RACE 1 - (5) NUTTIN BUT FINESSE finished well from a couple of tough spots here before going a
couple of good efforts at Pocono - lands in a very modest NW2 affair upon his returning to YR, and this
feels like a field he can beat. (1) BIDEN NATION was a "meh" 2nd here last start after sitting a two hole
trip - he's eligible to continue improving (this is just his 3rd start), and he may be the main threat. (8) MR
JOHN had 3 wins in Canada as a 2YO - wasn't able to get involved here in his first start at 3, but he wasn't
"bad" either - would have liked him a lot more from a better post, though. (4) UNWRITTEN RULE is just
10-0-1-1 to start his career but he may be a good fit with this crew - willing to use underneath. (3) MAJOR
ACE tired in his 3YO return but he did race well a few times at 2, and is eligible to be sharper now - we'll
see if he improves a bit. (7) A B COLLINS really struggled at 2 but looked better in his 3YO return (now in
the rapidly growing barn of his new trainer) - will consider for 3rd, even with his owner/trainer on board.
(2) KEEPAMERICAGREAT is now 0 for 20 in his career - will just observe in his YR debut. (6) RIDEAU
SUNSHINE added "go straights" for his last, but the equipment change didn't seem to help - prefer others.
RACE 2 - (5) VELOCITY KOMODO beat cheaper here on 3/19 then went a few decent efforts at this
level as well - he's not the handiest horse on the planet but there MAY be a contested pace in front of him
tonight and that might allow him to use his one good move when it matters most. (4) MISTER REBBILY A
gives mixed feelings here - he took a bad step on the final turn last week and never recovered after that - it
seems like a good sign that he's right back in the box, and this is definitely a field that he can beat...but
Stratton opts off for #3, and that's worth noting as well - at least insist on a fair price if using on top. (3)
TALK SHOW looked like a winner entering the stretch last week but just kept on drifting and it cost him a
shot at the win - as noted, Stratton does stick with him over #4...chance to make amends. (1) ROCK N
BLUE will probably attract some attention from this spot but some of his worst races come when he's
handled very aggressively...and that's exactly what might happen tonight. (7) FULLBACK hasn't done
much lately but he does reverse form with a good one from time to time - not a bad bomb for the bottom of
exotics. (2) MAGRITTE saw a long form spree come to a halt on 3/29 and hasn't raced well in the 6 starts
since then - waiting to see some better signs from him. (6) BLACK CHEVRON is just one of many from
this (normally) top barn that just hasn't been any good for the past 3 months - and he's off a sick scratch
too!
RACE 3 - (4) HES A SNOB was an ok 3rd vs. two better ones in that Reynolds division, then was hurt by
a tiring (then breaking) leader in last (when still a close 2nd) - seems like a spot he should be able to
handle. (1) PATRIOT LINE is still a maiden after 7 career starts but he has gone some close tries in PA, has
speed, and should be able to be a player here from start to finish. (2) KEYSTONE NOLAN was an even 4th
in his YR debut then a close 3rd in last - another logical one for exotics. (6) KAUAI KING was able to grab
3rd last week thanks to a smart, rail-skimming drive from Bartlett - the draw definitely hurts tonight, but he
should still be able to at least have a shot at a board spot. (3) RIGHT IDEA has just 2 career starts and is
still learning the game - does hail from sharp connections, though, and we may see some improvement this
week. (5) MCBUSTER was stuck too far back to have any chance in his local debut - still seems like a bit
of an outsider, but he may be able to at least be part of the action this time. (7) WELL DONE SON is the
latest addition to a barn that seems to keep growing exponentially each week - prefer to just watch from this
spot, however. (8) WIGGLEMEJIGGLEME took 21 starts to finally break his maiden and it was after a
bunch of losses at Monti - will have to prove that he can hang with these
RACE 4 - (2) STOP STARING might have been THE most overbet horse in ages last week (he was an
unfathomable five cents on the dollar!), but at least he was able to hang on for the "ugly" victory - to be
fair, he was off 24 days, and may have not been used to racing on the front end - we're sure that a lot of
people will look to beat him here, and that makes sense....but since the price will probably be much better
now, we'll stick with him for another week. (5) SARANAC BLUE CHIP was a sharp front end winner 2
back, but not able to make his speed hold up in last - would be no surprise at all. (7) THINKING OF SLIM
was hammered down to 3/5 two back upon arrival from Canada but came up 2nd best to #5 - no chance in
last, but guessing that Stratton will at least try to get him into play tonight - he has a chance if that happens.
