The Empire Report - Friday, February 25, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (1) MYKINDACHIP hasn't really been a threat in his 4 starts this year, but they were all vs.
$75K claimers - gets a BIG drop tonight, draws the pole, and it should be his race to lose. (4) RETOUR AU
JEU looked like a different horse last week, even if just beating cheaper - he was one of the barn's many
winners this past week, and we'll see if he built enough confidence with that mile to make him a major
player tonight, as well. (2) STELLAR YANKEE paced evenly in a pair of starts since returning from the
layoff, and should have a bigger say tonight - barn has really struggled to win races so far in 2022, so insist
on a pretty good price if trying this guy on top. (3) BRANDON HANOVER figures to improve in his new
barn, and is definitely a good fit at this level - he's 0 for 9 at Yonkers, though, so perhaps he'd be better used
underneath? (7) SHINY BLACK BEAMER is racing better lately, but will have his work cut out from Post
7 - maybe can squeeze out a small piece? (5) LUCIANO N has been away since 11/30 and figures to need a
start or two. (6) AMERICAN WIGGLE was empty the night he was claimed, and no good at all in his first
try for a new barn - sticking with others. (8) SPORTS BETTOR has been away since 12/19, lands Post 8,
and hails from an ice cold barn
RACE 2 - (3) NEXT BIG THING reversed form and delivered a big mile last week, scoring the 11-1 upset
- steps up in class tonight (and Kakaley opts for #6), but he was impressive enough to stick with one more
time - especially since he'll be a decent price. (5) MACH TIME N changed barns 3 back, went from 77-1 to
2-1, and was an easy winner at the bottom level - 2nd best from Post 8 vs. 15s in his next, then beat the 20s
for another new barn in his last - can easily be a big threat once more. (6) TIME OUT IM TIRED had been
struggling but moving to a new barn last week perked him right up, as he was right on the wire in 3rd -
Kakaley takes him over the top choice, and the right trip would make him a very dangerous player. (4)
AUTHENTIC HANOVER was a very good 2nd in his local debut, but no factor from the back of the pack
in his last - draws better, goes back to Jordan, and is another very logical threat in here. (2) TOLLY HO
finished with good life for 4th at 38-1 last week - he'll be a big price again, and is definitely usable for 3rd/
4th. (1) WINDSONG JACK cut the mile last week and weakened in the lane - figures to be well backed
once more, and others in here just seem a bit sharper right now. (7) MCARDLES LIGHTNING draws Post
7 after stopping badly from the final turn in his seasonal debut
RACE 3 - (5) SO LONG HANOVER was no good here on 1/14 upon arrival from Dover - came back a
month later and would have been right there on the wire in NW20000 if not for a costly stretch break - just
stayed safe in the back from Post 8 last week but there's no reason he can't be handled more aggressively
from this spot...and his barn is definitely starting to heat up. (2) EMOTIONS RICHES wasn't at his best
when a close 4th last start, but he looked VERY good rattling off 3 straight wins prior to that - very
dangerous here if on his A Game. (4) SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE was a sharp front end winner off the
winter break 3 back, came up 2nd best to #2 in his next, then was in a no-chance spot last week - can go
back to being a serious player with the move inside. (6) ETHAN T HANOVER banged out $267K at 2 and
3 and certainly has ability - goes for a new barn now, and is making his first start since 12/17 - may need
one before we see his best effort. (3) HALO ITS ME was just 1 for 32 last year but can grab pieces when
the trip is easy enough - maybe 3rd? (7) D P ROCKET hit a rough patch in December and has been
freshened up - draws poorly for her return, and we'll just keep an eye on her, for now. (8) LOOK IN MY
EYES was a nice winner one level down last week but now faces the tough combination of a class jump
AND Post 8 - sticking with others. (1) FULL RIGHTS has only beaten one horse in his last 4 starts - wait
