The Empire Report – Thursday, February 15, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (4) STEUBEN HANOVER went down as the favorite in his last 3 starts but
to be fair, he came up 2nd best to sharp winners in his last pair – he’ll be favored again, but this may be a bunch that
he can handle...but avoid taking too short a price on top. (3) BRAVE BY DESIGN was a decent 3rd in his first start
off the claim – fits very well with this crew, and may prove the main danger. (7) WILLY WALTON worked out a
beautiful pocket trip last week and came up a strong 2nd best to the sharp winner (at 14-1) – chance to land on the
ticket (at a good price) once more. (1) INN AT RODANTHE really hasn’t been all that great but he did put in a nice
recovery after an early miscue last week – we’ll see if he can take advantage of the rail and be a part of this. (5) NE
WSBOY ended up with an impossible trip last week after being unable to complete a retake at the quarter – his
overall form is solid, though losing Bartlett will hurt a bit. (2) X O X O gets what seems like some class relief but
may just be too far off form to capitalize. (8) INFINITY STONE really needs a better post in an easier field to
seriously threaten. (6) BELLA CAVALLA was well back upon arrival from Canada (now 4-0-0-0 at Yonkers)
RACE 2 – (5) NOWS THE MOMENT won 10 of 24 starts here last year and is already 2 for 2 to start off 2024 – he
rarely “crushes” the competition, but he just finds way to keep his head/neck in front time after time...and may do
so again tonight. (4) YANKS DUGOUT is feeling mighty good these days and brings a 3 race winning streak into
tonight – he avoided the top choice last week, and we’ll see what happens when they square off tonight. (3) ROYAL
TY BEER got rolling a little too late 2 and 3 back and came up just a little short at the wire – last week’s front end
strategy didn’t work out, so the guess is that he’ll look to rally again tonight...always ok to consider at a good price.
(2) CREDIT CON is right there every start, though picking up more 2nds and 3rds than wins lately – can never be
counted out. (1) EPOS OSTERVANG DK has hit board for what feels like a zillion straight weeks, but we’ll see if
that streak holds up here, as he’ll be facing much tougher than usual.
RACE 3 – (2) ABRUZZO was hurt by a slew of leavers last week and forced to retreat (after being wide early), had
traffic issues trying to get into the hunt from the back then actually had trot into the lane, but with no real room to
show it – he doesn’t always bring his best but when he does, he can be a pretty nice trotter – worth a play tonight?
(3) EMOTIONS RICHES is a streaky sort that is clearly hitting on all cylinders right now – he’s jogged in his last 3
starts, and is a serious threat to extend that streak to 4. (4) HIGHLAND MOWGLI was in the same race as the top
choice last week and also forced to change plans at the start – IF he can hit the top in here, he can be part of the
equation. (5) P L OSCAR was outkicked last week but that was in the Open, and he wasn’t far off – this class suits
him well, but drawing outside a few live ones may hurt a bit – definitely ok for exotics. (6) EUROBOND broke on
the lead 2 back, but Bartlett was able to hold him together to win on the front last week – faces tougher now from a
bad post, and MAY be a bit vulnerable as the ML favorite. (1) THE LAST CHAPTER is undeniably sharp but he’ll
be facing much tougher tonight, and it’s hard to say if he can be as effective
RACE 4 – (2) WARRIOR ONE made an unexpected miscue 2 back but was solid last week for 4th, after a
conservative trip – he gets significant class relief for tonight, and he’ll surely be calling the shots – the one to beat, if
anything close to 100%. (5) B NICKING is also getting a drop after being a close 4th in last week’s Invitational –
hard to foresee a bad trip in this short field, and he could be a threat should the top one falter. (1) JULA MUSCLE
PACK should benefit from last week’s tightener at The Swamp – he usually does his best work with a bit cheaper
but the barn has been SO good to start off 2024, anything they send out has to be taken seriously right now. (3) HOO
LIE N HECTOR benefited from an easy trip last week then rallied in the lane for 2nd, making his first start since
November (and racing for a new barn) – another easy trip could help him grab a good piece here too. (4) SOUTHWI
ND ARTURO has missed a couple of months, and may need a start or two before we see his best
RACE 5 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (3) PERRON was very live 2 back but made a costly miscue after hitting the
early lead – was stuck with no chance from the back last week, but did finish ok – catches a pretty soft division here,
and a clean effort can make him very dangerous. (7) TOP ME OFF was handled very aggressively last week, finally
wearing down the tough frontrunner before getting gobbled up himself by the fresh closers – very live player here
despite another bad draw. (2) LOOK IN MY EYES had a useful tightener last week and his barn has sent out some
live stock recently – he’s on the cheaper side, but still may be able to land somewhere on the ticket. (6) PIVOTAL
caught a pretty soft bunch two back and was able to tough out a win – didn’t fare as well vs. a tougher bunch last
week, and this crew is somewhere in-between...maybe a small slice? (1) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO was way
overbet last start and gave way in the lane after cutting the mile – needs a lot better stamina to be a real player here.
