Friday Empire Report

RACE 1 - Very competitive opener! (1) JOJOS PLACE ran into a tough first over trip last week but still

held well to be a close 4th - he's been sharp for some time but most importantly, he's moving to a barn that

has an amazing 27-10-6-7 record here since last year....and is 3 for 3 off the claim -- we'll give him the edge

over several sharp rivals. (3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN is generally most effective on the front end so it's

noteworthy that he charged home for 3rd from well back last week - clearly he got along very nicely with

Boyd, and we'll see if the pair can come up with another big one tonight. (5) STATEMENT MADE A hit

board 4 straight times before breaking through with a win last week - Kakaley sticks with him over #1, and

clearly he remains a big threat to take another...may be overbet off that 9/5 ML listing, however. (2) ROBB

IE BURNS N was a good 4th when claimed 3 back, won his next but came up a little short at the end last

week after hitting the top from Post 7 - seems sharp enough to have a chance here if the trip goes his way.

(4) BARRYWHITE HANOVER has been on an extended form spree, and was a blowout winner last week

- double jumps from 15s to 25s here, and that MAY slow him down a bit. (8) WAR DAN DELIGHT N is

racing very well right now but he draws outside a bunch of other sharp players, and he's lost at least 47 in a

row here at Yonkers - maybe 3rd/4th? (6) BETTER B SWIFT throws a good one here and there but never

seems to build off it - very tough spot here. (7) DESIRES CAPTAIN has yet to hit board in 2023.

RACE 2 - Could be a good betting race as the heavy favorite might be vulnerable: (3) MAAJAACKKOBE

returned a different horse in 2023, and is currently 4-1-2-1 to start the new year - he'll likely be able to use

his speed to create another good trip for himself (top or pocket), and figures to be a very live player...

especially if the heavy choice fails to deliver. (6) LETTUCERIPRITA A beat the top pick last week and has

been outstanding at YR for the past 3 years (48-15-10-6!) - faces a more uncertain trip from Post 6, but still

has to be seen as a possible repeater (loses Bartlett to #1, but gets Stratton to fill in). (1) MINGO JOEL beat

this class twice in February (for our leading trainer), then was 2nd in 20s - his last at PcD is definitely

concerning, however, as he never looked all that smooth and did make an uncharacteristic break when

Morrill looked to move him at the half - drops right back down to 15s, and this may not be a bad week to

take a shot against him. (4) CASHNCAM found his form at Fhd. recently then raced well in his last 2 starts

back here at Yonkers - could easily land on the ticket with a good trip. (5) TOATSMYGOATS drew Posts 7

or 8 in his last 3 local starts, blasted off the car to earn pocket trips and was 2nd all three times, at prices of

103-1, 18-1, and 22-1 -- the price will finally come down, but he still has a decent chance to be close again

at the end. (2) ARTMAGIC just never clicked after being claimed last winter and comes into this off a sick

scratch - prefer others. (7) KINGSTONS BAD BOY hasn't been sharp and will be coming from last.

RACE 3 - (2) GIVE US AWAVE A was a decent horse Down Under, winning 10 races and nearly $100K -

had some trouble getting rolling after starting his U.S. career in late 2022 but had a useful tightener at Fhd.

on 3/4 (8 hole off a month), then brought a much better effort when he won as the favorite in NJ last week,

despite being used hard for the lead, then having to chase a quick pace before rallying at the end for the

victory - may be ready to start performing more consistently now. (5) DARK ENERGY N trailed all the

way at 70-1 two back but was hammered down to 7/5 for his last and led every step of the way, until the

very last stride - the streaky veteran should have another good one in store for tonight, and Stratton does

take him over #2 - the main danger. (3) GENTLEMANJIM II IE comes out of the same race as the top

choice but squandered a dream trip, hanging in the lane when he looked like a winner turning for home -

belongs in exotics, but note that he's 0 for 15 at YR before using on top at a short price. (4) MEMPHISTEN

NESSEE N took some $$ last week, was well meant but could only manage a tiring 4th - needs to be better.

(1) GOTTA MINUTE N will sometimes finish with interest - maybe 3rd/4th from this spot? (6) CONBOY

VILLE just hasn't found his game since returning from the layoff - waiting for some better signs. (7) SANT

AFES COACH has only managed a couple of 3rds so far in '23 and figures to be coming from too far back

to threaten. (8) NOTA REPLICA A has been struggling for a barn off to an ice cold start in 2023.

