The Empire Report - Monday, August 8, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - The Italian/American Friendship Pace: (6) YAYAS HOT SPOT is listed at 12-1 ML and may be
worth a stab in here - his pilot Daniele Orsini was a winner in the trotting version of this race on Friday
night, sitting parked every step with HOBBS (who NEVER wins!), and still going on by into the stretch
and winning easily - we'll give him a shot at another upset tonight. (5) TOM ME GUN N is winless in 12
starts this year but is a steady player at this level - driver Maurizio Biasuzzi is one the sport's finest
ambassadors, and finished 2nd with big longshot WINNERESS here on Friday - maybe he can reverse the
decision with his countrymate tonight? (3) JESSICAS BEACH BOY can leave the gate quickly, and
Francesco Caruso may get to cut this mile - he hasn't been finishing well enough lately, but may be able to
last a long way against these. (2) VENIER HANOVER will have the talented Anthony Verruso on board,
but this one has tailed dramatically since being claimed in late May - the aggressive try last week failed
badly, but perhaps an easier trip can help his cause tonight. (1) DRY RIDGE ACE tends to start slow, then
finish well - definitely a chance to grab a piece with his late kick. (4) BASS PLAYER seems a little bit
cheaper than a few of the main players, but may be sharp enough to land a small share with an easy trip. (7)
WOODMERE SKYROLLER was sharp for weeks, but really went in the wrong direction since mid-June --
will need a big wake up call to be a player tonight. (8) GYPSY LEATHER is struggling right now and also
draws the worst post - would certainly be a big surprise
RACE 2 - (5) LINDSEYS PRIDE had been racing a bit better than his lines looked so it was no great shock
when he just missed (at 39-1!) on 7/13, or when a solid 2nd behind the front-running favorite the next week
- has missed a little time, but the guess here is that he'll be ready for another big mile. (7) BIG BAD SWAN
was a winner at this level 3 back, and sent off as the favorite last week....so it's a bit of a surprise to see him
listed at 20-1 ML - would absolutely use him if anything even close to that price. (3) WILD AND CRAZY
GUY takes plenty of $$ every week, but he's been 3rd in 7 of his last 8 starts - this may be the week he puts
it all together and gets his picture taken, but he's hard to back with any enthusiasm at that 6/5 ML price. (1)
NIGHT FLYER K has been on the upswing the past few starts for a very high % barn - draws best for her
Yonkers debut, and is worth including in exotics. (2) CRAZYCAT is closing in on 200 career starts and the
9YO still goes plenty of solid efforts - may need to be in a little easier to get to the winner's circle, however
(4) STEUBEN HANOVER's best recent efforts have come against a bit cheaper - may need to up his game
a bit to contend for a top slot here. (8) SEVENTIER has been disappointing for several weeks now, and
lands all the way outside for tonight - a wake up call is not impossible, but we're still leaning towards others
(6) FASHIONFOREVER figures to be coming from too far back to make much noise in here
RACE 3 - Tough race: (2) MACINTOSH N has been very good for a long time, and gets major post relief
for tonight - the 13YO may be able to come out on top if the trip goes his way. (1) BALLERAT BOOMER
ANG is a very logical threat for the hottest trainer/driver tandem on the planet - has speed, the rail, but is
also just 1 for 14 this year, and 2 for 39 over the last 2 seasons - don't fall in love at a very short price. (4)
DARK ENERGY N has been hurt by bad posts and a sick scratch since being claimed by his current crew -
this could be a spot where he comes to life, and he's worth including if the price is decent. (5) ROCKIN M
has been going some pretty strong miles against better recently - he's missed some time, however, and also
drops in for a tag - could be some red flags here. (3) CYCLONE BANNER N won 2 of 7 starts here earlier
this year, including one from Post 8 - he may be a little cheap right now, but he's still worth a look if the
price is juicy enough. (6) APEX SEELSTER went a big mile for 2nd to a razor sharp winner 2 back, but
never lifter a hoof (Post 8) last week - hard to know what to expect from him tonight. (7) ARRHYTHMIC
SURGE has gone some nice miles when Bongiorno has been on board, but he's driving his own horse
tonight (#5) - inclined to pass on him this week. (8) FOREVER FAV has been claimed in 6 of his last 7
starts, but has only one (perfect trip) win - brutal spot tonight.
