The Empire Report – Friday, October 11, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (5) LIT DE ROSE is such a popular performer that she continues to be sent off favored every week, even
though she hasn’t WON in some time – she does come off a pair of sharp 2nds, however, and this does feel like a
field she’s ready to beat...we’ll go with her on top, but don’t fall in love if she ends up too short a price. (4) LUCKY
ARTIST A is a pretty tough mare herself, and just pulled off a pair of nose victories off pocket trips – she may not
get that same trip tonight, but she remains a very viable threat. (1) IDEAL COVER was absurdly stuck racing from
Post 8 in the Invitational last week (moving all the way up from $50K claimers!) but she hardly embarrassed herself
– moves all the way inside, lands in an easier (overall) field, and may be able to take home a piece. (6) LLOYDS LO
VES has been incredible for a long time but did show her first chink in the armor when weakening on the lead last
week – we’ll see if it was just a blip, or if she’s finally going to slow down a bit. (8) GOLDEN QUEST N was a
very game 3 rd two back then raced very well again last week – the draw is the obvious issue, but at least she’ll be a
big price...ok for exotics. (3) CHERYLS SHADOW is back on her good game again but may find this level just a
bit tougher than she’d prefer. (2) HELLO YES HI has held form remarkably well on her recent climb up the class
ladder but is another that may get slowed down a bit tonight. (7) FADE OUT gets a bad draw off a bad date
RACE 2 – (1) GRACE HILL doesn’t make a lot of starts each year but she certainly makes the most of them,
winning 33 of 75 for over $1.8M – she’s used to facing MUCH better than these, and last week’s front end score in
Ohio (racing off a month) suggests that she’ll have no problem with this modest field in her Yonkers debut. (2) VIB
RANCE has been doing good work most every week for the past few months – she gets a good draw, and looms a
big threat to land somewhere on the ticket. (7) TONYS MOM hadn’t been at her best for a long time, so it was good
to see her (finally) get some time off – she’s listed at 20-1 ML, but that doesn’t mean she can’t blast to the top and
maybe last for a piece tonight, returning from the layoff. (4) ULTIMATE SPEED has put together a terrific season so
far, and any decent trip could see her grab a small slice tonight. (5) UPTOWN HANOVER is more than capable
with these types, but she’s been plagued by some inconsistency this year – leaning a bit more to a few others. (3) MI
LLWOOD BONNIE N makes her 2 nd start off the layoff and the guess is that she may need another start or two. (5)
MILIEU HANOVER seems a bit overmatched in her YR return, especially from Post 6
RACE 3 – (5) FULL STRENGTH took a few starts to find his form (after a recent claim) but certainly looked like
his “good” self in last week’s easy “brush and crush” score – steps up a bit, but it may not matter if he brings that
same form tonight. (8) CRAZYLAND lands all the way outside but still may be able to leave right to the top – he
feels a little off his best game, but this could be a spot where he can still make a lot of noise. (2) P C FREE WHEELI
NG is also a bit off her “best”, but still more than good enough to have a say in here – belongs in exotics. (1) STRO
NGERWITHLINDY drops, moves inside, and could easily outperform that 12-1 ML price – could add some value
to the exotics. (4) FANATIC has been competing in some amateur events lately but he does fit with this crew, and is
another that could end up somewhere on the ticket (his last final time is incorrect – the race went in 1:56.4, and he
trotted in 1:57.3). (7) DC ANNA may have been closer last week had she not get shut off at the cones in the lane –
tonight’s draw may leave her with too far to come, however. (3) BONTONI DEGATO S (2 nd time Lasix) just hasn’t
been clicking for some time. (6) LUCKY SEVENS seems a bit overmatched upon arrival from Saratoga.
