Tuesday Empire Report

RACE 1 – Excellent opener with 4 very sharp horses all drawn inside! (3) TRENDY TEEN was sharp before the 7/29 claim and has remained sharp ever since – he comes into this off a win 2 back and a close 2nd last week, and may offer the best price of 4 very evenly matched competitors. (1) SLING SHOCK has been outstanding since the $40K claim 0n 7/14, picking up 3 wins and a pair of 3rds from his 5 starts – if he gets to call the shots (with an easy half), he could be tough to reel in. (4) VICIOUS was just that when he rallied from 7th to first in his local debut – he followed that up with a close 2nd in his next, and was a winner again last week – remains a major threat! (2) TWIN B DELUXE has been super all year long, and still right there every week to this day – if things go HIS way, there’s no reason that he can’t get his picture taken for the 9th time this year. (6) THE IDEAL DANCER A was an even 4th off the barn change last week, and is likely looking at only minor spoils once more after drawing outside the “big 4”. (5) QUALITY BUD is one of several in the barn that aren’t really clicking right now – waiting for better signs. (8) CAV IART SARGENT has grabbed pieces at big prices before, but would be a major shocker from this spot. (8) GOLIAT H HANOVER raced well in both local starts off the barn change, but takes a big step up and draws Post 8.

RACE 2 – (1) ALL OUT HANOVER was a winner in his first local start but disqualified for causing some early interference – he was in impossible spots in his next pair but was excellent in his last 3 starts, just missing on 8/12 then finishing right behind a couple of very nice rivals in his last pair – the one to beat tonight. (5) BETTORS DESI RE hit board in all 3 local tries, including a win over #1 (when he enjoyed a perfect trip) – the main danger, but at a post disadvantage. (2) ALABAMA LUCKY is just 1 for 20 lifetime but he’s shown that he can follow along nicely – good chance to sit close, and take home a good piece. (4) PEPPERMINT PETE has been inconsistent for sure, but even his best effort would probably help him take home only a smaller piece. (7) THE REAL THING hit board in 4 straight in PA but he’s 0 for 10 this year (1 for 18 overall), and does seem a notch below a couple of the main players (3) HURRIKANE MIKI is now 0 for 22 at Yonkers, and hasn’t hit the board since May.

RACE 3 – (6) CAPTAIN MOORE A came up 2nd best last week but probably raced as well (or better?) than in any of his 5 local victories (came first over and paced a final quarter in :26.4 and STILL came up a little shy to the equally sharp winner) – gets a tough post as he takes on older foes again, but still deserves the nod. (1) TWIN B PO WERBALL was a no threat 4th in the same race as #6 last week but should get a good trip here, and may be next in line should the top one falter. (2) STELLAR YANKEE has an overall solid local record even if he’s not always the handiest horse here at Yonkers – he should get a good trip from this spot, and that could help him land somewhere on the ticket. (4) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has been holding form pretty well as he re-climbs the class ladder – this feels like a tough spot, but it would hardly be a surprise to see him grab a piece. (3) YOROKOBI N was stuck with terrible posts in good fields and it hurt his lines quite a bit – he may be able to tow along for a piece, tonight, though. (7) NONE BETTOR A is no longer an “Open” performer but the 12YO can still deliver some solid miles, in the right spot – he may have trouble overcoming tonight’s draw, though. (5) NIGHT HAWK faces an uncertain trip, and doesn’t seem sharp enough right now to overcome a tough journey.

RACE 4 – (4) COALFORDSNSHINE GB has been on quite a tear, and comes into tonight off a mega-blowout in her last (where she established a new lifetime mark)– she’ll be a pretty short price here, but will be hard to deny with a repeat of that effort. (5) TOBAGO TIME is on quite a roll herself, and picked up her 7th victory of the year last week – the main danger! (2) DELITFULCATHERIN N continues to race well every week, but has been stuck on smaller pieces – seems destined for more of the same tonight. (1) STORMY SERENA inherited the lead last week, got over the half in :58 but couldn’t kick home well enough to seal the deal – remains a solid threat to land somewhere in the exotics. (3) STAY HAPPY is a major “in and outer”, but leaning more towards the latter lately – tough spot, even if on her game. (7) ATREACHEROUS A changes hands off last week’s win over cheaper, lands outside, and we’ll just observe, for now. (6) KAT has no wins and just one 2nd from her 16 local tries this year.

RACE 5 – (2) THE MASKEDCRUSADR N won as the favorite 2 back and was a perfect trip 2nd behind a very talented winner in in his last – we’ll list him on top here, but he’s almost certain to be overbet ! (6) FEDERER had Post 8 off a month last week so he probably just deserves a pass for that race – he’s proven that he’s more than capable vs. these types, and may bring a much better effort tonight. (1) LENNON HANOVER was caught in a no prayer spot last week after facing traffic issues in the lane the week before – he’s sharper than his lines might suggest, and not a bad one to consider if spreading a bit in this race. (7) LOCHLAN HANOVER has a win, 2nd and 3rd from his 4 local starts and was shuffled back in a stakes elimination in the other – he absolutely fits here, and worth a look if you think Warren can get him into the hunt. (5) MELTDOWN MONTE may have built some confidence beating lesser at Pocono last week – maybe a piece? (4) MOOD CONTROL was no factor at BIG prices in his last 2 Canadian starts – he moves to a barn that normally will improve fresh stock, but is currently mired in a 1 for 35 slump…inclined to pass, and watch, for now. (3) SETTHEWORDONFIRE was an ok 3rd off the barn change last week (at PcD) but has struggled in his local appearances.

