The Empire Report - Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (2) SANTAFES COACH had been struggling but came alive last week, handled aggressively
from the start then 2nd best to a solid winner who had things all to himself up front - drops to the bottom
level here, and clearly is the one to knock off. (1) MISTER SPOT A is another that enjoyed a wake up call
last week, finishing full of pace after angling through the lane - could be the main danger. (6) SAILBOAT
HANOVER gets a pass for his last (wiped out), but does throw more weaker efforts than better ones - he
did beat this class back in December, though, so at least give him a look at that 20-1 ML price. (3) MCSPI
DEY has a chance at a piece thanks to the good draw, but note that he's 11-0-0-0 at Yonkers over the past 3
seasons. (7) BILBO HANOVER keeps drawing outside and that's kept him from being any kind of player -
maybe can beat a few of the lesser ones? (4) SUNKEN TREASURE was overdriven last week and was
only 4th because the other 4 were wiped out - barn really struggling to start off 2022. (5) CLAYTONS BET
TOR N was terrible in his last couple - waiting for better signs. (8) CHEYENNE REIJANE is the outsider,
both literally and figuratively
RACE 2 - Good race: (1) GENIUS MAN picked up a win and had a nose loss cutting two miles recently,
but actually was very sharp finishing when he raced off the pace in two others (just too far back to pick up
bigger pieces) - maybe he can work out a stalking trip in this competitive field and roll by at the end? (4)
CASUAL COOL drops a notch after coming up 2nd and 3rd best one level up in his last pair - fits perfectly
with these, and is a very legitimate threat. (2) SHADOW CAT drops down to the level he beat 3 starts back
and has to be respected in this spot - not sure he's at his absolute best right now, so make sure to get a fair
price if using him on top. (5) SPOILERONTHEBEACH won at this level at 40-1 3 starts back, and it was a
legitimately terrific effort- solid pace finishing up in class in his next, then Post 8 in his last - draws outside
a few main foes here, but still a good value horse for the bottom of exotics. (6) TELL THEM LOU is a
solid performer for a barn doing good work for the past few months - class jump and outside draw may
limit him a bit for tonight, though. (7) MONEYMAN HILL gets a drop out of the highest priced claimers,
but gets stuck with yet another terrible post - prefer to wait for a better spot. (3) NOME HANOVER seems
a bit overmatched against these.
RACE 3 - (4) ITSMYCHECK GB gave way badly 2 and 3 starts back but his last effort was more like it -
drops down to the level he beat (as the favorite) on 11/30 (in the midst of a 3 race win streak), and can
come out on top again...assuming he's over whatever was bugging him recently. (8) IM BENICIO A was a
very encouraging 3rd in his first start back off the layoff (after tailing badly at the end of last year) - has a
chance to make some noise here, even from Post 8. (3) FLYING FINN N hasn't been all that sharp since a
recent claim, but tonight's class drop may help him have more of an impact - ok for exotics. (6) ROCK LIG
HTS was a well backed winner vs. cheaper, racing off almost 5 months, and showing a pretty shaky qua. -
steps up. draws outside, and will need to be even better tonight to be a serious player once more. (7) FIZZI
NG N seems off his game right now and lands outside - seems like an unlikely spot but on his best, can at
least have a chance at a piece. (2) HES ELECTRIC doesn't have the greatest YR history but the inside draw
may allow him to grab a minor share. (1) MAURICE seems overmatched against these, even from the pole.