(8) DANCING JOE took all kinds of tote action last week and came up big, scoring the first over victory in
a sharp 1:53.1 - not sure if he can reach from out here but if the price is juicy enough, he's worth using. (1)
ART SCAPING has won 2 of 6 starts to start his career, including last week's score in NJ - may be a notch
below these, but it would be no surprise if he wasn't. (6) WHAT ABOUT BOB was a well back winner at
Chester 2 back but tired badly vs. stakes competition in last - would only consider if the price was really
long. (3) AIR GUITAR hasn't been terrible, but he also hasn't been impressive enough to consider against
some of these. (4) OLD TOWN ROAD just never grabbed the bit in his 3YO return - just watching for now
RACE 5 - (5) BETTER UP was just way too hot early off the barn change 2 back and lost any chance -
was far more relaxed for his last, and was a steady 5th in a fast mile - barn going well right now, and this
guy has a chance for the mile upset here. (4) YAYAS HOT SPOT is probably the perfect "poster boy" for
the struggles this barn has gone through - was racing well enough this winter to be nominated for the
Borgata - but he just hasn't been good in ages, and barely got a check down at this bottom level in last -
maybe this is the spot where he can perk up, but don't take a short price on top with him. (6) BIG BAD
BILL was a lame scratch on 4/26, didn't function in his next start but definitely looked much better in his
last - maybe he can build off that and grab a piece of this? (1) TALENT SOUP showed his first life in ages
2 back but then got trapped behind a back side quitter in last and lost all chance - would definitely throw
him for exotics here. (7) MAJOR SUGAR RUSH is another from this barn that suddenly started to race
much better lately (here, and out of town) - just 3 for 47 lifetime, though, and hard to consider for more
than a minor share from Post 7. (2) ENERGYZONE HANOVER was a jogburger over cheaper at Fhd. for
his new barn last week - may be a notch below these, however. (3) MAJESTIC KIWI N was a little better
in last...but not enough to consider for a serious piece here. (8) BUNGALOW BILL N draws Post 8 after
being away since October - will just observe for now.
RACE 6 - (7) SOCRATES BLUE CHIP was terrific in those wins 2 and 3 starts back but stopped badly in
his last - the addition of Lasix for tonight may explain that, though, and he could be a good value play if
Stratton can find some way to get him in play. (6) SALT LIFE was always a good horse when he could
make the lead, but it looks like he's even learned to thrive from off the pace now - another that could offer
some decent value, with a bit of trip luck. (1) TREVORS ACE is 0 for 12 here at YR but is still a good fit
with these and may land on a good trip - as long as he's not overbet, he's worth including on your tickets.
(3) CRYSTAL BEACH broke his maiden at Chester in his first start back at 3, was 4th vs. better in a
Reynolds division, then beat a NW2 field here in his last - feels like he MAY be a notch below, but he's far
from impossible. (4) GAMBLINGTERROR finished very well in each of his last 2 starts - at 3 for 67
lifetime, he's hard to use on top....but always usable underneath. (2) JESSICAS BEACH BOY shipped
down to a new barn from Canada and promptly was a winner at PcD in his last - not impossible, but does
seem a bit below some of the other main players. (8) THE COOKIE MONSTER wasn't able to get involved
from the back of the pack in last and is looking at a similar fate for tonight. (5) BRAZEN BRAZILLIAN
can sometimes grab pieces thanks to his gate speed but that doesn't seem too likely in here
RACE 7 - (8) LYONS NIGHT HAWK is worth a stab in a field with some questionable main players - his
PPk form was solid, and a couple of the horses he was facing have already shipped in here and done well -
that last PcD start should have him tight, & he definitely has the speed to leave for position. (4) MOHAWK
WARRIOR would normally be a pretty routine selection dropping to this level but he made an unexpected
break trying to hold 2nd two back, then just never looked all that strong in his last - his best makes him
tough here...but will we see that? (3) AIR FORCE HANOVER had things his own way last time and just
caved once into the stretch - barn SEEMS to be showing some signs of life...but still wouldn't want to take
too short a price with this guy. (6) NOCTURNAL BLUECHIP just hasn't clicked since arriving from
Canada - maybe tonight's drop will be the one that perks him up? (5) CAMPORA N is on the cheaper side
