The Empire Report – Thursday, August 1, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – Amateur Race : (2) STICK WITH ME KID comes into tonight with three straight blowout wins (all with
Adamczyk on board) and that includes overcoming an early miscue from Post 7 two back – he actually catches a
very good (excellent?) field for this type of race, but his exceptional current form makes him hard to ignore! If this
was just a “regular” overnight event, it would have been hard to go against (8) DIAMANTE TRIO IT, as she’s been
having an outstanding year, battling in the FM Open Trot week after week....but at 8/5 ML with her owner taking
the lines tonight, she could find herself at least a bit vulnerable. (3) LIONHEAD is listed at 20-1 ML despite hitting
board in 8 of his last 9 starts – has to be worth considering for exotics. (1) BEACON BEACH can be a bit unreliable
but he does throw some nice miles in these races, and he’s another worth considering underneath. (5) ICE BREAKE
RS K has been sharp for some time and the one “dud” he shows on the program was a race where he landed on a
disastrous trip – another with a chance at a piece tonight. (6) BONTONI DEGATO S seemed like he may be tailing
off but did rebound with a much better try last week – awful draw, regardless. (4) DOO WOP KID has had success
in these races but he’s a bit suspect at the moment (bad date, miscues, scratches, etc.). (7) LIMERENCE will be hard
pressed to get near the action tonight
RACE 2 – (1) ROGER RABBIT has hit board in 6 of 7 starts since arriving back at Yonkers (broke in the other) and
figures to be looking at a pretty nice trip from this spot – gets the slight edge over a few other possible winners. (5)
PASSIONATE PROMISE beat the 60s upon arrival on the local scene but could only manage a couple of no threat
4ths in her last pair – she should appreciate the drop to 40s, and deserves plenty of respect here. (4) ENOLA was an
even 4 th returning to Yonkers and was from Post 8 – she’s sure to attract plenty of attention moving inside and while
she certainly has a chance to beat these, there may be better value with a couple of others. (3) INFINITY STONE
finished distanced last week (should have been forced to qualify!) but he’s the same horse that annihilated these by
11 lengths back in early June – willing to consider IF the price is juicy enough. (2) THE AMERICAN EAGLE gave
it a big go from Post 8 last week (at 33-1), used very hard for the top then trotting a fast 3rd quarter before ultimately
tiring – can’t blame anybody looking to try him tonight, starting from a much better slot. (8) P C FREE WHEELING
beat these last week but with the benefit of a pocket trip– unlikely to land on such a kind journey here. (7) DRACO
was decent in his last couple but he’s quite camera shy, and likely needs to be in much easier for a chance at a top
slot. (6) FIGHT SONG draws poorly off a break and would certainly be a surprise
RACE 3 – (4) SADDLE UP arrives from the Midwest and joins an owner/trainer team that wins at a very high % -
he was struggling a bit in the Open in KY, but started to improve at Hoosier with some class relief – look for a big
effort in his YR debut. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N has a lot more 3rds this year than 1sts and 2nds but that’s probably
due to facing much better in a lot of his starts – would have been the prohibitive choice here if not for the invader.
(2) SON OF A TIGER N raced very well for 2nd arriving from Tioga but threw a dud last week – anything close to
his best effort would give him a big chance at a small piece tonight. (8) LYRICAL GENIUS A used to really
struggle at Yonkers but his last local try (from Post 7) was a good one – good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (6)
ALEX TYE would seem to be in a bad spot but he’s thrown some big efforts at times and may be able to grab a
share with some trip luck. (5) RULE OF LAW is just 11-0-1-1 locally and will probably look better when he drops
back down to the bottom level. (3) OSTRO HANOVER was distanced in his first start off the layoff – we’ll wait for
better signs before considering. (7) BROOKDALE MIKI has definitely improved since arriving from Canada
recently but he’s also struggled on turns at times, and starting from Post 7 seems like a lot to overcome for him
RACE 4 – (6) TAKE ALL COMERS was a winner in his first local Invitational this year but the classy 6YO came
up 2nd best in his next 3 Yonkers starts– we’ll give him the edge tonight over this bunch. (5) NOWS THE MOMENT
took 3 weeks off after coming up a head shy in his last– hard to know if he’ll be a little short tonight OR reenergized
but a good price makes him worth using (20 for 48 at YR over the last 3 years). (1) STORMY KROMER had what
seems like a useful tightener last week after being away since October – he’s won a zillion of these over the last few
years, and would never be a shock! (3) TIPSY MONI is an incredible 15-11-0-2 here this year but just 1 for 3 when
taking on the boys – she can win for sure, but NOT the same weekly “cinch” she is when facing the mares only! (2)
MISSISSIPPI STORM is feeling pretty good these days, along with a couple of other barnmates – may be able to
rally late for a piece. (4) WARRAWEE YANG won all 3 of his Brennan Trotting Series legs and the final as well...
