The Empire Report – Tuesday, September 10, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – Italian/American Amateur Challenge: (7) CANNERY ROW has been better overall since recently
changing hands and her last effort was her best to date – she’ll obviously need a lot of trip luck to win from out here
but she’ll be a huge price, and her pilot had good days at both Freehold and Monticello (with big priced horses) –
worth a stab in the opener? (1) BROOKDALE JESSIE has just ONE win in modern memory but sure enough it
came from the rail, in one of these Italian/American Challenges we had during the spring– déjà vu? (2) FRONDEUR
is very sharp, gets a good draw, and should go just as well tonight for her new barn – she’ll also be VERY well
backed at the windows, so perhaps a couple of others will offer a little more value. (3) TYRA MAKES BANK is a
very steady player in this class, has speed, and should be up close all the way – another possibility. (5) IRON MIST
RESS is just 1 for 33 locally over the past 3 seasons – ok for underneath, but sticking with others on top. (4) SOUT
HWIND MINA picked her game up in her last pair out of town, and should fit well enough with the locals – ok for a
piece. (8) IM FANCY LIKE was a close 2 nd in her Yonkers debut but that was from the pole – faces a tough journey
starting from out here. (6) DANDYS SHOWTIME hasn’t been sharp and would be a surprise
RACE 2 - Italian/American Amateur Challenge: (1) THRASHER has been better since a recent barn change and
simply caught a VERY hot mile last week (behind a “wake up call”, classy winner) – he can be a little lazy in the
early stages but as long as Verruso can keep him motivated, he may be able to get it done in the end. (4) MAXIMUS
RED A hasn’t been “great” since the recent $40K claim but it’s not like he’s been bad – he can’t help be a major
threat against this bunch. (7) YO A J missed some time after a sick scratch but took only 2 starts to get back to the
winner’s circle at Freehold (as the favorite) – a quick getaway would put him right into the mix. (2) KB MAC threw
a dud last start but most of his starts would be good enough to put him the hunt for a good piece here – ok for
exotics. (5) NOME HANOVER has been limited to minor spoils in most of his recent efforts and seems destined for
more of the same tonight. (8) ALWAYS ROCKIN caught a very fast mile off the layoff last week but wasn’t terrible
– he may be able to pass a few of these at the end. (3) FREE TO DREAM has just one 3rd from his 6 local starts, and
will need to improve to be any kind of player. (6) HEART ON MY SLEEVE is having a rough year (24-0-0-3)
RACE 3 – (6) OURLITTLEMIRACLE dropped to 20s last week, was well backed, worked out the two hole trip
and can be forgiven for not being able to run down the currently very sharp winner – this is an easier field, and she
deserves a chance to get it done tonight. (5) THUNDRA is notoriously camera shy at Yonkers but she returns from
PcD in excellent form, and has to be given a legitimate chance in here – the main danger. (3) TERACITA continues
to be well backed every week and continues to disappoint every time – willing to use underneath, but sticking with
others on top. (1) MIKILOB ULTRA showed up to grab the victory in last week’s “fall apart” race but her 24-1 price
seemed about 1/3 of what it should have been – we’ll see if it was just a fluke, or if she really can hang with the 20s
on a weekly basis. (2) MICHELLES JAZZ doesn’t have the best looking lines but her last 2 starts from inside posts
weren’t bad, and she may be able to add some value to the exotics. (7) PROVE EM WRONG has a top trainer/driver
combination but has managed just 1 second from 8 local tries and draws poorly here. (8) PRINCESS ARONA has
been struggling – Post 8 isn’t the cure. (4) GEORGIA THOMPSON’s comeback trail took a turn for the worse when
she finished distanced last week – waiting for some better signs before considering
RACE 4 – (8) IDEALINFUN weakened a bit in her last but was chasing a very hot mile, vs. better – she’s been
terrific at this level for some time, and even shows an 8 hole victory on 7/23 – if Brennan can find her a manageable
trip, she could score the mild upset. (4) FREESTARFLIGHT gave way to pressure and weakened last time but that
:26.3 opener (from Post 7) may have played a big role – she rattled off 4 in a row not long ago, and could be
dangerous here with an easier trip. (2) CHASE YOU wasn’t bad at all for her new barn last week, right there in this
class upon arrival from Ohio – eligible to be even sharper tonight, and worth considering. (1) CRUISERSFOXYJU
DY put in a nice rally in her first try in this class, a close 3 rd after coming from well back – no reason she can’t have
a big say tonight if things go her way. (5) NO WIN NO FEED A looked ready to tire into the lane last week but kept
digging late and was right there 2nd – she’s already been 1 st or 2nd sixteen times this year, and obviously can’t be
taken too lightly. (3) HONEY LOVE has been having stamina issues lately – can’t see her grabbing more than a
