket trip from the pole -
moves all the way outside now, and her task will certainly be a lot tougher. (4) AMINI was a nice 2nd in
her local debut but no factor the last 2 starts - jury is still out as to how well she fits here (3) HARMONY
OF NOTES' win last week was surprising enough, but the fact that she had done little in 6 previous starts
and was nevertheless sent off at 3/5 (after usually being more than 30-1) WAS a bit shocking - not really
convinced that she can hang with the better ones in here. (6) GOLDEN QUEST N is having a terrific year
but did come up weak last start - tough draw tonight as she looks to rebound.
RACE 8 - (4) STRENGTHANDHONOR N has raced here 3X and come up sharp in all three, finishing a
solid 2nd best each week - he faces a couple of tough foes tonight, but we'll look for him to finally make it
to the winner's circle. (1) THAT DOG WILL HUNT didn't win in his FIRST start for the Super Siblings but
he did pick up the win the 2nd time around - draws the pole with speed, and could be the main danger. (5)
FROZEN HANOVER has charged home full of pace in all 3 local starts but Lachance has only let him
pace about an 1/8th of a mile each time - it's hard to keep guessing as to WHEN he'll actually be put in a
position for an actual chance at the top prize. (7) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR is now 6-4-1-1 since
arriving from the UK and he's been successful with all kinds of trips - he's certainly at a disadvantage with
the poor draw, but sharp enough to be worth using IF the price is good enough. (2) ON TOP RAINMAN
has been pretty good in most of his local starts this year but he's another from the barn that's been off for a
month. and may not be at his sharpest tonight. (6) RB looked short in both starts off the layoff - drawing
Post 6 won't help his cause tonight. (3) TO THE HUNT just feels a notch below these. (8) HOUND ON
THE BEACH has some ability and won here on 7/4 - 8 hole off a sick scratch tonight, however.
RACE 9 - (1) HEMSWORTH N was (deservedly) bet down to 3/5 two starts back but didn't leave, and
refused to even pull around a bad gapper to 3/4s (would love to hear Kakaley's explanation about what
happened that night) - last week he drew Post 8, sat in the back but looked like he was shot out of a cannon
through the lane, just missing 3rd while seemingly airborne at the wire - no excuses from the pole tonight.
(3) SPORTY M THREE shipped in razor sharp from PA and actually raced much better than his line might
look (loaded with late pace from an impossible spot) - good one for exotics. (4) SPLASH BROTHER got it
done of the class drop last week but he looked to be in trouble on the final turn, then had to work to hang on
at the end - may be a little risky here. (2) JAHAN HANOVER has been good most weeks but did come up
flat in his last - the good draw may allow him to sit an easy trip, and get some confidence back - maybe 3rd
or 4th? (6) FEARFUL INTENT is a proven player at this level but does draw a tough post in a solid field -
could be looking at a small share for tonight. (5) VENIER HANOVER has definitely leveled off, but his
only "bad" recent effort was 3 starts back - he drops a win off his card after tonight so look for him in a bit
cheaper in the next couple of weeks. (7) MR DS ROCK seems to need easier to threaten these days.
RACE 10 - Tough finale! (1) NIGHT HAWK was a winner of $352K at 3 but hasn't been able to really
thrive at 4 - he made his first start for a new barn last week and gave it a good speed try before weakening
to 3rd - maybe tonight he can get the job done, and pick up his first win of 2023? (2) BURNHAM BOY N's
local tries have been mixed, but he does own a victory over the Hilltop Oval - ships in relatively sharp, gets
Kakaley, and should be a live player. (6) PHOENIX OF FLUZZY has held his own with better than these
not long ago - at that 20-1 ML price, he has to be worth at least considering. (3) CHANTEE is always
eligible to be a late threat whenever the trip goes his way - he gave SPLASH BROTHER a late scare last
week, and is not impossible in here. (5) CODY HANOVER seems to show a burst of speed in almost every
race, but has trouble putting it all together for a whole mile - would give him a look if the price is good
enough. (7) SPORT SECRET made an early miscue as the favorite last week and in hindsight, he
ALMOST broke here in the past in a race that he ended up winning - you'll certainly be rewarded if you
think he has a chance to make amends from Post 7. (4) GAMBLINGTERROR hasn't been able to beat the
bottom class in a while - seems pretty unlikely against these. (8) ALEX TYE picked up 3rd at 102 -1 two
back, then also grabbed the show spot at 18-1 last week - will be a lot harder from Post 8, though.