RACE 1 - Good race to start the Friday card: (3) PEDRO HANOVER made only 6 starts in 2022 but did
win 2 of them, and the classy veteran definitely seemed to be sharpening at the end of the year - really
wasn't bad from a no chance spot upon arrival at Yonkers last week, and is sure to be much more well
intentioned with the move inside tonight- one of several live players. (2) POSH ONTHE BEACH A was a
sharp winner off the winter break, one of 4 winners the barn sent out that night - remains a serious threat to
take another. (7) DAAMERICANSKY draws poorly and may be a bit ambitiously placed but he's coming
off 3 straight wins at Monti, and his barn has been en fuego since the latter part of '22 - possibility. (1)
PINEBUSH LIFESAVER was racing well here to close out the year then continued to do good work
upstate - logical threat from this spot, but he's 0 for 15 at Yonkers, and his trainer was just 3 for 135 locally
over the past 3 years. (5) SWAGASAURUSREX wasn't bad in his first start of '23 and is usually good for
some late pace - maybe use for 3rd/4th? (4) FOX VALLEY INFERNO generally needs an easy trip to
thrive - chance for a minor piece if he gets one. (6) MY MIND IS MADEUP hadn't been sharp for some
time but did end the year with a 3rd and started '23 off the same way - another with a chance for a minor
piece. (8) SULLIVAN failed to get involved from a bad post last week, and draws even worse tonight.
RACE 2 - (4) KARMA SEELSTER had to work hard to get it done last week but it was still an 8 hole win,
and she might not have been at her absolute best that night (having missed 3 weeks) - she's far too classy
not to stick with her once more, but be careful about taking too short a price in this solid field. (1) TECHYS
ANGEL had a tougher trip than the top choice last week and still ALMOST was able to hold her off - lands
the pole, and couldn't blame anybody looking to hop on her team tonight. (2) ROSE RUN VANTAGE was
a little overmatched vs. the Ohio Open mares but should fit nicely with these - anything this trainer/driver
team sends out deserves plenty of respect! (3) BABS JANSEN was an excellent 3rd off the winter break,
and is a proven player at this level - add her to the list of possible contenders! (5) TUGGINGONCREDIT
has been solid recently up in Canada and lands in a barn that routinely improves any fresh stock - would be
no surprise at all, though landing outside FOUR solid rivals won't make things easy. (6) SOUTHWIND JA
VA was unable to get involved in her last couple and may face that same fate from Post 6 here. (8) FOND
MEMORIES A almost pulled off a 60-1 shocker last week, but her trip was actually pretty good - may
have a much harder time repeating that effort against this crew.
RACE 3 - (3) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A was pretty good in that NJ start on 1/7 so it was no surprise to see
him ship back in and jog last week (at 10 cents on the dollar!) - steps up a bit, but he's still the one to knock
off. (2) MACH LE MORE A is a solid Stga. Open pacer, and has the benefit off that qualifier and start at
The Swamp - could be the main danger tonight. (5) CROCKETTS CULLEN N is another solid Stga.
performer and the classy 12YO is no stranger to YR - definitely one to include underneath. (6) CHIEFS
BEACH rallied solidly to just miss 2nd off the hiatus - not sure if he can land on a decent trip here, but that
20-1 ML price makes him worth using underneath on a few tickets. (4) PERSIMMON A shipped in sharp
from Fhd. and picked up 2nd to the top choice last week - have a feeling it may not be as easy to replicate
that effort tonight, but still worth using for 3rd/4th. (1) OUR MAJORDAN A draws best for a hot barn but
he's probably a bit cheaper than these - minor share only. (7) ONTO EL DORADO N didn't function last
week - waiting for better signs. (8) BETTOR SUN would be hard to consider off that qualifying line.
