The Empire Report - Friday, August 26, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (2) CASHNCAM has a couple of recent wins, when he was able to sit close-up easy trips -
actually finished okay from Post 8 last start, and may be looking at a nice trip with the move inside - worth
a stab at that 20-1 ML price in this wide open affair. (4) FARMERS TAN was sent off favored in his local
debut, landed on a pocket trip and was able to beat a soft field - moves to a new barn for tonight, and is
eligible to make it 2 in a row....but won't be much of a price. (3) KENRICK N missed all of 2021 and has
been racing himself back into shape after recently returning to the racing wars - no chance last week (8
hole, vs. 20s) but now drops in class, moves inside, and may be a good value play. (1) LETTUCERIPRITA
A will attract plenty of attention moving inside and going from his owner in the bike to Dube, but note that
he lost to #2 three starts back after cutting the mile - could be vulnerable at a short price. (6) WAVES OF
FIRE A was favored against these 5 starts back, and beat them 4 starts down - couldn't blame anybody
looking to try him at a big price here. (5) IDEAL SON raced well here in 2021 (3 for 9) but has only
recently returned after missing 9 months - interesting to see the Dynamic Duo employing OTHERS to train
a horse that the own. (7) ACES ROCK has been a disappointment overall since arriving here, and tonight's
post isn't going to help the situation. (8) SARATOGA BLUE CHIP showed nice improvement for a new
barn last week but that was from the pole, and now he's stuck all the way outside
RACE 2 - (3) SAMSON BLUE CHIP was handled aggressively last week but had no 2nd move after a
shuffle - he lands in a field where the favorites could be very vulnerable, and maybe this is a field he can
take wire to wire? (1) EPIC ACE is having a tough year but if he's ever going to get a wake up call, it
would be from a spot like this - consider if the price is long. (2) VENIER HANOVER has new connections
listed for this week and despite having NO recent form, he'll likely be sent off as the prohibitive odds-on
favorite - there's certainly a chance he'll just reverse form completely and crush these...but at a very short
price, it may be worth taking a shot against him. (6) STANFORD COURT can beat MUCH better than
these when "right", but his clunkers have outnumbered his big efforts - caught a fast mile re-qualifying after
a brief freshening, and it's hard to guess what we'll see from him tonight. (7) MOHAWK WARRIOR was at
least competitive last week after a pair of duds - terrible post, but oh to throw him in underneath. (5) REME
MBER THE BEACH gave it a shot last week but landed on a brutal trip and lost any chance - maybe can
grab a piece tonight? (4) KAUAI KING was ok 2 back, but is now 18-0-2-1 here at Yonkers
RACE 3 - (8) RISKY MILLION certainly benefited from a hot duel in front of him last week but he also
left the others in the dust once they turned for home - he'll need more good luck to get it done from out here
but the price will likely be decent...making him worth considering. (1) SWAGASAURUSREX raced pretty
well last week considering ultra-aggressive tries generally don't agree with him - a more patient steer
tonight just may pay dividends. (4) MAJESTIC KIWI N was 2nd behind the top choice last week in a solid
effort - fits well with these, and we'll see how he goes for a new barn tonight. (7) PROVOCATIVEPRINCE
N really does his best work on the lead and may have to pay a heavy price to get there tonight - can't rule
him out, but make sure to get a good price if using on top. (5) TEXAS TERROR N is a tough call - he was
away poorly last week and seemed headed for a well-beaten finish but was definitely pacing a lot better at
the end - good to see him right back in the box, and he would be worth a look....IF the price is decent. (2)
MARTY MONKHOUSER A hit the top last week, was over the half in :58 seconds and that spelled trouble
for the rest of 'em - seems unlikely that he can have things nearly as easy against these, though (6) ASTON
HILL DAVE was on a good roll but was no factor last week - drops a notch to 25s, and we'll see if that puts
him back on track. (3) FOX VALLEY INFERNO left a hot barn 3 starts back and has struggled ever since
RACE 4 - (1) HAYEK is the somewhat reluctant choice here - he's just better than these if anything even
close to his best....but he ships in tonight off a clunker 2 back (against MUCH better), and a miscue in his
last - we'll have faith that his (top) barn will have him ready....but wouldn't bet the rent money at a short