for better signs before using again
RACE 4 - (6) FASHIONONTHEBEACH was off a bad date to his last, drew outside, didn't really attract a
lot of tote action and just never got into the mix - catches a fairly blank field for tonight, and we may see
his "better" version show up this time (but don't bet the rent money at a short price). (1) LOTTERY WINN
ER finally perked up with some life 2 back, but reverted to his weaker form in last - very tough to predict
what he'll do here, but he'll be a threat if the "good" version shows up. (2) ARI ALLSTAR was handled
aggressively last week, and might have won had he found room sooner up the cones - a similar effort puts
him in the hunt for another good piece. (3) TASTE OF HISTORY ran and hid from 'em 3 back, but was
pretty dull off the claim last week - one of many in here that are almost impossible to gauge from week to
week. (4) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY was a steady rallying 3rd off the layoff 2 back but rather than build off
that effort, he squandered a decent trip in last - add him to the "unpredictable" list! (8) CHACHING HANO
VER hasn't been bad in a few recent starts and actually had pace finishing for 3rd last week - too bad he
drew so far outside. (5) WINNING LINE put in a decent first over bid before weakening last week - just
seems a little bit cheap, though. (7) NORTHERN SPORTSMAN has been away for a couple of months and
just qualified back upstate for new connections - tough spot for her return
RACE 5 - (6) TEXAS TERROR N came up 2nd best off the claim last week but was quickly REclaimed
by his favorite barn -- the 14YO can get back to his winning ways tonight. (2) R MADDY BLUE CHIP
was off a bad date to his last but still raced very well for 3rd for his new connections - should be able to
grab another big slice tonight. (3) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN has been stuck too far back in some recent
starts but draws better now, and may be able to make some noise with his late kick - good one to include in
exotics. (7) SOUTHPORT BEACH looks like he should be a good fit with the locals but he gets no luck
with the draw, and also makes a break here and there - willing to throw in for 3rd, at a good price. (4)
ASTON HILL DAVE raced ok in his last couple, and is another to consider for a minor piece. (8)
LETTUCERIPRITA drops in for $10K less than he was recently claimed for - that seems like a red flag,
and he also draws Post 8 - prefer others. (1) BETTORS WESTERN ships in to a live barn, but his current
form in Ohio is lacking - perhaps the tote board can offer some clues? (5) ROCKIN INDY was empty upon
arrival last week - pass for now
RACE 6 - (1) EUROBOND put the trotting hobbles back on and won his qualifier by 10 lengths - moved
to one of our top barns and won his first start back at Pocono...also by 10 lengths....good chance the classy
veteran is sharp enough to outrun these too....though probably not by 10 lengths! (3) LEAN HANOVER
wasn't at his sharpest in his last couple but still looks like he has a good chance to be 2nd best here...and
maybe come out on top, if the favorite falters. (6) EYE OF A TIGER AS has looked pretty good so far in
2022 - not a great spot but may be able to find a way onto the ticket, at a decent price. (4) BARRY BLACK
was a total non factor in his last couple but it may be a good sign that he drops right back in the box - we'll
see if he can wake up in this spot and grab a piece. (7) KINDA LUCKY LINDY finished with interest last
week in his first start back off the layoff - not sure he can get involved from out here, but he's not a bad
bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) MAGICAL JOURNEY had been away since early Dec. but certainly looked good in
that PcD qualifier - guessing he'll still need a start, but it may be worth taking a peek at the tote board for
some clues. (2) THE LAST CHAPTER returns off a 4 month break and even though he lands inside, we'll
still stick with others this week. (5) OOH RAH got beat (with no excuses) as the 1/10 favorite 4 back, but
then raced well in his next 3 starts - may find these a little too tough, though.
