Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report - Thursday, April 20. 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (6) TAKE A GAMBLE brought his Yonkers record to 8-6-1-1 with last week's dominant first

over victory and his assignment of Post 6 has been well earned - the possibility for a tough journey does

exist, but he's just too good right now to jump off his team. (3) KINGSVILLE saw his 4 race win streak

snapped last week when stuck with a bad post moving well up in class - he did race very well, however,

pacing a back half in :54.3 as he rallied for 4th - we'll see if the improved post can help him be a bigger

player. (5) STOP STARING was in tough spots in the Open (across the river) the last 2 weeks but was

sharp in PA right before that - he's done good work here in the past, and may have a chance to upset IF

some tri luck comes his way. (2) SOUTHWIND PETYR would seem a bit too cheap for these but he was

claimed last week by the Super Siblings, and that powerful team has started to accumulate fresh stock once

again...and are improving most of them considerably -- don't toss too quickly! (4) KOOTENAY SANTAN

NA was well backed for his local debut and was a solid winner - he'll have to prove that he can hang with

these tougher ones, however. (1) SETH HANOVER's only recent win came vs. much easier, all out - prefer

others in here

RACE 2 - (4) CINCINNATI HELP jogged in his first start of the year but it was hard to gauge the effort as

he enjoyed a clear lead around the track vs. a very weak field - he did show LAST week that he is "for

real", trotting a back half in :56.1 to be close at the finish vs. a field TONS better - faces softer again today,

and looms the one to beat. (1) WANIA finally got into the win column last week after finishing 2nd or 3rd

in 7 of his first 8 local tries- draws best, and should be right there from start to finish. (3) USEYOURLOVE

TONIGHT showed a few good efforts at 2, even sneaking into the NYSS Final (though 80-1, and no factor)

- goes for a new barn at 3, adds hopples and Lasix, but it's hard to get much of a feel off his 2 qualifiers -

check the tote board? (6) SOME KINDA NIGHT was a no threat 3rd last week in his 3YO return - eligible

to be sharper this time, but will also have to deal with a tough post - ok underneath. (2) AVACAKES hasn't

shown much in 3 starts in 2023 - needs to be better. (5) FRANKIE HILL is just 1 for 28 and broke in both

local tries - certainly feels risky

RACE 3 - In what can only be explained as a major oversight, somehow (1) HILLEXOTIC was allowed to

draw for an inside post....despite his last local start being a 2nd place finish in the $250K Miecuna Trot, and

shipping in off a win in the Meadowlands Open (with a :26.3 final quarter) - he's also 19-8-7-1 at YR over

the past 2 seasons and while that doesn't make him a cinch here, it surely must be frustrating to the others in

the race! (7) NOWS THE MOMENT made an unexpected miscue on 3/23 - returned 3 weeks later and was

clearly right back on his best game, crushing them off the pocket trip - can be a legitimate threat once

again, even from Post 7. (3) ON HIGHER GROUND lands in the Open tonight on the strength of a sharp

recent form spree- he seems sharper right now than the barn's other Open horse (CREDIT CON), and could

make some late noise here. (5) HERCULISA is a very talented mare and did win here last season - she lost

all chance in her seasonal debut with an early miscue, but trotted strong after recovering and re-qualified

nicely at PcD - a clean mile puts her in the hunt. (2) NO MAS DRAMA, like ON HIGHER GROUND, has

ridden a recent form spree right up to the Open - an easy trip could land her a small piece. (6) HEY LIVVY

has been a little tough to gauge from week to week, as those who sent her off at 1/5 last week found out -

tough spot, even if she brings her best. (4) B NICKING was an opportunistic/sharp 2nd last start but may

have a tough time replicating that success tonight.

RACE 4 - (6) NICE GUY EDDIE looked good winning his first 2 starts here last year but made breaks in

his next pair then went on the shelf - returned in 2023 with a very sharp PcD win (at 3/5) but broke on the

lead in his next - added hopples for his last start in NJ and was a close 4th, behaving nicely....we'll go with

him on top, but not one to bet the rent money on! (1) HILLOFAKNOCKOUT has been somewhat

disappointing in 4 local tries but did pick up a pair of 3rds, is looking at a good trip, and is as good as any if

the top choice fails to deliver. (4) HEADOVERBOOTS AS continues to pick up 2nds (7 in 10 starts this

year!) but is still winless in 2023, and sometimes just seems a bit disinterested during the mile - clearly he

has a chance against these, but there's really not much value to be had (on top). (3) TAP ME BLUE CHIP

just jogged at 16-1 two back, but it helped that nobody else seemed to show up - gets a pass for her last, and

we'll see if she can bounce back and be a player with these. (5) ER NO MORE would be hard to play off

his Ohio form but he joins a barn that has suddenly become a force on the local scene - getting Bartlett

won't hurt his chances, and he's a reasonable stab if looking to spread. (2) STRIKING COUNT tries adding

hopples after struggling (overall) in his 6 local tries - another angle to consider.

