RACE 1 – (1) PRETTY HANDSOME was a close 2nd behind TUGGIN ON MY HEART when first over 2 back,
then finished full of pace (from an impossible spot) the following week – he should be a decent price tonight
(even with the rail), and could offer some value in the opener. (4) TUGGIN ON MY HEART safely held off the top choice
2 back, then was an easy front end winner in his last – very real chance he can make it a “threepeat”, but he’ll also
be a very short price. (4) URBAN RENEWAL was very good shipping in from PcD 2 back so it was disappointing
to see him handled so conservatively last week – Zeron gets the drive again, and we’ll see if he gives him more a
chance this time. (2) OSTRO HANOVER should be sitting a bit closer to the action this week, and that could put
him in play for a decent piece...assuming he can shrug off last week’s miscue in NJ. (6) MY ULTIMATE STAR A
never found any room after sitting in last week so we’ll give him a pass – he was sharp prior to that, but tonight’s
draw could cause some problems. (5) KOUNT BLASTER has been stuck on minor spoils this year and may be in
that same boat tonight. (8) SAN DOMINO A used an easy trip to pick up 2nd to #4 last time but will have a harder
time tonight starting from all the way out here – much trip luck will be needed. (7) POUND FOR POUND drops
$5K off his card after tonight – might look attractive in NW5000 next week.
RACE 2 - Short, but very good field! (1) TAKE A GAMBLE looked very good in his 2024 return, finishing full of
pace for 4th– he definitely disappointed in his next start but quickly made amends with last week’s front end blowout
– he’s now won 10 of his 20 Yonkers starts, and we’ll give him the slight edge from the pole. (5) BOILING OAR
has been razor sharp so it was no surprise to see him rally by the talented ADAM TWELVE last week – he’s now
won 3 of his last 5, with the trip doing him in the other 2 starts (a 2
nd and a 3rd) – can win from this spot IF he can find a decent journey. (2) FORTIFY came up a little short when
4th last week, but it was his first start in 3 months – could be tighter now, and a stronger player at the end.
(3) GREG THE LEG has been solid in all his recent starts but last year’s 13X winner has only one victory so
far in 2024 – may have to settle for another smaller piece tonight. (4)SOUTHWIND PETYR is listed on the
bottom here but only because he’s been away for 3+ months and catches some very sharp foes–
he comes off an outstanding year, and should be doing some serious damage some time soon.
RACE 3 – (3) ROCK DIAMONDS N qualified sharply at Fhd. (bad trip, with a lesser pilot, vs. good rivals) and his
first start back was much better than it looks (never in it from Post 8, but full of pace coming through the wire) –
could be ready for a much more serious effort tonight, and absolutely worth a shot. (2) HEAVEN ON HIGH N was
sharp before being purchased prior to his last start and raced well for his new connections as well, digging in gamely
to hold the place spot behind the runaway winner – expecting an aggressive try from him, as well. (5) BURNHAM
BOY N struggled on the rim into a hot mile last week but he could easily bounce back with an easier trip tonight –
one to include in exotics. (4) SEVEN HUNDRED had an abbreviated, “ok” 4YO season – he makes his first start
after a 4 month vacation, and may need one before we see his best. (6) GREAT SOMEWHERE seems to do his best
with a little easier these days, and the poor draw won’t help his cause – barn is definitely going very well, however,
if looking for a good price horse to take a stab with. (1) ITALIAN LAD N has been idle for over a year and the
guess is that he’ll need a couple of stats before we see his best.
RACE 4 – MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 2: (2) DUNKIN was the nation’s winningest horse in 2023 but his “class” was
certainly a question mark heading into this series – he certainly raced like a horse who “belongs” in the first leg,
finishing with good pace for 3rd in a hot 1:51.2 mile – good spot for Tetrick to get aggressive, and see if this 4YO is
up for it. (5) BACKSTREET SHADOW certainly took a “non-traditional” approach to prepping for the Borgata,
qualifying in FLORIDA on 3/16 and then qualifying 4 days later at POCONO – he now makes his first series start
just 5 days later and while he has no shortage of class and ability, one has to wonder if we’ll see his best under the
circumstances! (3) HELLABALOU looked like he might be vulnerable heading into the first leg and last year’s
Borgata winner definitely was, tiring in the lane after having things all his own way– make sure to get a decent price
tonight if you think he’s ready to bring his best now. (4) HEMSWORTH N has just one win this year but has been
pretty solid in most of his starts – he finished with good pace for 4th last week, and would have a chance tonight if
things fall apart a bit. (6) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A aired it out on the front end last week but stopped badly after
getting collared by the tripsitter to the final turn – he’ll probably need to sit in the back and try to finish well tonight,
and that would probably leave him too far back to do any serious damage (assuming he bounces right back). (1) TO
RRID SAINT A just seems very ambitiously placed against these types.