RACE 4 - (2) MINGO JOEL has raced well since the 12/2 claim but has yet to get his picture taken - he
was actually very good from a hopeless spot last week, so perhaps the move inside can finally get him over
the hump? (1) AWESOMENESS was handled conservatively off the winter break and he finished with
good energy - if he can avoid a bad trip (he IS prone to them), he can definitely be a threat. (3) ROCK N
TONY was an upset winner to close out 2022 then raced pretty well in his '23 return, chasing the runaway
winner before weakening late to 3rd - could grab another good chunk tonight. (8) PICARD A gave it a
good try from Post 8 vs. the 15s last week - faces tougher now, but has a pilot that's not afraid to leave from
any spot...could add some value to the exotics. (4) MARTY MONKHOUSER A hit the top last week, cut
fractions from the 80s and that left him with plenty in the tank to sprint home a winner (in his 14YO debut)
- steps up to 20s, won't get any free passes tonight, and may have a much tougher time this week. (5) VIRG
IN STORM was winless here in 22 starts last year, and was the "black sheep" of his otherwise powerful
barn - always a chance for a small share, with the right trip. Both (7) SWEET N FAST and (6) CLASSIFIE
DMATERIAL turned in dull efforts to start off 2023 - prefer others here.
RACE 5 - (6) UPTOWN FUNK ended the year beating the 40s effortlessly as the 1/5 favorite....so when he
returned at the $25K level, it sent up a glaring red flag -- it turns out that he was as good as ever, and
delivered the razor sharp 1:53.1 score -- still wouldn't bet him at another very short price, but it also seems
awfully tough to try against him! (1) LOVE THE BLUES N had failed badly several times at the $20K
level but that didn't deter the public from sending him off as the 3/2 choice off the winter break...and he
came up with the 5 length blowout victory for his hot connections - moves up to 25s, but can still be a big
player with a similar effort. (7) SHARK PLAY has 2 wins and 2 thirds from his last 4 starts and drops from
30s to 25s - if he can somehow find a way into the hunt from out here, he could add some value to the
exotics. (4) ROLL WITH TIME ended the year with a nice win in 30s - was handled aggressively in his '23
return but caved badly after cutting it from Post 7 - he'll be a juicy price if you think he can bounce back
with an easier trip. (2) MARINER SEELSTER had the best streak of his career at age 12 and through most
of his 13YO season - he did start to tail in the last few months, though and his 2023 return try is hard to
gauge - guess we'll learn a little more tonight about where he's at. (8) APEX SEELSTER was very good
last week, just missing despite a tough trip - steps up in class while drawing Post 8, and that may really
slow him down for tonight. (5) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN seems to need the lead to be effective and that
doesn't seem likely against these - leaning towards others. (3) MOHAWK WARRIOR beat easier to close
out 2022 but he's been away ever since, and catches a tough spot tonight.
RACE 6 - (6) WINDSUN RICKY is hard to back with too much confidence (as he's been idle for 6 weeks)
but he rarely (if ever) gets to drop down to this bottom level, and he's also adding Lasix tonight - we'll give
him the tepid nod. (1) GINGER TREE PETE should benefit from last week's (no chance) outing and this is
the kind of spot where he generally can thrive - big chance here if the top pick comes up short off the layoff
(4) FLYING ART A has struggled to get into a groove since recently starting his U.S. career but he's
probably more than good enough to beat these IF he can find his best effort - possibility. (5) TIME TO
DANCE was well backed off the class drop in PA last week but backed through the field after making the
top - moves to one of our top local barns and is another with the ability to beat these....but in questionable
form right now. (8) BELATNE A actually looked to leave last week but lacked the speed to do so - draws
another 8 hole but IF you think Siegelman will have better luck finding him a trip this week, he's a good
bomb for exotics. (3) BUTTER UP draws well upon arrival but just seems a little cheap, even at this
bottom level. (2) TIDAL SHARK just never clicked after joining his current connections some time ago.
(7) WAIMAC ATTACK N draws outside and is 21-0-1-1 here over the last 2 seasons.
RACE 7 - (1) UPTOWN HANOVER was the selection last week and she almost pulled off the 15-1
(overlay) upset - her price will surely come down tonight, but she seems the most likely among the players
to land on a good trip - we'll try her one more time. (4) WAHS FIRE BUG N raced super (vs. easier) in a
pair of Stga. wins after arriving in the U.S. - that form also held at The Swamp, where she picked up a win
and a "tenth-to-2nd" try behind JODY....she just may be up to these Open mares, as well. (7) DELITFULC
ATHERIN N didn't seem to be at her absolute best at the end of 2022, but that seemed true for many of her
stablemates as well - her barn has come back strong to start off 2023, and she was a solid winner (over #1)
as well - it would seem Stratton would have to look to go forward with her at the start, and she becomes
very dangerous if a decent trip materializes. (8) LIT DE ROSE saw her impressive 5 race winning streak
come to an end last week (impossible trip), but she was certainly as sharp as ever finishing- would consider
using here even from out here IF the price was right. (6) LUCKY ARTIST A went a HUGE mile last week,
parked every step and almost getting 3rd - the only knock here is the post, and the likelihood of a tough trip
(2) VIOLETS RAINBOW had a useful return try last week, skimming the cones and squeezing out 3rd - a
good trip gives her a shot at a piece here too, even in this sharp group. (5) MCMARKLE SPARKLE is a
proven winner with these, getting her picture taken 9X at YR last year - hard to know how tight she'll be off
the 2 qualifiers, however. (3) DISARONNO HILL moves up in class off a nice 2nd - has to prove she fits.
