The Empire Report - Thursday, June 1, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (4) MANCLANE was an impressive 1:56.3 winner at PcD in his career debut on 5/14, then was
a rallying 2nd in a 1:53.4 mile last week - he has a clear talent edge over these, with the only real question
being whether he can get around the half miler just as easily! (2) FLASHY SWAN charged home in his YR
debut to just miss, but made a costly back side break last week - good chance to land in the exotics here IF
he avoids another miscue. (5) CRASH MY PARTY AS made 3 starts as a 2YO last Fall (in Ohio) and
picked up a pair of 2nds - qualified back nicely for a sharp barn, and could pick up a good piece in his local
debut. (1) BYINVITEONLY was pretty erratic when he finished 1st here on 4/27 (placed 2nd), then trotted
an even mile for 3rd last week - draws best for a trainer/driver combination that does good work together,
and is another threat to pick up a nice chunk. (6) MONKS HOOD S has gone off big prices in all 3 career
starts but did improve a bit at PcD last week - tough post, so we'll see if he can keep improving. (3) FIVE
FISH SPECIES raced 6X in Canada, earning one 3rd place finish - we'll just observe, for now
RACE 2 - (3) NO MAS DRAMA made an uncharacteristic miscue last week but has otherwise been
terrific for some time - she gets a class drop tonight, and will be very tough against these IF she minds her
manners (as noted previously, this trainer/driver tandem has done some great work together). (5) OUTSIDE
THE FIRE raced better last week than his line might suggest, as he was hurt badly by terrible cover - he's
gone some big efforts here over the past 2 seasons, and a better trip could make him a very live player. (1)
SWEET SOUL DAVID has been sharp virtually all year long, and comes into tonight with 2 wins (and a
2nd) from his last 3 starts - he steps up a bit in class, but the rail draw could help offset that - not impossible
(2) HAYEK broke a Yonkers drought with that win 4 back, but just hasn't been as sharp in the 3 starts since
then - will need to bring his best for a chance at the top prize here. (4) KASHA V has been feeling good
lately, and comes into tonight off a pair of victories - he's facing much tougher, though, and has also been
off for 3 weeks - leaning a bit more towards others. (6) GHOSTINTHESHELL S has plenty of ability but
isn't hitting on all cylinders yet in 2023 - broke in last, and now draws poorly for tonight
RACE 3 - (2) BELLA CIAO clearly has no shortage of ability as she won her 2YO debut last year in
1:55.2 (NJ Classic elim.) - things turned sour quickly in Lexington, however, and she was turned out for the
year - her 3YO season started off rough but she added hopples last week and qualified sharply at Chester -
IF she trots tonight she'll be hard to beat...but she's not one to bet the rent money on right now! (4) HEADO
VERBOOTS AS always "figures", but he's now 0 for 13 on the year, and just 1 for 11 lifetime at Yonkers -
one of several camera shy contenders in here. (6) WANIA hails from out highest % barn but his victory last
week still only brought his local record to 2 for 14 (with 9 seconds and thirds) - certainly a possibility if #2
fails to perform. (5) AVACAKES has become a reliable weekly player, hitting board in 4 straight - but she's
winless in 8 starts this year, and just 1 for 18 at Yonkers. (3) SQUABLE is just 1 for 60...but he's managed
to earn $74K worth of small pieces - look for more of the same tonight. (1) WARRAWEE YIMA shipped
in from Monti and had to work hard to beat the maidens 2 back - he made a break before the start last week,
and just seems like he may be a bit below the main players. (7) STRIKING COUNT has just never clicked
since moving to his current connections
RACE 4 - Tough race: (5) HOOFBEATS DE VIE drew poorly in both local starts and had no prayer either
time - he wasn't far off at the wire in either race, though, and Dube definitely has more options tonight with
a bit of post relief - one of several possibilities in a wide open affair. (4) ROMANTIC WARRIOR picked
up a couple of small pieces in his first 2 starts back in 2023 (at Chester, adding Lasix) - he may find the
locals more to his liking, and he does show efforts from last year that could make him a legitimate threat
tonight. (2) BACKSTREET PLAYER couldn't sustain his first over bid last week but was racing well prior
to that - a live trip could put him right into the mix. (8) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS was a close 3rd in his
last pair but definitely disappointed both times - he's capable of better, and the poor draw will surely boost
his price for tonight - couldn't blame anybody for giving him another try. (6) VELVET STYLE gets a pass
for 2 back when he blasted wide into the first turn and went offstride - he probably should have been able to
