The Empire Report - Thursday, October 20, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (8) HL MAMMOTH was fairly ordinary until changing barns 2 back, then elevating his game
significantly at Fhd. (chasing a wicked 1:25.4 clip on 9/17, then upsetting (at 36-1) in a $70K stake race -
changes barns once again and while it's hard to ever "love" a trotter from Post 8 off a month, this guy sure
seems to have an edge over this otherwise evenly matched field (5) BYINVITEONLY won his career debut
at Fhd. on 9/16, then was 2nd the next week - disappointed as the odds on choice in his next but does add
Lasix for his YR debut, so he very well may have bled that week - should fit nicely here. (2) KNIGHTS
GUARD had a mixed bag of efforts for his previous barn, then looked good at Chester for a new crew last
start - he has just that one start in two months, but several of these have similarly spotty recent schedules -
threat on his best effort. (1) HEADOVERBOOTS AS ships in for a very live barn and gets Bartlett to bail
off a horse from his main meal ticket (#7) - looks a little bit risky, but still worth using if not overbet. (6)
MAGICAL MAJOR doesn't appear to be clicking for one of the sharpest barns around but to be fair, he's
drawn horrible for the last 4 starts - unfortunately, the draw isn't much better tonight! (7) BARRE BELLA
was sent off favored in her first 2 local starts and broke both times - broke in her next 2 qualifiers as well
before finally staying flat last week - obviously the price will be MUCH higher tonight, but it can't be a
good sign that Bartlett opts for #1. (3) AVACAKES was handled aggressively last week but wasn't right,
and stopped on a dime - may be able to rally late for a piece tonight at a BIG price. (4) SQUABLE has been
picking up smaller pieces lately, but still has to be seen as an outsider
RACE 2 - Very tough NW6 division with lots of angles to consider! (3) ARCHERY SEELSTER has been
a steady performer in Canada all year, despite winning only once in 14 starts - he ships down to a trainer/
driver combination that has been terrific here in the past, but still figures to be one of the better prices
among the top contenders in here - one of several possibilities in this difficult race! (4) CHAPHEART gets
a barn change that has really done well in the past, and he's definitely a fan of Yonkers (6-2-1-2) - look for a
strong effort for his new connections. (6) FIREUNSIDEMYVEINS shipped down from Canada last week
to a VERY high % barn and delivered a powerful 1:55.3 blowout - tough post, but hard to leave off your
tickets. (7) PRIMMADONNA DEO hit board in 12 of 13 starts at 2 and has raced well as a 3YO too,
shipping in to Yonkers off a pair of excellent Freehold victories - the talent is there for sure (and Siegelman
knows her well), but she'll be a short price from a tough post in a good field....and there just may be better
value with a few others. (1) BIG CHARLIE MORAN went some big miles here this year and has speed
from the rail - he may not be at his best game right now, however, and there's not much margin for error in
this good field. (5) TIE ONE ON has legitimate ability and rebounded from a miscue here 2 back with a
narrow loss in PA last week - should be a good price, and not a bad one to include in exotics (underneath).