(5) REAL LUCKY N drops, but just hasn't looked good at all lately - prefer to just observe right now
RACE 4 - (5) DON DOMINGO N just wasn't "right" last week, giving way to the winner without a fight,
then really folding badly from the final turn - it seems like a good sign that he's right back in the box, and
his price will surely go up off that last line (despite the class drop) - willing to give him a shot against a
couple of risky favorites. (1) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR was right there with better last time, and is a very
logical threat from the pole tonight - figures to be a very short price, though, and note that he's just 1 for 17
here at Yonkers. (3) GLACIS figured to be a bad favorite last week and sure enough, he never really got
into the hunt - could happen again tonight, at another fairly short price. (4) HUNDIE N would normally be
a big threat in a spot like this but his barn is off to an atrocious start in 2022, and it's hard to use this guy on
top at a fairly short price. (8) BETTER UP was 3 for 14 here last year, and does fit with these - if you think
he can overcome Post 8, the reward will be there. (6) THREE DRAGONS gets a barn change for new
connections but The Meadows shipper just seems much cheaper than these. (2) CAMPORA N made breaks
in 2 of his last 3 - too risky right now. (7) MIGHTY MR SHARKEY N doesn't seem nearly sharp enough
to overcome the outside draw
RACE 5 - (1) LINNYCALLEDFRANKIE seemed to appreciate the time off, qualifying back nicely then
looking full of pace while trapped in the back in his return try - moves all the way inside, and this seems
like a good week to give him a shot. (6) SAULSBROOK HERO didn't fire his best shot last week but gets
some class relief tonight, and may be able to make his presence felt late...if the trip goes his way. (3) GAM
BLING ADDICTION has hit board in 4 of 6 local starts, and was a game first over 3rd last week - could
easily be in the mix with the right journey. (8) DANCE IT OUT has been sharp for a while, and just missed
last week adding Lasix (when clear too late) - not sure if he can reach from out here, but the price will be
right if you want to try him. (4) SETH HANOVER also added Lasix last week, and despite looking
vulnerable all through the lane, managed to somehow just hang on for the win - remains a threat to take
another, but there may be some better value with a few others. (5) FIRST GLANCE picked up a win and a
3rd in 2 local tries, but vs. a bit easier - may be a notch below a couple of the main players, but we'll find
out for sure tonight. (2) BET ON BLAKE is capable of having a say here on his best effort, but he's just a
bit too unreliable for our tastes. (7) FROMASHESTOASHES N moves up and draws outside - prefer others
RACE 6 - Tough race: (7) ALOTBETTOR N was our choice last week, but he let DON DOMINGO N cut
that mile, then got stuck behind that tired rival and lost any chance - very tough spot tonight, but still worth
using at what figures to be a pretty juicy price. (2) GENTLEMAN JIM II IE is shipping in showing what
looks like pretty good form, gets a big switch to Stratton, and has faced better here in the past - very logical
player. (4) MACH DORO A hasn't been on his best game lately, but he's capable of a big effort at any time
- chance here if he can find one of his better efforts. (8) PARTY WHIP hasn't been clicking over in NJ in
his last few but he joins a barn that has been sending out a lot of live ones lately (and at some big prices), so
don't be afraid to include him on some tickets. (1) FOUR STAR FLASH raced MUCH better last week,
putting in a crisp move and holding well at the end - if he can replicate that effort, he can take home a piece
of this. (3) SMOKIN BY N seems to need a bit easier right now - maybe a small piece? (6) EL JACKO N
was no factor at all in his local debut last week - seems capable of better, but not ready to hop on his team
just yet, (5) KASEY JOHN N has tailed off - waiting for better signs from him
RACE 7 - (5) FEELIN RED HOT appreciated the time off and delivered a blowout win in her first start of
2022 - won't say that she's a "cinch" to do it again, but she'll certainly be hard to knock off if anywhere near
as sharp tonight. (2) THUNDRA came up 2nd best to the top choice last time (first time Lasix) and her
overall form since joining these connections has been excellent - seems the main danger. (4) TALL POPPY
N was off the layoff last week and had to work very hard in the pocket just to stay close to the top choice -
should benefit from that start, and could be even better tonight. (1) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE was no factor in
her first try at this level but is looking at a much better trip from this spot, and could have a bigger impact.
(7) MORNING HAS BROKEN charged home for 3rd on 2/3 then was solid in NJ the next week - gets no
draw luck returning to YR, and figures to be coming from too far back for more than a smaller share. (6)
MILLWOOD BONNIE had been close for weeks before finally breaking through with the win last time -
that was 3 weeks ago, however, and the time off could hurt her a bit tonight. (3) RABLE seems like she
might be just a bit below the main players - wouldn't be shocked to see her land a piece, but still sticking
with others. (8) TEAM KIWIN draws Post 8 off 4 qualifiers and we'll just be observing, for now
RACE 8 - (5) SON OF A TIGER N has only made a few US starts and just seems like he's better than he
looks on paper right now - there's a chance that things could get a little testy up front here...maybe this is a
spot where he can make one late burst and pace by them in the lane. (3) WEONA SIZZLER A failed to
threaten off the class drop last week but drops another notch tonight, and also draws much better - could be
a lot more dangerous this time. (2) ROLL WITH JR got wiped out off turn two last week so just give him a
pass for that - seemed to be coming around prior to that and as mentioned, this barn is sending out a lot of
very live ones right now - worth including. (6) DAAMERICANSKY will attract plenty of attention as it's
no secret how successful this barn has been since re-appearing at Yonkers last year - on the flip side, he's
pretty one-dimensional, and has had some struggles at The Hilltop in the past - mixed feelings for tonight.
