Last Friday’s races were heavily affected by extreme winds, so keep in mind that some of the horses that
raced that night MAY perform differently this week!
RACE 1 – (4) BARRY BLACK is listed at 20-1 ML but he raced big 2 and 3 starts back for 2nds, and did win at
this level in January – could be a good value play in tonight’s competitive opener. (5) GRINDER chased a hot clip
from the pocket last week and can be forgiven for weakening a bit to 3rd – he drops for a hot barn, and looms a
dangerous player tonight. (3) MAX steps up in class off last week’s perfect trip victory, but he can trot with these
types as well – another good trip could put him right there at the wire. (6) FOR A DREAMER drops a notch and
gets a slightly better draw – IF things get a bit testy up front, his chances go up to be around late. (2) SWEET SOUL
DAVID is listed at 2-1 on the ML but he’s missed 3 weeks after a sick scratch, and could be vulnerable this week.
(8) NO DRAMA PLEASE should be tighter after last week’s start in NJ but the terrible draw may limit him in his
local seasonal debut. (7) HUNTING AS figured to be too far back to do any real damage here. (1) BLUEBIRD
JESSE lands the pole but still seems a bit overmatched.
RACE 2 – Short, but very sharp field!! (6) SILK CLOUD A has won 3 of her 5 starts this year, all on the lead and
all after sub :27 opening quarters – she MAY be forced to another hot opener tonight but still deserves the slight
edge in her current stellar form. (5) MC ANGEL never got involved in her 1st start off the claim but was driven
aggressively last week and delivered a very sharp front end score – if she can have the same quick getaway tonight,
she can threaten once again. (2) TWIN B SUNKISSED came back to life at the lower classes earlier this year and
has held her top form since then – finished well from a hopeless spot last week, and the right trip could put her right
in the mix tonight. (4) MISS DOTTIE MAE had a blowout with over cheaper on 2/23 then stayed very sharp right
back up the class ladder after that – another that can be a player with the right journey. (1) DRAGONS LUCKY
LADY has been very consistent for some time, though she may need to be in just a bit easier to get her picture taken
– more than capable of grabbing a good piece, though. (3) REC TIME was very successful at 2 and 3, and looked
good finishing 2nd in her 4YO return – no prayer from Post 8 last week but she draws much better now, and could
have a say if things go her way (despite being listed on the bottom here).
RACE 3 – (3) RACY ROXY A shipped in sharp from Stga. and has raced very well in all 3 local starts, from very
tough spots – feels like it could be a spot for her finally to visit the photographer. (1) LUCKY ARTIST A was
terrific 2 and 3 back but just not quite as sharp last Friday – the classy 11YO could easily bounce right back with her
best here...and that would make her very dangerous. (5) NO WIN NO FEED A is a player every week but has just
one victory at YR this season – she always gets bet, and may be better used underneath, rather than on top. (4) OAX
ACAN DREAM N shipped back in off 3 excellent starts out of town and turned in a big last week, circling the field
from last and passing ‘em all except for the winner – a similar effort makes her a player here, even up in class. (7)
UPTOWN HANOVER has been somewhat inconsistent this year, and gets stuck all the way outside tonight –
wouldn’t be a shock, but we’re still leaning towards others. (2) RACEY RACH N has a couple of recent wins but
with easy trips, vs. lesser – has to prove she can hang with these better ones. (6) DELTA THREE N drops out of the
Matchmaker but these mare may be too tough for her as well.
RACE 4 – Blue Chip Matchmaker, Leg 4: (2) MIKALA took off the gate and got away 6th last week, never entering
the fray after that – she lands inside for tonight, could use a win to solidify her spot in the Final, and we’ll look for
her to bring one of her better efforts. (3) DOUGS BABE A was content to just sit last in Leg 3 but had the pace she
needed when called upon in the lane to rally past the tight bunch – she figures to keep getting sharper, and looms a
big threat again tonight. (4) COACHELLABOUND N just LOOKED better last week and certainly raced much
better, charging late after being guided between horses - she can be a big player if she’s as good tonight. (1) TRUE
BLUE HANOVER has finished well from tough spots in both legs so far – no reason she can’t be even closer
tonight with a little trip luck from the rail. (5) INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW may not be all that handy but she’s
tough as nails, and just keeps coming (every week) – she MAY end up in a difficult spot tonight, however, and may
have to settle for a bit smaller share. (7) TREACHEROUS PENNY really hasn’t been bad but tonight’s draw figures
to really hurt her chances. (6) SALE EL SOL will likely be too far back to have any real impact.
