The Empire Report - Thursday, February 9, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - Tough opener! (7) WESTERN ROSIE (who has held her own with much better) was able to win
at Fhd. off a 7 week layoff - ended up with no chance here last week when stuck behind horrific cover, and
figures to get overlooked in the wagering tonight - another brutal spot, but an interesting bomb in a wide
open affair. (3) LADYBELUCKYTONITE was well meant but roughed up 2 back and faded in the lane -
ended up with a dream trip in her next, and knew what to do when she shook free in the lane - steps up a
peg, but has a chance to beat these too....with another good trip. (1) COOLNCALCULATING N hails from
a low % barn but draws the pole and has a few decent tries out of town - would be no shock at all. (6) CAL
LMEQUEENBEE A has beaten better, but also seems off her game lately - eligible for a big wake up call
dropping out of the 50s, but also figures to be overbet. (2) ITS MESMERISE N was "sneaky sharp" for a
few starts but seems to have gone off form in her last few - wouldn't be the first horse that Gingras was able
wake up with a good one. (4) CHELSKI steps up after failing to beat lesser on many occasions - leaning
towards others. (5) TALL POPPY N was a "trip 3rd" two back but no factor at all last week - she also
hasn't won here since 2021.
RACE 2 - (6) NOWS THE MOMENT came up a bit disappointing from the pocket 2 back but was quickly
back on his game last week - his main nemesis (H L REVADON) is off this week, so we'll see if he can
take advantage and grab a win. (5) HEY LIVVY had a very promising try off the hiatus 2 back but just
wasn't on her game last week - it's encouraging to see her right back in the box, and her best effort would
make her a real threat here. (2) LEXUS KODY is a VERY talented trotter....he also makes more than his
share of miscues, and is listed at 9/5 ML in his first try here at this top level - he may beat these, but there's
better betting value with others. (3) CREDIT CON was right there 4th in this class 2 back, and that was
while lacking any real room in the lane - not a bad value play if you think things may fall apart here. (1)
FLIP THE SWITCH has been picking up pieces every week and draws the pole once more - looking at
others on top, but he's certainly playable in exotics. (4) HOMER HALL had a very steady end to 2022 but
does seem a bit below the main players in here
RACE 3 - (1) FOR CHIPS SAKE was stuck first over from 5th into the fastest part of the race last week
and to her credit, did beat the others for 4th- may get to control the action in a fairly formless field, and that
would give her a chance to come out on top. (2) THUNDRA was just 2 for 27 last year and does tend to
disappoint - still, the good draw (and possibility of an easy trip) does give her a chance IF she shows up in
one of her better moods. (8) HEY HEY DBAY hasn't been sharp for some time but did at least finish alertly
from the back last week (in a slow mile, after doing no racing) - maybe Bartlett takes a shot to send her
tonight, hoping for some trip luck? (5) BETTORSHIGHLIGHT N finished ok for 3rd last week after
shaking free and the barn did send out a live one on Tues. night - ok for exotics. (3) SOME KINDA
ANGEL hasn't been doing much, and her barn is off to a poor start in 2023....maybe the somewhat softer
spot can help her find a better effort? (4) KATHYS MOMENT took some $$ last week but was no factor at
all - hard to endorse her at that 3-1 ML price. (6) ALWAYS BE TRUE showed little in her 2 local starts and
now moves from the rail out to Post 6. (7) SMOOTH DEBATE N has been a major disappointment since
recently starting her U.S. career and was a total non factor in her 2 local tries - needs a major reversal
RACE 4 - (3) WANIA was 1 for 32 in Canada but was still sent off at 2-1 for his local debut, no doubt
because he was moving to a barn that has won HALF of their local starts (since last year)- he wasn't "great"
but still would have won if the talented SOUTHWIND ARTURO hadn't shaken free just in time to nail him
- figures to be overbet, but does have a solid chance to get it done. (6) A ONE A wasn't good 2 back but
raced much better last week, making multiple moves before weakening late to 4th - chance here with a
similar effort. (7) BUDWEISER GIRL was bothered in mid-move 2 back and it hurt her chances
considerably - was sent to the front in her next, but made a break on the back side while cruising along -
has a decent chance to race much better than her 20-1 ML price suggests. (8) THEWALLOFLOVE AS
raced well right from the start as a 2YO last year but the problem is that she really hasn't continued to get
any better - she fits very nicely with these and CAN win if somehow the right trip develops....but the bad
post and her tendency to run out in the stretch make her hard to swallow at that 5/2 ML price. (4) JARA
was a winner at Fhd. for his new connections but likely vs. lesser - still, has to be respected in a field of
unreliable performers. (2) SQUABLE is hard to ever use on top (1 for 49!), but he minds his manners and
does grab pieces - ok underneath. (1) BANGIN IN THE HALL draws best but has no wins and just one 2nd
from 19 career starts. (5) BRUTUS BEEFCAKE B looks like he may be a bit short off his 2 qualifiers
RACE 5 - (6) SENNA showed ability at 2 and while he only managed 8 starts at 3, he went a few strong
miles against some nice trotters - took 6 months off and qualified back strong in NJ for our current leading
trainer....will be very tough here if he navigates the half miler cleanly. (3) PENCILS DOWN went a big
effort last week, parked a long way before getting the top from Post 7, then battling virtually every step
from just past turn three and still losing by less than a length - should be a big player again tonight. (4)
MUSCLE DAN had been picking up smaller pieces since moving to NW4 but put it all together with last
week's sharp front end score - looms a serious player once again. (5) SAULSGOOD was very well meant
last time but his brush attempt to go by #3 on the back side wasn't quite enough, and he weakened at the top
of the lane after a long battle - would consider here for exotics. (2) MATT SO SURE finished well to pick
up 3rd last week in a much easier field - chance for another small share thanks to the draw, but does seem a
bit below the main players. (7) WICKENBURGH was a dull 5th in his local debut and last week's (no
threat) 2nd was really helped by a few breakers - needs to be better for a chance to be a contender. (1) COU
NT JOGGING has speed and stays trotting but just doesn't finish well enough - needs much better stamina.