but wasn’t the same horse moving way up to the Invitational last time – still a lot to prove
RACE 5 – (1) SHAKESPEARE is probably sharper than he looks on paper, as he’s been stuck chasing hot miles
from VERDUN the last 3 starts – he’s had an in and out year, but this spot feels like one he can handle – not a fan of
the 9/5 ML price, however. (2) BLANK STARE ships in off a seasonal best 1:51.1 win at Plainridge and he’s no
stranger the Yonkers winner’s circle – good draw, sharp barn, and a logical player. (7) SAMHARA N changed
tactics and tried things on the front end last week...and that experiment clearly didn’t go as they hoped – he’s come
up with some BIG miles from off the pace this year, and he’ll likely be charging hard tonight...but can he reach? (6)
WINDS UN RICKY won his last pair but on the lead vs. easier – the class bump and poor draw figure to slow him
down a bit tonight. (5) VIVA LAS VEGAS N is just 13-1-0-2 at YR this year and that win came at the bottom level,
off an easy trip – he DOES rally for small pieces, though, and isn’t a terrible bomb for 3rd/4th . (3) CERULEAN
HANOVER has done his best work with a bit easier this year – maybe a minor share? (4) RAYRAY isn’t a bad
“follower” but may prefer to be in a bit easier. (8) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A won his last at Tioga but figures to
have a hard time getting in play starting from Post 8
RACE 6 – Amateur race: (4) VOYAGE TO PARIS won an amateur event 5 starts back and comes into this one off a
win, and a 2nd to the very talented CECIL HANOVER – has to be given the edge tonight, although he does face a
few other very live foes. (1) EXPLOSIVE RIDGE has been razor sharp for about 3 months, and has 5 wins, a 2nd
and a 3 rd from his last 8 starts – goes for a new barn tonight, but the guess is that he’ll remain on his game – solid
threat. (6) SKYWAY PROFESSOR is capable of big miles when things go his way (see 3 back), but will be at a
disadvantage tonight because of the draw – consider if the price gets high enough. (5) CAL MILES N SHELL can
be a little inconstant, and did make a break in his last – he’s certainly familiar with tonight’s pilot (his trainer), and
isn’t a bad one to include underneath. (2) ALLINDOTIME has a couple of local wins this year including one 4 starts
back– he lands in a tough field tonight, however, and the 3 weeks off is a concern as well. (3) FASHION FOREVER
used an easy trip to grab 3rd last start but may not be as fortunate tonight. (8) WINDSONG PIONEER generally
needs to be on/near the lead to be effective and that doesn’t seem possible starting from Post 8. (7) BROWNIE
hasn’t won at Yonkers in ages and would be a surprise, for sure
RACE 7 – (3) HERODOTUS has certainly done good work at Yonkers, compiling an 8-3-2-2 local slate – he
returns off a 1:53 jogburger at Pocono, and we’ll give him a slight edge over a couple of pretty other talented rivals.
