The Empire Report - Monday, June 26, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (2) OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR can be a little unreliable at times but he gets an important drop
from the Open, and he's usually a big threat at this level - he gets reunited with his favorite pilot, and his
barn has been unfathomably hot the past couple of months, winning races at an almost inconceivable 40%
rate- lot to like here. (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW found himself in the Open for a few starts after winning
three in a row just prior to that - he dropped back down to this level last week and charged home through
the lane to just miss to the razor sharp winner...very live player. (1) ROCK THE DEVIL has come back
sharp in 2023, winning his last pair despite starting from Post 7 - he'll face tougher here, but he has speed
from the pole and can definitely be a big part of this. (3) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK beat cheaper 2 and 3
starts back then held well for 3rd last week behind a pair of good ones - eligible to grab another piece
tonight with the good draw. (4) GREAT SOMEWHERE has 8 wins this year but his only 2 recent ones
came with easy trips, vs. easier - he wouldn't be a surprise here, but others just seem a little more likely
right now. (6) ST LADS STERLING earned $157K as a 3YO and has continued to race well at 4 - he's a bit
unproven against THESE types, however, and the poor draw isn't going to help either. (7) EL LE TISSIER
N has been good in all 3 starts since arriving in the U.S. but now must content with both a class jump and a
move to Post 7 - tough spot
RACE 2 - Very well matched field! (4) SHAKESPEARE was razor sharp when claimed on 5/22 but in a
little over his head in the Open the last 2 starts - tonight's drop will help, and a live trip may give him a shot
at a mild upset. (1) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER has gone from NEVER winning at Yonkers to becoming a
frequent visitor to the winner's circle (he's taken 5 of his last 7 starts) - pretty hard to leave him off your
tickets starting from the pole tonight. (2) KOOTENAY SANTANNA has found things a little too tough in
the Open lately but is another that could benefit from tonight's class relief...he's also 2nd time Lasix, and
this could be a wake up spot. (3) SILENT SPLENDOR is hitting on all cylinders right now, and comes into
this off a win, 2nd, and a 3rd in his last 3 starts - he also hails from a red-hot barn, and can be added to the
list of possible winners. (6) UMBERTO would normally not be a strong consideration from this spot but
whenever you're making your first start for a barn currently winning at a 40% clip, respect is warranted
(he's also being driven by Kakaley...who had NINE wins and a second on Saturday's 10 race card)! (7)
COALITION HANOVER is having a terrific 2023 season but he may be a bit off his best right now, and
gets the worst post in a stacked field. (5) LOUIE THE LOOPER lands in a brutal spot for his YR debut
RACE 3 - (3) CAPTIVATE HANOVER has been putting in big moves in the Open and was a winner the
last time he dropped down to this level - can't say that he's a "cinch" tonight, but he certainly deserves top
billing. (6) POINTOMYGRANSON has six wins and two 2nds from his last 8 starts and the majority of
those miles have been beastly- he'll be facing tougher foes here and also draws a horrible post...but he's just
way too sharp right now to leave off your tickets. (1) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N hadn't won in some time (vs.
cheaper, out of town) but hasn't LOST since shipping in to Yonkers, to his ultra-high % barn - this is a big
step up, but he also has more than enough back class to deal with it - should be right in the mix. (2) SPL
ASH BROTHER has had a tendency to come off the bit at times during his miles, and it has hurt him a
couple of times (including last week) - he's GOOD enough to win here, but needs to stay motivated through
the whole mile. (4) JAHAN HANOVER has been very solid lately but he lands in a strong field, and seems
destined for only a minor share. (5) VIVA LAS VEGAS N is feeling good right now, but will likely be
coming from dead last in a strong field - tough assignment
RACE 4 - Tough race: (3) MICKY GEE N started the year in good form, hit a speed bump in a couple of
starts but his last couple have been very sharp - maybe this is the week he trips out, and just blows by in the
lane for his first win of the season? (7) ROCKAPELO got brave in a hurry with that big class drop at Stga.