RACE 5 - (3) MACHEASY A is better right now than his lines might suggest, and he'll get both class and

post relief for tonight - the favorite does seem a bit vulnerable, and this feels like a good week to give this

one a try. (2) FORTIFY started to tail off significantly late last year and continued to do so until getting a

month off near the end of February - has looked better (out of town) since returning, but racing at lower

levels - he came up 2nd best the last 2 starts at 1/2 and 1/5 odds, and while he may be the one to beat in

here, he's not too attractive at a very short price. (4) CIGAR SMOKIN TONY had a good 4YO season but

only made 10 starts during a tough 5YO campaign - he returned after about 9 months off and just picked up

an easy win (PcD) in his 3rd start back...we'll see if he can step up, and build off that. (5) ODDS ON PICK

SIX tailed badly after a few good start but does feel like he may be coming back around - would give him a

look here IF the price is good enough. (1) SANTAFES COACH has 5 thirds from 10 starts this year, and

that includes his last pair - seems like a good spot to use him again tonight. (7) BLUEBIRD RECON came

up with a much better effort last week but draws poorly while moving up in class- small slice? (6) LAURIE

LEE can throw a good one when she lands on the right trip but would prefer to wait for her to be back in

with mares, from a better post. (8) PULL ME THROUGH (another mare) doesn't figure to ever get close

RACE 6 - (4) GOLDEN QUEST N was a very easy winner (at 1/5) on 2/23 - she was scratched sick from

her next pair but qualified back solidly at Chester last week, and she's used to facing (and even beating)

much better than these - her barn has also been en fuego lately, and that earns her top billing. (5) SARAHS

LILLY took some $$ for her 2nd start of the year and while never in the hunt, she did finish with very alert

pace - could be a big threat, especially if the top one doesn't show up on her game. (7) TALL POPPY N

was well backed and well meant last week, battling very hard before coming up 2nd best to a class rival

(that was adding Lasix) - terrible spot, but a fast start could at least put her in the hunt. (6) HEAVENISSOF

ARAWAY hasn't done anything lately but she also hasn't been anywhere near the action - we'll see if the

class drop encourages Gingras to send her out of there....which may give her a chance to be part of the mix.

(3) FEAR HER TOUCH really benefited last week when the race fell apart, allowing her to rally late for

the 39-1 upset - she did actually race well, and may be able to grab a piece against these better ones too. (1)

LOOKATMYART banged out over $100K with a very solid 2022 season but hasn't been nearly that sharp

for a while - even with the rail draw, others just feel more promising. (8) FLIP THE SCRIPT does fit here

but she also figures to be severely compromised by the draw. (2) ALWAYS BE TRUE draws well, but

usually needs to be in easier to be a serious player

RACE 7 - 1 1/16th miles: (4) BETTERB CHEVRON N caught a field light years better than this for her

2023 return at PcD - was stuck facing males here in her next (got a little tired in a fast mile) but looked

MUCH better last week, finishing with good pace to be a close 3rd in NW7500 - drops to the bottom level,

catches a soft bunch and it should be a good spot for the classy 10YO to come up with a big effort. (6)

ALWAYS B MIMI can hold her own with better than these, and is in a good spot to manufacture some gate

speed at the added distance - an aggressive steer from Boyd could make her a legitimate player. (1) THUN

DRA went her best mile in a long time last week but was still collared late by the $80 winner - we'll see if

she can build off that and be a player again tonight. (2) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE had things her own way on

the lead last start but came up short once they turned for home - would need a better price to consider again

tonight (on top). (5) PRAY THE ROSARY really hasn't clicked since returning to YR recently - she's won

some races here in the past, but would probably need things to fall apart to win tonight. (9) A CRAFTY

LADY always seems to race well out of town....but she failed to hit board in her 12 local starts over the

past 2 years, and has a 1 for 25 record over the past 3 -- her trip is also uncertain starting from the back row

(10) ASHTINI seemed to be coming around but her 3/5 price last week was absurd, and she added insult to

injury by floundering on the rim in a weak performance - at least her price will go WAY up now! (8) BRO

OKDALE JESSIE has picked up pieces here on several occasions but she's 0 for 14 and draws Post 8 in a

10 horse field - much luck will be needed! (3) BETABCOOL N is 17-0-0-2 here over the past 3 years - hard

to endorse. (7) E R HILARY draws horribly and has been struggling for a long time