(5) FLIP THE SWITCH had an amazing 2022 (for that year’s leading trainer) but was 0 for 10 here in ’23, while
just 1 for 15 overall – he can definitely improve on last week’s outing, but hard to give him an endorsement at that
3-1 ML price. (4) SAID N DONE AS still seems a bit below these – maybe minor scraps? (8) IM THE MUSCLE
gets a potentially big barn change, but the draw may limit his chances for tonight.
RACE 6 – (8) HURRIKANE GEORGIE had an amazing 2022 season – he struggled through much of 2023 but did
find his form late in the year, and was a solid 2nd last week in his 2nd start of 2024 – he was claimed that night by a
barn off to a fast start this meet, and this guy may be able to provide quick dividends, even from Post 8. (2) STOP
STARING steps up off last week’s claim but he comes off a sharp front end victory, is looking at another good trip
tonight and does seem to get along well with Stratton – could be a very live player. (6) THE BEST TYME EVER
always acted like he may prefer a bigger track so it’s no surprise to see how well he’s been thriving at The Swamp –
he returns to YR at a higher level than when he left, but he may be sharp enough right now to still have a big say. (5)
GDS THUNDER GB had faltered in a few local starts before pouncing on last week’s perfect trip and coming up
with the victory – this figures to be a much tougher assignment, so we’ll see if he can be a player with these too. (4)
IMABEACHBOY ships in off a win across the river but feels like he may be on the cheaper side – maybe a small
piece? (3) DA GHETTO WIZARD is generally unreliable – leaning towards others in here. (1) SHUFFLE UP HAN
OVER has been terrible – he adds Lasix for tonight, but will need a major turnaround to be a serious player. (7)
ONE CRAZY GUY was scratched injured after a dull try in his seasonal return
RACE 7 – Tough race: (7) LEVINE should benefit from that 3rd in NJ last week in his 2nd start of the year – have to
believe Bartlett will handle him aggressively tonight, and a decent trip would make him dangerous down at this
level. (2) CYRUS N returned sharp off the layoff, and his barn has been clicking overall – not a fan of that 9/5 ML
price, but a contested pace could make this guy a dangerous late threat. (5) ULTIMAROCA is hard to ignore down
at this level, but it’s also hard to overlook the (many) disappointing efforts he had here late in 2023 – mixed feelings
about his chances as he returns from Canada. (1) MOTIVE HANOVER was weak in his last start but he may just
have been well short – his best effort could make him a player from this spot. (6) DRAGON SAID returns to YR
and it’s strange to NOT see him in the barn that took him from bottom-class Freehold throwout, to Yonkers Open
star in a matter of weeks (a few years back) – pretty tough to gauge his current form out of town, or to guess how
he’ll do for a new trainer. (4) BARON MICHAEL is another that could pose a late threat if things fall apart but he
was very camera shy last year, and would need to be a big price to consider. (8) KING JAMES EXPRESS can be a
player with these types but he hasn’t WON in some time, and Post 8 won’t make things any easier. (3) JOJOS
PLACE just isn’t clicking at all right now
RACE 8 – (3) DANCE ON THE BEACH raced even better last week than his line looks on paper, as he was stuck
trying to make his big move into the fastest part of the mile (after being hurt by terrible cover), and still managed to
be a strong 3rd – faces a pretty solid field tonight, but deserves the edge. (5) SPORTS FAN found himself well back
off turn three (thanks to a gapper) in his local debut, but still paced a strong final 3/8ths – eligible to be a much more
serious player tonight. (2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A gave his fans a big root 3 back when he carved out the mile
at 35-1 (before tiring) – just missed in his next, then just had no prayer from Post 8 last week – moves inside, gets a
switch to MacDonald, and could find himself in the hunt (with some racing luck). (1) SHANWAY N wasn’t bad in
