RACE 1 – Tough opener! (7) ROCK DIAMONDS N may be worth a stab here – he no doubt regretted NOT
retaking command last week (once the winner slammed the brakes and paced a :58.4 opening half) but still was right
there 2nd in the 2 horse sprint to the wire – he would need to leave here to have a chance, but he does have a shot
with a quick start. (4) BLANK STARE’s lone win this year came one level down but he can be a serious player in
this class too – a live trip gives him a legitimate chance. (6) KINGSVILLE seems to race a little differently every
start but any of his “top” efforts would give him a chance to beat these – like the top choice, his chances go way up
with a fast getaway. (3) CAPTIVATE HANOVER was off to a good start in 2024 before trailing all the way from
Post 8 last week – he could easily perk up with a much bigger effort tonight with the move inside. (5) STONEBRID
GE REX has won 3 of 7 starts this year including a victory last week – may be in for a less favorable journey
tonight, however. (2) FAMILY RECIPE has plenty of back class but does seem more comfortable vs. a little easier
these days. (1) SAVE ME A DANCE just returned to the races after being away since October – guessing he may
need another start or two.
RACE 2 – (3) ERVIN HANOVER earned $200K as a 2YO then followed that up with a $150K season at 3 – he
was a sharp winner in his only local try, and seems ready to do damage in his Hilltop return (for a new barn) after an
excellent first start of the year in NJ last week – we’ll give him the narrow edge. (1) NIGHT HAWK was a also a big
earner as a youngster but struggled through a winless 4YO campaign – he’s come back very sharp at 5, however, and
it seems that being on the lead has reminded him how to WIN again – the main danger, for sure. (2) HUNTING ZO
NE was a solid performer throughout most of 2023 and has been racing well to start off the new year, already taking
2 of his 5 starts – should be able to sit close, and finish up well enough for a good piece. (5) TRAIN STATION
finally started to click for our leading trainer on 2/6 and has been excellent ever since – he comes into this having
won 5 of his last 6 starts, but the top pair are tougher than the ones he’s been facing – we’ll see if he can be just as
effective against these. (4) SANTANA HANOVER makes his 2nd start of 2024 and may need another one.
RACE 3 – (2) WHATINEEDISAMAN has been very solid every week, even when stuck in a bad spot 3 back (from
Post 7) – she draws inside her main rivals, and has to be accorded the edge. (3) CORAL BELLA may be a live bomb
tonight – she seemed to finally be coming around, but was derailed by a break before the start in her last – a big
price makes her worth at least a look. (4) ALWAYS B MIMI has taken 2 of her last 3, with an 8 hole in the other –
she’s been in 2 of our highest % barns recently, but her NEW barn has done incredible work off the claim this year –
deserves plenty of respect tonight. (5) DREAM DANCING has been good all year so it was a surprise to see her
throw a bit of a dud last week – she goes for yet another new barn tonight, and we’ll see if she can bounce right back
to her more typically strong form. (7) CALLMEQUEENBEE A raced pretty well in her last pair but she lands in a
very solid group and draws poorly on top of that – just a very tough spot! (1) TUAPEKA JESSIE N hasn’t really
been “sharp” in some time – not sure the rail draw will be enough to help her chances. (6) BLUEBIRD GRAF got
parked moving up to 25s last week and lands another bad post for tonight – leaning towards others.
RACE 4 – (1) ITS A ME MARIO showed ability in a handful of 2YO starts – he didn’t have a “long” 3YO
campaign, but he did earn six figures in just 13 starts, including an 8 hole 3rd in the NYSS Final (here at YR) – he’s
come back REALLY good at 4, just a head shy of being 4 for 4 (with the loss coming to a Borgata player) – another
short price, but still the one to beat. (5) POINTOMYGRANSON just missed last week (off the claim) but he was
taken back by the barn that has done super with him – remains a solid threat, even in this solid field. (4) SAMHARA
N has picked up 3 recent 2nds at big prices, and remains an excellent horse to include in exotics. (3) GROOVY JOE
had a solid 2023 season and has gotten off to a strong start in 2024 – faces a somewhat uncertain trip from this spot,
but a live journey puts him right in the mix for a good piece. (2) SPLASH BROTHER is too classy to ever ignore
but he does seem a bit more comfortable with a little cheaper right now – his usual final turn gapping also hurts his
cause. (6) THE REGULATOR is definitely better suited to facing easier, from a better post. (7) GREAT SOMEWHE
RE was no factor at all from a similar spot last week – should look better with a class drop next week.
