Friday Empire Report

soaofny • April 29, 2022

The Empire Report - Friday, April 29, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (1) DA GHETTO WIZARD rallied nicely from well back 2 and 3 starts down - was forced to

drop into the pocket after leaving last week, then lost all chance when the frontrunner gave way and tired --

his main rivals in here are all pretty "iffy" right now, so we'll give this guy a shot to capitalize from the pole

(6) MAGRITTE hasn't come close to winning a race since his long streak ended in February, but he really

hasn't been "bad" (except for a couple of those first turn miscues) - hits the bottom level tonight and has to

be seen as a serious threat...but since he also figures to be overbet, we'll probably proceed with caution. (5)

OUR MAJORDAN A was last seen here in a $100K claimer, so he has to at least get some attention in this

bottom condition - he's raced 2X (in PA) since the layoff, and tired badly in both starts...not sure he's ready

to turn it around and beat these either. (3) KSEY JOHN took a big drop to this bottom level on 3/1 and

faltered badly - took some time off and re-qualified, but add him to this list of "questionable" contenders in

this interesting race. (4) GHOST DANCE just hasn't clicked at all so far in four 2022 starts - waiting for

some better signs. (2) ZACH MAGUIRE N is just 31-0-1-6 locally over the past 2 years.


RACE 2 - (1) FANATIC started to lose form early this year and was given some time off - has looked very

good since recently returning, and this feels like a field he can handle...deserves top billing. (2) SECRET

BRO figures to be handled aggressively from this spot, and is looking at a good trip here - logical one to

use in exotics. (5) KINDA LUCKY LINDY has been very solid lately, even as he's climbed the class ladder

- a live trip would give him a shot at another good piece tonight. (4) THE LAST CHAPTER would prefer

to be in a little easier, but this may be a spot where he can use his speed to work out a good trip - willing to

include underneath. (6) BELIEVER benefited from a picture perfect trip last week to beat cheaper - he

steps up and draws outside tonight and while he may be sharp enough to still be a player, he's unattractive

from a wagering standpoint at that 5/2 ML price. (3) NEXTROUNDSONME is still winless on the year,

despite facing softer every week - prefer others for the top slots.


RACE 3 - Tough race: (3) P H KENNY showed some life at Chester 2 back before tiring late - built off

that mile with a good try here last week, just missing by a nose on the wire....maybe he can get over the

hump tonight? (2) SAFETY SECOND was battling with the top choice at the head of the lane last week,

looked like he might win it but weakened just a bit at the end and settled for 3rd - he's no stranger to the

winner's circle (18 victories over the past 2 years), and is definitely a legitimate threat tonight. (4)

BOURBONS COURAGE is 0 for 17 at Yonkers, and currently sports lines that would make normally make

him a 50-1 shot in here - that being said, he's moving to a barn that has literally performed these types of

miraculous overnight transformations in the past, and there's the possibility that they'll be able to do it with

this guy as well (they ALL get massively overbet, however, and that's why he's not being listed as the top

choice). (5) FOCUS POWER has some less than stellar out of town form, but still may be a good fit with

the locals (especially getting Stratton on board) - playable, as long he's not a short price. (6) POCKET

WATCH N picked up 4th in his last pair and may be improving a bit - not a bad bomb to include if you

think this race may just fall apart. (7) JUST WAVE GOODBYE has done ok here in the past, and would

have been listed higher if not for Post 7- may have a hard time getting in play in his YR return. (1) NIALL

HANOVER draws best, but will need to be sharper if he hopes to be a player.


RACE 4 - Five horse field...and still hard to find a winner here: (2) LOTTERY WINNER finally found his

form but quickly unraveled on 4/12 after being claimed - taken again that night and while not "sharp" in his

next, at least he behaved -- good chance to get back on track IF he stays pacing again tonight. (3) BLATAN

TLY BEST qualified back ok then raced ok in his first 2022 try at Chester - threw a clunker in his next, but

may be able to beat these IF he can rebound tonight. (5) OUR REGAL IDEAL N would be hard to

recommend off any of his recent form but he did finish 1st/2nd in 18 of his starts last year - this would be a

good place for a form reversal. (4) BETTORS WESTERN has a pair of recent Monti wins, but. vs. cheaper

- maybe he can come out on top against this less than stellar local field? (1) HAPPY CAMPER has been

struggling vs. lesser upstate, but he does have the rail and Bartlett...a reasonable angle in a field like this.


RACE 5 - (5) GEMOLOGIST ships up from Florida and gets a significant barn and driver switch - he has

speed, stays trotting, and also some back class...worth a look here at that 10-1 ML price. (2) HUNTING AS

was sharper when he first returned from the layoff this winter, but he's still pretty good right now - should

be pretty dangerous here with any half-decent trip. (4) MOSTINTERESTINMAN had a career year at age

8, winning 9 races and $171K (while also taking a new lifetime mark) - he's off to a bit of a slow start at 9,

however, and MAY be just a bit vulnerable here at a short price...but it would surely be no surprise to see

him beat these. (1) MUSKINGUM ships off from PPk off a career best 1:53.4 victory - that being said, she

shows a tendency to make breaks lately, and seems a little risky (especially from the pole) making her local

debut - may just watch, for tonight. (3) WINDSONG PIONEER does his best work on the lead, vs. a bit

easier - could be looking at a class drop next week, and that's when we'll get more interested. (6) MY BOY

CHRISTIAN also would appreciate some class relief....and could be getting that after tonight.


