RACE 1 – (1) PURPLE POET has been holding consistent form for some time and was simply in no-chance spots
in his last pair – drops, moves to the pole, and could land on the winning trip here – narrow edge over a couple of
equally sharp foes. (2) JUSTASEC N returned sharp off the winter break and comes into this off a pair of sharp
scores – has more than enough class to handle the class hike and looms a very dangerous player. (4) YOROKOBI N
also steps up razor sharp, and has looked super since returning for the 2024 season – another very live player. (3)
ALEX TYE had a couple of solid efforts off the recent claim and may be able to just tow along behind the top ones
here for a small share. (7) UP THE CREEK was surprisingly sharp from an impossible spot last week – not a bad
bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) ULTIMAROCA was a game winner despite drifting in the lane 3 back but quickly reverted to
his lesser form in his last pair – sticking with others. (6) THREE GRAND drops a notch but struggled last week and
draws poorly tonight – his mega-high % barn hasn’t gotten untracked yet here at Yonkers. (8) GOTHIC ROCK will
have a long way to come starting from out here.
RACE 2– Tough race! (6) BLUEBIRD GRAF has been terrific since returning from a (rough) stint at Dover,
already picking up 3 wins despite some tough trips – she gets a tough draw for a new barn but should still offer some
good value in a race that can go a lot of different ways. (2) SHOTGUN PERSUASION can be pretty unreliable but
she’s also shown that she can beat these, when in the right mood – dangerous here if she brings her best. (4) FEELIN
RED HOT continued to deteriorate even as her owner moved her from one top trainer to another– she finally ends
up with our leading conditioner, and her last qualifier looks promising...still not ready to hop on board at too short a
price, however. (5) LOOKATMYART’s results have been mixed since the recent claim – add her to the list of mares
that COULD do damage here IF they show up in the right mood. (1) TUGGINGONCREDIT toured the oval from
Post 8 in her first start since September – hard to gauge her current fitness, but a big wake up call from the pole
would not be a shock. Both (7) PHELGON and (8) SHOWMEMAGIC probably need inside posts to be players with
these– wait for better spots. (3) MARATHON MARY tries claimers after failing to function in any of her 2024 starts.
RACE 3 – (4) POINTOMYGRANSON was an 11X winner in 2023 and already has picked up 4 victories to start off
the new year – he gets meaningful class relief after a trip of 3rds vs. some pretty nice horses, and looms the one to
beat in this somewhat softer spot. (2) SAMHARA N returned off a pair of very sharp PcD tries and brought that
form back to Yonkers, and even 4th in a very fast mile 2 back, followed by last week’s near-miss to the classy GREG
THE LEG – could offer some good value in this spot. (1) BLANK STARE steps up in class off a gutsy first over win
last week but the draw may help to offset that – sharp enough to be in the hunt even vs. these better ones. (6) PRICE
LESS BEACH was struggling here back in February but the classy 8YO seems to have sharpened (vs. easier) in PA,
and can make some noise here even with the tough draw. (3) TYPHOON BANNER N was dull in his 2024 return
and quickly took another month off – may need a start off the qualifier. (8) DEETZY won 11X last years and has
already visited the winner’s circle twice in ’24 – may struggle to get in play from out here, though. (5) SPLASH BR
OTHER was his typical “on the bit/off the bit” self when 2nd vs. cheaper last week – not sure he’s sharp enough right
now to hang with these. (7) FAMILY RECIPE moves up and lands outside after handling easier in last– tough spot.
RACE 4 – (5) AMERICAN MERCURY had a great run after being acquired by the Super Siblings, and he probably
appreciated the recent time off (as he did seem to be tailing a bit)– he qualified back nicely, and may be ready to pop
right off the bench. (4) CAPTIVATE HANOVER just missed as the favorite in his 2nd off the layoff (to a perfect trip
winner) but quickly made amends last week – more than capable of taking another. (2) CARABAO A hasn’t quite
lived up to expectations since arriving in the U.S. but he’s hinted at his ability a few times – never mind using him at
a good price. (1) QUALITY BUD can be a little in and out but his barn is going strong, and the good draw should
help him find an easy enough trip to contend for a piece. (6) KARLOO BRADLEY N delivered the mild upset last
week (2nd time Lasix) but the class bump and poor draw could limit him tonight. (7) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N
comes into this off a trio of 2nd place finishes but is another that figures to be hurt by the draw. (3) JIMMY CONNO
R B drops, but may still find these a bit too tough. (8) WINDSUN RICKY usually struggles from spots like this.
