RACE 1 – (4) ELEKTRA A was a winner at Chester last week and has now taken 4 of her last 5 starts (with the
lone loss being a 2nd to the streaking LLOYDS LOVES) – we’ll stick with the hot hand, especially since she
probably won’t be favored here. (1) GOLDEN QUEST N steps up seeking her 3rd straight, and this level is still right
in her wheelhouse – guessing she’ll go off favored here, and she’s definitely the main danger. (2) IDEALINFUN
looked like she MIGHT be starting to tail a bit but did bounce back last week to dig in gamely for 2nd – eligible for a
nice chunk here too. (6) SOMWHERUNDERHEAVN has remained sharp (no room last week) despite drawing
poorly in several recent starts – unfortunately, another poor post may limit her to a smaller share tonight. (3) TRUE
BLUE HA NOVER has been holding form nicely, but may prefer to be in just a bit easier – minor share? (5) CELIA
B MONEY may need some class relief before we see her best again.
RACE 2 – (2) ULTIMATE SPEED probably needed that start 2 back (finished 3rd) as she was racing off 3 weeks –
dropped right back in the box and turned in at outstanding effort to win from Post 8 last week, used hard in a hot
opening quarter and still able to come on in the lane to rally for the victory – legitimate chance to take another. (1)
CHERYLS SHADOW drops and draws the rail and that will likely result in a very aggressive try – she hasn’t WON
since May, however, so be careful about taking too short a price on top. (3) LUCKY ARTIST A is good right now,
but was unable to handle the top choice last week despite the easier trip – may have to settle for a smaller slice again
tonight. (6) SUPER GIRL is always pacing hard at the end and probably will do the same here...definitely ok for the
bottom of exotics. (4) WHASSUP HANOVER didn’t embarrass herself at all taking on older mares last week – still
seems a notch below a couple of the main players, but a piece isn’t out of the question. (5) TECHYS ANGEL A was
dead short last week in her first try off the long layoff.
RACE 3 – (4) DONATO PATRIOT K was hammered down to 3/5 last week but an early miscue cost him any
chance – willing to give him a chance to make amends...but not one to bet the rent money on at another short price.
(6) SEVENSHADESOFGREY was handled conservatively last week after a pair of breaks and qualifier – he was
definitely loaded with trot at the wire, and CAN beat these types, even from out here...but he’s another that’s too
risky right now to back with any real confidence. (1) NO DRAMA PLEASE is probably a bit below the top pair but
he DOES mind his manners, and comes off a nice victory (even if helped greatly by the heavy choice blowing up on
the final bend) – if the top pair falter, he’s likely the one who can cash in. (2) EPOS OSTERVANG DK isn’t “bad”
right now, but he’s also not nearly as sharp as he was for oh-so-long...prefer to use him underneath. (5) CAL MILES
N SHELL drops a notch but may still be in just a bit tougher than he’d prefer. (3) BROOKVIEW DARIUS ships in
from Hoosier and has missed 3 weeks after a terrible try in his last – prefer to just observe tonight.
RACE 4 – (4) EL TORO LOCO shipped down from Canada showing less than stellar form but the public sent him
off as the favorite (expecting BIG improvement off the barn change) and that’s exactly what they got, a dominant 3
1⁄2 length winner – no reason he can’t do it again. (2) VINNY DE VIE was a very good 2nd two back but
disappointed last week when handled aggressively – can bounce back with a better effort here, with an easier trip.
(3) NO TURNING BACK has been hot and cold all year, and often tough to gauge from week to week – her “good”
self could have a big say here. (6) FOR A DREAMER was no match at all for the top choice last week but kept
digging late to slide into 2nd – may have a tougher time tonight with the bad draw. (5) CANTSTOP YANKEE went
on the shelf from Nov. until March, made one start, then was off again until August (making his comeback at Stga.)
– returns to his previous trainer now, but definitely feels a bit suspect. (1) JETT RINK arrives from PA for his YR
debut and will have to prove that he can contend with these.
