Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report - Thursday, October 28, 2021 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (1) FREE EXCHANGE seemed way overbet 2 back (considering she came into the race at 1 for

31 at YR) but she proved the easiest of winners - excellent 2nd last week to the runaway, drop-down

winner, and looms the one to beat again with the move from Post 7 to the rail. (8) MORNING HAS BROK

EN could be a live bomb here - showed something each week in all 3 local starts (even if unable to grab a

win), and flashed good life finishing (from well back) at Chester last week - gets a big switch to Zeron, and

does have a chance here IF she can get into the hunt from out here. (5) WAKEMESHAKEME just never

seemed to get on a good consistent roll this year, often showing flashes of ability, but currently sitting at 1

for 20 (with 10 2nds and 3rds) gets a nice drop for her YR return, but seems a bit risky to play on top at a

short price. And speaking of "risky", (3) MACZAFFAIR N fits that category too - a long dry spell now has

her all the way at the bottom level...but she just may not be good enough right now to handle even this class

- hard to take a short price with her, too. (2) THE CHARGING MOA N just hasn't been able to find her

good form lately - could wake up at any time, but no particular reason to guess it'll be tonight. (7) QUITE A

DELIGHT N flashed some life 2 back but was driven too conservatively to have any chance last week - ok

bomb for a small piece. (4) FEAR MY SHADOW used a decent trip to pick up 3rd last week, but her

overall form still puts her below many of these. (6) IDEAL HANNAH is 2 for 53 in her career and not

really all that good right now.

RACE 2 - (5) CHARGING AHEAD tried to leave hard from the outside last week but had to retreat to the

back when several others left as well, ended up going around a retreating parked horse to 3/4s before

rallying up uncovered to the final turn, only flattening a bit in the lane - could make his 2nd local start a

winning one with a better journey. (1) INFINITE ZETTE has raced pretty well here on a a few occasions

but he's 0 for 9 locally and figures to be well backed tonight - chance to beat these, but won't offer any

value. (3) MASS FLOW is just 1 for 40, but definitely racing better since joining this barn in April - been

away for 3 weeks, but still a chance he can be a player tonight. (6) SV ROYAL FLUSH often has trouble

finishing his miles but does add lasix for tonight - we'll see if that helps him deliver a stronger performance.

(4) SQUABLE is capable of being a player with these when on his game, but he broke 2 back then had no

pop in last - not really sure what to expect from him. (8) SAN CRISTOBAL draws Post 8 after a sick

scratch, and a break the week before - have a feeling he's going to light up the board here one night... but

probably not tonight. (7) CHROME PACKAGE ended up parked after getting outleft last week, so the

guess is he'll probably be handled conservatively this week - prefer others. (2) FUNKY BISCUIT just fell

apart after brushing to the lead 2 back, then went offstride in his last - seems a bit risky right now.

RACE 3 - (5) PETTYCOAT BUSINESS has been in absolute no chance spots the past several starts but

she was full of pace (in traffic) last week, and now drops to a spot where she can be driven much more

aggressively - good week to take a shot with her. (2) GOLDEN QUEST N is having a tough year (1 for 24),

but generally faces much better than these - had pace finishing last week and looms a major threat here -

but also figures to be overbet. (4) CHECKERED PAST had life finishing last week and does pop off a good

one from time to time - should be a nice price, and not a bad value horse to consider. (1) SHECOULD

BEGOOD N should be a good fit with these but while her overall record for the past 2 years isn't bad, she's

just 1 for 24 at Yonkers - has a chance, but make sure to get a good price if using her on top. (3) ISLAY N

has been pretty solid for a while but her best efforts come vs. a bit cheaper, and she'll be going for a new

barn tonight - maybe a small piece? (6) FOX VALLEY CHARLIZ is good right now, but she moves up in

class and also draws outside some main players - should be rallying late, but might only be for a small

piece tonight. (7) TELL ME A JOKE hadn't earned a dime in 7 starts but was still sent off as the favorite

last week...and absolutely crushed a bottom level field - moves back up, draws outside, and we'll stick with

others tonight. (8) ACEFORTYFOUR DOME put in a much better effort for 2nd last week (2nd time

Lasix) but figures to have a hard time getting involved from out here.