(4) ST ORMONT DIVIDE generally delivers big efforts despite his efforts often being spaced apart – he drops right
back in the box this time (after finishing 2nd to a very impressive BLACK MAGIC) and we’ll look for a big mile
here. (5) CRAZYLAND was driven too unaggressively by his “fill in” pilot last week but was still 3rd – gets Bartlett
back, but does draw outside a couple of talented rivals – legitimate threat. (2) DONATO PATRIOT K really upped
his game in PA after adding Lasix 5 starts back – had no chance in his YR return last week (7 hole), but the move
inside could make him a much bigger player tonight. (1) HAND DOVER DAN has 5 starts in this class since
arriving from PcD and has picked up a trip of 2nd place finishes – he draws in with some tough ones, but a decent
chunk is still within reach. (6) SWAN FLYER arrives from KY and moves from the leading barn in the nation to the
leading barn at Yonkers – don’t really expect him to drop off, and he may even improve...but he draws poorly after
missing a month and that has us leaning elsewhere, at least for now. (7) BEERTHIRTY K has been a nice pickup for
his current connections but lands in a brutal spot for tonight – it helps that a win drops off the bottom of his card
after this start. (8) FANATIC has been holding form beautifully but tonight’s draw really figures to slow him down
RACE 8 – (5) ERVIN HANOVER gets a massive class drop for tonight and he came out on top the only two times
he raced here in the past – feels like a pretty solid, short priced winner. (3) GREAT SOMEWHERE just wasn’t on
his game last week, never really looking “good” after a weak leave attempt – if he can bounce right back, he can be
in the hunt for a good piece. (1) I DRAINTHESWAMP A was an even 4th shipping in last week and seems capable
of a bit better – include underneath. (4) SOUTHWIND PETYR got off to a poor start (for him) this year and recently
changed hands – solid looking qualifier for his new connections, and we’ll see if he starts to thrive in some new
surroundings. (2) TAKE A GAMBLE is an “Open type” when sharp, but he’s really fallen apart recently – he’ll
probably reverse form and crush a field one of these nights, but we’re not ready to hop back on his team. (6) GINGR
AS BEACH gets another class drop but also lands his 7th bad post in the last 8 weeks – maybe a small slice? (7) ITA
LIAN LAD N is actually “sneaky good” right now but he’s another that’s been handcuffed by several bad draws. (8)
WALKINSHAW N was in spots where he could leave the gate the last 2 weeks and came up with a pair of 2nds as a
result – won’t be able to do that here, however.
RACE 9 – (1) CANTKEPMIASECRET has now won 3 straight, and has 6 wins and 2 seconds in her 9 starts since
the barn change – she may get beat tonight, but it’s hard to make any real case against her right now! (3) LOS BALL
YKEELAMIGO was used from Post 7 last week and still able to pick up a 2nd to the top choice last week – he has 4
fairly recent wins, and moves inside while getting Gingras on board – maybe the one with the best shot at a (mild)
upset? (8) WILLY WALTON steps up a bit but he’s been doing better work since the recent claim, and has shown a
willingness to blast from the outside – chance to grab a share if he can get another quick getaway. (7) MAX is very
solid in this class but he’ll likely be coming from well back, and that could limit him to just a minor share. (5) BRA
VE BY DESIGN was able to convert last week’s conservative trip into a solid 3rd place finish – maybe he can do
something similar tonight? NO TURNING BACK went downhill for a while but has found some much better form
recently – would have listed her higher if not for the bad draw. (4) J S HOPSCOTCH was good here for a while after
arriving on the local scene but his recent efforts just haven’t been up to snuff. (2) MISSION VOYAGE made a break
returning from PA – even if willing to excuse that, it’s still a question as to whether he may be a little bit cheap
RACE 10 – (3) GENTLE GIANT benefited from both the barn change and easy rail trip last week but still charged
home up the cones in :27 flat to win in his first start off the claim – no reason he can’t take another. (4) TO THE HU
NT shipped in sharp from out of town and gave it a big try on the front end, only nailed right at the end by the top
choice – he’ll get his chance to even the score tonight. (1) HUNT FOR CASH comes out of the same race as the top
pair but he didn’t fire at all last week – he may prefer to race closer to the lead, and he should get that chance tonight
– wouldn’t write him off too quickly. (7) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK is 18-7-3-4 here this year but despite his form
looking solid on paper, he’s definitely showing some cracks – he exits our leading barn, and we’ll see how he fares
for his new connections (especially with the poor draw). (2) I AINT NO MACK looks cheap off those Canadian
lines but he joins a barn that often improves fresh stock dramatically – maybe 3rd/4th? (5) LAZ started the year off
solidly but has really leveled off lately – needs to up his game. (6) VICTOR CRUISE was an even 4th from Post 2
last week but the move outside could hurt his chances tonight. (8) SOUTH POINT just hasn’t been sharp enough
since arriving locally 3 starts back and now has to contend with Post 8