RACE 1 – (3) ALTA CLASSIC A was 2nd to FUNATTHEBEACH N not long ago and went a good mile here 2 back
in NW7500, despite being overdriven – feels like a winning spot, unless #1 comes up with one of his better efforts.
(1) MIRRAGON A is capable of beating MUCH better than these when “right”, but he’s been prone to throwing
some major clunkers lately – very dangerous here if he brings his best, but also hard to take a very short price right
now. (2) VIVA LAS VEGAS N was in a tough spot off a bad date last week and wasn’t bad at all – he should sit a
good trip tonight, and could easily finish somewhere on the board. (4) LAST MACH seems a bit below the main
players but the draw puts him in play for a chance at a small slice. (5) HES SPECIAL’s good efforts this year have
been sporadic – likely looking at only minor spoils from this spot. (7) BILL HALEY N is used to facing better but
seems too far off his game right now to really consider from out here. (6) GOOD INVESTMENT has thrown a good
effort at times but his current form is definitely lacking.
RACE 2 – (3) SOUTHWIND PETYR may be worth a stab tonight – he was 1st or 2nd in 18 of his 31 local starts last
year, and had a very useful tightener last week in his first start of 2024 – could offer some decent value. (4) GREG
THE LEG also had an excellent 2023 and has already hit board in 6 of 8 to start off 2024 – deserves respect pretty
much any week he’s in to go. (5) BRUE HANOVER was able to run down the heavily favored ADAM TWELVE
last week (at a big price!) but it was more of that rival tiring late, than this guy running him down – he’s a talented
horse with a legitimate chance to repeat...but the value may not be there tonight. (1) ULTIMAROCA can be wildly
unpredictable and last week we saw one of his better efforts – not sure he can run and hide from these, however. (2)
SHAKE IT has certainly had a hard time getting ready for his 2024 campaign – pass for now.
RACE 3 – John Brennan Trot – Leg 1: (3) WARRAWEE YANG arrives for this series having won 4 straight Opens
(at The Meadows and Northfield) for the leading barn in the nation – he faces some solid competition is this good
division, but still as to be seen as the one to knock off in his current (raging) form. (4) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM
finished strong from tough spots 2 and 3 back so it was no surprise to see Kakaley take ‘em down the road last week
(only the 8/1 price was a surprise) – can be a big player again tonight. (2) WICKENBURGH scored the 8-1 upset in
his YR return (new barn) then raced super for 2nd from Post 8 last week – big chance to outrace his odds once more.
(1) IMMANUEL K S always seems ready to “break out” and take his game up to the next level but it just never
seems to follow through – he qualified nicely after a brief freshening, and we’ll see how he does in this series. (5)
CASSIUS HANOVER has hit board in all 8 local starts but that streak will be in jeopardy vs, this tough bunch –
may be looking at a lesser prize tonight. (6) BLUEBIRD BISHOP has been sharp with cheaper lately in NJ – steps
up, tough post, and is 3-0-0-0 here at Yonkers. (7) SEVEN SINS has ability but draws Post 7 after a break and a sick
scratch – prefer to just observe for tonight.
RACE 4 – (3) TOMBSTONE hasn’t been on his best game but he hasn’t been terrible – he catches a pretty soft field
tonight, and it might be a spot for him to get healthy in a hurry. (4) MR KNOWITALL has picked up small pieces in
all 3 local tries and has been racing similarly to the top choice – another that could have a bigger impact against this
grou0. (5) WILD WAY started of her 2024 campaign with a solid first over victory then came up weak in her next 3
starts – maybe this is the week where she finds her best again? (2) MAGIC MELVIN raced once at 2 (at PcD) and
was an ok 3rd – his last qualifier looks ok, and perhaps the tote board will offer some guidance as to his chances in
his 3YO return? (1) TO MY CREDIT used an easy trip in a weak field to pick up a 2nd last week...after going 14
local starts without ever being better than 3rd– we’ll see if that helps his confidence enough to at least be a contender
tonight. (7) I GOT THE TAB has a couple of recent 2nds but also has a couple of clunkers from the pole – he moves
all the way outside now, and would be hard to endorse as the 5/2 ML favorite. (6) WISTERIA HANOVER hit the
top in a weak field and was able to prevail last time – won’t be so easy tonight.