RACE 4 - (6) DROP THE MIC found his form up at Monti after the layoff, and continues to get better

every start at Yonkers - raced super last week despite a very tough trip (coming off a sick scratch), and just

seems too good for these right now...even though another less than stellar trip may be in store for tonight.

(4) SOUTHERN SWAN MAN was a very nice 2nd in his YR debut then scored the pocket victory in his

last (over #5) - legit player once again. (8) OPERATION SHIPLEY was no match for the top choice on

10/7 despite having the much easier trip - was able to turn the tables on that foe last week, but his rival

definitely raced "better" once again - still a chance to land somewhere on the ticket, even from out here. (5)

BARKEEPER really had no excuse to get beat (to #4) last week but it's not like he was "bad" - should be a

better price tonight, and does have a chance at a piece. (7) BLANK SPACE AS has been doing solid work

in Ohio, ships in for a very live barn but definitely doesn't get any luck with the draw - wouldn't be shocked

to see him win, but do prefer a few others for tonight. (1) ORIGINAL SMOKEY has been no worse than

4th in 5 local starts, draws the pole, and is a good one to slot in for 3rd/4th. (2) DRAVEN HANOVER has

similar form to #1, and is another capable of taking home a small piece with the right trip. (3) OUR

MEMORIES was a nice Fhd. winner last week but just seems a bit below the main players in here.

RACE 5 - (3) BYE BYE MICHELLE was a close 3rd two back then went a BIG mile in her last, brutally

parked for the lead, then hounded hard on the back side, yet still able to hold off all but one perfect trip

rival - deserves a shot tonight. (4) COWGIRL LILLY has been sharp, and used a dream trip last week to

roll by the top choice in the lane - might be able to beat her again, but hard to imagine her task not being

tougher this time. (2) J ROCKIN B gets a pass for her last as she raced from Post 8 against better - she won

3 in a row in NJ prior to that, and has a good local history as well - legitimate threat. (1) CORAL BELLA is

better with a bit easier, but can hold her own with these too with a trip...which she SHOULD get from the

rail. (5) CORSINI A has done good work at Fhd. since arriving from Australia - seems like a perfect fit

with these, but she does draw outside a few of the main players. (6) GREENHILL HANOVER was a

winner last week but it was 2 levels down, and with a picture perfect trip - looking at only a minor piece

against these. (7) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX figures to have too far to come to do any real damage here

RACE 6 - (6) CHURCH SOUT may only be 2 for 46 lifetime, but he's a MUCH better horse since moving

to his current barn...and he also seems to get along very well with Mr. Bartlett - definitely worth a play in a

race with several possible winners. (7) BACARDI has wins in 2 of his last 3 starts and raced much better in

the loss than his line might suggest (wasn't far off 3rd, from Post 8) - will need plenty of trip luck from out

here, but has a chance to be right there if he gets it. (1) GRAFENBERG definitely has ability, but can be a

bit shaky at the starts of his races - comes into this off a nice 3rd in last week's Amateur event, and will be a

major threat with a good, clean getaway. (2) ILLUMINATA made some nice $$ at 2 and 3 on the NYSS

circuit, but right now is lacking in stamina at times - has the ability to beat these for sure, but won't offer

much value as the 2-1 ML favorite. (5) FIRST GUNNER was a winning machine in Iowa and started off

that way at Yonkers as well...has hit a bit of a rough patch right now, though, and comes into this off a mile

where he tired badly, despite adding Lasix - wouldn't be surprised to see him bounce back with a big effort,

but that 5/2 ML price makes him less attractive from a wagering standpoint. (3) SHENZI AS has some

good weeks but is still a work in progress - too many other solid players in here to like her chances tonight.

