The Empire Report - Thursday, November 3, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 -(4) VELOCITY MCSWEETS appreciated the drop out of 50s last week but ran into a razor sharp
winner and had to settle for a no-threat 2nd best - may be able to get the job done tonight, as none of these
look as sharp as last week's winner was. (5) TEMPUS SEELSTER got stronger as the race got longer last
week, finishing well late to be a close 3rd - she drops a notch for tonight, and can be a legitimate threat with
a good trip. (3) WHOS SMOKIN N has been racing well with better and would have been the top choice
off this class drop....if she wasn't off for three weeks after the sick scratch - will still consider on top as long
as the price is decent. (2) LARJON LEAH was struggling all year but finally put together a good effort last
week, beating the bottom level with a tough first over trip - she may build some confidence off that win, but
we're still sticking with others for the top slot. (1) CHECKERED PAST draws her FIFTH rail in a row (at
Yonkers) but has only been able to pick up smaller pieces lately - probably more of the same tonight (6)
CORAL BELLA had been doing better recently so last week's win over cheaper was no surprise at all-
tougher spot tonight, and probably looking at a much smaller slice (7) ELLEOFADELI has improved since
a recent barn change, but she's up in class from a tough post, and that has us leaning towards others. (8)
ALMOST KAREN struggled with a cheaper in a pair of recent local starts - brutal spot.
RACE 2 - (2) CANTSTOP YANKEE was a jogburger here 2 back and raced super in last as well, coming
up an excellent 2nd best to LOOKS LIKE MONI - has a post edge on that one tonight, and we'll see if he
can use it to flip last week's decision. (6) LOOKS LIKE MONI has been facing tougher all year and was
able to make his local debut a winning one....although the top choice made him earn the victory - may very
well be able to overcome the draw and take another. (1) BACKSTREET PLAYER finished 3rd behind the
top two last week, hurt by a shuffle to 3/4s - he's ultra consistent, and next in line should either of the top
pair falter. (7) QUINCY MARKET has been doing better since the Sept. barn change, but is still not quite
hitting on all cylinders - chance for a piece, if he behaves. (5) HEADOVERBOOTS AS was on and off the
bit in his local debut, ultimately just missing at the wire - delivered a sharper try in last week's victory, but
he'll be taking on much tougher tonight...we'll see if he's able to hang with these too. (3) THE BOSS MAN
has been a pretty consistent performer, but does seem a notch below the main players - probably looking at
only minor spoils in this field. (4) SLAVE LABOUR was no threat in his local debut - sticking with others
RACE 3 - (7) CRUSH ME may be worth a stab in here - she's been facing much better, and lands in a field
of mares that are mostly beyond camera shy- maybe she get involved early enough to beat this shaky crew?
(4) ROBMOTION BLUECHIP is 1 for 27 at YR but did race pretty well last week in her 2nd try for a new
barn (8 hole the first week) - not a bad week to give her a look. (1) ANNE BONNEY N will likely look to
wire these and just may be able to do that....but note that she's 1 for 30 this year before loving her too much
(at a short price). (5) MILADY DENVER A had been terrible for weeks but did race better in her last 2
amateur races upstate - she's capable of a good mile, when in the mood (as rare as that seems to be). (3)
SOUND IDEA will attract plenty of $$ as she's been facing better for a long time - she's also been off form
for ages, and could be vulnerable here. (2) E R HILARY picked up a win in a total "fall apart" race 4 back
but struggled prior to that, and ever since - hard to really like her chances. (6) TAKEN CONTROL has
really gone the wrong way in her last few starts
RACE 4 - (4) CIEL BLUE left well in his YR debut but broke trying for the lead - made a pretty nice
recovery, was up into 3rd by the stretch but made another miscue at that point - solid trainer drops him right
back in the box, and might be worth sticking with tonight. (8) FAVORITE AUNT turned in an excellent
3YO season in Ohio, banking over $150K - something clearly wasn't right for her YR debut (new barn) but
sharp outfit drops her right back in the box, and she could easily show up on her best game tonight...which
would give her a big chance against these, even from Post 8. (3) LONESTAR FASHION jogged in his first
2 starts in from Indiana, then was a first over 3rd at Pocono - made a costly break in the pocket last week,
however, so we'll see if he can bounce right back tonight (definite threat if he does). (6) MUSCLE DAN
found a soft spot last week and easily handled the front end assignment - this is a tougher spot, and he's
likely looking at a bit smaller share this time around. (2) BY A HOFF HANOVER is just 1 for 31 this year
(0 for 11 at YR) but he can leave the gate and stays trotting - chance for a small piece. (7) AVACAKES just
got too hot 2 back and folded badly after brushing to the lead - was forced to relax more in her last and was
able to turn that into a 21-1 victory when the race basically fell apart in front of her - tougher field and Post
7 figure to really hurt her chances tonight, however. (1) FIFTINI broke for her new barn at Chester last start
then was scratched sick from her last - will just observe, for now. (5) HALLWAY BABE was empty
dropping down to NW2 last week, and now faces much tougher in this NW4 class
RACE 5 - (4) IN LOU OF MONEY was well backed last week from her outside post, worked out a pretty
good trip but just came up empty - she'll be a better price now, definitely can beat these "on her best", and
may be worth sticking with one more time. (6) TENTHOUSAND ANGELS landed on a disastrous trip in