RACE 4 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Series: Last week's Open saw (4) DRAMA ACT just get up right at the

wire to nip (7) RACINE BELL.....incredibly fitting since that's exactly how last year's Matchmaker FINAL

ended - ironically the same pair hook up again in the first round of this year's series, and we'll give the edge

to the former, thanks to the better draw (the two of them do seem to have a distinct advantage over the

others right now). (3) MORNING HAS BROKEN does better work vs. a bit easier but outside of the top

pair, she does seem to fit very nicely with the others - may be able to rally late and beat the rest of 'em. (2)

WAHS FIRE BUG N showed a ton of promise immediately upon arriving from Down Under last year, and

her only local start was a good one (2nd to DELITFULCATHERIN N on 1/27) - not sure what happened at

Stga. last week but assuming she bounces right back, she should be able to grab a piece of this. (1) ALTA

MADEIRA N charged home last week to score the 9-1 last-to-first victory - this is a BIG step up, but the

rail and Dunn may help her to pick up a small share. (5) INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW has thrived at DD

but was no factor in her own local start - needs to prove she can hang with this type. (8) MCMARKLE SPA

RKLE has been slow to find her best this year, unable to build off that win over cheaper 2 back - faces an

uphill climb from Post 8 tonight. (6) LYDEO seems very ambitiously placed in this series!

RACE 5 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Series: (7) EASY TO PLEASE has been racing herself into shape in

preparation for this series, and seems to be getting sharper every week (and recently added Lasix) - not sure

that she's quite 100% yet but this is an overall softer division, and she should still be a decent price from

out here - worth a stab. (6) AMAZING DREAM N was a millionaire Down Under and took a couple of

Opens (across the river) when she arrived in the U.S. last spring- had trouble beating the best in the division

the rest of the year, but still went a bunch of strong miles against them - should be able to make some noise

in this series, and her 3 qualifiers should have her ready for action...she does figure to be overbet tonight,

though. (3) LIT DE ROSE put together a long winning streak not too long ago but just hasn't been as sharp

lately, her only recent win coming vs. much softer, with a very easy trip - she's eligible to perk up at any

time, but likely looking at only a smaller piece for now. (4) UPTOWN HANOVER is winless in 6 starts

this year but did hit board in 5 of them - chance for another minor share tonight. (8) DOUGS BABE A

seems likely to need a start or two off that lone qualifier but her connections are very sharp, and wouldn't

have put her in here if the ability wasn't there - keep a close eye on her tonight. (2) MABALENE N won 3

of 4 local starts (broke in the other) but vs. MUCH easier - she'll need to prove that she's fast enough to

hang with these types. (5) COMMANDER CATHY N was overmatched trying this series LAST year- she's

raced well in overnights since then, but still seems over her head this year, as well. (1) ANNERIE N ships

in from Ohio to try her luck against these - seems like she might need easier, though.

RACE 6 - (3) ROCKN PHILLY is a streaky mare and she's feelin' good right now - she moves up a notch

off last week's easy win but this field isn't really all that tougher....good chance she can make it 2 in a row.

(5) JIVE DANCING A is winless in 5 starts this year but she's been sharp all along, and came up an

excellent 2nd best the last two starts - the right trip would give her a shot to knock off the top one. (2) TUG

GINGONCREDIT would probably prefer to be in a little softer but her effort last week was excellent (held

3rd after a LONG first over move against #3), and she may be able to add some value to the exotics tonight.

(1) ANNABELLE HANOVER came up short off an easy trip last week but she was racing off a layoff, and

the off track may have hurt as well - she has a solid YR history, and is eligible to bring a better effort here.

(6) PROBERT had an outstanding 2022 season (out of town), compiling a 33-10-6-11 $151K slate - she

lands in one of our top barns but does draw poorly for her local debut, and figures to be coming from last -

keep an eye for next time. (4) MILLWOOD BONNIE N found her form in Ohio for one of the highest %

trainers in the land, then rattled off 3 straight locally vs. the 50s - found things a little tougher against better

last week, and may struggle just a bit with these too....hard to endorse as the 2-1 ML choice!

RACE 7 - (3) MIKI ROSE was doing excellent work here last year when her trainer was just doing "well" -

now that the barn is really thriving, it's reasonable to assume that SHE'LL be even better too - had a very

nice tightener on 3/3 (after 5 months off), then was very sharp in her last, sprinting home right behind the

sharp ROCKN PHILLY in a hot final quarter - we'll look for her to get it done tonight, though there won't

be much of a price. (1) MAN DONTFORGET ME was used hard early in her last then caught behind a

tiring leader (and probably deserves a pass) - she's done good work here for most of the year, and is looking

at an excellent trip from this spot - the main danger. (8) FADE OUT took 3 months off but was ready to roll

right off the bat, slingshotting off cover into the stretch to score easily off the layoff - not really concerned

about the class jump, but the brutal draw means that some racing luck will be required - would need a good

price to use her on top tonight. (2) LADYBELUCKYTONITE struggled at the bottom levels most of last

year but a recent form spree has seen her earn her way up to these much higher levels - gets a bit of class

relief from last week, draws inside, and that may help her grab a piece of this. (4) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL

was a sharp 2nd in her first local try - may have been bothered when she broke in the stretch in her next

then had sneaky pace finishing last week - bumps up another notch, but she's a good value horse for the

bottom of exotics. (6) VILLAGE JADE has gone some big miles at YR but her current form is less than

stellar - needs a big wake up call to threaten right now. (5) NORMANS MADELINE woke up in a big way

in that 2/9 victory and has held decent form since then - may need some class relief, however. (7) DANCE

CLUB has been away since August and really figures to need a start or two.

