RACE 1 - (5) HEART OF MINE really started to peak into her 2YO season, winning a NYSS at Stga. in an impressive 1:53.2, followed by a 2nd here in the Final - continued to race well in a few starts vs. open company in NJ and PA before shutting down for the year, then returned last week with a good looking qualifier at Chester - should be able to handle this modest crew as she prepares for what should be a strong 3YO campaign. (3) SEA OF LOVE BC looked very good here on 4/14 in her first start back at 3 with a strong first over 2nd against the 1/5 favorite - not sure why Marohn made multiple moves last week to put her on the lead (she's shown that she doesn't like that), but she can rebound with a much better effort here - with a trip more to her liking. (1) J M BETTING HEARTS is on the upswing for an owner/trainer that has been acquiring several horses recently - solid chance for a good piece here, and definitely belongs in your exotics. (2) BEACH MOMENT really disappointed here 2 back off a nice pocket trip but did rebound with a sharper try at Pocono - we'll see if that improving trend continues. (4) DEL DIGGITY ended up with a nice trip in her 3YO return and was 2nd best at 40-1 -- may find this spot a bit tougher, but still a chance for a small share. (6) TREASURED LOVE seems a bit cheaper while also drawing the outside.
RACE 2 - (1) ROCKAROUNDTHECLOCK N disappointed here on 3/10 as the 1/5 choice but returned to Stga. to win 2 more, then came back to YR on 4/14 to avenge her loss...again at the same 1/5 price -- she's definitely the one to beat once again...but I wouldn't label her a "cinch". (2) MARILYNS JO had plenty of pace finishing for 3rd in her 3YO return, ran down the pace setting favorite from the pocket the next week, but couldn't sustain her first over bid in last, weakening just a bit to 3rd - has the best shot at knocking off the top one, especially if she ends up with the easy pocket trip. (4) DELIGHTFUL Z TAM was never even involved last week but ended up rallying by them all in the stretch in a classic "fall apart" race - doesn't seem up to the to pair, but may find herself next in line. (5) UPTOWN CALLIE just seems to go through the motions most weeks, picking up minor shares - seems destined for more of the same tonight. (3) ACEFORTYFOUR RIVER broke on 1/20, then tired on 1/27 before going on the shelf for 2 1/2 months - return qua. seems uninspiring, so we'll likely just watch for tonight. (6) SOUTHERN MEMORIES seems cheaper than the others, and also draws outside.
RACE 3 - Tough race: (2) MADHATTER BLUECHIP returned from a long layoff at the start of 2021 - backed through a field here on 1/19, was scratched sick from his next, then requalified at Monti almost 2 months later - last couple suggest he's finally starting to sharpen, and might be able to build off that last upstate win with a victory here at The Hilltop. (3) WATKINS only shows up once in a while these days, but his 14YO legs only have so many starts left in them - feels like a good spot for him to make some noise (7) VINNY DE VIE has yet to hit board here in 10 starts this year, but has certainly faced better in most of them - seems to be pretty steady these days (and not making breaks), and he'll probably be able to win at this level some time soon....maybe even tonight? (5) TORKIL hasn't even been a consideration for months but did show some unexpected life in his last - perhaps he can build off that and be a legit player tonight? (4) P C FOREIGN AFFAIR broke at the start last week then put in a pretty impressive recovery - would probably have rated his chances a bit higher if not for his 4 for 138 career record! (1) KATKIN AND COKE worked out good trips the last 2 starts (after being claimed) then finished poorly both times - needs to be a lot sharper if he wants to have a chance here. (6) NEW YORK CHAPTER seems to be on the cheap side, even off a win at Stga. last start (NW2, at 26-1).