RACE 5 – (4) LADY CORONA was having success vs. better in Canada not long ago – she gets to start off her
local campaign at the bottom level, and has to be worth a look at that 12-1 ML price for her new barn. (3) HOW
SWEET IS THAT has a few good local tries vs. better, and returns off a close 2nd in PA – logical threat. (2) ONEDE
RFULBEACH drew Post 7 off a bad date last week (sick scratch) and probably should just get a pass for that dull
effort– look for a more serious effort tonight, right back in the box and moving inside. (5) SALE EL SOL had been
struggling in most of her recent local starts before finding some better form at PcD – could have a say against these,
but don’t take too short a price. (7) MCMARKLE SPARKLE has license to improve off the dullish effort she threw
in her YR return but she would still be hard to endorse on top at that 2-1 ML price. (6) IRON MISTRESS went a
solid mile for 2nd behind a stickout last week but lands in a tougher field from a much tougher post. (1) BETTERB
CHEVRON N had an even effort on 8/16 off the layoff but regressed badly in her last, tiring badly in the lane – hard
to endorse off that weak try. (8) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL isn’t bad right now, but figures to be hurt badly by the
draw.
RACE 6 – (2) TACHYON added Lasix last week and was a solid 3rd behind a pair of nice trotters – he can be a
pretty good horse on his best game, and this may be a spot where Buter can handle him aggressively, and come out
on top. (4) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS raced better last week than his line might suggest, losing momentum on the
back side (as others pulled in front of him) and struggling to get it back into the hot :27.3 final quarter – he fits very
nicely here, and looms a serious threat. (5) CRAZYLAND looked like he MAY be starting to tail off a bit but
rebounded with a much better try last week, including a sharp leave from Post 8 – can have a big say here too, with
the right trip. (7) FLEURIE made her local debut last week (first time for the nation’s leading barn) and raced super
for 2nd – she steps up and draws Post 7, but may still be able to make her presence felt. (1) MORNING EDITION
was dull in his first local try but has strung together 3 solid efforts since then – has to be considered for exotics after
drawing the pole. (6) BEERTHIRTY K drops back down to the level he beat 2 back but this is a tougher field, and
he may be stuck with a much tougher trip. (3) STRONGERWITHLINDY is good with a bit easier, but hasn’t shown
(yet) that he can hang with these. (8) SWEET SOUL DAVID lands Post 8 after re-qualifying – brutal spot!
RACE 7 – (1) NITE TIME DEAL’s last win came here at Yonkers, the last time she raced at this bottom level (and
it was a blowout)– she returns off a start at PcD that she likely needed (off 25 days) and she probably won’t be
favored here – worth a play? (4) FEETMADEFORDANCIN arrives from the Midwest to one of our leading barns
and has the kind of lines that usually suggest success here – very logical favorite, and probably the one to knock off.
(3) GINGER TREE LIZ had an excellent 2022, a “meh” 2023 and has really struggled so far in ’24 – we’ll see if
this drop to the basement helps perk her up a bit. (2) WHATINEEDISAMAN won 5 races earlier this year but hasn’t
resembled that form in a long time – the inside draw could be her best asset here. (5) DANDYS SHOWTIME
disappoints more often than she delivers – minor share? (8) BADDITUDE gave it a decent speed try the last time
she was in this class but may have a hard time getting in play starting from Post 8. (6) COWGIRL LILLY just hasn’t
threatened too often recently, and remains winless on the year. (7) LADY NEWTON is now 8-0-0-0 here in 2024.
RACE 8 – (3) VILLAGE JADE steps up off last week’s sharp score but this field is within her comfort zone as well
– her overall form is very solid, and she may be able to take another. (4) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE was hurt by a
shuffle two back, and a tough first over trip last week – worth a look here if the price is decent. (2) JENDEN
STRIKE A has raced well in several local tries, and comes off a 3rd last week – another easy trip could see her take
home a good piece once more. (6) BETTER WATCH IT broke 2 back but was a steady 4th last week – would have
liked her chances more with a better draw, but she’s not a bad one for longshot fans to consider. (8) HUNTING
LINDY has a few good tries since moving up to tackle older foes but faces an uphill climb from Post 8 tonight –
give her a look if you think Siegelman may take a shot to leave with her. (5) HELLO YES HI brings her 2 race
winning streak into this but faces tougher now, and is listed as the ML favorite – probably some better value with a
few others. (7) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP jogged in her first local start in a long time but that was in a MUCH easier
spot – we’ll see if she can have similar success with this much tougher assignment. (1) BEE OKAY A was a winner
in her 2nd U.S. start but hasn’t looked good in the three starts since then – major wake up call needed.