price! (6) MISSION VOYAGE likely needed that last start from Post 8 (and really wasn't bad) - may be
able to add some value to the exotics here. (3) ARABELLAS CADET seems headed in the right direction
now, draws well, and a decent trip could land her a good piece of this. (4) NEW HEAVEN is not having his
best season, but this is still a level where he has to be considered a legitimate player - one of many possible
contenders in here. (5) ZIG ZAG tends to be inconsistent but he comes into tonight off a pair of solid tries,
and may have another one coming. (2) WILLY WALTON will be class tested against these, and it's hard to
say how that'll work out - we'll learn more about him after tonight. (7) MAGICAL JOURNEY has found
some (much) better form in PA recently, and has been clawing his way back up the class ladder - draws
poorly for his Hilltop return, however, and that could be an issue. (8) MADHATTER BLUECHIP figures to
be a spectator from this terrible spot
RACE 5 - (3) MAROMA BEACH has been holding his own and picking up decent pieces vs. better
recently - he catches a beatable field as he drops to the bottom level, and his barn has been sending out
some pretty live ones lately - worth a play in here. (2) ODDS ON DELRAY was hammered down to 3/5 off
the barn change last week but stalled to the top of the lane after being out into the fastest part of the mile -
obvious threat tonight, but likely to be overbet once more. (1) VIRGIN STORM hasn't found his better
game in some time, but has to be considered a threat for a board spot starting from the pole. (5) MISSILE
SEELSTER has been mostly facing much better, but with little success - should be able to at least have
some presence against this weaker bunch. (6) CINNABAR DRAGON has been off form for a while, but
he's another with license to improve with the drop to the basement (where he was 2nd, three starts back) -
outside draw won't help, though. (4) BETTER BE OSCAR A was an even 4th off the easy trip last week -
needs to find more if he hopes to get a better result here. (8) AINTNOBETTOR A was able to pick up a 3rd
last start in a solid try....but faces a long haul trying to reach from out here. (7) DRY RIDGE ACE just
seems too far out to have any real impact
RACE 6 - (4) KENZIESKY HANOVER wasn't at her best when 3rd last week but she can be sharper
tonight - feels like a spot where she can be handled aggressively....with a decent chance to come out on top.
(1) WARRIOR ONE hasn't been at his best since returning from the layoff, but clearly he hasn't been "bad"
- he'll either cut this mile or sit the pocket, and he'll be right there at the end either way. (6) NEXTROUND
SONME has been sharp for ages, and absolutely fits with these - hard to predict his trip from Post 6, but he
has a chance at a good piece if it's a decent one. (5) SECRET BRO came back sharp off the freshening but
has leveled off at these higher levels - likely looking at only a minor share. (7) TOCCOA FALLS has been
solid all year, but faces a tough task from Post 7 - may have to wait for a better spot. (3) LADY JETER
hung in there better than expected up in class last week when 4th, but may have a hard time matching that
performance tonight - prefer others. (2) IM THE MUSCLE is at his best on the lead, vs. softer - doesn't feel
like his kind of spot
RACE 7 - (2) MACHIAVELLI was sent off at 4/5 last week DESPITE exiting our leading barn AND
jumping up two classes...and probably could have won had he not been brutalized for the lead through a
sizzling opening quarter - drops to 20s, catches a soft group, and has a very good chance to make amends.
(1) TERRITORY should have regained some confidence with a pair of good Monti starts - he fits well at
this level, draws the pole and can be close from start to finish. (3) JUST WAVE GOODBYE has always
been a bit inconsistent but he ships in from Monti showing a pair of recent wins, he's 20-1 ML and may be
able to add some value to an otherwise short looking ticket. (5) OUR THIRD ROCK was no factor in his
local debut but struggled chasing a very hot pace - he still lasted for 5th, and may be able to improve on
that a bit tonight. (8) SPORTS BETTOR has been pretty decent in most of his recent starts but just had no
luck at all with the draw tonight- will need Brennan to find him a manageable trip for any shot at a piece of
this. (6) PACING MAJOR N looks good on paper, but really wasn't as sharp in his last couple - exits a top
barn and lands outside...and may be a bit vulnerable tonight at a shortish price. (4) JOJOS PLACE just
hasn't been good in ages, and is hard to recommend right now. (7) SUNSETBOOZECRUISE probably
needs a much better draw to be a player in this class.
