Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report - Thursday, April 13, 2023 - Race Analysis

Tonight's Pick 5 starts with $10,000 seed money provided by the SOA of NY, and there

will be a $25K guaranteed pool - jump on in!

RACE 1 - Six horse field in the opener but at least 4 of them have a legitimate chance to come out on top!

(1) TAKE A GAMBLE certainly has an affinity for Yonkers as he's 3 for 3 here this year and 7-5-1-1 for

his career - draws best of a sharp bunch and that's enough to give him the slight advantage. (2) GREAT SO

MEWHERE is 10-6-2-1 to start 2023 and he's won half of his 18 career local starts - good draw, can race

from off the pace when necessary, and a very real threat. (3) PLEASELETMEKNOW showed ability from

day one at 2, and comes off a $429K season at 3 - was tightened up last week in his first start of the year

and may be ready to inflict some serious damage now. (5) CERTIFIABLE really elevated his game after

moving to our leading barn in February and besides his 2 recent wins, he shows finishing right behind

COVERED BRIDGE, LOCHINVAR ART, MOONSHINE KISSES, etc.- can't be dismissed, even drawing

outside 3 very tough foes. (6) KINGSVILLE has taken 4 in a row yet is still being listed all the way down

here - and that's a great indicator of just how sharp this field is! (4) JK STANDINGOVATION lands in a

brutal spot, and certainly seems up against it vs. this bunch

RACE 2 - (4) HEY LIVVY cost herself when she sat in 2 back and was shuffled to last (still was a

just-miss 2nd) but she was all business last week, making a couple of early moves to secure the lead and

soundly thrashing her rivals - good chance the talented mare can beat the boys once more. (5) NOWS THE

MOMENT has been on a very lengthy roll but he did make a break last start and has taken 3 weeks off

since then - he'll be mighty dangerous if 100% for tonight, but there's definitely some question marks to be

concerned about. (1) HL REVADON had a great run of races after moving to his current barn but he tired

badly two back and was a weakish 3rd last week - he's another facing some questions right now. (3) CRED

IT CON had been overachieving for weeks before throwing a rare dud last start - he's right back in the box,

and can pick up a good piece here IF he bounces right back. (2) B NICKING used an aggressive drive to

beat a bit easier last time - he's a solid performer, but may find this level just a bit tougher than he'd like

RACE 3 - (7) UNRESOLVED DEBT suddenly elevated his game significantly since joining his current

barn, charging home for 3rds two and three starts back before winning very easily last week - his low

profile connections have done a tremendous job with him, and we'll see if he can overcome both the half

miler AND Post 7 in his Hilltop debut. (3) SOME KINDA NIGHT had some success in Iowa/Minn. at 2,

compiling an 8-2-1-2 record - lands in the powerful Miller barn for his 3YO campaign, and Andy comes

over to drive after a nice looking PA qualifier...belongs on your tickets at that 7-1 ML price. (4) WANIA

has hit board in 7 of 8 local tries....but for a barn that's used to seeing their starters in the winner's circle -

he's been away for 3 weeks and though certainly playable, make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (6)

HEADOVERBOOTS AS came up 2nd best last week....just as he has in 6 of his 9 starts this year - draws

outside, and hard to endorse on top at that 2-1 ML price. (2) FRANKIE HILL is just 1 for 27 but does show

16 other times in the money - ok to throw in for 3rd/4th. (1) BANGIN IN THE HALL has just one 2nd

from his 6 local starts, and is 0 for 26 for his career - another with a shot at a minor slice. (5) SQUABLE

rarely misses a check....but it's usually a smaller one

RACE 4 - (6) ON HIGHER GROUND left fast and worked out a two hole trip last week, just missing to #1

after finding room inside - he's been very sharp all year, and equally dangerous either on or off the pace -

should offer some decent value as he looks to turn the tables this time (1) WARRIOR ONE looked all kinds

of vulnerable all through the lane the last week but the classy warrior was able to hold off all comers

(including #6) - he remains the one to beat, but he also figures to be a pretty short price. (2) NO MAS DRA

MA had good trot from too far back last week, and is another that's very good right now - if things get testy

up front, it's possible that he could be a serious late threat...at a decent price. (3) HAYEK is capable of big

miles, hails from our leading barn, and should be tight off last week's effort in PA - he was also 0 for 12

here last year, and did burn a bit of $$...don't take too short a price (on top) if he's your choice. (4) STREET