(2) BROOKVIEW BLUTO seems too far off form to be any threat against these
RACE 3 - (6) GAME OF SHADOWS battled long and hard vs. much better last week and was still right
there 3rd at the wire - gets a tough draw for tonight but if she's anywhere as good this week, she'll be very
tough against this lesser bunch. (2) ALTA MADEIRA N is a solid player at this level, and gets major post
relief - should be in the thick of this all the way. (1) CHECKERED PAST came up weak in the lane last
time but she's notoriously inconsistent and may bounce right back with a better effort tonight - willing to
include her underneath. (4) GALLERIA GAL was handled aggressively last time but came up a bit short at
crunch time - may race better with a cover trip here, and rally for a small share. (7) IN LOU OF MONEY
followed the top choice last week but failed to fire in the lane - draws horribly now but does drop in class,
and that might help her land a small share, at a nice price. (5) SCANDALICIOUS suddenly perked up 2
back and followed that up with another good try for 2nd in her last - tonight's class jump may slow her
down a bit, however. (3) IMPRINCESSGEMMAA just hasn't been her good self in some time, and it's
unlikely that having a new trainer listed for tonight is going to change that- prefer others. (8) WOODMERE
SKYROLLER has been better lately, but figures to be too far out of this to have much say
RACE 4 - (1) TECHYS ANGEL A has come 2nd best in her last 3 starts, each time to a pretty nice mare -
draws best tonight, gets a fresh set of hands (Stratton) and maybe it's HER time to get her picture taken. (4)
DRAGON ROLL threw a rare dud last week but the "good" news is that it gets her this class drop - would
be hard to leave this rock solid mare of your tickets at this level. (3) SCARLETT HANOVER had only one
start in 7 weeks before her last but still was able to come up with a VERY strong first over victory - moves
up in class, but still seems sharp enough to have a good say here. (5) ANABELLE HANOVER was
overmatched in the Open 2 back, then drew Post 8 last week - her prior efforts were sharp, however, and
she's in a reasonable spot for tonight - chance for a piece. (7) MORNING HAS BROKEN was a sharp 2nd
best off the claim last week but lands a terrible post for tonight - she doesn't always race as well when used
too hard early on but if she doesn't leave, she may find herself too far out to be a threat - she's still playable,
but insist on a decent price if using on top. (2) DARBY HANOVER raced well in her last few starts but vs.
easier - may be able to just an up close trip here, and stick around for a small share. (8) LADY DELA REN
TAA has been very sharp lately but faces a much tougher field why also drawing Post 8 - not sure she'll be
able to have the same kind of success tonight. (6) DC BATGIRL got it done last week from the rail vs.
cheaper, but she'll need to up her game to be a threat against these
RACE 5 - (4) ITZPAPALOTL put in a long sustained (wide) move last week and was still digging at the
end - she's had a hard time getting things going this year, but may finally be on the right track now - worth
a shot tonight at what should be a fair price. (1) GINGER TREE LIZ was really good for much of this year
but has been showing some wear and tear lately - hard to not respect her chances with the class drop and
the rail, but it's also hard to "love" her at what figures to be a pretty short price. (3) SARAHS LILLY came
up a with a big mile in that win 2 back but was just "ok" in last week's victory - she steps up another notch
here, and will need to be back on her "A Game" for a chance at the top prize. (2) NORMANS MADELINE
was a sharp winner 2 back but came up a little short when driven very aggressively last week - she remains
inside, and could grab a decent piece here. (8) EDGE OF ETERNITY showed good life finishing 2 back
from Post 8 (off the barn change) and was able to convert with a win last week when handled aggressively
off the class drop - gets stuck outside once more moving back up in class, and that figures to limit her to a
smaller share this time around. (5) TEMPUS SEELSTER shipped back off a pair of nice Tioga wins but has
been just "ok" - would consider using underneath, but just doesn't seem up for more than that right now. (6)
ROCKNROLL ANNIE found a soft spot and was able to wire a cheaper field for her first win of the year
last week - it may help her confidence, but she still seems like an unlikely repeater from this much tougher
spot. (7) CHELSKI was dull in her YR return last week and now lands Post 7 - prefer others.