her return to YR and really didn't get beat that badly- at that 20-1 ML price she has to be worth a look, even
with another bad draw. (3) IDEATION HANOVER was handled aggressively by Bartlett last week and
came up 2nd best to the well meant, frontrunning winner - logical threat tonight, but also figures to be
overbet. (2) BETTORSHIGHLIGHT N turned in her best effort in a while last week and now gets post
relief - another one to consider at that 9-1 ML price. (8) HEY HEY DBAY was in a no prayer spot last
week and still managed to take home a 4th place check - she's stuck behind the 8 Ball again tonight, but it
wouldn't be a shock if she was at least close at the end....with a lot of trip luck. (7) GABBYS GIRL went
her best effort in a long time and came up 2nd best to another rival getting a big wake up call - would have
liked her chances a lot more had she drawn inside. (5) IMPRINCESSGEMMAA hasn't gone a good mile
here in a long time - we'll see if racing without Lasix tonight is any help. (1) SO SUPREME draws the pole
but was simply horrible last week
RACE 6 - (4) DRIBBLING BI was sold off a nice 2nd two back and raced well for his new connections
right off the bat, coming up 2nd best to a sharp winner - faces a few solid rivals in here, but he'll be a good
price and we'll look for an even sharper try the 2nd time around. (5) OUTSIDE THE FIRE benefited from
an abundance of breakers in his local debut, but that doesn't take away from his smashing blowout
performance - would certainly be no surprise if he was able to outrun these too. (7) ESPLOSIONE earned
$172K at 2 then followed that up with $146K (so far) at 3 - clearly a good fit here and may even be the
most talented of these....but he draws poorly upon arrival from Canada, and MAY be just a bit vulnerable
this week. (1) ARCHERY SEELSTER is a solid trotter and has picked up 3rd in both local starts - will need
to find a bit more if he hopes to get his picture taken tonight. (2) BIG CHARLIE MORAN just isn't nearly
as sharp as he was a few months ago - the good draw may help him take home a small piece. (3) PATRICK
HANOVER gets post relief from his first local try but he does seem a little on the cheaper side - we'll get a
better picture after tonight. (6) CREATIVE VENTURE is hard to recommend of his last couple
RACE 7 - (5) COMMANDER CATHY N finally got into the win column 2 back and was as good (or
better) in her last, charging home to almost upset the heavy favorite - should be a fair price tonight, and she
may be able to take another with a live trip. (2) WESTERN ROSIE was a close 3rd off the class drop last
week behind a couple of nice mares - drops again, her barn is hot, and she's a very legitimate threat here.
(1) ALTA MADEIRA N hot board in 4 of her last 5, and drew Post 8 in the other start - should be in the
hunt from start to finish tonight. (7) SPORTS FLIX was used hard for the entire mile before drawing away
(vs. cheaper) 2 back - moved up a bit for her last and crushed again, but now takes on much tougher while
stuck with Post 7 - still, chance for a piece in her current form. (3) BOTTOMOFTHENINTH lagged then
rallied late in her 2 local starts - may be able to do the same tonight, for a minor piece. (6) JOYRIDE HAN
OVER is 0 for 6 at YR and gets a tough draw in a well matched field- leaning towards others. (4) CORSINI
A loses Holland, and tends to only grab minor pieces anyway. (8) SEZANA N figures to have a hard time
getting in the mix from all the way out here
RACE 8 - (1) HEY LIVVY put on the hopples for that qualifier and it would appear they helped - we know
there's plenty of talent here, so we'll see if the equipment change can help her stay trotting - willing to give
her a shot tonight. (4) GHOSTINTHESHELL is a different horse when Dube drives and the pair are
reunited for tonight - they're 4 for 4 together here at Yonkers, and that includes a win at this level 2 back -
major danger. (2) KENZIESKY HANOVER is a solid player week after week, and the good draw gives her
a strong chance to land somewhere on the ticket - include in exotics. (8) GREY has simply been a different
animal since moving to this barn in mid Sept. - she's not a great leaver, so she'll probably need to find a spot
somewhere -- her chances go way up IF Kakaley can find her a manageable trip. (3) QUEEN OF ALL
never got herself in play last week but she's gone plenty of strong miles against these - might rebound with
a good one tonight, and that would put her tight in the hunt for a big piece. (6) X O X O has developed into
a very nice trotter at 4, and was just 2nd in this class last week - may have a little trouble with tonight's
spot, however. (7) PLUMB was an even 4th last week but will need an awful lot to go her way to be a
threat from out here. (5) TITANS HOPE seems pretty overmatched with tonight's big class hike
RACE 9 - (1) HECKRAISER HANOVER was doing good work until last week's miscue at Chester - goes
back to a pilot he's very familiar with for his YR debut, and he seems the one to beat in this modest NW2
field. (4) FREE DRINKS is just 1 for 16 but has speed, hails from a sharp barn, and should fit well shipping
in from PA. (2) SAID N DONE AS was an ok 3rd in his first local try, but made a break in his last -
probably can grab a share if he behaves himself. (3) STARLIT THISWANMAN has shown little in 3 local
starts but he figures to be closer to the action tonight and does get a big barn change - maybe he can land a
share? (5) CHAPERIDGE just hasn't thrived at all since the July purchase - still waiting for any signs of
improvement. (6) SANTA MONICAAS is just 2 for 24, and one of those wins came 2 weeks ago (in a
NW1 at PcD) -would have given a longer look had she drawn inside. (7) ARABELLAS GLIDER was an
even 4th in his local debut but will need to find more to be a player here, especially from Post 7. (8)
BRUTUS BEEFCAKE is 1 for 17 racing primarily against cheaper.