RACE 8 - (3) COMMANDER CATHY N tried the Matchmaker (unsuccessfully) for the 2nd straight year

but was a good 3rd last week after dropping back to more suitable competition - gets another drop for

tonight and IS the one to beat...but note that she's just 3 for 45 at Yonkers before betting the farm. (4) DAN

CE CLUB was clearly short in 3 local starts returning from a long layoff but she took plenty of $$ in PA

last week and responded with the wire to wire score - this class is right up her alley when sharp, and she

may be ready to be a big threat once more. (2) TUGGINGONCREDIT beat better (from Post 7) back on

2/24 but hasn't been as good recently - could be a spot where she perks up, but still prefer the top 2. (1) EL

LEOFADELI woke up with a better effort 2 back but was unable to build on it last week - probably looking

at a smaller piece again tonight. (5) ANNE BONNEY N's only recent win came vs. much cheaper at Fhd.

and she's just 1 for 30 locally over the past 2 years - minor share only. (6) SPORTS FLIX can be hard to

motivate lately and sitting in the back of the pack won't make it any easier

RACE 9 - (1) QUEEN OF ALL banked $178K last year and $105K of it was earned right here at Yonkers -

she has a pair of useful tighteners since returning for her 2023 season, and should be tight enough now to

take advantage of the move to the pole - looking for a big effort from her tonight. (5) STORMY KROMER

would be a standout in here if the mega-classy 9YO was even close to top form but his last few starts have

been less than stellar (to be kind) - it seems like a good sign that he keeps dropping right back in the box,

suggesting that a turnaround could be coming at any time - if the tote board suggests that it could be

tonight, it might be a good idea to pay attention. (8) SWEET SOUL DAVID came up weak 2 back but was

right back on his game last week, rallying nicely for 3rd off the ground saving trip - no idea if Buter will be

able to get him in play from out here, but he could definitely be part of the exotics if he does. (2) JULA

MUSCLE PACK can be a bit inconsistent but if he's in a good mood tonight, look for him to be rallying

late for a piece. (4) GEMOLOGIST just toured the oval from Post 8 last week but he's certainly capable of

much better - the move inside may see him more involved tonight...with a chance at a small piece. (6) PER

RON was really good in his 2nd start for his current barn, wiring a cheaper field pretty easily - wasn't quite

as good last week, though, and now lands a tough post - leaning to others. (3) SEVENSHADESOFGREY

behaved in 3 of his last 4, leading to a pair of wins and narrow loss 2nd - steps up to face tougher now, and

may find these a little bit more than he can handle. (7) NO DRAMA PLEASE goes from a pair of rails all

the way out to Post 7...and that figures to really hurt his chances.

RACE 10 - (5) HIGHLAND MOWGLI ran his 2023 local record to 4 for 4 with last week's sharp front end

win (and his overall slate now stands at 9-7-2-0) - he could be hurt with speed inside of him tonight, but

he's also shown that he CAN race from behind, if necessary - willing to ride the hot hand since his price

could actually be decent here. (2) GREY was a winner in this class on 3/2 and may have also won 2 starts

back if not trapped through the lane - very viable threat from this spot. (4) MISSISSIPPI STORM couldn't

get to the top choice from the pocket last week but was still a solid 2nd and now draws inside that one - he's

been knocking on the door in his last few, and maybe this is aspot where he gets it done? (1) HAYEK draws

the pole for our top trainer/driver tandem but tired out of the pocket last week, and was 0 for 12 here in '22

- possible, but won't offer any value. (3) STREET GOSSIP saw his 4 race winning streak ended upon

moving up to this higher level last week - leaning towards others. (6) WINDSONG PIONEER saw his form

spree carry him from the basement to this NW30000 class - brutal spot tonight, however

RACE 11 - (1) BETTER ROLL ON A has been finishing just behind some decent horses in those NW6PM

fields - drops to the basement and draws the pole...and they'll probably have him to catch. (3) AIR FORCE

HANOVER appears to have changed hands since that last start and his qualifier suggests he may be ready

for an improved try for his new barn - he's been struggling for a while, but this may not be a bad night to

consider him. (2) VESPA N is just 7-0-0-1 here at Yonkers but he still looks like a decent fit in this field,

especially from the inside - ok for exotics. (5) ON THE VIRG turned in an improved try last week, and

does drop tonight - reasonable horse to consider if looking for a last race price. (6) LATE MAIL N hasn't

been good in ages but goes 2nd time for a new barn and may start to show some improvement - maybe

3rd/4th? (8) GINGRAS BEACH seems unlikely to get close from out here but he's a good bomb for the

bottom of the ticket if you think Boyd may try to blast. (4) HURRIKANE GEORGIE had an outstanding

2022 season but hasn't been close to that form in some time - we'll see if he improves at all in his 2nd start

on Lasix. (7) MAJOR SHOW would be a major surprise from this spot.