GOSSIP is riding a nice 3 race winning streak and definitely looking smoother lately - he has the back class

to pull this off, though we are leaning to a few others. (5) WINDSONG PIONEER has been holding form

nicely but catches a tough spot tonight - may not be able to work out the trip he wants this week

RACE 5 - (1) FLIP THE SCRIPT gets some class relief and can use her speed from this spot - faces

nothing too scary in this field, and this could be a nice wake up spot for her. (3) ELLEOFADELI dropped to

this level last week and was a solid 2nd best (racing 1 1/16th miles) - very logical threat again tonight. (2)

BETTERB CHEVRON N faced males in her 2nd start of the year and tired after chasing a hot 3rd panel -

could be tighter now, is back in with mares and she does have a fine history here at YR - check the tote

board for clues. (6) PULL ME THROUGH fits well with this bunch but she draws poorly and doesn't win

very often - would only consider on top if the price gets pretty juicy. (7) LAURIE LEE wins her share of

races but lands a terrible post for tonight, and may have to wait for a better scenario to threaten for the top

prize. (4) SPORTS FLIX got the win last week in a mile where her driver appeared to work much harder

than she did - steps up, and will need to be sharper to be a threat. (5) ANDRA DAY has fallen on hard

times lately - a wake up is always possible, but she's hard to back right now

RACE 6 - (5) MISSISSIPPI STORM was in the midst of a good bid 2 back when he lost some momentum

on the final turn - re-rallied in the lane to just miss, then went another big first over try last week, just

missing once again - maybe he finds a little easier trip tonight and finally picks up his first win of the

season? (2) HIGHLAND MOWGLI loves Yonkers and loves racing for Brennan...so it was no surprise to

see him ship back in last week and immediately deliver the sharp front end blowout - faces tougher now,

but still commands plenty of respect. (3) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN had plenty of trot in the lane the

last 2 weeks but in too much traffic to show it - deserves to be on some of your tickets if even spreading a

little bit! (4) QUEEN OF ALL raced from well back in her first start of the year but finished with much

better trot than her line might suggest- she's a very nice trotter when 100%, so at least peek at the tote board

for some hints. (8) STORMY KROMER seems well off form right now and draws Post 8....but if you have

some room on your P5 tickets, consider how angry you'd be if he beat you at a huge price! (6) SWEET

SOUL DAVID has been very solid overall lately but did throw a dud last week - tonight's poor draw has us

looking elsewhere. (7) HP RUNNING MASS ships in from Canada (to a suddenly hot barn) riding a 3 race

winning streak...not convinced he can trot with THESE types, however. (1) HAT TRICK MARLEAU has

struggled too many weeks with cheaper to consider a serious threat against these (right now).

RACE 7 - 1 1/16th miles - (1) ROCK DIAMONDS N was in a no-prayer spot for his first start off the barn

change but did hit the wire nicely in the back - this probably isn't the greatest starting spot for this distance

but he should be helped by a lack of strong outside leavers, and still be able to land on a decent trip - classy

10YO is definitely worth using tonight. (6) ODDS ON PICK SIX was no match for the razor sharp winner

last week but still stayed on well for 2nd and does seem to be back on the upswing - has the speed to land a

good trip here, and should be a very live player. (5) JKS CHAMP is another that feels like he's heading in

the right direction now, and he has the right pilot to get him a good start - worth a look. (10) LONG WEEK

END A lands a terrible back row post and it would behoove him to start behind one of the midpack leavers

(if he wants a chance at a decent trip) - he COULD be a player if that happens. (9) EL JACKO N has been

ok since changing barns recently, and comes into this off a nice 2nd to a stickout - hard to predict his trip

from this spot, though. (8) GINGRAS BEACH may take a shot at leaving tonight but he still figures to be a

bit below a few others, even with a good trip - ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (3) BLUEBIRD RECON may take

some $$ with the drop to the bottom level but it's hard to say if he's sharp enough right now to capitalize on

the class relief (he did win at this level back on 1/24). (2) SANTAFES COACH hasn't been better than 3rd

in 9 starts this year and may end up with a rough trip from this spot - sticking with others. (7) SWAGASA

URUSREX lacks speed, and figures to be too far back to threaten. (4) DA GHETTO WIZARD gets a pass

for last week (wiped out early) but faces a very uncertain trip, in a big field, with a young pilot - may need

to wait for a better spot.