(4) EXCHEQUER comes into this off 2 breaks and a qualifier and we'll assume that he'll be handled

cautiously here - sticking with others. (8) DUKE OF LINDY had a good start at Chester 4 back but quickly

reverted to his lesser form - hard to like from Post 8 tonight

RACE 7 - Very well matched FM Open! (3) DRAGON ROLL has 2 wins and 2 seconds from her last 4

Open tries so clearly it's no longer any surprise to see her thriving at this level - she really handles any trip

that comes her way, and her barn is in the midst of a pretty good streak....we'll give her the narrow edge

over this strong bunch. (5) THE BETHINATOR beat lesser in her local debut but definitely looked good

doing it - Kakaley had 6 winners on Wednesday's card so maybe he's a good guy to latch on to right now.

(6) SIESTA BEACH sat last with no chance last week but she rarely goes very long without making her

presence felt in these Opens - she'll be a decent price tonight, and that makes her worth using in exotics. (1)

TEMPUS SEELSTER made it up to the Open after 4 straight local jogburgers - looked all done on the final

turn (after a first over bid) but found her 2nd wind into the stretch and almost got 2nd - willing to use her

on some tickets as well. (4) NATASHA may have missed her entire 4YO season but she earned her way up

to the Open level in just 11 starts at 5, and added "Open Winner" to her resume last week - might be

looking at a tougher trip tonight, though. (2) DANCE CLUB has been thriving for some time, but would

probably need all kinds of things to go her way to win at this top level. (7) SNOBBYTOWN beat Racine

Bell out of the pocket 2 back, but it seems EVERYBODY has been doing that lately - her overall form is

not quite as good, and she may struggle a bit from all the way out here.

RACE 8 - (8) CLASSICIST was off 7 weeks to her last, added Lasix and was right there 3rd in a Simpson

division at Chester - she's raced well here in the past and we'll give the 3YO the call to beat these tonight.

(7) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY is another talented 3YO filly and she was very impressive in beating this

class last week (as the 3/5 favorite) - she would have been the selection again (even from Post 7) if the top

choice hadn't shown up this week. (1) SOUND IDEA finished 2md behind #7 last week in a pretty gutsy

mile - draws well inside her two main foes tonight, and probably has the best shot at knocking them off. (5)

ANNE BONNEY N was a solid 4th last week after being handled conservatively - she'll be a nice price

tonight, and is a good one to include in exotics (4) LARJON LEAH saw her form really deteriorate in Sept.

- wasn't "good" last week, but at least it was a step in the right direction...we'll see if she can come up even

better tonight. (8) NORMANS MADELINE is pretty good right now, but faces a tough task from all the

way out here - maybe 3rd/4th? (3) JUXTA COWGIRL seems like she may need a drop to become a serious

player again...and (2) ANN HILL might be in that same situation.

RACE 9 - (4) ELLAGATOR is hitting on all cylinders right now, and comes into this with 2 wins in her

last 3 starts (and a sharp 2nd in the other) - steps up out of the NW6PM class, but she should have no

trouble fitting with these mares - deserves top billing. (1) MONICA GALLAGHER has been stuck in the

back an a non factor the past few weeks - moves all the way inside tonight, and this trainer/driver combo

hooked up for 3 wins on Wed. night...sometimes you just stick with the hot hand! (2) DELIGHTFUL Z

TAM has been solid all year long, and has shown that she can hold her own with older mares (at least at this

level) - legitimate threat for a big piece...and maybe even the top prize. (6) DELITFULCATHERIN N won

her first 5 starts in this country but hasn't had the same good fortune since moving up to this level...

although she's really been plagued by tough trips and spots, more than anything else - wouldn't be any

surprise at all to see her come up with a good one tonight. (3) PRAY THE ROSARY is in a good way right

now, but moves up a notch and faces some solid foes tonight - may be looking at only a minor piece here.

