RACE 1 – (6) RITSON was last seen here picking up a pair of 3rds at the NW20000 level, and that wasn’t all that
long ago – he returns at a much lower level, and has to be given top billing...even with the less than stellar draw. (3)
FULL STRENGTH has been behaving himself and finishing with good trot from impossible spots – if he stays
trotting tonight, he can be a legitimate threat (with the move inside). (1) KASHA V flashed big speed in his qualifier
on 2/1 before tiring then landed in a no chance spot (in NJ) for his first start of the year – draws the pole for his YR
return, and the barn did have a Wednesday night winner – could have a say here. (2) MUFASA AS hasn’t been a
factor lately but he drops, moves inside, and may at least be able to contend for a piece. (4) CAPRICIOUS ONE was
a no threat 4th last time but that was a decent field – chance to grab a small slice here. (7) ENERGYSOURCE really
disappointed last start and now lands Post 7 – probably looking at only a minor share, even with a better effort. (8)
BARRY BLACK can be a player at this bottom level but will likely need a much better post (in a much easier field)
to do so. (5) FULL RIGHTS is trying to find his form – waiting for better signs.
RACE 2 – (6) PRIDEFUL has been racing well against these types in Dover, moves to a barn that can improve one
quickly, and meets nothing too scary in her Yonkers debut – we’ll give her a try, despite the tough draw. (1) IDEAL
COVER perked up off the class drop last week, leaving hard from Post 7 and still with plenty late to just miss –
logical threat from the pole. (2) CRUISE ALERT beat a NW15000 field here on 10/25 but has gradually regressed
since then, and her current form is iffy at best – needs a wake up call to be a more serious threat tonight. (3) KAIRA
KICONFIDENTL N hit a rough patch for a while but did race ok in her last couple – eligible to grab a piece of this.
(5) ELLAS REASON N will attract attention moving to our leading trainer but her Canadian form is spotty at best,
and she hasn’t raced in 5 weeks– would want a decent price to consider her on top tonight. (4) BADDITUDE picked
up a 2nd last week but in a very soft field, and with a good trip – the once high-flying barn has started off 2025 at 0
for 21, and is just 4 for 139 since last June 1. (7) JUST ROSAS LUCK has a good local history but her current out of
town form suggests she may struggle tonight.
RACE 3 – (1) BELLISSIMO FACE S is 6 for 10 at Yonkers and his last local try was a well-bet, sharp 7 hole
victory on 12/20 – he should benefit from that tightener across the river, and the guess is that he’ll be ready to bring
his best for his 2025 local return...and that would make him very tough to knock off. (6) TUSCAN PRINCE got a
little funky on the final turn in his local debut but kicked home full of trot once they hit the stretch– he was smoother
last week (rallying for 2nd behind stickout TIPSY MONI), and should be able to grab another nice piece tonight. (5)
WINDSONG PIONEER gave it a good try on the front end last week before being overtaken in the lane by TIPSY
MONI – a similar effort puts him right back in the mix for a good piece here. (4) TORRONE was strong in the final
part of 2024, even beating the top choice on Nov. 7 – he’s been away since 12/27, however, and it’s hard to assume
he’ll be cranked for his best off that bad date. (3) RODEO HILL is 0 for 14 locally, often vs. easier than these – he
DID race well for 2nd last week, though, and we’ll see if he can build off that improved try. (7) SEVENSHADESOF
GREY hasn’t been sharp so far in ’25 and is stuck starting from Post 7.
RACE 4 – (5) GOLDEN QUEST N was a very solid 3rd vs. the Invitational Mares in her first start of the year, but
receives an extremely generous opportunity from the race office to take what equates to about a triple drop in class
tonight – have to believe she’ll be ready to capitalize. (3) VIBRANCE came up 2nd best to #4 last week but did turn
in an improved effort – she’s eligible to build off that and be even better tonight. (4) MALUKA MISS N sat the two
hole trip behind #4 last week and was a “pocket rocket” winner in her Yonkers debut – no reason she can’t be part of
the exotics tonight, even moving up a bit in class. (1) ALTA MADEIRA N has held form pretty well lately, and an
easy trip from this spot could help her land somewhere on the ticket. (2) AWESOME HILL was never involved last
week but does move well inside after racing from Post 8 last week – jury still out if she may need to be in a little
cheaper. (7) LUCKY ARTIST A lands all the way outside again and will look a lot more appealing next week, with
a class drop (and hopefully better draw). (6) VILLAGE JADE is inconsistent at best, comes off a disappointing try
and gets no help with the poor post position.