win off last week's perfect trip, however, and he'll need to be a little sharper if he wants to get his picture
taken tonight. (3) TAP ME BLUE CHIP picked up a couple of opportunistic (big price) victories over
cheaper back in April but has continued to race well even vs. these better ones - maybe she can light up the
tote board one more time? (1) ER NO MORE raced well upon arrival from Ohio but feels like he's been
going the other way in his last few - leaning towards others right now. (7) CREDARENA was able to beat
softer off an easy trip last week but figures to be hard pressed to replicate that from this spot
RACE 5 - NAADA Amateur Summer Series, Leg #1: (2) WICKED NICK was caught way too far back
last start to have any chance but did have some good trot finishing - he's been sharp so far in '23 (after
missing all of 2022) and figures to get a decent trip from this spot - may be a good value play. (1)
LIONHEAD has been sharp for months, though the winner's circle has eluded him lately- he gets a new
pilot for tonight, and maybe that'll bring him some better luck - very logical player here. (4) JUDGE KEN
reversed form with a 37-1 shocker 2 back then proved it was no fluke with last week's narrow-loss 2nd
(behind the heavy chalk) - very legitimate chance in here. (3) GRAFENBERG can get lost in the back of
the pack sometimes but he's also managed to win 6X this year (when things go more to his liking) - he
jogged with tonight's pilot 3 starts back (at Freehold) and certainly deserves respect! (7) CLASSY GUY
goes for a new barn tonight and arrives in fine form from the midwest - he's also been away for nearly 4
weeks, and draws horribly - tough spot. (6) CYCLONE MAXIMUS just hasn't fired in his last 3 local starts
and tonight's draw isn't going to help. (5) CRAZY ABOUT PAT has banked nearly $1M but the 13YO just
doesn't seem on his game now
RACE 6 - (5) ALL CHAMPY has been a beast in this class for a long time but did run into brutal trips in
his last couple of starts - the oft-claimed 9YO makes his first start tonight for our leading % barn, and even
a "decent" trip could be enough to get him back to the winner's circle. (3) FOR A DREAMER was 1st or
2nd in 9 of 20 local starts last year and had 12 wins overall - his 2 Monti qualifiers suggest he's ready to go,
and perhaps the tote board can offer even more clues - could be dangerous even after 5 months off. (1) LIN
DSEYS PRIDE had a rare off the board finish last week but draws the pole tonight and is a must-use in
exotics. (8) MISSION VOYAGE is a proven player at this level and has 2 wins and 2 seconds from his last
6 starts - the post is obviously an issue, so make sure to get a fair price if using from out here. (6) AFTER
ALL PAUL seemed to have a little more life finishing last week - consider for 3rd/4th this week. (2) EPOS
OSTERVANG DK can go with these on his best effort but he has only one start in the last 6 weeks and does
seem a little iffy at the moment. (7) UP HELLY AA is doing better in his last couple but he takes a big step
up tonight and draws horribly. (4) BAZILLIONAIRE would need plenty of trip luck for a even a small
share against these
RACE 7 - (4) AMERICAN COURAGE has banked $824K (so far) in his career and more than 60% of that
was earned right here at Yonkers - he didn't get into a good groove during this year's Borgata Series but he
just qualified sharply after a brief freshening, and while this is a very solid field, it's still much easier than
he's used to facing - gets top billing. (6) PHOENIX OF FLUZZY was a winner 2 back and MIGHT have
had a chance to win last week too had he not been hopelessly blocked through the lane - at 20-1 ML, he
seems a good one to use in exotics. (3) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK has really elevated his game since the
April barn change and has proven that he can bang heads at this level - another good one to include in
exotics. (2) TAKE A GAMBLE was in a tough spot last start and tasted defeat at Yonkers for the first time
this season (he was 6 for 6 prior to that) - it's easy to give him a pass for that, but he's missed 3+ weeks
(after a sick scratch) and may be a bit vulnerable at the moment. (1) CAVIART SARGENT has finished 3rd
in 4 straight starts, all at big prices...could happen again. (5) SHAKESPEARE has been in raging form but
steps up quite a bit here after last week's claim - we'll see if he can keep his fine form going against these
too. (8) SOUTHWIND PETYR improved by leaps and bounds after joining the Dynamic Duo back on 4/12
- it would be impossible to fault his current raging form, but the terrible draw may really slow him down a
bit tonight. (7) FEARFUL INTENT has a pair of wins and a 2nd from his last 3 starts but he may have a
hard time drawing outside so many other sharp foes.