2 back then built off that with last week's nice pocket score here at Yonkers- he moves up and draws poorly
tonight, but that 9-1 ML price does make him appealing. (1) KINGSVILLE is a solid player every start at
this level and draws the pole with speed and Brennan - an obvious threat, but also figures to be overbet. (4)
SAVE ME A DANCE ended up sitting the pocket behind a free-wheeling frontrunner last week and was
able to rally on by in the lane in his YR return - faces tougher now, but he's way too classy to ignore off that
confidence builder. (2) CARLISIMO was caught out on the rim into last week's vicious :26.3 third panel
and can be forgiven for not being able to offer a better late rally - he's another that could be an upset threat
tonight if the trip goes his way. (5) WINDSUN RICKY is always eligible to bring his best and win at this
level but a few others just seem more likely right now. (6) GLACIS offered good late pace for 3rd in last in
his 2nd start of the year but figures to be coming from way out of it here. (8) GINGER TREE PETE threw
a clunker off the reclaim last week and now lands Post 8 for a barn that has gone ice cold
RACE 5 - (2) ALOTBETTOR N suddenly found his form with that victory on 5/19 and has been good ever
since - drops back down to 30s (after a solid effort in a 1:51 mile vs. 40s last week), and we'll give him the
call. (4) BRACKLEY BEACH is 0 for 17 on the year but he was claimed by a barn that can seemingly
improve ANY horse overnight...maybe this guy will be next? (1) CHANGE STRIDE N tired to 6th in his
last start and now returns almost a month later - wouldn't be a shock if he was ready to do some damage but
he's hard to recommend for a wager as the ML favorite. (7) CONBOYVILLE has just one win in each of
the last 2 seasons but he's actually raced well in almost every start this year - at that 15-1 ML price, couldn't
really blame anybody willing to give him a shot in here. (3) HEART ON MY SLEEVE is in career form
and has taken 4 in a row....he's also moving up in class off the claim, and his new trainer is just 1 for 35 in
June (with only 3 other starters hitting the board) - hard to know what we'll see from him here. (5) KEY
STONE DASH has only been picking up minor pieces for a while - needs to be sharper. (8) BETTER B
SWIFT went a long time without winning a race at Yonkers but then won 3 of 4 - came up dull in his last
(for a new barn), and goes for another new crew tonight...brutal post, regardless. (6) ARTIST BEST isn't all
that sharp, is 0 for 15 on the year and draws poorly
RACE 6 - (4) HECANDANCENCRUISE is very sharp for a barn that finishes 1st or 2nd with an amazing
50% of their starters, and drops in class after going a HUGE effort for 2nd last week - will be very tough
tonight. (6) STRAIGHT UP COOL was shut off looking for room in the stretch last week and gets a pass -
he fits nicely here, gets Bartlett on board and can be part of this with a good trip. (2) JUDDY DOUGLAS A
has been difficult to predict from week to week but he drops in class, gets a good draw, and any of his
"good" miles would put him in the hunt for a good piece. (5) PRETTY HANDSOME was no threat in his
last couple but he's capable of better - maybe he can add some value to the exotics? (1) SAMHARA N was
no factor in his last couple but this could be an easier (overall) spot - improvement is very possible. (8) AR
RHYTHMIC SURGE fits beautifully with these but he really prefers an "easy" trip, and it seems unlikely
that he'll find one from out here. (3) MAXIMUS RED A has been hanging in ok at these slightly higher
levels but he'll probably look much better when that win drops off the bottom of his card after tonight. (7)
IMSTAYNALIVE has been finishing nicely but he'll likely be coming from too far back to threaten
RACE 7 - (4) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD was razor sharp early this year - hasn't won a race in some time
but he's gone many big efforts, and has a pair of good 2nds recently to both PYRO, and POINTOMYGRA
NSON - can race well on or off the pace, and may be able to score right off the claim for his new barn. (6)
SAILBOAT HANOVER didn't win his first start back from Canada (he missed by a nose) but he did take
his next, then raced VERY well for 4th last week (from an impossible spot) - terrible draw, but that 9-1 ML
price makes him worth serious consideration. (3) BALLERAT BOOMERANG was in a couple of tough
spots the last 2 starts but finished well enough to suggest that he's still in very good form - legitimate player
from this spot. (1) THRASHER wasn't at his best the last 2 weeks but he's been an overachiever for much
of this year - drops right back in the box for a hot barn, and could be part of this if he brings his best. (5)
KING JAMES EXPRESS has added consistency to his game lately after taking a while to get going this
year - he fits perfectly, but also figures to be overbet with that 5/2 ML price. (2) SAN DOMINO A hasn't
been sharp lately, and faces others who have been - leaning elsewhere. (7) DIVISION BELL is much more
comfortable at the $30K level and now takes on 50s from the worst post - prefer others tonight
RACE 8 - 1/14 miles - "CAN YOU GO THE DISTANCE" Final: (4) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N is a
borderline Open horse when "right", so it was no surprise to see him dominate against his rivals the last 2
weeks - this is a much stronger field and the race is harder to predict at this uncommon distance...but we'll
still give him top billing. (3) ROCK DIAMONDS N has crossed the wire in front for 8 straight starts, rarely
seeing a horse in front of him - it would be hard to knock him in any way right now, and it would surely be
no surprise to see him take another. (5) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N did a great job holding the lead when he
wired 'em in that half mile dash 3 back - made a costly miscue before the start in his next (as the 1/2 choice)
then had no chance last week after getting away in 7th (but still finishing full of pace as he came through
the wire) - reasonable value horse to consider if you think they may slug it out a bit up front tonight. (2)
QUALITY BUD continues to race well almost every week, just missing in 3 of his last 4 starts - another
possible upsetter under the right pace scenario. (1) C BET HANOVER may be a little on the cheaper side
but he's been sharp, gets a terrific draw and may be able to land somewhere on the ticket. (6) FORTIFY
found his form a couple of months back and has held it ever since - tonight's draw is the real concern. (8)
FEELIN WESTERN is sharp right now, and particularly good last week - not sure he can find his way into
contention from out here, but he's a good bomb for 3rd/4th (7) WAR DAN DELIGHT N went eons without
winning a race at Yonkers then won 2 in a row recently - the outside vs. these, however.