RACE 5 – (6) TORRONE got very sharp here last Fall and was enjoying plenty of success vs. better than these – he
recently re-qualified, had a useful tightener across the river and returns at a very comfortable level – Gingras takes
him over a couple of other live players, and we’ll hop on board too. (2) SEVENSHADESOFGREY often makes a
break when asked to leave hard and that’s exactly what happened here on 3/20 (then he made a BIG recovery to
finish 4th) – he’s definitely sharp now, and could prove the main danger. (3) THE LAST CHAPTER started the year
strong then started to struggle when he got too high up in class – he’s been better in his last couple (with the class
drops), and moves even further down tonight – certainly belongs in exotics. (4) SOUTHWIND ARTURO had a
good 2023 season but has been slow to find his best form in ’24 – maybe tonight’s drop can help him find a better
effort? (5) KASHA V started making breaks recently – added hopples for his last and while he raced just “ok”, he
did stay trotting...we’ll see if he can build off that tonight. (1) MUFASA AS got really roughed up from Post 7 last
week and had license to tire – his overall form has been ok, and he’s another worth including underneath. (7) P C
FREE WHEELING disappointed a bit last start but may have disliked the off going– willing to forgive, but tonight’s
draw presents a new set of concerns. (8) BEERTHITY K will be hard pressed to get close from out here.
RACE 6 – (7) TALENT TO SPARE A picked up a couple of nice wins (vs. a bit easier) in February then continued
to hold her own while up in class vs. some nice, sharp mares – she was a little disappointing adding Lasix last week
but as noted, a bunch of horses just struggled on that rough weather night – worth a look tonight, at a nice price. (5)
PEMBROKE SOUTHIE started the year with 2 sharp wins for her new barn then held her own taking on older
mares last week – could be right in the mix once more. (3) WINDSUN TIARA wired a bit easier at PcD in her last
pair, and has shown speed here in the past – could be a player, at a price. (1) HELLO YES HI just re-qualified after
being away for 3 months and is hard to gauge off that mile – we’ll assume her connections will have her ready to go,
and include her in exotics. (2) NUTTINBUTHEBEST was just 2 for 37 here in 2022-23 but has already won 3 of 5
to start off 2024 – she takes a big jump up tonight, and we’ll find out if she can go with these too. (4) MORNING
HAS BROKEN used a perfect trip to beat easier 2 back but disappointed in her last – prefer others on top, but would
still consider underneath. (8) BOORAA N is a nice mare and has been sharp out of town recently – very tough draw
for her YR return, however. (6) DEVILISH DREAMS was starting to some back around before a disappointing try
in her last (even though 2nd) – tough draw won’t help her chances as she tries to tackle older mares tonight.
RACE 7 – (1) OCEAN RIDGE N has been inconsistent at best this year (after an amazing 17 wins in 2023!) but he
gets Bartlett back on board and the pair teamed up for a win on 1/30 – this is actually a solid NW7500 field, but this
guy has to be given top billing. (4) PURPLE POET has been solid for some time, should be able to find a live trip
from this spot and may even offer some value tonight. (7) AMERICAN MERCURY rallied for 2nd behind a sharp
CAPTIVATE HANOVER in his first start of the year but disappointed in his next as the prohibitive choice – drops
to a very soft level (for him) but as mentioned, this is actually a pretty good field for this class...make sure to get a
fair price if using on top from out here. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N picked up a 2nd and a 3rd since dropping to this
level, and should be able to contend for another good piece tonight. (6) ADAM CROCKER A is the “x factor” – he
instantly perked up upon joining this barn this winter, winning several in a row – he started to hit the skids (badly) in
February, but suddenly just jumped up with a 1:49/3 (lifetime best!) win in NJ last week...which version will we get
tonight? (3) CENTURY INSPECTOR was perfectly driven in last week’s wire to wire 8 hole victory but that was a
MUCH easier field – figures to struggle a bit vs. a few of these. (2) HIGH BALLER seems cheaper than these and
has missed 3 weeks – the Meadows shipper may need to wait for an easier spot for his new barn. (8) NINETEENTH
MAN A would fit well in a “typical” NW7500 field...but really seems up against it tonight.