minor share tonight. Both (6) LOOKOVERYOUR and (7) PURAMERI are racing okay but face very tough tasks
trying to rally from well out of it
RACE 5 – (4) HARPER SEELSTER was a winner 4 back, just missed form Post 8 in her next then was 2
nd best to a pair of razor sharp winners in her last two – gets top billing tonight. (3) PINK RUBY was trapped too long last week
before finally rallying for 4 th – she’s been 1 st or 2 nd 13X this year, and should be a very live player tonight. (8) SHEI
KH YABOOTY N had no chance once she came off the gate last week – lands all the way outside tonight, but has
the right pilot to blast her out of there – could be a player from start to finish. (2) LYONS MIKI had a nice form
spree recently, culminating in that win 2 back (over the top choice) – she reverted to her sluggish ways in her last,
however, so we’ll see which direction she heads tonight. (1) TUAPEKA JESSIE N hasn’t been a threat in a longtime
– maybe the rail can help her grab at least a small share? (6) PHELGON can be okay at times in this class but
tonight’s draw figures to limit her output. (5) EVAS SPORTS CZECH had a good streak at one time but hasn’t done
much in quite a while. (7) BEAUTY OF THE SEA probably needs an inside draw to be a player with these
RACE 6 – Good race: (3) NUTTINBUTHEBEST raced much better than expected earlier in the year, tailed off
badly, and has rebounded to be “in and out” in a bunch of her recent starts – this could be a spot where she can get
more aggressive, and that may suit here – narrow vote. (6) ALWAYS BE CITY got knocked down when moving on
the 2 nd turn last week and that seemed to kill her momentum beyond repair (though still 4th) – she’s rock solid in this
class, and could offer some good value if the trip goes her way. (5) UNITY goes for her 6th trainer since July 2 and
she’s done super for most of them – she threw a rare dud last week, and it’s anybody’s guess if she can bounce right
back tonight – be careful about taking too short a price. (4) LARJON LEAH was no factor off the claim last week,
but did have Post 7 – she was a sharp winner for this barn 5 starts back, and would be worth considering of the price
is decent. (7) TOBAGO TIME is 0 for 18 locally over the past 2 years but she’s returning in fine form from Pocono,
and that 20-1 ML price makes her worth at least a look. (8) ROCKROLL ANNIE picked up her only win of the
season 4 back but hasn’t been better than 6 th since then. (1) THINK AHEAD drops in for a tag but these may still be
a bit tougher than she can handle. (2) EBONY LADY dropped in for this price last week and tired off a pocket trip
RACE 7 – (2) RENAISSANCE DEO was off a couple of months to his last start and also had trouble finding room
in the lane but was still right there 3rd – could be ready for a winning effort here, but that 8/5 ML price is admittedly
a turn off. (3) FORWARD LOOK shipped in sharp and just missed to an equally sharp SINBAD N last week– draws
well, has speed, and looms a major threat once more. (8) ICACO HANOVER was handled conservatively last week
off the qualifier but paced a solid final half and should be tighter now– if Kakaley sees an opportunity to leave, he
may be able to put this guy in play...upset chance? (6) I AINT NO MACK finishes strong every start and definitely
fits nicely here – he’ll need some trip luck from this spot, but has a chance to charge by late if he gets some. (5) JER
SEY BEACH has a couple of starts in this class but it’s still a little hard to get a good read on him – not impossible,
but leaning towards others. (4) D A MCDREAMY looks like a total outsider off his Canadian lines but note that his
trainer is 14-6-4-1 at Yonkers before dismissing him completely. (1) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH has a few recent
Indiana lines that could make him a git here but he’s just 2 for 26 lifetime, and we’ll just keep an eye on him for now
(7) FINAL CHANCE ships in from PcD and would seem overmatched, especially with Post 7
RACE 8 – (7) ENDOFSTORY always hinted at serious ability but he’s really hitting on all cylinders right now – he
jogged in his last local start (8/20), took a new 1:49.4 record with an easy win at PcD the next week, then came up
2 nd best in his last in a 1:48.2 mile to CARABAO A (who was last seen here finishing 2 nd to DESPERATE MAN in
the Open) – deserves top billing returning to The Hilltop. (5) THE IDEAL DANCER A was well meant 2 back but
got bothered past the half, and still only lost by half a length – he came up 2 nd best last week to the “good” POINTO
MYGRANSON, and could be a threat here with the right trip. (3) FAMILY RECIPE shook free inside last week,
went by the leader but was run down by a horse that did no racing to the top of the lane – he’s been very good for an
extended period, and a very legitimate player tonight. (2) EUPHORIA N steps up another level after winning his last
two, retains Bartlett, but may find these just a little tougher than he’d like – still can take home a good piece, though.
