Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 - (4) HURRIKANE GEORGIE shipped in sharp from The Swamp and has maintained that fine

form here at Yonkers - tries $40K claimers after racing well against some solid NW6 rivals. and feels like

he could be a good fit...that 9-1 ML price definitely makes him worth a look. (3) BLUEBIRD RECON took

a couple of starts to get going, but is hitting on all cylinders now for our leading trainer/driver combo -

should be a very live player, once again. (2) GIVENUPDREAMING hit board in all 3 starts since the

recent barn change, draws inside, and figures to be able to have a big say in here - still has to prove he can

win at this level, though (6) BOLT OF LUCK upset this class at 15-1 back on May 20 and was facing some

solid stock at Stga. in his last couple - would have liked him a bit more with a better draw, however. (5) UR

BAN RENEWAL was claimed for $30K last week after winning his 2nd in a row - steps up to 40s for his

new connections, and it's hard to say if he can be as effective at this higher level....we'll find out tonight. (1)

WHAT THE LUCK really turned it around instantly in NJ after moving to his current barn back in June -

he's undeniably sharp, but may be shooting a bit to high in 40s as he ships across the river (7) LATE MAIL

N has a new lease on life since Bongiorno started driving for this barn - tough task tonight from Post 7 (up

in class), though. (8) STAR MESSENGER has been very good at Harrington but lands Post 8 tonight while

moving up from 25s - may need an easier spot.

RACE 2 - (4) LUCIANO N was an excellent 2nd one level up 2 starts back, and was just overmatched vs.

the 75s in his last pair - this field should be right up his alley, and his barn did have a winner on Sat. night -

good week to give him a shot. (5) TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN had been struggling here all year but did have

some life finishing last week - could be ready for a bigger effort tonight, but that 3-1 ML price does make it

a little harder to get excited about a play. (1) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES debuted for a new barn last week

and might have been closer if not for a bad shuffle - draws best, but he's 0 for 22 here over the last 3 years

-- and that makes it hard to consider him on top. (2) ON THE VIRG is a good fit at this level but the

veteran is having a tough time here in 2022 (1 for 14) - definitely ok for exotics, though. (6) SOHO

CHELSEAA has been facing cheaper out of town, and is 8-0-0-1 here at Yonkers - he's also making his

first start for the Dynamic Duo tonight, and that has been a very positive angle for a long time - couldn't

blame anybody that wants to take a chance on him off the barn change. (3) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING has

been camera shy at YR for a long time, but does seem eligible for a small piece, with the right trip. (7)

GUMPTION has been good out of town this year, but he's 7-0-0-1 here at YR - gets a nice class drop, but

that may be offset by the poor draw - leaning towards others. (8) KAUAI KING doesn't figure to be able to

reach from out here.

RACE 3 - (1) ILL DRINK TO THAT had a $346K year at 3 but like so many, has struggled to establish

himself as a 4YO - he returns to YR showing some encouraging recent form, but his 2 local starts this year

were less than stellar, and he MAY be a bit vulnerable at a short price - he's the one to beat, but don't bet the

rent money at a short price. (2) RHODENA ROAD was really sharp for a couple of starts but not up for last

week's tough first over trip at all - could easily bounce back with a kinder journey. (5) BETTERTHAN

THEBEACH was 3rd in his only local try this year and was solid in his 5 Yonkers starts last year - could

easily be a threat tonight with the right trip. (6) BENHOPE RULZ N returned to YR at this level last week

and finished full of pace once free for the stretch drive - draws poorly, but not a bad bomb to consider for a

piece. (4) HIGHLANDBEACHSBEST was sent off at 1/10 last start (returning from Canada) and was an

incredibly disappointing 3rd - has been away for 4 weeks since then, and hard to recommend at that 5/2 ML

price. (7) ROCK CANDY hasn't been sharp and also draws poorly - he also drops to a pretty low level, and

wouldn't be a total shock. (8) ROCKATHON is another that's dropping, but also forced to deal with a

terrible draw - wouldn't be a shock to see him in the hunt IF he can somehow work out a trip. (3) CAN B

PERFECT has 2 recent wins over softer...and may find himself in a bit too tough with these.

