The Empire Report - Friday, June 11, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - Good opener: (1) THEREISAPACEFORUS hasn't been bad in his last few, but has been too far
back to really threaten - moves all the way inside here, and if Marohn can work out a decent trip for him, he
may be able to pull off the upset. (7) CINNABAR DRAGON raced (and looked) much better when 2nd
here 2 back, then just had no prayer in last - lands another terrible post, but he's still worth considering at
what figures to be a big price. (2) RANSOM DEMAND wired these 3 back as the odds on choice, but was
brutally parked in his next - no real chance at Monti last week but he can be aggressive again with the move
inside - logical threat, but also may be overbet. (8) ROLL AWAY JOE clearly is well past his best days but
before dismissing him, note that his new trainer has picked up some horses DRAMATICALLY in recent
weeks (see Race 4, ROUGH TRADE) - if he's live on the tote board, you may want to include him! (4)
SLUGGEM N missed all of 2020, and his 2021 comeback has yielded mixed results in his first 7 starts -
not impossible. (3) TODDLER TANTRUM just hasn't been sharp enough lately - will need to improve for
a chance at a good piece. (5) AMERICAN SONIC has only earned $15K from his 36 career starts - pass.
(6) BRINGITHOME N has yet to hit board in 5 starts this year - waiting for better signs
RACE 2 - (2) NEW HEAVEN was looped at the start last week (at Fhd.) and ended up parked the mile
after electing not to back off - had a nice run of sharp local efforts prior to that, and should be able to
rebound quickly from this spot - should offer some value in a race with several live players. (3) EYE OFA
TIGER AS benefited from a nice trip to beat cheaper 2 back but then raced very well for 2nd (to #5) when
first over the next week - classy veteran should be feeling pretty confident right now, and a live trip makes
him a dangerous threat. (5) PATRIARCH HANOVER made a break here on 4/16 but then was a sharp
winner in 3 straight Hilltop starts - he did make a brief miscue in NJ last week but assuming he behaves
tonight, he'll be a major threat...may be overbet, though. (6) MAGICAL JOURNEY had a win and a close
2nd (to #2) the last 2X he raced at this level - would be no big surprise, but he is at a bit of a disadvantage
because of the draw. (1) KASHA V went off form for an extended period but has gone some much better
efforts lately - still seems a bit below the top ones, though. (7) THE LAST CHAPTER was very sharp in
the win here 2 back but he seems damned if he leaves, and damned if he doesn't - waiting for a better spot.
(4) WINDSONG PIONEER may be a notch below some of these and his best efforts generally come on the
lead...and that trip seems unlikely here - prefer others tonight
RACE 3 - (1) SOLID ASA ROCK A landed on a horrible trip last week and simply never had a chance -
his prior efforts were all pretty good, so tonight's big drop to the basement comes as a bit of a surprise - if
there's no major holes in him, he should be able to handle this much easier assignment...but the drop sure is
a bit worrisome! (2) WILD WEST hasn't exactly thrived at Yonkers the past 2 years (22-0-2-1) but that last
mile was VERY good....he may even be ready to finally win one - especially if the top choice comes up no
good. (5) MY SPIRIT SOARS picked up a pair of 2nds off the layoff before landing on a tough trip in PA
last week - he's definitely worth a look at that 20-1 ML price. (4) LODI MACHETTE MAN went a bunch
of good efforts at Monti before shipping in and racing well here too - would have rated him higher if not for
the month off since his last start. (8) GRANDPA DON has looked pretty good in his last few starts and
raced well here years ago -- not sure he can overcome Post 8, however. (7) ROCK ON PRECIOUS owns a
couple of big-priced wins this year but just hasn't been sharp lately - would need a major wake up to be a
serious threat from out here. (3) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A didn't look any better for his new connections
last week - still a pass. (6) ENERGYZONE HANOVER seems to prefer to be in a bit cheaper
RACE 4 - (6) ROUGH ODDS was finishing way up the track at huge odds week after week in Ohio - but
after moving to this (rapidly expanding) barn, he was sent off at an unfathomable EVEN MONEY price at