RACE 8 – (4) LAURIE LEE has won her fair share here at Yonkers, ships in looking solid out of town and lands a
good post with Dexter Dunn – a live trip could make her very tough tonight. (6) GINGER TREE LIZ was a big “go”
last week off the class drop and came up 2nd best to a classy mare that nipped her from behind – chance to make
amends tonight. (7) A GIRL THAT TWIRLS was a big earner as a youngster but really struggled in her 4YO
campaign – moves to our leading trainer for her 5YO season and after a pair of encouraging starts, threw a dud in
her last – would be willing to excuse that effort and try her tonight...IF the price is worthwhile. (2) GAME OF SHA
DOWS has held her form reasonably well even at higher levels than she’s used to – drops a bit tonight, draws inside,
and isn’t a bad one to include underneath. (1) BETTERB CHEVRON N blasted from Post 7 last week but gave way
badly, perhaps due to the windy conditions – she’s won here a zillion times in the past, so we couldn’t blame
anybody willing to use her tonight at an inflated price. (5) JUST ROSAS LUCK began her 2024 campaign with a
dull Monti try but was able to rally for 3rd shipping in last week – mixed feelings about her chances for tonight. (8)
HALLELUJAH HANOVER was another who failed on the front end last Fri. night but tonight’s draw really limits
her options. (3) SHOWMEMAGIC has never been 1st or 2nd in 21 Yonkers starts.
RACE 9 - Blue Chip Matchmaker, Leg 4: (1) LIT DE ROSE is as reliable as they come, and already has 2 wins and
a 3rd from the first 3 legs – she gets her choice of cutting this mile or sitting the pocket, and she’s the one to beat,
either way. (6) DELITFULCATHERIN N came into this series sharp and has stayed that way, a strong 2nd in the first
2 legs then a winner last week – can be a big player again tonight, even with the bad draw. (2) CRÈME DELIGHT
was in tough spots the first 2 legs but was an excellent 2nd to the top choice last week, despite a first over trip – can
land on the ticket once more from this spot. (4) RACINE BELL added Lasix last week and raced “ok” – we’ll see if
she improves a bit more tonight, or if she still has some other issues that need to be worked out. (5) MAN DONTFO
RGET ME has been stuck on minor shares so far but the right trip could see her do a little better – not a bad bomb
for 3rd/4th. (3) EASY TO PLEASE gets a fresh set of hands as Stratton will be handling #6 – we’ll see if Gingras can
coax one of her better efforts out of her. (7) KARMA SEELSTER hit board in all 3 legs and in 5 of 6 starts this year
– that being said, she doesn’t seem nearly sharp enough to merit being listed at 2-1 ML from out here. (8) AVF CLA
IRE has been stuck in some bad spots and lands in that same boat tonight.
RACE 10 – (2) VOYAGE TO PARIS rallied very nicely from impossible spots in both starts after arriving from
Ohio – she draws much better now, gets Dunn in the bike and may be worth a stab at what figures to be a decent
price. (1) WINDSONG PIONEER had a couple of off weeks but rebounded with a much better try in his last – he’s
always dangerous on the lead, and his barn has sent out a bunch of very sharp winners this meet (at good prices) –
worth considering. (3) HAT TRICK MARLEAU went an insane effort when able to win parked the mile 2 back then
followed that up with an excellent 2nd, despite moving up 2 classes – deserves plenty of respect at the moment. (6)
VINNY DE VIE’s lone local start this year was a big one, battling a long way before coming up to a currently raging
TEXSONG SOPRANO – can be right there if Bartlett finds him a good trip. (4) J S HOPSCOTCH has thrived at
YR since arriving from PA, winning 3 of his 7 starts – can be a player here, but not a fan of that 2-1 ML price. (5)
FULL RIGHTS has held form pretty well all year, including that 31-1 score three starts back – a good trip gives him
a chance for s small piece. (7) MACMORRIS HANOVER is solid right now, but may have trouble reaching from
out here against this bunch. (8) FIX A DRINK wasn’t horrible off a bad date last time, but tonight’s draw is a killer.
RACE 11 – (6) COWGIRL LILLY raced big in defeat in her last pair and does like to win races – she doesn’t get an
ideal draw here but she does catch a modest field and may be able to come out on top in tonight’s finale. (4) CLEAR
THE WAY has been “ok” from some tough spots– drops in for a tag, moves inside, and may be able to have a bigger
say tonight. (5) FORTUNADA ended her season on a sour note and hasn’t gotten off to a very good start so far in
’24 – she’ll probably turn things around eventually but for now, seems hard to endorse as the 8/5 ML choice. (8)
KATHYS MOMENT is probably a little cheap (especially from Post 8) but she does have a few big Fhd. efforts, and
that 20-1 ML price makes her worth at least a look. (1) MEADOWBROOK JENNY doesn’t look all that great on
paper right now but she draws the rail with Gingras, and that may be enough to help her grab a piece. (2)
SHOTGUN PERSUASION hasn’t done much since being claimed away from a pair of top barns, (7) PURAMERI
was a little better last time – not ready to hop on her team, but will at least follow her more closely. (3) MARATH
ON MARY failed to build on that improved try from 2 back, instead reverting to bad habits in her last.