RACE 4 – Good race: (4) HONEY LOVE had some issue and retreated last week (after a fast start) but she’s back
in the box pretty quickly – she’s been picking up pieces vs. better, and should be headed right to the top from this
spot – decent value play in a pretty wide open affair. (7) DEVILISH DREAMS is just one of many in the barn to
have improved dramatically with the trainer change – she still hasn’t won for her current connections, but she’s
getting closer – maybe tonight? (1) MISS DOTTIE MAE was sent off at an absurd 1/20 last week...but did manage
to hold on, all out, over #2 – seems vulnerable once more, and is listed at 9/5 on the ML (up one level). (6)
LOOKOVERYO UR has held form very nicely since moving well up in class, picking up several smaller pieces –
not sure she’s ready to BEAT these, but she could end up in the exotics, at a decent price. (2) UNCONTROLLED
wasn’t bad 2 back then gave #1 all she wanted last week, almost pulling off the 35-1 upset – chance to grab a piece
tonight, with another easy trip. (5) BIG BIG PLANS picked up a close 2 nd 2 back, but was helped by a two hole trip
– likely looking at a tougher journey tonight. (3) TECHYS ANGEL A has had 5 starts since returning from the long
layoff and still hasn’t been competitive. (8) ROCKN PHILLY is well off form, and lands all the way outside
RACE 5 – MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series, Leg 1 – (8) ITS ACADEMIC hasn’t been able to “bring it” every
week this year but he did pick up stakes victories in the Spirit of Massachusetts, and the Aldrich earlier this summer
– the winner of over $2.5M lifetime has been racing “ok” lately vs. the top FFAllers in North America, and meets a
very modest field tonight – gets the call, despite the draw. (1) CECIL HANOVER has done good work so far as a
4YO and is 6-3-2-1 here at Yonkers – he came up a little light when 3 rd last start, but should be able to be right in the
hunt tonight. (2) TAKE ALL COMERS picked up a local victory to start off his 6YO campaign but hasn’t been able
to get back to the winner’s circle since then, hitting board in 6 of his 9 starts – should be able to have a big say from
this spot. (5) MISSISSIPPI STORM (who recently went over the $1M mark) continues to outrace his odds, always
finishing well for a good piece...may do so here, too. (3) GHOSTLY CASPER has been a little disappointing so far
in his local starts, but does seem capable of better – maybe 3 rd/4 th? (6) DJIMON got really sharp here, climbing right
up the ladder with 4 straight victories – he definitely got his feeling hurt in Ohio last start, and we’ll see if he can
bounce back on his “home turf”. (4) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been super all year but does seem to be tailing a bit
in her last couple – having to take on males in this series may prove a little tough right now. (7) DELAYED HANO
VER is 6-3-2-0 here (last 3 years) but his last couple at Plainridge were disappointing – tough draw for Leg #1
RACE 6 – (7) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY has held her own (and even beaten) better than these – she has enough
speed to at least improve position at the start, and could be very tough here with any half-decent trip. (5) TALENT
TO SPARE A has come back strong after a couple of recent sick scratches, hails from a red-hot trainer/driver team
and has options starting from Post 5 – she beat a lit softer last week, but can be a big player here too. (4) CAMERIC
AN was off a month to her last but the 3YO held her own vs. older mares and was a fast closing 2 nd – no reason she
can’t be in the hunt tonight, dropping right back into the box. (1) LADYCORONA basically “stole” the wins 2 and 3
back but was a legitimate first over winner last week – she puts a 4 race winning streak on the line tonight, and will
need to be even better to beat a few of the top ones in here. (6) VILLAGE JADE would be a player here on her best
effort but she missed 3 weeks after a dull try in her last, and may not be primed for a top try tonight. (2) SALE EL
SOL found some better form at Stga. the last 3 weeks but it remains to be seen if she can be as effective vs. these
better mares. (8) TRUE BLUE HANOVER is having a solid season overall, but faces a tall task trying to get in play
tonight. (3) APRIL AVA was racing well at Tioga but has been idle for nearly a month.
RACE 7 – (2) JM BETONSIX almost went 8 th to 1st in her local debut (even if golden-trip aided) then charged home
legitimately in her last – drops, moves inside, and seems ready for an aggressive try...the one to beat. (4) SILKY ST
RIDE was a front end winner off the barn change 3 back, finished well from an impossible spot in her next then won
again last week, from Post 8 (helped by an opportunistic trip) – steps up a notch, but feels like she can be a player
here too. (6) MCMARKLE SPARKLE found her speed last week (reuniting with Bartlett) but needed more at the
end – willing to include underneath . (5) PAIGE PERFECT was just way too sluggish most of the way in her YR
debut – drops a bit, and we’ll see if she can stay closer to the pack this time. (7) CELIA B MONEY built off a pair
of good efforts to pick up the victory last week – these connections can never be counted out, but this does feel like a
much tougher spot tonight. (1) THINK AHEAD draws best for our leading barn but does seem a bit on the cheaper