(8) LADYFLIX has a recent win and 2nd but vs. much easier- seems up against it from all the way out here
RACE 6 - Good race: (7) THE AMERICAN EAGLE immediately improved on 12/1 after joining a barn
currently clicking at an incredible 33% - he's still prone to miscues, but he has the speed to overcome the
draw and the ability to win if he stays trotting - worth using as long as the price is decent. (2) GREG has
also picked up his game since a recent barn change, and comes into tonight off a win 2 back, and a 2nd in
his last (behind a pretty nice trotter) - very dangerous from this spot. (2) ADORE ME broke in her first try
for new connections but then rattled off 4 straight wins before finishing a very close 2nd last week - another
very live player, assuming she can navigate the Hilltop Oval. (6) VELVET STYLE went a bunch of big
miles last year and his prep suggests he'll be ready to roll - it's likely he'll be handled conservatively and
look to kick home late, but that doesn't mean he can't get there with the right scenario. (5) ESPLOSIONE
was a close 2nd here on 11/17 then freshened up for a few weeks - came back to qualify AND race well
across the river but was scratched on 1/20 and has been off for nearly a month - could be a little short in
this very competitive field. (3) CIEL BLUE is usually good for some late trot but he's just 1 for 9 here at
YR and probably looking at only a minor piece. (4) GRACE just isn't clicking right now and catches a
bunch of others who are. (8) TACHYON broke twice trying to qualify for his new barn before getting it
right up at Monti - have to believe just trotting a clean mile will be the primary objective tonight
RACE 7 - (7) TOBAGO TIME showed much better life in her 3rd start of the year and faces considerably
easier tonight - she's Stratton's choice over a couple of others, and she can beat this shaky bunch with any
half-decent trip. (1) VELOCITY MCSWEETS would be very tough in a spot like this if anywhere close to
her best form, but clearly she's well off that right now - not a bad spot to look for a wake up call, but she
also figures to be overbet. (3) PULL ME THROUGH is generally pretty camera shy but she caught a very
soft field last week and handled them easily - hard to take a shortish price looking for her to make it two in
a row, though. (5) NORMANS MADELINE has shown nothing to suggest that she's ready to beat these but
she's notorious for some major form reversals - take a quick look at the tote board to see if some action is
coming her way. (2) E R HILARY has been "ok" so far in 2023, but moves up tonight after failing to beat
easier - maybe a piece? (4) BROOKDALE JESSIE has hit board in 3 straight vs. cheaper, but is another
that at least has a chance to grab a small share against these too. (6) STELLENBOSCH gets a pass for last
week (backed up by a bad gapper) but had no excuse at all when she lost out of the pocket as the odds on
choice - at least the price will be big if you think she can find a trip tonight. (8) BOTTOMOFTHENINTH
gets class relief but also loses Holland and draw Post 8 - maybe she can pass a few for a minor share?
RACE 8 - (4) KENZIESKY HANOVER was a sharp front end winner vs. a bit easier 2 back - sat pocketed
to the razor sharp H L REVADON last week (in the Open) and can be forgiven getting a little tired late and
losing 2nd in a fast mile - very legitimate shot against these. (5) LEAN HANOVER battled before coming
up 2nd best to TIMESTORM 2 back, then was a jogburger last week, after hitting the top and grabbing a
very easy half - could be a serious threat once more if the trip goes favorably. (2) HIGHLAND MOWGLI
returns from Dover and he was doing good things here at Yonkers after arriving in the Fall, going
5-3-2-0....these are a little tougher than he was facing but he draws inside, and could still be a threat. (6)
GREY had a useful tightener in the Open after the winter break then raced very well for 2nd last week,
though no match for #5 - may have a tougher time tonight, thanks to the poor draw. (3) TOP ME OFF is
holding form decently as he climbs the class ladder but his best work has definitely come vs. a bit easier -
ok for a smaller piece. (1) NEW HEAVEN just seems a bit below that main contenders right now
RACE 9 - Tough finale! (5) ETHAN T HANOVER tired late in that qualifier but he had been away since
last April (after making only 6 starts in 2022) - definitely has some class to him, and he just may be ready
right out of the box to handle a field full of question marks. (2) BARN HALL disappointed in his return YR
try after establishing a good trip from Post 7 - he's capable of much better, and maybe we'll see it tonight.
(8) PLATINUM AS shows some very inconsistent form out of town but the ability is there, when on his
game - he'll be a nice price, and may be worth considering. (6) JULA MUSCLE PACK has settled into a
good groove, behaving every week now - his barn is en fuego, and there's certainly a shot that he can move
up in class and take another, with the right trip. (3) EMOTIONS RICHES jogged vs. much easier 2 back,
then was sneaky sharp from a hopeless spot last week - he's another capable of big miles when feelin' good.
(4) WINDSONG PIONEER has a pair of tighteners since the winter break, drops in class, and may be
ready for a better effort - not impossible. (7) LADY JETER was handled aggressively last week, was a
solid 2nd then inherited the win via DQ- much tougher spot tonight, and may struggle to find a manageable
trip. (1) WILLY WALTON really struggled in his last couple and feels like he's gone the wrong way