(7) CYCLONE SISTER had strong campaigns at 2 and 3 up North and now ships down to a top local outfit

- tough debut spot for the 3YO, however. (5) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE does her damage at much lower

levels - wait for a drop before considering. (8) PONDER THE ODDS has been away for 3 months and

draws outside for her return - pass for now

RACE 10 - (5) SHES PUKKA N was a winner here at this level on 7/22, then hit board in the Open the

next two weeks- has been racing well out of town lately, and ships back in off a narrow loss at Harrington

last week to Scuola Hanover....who has been beyond razor sharp recently here at Yonkers - gets the nod. (2)

NEVERFORGETWHOUR benefited from the pocket trip last week but was still an excellent 2nd talented

shipper THE BETHINATOR - she tends to be pretty streaky, and she's been going well for a while now -

good draw puts her in play for another good piece. (6) BETTERB CHEVRON N was razor sharp for weeks

but her form is a little more in and out right now - if she shows up on her game, she can rally for a good

piece tonight. (8) TURNTHEFROWNAROUND will have a hard time finding a manageable trip from out

here but IF she does, she's sharp enough to make some noise, at a nice price - not a bad bomb to include

underneath. (3) JOSSIE JAMES A isn't on her "best" game right now, but she's certainly getting sharper

again - okay for a piece. (1) DEMETER N has been doing her better work with easier lately - rail draw

helps, but will need to be a lot sharper to contend for a bigger slice here. (4) YS TALLIA is having a solid

year, but her best work comes vs. easier - probably looking at a minor share only. (7) LADYBELUCKYTO

NITE gets important class relief but that's sort of offset by the outside draw - wait for a better spot

RACE 11 - (1) WET MY WHISTLE overcame an early miscue to be an excellent 2nd in her YR debut,

then raced super again last week, gobbling up ground through the stretch before coming up a head shy - she

has a ton of talent, and a clean effort should get her to visit the photographer tonight. (6) PIVOTAL was 3rd

last week in the race where the top choice was 2nd, and was racing off a bad date that night - gets right

back in this time, and has a good shot for another big piece, even with the outside draw. (5) CHAPOLIER

minded his manners last week and kept on coming through the lane until he wore down the leader - if he

continues to behave, he has a chance to make some noise in here. (7) BIG BAD SWAN was like a new

horse adding the hobbles 2 back (crushed cheaper), then raced ok from an impossible spot in last - not a bad

bomb to throw on the bottom of exotics. (3) VICTORIANA has ability, but she's made breaks in 3 of 4

starts since a recent barn change - a bit risky at the moment. (2) BRILLIANT BOB is an in-and-out type,

but the inside draw gives him a chance at a small piece...if he's in the right mood. (8) YOU WILL BE

QUEEN banged out $260K in stakes races (in Canada) at 2 and 3, and ships down for connections that have

sent live ones in the past - feels like a tough spot for a 3YO filly to make her Yonkers debut, though. (4)

YOU MAKE IT EASY may need to race against a bit easier to have any real impact.

RACE 12 - (2) MAN DONTFORGET ME was handled conservatively last week but finished with plenty

of interest - she's gone a bunch of big miles here this year and she's definitely worth using tonight in a race

with a lot of possibilities. (6) MAJOR BATTLE has been sharp every week and shouldn't be 20-1 ML -

good one to include on your tickets, hoping a trip will come her way. (1) CASH ROLL has been a solid

player every week since the recent barn change (and was even racing well before that) - has handled the

class jumps beautifully, and the rail draw puts her squarely in the mix tonight. (5) APRIL AVA had no room

in the stretch last week or could have been closer - fits well and is a legitimate treat...but also figures to end

up somewhat overbet. (3) SPORTS FLIX was insanely good 2 back, somehow holding 2nd despite being

parked the mile - no offer at all in her last, however, and it's anybody's guess as to how she'll race tonight.

(4) EDGE OF ETERNITY has done good work in her last 3 starts but facing easier - we'll see if she can

continue to thrive against these tougher ladies. (7) BOLT OF BEAUTY got really good here for a while this

summer but her current form suggests she may struggle tonight from all the way out here - looking for

some better signs from her. (8) ROCKNROLL ANNIE actually upset this class 3 back but then tired in her

last pair - hard to like her chances tonight from Post 8.