RACE 5 – (5) BATH BOMB shows just one qualifier but it was a PcD blowout with a final quarter in :26.4 – have
to believe she’ll be heavily backed as she makes her career debut tonight for our leading trainer. (4) IM A BELIEVE
R was well backed for her 3YO return but was forced to take the pocket and left with no real chance to beat the top
pair – she should be sharper tonight, and figures to be right in the hunt. (1) YOUCANCALLME DAISY was
handled very aggressively last time and just missed out to a winner that made it 4 in a row that night – should be
right in the mix once more. (3) OAKWOOD DYNASTY IR was terrible in her U.S. debut – wasn’t much better
adding Lasix for her next but did finish much more encouragingly in her last – we’ll see if she continues to improve.
(6) URSULA BLUE CHIP continues to grab pieces at good prices – maybe again tonight? (2) FANSBABY was
aggressive in her 3YO return before tiring – maybe tighter tonight? (7) PINE BUSH MAGA is 0 for 21 at YR and
lands Post 7 off a sick scratch.
RACE 6 – (4) LYONS PRIDE failed to hit board in all 10 Yonkers starts before a much improved 2nd last week – he
catches an absolutely blank field tonight, and may be in a spot to build off that last try, and actually get his picture
taken here. (8) LIBERTY N FREEDOM benefited from an inside trip last week but still finished full of pace – he
CAN leave the gate and may have a chance to be in the mix tonight IF Marohn is willing to send him. (1) MISTER
SP OT A had some life 3 back but failed to build off that in his last pair – suppose there’s always a chance that he
could respond to some aggressive Kakaley handling tonight. (3) ATLANTIS is listed as the 9.5 ML favorite after
really struggling in his last pair – if he rebounds to one of his better efforts he can be a big threat...but it’s hard to
take any kind of short price right now. (7) MAJESTIC KIWI N finished well in his last pair at big prices – might
have listed him higher if not for tonight’s terrible draw. (2) MACHLICIOUS has delivered a few good efforts but
would be hard to recommend off his last (dull) pair. (6) KEYSTONE DASH drops to 15s for a barn that sent out a
pair of winners last night but would need to really improve to be a serious threat, even vs. these (5) MAGRITTE has
been struggling for some time.
RACE 7 - John Brennan Trot – Leg 1: (5) ROYALTY BEER is 0 for 9 here this year but he hit board in 8 of those
losses, and generally in our Invitational Trot – there’s probably a few fresh faces in here that have ability, but he still
deserves top billing. (4) COVENTRY HALL was a good earner in Europe and that tightener at The Swamp should
have him ready for action in this series – expecting a good mile from him tonight. (2) SEA CAN was a good earner
in Canada as a youngster but had a rough 4YO campaign – was acquired late in the year by top shelf connections,
and came up big to win his first start (in Ohio) – was scratched sick from his next, however, and then given some
time off – his qualifier suggests he’ll be ready to go right off the bat. (7) FERRETTI banged out $101k last year and
has been keeping good company across the river so far in ’24 – he’s a solid trotter for sure, but faces a tough task
making his local debut from Post 7. (1) PAPA DOC can be pretty erratic from start to start and even his best effort
may leave him a little light against a few of these. (6) LAVA FIELD has plenty of speed and was 2 for 2 here last
year – he still seems to be trying to find his best form in 2024, however. (3) CRAZY BROTHER JIM ships in with
good form vs. cheaper, for low profile connections – may find this crew a little tougher than he’s used to.