side. (8) HUNTING LINDY likely needs a (much) better draw to be a serious threat in this class
RACE 8 – MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series, Leg 1 – Good Race: (6) CHAPERCRAZE has only one win this year,
but it definitely came at a good time (the $425K Hambletonian Maturity) – he’s raced well a bunch of times against
the best in the division, and also holds a 4-1-2-1 record here at Yonkers (including a track record in last year’s NYSS
Final) – gets the edge over an interesting bunch. (4) GAINES HANOVER was racing very well up in Canada and
got acclimated to Yonkers nicely with last week’s 2 nd place finish – look for another good effort tonight. (8) ARI FE
RRARI J is 3 for 3 locally this year and hitting on all cylinders right now...he also draws Post 8, so you’ll want a
“fair” price if looking to use him on top in this solid field. (5) OSCEOLA is another that has been doing good work
in Canada and should fit nicely with these – he seems capable on or off the pace, and he’s listed at 15-1 ML – may
be able to add some value to the exotics. (7) PAPPARDELLE has the “home field advantage” in here, with a terrific
19-9-6-2 local slate (including a victory last week) gets no luck with the draw, however, and we’ll how much that
hurts his chances tonight. (3) BESTFRIEND VOLO has been doing excellent work at Lexington, and is hard to fault
form-wise – if he gets around the half, he could have a say here. (2) TACTICAL MOUNDS won her only local start,
but facing much easier – the solid 4YO mare gets a class test in here. (1) TACHYON seems a bit overmatched
RACE 9 – Tough race! (3) HEADOVERBOOTS AS gave it a good speed try at Fhd. off the barn change – maybe
he can make it hold up tonight against this vulnerable field? (4) ATTA GIRL DANI just got off to a terrible start last
week and never recovered – if she can shake that off and show up with one of her more typical efforts, she can be a
player here. (2) CONGRES HILL EVA was good in her last pair at Fhd. and has raced “ok” here a couple of times in
the past – not the worst longshot you could come up with. (6) HOOLIE N HECTOR is now 1 for 25 on the year and
while he does drop to the basement tonight, you’ll still want a decent price to try him on top. (1) HUNTING AS has
clearly lost a step or three this year, currently just 2 for 30 (for $33k) – starts from the pole, but still looking
elsewhere for the top spot. (5) I HAVEADREAM DE VIE has gone some decent miles at times but the 3YO filly is
just 1 for 14 this year and a little too unreliable. (7) NO MORE SWEETS hasn’t clicked in 5 local starts, and even
the addition of Lasix doesn’t appear to have helped. (8) DONTMESSWITHMAMA ships down from Canada for a
live barn, but just seems a bit too cheap...especially starting from all the way out here
RACE 10 – (8) ATREACHEROUS A wouldn’t normally be a top pick (8 hole off 3 weeks) but she’s done damage
vs. much better this year, her barn sent out a couple of live ones recently, and the other main players in here do look
a bit vulnerable – worth a try at a big price. (2) MC ANGEL was just scary for a long time earlier this season, made
it all the way up to the Open but eventually started to tail, then ended up on the shelf for a couple of months – she
hasn’t been all that sharp since returning, but this MAY be the spot for her to pop off a big effort. (6) GOT SEXY
SCAR was feeling strong enough to pop out of the pocket to challenge last week, but then flattened out and tired in
the lane – her best effort would make her a solid player here. (1) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL picked up 3rds in her last
pair, draws the pole, but is still looking for her first win of the season (0 for 22). (4) ITTY BITTY has been a major
disappointment since returning from Ohio, currently 18-1-1-2 at Yonkers this year – she was just freshened up a bit,
and does get post relief tonight...maybe a piece? (5) THATSMYTYPE picked up an ok 3 rd in her only local starts –
could be a little cheap, but may be okay for a minor share. (7) PARADISE ROCK L has been stuck on smaller
pieces and tonight’s draw may leave her looking at more of the same tonight. (3) ONEDEFULBEACH hasn’t been
clicking for a while
RACE 11 – (4) YANKS DUGOUT appreciated last week’s class drop, racing much better to be 3 rd – drops again,
and may be able to wire these in the finale. (1) BEERTHIRTY K chased the favorite from the pocket last week and
was a solid 2 nd best – may be destined for a similar trip (and outcome) tonight. (2) KEYSTONE APACHE was ok
from a bad post 2 back, then ok off a tough trip last week – could land somewhere on the ticket tonight. (6) RITSON
has 5 local starts and picked up 4 thirds – returns off a win in PA, and a live trip would put him in the hunt for a
good piece here too. (7) CAL MILES N SHELL is good right now, but may be limited by the terrible draw. (8) CAN
TSTOP YANKEE failed at short prices 2 and 3 back but was a 7-1 winner last week for those that stayed on board –
feels like a tough spot to overcome, but note that this trainer/driver tandem teamed up for 4 wins on Thursday night.
(5) VALI HANOVER is having a tough 2024 season, though racing ok lately (with cheaper) – these feel a little
tough for him right now. (3) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO has a couple of recent miscues and just re-qualified –
prefer to just watch, for now.