RACE 1 – (5) 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 (and his barn was on fire Monday night!) (6) DELIG
HTFUL 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. (2) DIAMONDBEACH landed in a soft spot last time and was able to dominate – this is a
much better field, but he still may be able to grab a share with the inside draw. (7) VENIER HANOVER was never
close from Post 8 last week and tonight’s draw isn’t much better – he IS capable of big moves, though, and he’s not
a bad bomb to throw in underneath at that 20-1 ML price. (3) SWEET TROY took all the $$ last time and was a
very sharp front end winner – likely looking at a smaller slice in this tougher spot, however. (4) HES SPECIAL
throws a good one here and there...leaning towards others tonight. (8) IM A GIGOLO N won a “fall apart” race 2
back but seems unlikely to be able to have that kind of impact tonight.
RACE 2 – (3) ITS A ME MARIO hinted at real ability from his early starts as a 2YO – he made the most of his 13
starts at 3, but has really blossomed as a 4YO, earning his way to this top level by winning 4 of his 5 starts this year
(the lone loss coming to Borgata player NATURALLY GIFTED A) – we’ll give him the narrow edge over some
sharp foes. (2) 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 value for a hot barn.
(1) 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...but especially from a spot like this. (6) 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 for sure, but may be hurt by tonight’s tough draw. (5) ULTIM
AROCA can be wildly unpredictable and last week we saw one of his better efforts – leaning towards others in this
tougher field, however. (7) TWIN B HEART THROB has been enjoying a terrific season so far, but has to deal with
both a class jump and terrible post tonight – brutal spot! (4) SHAKE IT has certainly had a hard time getting ready
for his 2024 campaign – pass for now.
RACE 3 – (1) IMABEACHBOY has 4 starts at this bottom claiming level and come up with a pair of wins, and a
big rallying 2nd (coming from last) – he draws the pole for a barn that’s been on fire at multiple tracks for months,
and is clearly the one to knock off. (5) LIBERTY N FREEDOM finished full of pace for 2nd upon dropping back
down to this level last week – could easily land somewhere on the ticket once more. (3) DAAMERICANSKY has
been pretty consistent lately, and likely looking at a pocket trip for tonight – another that would be hard to leave out
of the exotics. (4) MAJESTIC KIWI N finished with good pace each of the last 2 weeks and his barn (which had
been ice cold for a long time) has started to send out some live players...maybe he can add some value to the ticket?
(6) ALWAYS CLOSE seems a bit cheaper but ships in sharp from Fhd. and may be able to squeeze out a small slice,
(7) ATLANTIS has been 1st or 2nd in 5 of 8 local starts this year but does seem to be heading in the wrong direction
at the moment. (2) MACHAHOLIC arrived at our leading barn showing some disastrous out of town form...and
was no better in his first try (across the river) – tough to use right now. (8) KEYSTONE DASH drops after 5 empty
efforts to start the new year – waiting for any signs of life before considering.
RACE 4 - John Brennan Trot – Leg 1: (2) ROYALTY BEER is 0 for 9 here this year but he hit board in 8 of those
losses, and generally in our Invitational Trot – he faces a few legitimate foes here, but still has to be accorded a clear
edge. (6) GLOBAL BELIEVER S benefited from last week’s (weather) cancelation as it allowed him to qualify at
PcD and be able to drop in for the first leg – he’s enjoyed success here in the past, but his current level of sharpness
is definitely questionable – consider if the price is decent enough. (1) 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 a solid player tonight. (7) 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 – tonight’s draw figures to limit him to
only a smaller share. (5) DEADLINE HALL has raced well here in the past, but his current out of town form is a
little hard to gauge – maybe 3rd/4th? (3) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO last raced 3/15 and was scr. injured last week –
pass for now. (4) STRONGERWITHLINDY has been away since December and picks a tough spot for his return.
RACE 5 – (7) ITALIAN DELIGHT N was arguably the “sharpest” horse racing here from a period stretching from
October through the beginning of February – he went on the shelf after a pair of scratches, but his PcD qualifier
certainly suggests that he’ll be ready to take on these bottom claimers (kicked home in :27 behind BACKSTREET
SHADOW, and ZENATTA!) – not sure he’s worth betting the rent money at 1/5, though. (1) SOUTHWIND ONYX
has been very good lately, and draws the pole for another new barn – could prove the right one IF the top choice
shows up with a couple of wheels missing. (2) LYONS JOHNNYJNR rarely wins but he’s looking at an easy trip
with the move inside, and that could be enough to help him land a piece. (6) LYONS PRIDE failed to hit the board
in his first 10 local starts but he did race very well for 2nd last week – he seems ready to start doing some damage,
but may have to wait for a better spot before we see his best. (5) MINGO JOEL got lost at the back last week but
had some “sneaky life” in a few other recent starts – good bomb if looking to add some juice to the exotics. (4) MA
CHLICIOUS rallied for a couple of 2nds at big prices not too long ago but his current form has been lacking – needs
a wake-up call. (3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN feels like he’s just going through the motions many of these weeks –
maybe 3rd/4th? (8) MISTER SPOT A was unable to build off that somewhat improved try 3 back.
RACE 6 - John Brennan Trot – Leg 1: (1) 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. (5) IMMANUEL K S always
seems ready to “break out” and take his game up to the next level but then never seems to follow through – he
qualified nicely after a brief freshening, and we’ll see how he does in this series. (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. (3) CHE
ZACTIC 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 (adding Lasix). (7) CITY OF HOPE has been a
solid Open performer at Stga. and like barnmate RACINE BELL, improved last week with the addition of Lasix –
hard to say if Buter will be able to get him into the hunt from out here, though. (4) BLUEBIRD BISHOP has been
sharp with cheaper lately in NJ – steps up, and is 3-0-0-0 here at Yonkers. (2) CREDARENA seems overmatched.