RACE 9 - (6) COVERED BRIDGE faces an unpredictable trip from out here but he's been outstanding in
almost every start this year, and shown the ability to sit back and make BIG moves from the final turn, if
necessary - wouldn't take a very short price from this spot, but he's the top choice. (3) AMERICAN DEAL
ER N finally has settled into a good groove, and has been a reliable performer for a while now - he steps up
off a very easy win over cheaper, but he's a proven player vs. these as well - could have a big say with the
right trip. (5) MOONSHINE KISSES is having a career year, having already won 5 of 9 local starts while
winning 10 of 15 overall - he's usually on the front end, but he's also more than capable from off the pace -
that 2-1 ML price is definitely a turn off, however. (2) PRICELESS BEACH had no trouble overcoming
Post 7 last week once his quick start landed him a two hole trip - he's capable of winning in this top class,
and is worth a look if the price is good enough. (4) SEMI TOUGH can be a difficult horse to drive at times
and while not always ultra-reliable, he's still managed to win 6X here this year - prefer others, but it's never
a shock to see him come out on top. (1) WALKINSHAW N has been super, but is pushing his limits in here
RACE 10 - (2) SPEED MAN N fought hard a long way before giving in to a sharp rival last week but he
never really looked all that comfortable cutting the mile - maybe he can sit a trip tonight instead...and kick
home in the lane to win it? (5) SHINE A LIGHT finished well last week from a tough spot and drops down
to the class he beat on the front end on 4/25 - may be headed to the top again tonight, but has a legitimate
chance from either on or off the pace. (6) FUNATTHEBEACH N goes through lulls like this every year but
always returns to his top form at some point - tonight could be the time for that wake up call, but don't take
a short price HOPING that's what happens. (3) AIR FORCE HANOVER wasn't sharp vs. better in his last
couple but does drop down to the level he beat three starts back - still leaning a bit more to others, but it
would be no real surprise to see him pop off a good one here (1) THE REAL ONE has been just "ok" lately
- you can never count the mega-classy veteran out completely, but others definitely seem better right now.
(8) FAMILY RECIPE finished up well vs. better last week and would surely have been listed higher up (off
tonight's class drop) if not for Post 8- may have to wait for a better spot to strut his best stuff (4) FOREVER
FAV moves way up in class and seems up against it vs. these tougher ones. (7) THE LONGEST YARD is
just 1 for 13 up in Canada this year and his barn doesn't win too often here at YR
RACE 11 - (3) RJ SPORTS IMAGE qualified nicely (in PA) for his new barn after 5 months off, went a big
first start to be 2nd in an 11/16ths race then absolutely trounced a local NW5000 field by 7 lengths, with
Steve Smith just hanging on as a passenger - moves up a notch for tonight, gets Bartlett in the bike and
looks like a solid bet to take another. (1) ODDS ON CAPITALISM has yet to find his 2022 form but last
week may be a step in the right direction - figures to sit right behind the top choice, with a chance to knock
him off in the lane if good enough. (5) SO MANY ROADS picked up his first win of the year last week -
faces tougher now, but still could be the one to round out a pretty short trifecta. (2) GAMBLINGTERROR
has been well off form but maybe this is a spot where he can just sit 3rd and take home a share. (6) OUR
CORELLI N has been way off form even though he has a few recent 3rds - still looking at only a minor
share tonight. (8) ONTO EL DORADO N has been solid overall, but was pretty disappointing last week -
draws horribly, but maybe still has a chance for 3rd/4th? (4) DARLINGS DRAGON hasn't hit board in any
of his 5 local starts and his trainer will be at the lines tonight. (7) BENHOPE RULZ N is going through a
major rough patch at the moment.