Chester...and improved by about 20 lengths to win with ease - tonight marks the first time he's been back at
Yonkers since 2017...and he's certainly the one to beat off that incredible, form-reversing effort. (3) BLAC
KTREE made a break here on 4/30 but came back to jog (at 1/5) in his next start - in a bit tough vs. the 20s
in his last but drops back down to a winning level...and would have been the clear choice if not for the
invader. (5) VILLAGE CHAMP had a no-chance trip off the claim 2 back but just missed (as the favorite)
in his next start in PA - solid player here, and definitely belongs in exotics. (8) DEERFIELD BEACH will
attract some attention (even from Post 8) off that last smashing NJ win but we've seen him fail to replicate
big miles in the past - maybe he has another big one in him...but make sure to get a fair price if using on
top. (1) FAST ON THE DRAW is 0 for 22 here over the last 2 years, and frequently a slow starter - maybe
can rally for a small piece if things get hot up front. (4) ELECTRIC WESTERN is 1 for 31 (last 2 yrs.) and
not all that sharp lately - minor share only. (7) CHACHING HANOVER lands in a tough spot, and will
likely need to wait for a better draw. (2) LANAS DESIRE hasn't functioned for a long time
RACE 5 - (5) BLACK CHEVRON N was 5-0-4-1 here last year but was way up in class to start 2021 and
struggled a bit - dropped to NW7500 last week and rallied nicely for 3rd, and now gets a drop to the bottom
level - feels like a field he can beat, that but that 3/2 ML price will probably suck any possible value out of
him. (1) BEVANS CULLEN N is 0 for 11 at Yonkers (and fairly inconsistent) but he's also a "lazy" horse
that Bongiorno may be able to wake up a bit - could be a spot for him to come up with a big effort. (2)
BELTANE A certainly "figures" in this spot, but he hasn't won here in some time, and tends to disappoint -
playable in exotics, but be careful about taking a short price on top. (8) TOM ME GUN N is just 1 for 24 at
YR but has raced well vs. better on several occasions - moves to the connections' "hot" trainer (25% this
year), and maybe can add some value to the exotics...even from out here. (3) ZIGGY SKY has enough local
wins to always merit a look at this level, but his current form has been "meh" - would need a good price to
use on top. (6) PROVEN DESIRE definitely showed some wear and tear by last year (at age 8), and he's
been basically the same so far in 2021 - recent PcD form is just "ok", and he'll need to find a little more to
be a serious threat here. (4) DAKOTA JACK is hard to gauge off those 2 qualifiers - prefer to just watch,
for now. (7) BUNGALOW BILL N draws Post 7 while winless here over the past years - prefer others
RACE 6 - (2) FASHIONONTHEBEACH got beat by 28 lengths in his 5/12 PcD qualifier, pacing his mile
in 1:58.2 - that didn't deter the fans at Chester from playing him, however, as they sent him off at EVEN
MONEY for his new trainer (despite his 0 for 16 record in 2020)...and just like barnmate ROUGH ODDS,
went on to trounce the competition, pacing the mile in 1:51.4 -- bumped up to 20s at PcD for his next and
went another big mile, though coming up a neck shy on the off going -- we'll give him a try in his YR debut
(5) JUST PLAIN LOCO has either raced "well" or "very well" in his last few starts, and definitely came up
big off the claim last week - very dangerous player here. (6) COOL BLUES MAN barely functioned for
months but suddenly woke up with a form reversing 2nd place finish on 5/14, followed by a very sharp win
on 5/21 - was claimed that night and raced strong at Monti for his new connections as well - definitely can
do better that his 20-1 ML would suggest. (4) REAL LUCKY N is 0 for 17 here over the past 2 years (1 for
23 over 3 years), but his current form is pretty good - chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (3) TONY
TOO TALL finished well here when finally clear 2 back (although he did knock down a rival in the stretch
to find that room!) - stayed sharp over the short summer break with a nice 8 hole win (vs. cheaper) in Ohio,
and is eligible to pick up a small piece with these. (1) SCRAPPIN GOLD is off a bad date (sick scratch),
and may be a bit below these anyway - minor share only, even from rail. (7) ZOOEZ BOY HENRY draws
outside and just seems better suited with cheaper. (8) ROCKABILLY CHARM has definitely upped his
game at Fhd. recently, but seems unlikely to reach from out here.