and just doesn't win that often - he is sharp, though, and would have a chance if a few of the others fail to
deliver. (1) IDEAL WHEEL is another that seems a bit too cheap but he draws the pole for a barn that wins
a lot of races...and that's enough to at least give him a look. (2) TIGERS WAY hails from a hot barn, but his
only local win (last 3 years) came at the bottom level - prefer others for the top slot. (7) KNOCKING
AROUND doesn't figure to be able to get involved from this spot
RACE 8 - (3) CENTURY FURY was loaded up the cones to the final turn last week when shut off behind a
stopper - finally shook free with good pace in the stretch, but any real chance was lost at that point - he's
gone several good miles here already (including a win at this level in March), and he's Brennan's choice --
and ours too! (1) ANTHEM N rarely gets in this cheap, and he draws the rail on top of that - he'll attract
plenty of $$ and he's a very legitimate threat...but we're still leaning to the top choice. (8) HUNDIE N is
used to facing better when he's here, but he's also struggling to get in a groove so far in 2021 - terrible spot,
but still may be able to beat a bunch of these. (4) RYAN RACKETEER ships in with an 0 for 16 record this
year, but does show picking up a bunch of smaller pieces - chance for the same in his Hilltop debut. (7) DA
MAGICIAN seemed to be a player upon arrival from PcD but he was outleft at the start and offered little
after that - Post 7 makes it tough to like his chances tonight. (2) SUPERIOR RAVEN beat up on a cheap
field at Fhd. but seems quite a bit cheaper than several of these - good draw may allow him to take home a
small check. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N just hasn't been sharp lately - waiting for a better effort before going
back on his team. (6) DEEDENUTO A just hasn't elevated his game to where it needs to be
RACE 9 - (3) RHYTHM IN MOTION seemed below a couple of the other top 3YOs in Canada last year
but he pulled off the 10-1 upset in the OnSS Final - clearly something wasn't right in his first qualifier back
at 4 but the next prep was better, and he paced home well from a no chance spot in his tightener (in NJ) -
willing to take a shot that he's ready to beat the locals. (1) KEYSTONE DAKOTA was 2nd best to the
runaway winner in his YR debut but then became the runaway winner himself in last week's razor sharp
1:51.4 lifetime best victory - clearly deserves a ton of respect with the pole tonight. (2) MAJOR BEAN was
pretty impressive himself last time, even if that was a softer NW4 field he blew out - looking at a good trip
here, and that would give him a chance at the mild upset. (4) DIAMONDBEACH was extremely sharp for
a while but had some of his old gait issues in his last 2 starts and had to re-qualify -he's talented enough to
beat these "if right", so consider him if the price is appealing. (8) IDEAL ARTILLERY lands his 3rd
straight 8 hole and will likely have to take back to last again - sharp enough to beat a few for a piece,
though. (5) SAILBOAT HANOVER is now 0 for 9 here at YR and has 4 sharp ones inside of him - minor
share only. (6) RETOUR AU JEU has a win and a 2nd in his last pair, but still seems unlikely to have much
impact from this spot. (7) BETTOR AT HIGHTIDE has a few good efforts here, but seems unlikely to
threaten from all the way out here.
RACE 10 - Good finale: (4) BILL HALEY N took a while to find his form but finally started to sharpen
here this spring, culminating with a sharp 1:49.3 win at PcD - had some issues (in higher class) after that
mile, but returns to YR at a comfortable level, and may be able to pick up his first Hilltop victory here. (2)
ITALIAN DELIGHT N has had legitimate excuses in all 3 local starts but may be "sneaky sharp" at the
moment - the right trip could make him a winner here. (1) TWIN B SPEEDO has now been claimed by this
barn 3X since April...but is 0 for 3 with them (and hasn't won for anybody, in a while) - definitely a threat,
but also figures to be overbet. (7) ROCK LIGHTS has flown home from way back on several occasions and
may very well do the same tonight - still winless on the year, so make sure to get a price if using on top. (3)
BETTOR THAN SPRING just hasn't been sharp, even if facing better - drop could help, but still leaning to
others. (5) SPORTSKEEPER ships in off a win vs. cheaper at Chester - looking at a much smaller piece vs.
these. (6) GHOST DANCE benefited from an aggressive drive in a softer field to win his last - can't see
him doing as well against these, especially from Post 6