The Empire Report - Friday, April 2, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (5) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY was a winner 3 back, just missed to a classy winner in his next, then
was wiped out early (by a breaker) in last - the presence of #1 may actually help this guy's price, and this is
a good week to use him on top. (1) MILITARY MASTER A drops in for a basement claiming tag after
coming up 2nd best from the pocket the last 2 weeks - have to believe he'll get to cut this mile with every
chance to win it...but he's sure to be overbet, and the drop in for a tag does create an element of concern. (2)
ARI ALLSTAR ships back over from Fhd. and reunites with Brennan, with whom he teamed up for several
wins last year during a major form spree - looking at a pretty good trip from this spot, and that would give
him a good chance to land somewhere on the ticket. It was a surprise to see (3) WAVES OF FIRE A
claimed 2 back...and probably an even bigger surprise to see him RE-claimed the next week - willing to use
him underneath. (8) THEREISAPACEFORUS can't be faulted for his sharp recent form (his effort 2 back
was sensational), but he lands in a new barn for tonight while also being saddled with Post 8 - probably will
leave him looking at a smaller piece this time around. (7) ROCK ON PRECIOUS needs things to really go
his way...but when they do, note that he has TWO big upset wins here in the last 4 starts - don't see that
happening tonight, but still willing to throw him in for 3rd. (4) GIAS BOY qualified back ok after having
some issue here on 3/12, but he's 6-0-0-0 at YR, and needs to show a good mile before being considered for
a piece. (6) WILD WEST is 14-0-1-0 here over the past 2 years - prefer others.
RACE 2 - Matchmaker Series: (2) KEEP ROCKIN A ended up missing the first leg and could only
manage a pair of 3rds the past 2 weeks, after being handled very conservatively - if she hopes to make the
Final, she could really use a win tonight...so we'll expect Tetrick to finally race her hard, and give her a
chance to show us her best stuff. (5) BLUE IVY was excellent in the first 2 weeks (win and 2nd), and then
"good' when 2nd last week - she handles any trip that comes her way, and looms the main danger in this
compact field. (3) CAVIART CHERIE has been very consistent so far, using easy trips to pick up a pair of
2nds and a 3rd - her barn is hitting on all cylinders right now, and there's no reason she shouldn't be able to
grab another nice chunk tonight. (1) MONICA GALLAGHER wasn't sharp enough in her last, but raced ok
in the first 2 legs - still seems a notch below the top ones, even at her best. (4) LADY DELA RENTAA is
just one of many from this barn that just hasn't been close to top form over the past few weeks - she skipped
last week, so we'll see if the extra time (and addition of Lasix) helps her performance.
RACE 3 - Matchmaker Series: (5) SIESTA BEACH could offer some value in this short field - she truly
NEVER goes a bad mile and Kakaley has the option of trying to leave tonight (hoping for a pocket trip), or
just following MACHNHOPE, looking for a live cover trip - either way, she'll have her chance at the mild
upset. (3) SNOBBYTOWN needed the start in Week 1 (off the layoff), just missed to #4 in the second leg,
then was able to complete the wire to wire score in last - clearly on her game now, and a threat to wire 'em
again. (4) MACHNHOPE came into this series sharp and was able to score powerful first over wins in each
of the first 2 legs - took last week off, and gets help catching this short field upon returning - shooting for 4
in a row, and has a legitimate chance to do it. (2) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N showed a ton of potential
before a trio of "meh" efforts - did look better coming over the wire in last, and that could be a sign that
she's coming back to that better form - couldn't blame anybody for including her in exotics. (1) BETTORS
HEART N took too long to get rolling in Week 1, then was just no good at all the next start - took last week
off, so we'll see if her connections were able to get her sharper for tonight.
RACE 4 - (8) DEETZY was given no chance at all last week when Tetrick didn't even look to leave the
gate (he's been incredibly unaggressive in almost all of his local drives here this year) - this is another spot
where this guy CAN be a major threat IF put in play at the start - hopefully he'll be handled a lot more
aggressively this week. (4) BAKERSFIELD gave it a good speed try off the layoff before weakening late to
3rd - was no good at all on the front in next, but had a confidence REbuilding 4th from off the pace in last -
have to believe Dube will send him out of there again here...and he'll be a major threat if anything close to
his best. (2) NOX VEGAS BLUECHIP is as camera shy locally as they come, but he does pick up his fair
share of smaller pieces - good spot to include him in exotics with the post relief. (1) CHANGE STRIDE N
goes 8 hole to rail and could easily end up with a nice trip -- but he's just 1 for 23 here (last 3 yrs.), and
should really only be considered for a smaller share. (5) THUNDER SOME WHERE saved ground then
finished up ok for minor shares in his last couple - could see that happening here too. (6) SPORTSKEEPER
throws good efforts here and there....but last week wasn't one of them - he'll be a nice price here, and not a
bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (3) OURLITTLEGENERAL A was wildly overbet in last, then wildly overdriven...