RACE 9 – Good race! (5) MAN DONTFORGET ME has been very consistent since joining our leading barn a few
months back but it’s hard to imagine how she was a close 2nd to TWIN B JOE FRESH in the Cleopatra (at Scioto) 2
back, then lost in a Tioga overnight last week – still, tonight’s draw may see her land on the best trip among the live
players here, and a good price makes her worth a look. (3) LIT DE ROSE went through a rare rough patch recently
but rebounded with last week’s last-to-first stretch rally – remains ever dangerous. (7) COACHELLABOUND N has
hit board for a zillion straight weeks but the WINS have been a little tougher come by – still a good one for exotics,
even with the bad draw. (8) SILK CLOUD A is the reigning queen of the Open Mares and brings her 4 race winning
streak into tonight – she also gets assigned Post 8 (after 3 weeks off) and that could leave her a bit vulnerable this
time. (2) DOUGS BABE A recently developed breaking issues but did behave in a qualifier and then last week’s
start (close 3rd) – could add some value to the exotics. (4) VIBRANCE moves up in class and will have to prove that
she can be effective with these too – probably looking at only minor spoils. (6) LLOYDS LOVES has been an
outstanding claim and brings her impressive 6 race winning streak into tonight – she certainly seems pretty
vulnerable from this spot...but that was also the case when she WON last week! (1) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY
was a winner last week but usually needs easier than these to be effective.
RACE 10 – (2) DIXIE DREAM had “sneaky” pace 2 back and was really motoring late last week after finally
escaping to the top of the lane – she may trip out here, and should offer a good price in a race with many
possibilities. (1) FRONT PAGE STORY was used a bit harder than she might have liked last week and it may have
cost her at the end (though no shame losing to GOLDEN QUEST N) – threat to take these coast to coast. (5)
ATREA CHEROUS A drops to a more comfortable level and may look to get aggressive here – another potential
value play. (4) OKINAWA BEACH A fits with these, and does win her share of races – the sick scratch is a cause
for concern, however. (3) SWEET CHEYANNE is a little hard to gauge but her connections usually drop them in
where they belong – would be no real surprise. (6) EASY TO PLEASE is a serious “in-and-outer” – prefer to stick
with the more reliable players here. (7) HONEY LOVE is the outsider – literally and figuratively.
RACE 11 – (5) UNFORGETTABLE made breaks in 2 of her first 3 local tries but the talented 4YO had a couple of
nice PcD tries after that, then returned to Yonkers with a solid front end score last week – can take another if she
continues to behave. (3) SOUTHWIND ARTURO was a game first over 2nd to the top choice last week and does feel
like he may be on the upswing – maybe he can complete the exacta once more? (1) P L OSCAR has missed 3 weeks
and hasn’t been on his best game – that being said, he’s probably still a threat to sit close and take home a piece of
this. (6) BRAVE BY DESIGN has been idle for 3 weeks after a dull try in PA – minor piece only. (7) MYCROWN
MYKINGDOM had been stuck settling for small pieces until pouncing on a pocket trip 2 back – tonight’s poor draw
may see him battling for minor spoils. (4) TOWN VICTOR broke last start at Monti and probably needs a bit easier
to be effective here at Yonkers.
RACE 12 – (3) CREATIVE VENTURE came up big on 7/26 (2nd time Lasix) to just miss vs. better then was
REALLY good when 3rd last week, despite being very hard used from Post 7 – anything close to that last effort
would make him mighty tough tonight. (1) LIKE A WARRIOR gets his first good draw since arriving from VD,
adds Lasix, and this would be a spot to look for him to deliver a much better effort. (4) UP HELLY AA hasn't had
much local success in the past but he ships in from Stga. showing some good recent efforts, and he also moves to a
sharp local barn that can often pick up fresh stock – possibility? (2) BAZILLIONAIRE is now 21-0-0-2 here this
year but has looked more competitive lately– small piece? (5) BIG CHARLIE MORAN hasn’t done a lot of winning
at YR but he can often take home decent pieces. (7) BANGIN IN THE HALL is showing better signs since a recent
barn change but faces a very tough task from Post 7. (6) EMPEREURTHEBEST FR was one of the barn’s MAJOR
form-reversing winners recently...but after the 67-1 stunner 2 back, he finished distanced last week.