RACE 7 - Tough race: (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW gets a pass for that mile 2 back where he got parked
but he bounced back with a nice off the pace effort last week (close 2nd) - maybe he can use speed from
this spot, and secure a winning trip? (2) KEYSTONE DASH has definitely disappointed more often than
he's delivered here at Yonkers, but it's probably just a matter of time before he shows up on his best game
and grabs a win for his current (very high %) connections - maybe tonight? (7) ROCKIN JUKEBOX was a
"one and done" winner off the claim last week, and now goes back to his previous connections - he's now
5-3-1-1 here at YR, but he's also 9/5 ML from Post 7 tonight, and MAY run into a tough trip - vulnerable?
(4) FOLLOW YOUR HEART gets his first decent draw in some time so it's possible that he could find a
much improved effort tonight - consider for exotics at a good price. (3) CASHNCAM has looked better in
his last couple - not sure he's ready to threaten for the top spot, but a small piece may be within reach. (1)
COLONEL BAYAMA has a few solid NW4 tries and should fit well with this crew - he also has just one
start in 5+ weeks, and may be a little rusty. (6) SILENT SPLENDOR was sent off at 15-1 from the pole last
week but crushed the field like a 1/5 shot - he just seems a little too one-dimensional, however, and may not
respond so well to a tougher trip. (8) BARRYWHITE HANOVER has upped his game the last 2 starts, but
faces a tough hill to climb from all the way out here.
RACE 8 - (6) STORMY KROMER only made 12 starts last year but did win 5 of them - had been away
since April but was super in his 2022 return, delivering the impressive first over score...he's been known to
string a few when sharp, and we'll give him the nod to take another tonight. (2) STREET GOSSIP was very
impressive in both local starts and though only 4 years old, does have the look of an Open trotter - we'll see
how he does in his first crack at the top level. (5) HAYEK has been doing excellent work for his current
connections, who have figured out that he really prefers to race from off the pace - finished right behind the
top choice in last, and looms a legitimate threat again tonight. (8) WARRIOR ONE has been very sharp for
months, and comes into tonight off a blowout score vs. a little cheaper - gets no luck with the draw, though,
and that may leave him looking at a smaller piece this week. (1) NEW HEAVEN was a little short last week
(off the layoff) and will likely be handled conservatively tonight - he'll start to get class drops after tonight,
and that's when we'll give him more serious consideration. (4) HILL OF A HORSE has 2 wins and a
second since adding Lasix, but vs. softer competition - maybe he can rally late for a minor share? (3)
KASHA V did a nice job rallying for 2nd last week, but was still well behind the winner (#8) - don't think
he can be as successful in this field, though. (7) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is 2 for 2 since the claim but he
was forced to draw with the "4 through 8" group, and ends up with Post 7 - seems like a tough assignment
RACE 9 - (4) J B MAUNEY was very good when a close 3rd two back so it was surprising to see him
handled so conservatively dropping in class last week - drops down to the bottom level now, and hopefully
Buter will give him a better chance to succeed tonight. (3) KIMANI N was just 1 for 36 last year (0 for 13
at Yonkers) and hasn't really been a consideration for some time - he DID put in a much improved try last
week, though, so it may not be a bad time to give him a look...if the price is decent. (6) MACH N CHEESE
can beat Open pacers when on his game, so it's a bit of a shock to see him down at the basement level...of
course he came up well short dropping to this level LAST week, so it's getting even harder to make a case
for him - especially at short prices! (1) PERFECTLY CLOSE had a solid 2021 campaign and is used to
facing better than these - his barn has started off the year ice cold, however, so we'll probably just use this
guy underneath....for now. (5) SECRECY has a few "ok" tries lately, and was legitimately GOOD last week
- would certainly consider for exotics. (2) ZACH MAGUIRE N was 0 for 26 last year but actually raced
well (vs. better) several times - makes his 2022 debut here, and we'll probably just observe, for now. (7)
LONG TRAIN RUNNIN shipped in off a Monti blowout but didn't come close to replicating that mile -
tough post now, and we'll stick with others. (8) BULLVILLE KYLE is the outsider - literally and
figuratively!