Friday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (3) KARMA SEELSTER was a nice trip 2nd in her first start of the year – was no factor last week, but

still paced a crisp final half from an impossible spot – she may be handled more aggressively tonight with the goal

of sharpening up before The Matchmaker Series begins next Friday. (1) UPTOWN HANOVER is often overlooked

against the “good mares” but has proven many times that she can hold her own – should have a real say from the

pole. (2) MILLWOOD BONNIE has always been a totally streaky mare, so it’s no real shock to see her go from the

bottom level all the way up here in just a few weeks – more than sharp enough to be right in the hunt. (5) ALEXA

SKYE has been very good at multiple tracks for months (including a pair of recent 2nds here at YR) – she’s missed

3 weeks, though, and that could work against her tonight. (4) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY has been pretty consistent

lately but vs. easier – may be in a little too deep against the top ones in here. (8) DOUGS BABE A gets stuck with

Post 8 for her first start of ‘24 – have to believe she’ll be ultra-conservative, but keep an eye for future consideration.

(7) YS SENSATIONALCITY has been doing excellent work but vs. much easier – brutal assignment as she takes on

good older mares tonight. (6) MAN DONTFORGET ME will have her owner in the bike tonight and it’s terrific to

see Mr. DiNozzi back in action after that horrible accident back in November!

RACE 2 – (6) SILENT CROSSING faced better in all 3 local starts this year – she was a strong 8-2-2-0 here last

year, and faces nothing too scary upon dropping to the bottom level – gets the narrow call despite Post 6. (1) VILLA

GE JADE has been well off her best form but it’s not that long ago that she was a winner here at the NW15000 level

– decent chance for a wake up call in this spot, but she also figures to be heavily backed. (5) HALLELUJAH HANO

VER hasn’t clicked yet in ’24 but we know she’s capable of better – may be a spot where we see a better effort from

her. (3) ALWAYS B SOMEWHERE is just 4 for 42 lifetime but did race better for a new barn shipping in to Fhd.

last week – chance for a piece. (4) TARGARYEN EMPRESS has been “sneaky ok” in her last few, albeit vs, easier

– willing to throw in for 3rd/4th. (2) CATIE FAYE HAONVER was 0 for 21 here the last 2 years, and seems a little

bit cheaper – prefer others.

RACE 3 – (5) MISS CHANTILLY N has really sharpened since a recent barn change, winning 2 back in NJ then

charging home in :26 last week to almost run down #6 – she won 3 of 6 starts here last year, and should be a fair

price for her YR return. (7) A GIRL THAT TWIRLS banked over $300K as a youngster (including a NYSS win

here at Yonkers) but struggled through a disappointing 4YO campaign – she makes her debut tonight for our leading

trainer/driver tandem, and may find some of that back class in a hurry. (6) TWIN B SUNKISSED held off the top

choice last week (across the river) and has found her better form since dropping to the lower levels – a threat for

sure, but may not offer any value with that 8/5 ML price. (3) GAME OF SHADOWS usually likes to be in a bit

easier but she’s sharp right now, and did knock off #6 3 starts back – definitely ok for exotics. (2) JENDEN STRIKE

A won her U.S. debut at Stga. but faltered at PcD when harder used last week – the jury is still out on her upside. (4)

SHOTGUN PERSUASION has a couple of fairly recent wins but does feel better suited with a little easier. (1)

LYONS MIKI has raced AND looked pretty bad in her last couple of starts – sticking with others, for now.

RACE 4 – (1) MACMORRIS HANOVER faced much better in his 3 local starts last year – just returned at PcD

after 2 months off and stayed close all the way – may have found a winning spot for his Hilltop return. (2) DOO

WOP KID found his best stride late and rallied for 3rd, and did win here in 2023 – logical player from this spot. (5) B

MEDITHREE has fallen on hard times lately – he drops all the way to the basement now and while he’ll likely turn

things back around at some point, there’s no guarantee it’ll be tonight – would be careful about taking a short price

right now. (4) LUCKY WEEKEND hasn’t done much lately but he still looks better than several of the others. (8)

EVERLASTINGFASHION weakened after being overdriven in a couple of starts and now gets stuck with Post 8 off

a break last week – may need to wait for an easier spot. (7) BAZILLIONAIRE hasn’t been a player in some time,

and rarely wins anyway – brutal post on top of that. (6) MATCH MEIF YOU CAN drops right back in the box after

crawling home in back to back starts – waiting to see a better effort before considering. (3) ER NO MORE would be

a surprise, to say the least.

