Thursday, July 23, 2026
BEST BET: RACE 1 LOCKINVAR MATILDA
VALUE PLAY: RACE 6 YEPYEPYEP
RACE 1
1-LOCKINVAR MATILTA back at Monti after entered at Yonkers on a cancelled racing card, two weeks ago dominated in a win in 154.2, home in 28.2
8-QUEEN OF EGYPT was 3 lengths behind LOCHINVAR MATILDA in 2nd place finish, moves from rail to 8 post
3-SOUTHWIND RODAN big mile from 8 post going from 7th place at the 1/4 pole to finishing just 2 lengths back
1-8-3-4
RACE 2
5-SCOOTNROLL rebounded with down the road victory in 157, remains undefeated this year with Gregory Merton driving
3-WHAT THE LUCK super wire to wire win in 157.3, Jim Taggart Jr in the bike today, 8 times in the money
6-SEE YOU FRIDAY faced some good winning horses in last 3 races, beat STAR ISLAND on May 21
5-3-6-1
RACE 3
5-NO PULSE RICHIE has some quality races this year,
last two races 3rd and 2nd place
2-LITTLE ADMIRAL last three races were disappointing, had win here in 157.1 on June 11
4-THE LAST SONG has some quality miles here in early June, wide open race
RACE 4
1-ON THE VIRG some form returned in last race 3rd place finish from the 7 post, moves to rail today, will he return to the April/May form he had?
6-FREEDOM’S PLAYBOY not a bad last race when he finished 3rd, build off that race?
3-PEMBROKE JOEY two length behind FREEDOM’S PLAYBOY in last race, has shown some life
1-6-3-2
RACE 5
6-GREG THE LEG was only 3 lengths back on July 1 versus much better horses, two fast miles at Tioga
1-SNAPPY CHIP strong mile for upset victory in last race. last four races has been sharp, has rail
3-LUKE SKYWALKER has been sharp in last 10 races, six 2nd place finishes and a win
6-1-3-5
RACE 6
4-YEPYEPYEP has been racing against better horses this year, last two races raced well from the 7 post
3-BARRYWHITE HANOVER beat 4-5 favorite VILLAGE BLUE CHIP in last race, was 6th to YEPYEPYEP 3 races back
5-VILLAGE BLUE CHIP disappointing 2nd place finish after setting moderate fractions, has been sharp in last 4 races
4-3-5-2
RACE 7
7-GOLDEN GESTURE drops in class, strong finish to lose by only 3/4 length, Lauren Tritton driving
1-RJ WINE CHIP parked most of the mile in last race, has win here in 157.1, has rail
4-ESSIE third and 4th at Vernon, wide open for 3rd place
7-1-4-2
RACE 8
5-SICANO stand out 3 yr old at Monticello, last three races has been outstanding, no shuffling to the back of the pack at the start of the race today?
3-DRAGON PLUS sharp in last 3 races, upset if SICANO stumbles
1-RIKKI ROCKET finished 4 lengths behind DRAGON PLUS on June 11, has rail
5-3-1-2
RACE 9
3-SOME DEAL HANOVER has been racing against better horses all year, interfered and dq in last race, has win here in 156.2
7-ZANDER wake up mile victory in last race in 157.2, can he do it again?, moves from rail to 7 post
8-SAMMY B HAPPY last 3 races has shown life, needs a smart drive from 8 post
3-7-8-2
RACE 10
2-COIN FLIP rebounded back with strong second place finish, back to April/May form?
1-BANDERAS HANOVER has some good and bad miles, good mile today?
3-GRAND PRIORITY races well with good post and terrible with bad post, good post today
2-1-3-6
RACE 11
2-CAPTAIN PLANET form off in last two races, faces very weak field today, had good miles in May and early June
1-BUELLAR throw out last two miles with bad posts, showed good results before
4-GETAWAY good 2nd place finish in 157.4
2-1-4-8
BRIAN’S COMMENTS: Today’s card features two young promising horses, LOCHINVAR MATILDA from the Tritton barn in the first race and SICANO in the 8th race. Both horses have bright futures.