RACE 6 - (1) FAVORITE AUNT enjoyed an excellent 3YO season in Ohio compiling a 15-3-7-2 record
that included an OhSS win at Northfield in 1:55.3, and a 3rd place finish in the Final - she lands in a barn
that always does super with these types, and we'll hop on board for her Yonkers debut. (3) LOOKS LIKE
MONI is another talented 3YO making his first start at Yonkers after chasing stakes horses all year long - if
he behaves he'll surely be the main danger to the top choice....but he does seem a little iffy, and it's hard to
say how he'll fare over the half miler. (2) BACKSTREET PLAYER is a solid 7-1-3-2 here at YR, and the
good draw will keep him close to the action from the start - could easily land somewhere on this ticket. (6)
CANTSTOP YANKEE has shown ability whenever he sticks to trotting - could grab a share (despite the
draw) if he minds his manners. (4) EXCHEQUER is just 1 for 29 locally and often hangs badly at the end -
that being said, he does get some post relief, and is a reasonable bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) COUNT JOGGING
was 2nd at 55-1 in his local debut but then just fell apart from the two hole last week - another ok bomb for
the very bottom of the ticket. (7) SLAVE LABOUR feels a bit too cheap and also draws horribly - prefer to
just watch the newcomer tonight. (8) JESSIES OUTLAWED had a good 2021 season...not so much in
2022, however
RACE 7 - Good race! (2) BETTERB CHEVRON N put in a good bid last week against LUCKY ARTIST
A and can be forgiven for fading to 4th after being repelled - this race is going to come down to trip...and
she's one of several that could take this IF things go her way. (3) JIVE DANCING A shipped in razor sharp
from PA, went a HUGE mile on 10/6 (parked every step and still able to finish 2nd) but was hurt by poor
cover on an off track last week - her best effort could make her a big threat. (4) THE STUNNING NUN N
ships in for a very live barn and her solid out of town form suggests she'll fit nicely here - add her to the list
of possible winners. (1) GOLDEN QUEST N was doing good work out of town for the Dynamic Duo but
had no chance from Post 7 in her YR return - moves all the way inside and has to be respected....but she
may also end up being overdriven (at a short price) tonight. (8) JODY had been knocking on the door for
weeks but just didn't fire her best shot when 4th last week - may just have too far to come tonight. (5) ROB
YN CAMDEN debuts tonight (off the layoff) for our leading trainer (apparently his reputation has spread
all the way to Dublin, where her owner resides) - hard to endorse her on top at that 5/2 ML price in a field
this solid. (7) BABS JANSEN prefers to be in a little cheaper - she CAN hold her own at this level too (see
last week), but generally needs a much better post to do so. (6) SEZANA N is usually camera shy but does
have a couple of recent wins - seems overmatched with these, however
RACE 8 - (3) MAGICAL MISTRESS was 3rd last week behind a couple of sharp rivals (who sat 1-2
around the track) and gets to take a double drop for tonight - may land on the winning trip in a race with a
few very solid players. (6) VIOLETS RAINBOW was well backed for her 2nd start off the layoff last
week, controlled things on the front end but still weakened in the lane - she may have disliked the off going
and she'll definitely be a much better price tonight - couldn't blame anybody looking to give her another
chance. (4) ANDRA DAY has been good since pairing up with her current barn, and might have been a
winner last week had she found room up the cones - another live one to consider. (1) BETTORS HEART N
is good right now but also figures to be overbet from this spot - she's just 1 for 17 here over the last 2 years,
so don't fall in love at a short price. (2) LINE EM UP really improved after joining this barn on 7/21 but
went on the shelf after her 8/18 start and just qualified back on 10/7 - might be a little short tonight, but
we'll see. (5) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY finally seemed to be finding her form recently but leveled off in
her last couple - needs to find more if she hopes to be a player here. (8) JOYRIDE HANOVER has just one
start in 6 weeks but it was a nice win at Chester - that was 3 weeks ago, and now she lands Post 8 for her
YR return - leaning towards others. (7) AMERICAN DELIGHT N feels a little on the cheap side, and also
gets stuck with a terrible draw
RACE 9 - (4) BALFAST N struggled since returning from a recent layoff but looked WAY better last
week, on the bit the whole way and almost upsetting the prohibitive choice - worth hopping on board this
week. (7) IDEATION HANOVER landed in an impossible spot last week and really wasn't bad - she
definitely fits here, and has a chance to upset if things go her way. (1) IRON MISTRESS is 0 for 9 here this
year but did win 3 of 16 the prior 2 years - has speed from the rail and looms a legitimate threat...but won't
offer any value with that 8.5 ML price. (2) ELLEOFADELI raced much better in her last pair at Chester
after the barn change, and simply had no chance at all here last week - moves inside, and a much better
effort is expected. (8) ALWAYSBECOOL is tough to predict from week to week but she does come up with
some big efforts, and deserves at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (3) LADYBELUCKYTONITE is just 1
for 27 this year, but remains a threat to at least grab a small piece from a good spot like this. (5) TALL
POPPY N has been picking up only smaller pieces for a while, and seems likely to do no better tonight. (6)
SOUND IDEA just has way more bad efforts than good ones this year.