RACE 5 – Tough race: (3) GDS THUNDER GB struggled in his first few local starts but seemed to really get his
act together after pairing up with Gingras, and produced 5 straight sharp tries after that – he goes for a new barn
tonight, moves up a bit in class and also goes for a new pilot...but that 8-1 ML price does look tempting, especially
with him adding Lasix. (1) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES was a bit disappointing off the pocket trip last week but he
drops down to his preferred $30K level, and has to be seen as a serious threat from this spot. (7) HUDSON PHIL
was no match for the winner last week but did well to hold 2nd after losing the lead into the stretch – he seems to be
on the upswing, and is another that could offer some value in here. (2) MAJOR DESIRE is on the cheaper side but
he raced well for 3rd in his first try at this level, and his trainer’s early-career (incredible) success has been well
documented – would hardly be a shock. (4) URIEL BLUE CHIP looked much smoother 2 and 3 starts back but he
struggled a bit in his last, and now drops in class after missing a month - may just be a bit vulnerable at a short price
tonight. (8) GLA CIS drops back down to 30s after struggling a bit in 40s last week (off the claim)– he won from a
similar spot 2 back but he may have trouble replicating that feat against this field. (5) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
ended up in the pocket behind a tiring leader last week and pulled off a big shocker – doesn’t figure to be as
fortunate tonight, though. (6) ON THE VIRG seems a little cheap and also draws poorly.
RACE 6 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 2 – Seriously Stacked Division! (4) DESPERATE MAN rejuvenated his career
after arriving from Canada last year, and has gone 8-6-1-1 here at Yonkers (racing BIG in the 2 losses) – he certainly
showed up ready for this series as he went over the $1M mark with his seemingly effortless 1:51.4 score in Leg 1,
and will be a major threat throughout the Borgata if he stays in this form. (2) LINEDRIVE HANOVER is another
that showed up in beast mode to start off the series, crushing his rivals in 1:51.2 last week – hard to really separate
the top pair right now. (3) COVERED BRIDGE raced an incredible 39X last year (18 wins, $528K) and even more
incredibly, hasn’t had a break and is STILL racing in top form (7-5-0-2 to start the year) – we’ll see if he’s up for the
top pair right now, after winning HIS division last week. (6) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A was an excellent 2
nd to #4 in the first leg, but enjoyed a pocket trip that night – he acts like he can be a player all series long, but the tough
draw in this super field may limit him a bit for tonight. (6) NATURALLY GIFTED A rallied solidly for 3
rd in Leg 1 but tonight’s draw may leave him too far back to make any real noise. (1) LEONIDAS A is obviously way off his
game – landing in THIS field is certainly not what he needed now! (5) THUNDER HUNTER JOE is the outsider.
RACE 7 – (4) STRIKING IMPACT started to turn things back around on 2/26, then raced very well in a pair of
back to back 2nds – he just seemed to lose interest when well back last week, but tonight’s better draw should have
him within striking distance – feels like a good spot. (3) BOOZER was our top choice here when he was scratched
on 3/11 – he must have been sold right after that, and returns to YR after an even effort at Fhd. – could be a good fit.
(6) JUST ENUFF STUFF has hit board in 8 of his last 9 starts but it’s still hard to believe that he got beat last week,
after looking home free at the top of the lane– would still consider him tonight if the price is right. (2) SPORTS FAN
was visually impressive blowing by the field (at 27-1) last week but it’s hard to say if HE was that good, or if the
race just fell apart completely – he’ll get his chance tonight to prove that mile wasn’t just a fluke. (7) TWIN B DEL
UXE had pace finishing from a tough spot last week but figures to be in another tough spot tonight – he may need a
better draw to be a threat at this level. (1) AUSSIE HANOVER was very good in his first 3 starts of ’24 but did tail
off in his last couple – would want a pretty good price to consider him right now. (5) BB LUCKY BOY ships in
from NJ and doesn’t seem up for these right now.
RACE 8 – (2) MOVIN ON UP has been good for weeks but was especially sharp in last week’s powerful victory –
his barn has been sending out some very impressive winners lately, and this guy may be able to take another. (4) SH
AKESPEARE has lacked consistency this year but has still thrown some big miles – he kept coming through the
lane last week despite a tough trip, and an easier journey could make him a real threat tonight. (1) SAILBOAT HAN
OVER ended up shuffled and blocked last week and may have been better than he was able to show – he probably
would prefer to be in a little cheaper but that 8-1 ML price makes him worth at least a look. (3) THRASHER was
overbet last week (up in class) and could only manage a 4th after getting away 6th – could end up with a better trip
here, but he’s another that may prefer things in 40s. (7) FULSOME has been remarkably consistent, hitting board in
8 straight – that streak could be in jeopardy tonight, however, as he lands his first bad post in a while. (6) TUFFENU
FTOWEARPINK had been racing very well but comes into this off 3 weeks after a sick scratch – the poor draw
won’t help his cause. (5) KING JAMES EXPRESS lit up the tote board last week when he was able to reel in a
suddenly tiring leader at the wire – he’ll have to prove it wasn’t just a fluke. (8) ALEX TYE went his best mile in
ages with last week’s 26-1 shocker – hard to see him replicating that from Post 8.