RACE 5 – (1) SPITTING IMAGE had some pace finishing from Post 8 two back and had plenty of late life from
another impossible spot last week – she should still be a good price (even with the move inside) and this may not be
a bad week to give her a shot. (7) SASSENACH is the latest arrival for a trainer that has been en fuego at multiple
tracks for some time, usually owning the stock that has been thriving for him – tough draw (and up in class), but
we’ve seen too many of these do well to ignore her chances tonight. (5) CHARMING VIXEN worked out the bugs
after a couple of local starts and comes into tonight off a pair of wins and a 3rd – Gingras opts for #7, but Stratton is
more than capable of getting another big effort from here – very live player. (6) FLIP THE SCRIPT was a 2/5 front
end jogburger 2 back but was unable to replicate that effort on the lead last week – can be a threat tonight IF the
“good” version shows back up. (2) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX hasn’t done much in her 4 starts this year but should
sit a decent trio, with a chance to grab a minor piece. (3) BETTOR B SAWYER probably needs an easier field to be
a threat to win, but a smaller slice (at a big price) is always possible. (4) ITTY BITTY tripped out to win in her first
try off the barn change but was parked in her next, and no threat last week – leaning towards others. (8) BROOKDA
LE JESSIE figures to be too far back for even a sniff tonight.
RACE 6 – (4) KIMBLE A has struggled to find his form since arriving in the U.S. but was well meant in a “weird”
race 2 back, then was a very solid 2nd to the stickout winner last week – it might be time for him to show his best
stuff and pick up his first stateside victory. (2) BEEBEETEE was in that same “strange” race as the top choice then
had no prayer after getting away 8th last week – this is a much better spot, and either of his local February miles
would put him in the mix tonight. (5) GENIUS MAN left well last week but made a break as he was going to drop in
3rd– he’s an inconsistent sort at best, but he picks up a few wins every year and can’t be counted out tonight. (3)
WON LAST FEELING had been racing okay before throwing a bit of a dud last week – chance to be part of the
exotics if he can bounce back to one of those better tries. (6) THE REAL ONE took about 6 weeks off and just
re-qualified – guessing he’ll sit back and rally late, maybe for a piece. (7) EMINEM HANOVER fits okay with
these but the bad draw may leave him waiting for a more realistic spot. (1) MOONLITE DRIVE N still hasn’t
functioned since arriving in the U.S.
RACE 7 – (1) JAHAN HANOVER faced some traffic issues in the lane last week or may have been closer at the
wire – he’s in position here to call the shots (or sit the pocket), and either trip gives him a good chance to come out
on top. (3) HAZEVILLE has been solid in his 2 starts since returning from his winter break but did come up a little
light at the end both times – he’ll likely be favored once more, and just may be a bit vulnerable. (2) ALWAYS ROC
KIN had a horrible 2023 season but has been much better so far in ’24 – the class drop should help here, as should
the expected easy trip – chance for a decent piece. (4) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER seems to prefer a bit easier at
the moment, but an easy trip could still see him take home a piece of this. (6) YOROKOBI N has been solid in all 4
starts since returning this year – tough draw and up in class tonight, however, and that may leave him looking to
rally for a minor share. (5) AREN MESSI N had been racing well for several starts before a clunker last week –
we’ll see if he bounces right back, or struggles again. (7) SARANAC BLUE CHIP stuck around for 3rd last week but
the outside draw may limit his production for tonight.
RACE 8 – (3) BIG GULP was an 8 hole winner last week (off the layoff, moving to our leading barn) and that can
never be discounted...but he was a little short at the end and had to work to hold on vs. easier – the guess here is that
he’ll be even tighter tonight, and maybe some adjustments made...willing to stay on board. (2) SPEED MAN N has
become a little unpredictable these days, though still capable of big miles – he’s looking at a good trip and belongs
on your tickets...but don’t fall in love if the price drops too low. (5) ROLLING WITH SAM has been in top form
for some time and simply had no prayer last week – could be part of the equation tonight (at a good price) if things
do go his way. (6) SPORTY M THREE still isn’t as sharp as he was when REALLY good last year but he’s certainly
been on the comeback trail lately – may have a hard time beating these from Post 6, but a good trip can at least put
him into the hunt. (4) ORLANDO BLUE A drops back down to the level he beat 2 back but this is an overall better
field – logical player for exotics. (7) TYPHOON BANNER N had a useful tightener 2 back then lacked any stretch
room last week – he may be ready for a contending try, but may also need to wait for a better spot to strut his best
stuff. (8) CYRUS N has been good so far in ’24 but will look better NEXT week with a class drop, and hopefully
better draw. (1) ROCK CANDY makes his first start in over a year – “watch mode” only, for now.