RACE 7 - (3) HEY LIVVY really blossomed as a 5YO in Canada last year, winning 9 races and $213K -
got a nice 5 month vacation, shipped down to NY and delivered a scary 1:53 qualifier...while just may be
the fastest mile ever trotted at Yonkers - clearly had no trouble negotiating the half (or acclimating to a new
pilot), and we'll go with her in her 2021 debut (7) MISSISSIPPI STORM made amends for that unfortunate
trip 3 back by blasting to the top from Post 8 and wiring the field the next week - followed that up with a
near miss across the river, and has a legitimate chance to take another...despite another outside assignment.
(4) HILL OF A HORSE was "good" when 2nd two back, then VERY good when right there on the wire
with #7 in his last - will be rallying late, and belongs in your exotics. (6) MELADYS MONET will
probably have to race from the back this week but he doesn't mind that at all - definitely a shot to rally for a
piece. (1) FULL RIGHTS would surely appreciate some class relief but the rail assignment at least gives
him a chance to grab a minor check. (2) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN finally threw a clunker at Fhd, last
week after a whole bunch of sharp tries since returning from Ohio - prefer to just watch this start, (5)
MOSTINTERESTINGMAN is in the midst of yet another strong YR season, already a 5X winner this year
- can hang with these under the right circumstances, but this may not be a great spot tonight
RACE 8 - Tough race: (2) PEMBROKE JOEY has been sharp in all 4 starts since the recent claim, picking
up 2 wins, a 2nd and a 3rd - comes into this off a bad date (expired Coggins test scratch at PcD), but a few
others are in the same boat - seems likely to get a good trip here...and definitely been sharp enough to take
advantage. (5) MARINER SEELSTER went a while after the claim before winning a race for his current
connections, but comes into this having won 2 in a row - chance to get the "hat trick". (1) ARTMAGIC is a
logical threat from this spot but he just doesn't win often enough to justify a short price - willing to use
underneath, though. (4) TIME OUT IM TIRED may be worth a look here - his barn has sent out a couple of
live players recently, and perhaps this guy will get a wake up call as well. (3) MACHING TIME definitely
likes to win races here but usually vs. a bit softer - may need a drop before he can contend for a top prize.
(7) MAJOR BUCKS has been very consistent for some time but has only ONE recent one, and has been
facing cheaper every week - could be a tough spot. (6) PLAY THE FIELD blasted from Post 8 at 71-1 last
week and certainly gave his backers a major root (and a nice little score, if they used him for 1st and 2nd) -
not sure he can be as successful in here, though. (8) ELRAMA actually beat this class 3 back but the race
sort of fell apart for him - don't really see that happening tonight.
RACE 9 - (1) CENTURY FURY figured to be good last week, landed on a perfect trip and just squandered
it completely - maybe he just had an off night, and the inclination is to give him another chance... especially
since the barn sent out a very sharp winner on Thurs. (Tell Me A Joke). (3) BENHOPE RULZ N tailed for
a few starts but raced much better in his last - can definitely have a say here if he brings his best again. (5)
BETTOR THAN SPRING was an all out winner (at 1/5) returning from The Meadows on 4/2, then
struggled for weeks against better - had some life dropping in last, and now drops to the basement... but still
seems vulnerable at a short price. (2) MAGRITTE saw his impressive form spree end on 3/29 and has been
struggling ever since - has worked his way all the way back to the bottom level, so we'll see if that can perk
him up even a little, (4) DEEDENUTO A has been a major bust since arriving in the U.S. but he may be
able to pick up a minor share tonight with a ground saving trip. (8) YAYAS HOT SPOT was able to be a
close 3rd last week thanks to an easy pocket trip...but the move outside figures to hurt him significantly. (6)
MAJESTIC KIWI N and (7) TITANIUM N would be big surprises, especially from out here.