before fading to 5th - could do better here with an easier trip, but hard to get excited about a wager when
he's 3-1 on the ML. (7) BRIARS DESIRE needs an inside post and easy trip just to grab minor pieces
RACE 5 - (6) CAMPORA N may be worth a stab in here - excellent 1st over 2nd to a very sharp Egomania
4 starts back then a trio of hopeless 7 and 8 holes - not much better luck with the draw tonight, but at least
it's a more realistic spot - maybe Marohn can get him a live trip. (4) ALEPPO HANOVER moved 4 wide
very early last week and MAY have been a winner if he could have waited a little longer - put in nice
moves before tiring in the two starts prior to that, and maybe he'll land on some better trip luck tonight. (1)
MAJOR BUCKS came into his last with just 1 win in his previous 49+ Yonkers starts but was sent off
favored because of the barn change - couldn't quite last cutting that mile and will surely look to do the same
tonight - maybe he can prevail, but he's sure to be way overbet once again. (8) LYONS WILLIAM has been
ready to win for several weeks but continues to draw horrible posts - don't let him beat you if the price is
huge! (7) ROOTIN TOOTIN is another that's sharp enough to beat these...but who faces an uphill battle
because of another poor draw. (5) AWESOMENESS totally squandered a good trip in last - may rebound
with a better mile, but he's surely no value as the 2-1 ML favorite! (2) SCRUB HANOVER was short in his
last but was racing off a bad date - he's raced ok at this level in the past, and a small piece is not impossible.
(3) STEVES HOT ROD seems overmatched upon arrival from Stga.
RACE 6 - (6) SWANSEA hasn't been winning as frequently as he used to, but he's still right there on the
wire every week, regardless of trip - can probably leave hard from this spot and work out a nice trip... and
that may help him get back to the winner's circle. (3) LINDSEYS PRIDE took off the gate from outside
posts the last 2 weeks but the move inside should have him firing off the car tonight...and he's shown he's a
legitimate threat when on the lead, or in the pocket - good week to use him on your tickets. (7) STORMY
KROMER didn't even pretend to have any interest in last week's race....but that doesn't mean he won't be
back to his usual beastly self tonight -- not quite sure what to expect, but it's pretty safe to say he won't be
the 15-1 listed in the program! (4) EYE OF A TIGER AS is behaving every week and finishing his miles
powerfully - seems to get along very well with Tetrick, and definitely a threat to grab a good piece of this in
his current form. (2) MISSISSIPPI STORM made a break here on 1/15 and went on the shelf until
qualifying back sharply last week - he's blossomed into a very nice Open trotter, and may be ready to do
some damage right out of the box - check the board for some clues. (1) ARABELLAS CADET would have
jogged 2 back if not for that most untimely break, wasn't nearly as smooth in last when she DID get the
win, and just may be a bit vulnerable tonight after the way she looked last week - wouldn't be shocked to
see her come right back to win tonight....but wouldn't take a short price either. (5) HOMER HALL is off a
bad date and his barn has hit one very nasty slump - sticking with others. (8) LEAN HANOVER seems
unlikely to find the racing luck to overcome this brutal spot.
RACE 7 - (2) BILL HALEY N finally got that overdue wake up call 3 back when he just missed by a nose
- no chance spot in next (8 hole) but was ultra well meant in last...pacing an individual :26.4 third quarter
while coming first over against a very tough Tookadiveoffdipper, and not weakening all that badly - trainer
reunites for Stratton for tonight, and the pair had won a zillion races together over the past few years. (3)
GENIUS MAN has been facing some very good horses in those NW6 races and should be a nice fit here,
even facing older foes - barn is doing good things right now. (5) KASEY JOHN A was a solid 3rd last week
after being in a series of hopeless spots - he beat one class higher back on 2/8, and should be able to have a
good say tonight. (1) TOM ME GUN N can be forgiven for last (8 hole) and his previous 2 starts were both
very nice - logical one to use in exotics starting from the pole. (4) GIVENUPDREAMING just hasn't been
on his best game lately, but an easy trip from this spot could help him grab a piece of this. (8) PERFECTLY
CLOSE is actually very sharp right now, but will be hard pressed to find a way into the hunt from out here.