RACE 4 - (1) MARK WITHA K finally found his top form and ripped off a pair of 1:48 wins across the

river - he followed that up with a fairly close 5th last week (at PcD) facing legitimate Open/Stakes horses,

and now draws the pole for his Hilltop return - just seems too sharp for these right now. (4) DELIGHTFUL

TERROR gave razor sharp KEYSTONE PHOENIX all he could handle 2 back, then was really hurt when

pushed 3 wide coming to the half last week (but still raced ok) - could add some value to the exacta. (6) IM

SOME GRADUATE had a rough 2021 season but a move to our leading barn has helped him turn things

around in '22 - hard to predict his trip from this spot but if he can loop around #5 at the start, it would help

his chances significantly. (5) MOTIVE HANOVER was under urging for a good portion of the mile last

week but was able to find enough to make it 2 in a row, and 4 of his last 6 - hard to not include him in

exotics. (2) EXPLOIT was very well backed in his first try at this level but could only find enough in the

stretch to pick up 2nd - can be a player for a good piece again tonight. (3) LYONS KING was no factor in

his last couple, but an easy trip could lead to a small piece of this. (7) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE, like barn

mate LATE MAIL N, has really turned things around since Bongiorno started driving - class hike and 7

hole (and no Joe B.) could hurt his chances tonight, though. (8) CHANGE STRIDE N is good right now,

but faces an uphill task trying to have an impact from out here.

RACE 5 - Very tough race! (6) DINA BOLT N hasn't won in a while but he continues to deliver sharp

efforts week after week - he's always a decent price, and maybe this will be the week he lands on the

winning trip. (1) SHADOW CAT hasn't won since 4/19, but he's another that's sharp right now- draws best,

gets Bartlett in the bike, and the barn did send out a pair of jogburger winners on Sat. night. (3) ST LADS

BEAT IT kept digging last week despite a tough trip to be a close 3rd at the wire - he's won 4 of 12 local

starts this year, and is definitely a legitimate threat here. (4) ROCKAPELO felt like he was in a winning

spot last week and got stronger as the race got longer, taking over into the stretch and winning comfortably

- would hardly be a surprise if he took another. (7) ROCKIN M can be added to the list of very sharp horses

in here that just haven't been able to crack the winner's circle in a while - terrible draw, but still worth a

look if the price is juicy enough. (2) MYSWEETBOYMAX has been good in his last few, but is unproven

at this NW20000 level - the good draw does make him a possibility, though. (5) THE REGULATOR was a

close 2nd in his YR debut last week, but vs. softer - faces a very sharp field while moving up in class, and

that has us leaning towards others. (8) GINGRAS BEACH was flat 2 back but has otherwise been looking

good for weeks - hard to see a way for him to get involved from out here, though.

RACE 6 - Another tough one: (3) IM A GIGOLO N raced well throughout the NW15000 "Pop Up" Series,

but wasn't a factor in his last 2 PA starts - gets a good draw for his YR return, should be a fair price, and is

one of several with a legitimate chance to take this. (2) CRUNCH HANOVER doesn't always fire, but he

does have 2 wins from his last 5 starts- if he's in contention when they turn for home, he can be a dangerous

late player. (5) GENIUS MAN seems to be building confidence back at the lower levels as he climbs his

way back the ladder - might be able to use his speed tonight to work out a live trip. (4) WINDSUN RICKY

is just 1 for 13 this year, but he does have a pair of recent 2nds at this level - should be a good price and

deserves a look. (1) WATERWAY has been holding his form reasonably well for a long time but a class

drop would really benefit him - we'll see if the rail draw can make him a serious player tonight. (7) THE

REAL ONE finally picked up his first win of the season last week and does seem to be getting sharper now

- not sure he'll be able to get rolling soon enough from out here to be a serious late threat, though. (6) ROC

KIN JUKEBOX has been holding his form nicely for some time, but has also been helped by a long run of

inside draws - tonight's move outside may really slow him down. (8) SAULSBROOK HERO looked super

in his 3 straight recent wins but has come back to earth in the last couple of weeks - won't get any easier

starting from Post 8.

RACE 7 - (5) REAL PEACE tripped out and picked up a win at this level 3 back then raced ok for 4ths in

his last pair - he'll probably be a decent price here, and does have a chance at the mild upset if things go his

way. (1) MAJOR BETTS is the logical favorite and may just run and hide from these from the pole - he's

also 9-0-5-1 at Yonkers this year, and just 1 for 21 over the past 2 years - he MAY come up a little short

once again. (2) ROLLING WITH SAM hasn't clicked yet in 3 starts since the claim but his sharp

connections keep in the same class, perhaps suggesting that they believe they can cure what ails him - may

trip out from this spot, with a chance for a mild upset. (6) QUALITY BUD drew 8 holes in both starts since

returning from a layoff and while not a threat either week, he wasn't terribly far back either - at least moves

in a couple of notches tonight, and we'll see if he can play a bigger role this time. (7) DON DOMINGO N

may be sharp enough right now to be in the mix, but he'll need Marohn to handle him aggressively - hard

to see him circling the field from 7th. (3) AMERICAN BOY N wouldn't be a shock, but it really feels like

he needs to be in a bit easier. (5) PASS A GRILLEBEACH seems very ambitiously placed for the $75K tag

- prefer others tonight. (8) JESSE DUKE N wasn't sharp in his 2nd start off the claim and goes from the rail

to Post 8 - prefer others.