RACE 5 – Wide open race: (8) GLACIS may be worth a stab – he’s notoriously camera shy AND draws Post 8 but

he debuts for a new barn after a claim last week, he CAN leave at times and he does get a pilot not afraid to put one

in play – may be worth a stab against an equally suspect group. (6) KB MAC actually left last week, retreated hard

to the back but still had pace (in traffic) finishing – willing to give him a look at that 20-1 ML price. (5) HIGH ON

ROCKNROLL finally grabbed a win in local start #20, then followed that up with last week’s decent speed try –

sharp enough for a chance with the right trip. (1) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP has a couple of good efforts for 2nd –

he’s unreliable for sure, but has to at least be considered from this spot. (2) SHARK PLAY landed on a perfect trip

last week and squandered it, hanging badly in the latter stages – figures to be overbet tonight. (7) OUR CORELLI N

isn’t bad right now but faces a tough task trying to overcome the draw. (4) ALOTBETTOR N moves to a new barn

but has really fallen on hard times lately. (3) GIVEITATRY A drops in for a tag after struggling in his first 3 U.S.

starts – sticking with others.

RACE 6 – Tough race: (5) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS has disappointed so far in 2024 but he’s also been facing

tougher – nothing else in here is all that sharp right now, so this may be a spot for a wake up call. (3) SOUTHWIND

ARTURO had a couple of tighteners under his belt and really figured to be a bigger player last week - he does drop

right back in the box so perhaps there was nothing major holding him back last week...could be a threat if he can

find his best effort. (4) SWEET SOUL DAVID weakened on the lead 2 back and folded even worse last week – he’s

another that would be very dangerous if he shows up on his “A Game”...but that’s a big “if”. (7) QUIKSILVR BLU

ECHIP had a nightmarish trip last week and was still trotting well at the wire – if the price is long enough, he’s not a

bad one to consider (at least for a piece). (2) CLEOPATRA AS drops again but is still trying to find a strong local

effort – we’ll see if a new pilot helps. (1) NEWSBOY was good to start the year but quickly leveled off – doesn’t

seem sharp enough right now, even from the pole. (6) SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE has recent wins one and two levels

down but usually struggles a bit when up in this class. (8) WESLYNN CROWN lands a brutal spot upon arrival

from DD – keep an eye for future reference.

RACE 7 – (3) OKINAWA BEACH A was a good 2nd to start off 2024 (behind EASY TO PLEASE) then was used

just a bit too hard in her next – was scratched injured after that but definitely finished with interest on 2/27 after a

conservative, shuffle trip – may be ready to come up with an upset, with the tight trip. (4) RACEY RACH N was our

choice last week after the “excuse” line the week before, but we certainly didn’t expect her to be bet down to 8/5 –

she remains a legitimate threat to take another. (5) MAGICAL MAYA A has been doing good work at Stga. and

should be a good fit with this bunch – worth considering if the price is right. (7) FADE OUT has been no factor in

her last couple and gets another terrible post for tonight...she’s also getting some class relief, won 6 of 16 here last

year and is listed at 20-1 ML – not the worst bomb you could ever consider. (1) ULTIMATE SPEED is 5-3-2-0 to

start off her local career but will be asked to tackle older mares tonight – she should be able to hold her own, but

also figures to be overbet. (6) MISS DOTIE MAE was hammered at the windows 2 back and obliterated a soft

bunch – was sent off the slight favorite last week, but couldn’t get to #4 – tonight’s draw may leave her with a

tougher trip than she’d like. (2) GINGER TREE LIZ has been away since October and figures to need a start or two.

(8) MORNING HAS BROKEN was an ok 3rd last week but the move outside may really hinder her chances tonight.

RACE 8 – (1) BLACK TIE BASH used a class drop and nice trip to charge on by last week for his first victory of

the year – he steps up a notch but he’s a proven player at this level, and the driver switch to Stratton won’t hurt –

could repeat. (3) PERFECT VIXEN added Lasix last week and came up a solid 2nd best to a classy frontrunner –

another good trip could land her on the ticket once more. (2) VALI HANOVER looks good “on paper”, but he really

hasn’t found that “top form” just yet – he can be a serious player here, but probably won’t offer any value for the top

slot. (7) HOOLIE N HECTOR benefited from an easy trip last week but still trotted well when called upon – he

drops a peg, and may be able to have a say IF Holland can find him a way into the race. (5) MALIBU KID added

hopples at Stga. 2 back (after a couple of recent miscues) and his last 2 efforts look very good – his “class” is a

question mark, but picking up for Kakaley tonight may help him hang right in there with these. (4) THE LAST CHA

PTER ended 2023 sharp and returned the same way to start off the new year – he does feel like he’s leveled off quite

a bit, but he drops in class and may be in a spot to work out a decent trip – small piece? (6) BARRY BLACK failed

to beat a horse in his last pair but he’s been known to reverse form in the past – still, a tough one to endorse right

now. (8) FULL RIGHTS is actually good right now, but faces a daunting task starting from all the way out here.