RACE 9 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 2: (2) SEMI TOUGH came into the series riding a 4 race winning streak but a
poor draw forced him to get away 6th, and the best he could do was rally solidly for 4th – the move inside stamps him
as the one to beat tonight, though he’s hardly a cinch. (1) PLEASELETMEKNOW was handled conservatively in
both of his starts this year, finishing mildly for 4th the first time, and a bit better for 3rd last week – this is probably
where he’ll get the full “green light”...and we’ll see if he’s up for a more aggressive try. (3) STRENGTHFROMAB
OVE made a couple of starts here as a 3YO and was sharp both times (for our leading barn) – he ended his season
with $163K on the card, racing primarily in the Midwest – he was freshened up and returned at 4 in a new barn (a
young trainer currently winning at an insane 42% clip), and looked mighty good beating lesser (in NJ) in his 2024
return – we’ll see if he passes the class test tonight. (5) COACHES CORNER threw a rare dud 3 back but apparently
he was sick that night – bounced back with a win in his next, and was a nice 2 nd in Leg #`1 – a quick start increases
his chances of being a player. (4) ROCKNROLL RUNA A landed on a beautiful pocket trip last week and knew just
what to do with it – may have to deal with a tougher trip tonight, but can still have a say if as sharp as last time. (6)
MAGIC FOUR N and (7) VENTURESOME ARDEN N seem a bit overmatched, and start all the way outside.
RACE 10 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 2: (1) THIS IS THE PLAN was probably hoping for an easy trip in his first
start of the year and that’s exactly what he got, parlaying a pocket trip to COVERED BRIDGE into a solid 2
nd – the triple millionaire seems to have his best days in the rear view mirror at this point but he’ll get to control the action in
a soft-ish division tonight, and that could spell trouble for the others. (4) I DID IT MYWAY seemed way overbet in
Leg 1 and failed to have any impact – it’s way too early to write him off in this series, but note that he struggled in 2
local chances last year, and also struggled over the half at Saratoga. (3) WHATS STANLEY GOT A had been a non
factor for weeks but came to life last start, kicking home full of pace for 2nd off an easy trip– we’ll see if the streaky
8YO can continue to race well going forward. (5) FUNATTHEBEACH N has a zillion wins here at Yonkers (incl. a
Borgata Final) but he hasn’t been close to top form in a while – needs to find a better one to be a player here. (2) CR
ANBOURNE N, like heralded barnmate LEONIDAS A, has hit a rough patch – waiting for better signs. (6) FOURE
VER BOY hasn’t gotten off to a very good start in 2024.
RACE 11 – (3) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N is known to string ‘em when he gets sharp, and last week was a step in
the right direction – it would seem a good sign that he gets Bartlett to hop off #8 to stay on board, and he remains the
one to knock off...he won’t offer much in the way of value, however! (2) LOUS SWEETREVENGE is off to a
disappointing start in 2024 but the classy veteran usually puts things together eventually – he should be a decent
price here, and a contested pace could really help his chances for a mild upset. (5) GINGRAS BEACH has become a
MUCH better horse since pairing up with his namesake 2 starts back – he was right on the top one’s heels last week,
and a good trip could make him a player once more. (7) ON ACCIDENT gets a terrible draw but he IS sharp, and
not a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics (will need some trip luck, however). (8) SHINE A LIGHT is actually sharp
enough to win, but he draws Post 8 for the 3rd straight week and Bartlett opting to steer #4 suggests this guy may be
handled conservatively tonight. (1) FEELIN WESTERN looked good in that win 3 back but then disappointed in his
last pair – needs to find that better form to be a player. (4) JUDDY DOUGLAS A put in a decent move last week but
was tiring at the end – a live trip puts him in play for a piece. (6) ANOTHERSTATEMENT A is undoubtedly sharp
right now, but the draw could make things difficult for tonight.
RACE 12 – Tough finale: (6) OZONE BLUE CHIP went through a tough stretch but has definitely been back on his
game lately – he may be forced to race from off the pace here, but he’s sharp enough to have a chance vs. some iffy
main players – decent value option. (4) REIGNING DEO is hard to ever take a short price with (as he doesn’t win
nearly as often as he should) but he does have one good move in him, and may be able to use that successfully
tonight. (2) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER definitely disappointed last week but his overall form was good prior to that –
if he can bounce right back, he’s another potential upsetter. (3) MOTIVE HANOVER was an easy front end winner
3 back but faltered a bit in the crucial stages in his last pair – his best effort could wire these, but he does tend to get
overbet – make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (5) PRINCE MCARDLE N flew to the top from Post 8 last
week, but then tired after sitting the two hole trip – his barn has a couple of multi-win nights here recently, and is
currently an unfathomable 20 for 53 at The Meadowlands – don’t toss too quickly! (1) ROSE RUN X CON charged
home from 7th to 3rd last week in a race that fell apart – not sure if it was a fluke, or signs that he’s coming around.
(7) GINGER TREE PETE is one of our favorites (in general) for his extreme “will to win”, but he may have a very
hard time getting close enough to contend from out here. (8) PASS A GRILLEBEACH wired cheaper arriving from
NJ but now draws Post 8, up in class.