RACE 10 - (5) KEPT UNDER WRAPS A was very good for his new connections last week, used hard
early on while still having plenty of pace (in tight) through the stretch - feels like a field he can take wire to
wire. (1) FULLBACK isn't exactly a prolific winner and he's also off a sick scratch - he does usually come
up with good efforts from inside spots, though, and he should probably be used in exotics. (6) ISLANDSPE
CIALMAJOR was racing very well (vs. better) in NJ back in Sept/Oct. - went on the shelf for 6 months and
while his return try at PcD was pretty good, he did tire badly after a first over bid in his next - could go
either way tonight. (3) THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN is 0 for 19 at Yonkers but has raced well several times,
and actually just missed in his last 2 tries here - may add some juice to the gimmicks. (4) IWONTDOTHA
TAGAIN hung in to hold 2nd in a fast mile last time, and definitely fits ok with these - ok for 3rd/4th. (8)
VELOCITY KOMODO seems too far out to have any serious say but he does usually finish well, and that
may give him a chance for a small piece, at a big price. (7) CLASSIC PRO just isn't clicking right now and
lands Post 7 - wait for a better spot. (2) REAGANS AVENGER did beat a weak bunch 2 back, but figures
to struggle in this tougher field...even from the inside.
RACE 11 - (3) KINDA LUCKY LINDY is used to holding his own vs. much tougher - anything close to
his "typical" effort really should be enough to handle this assignment. (2) STINGLIKE A B K has been
pretty solid for a young trainer that has sent out good performers from her limited stock - the good draw
should allow him to take home a good piece of this. (5) IN MY DREAMS is always a little iffy at the start
but if he gets away cleanly, he may be able to establish an up close trip...and that would give him a chance
to land on the ticket somewhere. (1) BLUE AND BOLD used a nice trip to charge home and pick up an
overdue victory last week - steps up in class here, but still a logical threat for a small piece. (7) KANDY
SWEET is sharp again, but the class jump combined with the outside figures to slow him down
considerably. (6) BARRY BLACK would normally be a threat vs. this type but he's been off form in his last
couple - waiting for better signs before hopping back on board. (4) FOMOR just jumped up with two sharp
wins out of the blue but quickly reverted to his lesser form in last
RACE 12 - (7) AIR FORCE HANOVER is a bit of a hunch play here - he's burned plenty of money in his
last 3 local starts but he was facing a bit better, and his barn (which was beyond cold since early March),
sent out all live ones in the first 2 nights since the meet re-started - maybe can find a trip and pay a decent
price tonight. (1) MCCCLINCHIE N will likely be cranked up for a good effort from this spot and he's
more than capable with these when the trip goes his way - use in exotics. (3) GINGRAS BEACH is the "x
factor" here - was doing absolutely nothing here in March and April....then shipped across the river and was
a 72-1 winner in his first start over there - his next couple were ok, and we'll see if he brings that "new"
version back to Yonkers. (2) OUR MAJORDAN A banked over $170K last year but has been struggling
mightily in 2021 - feels like a pretty vulnerable favorite right now. (5) ANTHEM N was just able to hang
on in last after cutting the mile with cheaper - will likely be looking at a smaller piece vs. these. (6) SEEUI
NNASHVILLE A seems a bit cheap, though his recent lines are "ok". (4) WESTERN BEACHBOY seems
a bit overmatched here in his current form - wait for an easier spot. (8) TIGERS WAY doesn't figure to be
able to get involved from this terrible spot.