The Empire Report - Thursday, November 4, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (8) MORNING HAS BROKEN is a great value play in tonight's opener - charged home from
well back last week to be right there 3rd, and had a chance to win if Zeron had moved her a bit earlier -
obviously it won't be easy starting from yet another terrible post, but the price should be pretty juicy and
Zeron may have a bit more confidence in her now. (7) FREE EXCHANGE was a winner last week (vs. #8)
and has been very sharp for a while - will need some racing luck from out here, but clearly sharp enough to
win if she gets some. (1) GOTTALOVEMYSHADOW was just "ok" last time but it was a good step back
in the right direction after finishing way up the track the week before - chance to do some damage from the
pole tonight. (3) A CRAFTY LADY is more than capable of beating these on her best game, but she's been
very inconsistent lately, and hard to play at a short price against this evenly matched bunch. (5) WAKEME
SHAKEME will likely attract plenty of $$ tonight but she's just 1 for 21 on the year, and there are others in
here offering better value...at least for the top spot. (6) HEAVENS DANCER debuts for the Dynamic Duo
so that automatically gives her a chance to improve dramatically- she does seem to be considerably cheaper
than most of these, though. (4) VELOCITY MCSWEETS has raced well here on several occasions and
could easily grab herself a piece - just another possibility in this very tough opener. (2) NATCHEZ BELLE
is a 3YO filly facing older....may need an easier spot
RACE 2 - (6) JESSIES OUTLAWED has hit board in all 3 local tries, and wasn't far behind a couple of
rivals last week that would be 1/5 against these - would help if Smith could at least be a little aggressive off
the car so that he doesn't have so much work to do at the end. (3) FUNKY BISCUIT was actually sent off
at 4/5 three starts back but fell apart in the stretch after making a good rush to the lead to 3/4s - broke in his
next and while he did finish 2nd last week, he was really just "ok" - figures to be better than a lot of these,
but hard to get excited about a wager when he's listed at 8/5 on the ML! (1) KEYSTONE CECILIA won
her first try here at Yonkers but has been no good ever since - in need of a major wakeup - maybe the
addition of Lasix will help? (7) SV ROYAL FLUSH added Lasix last week but actually tired much worse
than he usually does - can use his speed to get into play even from out here, and he'll be a big price - worth
a look, at least for a piece. (4) CHERRY MASON is just 1 for 25 and that win was in 2:04.4 - no better (or
worse) than any of the others in here. (5) SQUABLE got much better as the year went on but definitely is
not hitting on all cylinders at the moment - may be able to come up with a better effort tonight but at that
3-1 ML price, he's hard to like on top. (8) HES EXPLOSIVE hails from a barn that has done well with
these cheaper trotters but does face an uphill battle from Post 8 in his YR debut. (2) TRIUMPHUS has
shown little in 3 local attempts
RACE 3 - (2) LARJON LEAH tailed off for a few starts but showed up with a BIG effort last week,
battling all she could after a long first over bid, holding dead game right to the wire - can be very tough
here with a similar effort. (1) NORMANS MADELINE has been ok in her last few, and now gets both post
and class relief - expect a very aggressive try here. (3) MONICA GALLAGHER was very well meant in
her last but unable to keep it going on the front end - should be a very live player again tonight. (5) PRAY
THE ROSARY has been pretty solid in her last few - a live trip could land her somewhere on the ticket. (4)
SOMEBEACHSOMEFRA returns off a win at Stga. and has plenty of (good) history here at Yonkers - not
sure about her trip for tonight, and guessing that she's probably looking at a smaller piece tonight. (8) ANG
ELS PRIDE can do damage at this level...but probably not from a spot like this. (6) ANN HILL just hasn't
been sharp in her last couple - will keep an eye tonight, and perhaps consider when she gets a class drop
next week. (7) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE usually needs to be in (much) cheaper to bring her best
RACE 4 - (5) OPERATION SHIPLEY has only one win in 4 starts since arriving from Iowa but two losses
came behind the promising DROP THE MIC, and the other was a 3rd from Post 8 - supposed to beat this
crew tonight. (7) BLANK SPACE AS held well for 3rd in his YR debut after shooting the top from Post 7 -
can land on the ticket once again tonight. (6) CHROME PACKAGE is 0 for 14 here this year but he did hit
board 7X - chance for a piece if he stays trotting. (1) DRAVEN HANOVER should end up with a good trip