RACE 4 - (4) PRAY THE ROSARY always had "ability", but tended to have too many off weeks (or just get too "choppy" at different points in her miles) - gets a big barn change for tonight, and we'll bite that they'll have her ready for a top effort (but this is a pretty well matched field)! (7) WAKEMESHAKEME got rolling a little too late in her local debut and came up a nose shy - cut the mile the next week and lost by that same nose to the sharp tripsitter -- added Lasix after that, and was absolutely charging home late for 3rd in her next start - lands the worst post here, but she'll be the best price of the contenders - worth using on your tickets. (2) SOMEBEACHSOMEFRA had a useful start off the bad date last week, finishing right behind 3 solid foes in a higher class - she's a very logical threat here, but also figures to be overbet. (3) MOSSDALE LOTTEE N was just getting on a roll in Nov. when she was scratched sick...and then on the shelf for the past 5 months - qualifier suggests she may need a start or two. (1) WOODMERE HARRIET has drawn poorly for several weeks and figures to be much more competitive with the rail draw tonight - willing to include underneath. (5) SUMMER RAE had a useful return try to start off her 3YO campaign but draws in with some solid rivals here, and may be looking at only a smaller piece this week. (6) LOOKING SANTASTIC was dull on the cones in her local debut, and things won't be any easier tonight.
RACE 5 - (3) SVF CASH DEPOSIT was pretty sharp for a few starts here in February but then saw his form tail off considerably - showed some renewed life with the class drop 2 back then once again in last, with the drop to this bottom level (finishing 2nd in a 2-horse battle to the wire) - might have found a spot where he can get back into the win column. (2) HAMMER CREEK got parked the mile from Post 8 two back but that didn't deter Holland from sending him again from Post 8 in his last (up in class)....where he suffered the same brutal trip - drops back down to the bottom level again, moves inside, and looms a very solid threat tonight. (1) SORTIE rallied stoutly for 2nd in NJ three back upon arrival from Canada (and into a new, top barn) - came up weak at the end in his last pair, however, and is a little tough to gauge as he ships in to YR - clearly a threat on his best effort, but also a bit risky while figuring to be the favorite - better value elsewhere? (6) KANDY SWEET went a couple of big miles earlier this winter but then seemed to get discouraged facing better for a bunch of starts - showed some life in last (despite a less than stellar trip), and may be ready to start improving again - consider, at the right price. (5) CHIEF JUSTICE is highly inconsistent from start to start, both here and in NJ - on his best, he definitely CAN beat these...worth a look as long as the price is decent. (4) FOMOR has been a disappointment since arriving here (just 1 for 11) - using underneath, only. (7) MISS YOU KELLY just hasn't been sharp enough for some time - even tougher from Post 7. (8) CYCLONE MAXIMUS actually found the pocket from Post 8 last week but then broke on turn two - just too shaky to endorse right now
RACE 6 - (5) IN MY DREAMS can be frustratingly unreliable but if he's anywhere even close to his best tonight, he'll be able to hit the top and take these wire to wire....but keep in mind that he can be risky at times before ever taking too short a price! (3) FREDDIE MAC has been notoriously camera shy here at YR but his recent Stga, form has been pretty solid, and the barn sent out a very sharp, form reversing winner on Monday night - consider, at least for exotics. (2) SHOWMEYOURGUNS has been throwing consistently solid efforts lately after a long dry spell - if Zeron can get him motivated a little bit earlier tonight, perhaps he'll have a shot at the top prize? (6) TOTAL DIVA has made breaks in 2 of her last 5....but finished 2nd to the heavy favorite in the 3 others -- only 1 for 33 here (last 3 years) so hard to use on top...but definitely ok to include underneath. (7) FASHION WOODCHOPPER shipped up from Florida and was able to wire a bit easier last week (now has 2 wins in 3 local tries) - may have trouble getting to the top tonight, however, and that's really his best game...would need a pretty good price to use on top here. (1) BROWNIE beat cheaper here on 3/9 and raced ok a couple of times after that - not sure he can beat these, but he could be in the hunt for a good piece with the inside draw. (8) ABBIES CELTICLASS isn't "bad" right now, but doesn't seem to be on her best game either - seems like a tall task from Post 8. (4) DEW CAN DEW grabbed her first YR official win 3 starts back, but stands at 1 for 33 locally - will wait until she gets in cheaper to consider again