(1) SAMHARA N is capable with these on his best...but he hasn’t brought that “A Game” in a while. (8) SINBAD
N blew up early as the 1/5 favorite 2 back but rewarded those who stayed with him one more week with a 6-1
victory in his last – figures to have a much tougher time finding a manageable trip from out here, however. (4) FRA
NCO NANDOR N delivered the head-scratching, form-reversing 43-1 win three back but his last couple at Fhd.
show that it wasn’t just a total fluke – this field does figure to slow him down, though. (6) MY CARBON COPY N
is 1 for 32 locally over the past 2 years, and that win was at the bottom level, off a pocket trip
RACE 9 – (1) PANETTONE HANOVER was sharpening and looked good on 7/29 and then 8/5 – was scratched
sick on 8/19 then resurfaced for a new barn (off a month) in his last, charging home to take a seasonal mark, despite
the bad date – deserves the edge from the rail tonight. (4) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR was 13-6-2-3 here last year
and certainly seemed to enjoy returning to Yonkers last week, kicking home in a powerful :26.4 to outsprint a very
good KINGSVILLE – real threat to take another. (2) BIG GULP had been disappointing for a few starts before
finding a bunch he could wire on 8/19 – had no chance in his next (Post 7), then was scratched sick from his last –
make sure to get a good price if trying him on top here. (5) BINGE ON YANKEE was sent off at 3/5 for his last
local try and was a dead game winner one level down, holding off the classy NANDOLO N – he does have appeal at
that 12-1 ML price. (6) SEMI TOUGH hasn’t been on his best game lately but it would never be a total shock to see
the classy veteran win at this level. (3) SLIP THE HUNDY N just missed wiring the field at 24-1 in his only local
try – he seems a little one-dimensional, but he’s not a bad one for longshot fans. (7) YOROKOBI N usually
struggles when stuck outside like this,
RACE 10 – (5) BIRTHDAY’s only “bad” efforts since arriving from Ohio were when he drew horribly in good
fields – his recent form is particularly sharp, and that was an excellent 8 hole try for 2 nd last week (behind a razor
sharp, front end winner) – we’ll go with him on top. (3) THE GOOD DOCTOR saw his 5 race winning streak ended
when he shipped in and drew Post 6 in the 3-5YO Open but he didn’t embarrass himself that night, or in the same
class the following week – he demolished a bit cheaper in his last, and is definitely sharp enough to be a big player
here too. (2) TWIN B SEAMONSTER is the “x factor” tonight – he had been on a tear in Ohio facing (cheaper)
conditioned claimers but he’s undeniably sharp, and that’s a mighty good looking “maintenance qualifier” he had for
his new barn – we’ll learn more after tonight. (4) TWIN B DELUXE has been good for some time, and could rally
for a small piece with the right trip. (1) AMMO seems to need the front end in cheaper spots to be at his best –
prefer others right now. (6) WESTERN ERA rallied for 2nd in a fall apart race 2 back but wanted no part of the much
tougher first over trip last week – still hard to get a good read on him
RACE 11 – Tough race: (2) ROCKIN N TALKIN was a very game first over 2 nd last week (moving up to this level)
and was a sharp winner over softer 3 back – he’s one of a few with a chance to come out on top in this seemingly
well matched field. (4) KINGSVILLE cut the mile the last 2 weeks only to come up a little short – he’s more than
capable with these, and he should offer some better value tonight. (5) AMERICAN FLING dropped a bit last week,
left well to grab a pocket trip but was nipped late for 2 nd – he seems capable of better, and is another with a chance
here, with the right journey. (7) NONE BETTOR A really isn’t racing “bad”...he’s just not quite as good as we’re
used to seeing him – not opposed to considering him on top of the price is juicy enough. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N
likely needs to be in a bit easier to be a threat to WIN, but he’s still sharp enough to grab a piece from a spot like
this. (3) CENTURY ENDEAVOR has been a “steady” player lately, though stuck settling for smaller pieces. (6)
GUNG HO drops a bit, but may not be sharp enough right now to capitalize
RACE 12 – (6) CALLMEQUEENBEE A moves to a new barn but she’s been razor sharp through her recent 4 race
winning streak and the guess is that she’ll be able to run it up to 5. (3) IDEAL COVER has won 4 of 5, with the lone
coming when run down by the top choice – she also moves to a new barn, and we’ll see if she can keep her fine
form going too. (1) COMMANDER CATHY N is rarely a threat to win but she’s always capable of grabbing a piece
from a spot like this. (2) MACHS LEGACY A ships in sharp from PA but her local form has been lacking in the
past – mixed feelings about her chances here. (4) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK has a mixed local history, but
definitely some nice efforts on the “NWPM” classes – she also returns sharp from PcD, and could have some say
here. (5) NIKASA N was ignored stepping up from 20s to 25s last week and returned a very generous $19.20 to
those who stayed faithful – she may not enjoy that same success trying to make the jump from 25s to 50s, however.
(8) JUST ROSAS LUCK lands Post 8 in 50s after coming up a bit short week after week vs. the 25s. (7) TECHYS
ANGEL A drops in for a tag after folding badly in her last pair (after a long layoff).