RACE 8 - (8) AMERICAN DEALER N gets along very well with Bongiorno and the pair have teamed up

to win a pair of recent Opens - continues to draw poorly but he's shown enough to at least create a trip for

himself, and the price figures to be solid from out here - worth a play.(6) IM SIR BLAKE A held his own

throughout the Borgata Series and even won the consolation - been facing very tough field in his last couple

of PA starts, and should find these more to his liking - chance if the trip goes his way. (3) PYRO was no

match at all for last week's scary winner, but he was 2nd best in a very fast mile - he owns 13 local wins

over the past 2 seasons, and can never be discounted in a spot like this, (4) HELLABALOU earned nearly

$400K at 3, and his last couple of (dominant) wins suggest that he's ready to start blossoming as a 4YO - he

may be able to handle this classy bunch tonight, but that 9/5 ML price has us looking at others to use on

top. (1) WALKINSHAW N does his winning vs. cheaper, but he still tries hard and (usually) finishes well

even at higher levels - ok to use underneath. (5) ALWAYS AND AGAIN has been in solid form and has 2

wins from his last 4 starts - may find some of these a little too tough, though. (7) FEELIN WESTERN

didn't embarrass himself in the Open and should appreciate tonight's class relief - he doesn't figure to

appreciate Post 7, however. (2) MIKES Z TAM has been racing very well for a while, and it's only because

this field is so solid that he's being listed at the bottom.

RACE 9 - (2) PAT STANLEY N just got too hot on the lead 2 back and can be forgiven for tiring a bit at

the end - got caught making a LONG first over bid last week and was dead game right to the wire, despite

pacing a 3rd quarter in :26.2 - just feels like he's a good trip away from winning one of these. (5) NONE

BETTOR A followed the top choice's long move last week and was able to kick in through the lane for the

victory - he's not usually an "off the pace" type, so that win probably shows how good he is right now -

chance to repeat. (7) FUNATTHEBEACH N seems to save his best efforts for when the BIG $$ is on the

line, but he still can't be counted out against these, even from Post 7 - needs to be a little sharper than last

week, though. (6) SPLASH BROTHER is good right now, and his last effort was better than it looks on

paper - he can pick up a piece of this with the right racing luck. (3) NO LOU ZING still needs to prove that

he can bang heads with this type but the indications are that he can - ok for a piece. (1) MOVIN ON UP has

already banked $154K this season but note that he needed a class drop (in Delaware) to pick up his last 2

wins - great spot, but just may be a little on the cheaper side. (4) SEMI TOUGH has more than enough

ability to beat these, but he's been away since 4/25 and may be in need of a start or two. (8) ROCK THE

DEVIL has only ONE start since November and absolutely should have been assigned the inside here -

instead he's forced to draw for posts 4-8, and of course lands all the way outside - we'll wait for a (much

better spot.

RACE 10 - (1) EL JACKO N picked up 3rds in his last 3 starts, and gets 2nd last week if free sooner - may

be able to trip out from this spot, and get his picture taken. (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW drops back down

to 50s and just missed the last time at this level - worth using on your tickets tonight. (6) MACINTOSH N

finished 2nd in his first start off the claim but the classy 13YO has now taken 3 straight for the hottest

trainer/driver combo on the planet - it would be hard to NOT include him in your plays, even with the

outside draw. (4) DARK ENERGY N has been on his game for some time, but he's a bit unproven vs. 50s,

and is racing off a sick scratch - mixed feelings about his chances. (2) CINNAMACK is 0 for 20 this year

and may be pressing his luck vs. 50s...but he moves inside after a pair of 8 holes, and raced well even from

those bad posts - include him underneath. (3) FOREVER FAV pushed his way out on the final turn last

week and was able to rally late for the win - moves to a new barn, and may not be as fortunate this week.

(8) PADUKA N raced very well from Post 7 two back, but vs. lesser - draws worst upon returning from NJ,

and may need to wait for an easier spot. (7) HEAVENLY SOUND seems unlikely to threaten from out here.