RACE 8 - (4) KINGSTONS BAD BOY didn't fire last week but he moves from a barn that has struggled to
win races here over the past decade to one of our leading outfits - worth a play on that big switch alone. (3)
SAMSON BLUE CHIP was able to blast right to the top from Post 7 last week and had enough at the end
to cling to the 25-1 upset - his price will be MUCH shorter tonight, but he has to be respected after that last
performance. (1) JOJOS PLACE just missed in his last start of 2022 then returned to finish 2nd (behind the
runaway winner) in his '23 debut - draws best, and is a logical contender. (5) STATEMENT MADE A had
been racing well at Chester but faltered badly in his first start off the claim - hard to know which version
we'll see tonight (the "good" version will fit very nicely here). (2) MISTER DAYTONA N just didn't
function last week (off a sick scratch) but maybe it's good sign that he drops right back in the box - prefer
others, but wouldn't be shocked if he bounced back with a better effort. (8) REYS N A RUCKUS has been
doing good work vs. the 15s but the class hike AND poor draw may slow him down considerably here. (6)
P L LEEROY shipped in sharp from PA, took $$ but threw a major dud - another hoping to bounce back
with a better try tonight. (7) SHOREVIEW gets some class relief but he may need a much better post to go
along with it before he can be a more serious contender.
RACE 9 - (5) VILLAGE JADE seemed to lose some heart after MORNING HAS BROKEN rushed past
her at 3/4s last week and can be forgiven for weakening a bit - this feels like an easier spot, and she
deserves a chance to make amends. (3) ROCKNROLL ANNIE was solid here at the end of 2022 and that
10-1 ML seems a bit generous- definitely worth considering, at least for exotics. (4) MAN DONTFORGET
ME prevailed on the front end last week but it probably wasn't her sharpest effort (on the heels of a
disappointing try across the river) - she's listed at 2-1 ML, and may be a bit vulnerable right now. (8) AND
RA DAY added Lasix last week and was sharp at both ends of the mile - wish she had drawn better, but
she'll be a nice price if you think that Kakaley can find her a manageable trip (1) PURAMERI really picked
up her game after the barn change on 12/9 - hard to say if those miles in NJ vs. cheaper will be enough to
make her a player with these, but we'll find out soon. (6) JIVE DANCING A was a bit in and out last year
but did throw efforts that could make her a player here - qualified nicely, and that 20-1 ML price makes her
worth at least a look. (2) DEMETER N seemed well short last week - sticking with others here, even with
her good draw. (8) NEWSY N was also dull in her YR debut, and now has to deal with Post 7.
RACE 10 - (5) HEART ON MY SLEEVE was able to sustain his rally into the stretch last week despite an
impossible spot - lands a much better post tonight, and catches a field full of question marks - worth a stab
in the finale. (3) IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N was really struggling in his last bunch of 2022 starts (through
the end of October) but he's been freshened up, hails from a very hot barn, and CAN be a good player with
these if anything close to his best - maybe the tote board will offer some clues? (2) TERRITORY was "ok"
last week and seems more reliable right now than a bunch of these - worth considering. (1) MUSCLE MA
CH A is hard to like on paper, but the incredible success of his (new) barn makes him worth at least a look,
especially with the rail. (4) ODDS ON DELRAY has always been an infrequent local winner, even when
trained by our former leading barn - he shows a dullish qualifier for a new barn (after being scratched lame
in December), and is listed as the 9/5 favorite - hard to recommend at that price! (6) UNICO LEGEND N
picks up some smaller pieces at times - maybe throw in for 3rd/4th? (7) TREASURE MACH ships in from
Monti off a dull try and lands outside - sticking with others. (8) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN doesn't figure to
be able to reach from out here.