RACE 7 - (3) GALLERIA GAL came up 2nd best to a razor sharp Stowaway Hanover in her first start back off the layoff - was a game first over 2nd in her next, then ad plenty of pace finishing from an impossible spot in last - faces a few solid rivals here, but she still deserves top billing. (4) ANNE BONNEY N rattled off 5 or 6 in a row last year before suddenly tailing (with some good efforts sprinkled in after that) - took a couple of months off, and returns to YR after a couple of useful tighteners at The Swamp - at 15-1 ML, she surely deserves a look. (2) MAN DONTFORGET ME ran into a tough trip from an outside post in her first try for new connections in last - moves inside now, and any of her better efforts would make her a legit player. (6) ROSE RUN VICTORIA had a fine year as a 3YO, banking $217K - made a break off turn three in her YR debut (4/14), but came back to qualify sharply at Chester, losing by only a nose to the classy Lyons Sentinel - if she's a price, you may want to include her on your tickets. (8) MOANING LISA had a perfect trip last week, LOOKED like a winner into the stretch but then hung badly with the race on the line - not using on top, but a pretty good bomb for a small piece from Post 8. (1) READY SET ROCK has shown to be a notch below the top ones in here, but the rail draw at least gives her a shot at a small piece. (5) SOUND IDEA had no problem wiring cheaper last week after having things all her own way - this is a much tougher spot and while she may be able to contend with these too, she certainly shouldn't be the ML favorite! (7) LAURIE LEE has feasted on softer the past 2 years (13-8-4-0) but she has to prove she can hang with these too - tough draw, and definitely prefer several of the others ahead of her tonight
RACE 8 - (3) PATRIARCH HANOVER was sent off at 3/5 for his Hilltop return last week but made a break before the start and lost any chance - he'll be a better price tonight, and may be worth sticking with one more time. (1) SECRET BRO trotted a solid final quarter as he rallied from 4th to 2nd, and narrowed the odds-on favorite's margin considerably to the end - not the most consistent horse on the planet, but anything close to his best effort would give him a legitimate shot here. (2) MAGIC MVP was sent off at 1/5 for his local return and did not disappoint, wiring the field effortlessly by open lengths - may be able to do the same thing tonight, but this is definitely a tougher bunch, and he might be a bit vulnerable this time around. (5) LINDYS BIG BANG has done solid work in PA after a barn change 5 starts back - seems like a good fit here, and deserves consideration if the price is juicy enough. (4) LIMERENCE had no problem beating the bottom class 3 back but he just hasn't done as well with better recently - maybe a smaller piece? (7) BLUE AND BOLD has been behaving every week, but lacking his old late pop - would need to be a lot sharper tonight to have any real impact from out here. (8) MUFASAAS has elevated his game a bit over the last several starts...but not so much that he figures to have any say from Post 8. (6) LADY EAGLE found a soft enough field she could beat 2 back, but seems up against it vs. this bunch
RACE 9 - (1) JACKAMINO's lines certainly don't look all that inspiring lately, but he's been facing way better than these every week - this really feels like a now or never spot for him...gets the call, even if Brennan opted for #5. (7) ELRAMA was racing well most weeks in Ohio and was "sneaky ok" upon arrival here last week - wish he had a better post and a local catch driver, but the upside is that his price will be a lot better this way - chance to grab a good piece of this. (5) BLUEBIRD RECON returns from Ohio where his best efforts have come on the lead, vs. cheaper stock - he's had some success here in the past but was always notoriously camera shy...and hard to consider here (at a short price) for the top spot, even if Brennan took him over #1. (3) BENNY IS A JET was 6 for 10 last year but currently 6-0-0-0 in 2021 - this might be a spot where he can improve enough for a small piece, though. (4) FRISKY PEDRO was a 32-1 form reversing winner at Chester last week.....for a barn that's had a couple of surprise winner's recently here too - suppose he can be included underneath in exotics. (2) LONDON SEELSTER just gaps badly most of the way every week - hard to use him in his current form. (6) REDDING HANOVER blew out a cheap bunch at Monti last week, but still feels like an outsider against these.