from this spot - maybe can stick around and pick up 3rd/4th? (8) GREG is 4-1-2-1 since arriving at
Yonkers but comes into tonight after being scratched lame, and starts from Post 8 - does seem a bit
vulnerable right now. (2) MASS FLOW really didn't fire in his local debut but that was off 3 weeks -
maybe cam be a bit better racing on consecutive weeks? (3) ORIGINAL SMOKEY did pick up a win here
5 starts down but he's mostly just even going in most of his starts - prefer others. (4) HOT CHOCO LATTE
ships in from Michigan and we'll just watch, for now
RACE 5 - (3) BLUEBIRD ROCKY was in a bit too tough in his last couple in Indiana but was solid when
facing overnight horses before that - moves to a barn that has a long history of doing well with these types,
and we'll hop on board for his local debut. (2) FAWN DE TOUCH is a pretty solid filly when she minds her
manners - could be a big threat here if she sticks to trotting. (1) DA BOOGIE MAN got away in the back
then made a break at Pocono but went several solid miles here before that - assuming that last effort was
just a bad blip, he should be around from start to finish here - include in exotics. (4) YUCATAN PARTY
MAN has become a pretty solid trotter since he started getting catch drivers at the lines a while back -
draws well enough to have some say here, with the right trip. (6) HEARTOFGOLD DEVIE was a winner
(vs. cheaper) 2 back off the barn change, but was unable to get involved in last - jury still out on her at this
NW4 level. (7) KING JIMMY rattled off 3 wins here earlier this year but then hit a rough patch - ships
back from Stga. (where he was racing well), but might have given him more consideration had he not
drawn so far outside. (8) LINDYS GOIN CRAZY draws the worst possible spot for his local debut and is
just 1 for 20 on the year - good week to just observe. (5) CIRCLE OF LIFE AS beat a cheap filed (in a slow
mile) at PcD 2 back, and just seems below a bunch of these right now
RACE 6 - Good race: (1) CLASSICIST was sent off favored from Post 6 last week taking on older foes
and was able to prevail, despite being used pretty hard and facing a few tests - this is not an easy field by
any means, but the rail draw may give her the edge she needs to take another. (8) EASY TO PLACE has
proven to be an astute purchase, and she's really hitting on all cylinders right now - returns from Chester
where she just got beat by a neck in a track record mile, but still will need to find a way to overcome Post
8...and that's never an easy chore. (4) MILIEU HANOVER has struggled a bit on turns here in the past but
seems to be getting better lately - not sure about her trip tonight, but a good one could land her another nice
piece. (6) DELITFULCATHERIN N has lost 4 straight after winning her first 5 U.S. starts but she's still
racing very well - tough spot from Post 6, but she'll be a good price and MAY be able to grab a share with
some trip luck. (3) DELIGHTFUL Z TAM is often good for a late rally - the price will be right if you think
she can get rolling on time to find her way onto the ticket. (7) ELLAGATOR has been razor sharp,
finishing 1st or 2nd in 6 of her last 7 starts - the fact that she's selected all the way down here tells you just
how solid this field is! (5) CYCLONE SISTER was no factor in her local debut and lands in a very tough
spot tonight - sticking with others. (2) EYE POPPING has been unable to replicate that form reversing win
from 4 starts back - seems unlikely to do damage with these.
RACE 7 - (5) DRAGON ROLL has been 1st or 2nd in 7 straight starts, and hit board in 9 in a row - she
handles every trip that comes her way and is often a decent price - we'll give her the edge thanks to the kind
post draw. (7) THE BETHINATOR was heavily backed moving up to the Open last week and she delivered
a dominant, winning performance - will be tough again, even from Post 7. (6) NATASHA beat these with a
pocket trip 2 back, and had plenty of pace from a tough spot in last - if things get testy up front, she could
show up late...at a nice price. (1) JIVE DANCING A hasn't beaten the Open yet but she's been razor sharp
for some time, and the rail draw at least gives her a chance at pulling off an upset. (4) SNOBBYTOWN did
run down RACINE BELL from the pocket 3 back but it seems that a few mares were able to do that
recently - her overall recent form is really just "ok", and we're leaning to a couple of others tonight. (8)
MYSTICAL CARRIE ships in from Hoosier and just like THE BETHINATOR, is clearly a high quality
mare - gets a very tough post assignment for her YR debut, however, and may struggle a bit from this spot.
(2) YS TALLIA and (3) SHELLIE DE VIE are both nice mares, but both seem somewhat overmatched
against the top ones in here.