RACE 6 - (2) TURBO HILL had no chance from the back last week but he turned in a series of solid tries

prior to that, finishing just behind some pretty sharp/streaking rivals - may be able to come out on top in

this pretty well matched field (1) WHITE HAIR ROCKS threw a dud 2 back, but that mile was sandwiched

between a pair of solid efforts - could easily trip out from this spot and be a legitimate threat to land in the

winner's circle. (4) ON THE VIRG drops a notch but really hasn't been all that exciting lately - inclined to

stick with others but his barn has been sending out a decent amount of winners lately, so at least check the

toteboard to get a better feel for this guy's chances/ (5) KING JAMES EXPRESS was on our radar last

week (3rd start of the year) but he gapped in the pocket to 3/4s, then tired to 4th - may very well rebound

with a better effort and neat these, but it's hard to endorse him at that 2-1 ML price after last week's effort.

(3) HES ELECTRIC has always been camera shy here at Yonkers, but he draws well enough to at least

have a chance for a piece. (6) GLOBALDOMINATION N was overdriven last week and paid for it -

guessing he'll get a pretty conservative steer tonight after drawing outside.


RACE 7 - (5) JUSTLIKEHIM should probably just get a total pass for last week, as he had Post 8, with his

trainer driving, and experimenting without hopples - better draw tonight, has Bartlett in the bike, and the

trotting hopples go back on...not a bad week to hop on board. (3) MUSCLE JACK is an enigma, possessing

plenty of ability, but with difficulty staying trotting at times - scored a nice win 2 back for new connections

while adding hopples, but reverted to bad habits in his last - worth using if the price is "fair", but a little too

risky to back at low odds. (4) SWANSEA is no longer the good Open trotter we got used to seeing, but he's

still a steady weekly player at this level -- certainly belongs in exotics. (2) LIFETIME ROYALTY moves

inside, and could benefit if a couple of "iffy" foes misbehave - decent one to consider underneath at that

12-1 ML price. (1) ALL CHAMPY was a winner last week, but really benefited from a picture perfect trip -

steps up in class, but the inside draw does keep him in play for a small piece. (6) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE

is clearly on his game now, but his best work comes on/near the lead, and that may not be possible tonight -

could be a bit vulnerable in this spot.


RACE 8 - (2) STORMY KROMER looked AND raced super last week, effortlessly demolishing the field

in a sharp 1:54 mile - if that version shows up tonight, he'll be hard to knock off (especially now starting

from the rail again). (3) WARRIOR ONE has been a warrior for months, rarely throwing a bad effort - if

the top choice doesn't bring his best tonight, this guy will be a big threat to step up and take this. (5) EURO

BOND has won 6 of his 8 starts this year, and broke in the two losses - obviously deserves a ton of respect,

but he's been off for 3 weeks and we'll see if that leaves him a little short tonight. (6) STREET GOSSIP

looked like he could develop into an Open trotter and the 4YO has done just that - has some tough foes

inside him tonight, so he may need some trip luck for a shot at the top prize. (4) BARRY BLACK is still

going strong 4 years after arriving as part of the 24 horse French trotting group that shipped over to race at

Yonkers (and eventually all over the country) - this crew is probably a little out of his comfort zone, though.


RACE 9 - (6) URBAN RENEWAL powered home in the stretch to score the 15-1 upset last week, and

moves to a strong barn off the claim for tonight - his price figures to be quite a bit lower tonight, but he's

still worth using in the finale with a couple of the other likely favorites seeming a bit vulnerable. (3) IN

SPADES gets major post relief while also dropping in class - probably the one to beat for the hottest team

on the planet, but also figures to be a very short price. (2) TEXAS TERROR N was sent off at an absurd

1/10 last week and just couldn't finish the job - the 14YO was claimed once again, and will try to avenge

last week's defeat...he'll be a much better price for those looking to stay on board. (8) BETTOR LADY

elects to drop in against the boys again - another horrible draw, but she had life finishing last week, and isn't

a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics. (1) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN is a solid 12.5/15 claimer and did win

his last - not sure he can be as effective at the $20K level, but the inside draw may help him to at least grab

a piece. (5) ASTON HILL DAVE showed a little life in his last couple - another decent bomb for 3rd/4th.

(4) BAKERSFIELD hasn't been doing much lately, and might benefit from a class drop. (7)

ITSGOODTOBEDAKING has some "ok" recent tries, but seems up against it from all the way out here.

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