RACE 4 - This is VERY strong bunch of 75s but (3) BARBADOS has to be given top billing off last
week's very powerful first over victory - the 7YO loves to win races (13 for 35 here over the last 2 years),
and may be able to pick up another over some pretty tough foes here. (6) MOTIVE HANOVER is listed at
10-1 ML but he has 2 recent wins at this level, and had a good chance to win LAST week, had he not been
blocked badly in the stretch - will need lots of trip luck from this spot, however. (2) AIR FORCE HANOV
ER was taken for $75K last week for a powerful owner-trainer/trainer combination - he figures to be
handled aggressively here, and we'll see how he does for his new connections. (4) DON DOMINGO N
hasn't won yet at this $75K level, but he's been racing well week after week - may be able to land on the
ticket once again. (5) ROLLING WITH SAM was just "ok" in that win 2 back, but was actually VERY
good when 2nd best last week (off a much tougher trip) - note that Mr. Sears has been recruited to come
over tonight to drive a few for this very high % barn (with regular pilot Kakaley on the mend). (1) CINNA
MACK has really done well since being claimed recently by his owner/trainer - not sure he can beat these,
but it wouldn't be a big surprise to see him pick up a decent piece. (8) WICHITA LINEMAN had been
racing very well so it was quite the overlay when he won at 14-1 last week - he won't be able to just waltz
to the lead in THIS field, however. (7) PADUKA N raced well to be a close 3rd off the claim last week but
lands outside tonight, and will have Cory subbing for Jordan.
RACE 5 - (5) NONE BETTOR A beat a solid "Winners Over" field 3 back, and his last 2 tries in the Open
were a lot sharper than they may look on paper - drops to an easier spot, and we'll stamp him as the one to
beat. (2) PACE N PRIDE N had some issue on 5/21 but has been rock solid ever since (especially the last 2
weeks) - expect another strong effort here. (3) ALWAYS AND AGAIN is another hitting on all cylinders
right now, and he's shown he can handle a variety of trips- include in exotics (6) LOUS SWEETREVENGE
appreciated the class drop and was able to deliver a sharp victory last week - steps up here, but he's a
proven player at this level too....only real knock is the outside draw. (7) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N was
in a no chance spot for his local debut, but unfortunately lands in a similar spot tonight - he did finish with
sneaky pace last week, so maybe he's a decent value horse to include underneath (1) MIKES Z TAM draws
his 3rd straight rail, but he wasn't sharp enough the last 2X - we'll see if he's a little less aggressive at the
start this week. (4) DEAN B HANOVER has been a very solid 4YO, but he came up surprisingly dull last
week - hard to predict if he'll perk right up tonight, or if he'll continue to disappoint. (8) MOVIN ON UP
has solid current form, but faces an uphill battle starting from Post 7
RACE 6 - (3) IN MY DREAMS probably would have been the top choice just because he's moving into
the hottest barn in the game right now....but the fact that he's also VERY sharp just seals the deal -- the one
to beat. (6) EMOTIONS RICHES was very sharp 3 back beating the 50s off the claim - put in a big effort to
just miss against the 75s in his next, then basically just conceded from Post 8 last week - Sears should get
along very well with this one, and they could be the main danger. (1) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN
always "figures", almost always races well, but also seems to always struggle at the end of the mile - using
underneath only. (4) STONEBRIDGE GAMBLE seemed to be deteriorating rapidly but rebounded with a
much better effort last week - willing to use for a small piece. (8) HOMER HALL made a break 3 back but
has otherwise remained sharp for some time now - moves up and draws worst, but still a good bomb for
3rd/4th. (5) PUBLICITY SEEKER was an even 5th in his first try at this level last week (while well
backed) - seems like he may be more comfortable in a little cheaper. (7) PLUMB looks for 3 in a row but
she'll be going for a new barn, up in class from Post 7 - not sure she can overcome this spot. (2) BIZET
started to tail recently and had to re-qualify after pulling up on 7/15 - prefer to just observe this week
RACE 7 - (4) OZONE BLUE CHIP had an unlucky trip when 3rd off the claim 2 back but he was put on
the lead in his last and simply obliterated the field - steps up a notch, but he seems very capable of handling
it right now. (2) EXPLOIT was claimed on 7/25 after beating this class twice in a row - faced tougher in his
last, and still finished with plenty of pace from an impossible spot - major threat dropping back down to
75s. (7) DELIGHTFUL TERROR is a very steady 75 but is at a major post disadvantage tonight - may still
be able to rally late for a small piece, with a bit of trip luck. (5) CHANGE STRIDE N would look a lot
better at the $50K level, but the right trip could land him pieces even in for $75K. (6) MARK WITHA K
looked very good on paper for that 7/18 start, was sent off at 3/5 but was driven VERY conservatively by
the normally very aggressive Kakaley - the fact that he was scratched sick from his next just adds to the
speculation that he may not be 100% right now....suppose we'll find out tonight! (1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX
has raced well many times the past few months, but generally vs. cheaper - not sure if he can hang with