RACE 7 – (2) EL MISSION GODDESS seems to be coming around for her current connections, shipping in off a
career best 1:56.2 victory at Pocono (and was off a month prior to that win) – she had a mixed history here for her
previous barn, but did go 7-1-1-1 last year...we’ll try her in her Hilltop return. (4) WILD WAY started off 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? (6) TOMBSTONE hasn’t been on his best game but he hasn’t been terrible – he had a better
draw for last week’s canceled card, but he’ll also be a lot bigger price after drawing Post 6 for tonight – possibility.
(7) MR KNOWITALL has picked up small pieces in all 3 local tries and is another that had a much better post when
they canceled last Wednesday – still willing to use him in exotics, at a big price. (8) 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 (on top) at a fairly short price. (3) WISTERIA HANOVER hit the top in a weak field and was able
to prevail last time – won’t be so easy tonight. (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. (5) VOSS BLUE CHIP won 2 of 6 starts as a 2YO – tired in his qualifier,
and may be content just to get a nice prep in his 3YO return.
RACE 8 - (4) IM A BELIEVER 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, adds Lasix, and may be ready to pull off a mild
upset. (2) FREAKY is now 4 for 4 to start her career but wasn’t all that “impressive” until a sharper looking victory
last week – she’s the one to beat, but does seem a bit vulnerable. (3) YOUCANCALLMEDAISY has hit board in 3
of her 4 local starts this year, and was just too far back to be a player in the other – she almost pulled off a big upset
last start and while her price will surely come down tonight, she’ll still offer some value. (1) OAKWOOD DYNAST
Y 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. (8) URSULA BLUE CHIP is now 0 for 28 and
draws Post 8...but she’s been 3rd in 5 of her 12 local starts and isn’t the worst bomb you could consider for 3
rd/4th.(5) NEITHER DO I is 1 for 15 lifetime and 4-0-0-0 here at YR – needs to step up her game. (6) FANSBABY gave
her fans a root at 24-1 last week before tiring in the pocket – not ready to hop on her team. (7) PINE BUSH MAGA
is now 0 for 21 at Yonkers and lands Post 7 off a month.
RACE 9 - John Brennan Trot – Leg 1: (5) TACHYON got off to a very strong start in 2024, probably the sharpest
he’s been in his career – he seemed to be regressing a bit, but bounced back to win his last very impressively –
anything close to that mile would make him very tough tonight. (1) 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. (6) 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, but a live trip puts him in play for a good
piece. (7) 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, but his chances looked a LOT better LAST week, when he had
the rail (for the canceled card)! (3) CAL MILES N SHELL just hasn’t seemed to be at his best most weeks but he
does add Lasix for tonight – we’ll see if it helps him bring a bigger effort. (4) CHALLENGER recently had a win
and a 3rd here but seems just a little cheaper than a few of the main players. (2) 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. (8) PAPA DOC
tends to be pretty unreliable...but even one of his better efforts may leave him well short from out here.
RACE 10 - John Brennan Trot – Leg 1: (1) FERRETTI banged out $101k last year and has been keeping good
company across the river so far in ’24 – he was in a MUCH tougher spot for the canceled card (7 hole, vs. overall
tougher bunch) but this feels like a spot where he can be very effective. (2) RESOLVE TO WIN is a little hard to
gauge because he caught a sizzling 1:50 in his 2024 return (at The Swamp) – his 2 local starts last year produced a
strong first over 2nd and a miscue, so he COULD be a big player tonight on his best effort. (4) FRANK THE ELDER
started the year with a win here over cheaper – he weakened late after cutting the mile from Post 7 in his next, then
broke in the start after that – he returns off a nice 2nd at PcD. And definitely can have a say. (5) DYLADMAR was
an even 4th in his only local try – a live trip puts him in the hunt, (3) CASSIUS HANOVER has hit board in all 8 YR
starts but has only one win, and faces tougher tonight – prefer some others a bit more. (6) CRAZY BROTHER JIM
has been doing some good work for low profile connections – tough spot tonight. (7) INFINITY STONE may have a
hard time getting involved from out here.
RACE 11 - John Brennan Trot – Leg 1: (1) 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. (4) 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.
(5) 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) COVEN
TRY HALL chased top ones in the U.S. at 2 and 3 but only came out on top a couple of times – he spent the last 3
years in Europe, only making a handful of starts...and thus remaining eligible to this series – we’ll see if that one NJ
tightener is enough to have him ready for action. (7) BLACK TIE BASH fits beautifully and comes into this off a
win last week– hard to say if he can be close enough turning for home, however. (6) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been
off her game lately – waiting for better signs. (3) MOHATU AS is hard to endorse off those 2 qualifiers.
RACE 12 - (7) 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). (2) 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. (5) CAPTAIN T HANOVER was too over-aggressive
last week and paid for it – his overall form has been excellent, and he could be a big threat once more, for another
new barn. (1) 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 (but his barn has been coming alive, lately). (6) SHA
NWAY N tends to lag much of the way then kick home strong – not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) ROCK THIS WAY
dropped and added Lasix at PcD last week but it didn’t seem to help – maybe he’ll perk up tonight (3) B COOL
FOOL would be 50-1 here of those Stga. lines but he debuts tonight for our leading trainer and that means he has to
get at least a look...no? (8) SWAGASAURUSREX has finally come to life for his current barn but he draws Post 8
(off 3 weeks) and just may have to wait another week.