RACE 1 - Very competitive opener! (5) BEAUTY BAYAMA just never looked comfortable when she arrived here from Canada on 1/27, but did make up ground late - she's been on the shelf since then but her qualifier looks solid, and the barn often has them ready to go - one of several possibilities in this tough race. (6) SEA OF LOVE BC figures to be the favorite off that excellent first over try in her 3YO return last week - definitely a legit chance to take this, but she does draw outside and that may hurt a bit - very usable if not overbet. (7) LOUD BRAZILLIAN got some experience at 2 with her owner/trainer handling the driving - had a catch driver on board for her 3YO return (at Fhd.) and was a winner that day, and the next start too - may have a shot even from Post 7 if Siegelman puts her in play. (4) J M BETTING HEARTS shocked at Monti (38-1) two back with her owner/trainer on board, then raced pretty well for 4th returning to YR (with Bartlett on board) - definitely on the upswing, and a possible player here. (2) MAJOR LOVER was a very solid Excelsior A player at 2 - been away for 7 months, though, and it's hard to get any kind of read off her qualifier (for new connections) - perhaps the tote board will offer clues? (3) DELIGHTFUL Z TAM raced ok from the back of the back in her 3YO return - moves inside, but the guess is that she'll be handled conservatively tonight, as well. (1) DEL DIGGITY tailed quickly at 2 before going on the shelf - return qua. looks good, she draws best, and could definitely end up getting a piece here. (8) ROCKIN GOOD TIME wasn't ready as a 2YO but she did win her return qua. (over #1) - still will be "watch only" after drawing all the way outside.
RACE 2 - (1) BARRY BLACK was one of the only horses in the barn NOT hitting on all cylinders recently but that last effort was a big step in the right direction - lands in a spot that he figures to handle easily, but where he also figures to be seriously overbet - hard to pick against, but not ready to bet the rent money on him either. (4) SECRET BRO can be a little unreliable but this certainly feels like a spot where he can leave hard, establish a good trip, and be a player from start to finish - belongs in exotics. (6) CRAZ YCAT has been solid every week, but his racing style may leave him with a bit too much to do from the final turn - still a solid chance to rally for a good chunk of this. (2) MUFASAAS picked up an overdue victory over the bottom class 4 back but has continued to race well even as he's moved up - the good draw gives him a chance at a small piece of this. (3) IN MY DREAMS remains entirely unpredictable from start to start - if in the right mood he can pick up a nice piece...but that's always iffy! (5) ABBIES CELTICLASS picked up a 2nd last week but she really hasn't been as sharp in her last couple as she was prior to that - needs to be a bit better if she hopes to land somewhere on the ticket tonight. (7) DEW CAN DEW was a bit overmatched in last, and now draws Post 7, moving up again - wait for better spot.
RACE 3 - (3) SVF CASH DEPOSIT hadn't been on his game for a few starts but definitely was much better in last, even if he couldn't sustain his bid all the way to the wire - faces easier here, and anything close to his best effort would make him pretty tough to knock off. (5) FASHIONWOODCHOPPER is a real "in and out" type but he did beat a NW75000 field here (on the front end) this winter, and seems to be returning from Pompano in good form - the main danger...especially if allowed to make an easy lead. (2) CON AIR HALL got jammed up and made a break last week but is usually pretty sure footed - seems like he can step around the rail horse and work out a good trip here...and that would give him a decent chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (7) WATKINS beat this class here on 3/16 and the 14YO went over the $1M mark in doing so - not sure if he'll be able to get involved from Post 7, but he's worth at least a look if the price is juicy. (8) CYCLONE MAXIMUS just never got involved last week but was trotting ok at the end - if he could ever find his "A Game" he'd have a chance even from out here....but it's been a while since he's been that good - would consider if the price was really long. (4) KATKIN AND COKE was on the move very early last week to work out a nice trip...but it left him empty when it mattered - could do better here with a more conservative steer. (1) P C FOREIGN AFFAIR is just 1 for 41 over the last 2 years and 4 for 137 in his career - goes for a new barn upon arrival from Ohio, and we'll just watch, for now. (6) TORKIL would need a major form reversal just to pick up a small piece.