RACE 8 - (6) HILLEXOTIC has been on what feels like a lifetime form spree, and has blossomed into a
strong Open trotter at age 5 - he returns to YR off a pair of excellent starts (in NJ and PA) and looks to
avenge his last two losses to STORMY KROMER - we'll look for him to do just that, even from Post 6. (3)
STORMY KROMER hit the top in his last 2 local starts and was a sharp winner both times, beating the top
choice - would hardly be a shock if he was able to do it again. (2) MISSISSIPPI STORM hasn't been as
good (so far) this year, but steps back up off a pair of confidence building victories, and we'll see if he's
ready to start battling Open types on a consistent basis again (the kind post assignment won't hurt, either).
(1) HAT TRICK MARLEAU doesn't seem up for this type in his current form, but at least he starts from
the pole - he'll try to just tow along as best he could, and hope to take home a small check. (5) B NICKING
was stuck in the back off a bad date at Chester last week, but still only lost by 4 lengths - he's gone plenty
of rugged miles here at YR, but is a bit unproven at this top level...and he'll likely be coming from the back
tonight as well - tough spot (not sure why he and #4 had to draw for posts 3-6 when they are CLEARLY
below the top two choices!). (4) LEAN HANOVER seems to need a good trip in a cheaper class to be
effective these days
RACE 9 - (5) KEYSTONE DASH has always been wildly inconsistent, just as likely to win a $30K
claimer as LOSE in the bottom class - he's certainly feeling good right now, though, and moves to a barn
that can keep them feeling pretty good, most of the time - good chance to make it 3 in a row. (7) SOHO
WALLSTREET A obviously wasn't serious last week when Bartlett opted off his best client to drive
another horse (these have been "auto-tosses" all year) - our leading driver is up to drive tonight, however,
and we may see a much better effort in the 2nd start off the claim - not a bad week to give him a look. (3)
GOTHIC ROCK seems to always race well off the pace, but then gets cooked when placed on the front end
(although he certainly gets a pass after getting really roughed up last week) - can rebound with a better try
here, at a decent price. (4) BARRYWHITE HANOVER was struggling when last seen here but seems to
have found some much better form in PA - maybe he can use his speed to grab a share tonight? (6) NOAHS
MILL has raced better locally than his 20-1 ML price might suggest - good one to include underneath in
exotics. (1) SWEET N FAST N will attract some $$ from the pole but his only "good" recent try was when
he won a "fall apart" race 4 starts down - may be vulnerable here. (2) SECRECY seems to do his best when
in cheap at Chester - the good draw helps, but still sticking with others. (8) JESSICAS BEACH BOY is
good right now...but not that good that we'd endorse him from Post 8 in a $25K claimer
RACE 10 - (3) HEAVENLY SOUND was so overloaded in traffic through the lane last week he almost
went down - doesn't mean he'll be "super" tonight with a more aggressive steer, but he's still getting top
billing....looking back at his jogburger win in this class 3 starts down. (4) MY MIND IS MADEUP finished
with life dropping to this level last week, and should find a way to be a player tonight - including him on
your tickets. (5) ON THE VIRG beat cheaper in PA as the favorite 2 back - was sent off at 41-1 returning to
YR (facing better from Post 7) and really benefited from a hotly contested pace, sweeping the field to win it
- he'll obviously be a lot shorter price now, but it's hard to just dismiss him - tough call. (6) MONTY
MONO perked up with a much better effort dropping to this level last week - definitely willing to include
him in exotics. (8) HES ELECTRIC has one good move in him - he's up in class and draws Post 8, but still
a good bomb for 3rd/4th. (1) TOM ME GUN was a nice winner last start in the Italian/American Friendship
Pace, picking up his first win of the season - faces tougher now, but the rail doesn't hurt -- maybe can
squeeze out a small share? (2) KNOCKING AROUND is just 2 for 46 at Yonkers over the past 2 seasons,
and has thrown his share of duds - prefer others. (7) SEEUINNASHVILLE A raced TWICE in NW10000
despite fitting at the bottom level - he was well back both times, and now he drops in NW7500....once again
failing to take advantage of the class he still fits - puzzling, and still a pass.