RACE 8 - (7) PURE COUNTESS really started to put it together last fall, getting so sharp at one point she

was a close 3rd behind JOVIALITY S in her Breeders Crown elimination - changes barns for her 4YO

season, and will campaign for our leading trainer....her qualifier was solid, and the filly she finished behind

won her first start in 1:53.4 - gets the slight edge over another talented rival. (4) ANGELONIA did some

good work in Indiana after a purchase last year and has gotten off to a fast start as a 4YO, just missing in

her seasonal debut before jogging at ten cents on the dollar in her last - very dangerous player. (1) SEVENS

HADESOFGREY looks next in the line should the two talented mares falter...but he may have a hard time

with them if both show up in top form. (2) CREDARENA was good in that win 4 back but has otherwise

been mostly "ok"- the good draw could help her pick up a small piece (3) STRIKING COUNT hasn't really

thrived since arriving from PA and seems destined for just another minor share tonight. (6) CINCINNATI

HELP was a winner in his YR/seasonal debut but that was helped greatly by pretty much nobody else even

showing up that night - has a lot to prove against these types. (8) TAP ME BLUE CHIP was a big overlay

as the 15-1 winner last week but this is a MUCH tougher spot and she draws Post 8. (5) LADYFLIX has

had some success here but vs. much easier - may be on the cheaper side, and also may be off form

RACE 9 - (4) TECHYS ANGEL hasn't been close to her best in a while but at least picked up a 2nd and a

3rd the last 2 starts - she adds Lasix for tonight, and perhaps that explains some of her recent issues- willing

to hop on board tonight, looking for a good mile in this very modest field. (1) VEL DONNA has been

sharper lately, and even tried to cut a mile at this higher level last week (before weakening to 4th) - good

enough right now to be a threat from this spot. (5) CHELSKI kicked home full of pace to just miss 2 back,

then had very good pace finishing again last week - she's just 1 for 22 here over the last 2 years but still is

worth a look in here. (2) ANNE BONNEY N has been competitive in her recent starts but her only recent

WINS have come vs. much easier at Fhd. - using underneath only. (6) SARAHS LILLY sat last at 55-1 in

her first start of the year and was never close - hard to like off that mile, but take a peek at the tote board to

see if she's attracting attention tonight. (3) TALL POPPY wired a soft field 5 starts back and that's her only

local win in the past 2 years - prefer others.

RACE 10 - (2) PERRON finished ok from a no chance spot for his new barn two back at 48-1 -- was bet

down to 4-1 from a much better spot last week, and delivered a sharp front end score....meets a few solid

foes tonight, but we'll stay on board for at least another week. (3) PROMISE FOR LIFE is winless in 9

local tries but raced well/very well in a bunch of those starts - moves inside, and figures to be a live player

tonight. (4) BANK BOX TREASURE is holding his form as he climbs the class ladder, stepping up tonight

off a nice 2nd place finish - good value horse to include in exotics. (1) NO DRAMA PLEASE lacked room

when 2nd two back then made up for it with last week's first over score - faces tougher now and while still

a very viable player, that 8/5 ML price means he'll probably be overbet. (6) JULA MUSCLE PACK can be

a little tough to gauge from week to week - if the pace gets hot up front, he may be able to make a lot of

noise at the end. (8) GEMOLOGIST is a hard knocker but does figure to be compromised by the tough

draw. (5) THE LAST CHAPTER is unreliable even at lower levels - maybe a minor share with the right

trip? (7) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE could use a better post, in a cheaper class

RACE 11 - (6) ASHTINI seemed to be sharpening (after the layoff) before running into a no chance spot

last week (but still finishing well) - not an ideal spot here, but still worth a play vs. this very beatable group.

(1) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE doesn't win too often but she'll get to call the shots in this very modest field and

that gives her a decent chance to be right there at the wire. (8) ALWAYS B MIMI feels like she's better than

a bunch of these - Miller is never afraid to just send one, and that may actually be what this mare needs -

not impossible. (5) BROOKDALE JESSIE was an ok 3rd last week and the drop drown to the bottom can't

hurt - belongs in exotics. (2) LOVIN MISS DAISY hails from an ice cold barn but draws inside and that

gives her at least a shot for a minor share. (4) E R HILARY is having a tough year - looking at a minor

piece at best, unless she ups her game. (3) THUNDRA is as unreliable as they come, and was dismal last

week. (7) FEAR HER TOUCH seems up against it from out here.