RACE 5 – (3) SAINT K was a so-so 3rd last week but he’s capable of better, and this may be the kind of field where
he can show it – narrow nod. (2) ARCHERY SEELSTER beat the bottom class 2 back and MAY have been able to
win in NW7500 last week if not blocked the entire stretch – steps up another notch, but still seems to be a likely
player. (1) SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE picked up a pair of 4ths in his 2 local starts this year but he does grab his fair
share of victories, and starting from the pole certainly won’t hurt his chances – Smith did win with him here on
12/20. (7) GOLDEN COMPASS got a big barn change for his Hilltop debut, was very well backed and was able to
deliver the front end victory – it’ll be tougher tonight (7 hole, up in class), but worth a look at the right price. (8) MI
SSISSIPPI STORM (who became a millionaire last year) has a mountain of back class, but he also has Post 8 after
missing 7 weeks – guessing he’ll be a bit short this week, especially when Holland opted to steer another. (6) MYCR
OWNMYKINGDOM (Holland’s choice) had a useful tightener last week, but may be more serious next time (with a
class drop, and better post?) (4) HOWLINGATHEMOON DK would be hard to endorse tonight after last week’s
dismal U.S. debut. (5) LOVE THIS BAR beat a much easier amateur field last week – may struggle with these.
RACE 6 – (7) LYDEO qualified effectively after 4 months off and her new barn is going even stronger than usual
this year – willing to gamble that she’s ready to beat these (even from Post 7) with that tempting 8-1 ML price. (2)
CRÈME DELIGHT is sharp right now, but is also 0 for 14 at Yonkers the past 2 years – this may be the spot where
she can finally get over the hump. (3) STAY HAPPY should benefit from last week’s start at The Swamp – she’s
been inconsistent in the past, but her best effort could make her a threat tonight. (6) ULTIMATE SPEED had a
terrific 2024 season but feels off her best game at the moment – insist on a decent price if looking for a wake up call.
(1) RACIN FOR ROYALTY quickly found her best form upon arrival from NJ, scoring handily off the two hole trip
– she steps up now, but may be sharp enough to do some damage from the pole. (5) ODDS ON SARA SARA was
an ok 4th last week (new barn, and first start of the year) and does get some class relief – another possibility for
exotics. (4) NITE TIME DEAL was able to outrun a soft bunch last week but it’ll be a lot harder for her to have that
kind of success vs. these. (8) TWO PISTOL ANNIE wasn’t bad last week but lands in an awful spot here.
RACE 7 – Tough to find a winner in here! (2) UTE BLUE CHIP has at least been picking up pieces in NJ recently,
and gets a nice switch to Brennan (who recorded a 4 bagger on Thursday night) – maybe that’ll be a winning angle.
(8) ROLLIN IN THE SAND raced WAY better than expected in her local debut, just missing at huge odds – she was
a big “go” last week, but broke on the first turn after leaving hard – she’ll be another big price for anybody willing
to give her a shot. (3) FAVORITE BEACH will likely attract plenty of $$ vs. this very soft bunch but SHE hasn’t
been any good at all lately, and may prove a very vulnerable favorite. (6) MACHS LEGACY A wasn’t bad last week
and at least has a little move in her – another possible upsetter. (5) TRE TA TA gets a big barn and driver change but
the Ohio mare was 0 for 16 last year and earned only about $7K – she’s a fresh face, but may just be too cheap. (4)
HUNTING LINDY would have a legitimate chance in here if even close to her better form...but she’s another in
here that’s just been struggling lately. (1) GAITWAY GAL faced 44 rivals over the past 5 starts (in NJ) and beaten a
total of 3 horses – a major wake up call would be needed! (7) COWGIRL LILLY is now 1 for 45 over the past 2
years and finished 7th in her last 3 starts.