RACE 5 – (1) CORAL BELLA had been struggling for ages before turning in a MUCH better effort 2 back – was
unable to build off that last week (bad drive, up in class) but she’ll get every chance to succeed tonight if good
enough – willing to give her a try. (6) DREAM DANCING tries it for another new barn after winning 5 of her last 8
starts – bad draw, but she’s shown that she can win OFF the pace, when necessary – deserves plenty of respect. (5)
BADDITUDE ships in very sharp from NJ, but is facing better here and from a bad post – make sure to get a fair
price if trying her on top. (3) DANDYS SHOWTIME went to the top but was quickly offstride 2 back – sat a pocket
trip last week and finished strong to just miss to the front end winner – would be no surprise at all. (7) UNITY had
something go wrong on the final turn in her first local try but has delivered a trip of good tries since then – the only
real knock here is the post, but it may be tough for her to overcome. (2) CALLMEQUEENBEE A was a big “go” off
the class drop last week but ended up hopelessly parked when unable to generate the speed to get to the lead – risky
right now. (4) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX has a few “even” efforts since returning from the layoff – minor share
only. (8) TALL POPPY N wasn’t terrible in her first start off a long layoff but draws horribly for tonight.
RACE 6 – (6) JD CAMDEN GB carved it out at PcD in his first U.S. start and just missed – was sent off favored in
NJ in his next but failed to react to the field being jammed up to the half and ended up hopelessly boxed the rest of
the way, with literally no chance to pace– willing to hop on board in his first Hilltop try. (5) AINT NOSTOPN TIME
got some education in his five 2YO starts but had no real success – seems to have matured at 3, and has a pair of
recent wins at Dover – he’ll debut tonight for our leading trainer, and looms a very serious threat with his part-owner
at the lines. (3) WAR MACHINE had some success in PA at 2, and adds Lasix for his 3YO return – may be next in
line if the top pair fail to deliver. (8) FANTOME EM JOIE showed enough in his last pair to suggest he can win in
this class, but may have to wait for a better spot to do that. (7) SHADOWS SHADOW makes his first local start for
a barn that seems to ship in for a couple of months every year, sending out some live longshots – maybe 3
rd/4th? (1)PINE BUSH UP DRAFT looked much better in that last PcD qualifier than he did at Monti – rail, Bartlett, and
maybe a small piece in his pari-mutuel debut? (2) ROCKIN PHAROH and (4) VALENTINE HUNTER will need to
improve considerably to be any kind of serious players.
RACE 7 – (3) SINBAD N qualified super and was well backed for his U.S. debut – he seemed to be moving with
purpose on the back side when he grabbed up as others pulled, never seeming to get his momentum back until way
after the fact – may be worth another try in this very tough race. (2) WRY was just 2 for 23 in Canada last year but
started off this season at 5-2-3-0, with good efforts in the Snowshoe Series – he was off a month before that 4
th place finish in NJ last start, and gets a good post (and switch to Bartlett) for his first local try – could see an aggressive
mile tonight. (7) VICI is now 9-2-3-3 here at YR and has the speed to quickly improve position from this tough post
– should be right in the hunt once more. (6) HEZ ALL THE RAGE N qualified solidly (in a fast mile) and probably
is a very good fit here – hard to say how aggressive he’ll be after drawing poorly for his U.S. debut. (4) ONTOP RA
INMAN raced well here last season and is a good bomb for 3rd/4th as he returns from Canada (8) AYR BALMORAL
GB finished 2nd in his first 2 local starts before delivering the “pocket rocket” last week – the class jump and draw
may hurt his chances tonight, however. (1) COTTON ON N is still tough to get a read on after 4 local tries –
suppose he could grab a piece if he brings his best. (5) FULL HORSE feels a bit overmatched in this solid field.
RACE 8 – (2) BRUE HANOVER put together a fine 3YO season, and was even right there with aged OPEN pacers
at Chester towards the end of the season – his two local Dec. tries produced 2nds to ADAM TWELVE and WHATS
STANLEY GOT A, and his return qualifier shows him finishing right behind DESPERATE MAN – feels like the
one to knock off. (6) IT’S A ME MARIO toyed with an easy field in his 4YO return but he raced super in his next to
just miss to Borgata entrant NATURALLY GIFTED A – the main danger? (5) NAUTICAL HANOVER may be
overlooked here but he’s raced very well since returning for the ’24 season and does have class – could add some
value to the ticket. (7) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER took ALL the 44 2 back and delivered the sharp front end score
– just missed to a sharp rival in his next, but could be hurt tonight by both the class bump and terrible draw. And
speaking of class hikes and bad posts, (8) REAL WILLEY fits that bill as well, coming off a sharp front end score
over softer. (1) INDICTABLE HANOVER draws the rail but really seems to need to be in a bit easier to be a serious
player. Both (3) HESPOISEDTOPOUNCE A and (4) WALKINSHAW N return off layoffs and the guess is that both
will likely need a start or two before we see their best – doesn’t hurt to check the tote board, though.