RACE 8 – (4) SHINE A LIGHT was stuck sitting last in his previous 2 starts but finished full of pace both times –
he’s used to facing (and beating) much better than these, and figures to be very tough with the class drop and post
relief! (1) UP THE CREEK has been inconsistent at best lately but the good draw (and class drop) figures to help
him land on a good trip...and that could land him on the ticket. (3) VENIER HANOVER failed to get close from
Post 8 last time but he has several good efforts recently – look for a better mile tonight, and include underneath. (8)
DELIGHTFUL DUDE N couldn’t sustain his 2nd move last week but still stuck around for 3rd (in just his 2nd start of
the year) – he MAY just be done in by tonight’s draw, but he’s still worth including underneath, hoping he can bring
some value to the exotics. (7) TYGA HANOVER is ok these days, but faces an uphill battle trying to get in play
from out here. (6) SWEET TROY was a BIG go off the class drop last week and looked very good in his front end
score – may have trouble getting into contention tonight, though, as he draws poorly, up in class. (2) IM A GIGOLO
N won a “fall apart” race 2 back but has done little before or after that. (5) DIAMONDBEACH dominated easier
last start but may find himself in a tough spot tonight.
RACE 9 - John Brennan Trot – Leg 1 – good race: (1) BY THE BOOK had a 9 win season last year and has already
taken 3 Saratoga Opens so far in 2024 – he seems to handle any trip, he won his only local start (2022) and Jay
Randall makes the rare trip down to steer him – guessing he’ll be bringing a good one from upstate. (3) BLACK TIE
BASH comes into the series sharp, a NW15000 winner here last week – very dangerous if within shouting distance
as they turn for home. (6) CRYSTAL TRIO IT was ignored in her first U.S. start and scored at Pocono at 19-1 – she
shipped in after that and raced very well here too, a close 3rd right behind a couple of nice trotters – the draw is a
concern, but she still belongs on your tickets. (5) DYLADMAR was a proven performer over the half so it was no
surprise to see a solid effort from him in his first Yonkers try – could easily be part of the equation with the right
trip. (2) CHEZACTIC got sharp to start the new year and was just sold for $50K prior to his last start – he raced well
at PcD for his new connections, and could have a say in his local debut as well. (7) CHALLENGER recently had a
win and a 3rd here but seems just a little cheaper, and draws horribly as well. (8) DEADLINE HALL has also raced
ok here in the past, but figures to have a tough time against these from all the way out here. (4) STRONGERWITHL
INDY has been away since December and picks a tough spot for his return.
RACE 10 - John Brennan Trot – Leg 1: (3) OPTRIX shows a pair of solid qualifiers for this series, now without
hopples – he had a solid year at 3 and was super over the half at Freehold , winning 3 straight with Siegelman (who
gets the call tonight) – willing to hop on board right out of the box. (2) BONTONI DEGATO S struggled in his first
2 starts away from our leading trainer, won his next pair, then was a dullish 3rd last week – he’s a bit iffy for sure, but
his best effort makes him very tough tonight. (5) CREATIVE VENTURE has been a solid weekly player ever since
he started his 2023 season, though he doesn’t win as often as he should – still a legitimate threat if things go his way.
(6) DRACO S fits with these but is at a post disadvantage for sure – one to include underneath. (7) YOU GOT IT
has been solid in 2024 and was a nice, easy-trip 2nd last week – may have some trouble starting from out here,
though. (4) DIAMANTE TRIO IT was doing super here for a while but has fallen on some harder times lately – she
could turn things around at any time, but we’d like to see some better signs before hopping back on board. (1) CRE
DARENA seems a bit overmatched, even starting from the pole.
RACE 11 – (6) PRESTIGE SEELSTER has won 4 of his last 5 starts for this barn, the lone loss being when he got
trapped in the back – has to get the nod, even from Post 6 (even with a few other live players in here). (1) SMOKIN
BY N was barnmates with the top choice before being claimed from his last – he’s ALSO been razor sharp, and will
be a major threat if he stays as good for his new connections. (4) STOP STARING was a solid 2nd 2 back then a front
end winner in his last – has to be respected at the moment. (7) SHANWAY N tends to lag much of the way then kick
home strong – not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (2) JOJOS PLACE showed marked improvement last week but that doesn’t
mean he’ll replicate that effort tonight – just throws way too many clunkers to ever rely upon, (3) ROCK THIS WA
Y dropped and added Lasix at PcD last week but it didn’t seem to help – maybe he’ll perk up tonight? (5) BRUSHI
NG UP has a few good pieces recently but really hasn’t been sharp – better value with some others. (8) MISSILE SE
ELSTER really isn’t bad right now but the draw is a killer.