RACE 6 – (4) SPECULATING A was a big “go” in his 2nd U.S. start but done in after cutting a blistering early pace :26.1, :54.2) – he rallied for 2nd to standout CATALPA RESCUE A in his next, then just missed to a gutsy winner in his last, after a long battle – he adds Lasix for tonight, and that may get him over the hump. (2) BOILING OAR has struggled to win races this year but he drops in class, should be looking at a nice trip and could be a real threat here. (6) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR started to find some better form again vs. cheaper in PA, then went a strong first over try returning to YR last week, a solid 3rd behind a pair of sharp foes – he may have a chance here, if things get heated up front. (3) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N had a less than stellar trip last week but was still able to handle softer- tougher task tonight, so insist on a good price if using on top. (5) ORLANDO BLUE A had no chance from bad posts the last 2 weeks but draws a little better tonight – maybe a small piece? (1) ROLLINGWITHSAM drops, but may need to fall a bit further to be a factor. (7) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N backled through the field last start.

RACE 7 – (3) NO TRESSPASSING did some damage at 2, winning 2 races and over $100K – he’s officially winless at 3, though he DID come in first at PcD three back in a very quick 1:49.1 mile…only to be disqualified – he was a “steady” 4th (from a very tough spot) in his only local try, and we’ll give him the narrow edge for tonight. (7) INFLATION PROOF is just 2 for 25 lifetime but he also has 11 seconds and five 3rds – Bartlett takes him over a couple of others in here (including #3), and that immediately makes him worthy of respect in his local debut. (1) CA PTAIN FEAR is also 2 for 25 lifetime but he’ll surely be showing speed from the pole, and could be part of the action for a long way. (4) OOGLEVILLE has been a solid earner at 2 and 3 ($146K) but his current form is mixed, at best – he has just one start in 50 days, and Bartlett did opt off to drive #7. (2) COLLECTIVE WORKS A makes his U.S. debut after a blowout qualifier…but that was vs. weak trotters…maybe check the tote board? (5) CURRYS FLURRY and WAR NO MORE figure to be coming from the back, and may struggle to get close enough this week.

RACE 8 – (5) JMS FINAL TREASURE incredibly drew Post 8 in 6 of his last 8 starts but picked up a win and a close 2nd (behind VICIOUS in the other 2 starts– he drops, gets a decent draw, and could be tough tonight. (2) LOUS THE ATTITUDE caught a hot mile for his local return and could only pace evenly for 5th – he may be able to get himself much closer to the action here, and he does have a solid local history. (7) PANETTONE HANOVER is often his own worst enemy and tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause…but he IS at a level where he can be dangerous (if things go his way) and his price figures to be pretty juicy. (4) GINGRAS BEACH steps up and did hit board in his last pair – he wouldn’t be a major shock in this field, but that 5/2 ML price does take away from his appeal. (6) SPLASH BROTHER raced aggressively in his 2nd start off the layoff and almost got it done – he’s not a bad bomb, but he does face a potentially difficult trip from this spot. (3) KIMBLE A shows little form lately, and tends to be pretty camera shy – he does drop in class, though, so he wouldn’t be a total surprise. (1) ITALIAN LAD N has been away for 2 months – leaning elsewhere, even though he drew the pole. (8) CAPTAIN BATBOY figures to have a tough time trying to get into the mix.

RACE 9 – (7) SHEZAHUNGRYGIGI offered nice rallies in both local starts, picking up a 2nd and a 3rd – she’s shown speed (out of town) in the past, and could be very dangerous here if Siegelman can improve at the start. (1) PIRATE BOOTY is a lazy sort but she drops, draws the pole and goes back to Bartlett (who won with her the last time they paired up) – logical player. (5) YUENGLING was hurt by sluggishness in a few starts but was much more alert in her last pair, and delivered victories both times – chance to make it 3 in a row. (3) UNCONTROLLED continues to outrace her odds every week – definitely ok for exotics, and maybe even on top? (6) FORTUNADA steps up after winning her last pair, and also draws poorly – definitely leaning a bit more to a couple of others. (2) GINGER TREE LIZ remains ever-unpredictable from week to week, but is probably more of a threat vs. the 20s, than at this $25K level. (8) BOUT DAMN TIME A should appreciate dropping out of 30s, but that will likely be offset by the draw. (4) BEANTOWN BABE also drops, but her form has really fallen off a cliff recently.