RACE 9 – Good race: (1) PANETTONE HANOVER didn’t seem to really like getting around Yonkers last Fall but
he’s a LOT sharper now (and also a lot smoother), and comes off a very solid 3rd last week – maybe Brennan can
work out a winning trip in this very well matched field? (5) OAKWOOD PADDY IR has hot board for a zillion
straight weeks, over several different tracks – he ships in from NJ in top form, has won here in the past, and deserves
plenty of respect. (2) HURRIKANE JONNYBOY hasn’t made a lot of career starts but the 5YO does have ability,
and wasn’t bad at all last week despite racing off a long layoff– he could surprise here at a nice price. (3) HUNTING
ZONE could always throw a good mile at times and last week’s win was probably his best career effort (and resulted
in a new lifetime mark) – if he can replicate that mile tonight, he’d have a chance to be right there again. It was clear
that Gingras wanted to try (7) NIGHT HAWK on the front end last week and that plan worked to perfection, helping
the 5YO pick up his FIRST victory since his 3YO campaign – not sure you’d want to take a short price from Post 7,
however. (4) SANTANA HANOVER raced well here last year after arriving from Canada but he hasn’t raced since
Sept. and this is a tough spot to return. (6) TACK ROOM CHATTER has a good local history (6-3-3-0) but may be
in a little tougher than he’d like shipping down from Saratoga.
RACE 10 – Another tough race: (6) GROOVY JOE has been stuck in the back with no real chance in his last couple
– gets another bad draw, but the class drop may allow him to at least be handled more aggressively – should be a live
player tonight. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM came to life at Monti at the end of last year, carried that fine form with
him back to Yonkers then continued to race very well even as he climbed back up the class ladder – wouldn’t put too
much stock into that last “maintenance qualifier”, and he’s definitely worth a look at that 10-1 ML price. (1) HAZE
VILLE didn’t race much as a youngster but he put together a strong 23-7-7-2 $114K season at 4 – he had a bunch of
near misses throughout the latter part of the year, and we’ll see if can have some better luck as he starts off his 2024
campaign. (5) KINGSVILLE had a couple of lesser efforts before rebounding with a much better first over try last
week – should fit nicely here, but not a fan of that 5/2 ML price. (7) STONEBRIDGE REX was racing well to close
out 2023 and has been just as good in his 5 starts to begin 2024 – tonight’s draw (and class bump) are real concerns,
however. (3) SETH HANOVER broke a long losing streak with that front end win 2 back but clearly wasn’t into the
off-the-pace trip last week – may find things a little tough in here, too. (2) ALWAYS ROCKIN picked up his first
2in since 2022 4 back and has raced well since...probably in too tough with these, however.
RACE 11 – (5) PURE SILKY turned things around with that sharp front end score 4 back followed up by a 2nd to
the razor sharp MC ANGEL– had plenty of pace finishing from a tough spot in her next, then went a pretty big try
when parked the mile last week, living to the final turn despite the brutal trip – maybe she can blast to the top here?
(6) YS SENSATIONAL CITY was stuck in the back in a hot mile vs. good older mares last week and gets a pass for
being no factor – she’s gone big miles against THIS type in the past, so look for her to be a much bigger threat
tonight. (7) VIBRANCE had a trio of sharp efforts before getting totally wiped out last week – brutal post, but a
good price makes her worth a look. (1) IDEALINFUN landed on a golden trip last week and parlayed it into the
12-1 upset – with a few of the good ones all drawn outside, there’s a chance she could land on another great journey
tonight. (4) COMMANDER CATHY N overcame early interference last week to pick up 2nd at a big price – she
makes a nice living accumulating smaller pieces. (8) NUTTINBUTHEBEST has been much better in 2024 than she
was last year, but faces an uphill battle trying to overcome Post 8 against this field. (2) WOODMERE HARRIET
and (3) ANNELIESE HANOVER draw well, but both seem a bit below several of the primary players.
RACE 12 – (2) CAPTAIN MAX HENRY was 2 for 2 here last year but only a pair of 3rds from 4 local starts to
begin 2024 – he did look best racing from OFF the pace on 2/27...maybe that can work for him tonight? (4) STATE
SIDE DEUCE GB was a solid 3rd in his U.S. debut behind a couple of solid rivals – easily bested a soft field in his
next, but was all out to just hang on (at 1/10!) in his last – hard to leave him off the ticket, but also hard to accept
another vert short price. (5) THAT DOG WILL HUNT was sent off at 3/5 for his seasonal debut (adding Lasix) but
gave way without much of a fight – he’s capable of better, and will surely be a better price tonight (if you want to
give him another chance). (3) CLEVELAND B MIKI will probably need a start after missing 3 months but still may
be able to grab a small slice with an easy trip. (8) CHIEF CORLEONE wasn’t bad in either start this year but will
likely have to wait for a better spot before he can be a serious player again. (6) COUNTER OFFER is just 3 for 80
lifetime but did race well in several of his 13 starts here last year – keep an eye for next time. (7) ALLBETSONFRI
TZ seems too far out to do any damage. (1) PINE BUSH ITALIANO is now 20-0-0-1 here over the last 2 years.