RACE 8 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Series: (6) KARMA SEELSTER was "good" upon returning from

Canada to begin the new year but really started to sharpen over the last few starts - she traded victories with

DRAMA ACT 2 and 3 back and simply had no chance for better in her last, pacing home in :27 seconds for

an even 4th - she'll need some trip luck from this spot, but the price may make her worth a play (her trainer

has won 25% of his starts since last November)! (1) DELITFULCATHERIN N has won an outstanding 17

of her last 41 Yonkers starts, and can throw big miles at any time - she has a post edge over her main foes,

and she really is the one to beat. (5) LUCKY ARTIST A has won over $300K at Yonkers since 2021 but

rarely gets "respected" as a top "Open" mare - she's won 3 of her last 4 starts, handles any trip, and would

be no surprise at all tonight. (8) SWEET TREASURE didn't race at 2 but had a very productive year at 3,

earning $184K in just 13 starts - wouldn't normally be giving her a look from this brutal spot (facing

OLDER mares for the first time!), but her 2 qualifiers are pretty scary....at the very least, keep a good eye

on her tonight. (3) GIAS SURREAL can surely go with these when 100%, but her first start off the layoff

suggested she may not be there yet - prefer to just watch, for now. (2) GOTTHEGREENLIGHT made

about $250K at both 2 and 3 and she'll see how she fares at the Open level after turning 4 - has just one

qualifier after 4 months off, and figures to need a start or two. (7) MAJORCA N had some big efforts when

sharp last year but she comes into tonight off a bad date (sick scratch) - she does add Lasix, but still figures

to be handled pretty conservatively. (4) THE PANTHEIST A seems a bit below the main players in here.

RACE 9 - (3) DARBY HANOVER took a few starts to get going this year but she perked up with a much

improved effort at Dover, followed by a crisp closing 2nd behind a very sharp FADE OUT last week- when

she was sharp here last Fall she was wiring much better than these, and she seems ready for an aggressive

steer from Buter now. (1) WESTBEACH was well supported with the move inside last week, handled very

aggressively and able to dig in for the victory - Kakaley takes her over #6, so he must think she can handle

tonight's class bump...could end up the main danger. (2) PURAMERI raced better than expected here on

1/27 when moving way up in class - was scratched sick from her next, however, and just qualified back last

week- may be able to stay close all the way from this spot and take home a piece (6) VIOLETS RAINBOW

took a shot leaving from Post 7 last start but had no real speed, and just clogged the rim - would normally

just excuse that mile, but it does seem surprising that Kakaley bailed on this generally class mare - mixed

feelings about her chances for tonight. (7) REACHTHRUTHESKY came back in dull form to start the year

but did find a very soft field that she could just outrun last week - not sure she's ready for this assignment,

but that 15-1 ML price does seem a bit too long. (5) EDGE OF ETERNITY does her damage on the lead,

vs. cheaper - likely looking at only minor spoils with these. (4) GINGER TREE LIZ was well back in her

qua. for an ice cold barn - prefer to just watch, for now. (8) TALL POPPY N picked up her first local win in

2 years when able to outrun much easier 2 back - hard to see her getting in play from out here, though.

RACE 10 - (7) CAVIART SARGENT was razor sharp for a good stretch last year before tailing badly -

finally showed some life 2 back, followed up with a win last week - his barn sent out 3 very sharp horses on

Monday night, and Bartlett sticks with this guy over a couple of other contenders - we will too. (3) BARON

MICHAEL finished 3rd in his last 3 starts, and the last was the sharpest - should have a say tonight too. (2)

WARDAN EXPRESS A finally got his barn into the 2023 win column last week - this is a tougher spot, but

he may still be able to grab a decent piece. (4) EDDARD HANOVER threw a total clunker last week but if

he can bounce back to his prior form, he'd have a chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (5) SWAG

ASAURUSREX seemed to have some pace in traffic last week - good bomb to throw in for 3rd/4th. (1) CA

PTAIN SLEAZE would fit here on his best game, but his 2 qualifiers suggest that he may need a start or 2 -

perhaps check the tote board for clues? (6) MOMENTSTHATMATTER drops out of the age-restricted 50s

to this NW7500 field....but he'll need to be much sharper than he has been to be a player. (8) AIR FORCE

HANOVER tends to disappoint from much easier spots than this.