RACE 8 - (7) INCOMMUNICADO has a couple of tighteners under his belt and ships in from NJ after
trotting 1:51 in last week's Cutler - his last local start (11/4) resulted in an odds-on victory in the Open, and
this obviously a much easier spot - the one to beat, even from Post 7. (1) HERCULISA was an ok 3rd last
start after being away for 3 weeks (sick scratch) - draws best, and may prove the main danger. (4) C YOU
AGAIN DK can be tough to predict from start to start but he does throw his share of good ones - maybe he
can rally late for a piece? (3) P L OSCAR made unexpected miscues in his last 2 local tries and now returns
from NJ (where he behaved himself last week) - can contend for a piece if on his best game. (5) WHAT
SHOULD I GOO went her best mile of the year in that victory 2 back but was offstride before the start last
week - one of several with a chance to be a player, if on her best game. (2) OH BOY looked very good
beating lesser 2 and 3 back but is definitely a question mark at this higher level - we'll see if the inside draw
can keep him close enough for a small share (6) SPICY NUGGET was 2nd to the talented PAPPARDELLE
in his last 2 local tries then raced ok at PcD for a couple of starts - would have liked his chances better
tonight with an inside draw. (8) P C FREE WHEELING was a sharp winner last week but that was with a
good post in an easier field - will be hard pressed to replicate that effort from this spot!
RACE 9 - (8) B NICKING gets the worst possible draw but he also catches a pretty modest NW15000
field - he was the beaten favorite in his last pair (2nd both times) and he'll be a much better price tonight -
maybe worth a shot? (6) PROMISE FOR LIFE was "sneaky good" finishing last week and was a winner
the last time he was down at this level - he's just 1 for 15 on the year (7x 2nd or 3rd), but still worth
considering here as long as the price is decent. (4) JULA MUSCLE PACK can be frustratingly inconsistent
but as evidenced last week, he can still come up with a big try when things go his way - possibility, even up
in class. (5) GREY has been off her game and last week's class drop failed to perk her up - not writing her
off just yet, but she would need to be a good price here to be worth using on top. (3) IM THE MUSCLE
was very sharp in that win 2 back....making last week's failed speed try all the more disappointing - if he
can bounce back to his top form, he'd have a chance in here. (7) STREET GOSSIP was a winner the last
time he raced in this class and clearly a good fit - he was aso scratched injured last week, and draws poorly
tonight - maybe a piece? (1) INFINITY STONE has a few solid tries recently but facing lesser - the inside
draw helps, but he stills seems a bit below some of the main players. (2) DOWN THE PIKE MIKE has
taken 3 of his last 4 starts but will be facing much tougher tonight - leaning towards others, though he's too
sharp to just dismiss completely.
RACE 10 - (1) TOPVILLE SOMROCKET just missed here in a 3-5YO $50K claimer on 3/29, then carved
out 1:23.1 (before tiring in the stretch) a few starts later - lands at the bottom level after chasing tougher in
PA in his last few, and this a spot he's supposed to handle. (5) ALTA BLUES A came up 2nd best after
cutting the mile 2 back, then rallied nicely from 7th to 4th (vs. better) last week - drops back down to the
bottom level, and looms the main danger. (2) ROCKATHON hasn't been sharp for a while, but it's probably
just a matter of time before he perks up at this level - maybe a piece here? (3) GRATIAN HANOVER was
the main catalyst in converting his owner from the media office to the barn office...and it's a little sad to see
the mighty warrior struggling at this bottom level - he picked up small checks in his last couple, and we'll
see if he can find some of that old magic one of these nights. (8) WARDAN EXPRESS A is better than a
lot of these, but has to contend with Post 8 - good bomb for 3rd/4th? (7) ROSE RUN X CON has been in a
drought for some time - drawing Post 7 isn't going to help his cause. (4) SILAS SEELSTER was just
9-1-0-1 last year, and now 5-0-0-0 to start 2023 - needs to be a lot better. (6) BUTTER UP has just one 3rd
from his 7 local starts over the past 2 years - another that needs to improve.