RACE 4 - John Brennan Trotting Series Eligibles: (4) P L NOTSONICE is clearly a talented mare but she's taken a little too long to get rolling in her two starts here - they might race a little but up front tonight, and that would really help out her strong late kick - feels like the week she can get the job done. (2) KENOGA MI COCO was no factor in the first two legs but showed that he definitely has some talent - not sure why he was so sluggish last time but if he brings his best tonight (with the major post relief), he'll be a very dangerous player. (1) KANDY SWEET hasn't come close to replicating those big miles she had here early this year, but she's also better than his current lines suggest - may be ready for a more aggressive try tonight...and a chance for a better piece. (3) DESWANSLITTLELORIE established good position from her outside post last time but was left short at the end - could have things easier earlier from Post 3, and is a legit threat to land somewhere in the exotics. (6) GREY made a break at the start last time but gave a very good account of herself the week before - if she gets away trotting, he has enough speed to find good enough position for a shot at a piece. (7) VINNY DE VIE lagged a long way in each of his last two before finishing with some late life - another bad post probably dooms his chances again, however. (8) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE fits nicely here (even if a bit disappointing in last) but may find himself hurt by a few other leavers - willing to throw in for 3rd/4th if the price is big enough (hoping for some trip luck). (5) KASHA V showed some better life in last, and is yet another with a chance at a minor share.
RACE 5 - (7) MAN DONTFORGET ME has gone off short prices and battled week after week with much tougher fields than this - on the flip side she goes for a new barn, from a bad post, and is 0 for 9 at YR (although 4 seconds, and 2 thirds) - at 9-1 ML, it's too hard to pass up giving her a shot! (4) SOUND IDEA just missed in her local debut (1st leg of M Life Series), was a game 2nd to the series winner in her 2nd try, but just wasn't able to get involved in the Final - returns from NJ after being bothered early in her last, and looks like a very live threat here...not thrilled with the 2-1 ML price, though. (5) CHELSKI threw a dull try 2 back (off track) but is otherwise 7-3-3-1 here at YR - have to include her in exotics. (1) SUMMER RAE went some good miles among her 12 two year old starts - qualified back nicely for a sharp barn, but may not be fully cranked just yet, with her whole 3YO season in front of her - definitely ok for a piece, though. (3) FLIRTY FORTY was a 21-1 upset winner in the first leg of the series (beat #4) but her form isn't as good ever since then - will need to pick up her game if she hopes for anything more than a minor piece. (6) WOODMERE HARRIET fits ok and isn't bad right now...but she was unable to overcome the outside draw in last, and is likely going to be in the same situation tonight. (8) WAKEMESHAKEME adds Lasix after just missing in her first 2 local tries, but she also lands in a brutal spot, with a few legit players to her inside - maybe check the tote board for clues? (2) LOOKING SANTASTIC ships in showing solid Ohio form but those miles were vs. conditioned claimers - we'll see if she's on par with the locals.
RACE 6 - John Brennan Trotting Series Consolation - tough race: (5) MCMATTERS was 2nd in his first 2 local tries, recovered well from a miscue the next start to still grab 5th, then came up 3rd best behind GET LEGS after being left first over in his last - may be the sharpest of these right now, and the price should be pretty fair. (2) STINGLIKE A B K got away last with no chance in the first leg but was a very game first over winner from a better spot in week 2 - took off the last leg and looms a very legit threat in tonight's consolation. (3) HUNTING AS had been sharp (and safe) for weeks so that miscue 2 back was unexpected - was too far back to get involved in his next, but now moves back inside - very logical player, but no value as the 9/5 ML choice. (6) LIFETIME ROYALTY was 2nd and 3rd in his last pair but would have won both of those starts if on his best game - draws outside, and will need to be sharper for any chance at the top prize tonight. (1) BLUE AND BOLD has been behaving but he's been lacking his usual crisp finish the last few starts - another that needs to elevate his game if he wants to be a serious player. (7) HALO ITS ME tried it from off the pace last week but that didn't work out at all - guessing Gingras will be blasting tonight, but not sure she'll be able to survive the hard early use likely to be coming her way. (4) BAZILLIONAIRE may be able to save ground for a minor share but he really needs to be in easier. (8) IMPULSE BUY was a good trip 2nd the first week, broke in the next and took off the final leg - brutal spot for tonight