RACE 8 – (2) LLOYDS LOVES rarely throws a bad one, can race different styles (when necessary) and certainly
flew home full of pace in her first local try of 2025 – maybe she can pull off a mild upset tonight? (7) WALKIN ON
SUNSHINE is a very talented mare, and should only continue to get even better for her new trainer – she was
hammered at the windows for her local debut and delivered the victory, though she couldn’t have asked for an easier
trip – she remains the one to knock off, but may be at least a little vulnerable after being assigned Post 8. (3) CHER
YLS SHADOW had a very good 2023 season and really took her game up a notch in the latter part of 2024 – he first
start of ’25 was very good (tough trip off a bad date), and she’s another with at least a chance to pull off a mild upset
(6) SILK CLOUD A also had a terrific 2024 season, then went on the shelf after having some issue in that 11/9 start
– she qualified back very nicely, and perhaps the tote board will offer some clues to her readiness for tonight. (1) FR
ONT PAGE STORY has been doing fine work here for some time, and has now worked her way up to the top level
– guessing she’ll be handled conservatively, though, even with the inside assignment. (5) COACHELLABOUND N
would be ultra-dangerous here on her best effort but she’s definitely been having a tough time (overall) lately –
would want a pretty good price to try her on top right now. (4) ATREACHEROUS A is unproven at this level, and
has just one start since 12/20.
RACE 9 – (2) TALENT TO SPARE A had a decent season last year and has had pace finishing in a few of her
recent starts – gets a good draw in a field with no standouts, and may be worth a stab. (1) SILKY STRIDE will
likely be the heavy favorite and the road to the winner’s circle likely goes through her – not sure I’d bet the rent
money on her at a short price, though. (5) LADYCORONA had her moments last year, winning 4 of 11 local starts –
she had a useful tightener, and may be able to add some value to the exotics tonight. (4) JENDEN STRIKE A picked
a silly spot to leave last week, was predictably parked and finished way back – she gets a much better draw now, and
Mitchell Cushing did win with her (vs. cheaper) in NJ 2 back – willing to include underneath. (3) DELITFULCATH
ERIN N drops, but hasn’t shown any real signs that she’s ready for a wake up call – maybe the tote board will chime
in? (7) DISARONNO HILL wasn’t bad last week but faces an uphill battle trying to get involved from out here. (6)
CORSINI A probably needs a drop to the bottom level to be a threat. (7) LOOKOVERYOUR draws all the way
outside after looking short in both of her starts this year.
RACE 10 – (6) AQUARIUS FACE S served notice in that 1/3 start at The Swamp that he may be ready to start
doing some damage in the U.S. and he was a handy winner in his next (here at Yonkers) – steps up and draws
poorly, but still deserves the nod. (1) DWS POINT MAN finally showed some better life last week, charging up the
cones in the lane to grab 2nd – could have a say tonight if he can build off that improved effort. (2) CREATIVE
VENTURE drops another notch, gets another good draw, and may be able to be a bigger factor here. (4) B
NICKING went a much better mile when 2nd to the top choice 2 back, then was an even 3rd last week – a quick start
would enhance his chances of being a player here too. (8) MOHATU AS was a nice 2nd last week but benefited from
a pocket trip – looking at a much more difficult journey from Post 8 tonight, but still a reasonable bomb for a small
piece. (7) WIN TOGETHER S beat #8 last time but that was on the lead, with Gingras, and helped by a :59.3 half –
hard to imagine him grabbing such an easy trip tonight. (5) P L OSCAR was overdriven last week and clearly not up
for it – he actually fits NW5000 right now, and he’d be a lot more appealing at that basement level. (3) PSALMFOR
TYSIXFIVE is hard to gauge off his amateur tries but those qualifiers suggest he could need a start or two.