RACE 9 – (8) PURE SILKY is stuck all the way outside but she just may be quick enough to loop to the lead...and
she’s certainly sharp enough to take these a long way – she’s seeking 3 straight and she’ll probably be a decent price
– willing to stay on her team one more time. (5) ELSIES DELIGHT had no interest from Post 8 but we’ve seen that
from her in the past – she’s a proven player with these, and she’s certainly worth considering here. (1) PARADISE
ROCK L has been good all year, so last week’s dud was a bit surprising – she drops right back in the box, and she
may deserve a chance to make amends. (2) IDEALINFUN landed on a perfect trip 2 back and was able to score the
12-1 upset – her overall form has otherwise been pretty “meh”, and she really shouldn’t be the ML favorite – better
value elsewhere? (7) TWIN B ALLURE was sneaky ok from a hopeless spot dropping in for the tag last week –
hard to say if she’ll have any more luck starting from Post 7 once again. (4) VIBRANCE had a good series of starts
but seems to be going the other way right now – we’ll see if she can find a better effort tonight. (3) IRON
MISTRESS re- qualified nicely after being scratched back on 2/26 (in a new barn now) – could see her grabbing a
minor share with an easy trip. (6) COMMANDER CATHY N makes a good living picking up minor spoils but may
have a tough time tonight from a difficult post.
RACE 10 – (6) SKIFROMTHETOP IR has been finishing just behind much better in his last few starts – feels like a
winning spot for the UK import, but be prepared for a very short price. (3) IDEAL PAR was starting to figure things
out at 2 when he called it a year after a sick scratch on 9/2 – he qualified back nicely in Florida for top shelf
connections, and may be the one with the best chance to knock off the favorite. (4) FANTOME EN JOIE is on the
upswing and getting closer to a victory – may have to wait for a little easier spot, though. (7) TEXAS HOLDEM
caught a very fast mile (in NJ) for his career debut so it’s hard to learn much from that outing – we should have a
better picture of where he’s at after tonight. (5) HANK THE HUNK was no factor at all in his YR debut (for a new
barn) but was hurt being behind a bad gapper early on – wouldn’t be shocked to see him race a bit better now. (1)
VALENTINE HUNTER draws the pole but he’s 1 for 25 and hasn’t hit board all year. (2) BEST BETTOR kept up a
little better last week before once again finishing well back.
RACE 11 – (1) TWO FACED has been very good lately and simply found himself in a no-chance spot last week –
he can work out a much better trip tonight, and may be in a good spot to pick up a victory. (6) STATESIDE DEUCE
GB picked up 3 in a row before coming up 2nd best last week to the streaking TRAIN STATION – not a great draw,
however, and that could make him a little bit vulnerable at a short price. (4) RAYRAY was hit with endless bad posts
and trips last year but the ability was always there, and we’re getting to see more of it lately – he was a winner 2
back, was right there last week and can be part of the exotics again tonight. (3) CHIEF CORLEONE almost pulled
off an 80-1 shocker from Post 8 two back but just couldn’t get it done when sent off favored from the rail last week
– remains a good one to use underneath. (2) GRETZKY THE GREAT has ability but apparently some issues as well
(just 2 starts as a 2YO, 8 starts at 3, and was just scratched sick in NJ after a pair of lackluster miles) – he can be a
threat here on his best, but it’s hard to say if we’re going to see that from him tonight. (7) WRY was an even 3
rd in his YR debut then capitalized on a perfect trip to win last week – may run into a tough trip from Post 7, however. (5)
KNOCKIN OUT seems like the outsider in this otherwise well matched field.
RACE 12 – (5) PINK RUBY was racing well early in the year but seems to have tailed off a bit – she hasn’t been all
that sharp in NJ, but she returns to face a pretty modest field here at YR and reunites with Gingras...for whom she
picked up a win and a 2nd back in January – maybe that will perk her up tonight? (4) SHEIKH YABOOTY N was
hammered at the windows 2 back and delivered a “pocket rocket” jogburger – she was heavily backed again in her
last, but came up 2nd best to a currently very sharp CHARMING VIXEN...remains the one to knock off. (1) AINTN
OHOLLABACKGRL has been stuck on smaller pieces all year and may be destined for the same tonight – chance
to finally get her picture taken if things fall apart just a bit. (3) PRINCESS ARONA looked like an easy winner at
the top of the lane last week only to hang very badly through the lane...and perhaps that’s why she’s winless since
taking her local debut 14 starts ago – ok to use underneath. (8) LARJON LEAH benefited from an inside trip last
week but still raced well for 3rd – good bomb for 3rd/4th tonight. (2) WESTERN ROSIE is camera shy in general, but
especially at Yonkers – minor share only. (6) LINCOLNS GIRL N turned in a trio of sharp local tries but was on a
line badly last week then broke on the final turn – tough draw now. (7) LOOKATMYART has a mixed bag of recent
efforts but does seem post compromised for tonight, even if on her game.