RACE 9 – (2) NINETEENTH MAN A raced well vs. better here not long ago and gets a nice draw for his YR

return – look for an aggressive try...and perhaps a visit to the winner’s circle. (6) AIR FORCE HANOVER has a

few good recent tires including last week – assuming Bartlett can find him a decent trip from this spot, he can be in

the hunt once more. (5) DRAGON SAID had plenty of pace after the fact when he returned to Yonkers on 2/15 –

was heavily backed for his next but faltered badly after cutting the mile from Post 7 – he went evenly in a quick mile

last week, and definitely fits well enough with these to take home a piece tonight. Both (7) SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL

and (8) VULCAN STAR N can be solid players at this bottom level but neither seem sharp enough to overcome the

terrible draws – both seem destined to be shooting for minor shares. (3) ROSE RUN X CON hasn’t hit board in 3

starts this year but hasn’t been terrible – chance for a small slice. (1) WARDAN EXPRESS A returns after 4 months

and may need this start. (4) VEL LETSROLL SOUTH seems a bit overmatched.

RACE 10 – (3) NO WIN NO FEED A has been a player in all 4 local starts this year but hasn’t quote been able to

find the winner’s circle – this feels like a spot where she may be able to control the action and get the job done – but

be careful about taking too short a price. (1) AVF CLAIRE shipped in very sharp from NJ and was terrific in that

victory on 2/9 – wasn’t quite as good the next week, however, and has been off 3 weeks since then – she’s prepping

for The Matchmaker tonight, so perhaps she’ll be handled a bit conservatively? (7) TREACHEROUS PENNY really

started to flourish in in the latter part of her 3YO season, crushing 4 straight (easier) fields here last Fall, then ending

her year with a win over the Open Mares at Northfield – her connections are giving her a shot in The Matchmaker,

and may want to at least race her a bit in her only start before the series starts next week – could be a part of this. (5)

SWEETEST BELLE gets a little class relief after being stuck on smaller pieces in her last few – this really isn’t a

much “easier” field, however, and she’ll need to be a bit sharper for a chance at a bigger chunk. (6) SALE EL SOL

has held up very well since making the big jump from $50K claimers but tonight’s tough post may limit her a bit (2

ndtime Lasix). (2) HEAVENS SHOWGIRL A threw a dud last start but most of her barn had an off week too – leaning

towards others, but can see her rebounding with a better try tonight. (4) TALENT TO SPARE A was outkicked

home vs. lesser last week – may need easier. (8) CRUISE ALERT was dead short in her 2024 return and now gets

stuck with Post 8.

RACE 11 – (3) BEERTHIRTY K was killed by horrendous cover last week but was trotting well at the wire – lands

in a vulnerable field, and could be a good value play in the finale. (6) CHAMBA conceded from Post 7 in his first 2

local starts but was sent to the top last week and almost pulled off the wire to wire score – can be a threat again

tonight with another aggressive try. (5) HAT TRICK MARLEAU has been incredibly unpredictable for most of the

past 2 years but he drops in class after finishing 3rd from Post 8 and any of his better efforts would make him a

player, (8) TIMESTORM has been burning a LOT of $$ here, the latest being last week’s failure to hang on at 3/5 –

he draws the 8 hole up in class, but at least he’ll finally be a price (for those that want to stick with him). (1) BRAVE

BY DESIGN will be well backed off last week’s close 2nd but it was a “fall apart” race and it’s hard to really say he

was “good” – could be vulnerable at a pretty short price. (7) SKYWAY PROFESSOR made a nice recovery after an

early break last week and would have been listed higher if not for the draw. (2) X O X O had things her own way on

the lead last week and folded anyway – she’ll perk up one of these starts, but hard to count on it right now. (4)

KASHA V has beaten much better in the past (many times) but is really struggling at the moment.