either of his last 2 starts, and draws the pole for tonight – another logical player. (4) CAVIART ROCKLAND has
been terrible for weeks, but that last Fhd. qualifier does look much better – hard to roll the dice with him tonight at
that 5/2 ML price, however. Both (6) OUR CORELLI N and (7) SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL were “ok” last week, but
both may find themselves limited by tonight’s draw (keep an eye for future consideration)
RACE 9 – (3) ICE BREAKERS K was very well meant last week and might have been a winner had he not had to
park NEWSBOY for half a mile (after that one’s failed retake attempt) – chance to make amends tonight, though the
price will likely come down. (4) FOR A DREAMER was a sharp 7 hole winner last week and likely would have
been the top choice tonight had he not been claimed from his last – still a very real threat, though a little more risky
now. (1) SHEENA SOLDIER was the beneficiary last week of #3’s tough trip, inheriting the pocket early and then
trotting by late – he has speed from the pole, and a repeat performance can’t be ruled out. (7) IN MY DREAMS was
caught behind a tiring leader last week and that left him with no chance to be better than 3rd – he fits with these for
sure, but the draw makes it tough to know what kind of trip he’ll get tonight. (2) CRESCENT BEAUTY flattened
after a wide move last week but is eligible to be sharper tonight (2nd start off the layoff) – worth a look at the right
price. (6) ROSIES WAR BONDS faded badly in his last but he qualified MUCH better (at Fhd.) after adding Lasix –
probably a good fit here, but the draw could hurt his chances. (5) ABBEY D just hasn’t been sharp in some time –
better value with several others. (8) MUFASA AS figures to be too far back to have any impact tonight
RACE 10 – (3) TIPSY MONI broke to end her 2023 season then started 2024 the same way...but qualified sharply
at Freehold and certainly had no issues in last week’s demolition of this class – will be hard to beat if she continues
to behave. (4) NO MAS DRAMA was probably well meant last week (off the layoff) but broke trying for the lead
(attributed to an equipment problem) – she’s a very good mare when at her best, and would seem to have the best
chance at knocking off the top one. (5) QUEEN OF ALL also has talent and seems to be sharpening in her last
couple – she was able to rally for 2nd last week (well behind #3), and perhaps she can be an even stronger player
tonight. (6) NO TURNING BACK sat pocketed to the top choice last week but started to weaken to 3/4s, and
couldn’t even hold on to 2nd – she just seems to be a notch below the top ones. (2) DESWANSLITTLELORIE was a decent 3
rd three back (off the layoff) but hurt by her trips in her last pair – not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (1) LADY JETER really should have been able to get 2nd off last week’s easy trip – probably looking at minor spoils again
RACE 11 – (6) NAUTICAL HANOVER got rolling a little too late arriving from Canada last week, unable to get to
the sharp, front end winner – not a great spot tonight, but he just may be able to overpower these anyway. (1) AIR
FORCE HANOVER is as unreliable as they come but he wasn’t bad 2 back, and gets a full pass for last week – this
is a spot where he just may be able to wire the field. (3) MAURIES BONUS A was 2nd here 2 back then picked up a
2nd at Stga. last week – he’s another from the barn getting a switch to MacDonald tonight, so give him extra points if
the others do well. (2) NOWHERE CREEK A doesn’t feel like a threat to win, but the good draw at least puts him in
play for a piece. (8) BLUEBIRD RECON may take a shot at blasting from Post 8 - if he can do that (without getting
brutalized), he may have a chance to last for a small share. (7) GOOD INVESTMENT is an in-and-outer that can
show up from time to time – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) B LIKE CRUISER hails from a hot barn and does get a pass for
last week – just not sure that he’s ready to be a contender just yet. (5) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N just seems to do
his best work one level down.