these. (3) RAUKAPUKA RULER N tired in his last racing off a bad date - will be handled by Lauren
Tritton tonight and while she's done well at the smaller tracks, she'll have to show that she can do as well
taking on the top drivers here at Yonkers
RACE 8 - (2) PERFECTLY CLOSE has been going some good miles lately and that effort here on 7/25
was particularly noteworthy - license to pull off the upset here if things go his way. (6) VELOCITY KOM
ODO was a sharp front end winner over cheaper 2 back - hoped to be aggressive again last week but ended
up parked (after a hot :26.3 opener) and lost any realistic chance - not a great draw for tonight, but he'll be a
fair price, and is worth considering. (3) THE REGULATOR comes off a pair ok 4ths vs. a bit better - this is
another one of the VERY strong trainer/driver combos here at Yonkers, and they've paired up for too many
wins lately to ignore. (5) CRUNCH HANOVER is a total in-and- outer -- he did show up on his game last
week, but kicked in too late to threaten for the top spot - always a guessing game with him. (8) ALEX TYE
charged home late from well out of it last week, but he's looking at another difficult trip from Post 8 tonight
- not impossible, but he'd still need to be a pretty good price to use on top from out here. (1) EHRMANTR
OUT might have been a bit closer last week had he found some room and he does show a pair of sharp
Chester wins recently (vs. better) - still not sure he can BEAT this type, though. (4) L DEES JACK LOPEZ
needed his last after missing considerable time - tighter now and moves inside, but still seems unlikely to
be a serious threat against these. (7) IM A GIGOLO N was sharp beating this class 2 back, but lacked the
late pop he needed last week - tonight's draw isn't going to help his case
RACE 9 - Good Open field! (6) FUNATTHEBEACH is always dangerous when he can sit back off a hot
pace and make a big late charge....and he just may get that scenario tonight - he'll be a decent price in this
solid field, and is definitely good right now...one of several with a legitimate shot. (8) TATTOO ARTIST
was a sharp winner in his last Open start here - followed that up with a 3rd at The Swamp in Bulldog
Hnaover's world record mile, then rallied from OFF the pace to win the Gerrity at Stga. - very real chance,
despite Post 8. (7) AMERICAN COURAGE is now 9 for 11 here at Yonkers, with issues in the 2 losses -
tough draw for tonight, and he'll also have to acclimate to a new pilot...but would still be happy to use him
as long as the price is decent. (4) AMERICAN DEALER N steps back up to the Open but he's beaten these
in the past (twice, in fact, with tonight's pilot) - we'll see if he can use his post advantage over a few of the
other main players. (2) SEMI TOUGH was 5th in his last 2 starts (off the layoff) but wasn't bad in either -
may be ready to contend for a better piece. (5) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N was very classy Down Under
and has proven himself at the top level here as well - have to believe that losing Bartlett tonight is really
going to hurt, though. (1) SMOKIN BY N is hitting on all cylinders right now, but he'll really be tested for
class against these. (3) FAMILY RECIPE won both starts since arriving from Ohio, but he'll be facing a lot
tougher tonight.....with a lot to prove
RACE 10 - (5) IGNATIUS A was handled very conservatively in his Hilltop debut but roared home with
pace for 2nd behind AMERICAN COURAGE - will hope that Lachance puts him in play a bit earlier here,
especially dropping out of the Open. (3) PRICELESS BEACH also drops down from the top level and
while his last wasn't great, he still figures to be able to have a big say tonight. (6) RED RIGHT HAND was
a nice 2nd after an easy pocket trip 2 back, but wasn't nearly as good last week - if Stratton can leave hard
and find him a nice trip, he can be a player here. (2) PEACE OUT POSSE has been in impossible spots in
his last couple but paced home well - draws well enough for a chance at a small piece tonight. (4) BUDDY
HILL has only 6 starts this year, but a couple have been really good - clearly not serious last week at PcD
(8 hole with JOHN Kakaley driving), but perhaps the tote board will offer some clues to his chances for
tonight. (1) AMERICANLIGHTNINGN was on a good roll before stopping to a crawl in his last - hard to
like his chances after taking 4 weeks off. Both (7 ) SHADOW CAT and (8) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH like
to win races, but both seem up against it with their outside draws.
RACE 11 - (1) THE WILD CARD was heavily backed last week and delivered a powerful blowout score -
steps up a notch, but looked like he was ready to take on better after last week. (2) GLACIS has been very
sharp for a very long time....but is now 1 for 20 on the year - would be hard to not have him on your tickets,
at least underneath. (3) SAULSBROOK HERO seemed to be leveling off after that 3 race win streak but
has bounced back with sharp tries in his last pair - would be no surprise at all. (4) PATRIOT NATION
moves inside and was off a bad date last week - license to impre enough to land a share of this. (5) VANIL
A MALTED ships in showing some good PcD miles, but vs. cheaper - maybe can grab a chunk in his local
debut? (6) SON OF A TIGER N beat softer off a pocket trip last week - not sure he can do so as well from
this spot. (8) SPRINGSTEEN has been doing well for his current barn, but lands in a tough spot returning
to YR. (7) DARLINGS DRAGON doesn't figure to threaten from all the way out here.