(1) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN is in his first realistic spot in ages....he'll be a big "go" tonight for sure... but
the question is whether he's fallen too far off form for it to matter. (8) BECKHAMS Z TAM has a ton of
back class but the 8YO raced only 6X in 2021-22, and also draws Post 8 - will watch, but sticking with
others for tonight. (4) IM J BEE N just seems a bit below the main players in here - wait for an easier spot.
(7) MOHAWK WARRIOR drops all the way down to the basement, but this field has some solid players in
it, and he gets stuck with Post 7 - not sure he can overcome it, right now
RACE 9 - (4) CANDY TRADER was a talented 2YO up North, banking $100K - made only one start at 3,
but his 4YO season is off to a good looking start since joining the Dynamic Duo - appears the one to beat
off those NJ lines, but he'll also likely be overbet here - proceed with caution. (2) HIGH ST CORRIDOR
was knocking on the door in his first 2 starts of the year, then was a pocket rocket winner in his last (over a
rival that came back with a BIG win the next week) - could be a serious threat here. (1) HES GONNA GET
YA has Indiana/Illinois lines that suggest he'll fit well here, and lands in a barn that has done well the past
few months, including with fresh horses like this - the bad date is the concern, though. (5) IMOUTTHEDO
OR is 6-3-2-1 since arriving from Iowa...where he was the 3YO Champion - draws outside 3 main rivals,
but still deserves plenty of respect. (8) ARTS ATTITUDE has been close at the end in all 3 local starts, but
seems destined for a much smaller piece from all the way out here. (6) JET ACE won his last two, but in
easier spots - will have to prove that he can succeed against these better ones. (3) WESTERN WALTZ was
no factor in his local debut, but perhaps some post relief will help. (7) BALI BEACH moves up to NW4
after a 4th place finish in NW2 - wait for an easier spot
RACE 10 - (3) ROCKAPELO finally came up with a long overdue sharp local try last week, coming up
2nd best to the sharp frontrunner after a first over trip - he should be able to build off that and have a good
chance against these - but don't bet the rent money if he ends up overbet! (1) PATRIOT NATION was hurt
by poor cover last week but still kicked home with plenty of pace - was claimed for $75K that night, and
draws best here for his new connections - should have a big say in this. (2) SHANWAY N never got
involved at all from Post 7 last week but he drops right back in the box, and any of his "typical" efforts
would give him a good chance of landing somewhere in the exotics. (7) PRETTY HANDSOME finished
with alert pace from an impossible spot last week and he seems ready to deliver a big effort - gets another
terrible draw, however, and it's hard to say if Kakaley will be able to get him into the hunt tonight - good
value, for sure. (4) ROCKATHON was 2nd to the sharp winner last week but also enjoyed the nice 2 hole
trip - may not fare as well tonight with a tougher journey. (5) UNCLE JORD A seems better suited one
level down but his barn has really been clicking, and an easy trip may allow him to at least pick up a minor
share. (6) WHITE HAIR ROCKS went an eternity without winning a race but he comes into tonight off
TWO straight victories since changing barns - draws outside while facing better, so we'll see if he can still
keep it rolling. (8) AMERICAN BOY N was unable to sustain his first over move last week (as the
favorite) and now draws Post 8 in a solid field - wait for a better spot.
RACE 11 - (3) EHRMANTROUT was tailing at the end of the year and the time off probably was to his
benefit - can beat better than these when "right", and his qualifier suggests he may return ready for action -
gets the nod in the finale. (4) VENIER HANOVER had hit the skids in a big way but his owner shifted him
from one of his trainers to another, and the major form reversal was instantaneous -- moves up a notch off
last week's blowout score, and is quite capable of taking another. (2) PROVEN DESIRE has been pretty
steady vs. better for several weeks - faces easier here, and has a decent chance to take home a nice piece.
(1) PEPPER GUY should end up with a pretty good trip from this spot - would like him better in a little
cheaper, but he can still grab a decent share against these...at least from the pole. (6) MCCLINCHIE N
picked up a 3rd in NW15000 last week and drops down to the level he beat on 12/6 - not a great draw, but
would still include him underneath in exotics. (8) ST LADS BEAT IT just toured the oval from a similar
spot last week and now is in the same boat, only vs. better - have to believe another conservative try is
coming. (5) LOUIE LOUIE was a winner off the layoff across the river last week, but vs. easier - figures to
find this crew a lot tougher. (7) EPIC ACE is a legit player at this level, but another outside draw may leave
him waiting at least another week for a better starting spot