(7) CHEYENNE REIJANE may have dulled a bit after racing over his head for a lot of starts - will at least
wait for him to draw a better post before endorsing him again.(6) JMS DELIGHT probably needs an inside
post to do any real damage against this type.
RACE 8 - (5) BETTOR THAN SPRING returns to YR in fine form from Ohio and PA, and at a level
below what he's used to facing here - really feels like a solid play in this modest NW7500 field. (1)
TIGERS WAY got roughed up here on 2/19 and it cost him a good chance at a win (one level down) - came
back in NJ after missing 5 weeks with a very good looking 4th, and now draws the pole shipping back in to
NY - looks like the main danger, but he's 0 for 15 at Yonkers, and 0 for 23 overall over the past 2 years (his
barn IS heating back up, though). (2) MARTY MONKHOUSER A easily handled a soft NW5000 field last
week but he's fine at this level too - absolutely belongs in your exotics. (3) BELTANE A seems to
disappoint more often than he delivers, but he won't have to do much from this spot to pick up a small
piece. (4) ABERDEEN HANOVER had been struggling for weeks before coming out on top last week vs.
lesser - another that's in play here for a minor share. (6) ARTMAGIC wasn't bad last week but he does draw
outside all the main players - maybe can save ground and find his way onto the bottom of the tri or super?
(8) SUNKEN TREASURE parlayed a quick start into a 2nd place finish last week but steps up, lands Post
8, and seems unlikely to repeat that effort. (7) WAR DAN DELIGHT B has failed many times vs. easier,
from better posts than this
RACE 9 - (5) MELADYS MONET had one win drop off the bottom card to offset last week's win...and
that lands him back in the same class....with a strong chance at the same result - can't really see any of these
beating him, unless he lands on some weird trip! (2) HATIKVAH may be able to add some value to the
exotics - he trotted a pretty solid final 3/8ths in a start he had to need (off the layoff), and even though he's
moving up here, he's actually a pretty nice trotter. (3) IN MY DREAMS is very sharp right now, even
though he's still prone to early miscues (which somehow he finds ways to overcome) - good draw may help
him land a good piece. (4) BARRY BLACK is a tough call - he's definitely been way off form but several
of his barnmates went big miles the last few days, and he might be the next one to perk up. (6) WITH OUT
A DOUBT was no factor at all in her first try for a new barn but nearly pulled off a 46-1 upset in her next,
then did win her last - may be sharp enough to hang with these tougher rivals as well. (7) FULL RIGHTS
has climbed his way back up the class ladder with three straight front end scores vs. cheaper - his fate may
hinge on how many leave (or don't leave) to his inside - a fast start would make his chances go up
considerably. (8) SECRET BRO was a game 2nd best last week but moves up in class while landing all the
way outside - rough combination.
RACE 10 - (5) SILAS SEELSTER continues to race well almost every week, but it's been some time since
he's come out on top - his barn has been sending out some incredibly sharp horses recently, so perhaps we'll
stick with the "hot hand" angle, and look for this guy to take the finale. (1) KEYSTONE PHOENIX is very
logical dropping and drawing the pole but he has way too many recent "duds" to back him with any
confidence here...especially at a short price. (4) PICARD A was well meant but got parked 2 back - he
made amends with a sharp front end score in last, and was sharp enough to suggest that he can handle
tonight's class bump - belongs in exotics. (3) AUDI HARE N had bad posts in 3 of his last 4 starts but was
a winner the one time he drew inside - good chance he can race much better than that 20-1 ML price. (2)
WARDAN EXPRESS A fits well at this level, draws inside, and is another that could easily land
somewhere on the ticket. (6) CENTURY FURY is a tough call - has more than enough ability to beat this
class but was a "meh" winner vs. much cheaper last week racing off a "scratched injured" line - perhaps the
tote board will offer some clues? (8) THE REV picked up a 2nd last week but his local tries haven't been
great (overall) and now he moves all the way outside - prefer others tonight. (7) ZIGGY SKY draws poorly
again while currently struggling - wait for some better signs.