RACE 8 - Wide open NW15000 race where almost all of these mares do their best vs. easier: (1) CORSINI
A has made 6 starts since arriving in the U.S and been 2nd in 5 of the, (including her 1st try here last week)
- draws best, and maybe she'll finally get over the hump tonight. (5) COWGIRL LILLY landed on perfect
trips the last 2 weeks and pounced on them - the race may set up in her favor again...and that would give
her a chance at the "hat trick". (7) SANDYS BEACH may be too far out to do any real damage BUT if the
race gets contentious up front, it's possible that it could help set up her one good rush - worth at least a look
at that 20-1 ML price. (4) GOLDEN QUEST N picked up only her 2nd win of the year last week but her
overall form has been better - she has more than enough back class to beat these if she's starting to feel
good again. (3) SEZANA N came into her last at 0 for 23 on the year, and was racing off 3 weeks after a
sick scratch...and she went out and delivered a powerful first over win despite all those reasons why she
SHOULDN'T have been able to do it....maybe she'll build enough confidence to make it two in a row? (2)
GREENHILL HANOVER was an ok 4th last week and does move inside - her only 2 local wins are at the
bottom level, however. (6) JUXTA COWGIRL grabs her share of wins every year, although she seems to
grab more of them out of town - outside draw doesn't help her cause. (8) PONDER THE ODDS has been
away for 3 months and draws Post 8 - not usually a winning formula
RACE 9 - (1) BETTERB CHEVRON N was flying late last week and looked the mare that was on that
major form spree not long ago - wired a better field from the pole on 9/23, and will look to do the same to
these tonight. (6) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N is used to facing better here - not a great draw, but Zeron
should still be able to find her a trip that can make her a player tonight. (2) CASH ROLL continues to race
well week after week (including her last, where she was killed by a horrible trip) - definitely could add
some value to the exotics. (4) MAJOR BATTLE also had a bad trip last week in the same race as #2 -
overall form has been excellent, and a good trip would put her in play for another good piece tonight. (5)
JOSSIE JAMES A just isn't close to her nest form right now, but she does keep dropping in the box - prefer
others but also waiting for her to just come up with one of her big miles one of these weeks (7) APRIL
AVA may be handled conservatively tonight after making a break trying to leave last week - would need a
good price to look her way here. (8) SPORTS FLIX ended up parked by Robert DiNozzi last week so just
give her a pass for that - unfortunately, the draw suggests she may have to wait another week before we see
her best. (3) IM VERY SPECIAL was no good at all last week, and faces a pretty solid bunch tonight - will
just be keeping an eye on her, for now
RACE 10 - (1) YOU WILL BE QUEEN raced super upon arrival from Canada, blasting from Post 8 to get
an up close trip, then rallying to be a strong 2nd behind the standout winner - faces a couple of solid rivals
here, but has earned top billing with that last performance. (2) ETHAN T HANOVER has 2 wins and solid
3rd (in a fast mile) from his last 3 starts - very legitimate contender, but also sure to be overbet. (4) CAMD
EN HILLS has done good work since joining the Super Siblings, and adding trotting hobbles - moves
inside tonight, and will surely make his presence felt at some point. (3) COCKTAILS N DREAMS is a bit
below the top ones, but may just tow along from this spot and be able to take home a small piece. (8) GAB
IN MOTION shipped down from Canada on 10/7 a delivered a 6 length front end blowout, establishing a
new 1:55.3 mark in the process - seemed headed for bigger and better things, but then made breaks in his
next 2 starts and had to re-qualify -- not sure it's a good week to hop back on board from Post 8, although
the price will be right for anybody looking to do so. (5) DUDELOOKSLIKELINDY raced well for 2nd at
PcD off the barn change and was getting over the half just fine at Harrington prior to that - we'll see if he's
fast enough to hang with these better ones. (6) BIG BAD SWAN has stayed trotting since adding hobbles 3
back, but has been unable to get into the hunt in his last two after blowing out cheaper 3 back - may end up
in that same boat tonight from this spot. (7) DIFFIDENT probably needs to be inside to have any chance
against this type
RACE 11 - Good race: (5) ROSE RUN VICTORY scored a nice pocket win here 2 back, then ran into a
tough trip in last when trying two moves against the impressive THE BETHINATOR - should be a fair
price in a field with several legitimate contenders. (3) CRAZY CUTE only raced here a few times as a
youngster but she's become a winning machine in PA, already with 11 victories this year - has 5 wins since
August, and looms a big threat in her Hilltop return. (1) BOLT OF BEAUTY was admittedly helped by a
perfect trip last week, but she draws best tonight and will be very dangerous with any half decent journey/
(2) MAN DONTFORGET ME was handled by her owner last week and not surprisingly, ruined the race for
several other horses (while also helping some others, benefiting from the unnecessary up front battle) - goes
back to Buter for tonight, and she's gone more than enough big miles here to have a chance tonight. (4)
EDGE OF ETERNITY was one of the ones who benefited from last week's up front battle, coming up 2nd
best to #1 - has held her form beautifully as she's climbed the class ladder, and may be able to go home with
a good piece tonight too. (7) ROCKNROLL ANNIE also benefited last week, rallying nicely from 7th to
3rd as the leaders gave way to 3/4s - may not land on nearly as good a trip tonight, though. (6) SCANDA
LICIOUS is on a good roll lately, but that may come to an end against this tougher bunch.
RACE 12 - (1) MELODIES MAJOR plunges from $75K claimers to NW7500, draws the pole, and was a
winner the last time he was in this cheap - the one to beat in the finale. (3) MISTER DONALD A was way
off the car at the start last time, lagged at the back and still only lost the whole race by a couple of lengths -
may come alive tonight. (8) YACHT SEELSTER also drops from the 75s but he lands all the way outside.
and does face the possibility of a tough trip - not as confident about his chances, although it would be hard
to leave him off the ticket. (4) BILBO HANOVER went a couple of sharp tries here back in July - needed
his last (off the bad date), but not a bad bomb to include in exotics. (7) PICARD A drops down from the
30s but hasn't been on his best game for a while - we'll see if the class relief helps perk him up. (2) EPIC
ACE hasn't been sharp but the good draw may allow him to beat out a few for a small check. (6) WAIMAC
ATTACK N is just 1 for 31 at Yonkers, and would be hard to consider for anything more than a minor
share. (5) MCCLINCHIE N probably needs to drop down to NW5000 in order to be a player