RACE 7 - John Brennan Trotting Series Final: (6) GET LEGS has gone off at 5 cents on the dollar in all three series legs - he won his last two effortlessly by open lengths but did make a break on the lead in the first leg, landing all the way back in last before re-circling the field to be a close 3rd at the wire - he's now won 10 of 12 career starts, and is clearly the dominant force in this series...but he'll also be the same 1/20 price tonight, so we couldn't blame anybody looking for an alternative play, hoping this guy makes another miscue. (7) TIMON AS loves to win races and has been able to get around the Hilltop Oval just fine - may be able to end up following the winner, and that would give him a decent chance to complete the exacta. (2) TAD KRAZY HANOVER had been off her best form for a while but suddenly woke up in her last, scoring the 25-1 upset - a similar effort could land her somewhere on the ticket tonight. (5) LADY JETER was a winner in the first leg, and has come up 2nd best to GET LEGS in her last pair - would hardly be a surprise to see her complete the exacta one more time. (1) WINDSONG PIONEER has hit board in 5 straight, including 2 wins (one in this series) - draws the rail with speed, and his barn sent out a couple of winners on Tues. night - he'll be in the hunt...but the question is whether he'll be able to last for a big piece. (3) LOOK IN MY EYES drew Post 8 in ALL three legs - hit the top twice (leading to a win and a 2nd), but did get parked the mile in his last (but still somehow lasted for 4th) - the post relief will surely be appreciated, but he may end up with a tougher trip anyway - leaning to others a bit more. (4) GUILTY DESIRE was an opportunistic winner the first week, thanks to the top choice making that break - just "ok" in his last pair, however, and loses Stratton tonight - prefer others. (8) GRINDER is a solid player and a good fit - but the draw will make it very hard for him to have much impact here.
RACE 8 - (5) MAGIC MVP was in a bit too tough at Dover early this year - took a few weeks off, requalified, and has been sharpening nicely the last couple of starts - returns to YR for the first time since 2019, and he was 8-2-2-1 here that year...seems like a field he can handle upon arrival. (6) WARRAWEE SHIPSHAPE benefited from a nice trip in his YR debut and was able to get his trainer his first local victory - moves outside, but still looks like he can be a serious player once again, (7) GOLDEN KRONOS was hitting the top from Post 7 when he made that untimely miscue here 2 starts back - came back with a solid 2nd in an Amateur race at Stga., and would be a very appealing horse to use if he goes off close to that 20-1 ML price. (4) RACEACE has made a couple of breaks lately but has raced well when he's stayed trotting - willing to use in exotics....but only if the price is decent. (1) TOTAL DIVA shows a pair of 2nds to the very sharp Bully Boy sandwiched between a pair of miscues - chance for a decent piece IF she can stay trotting. (2) FOMOR just never really clicked since arriving here 11 starts back - good draw is his best asset here, and may help tow along for a small piece. (3) SHOWMEYOURGUNS has been "ok" lately, but probably needs to be in cheaper for a chance at a top prize. (8) HAMMER CREEK was an outstanding 3rd despite being out the mile from Post 8 last week but he lands that same awful post while also moving up in class - have to believe he'll get in trouble if he tries his luck leaving again
RACE 9 - (2) KICKUPYAHEELS N was sent off favored in Canada upon arrival from NZ but came up a little short - shipped down to Yonkers and was handled aggressively, securing the pocket trip behind the favorite, blowing by her in the lane and staying strong to secure the victory - will stick with her, hoping she can make it 2 in a row. (1) MOANING LISA finished with good pace in each of her last pair, and will be sitting a bit closer tonight - could have a big say in the outcome. (4) DRAGON ROLL went a half in :58 after securing the lead from the rail and had plenty left to prevail in last - has a license to repeat, but figures to have a tougher trip tonight...and also figures to be overbet. (8) GALLERIA GAL has come back sharp at 4 and is as good as anything in here...but she also has Post 8, and that figures to limit her a bit. (3) SOMEBEACHSOMEFRA had to re-qualify after a double scratch, but looked fine doing so - willing to include her for 3rd/4th. (6) ACEFORTYFOUR DOME has held her form nicely in the 2 starts since the claim - may do so again tonight, but will also face some obstacles starting from Post 6. (5) READY SET ROCK was a well backed front end winner 2 back but failed on the lead the next week (against better), and may need to be in easier to have that same success. (7) P L NELLY has a pair of recent front end scores, but vs. much easier - has to prove she can hang with these tougher mares too.