The Empire Report - Thursday, August 4, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - Tough opener! (3) CHAPERIDGE is one of 3 horses getting eye-catching barn changes in here -
his switch may not get the attention of the other two, however, and he also adds Lasix (and he also was a
winner in his only Yonkers start this year) - seems like a good value play. (6) BACKSTREET PLAYER
made a couple of starts as a 2YO - returned in the Weiss Series to start his 3YO season and ended up 3rd in
the Final - took off from 6/6 to 7/6 but was scratched from his return start and had to re-qualify (which he
did, nicely) - another legitimate player that figures to be a fair price. (4) IMPORTER EXPORTER has
shown little in his 3 local starts and is 9-0-0-0 on the year - he'd probably be 50-1 in here EXCEPT for the
fact that he debuts tonight for a trainer/driver tandem that has dominated the local scene the entire year -
which means he'll likely be sent off at a pretty short price....way too many of these have completely
reversed form to win to ever ignore this guy (who also adds Lasix for tonight). (2) MAGICAL MAJOR did
his best work in Canada at the "B Track" but he's another that lands in a barn that has improved fresh horses
dramatically for a long time - yet another possibility. (5) BANK BREAKS drops back down from NW4,
gets Brennan back on board and is a proven player at this level - definitely playable in exotics. (1)
CREDARENA is a legitimate Excelsior A player, and has hit board in all 3 local tries this year - it's only
because the field came up so (potentially) tough that he's being selected this far down. (7) THE BOSS
MAN was a "meh" 2nd in his local debut, and now moves outside in a field full of potentially live horses -
looking at a minor piece here. (8) SQUABLE would be a surprise, to say the least
RACE 2 - (5) TOBAGO TIME didn't look all that good in her last couple but she exits an ice cold barn to
join one of our sharpest outfits, and also lands in a pretty shaky field - maybe a good spot to hop on board?
(4) SPORTS FLIX went several sharp miles in May/June but she struggled in her last few - might be able to
perk up and reverse form with tonight's class drop. (2) BRUSH N CRUSH won a couple of starts here last
year but had been toiling with cheaper out of town before a 5th place finish in her YR return last week -
draws well with Bartlett, so maybe she can make some noise tonight? (1) PHELGON disappointed in her 2
local tries and just may be on the cheaper side - she does draw best for the Dynamic Duo, so perhaps she
can be a bigger player tonight, with an easy trip. (7) SUMMER RAE looked like she may be ready to
finally start doing some damage as a 4YO but regressed in her last after a couple of better efforts - tough
post, even if she shows up on her best game tonight. (3) HEY HEY BDAY landed on a perfect pocket trip
in a weak field last week and was able to pick up her first Yonkers win - may struggle a bit with these,
however. (6) GREENHILL HANOVER has 2 wins here this year....not bad, since her barn only has 5 --
she's missed 7+ weeks and draws outside, so we'll just keep an eye on her, for now
RACE 3 - (1) SCANDALICIOUS gets sharp enough for a few wins every year and last week's (big) effort
may indicate that she's ready to pick up a victory right now - looking at a good trip from this spot, and may
be sharp enough to cash in. (5) CASH ROLL picked up an 8 hole 3rd dropping to this level last week and
she's held her own with much better not long ago - logical favorite, but not necessarily the most reliable
mare on the planet. (7) LARJON LEAH hasn't been able to get into a groove so far in 2022, currently
sporting an 8-0-1-0 record - she's faced better, however, and her barn has been known to send out some
form reversing winners - consider? (2) ACEFOURTYFOR ALEX picks up endless minor checks, but has
been camera shy for the past couple of years - tough one to consider on top, but ok for a piece. (4)
ALWAYS BE COOL is generally a sluggo that finds her best late in the mile - definitely prefer others, bit
she does get Bartlett tonight...and he's been helping horses find speed for a long time...worth a look if the
price is long enough. (8) ALWAYS A MIRACLE did beat this class on 6/2 but that was from Post 2 - she
lands all the way outside here, but does debut for the Super Siblings off the claim tonight - perhaps the tote
board can offer some clues? (3) MARILYNS JO has struggled most of the year, and will need to improve
for even a piece. (6) NO WHERE TO HIDE was an easy Tioga winner for her new barn last week, but does
seem to be on the cheap side - outside draw won't help her cause either
RACE 4 - (5) CHAPHEART is a strong 8-3-2-2 so far as a 3YO, and a proven NYSS player - he crushed a
NW2 field here in May, then was right there twice at this NW4 level in June, finishing just behind a couple
of nice trotters - should be able to handle tonight's assignment. (1) VENDOR BILL was an easy front end
winner in his first local start, but made a costly break in his next (but did recover nicely) - draws best, and
can have a big say here IF he behaves himself. (4) WILY WALLY is off to a fine start as a 3YO, following
up a pair of 2nds with a pair of wins (at Plainridge) - not overly concerned about tonight's barn change, but
the fact that he has only one start since 6/9 is an issue - hard to know just how tightly he'll be wound for
this. (6) EXCHEQUER has raced well in the majority of his starts lately - tough post, but a decent value
horse to include underneath. (7) P C FREE WHEELING was a good 2nd in her first start off the big barn
change but weakened in her next, then missed time after a sick scratch - leaning towards others this week.
(2) SOUTHERN SWAN MAN had a good 2021 season, but is only 1 for 14 this year - maybe a small share
(8) ADJURE HANOVER has hit board in 11 of 12 lifetime starts, and a good Excelsior A filly - not sure
she'll be able to find her way into the hunt from out here, however. (3) JBN has a win and a 2nd here vs.
cheaper, but still has to prove himself against these better foes.
RACE 5 - (4) BRONZE OVER N makes her first local start of the year showing a mixed bag of efforts at
PcD - she's getting a big barn change, and is no stranger to the Yonkers winner's circle - worth a look here.
(2) AMERICAN TOUR N turned things around 4 starts back and has remained ever since - faces a bit
better tonight, but seems sharp enough to still be a major player. (7) SUNDAY AFTERNOON was our pick
(twice) in NW15000 and she was 4th both times - she's in much softer here, and the price should be decent
- worth including on some of your tickets. (6) RABLE was 2nd best in her last two tries at this level - she'll
be a nice price here, and is definitely worth considering at that 15-1 ML price. (3) LADY DELA RENTAA
was very well backed last week, handled aggressively and able to hang on for the win - this is a tougher
spot, and she'll need to be even sharper for a chance to repeat. (5) LADYBELUCKYTONITE has raced
decently most of this year, and has hit board in 3 straight - she's just 1 for 18 on the year, however, and may
be a better one to use underneath. (1) CHECKERED PAST was able to beat cheaper last week after landing
on a perfect trip - has the rail with Bartlett, but still seems a notch below a few of the main players. (8)
ROCKNROLL SHELLI seems unlikely to get into the hunt from out here
RACE 6 - (1) FLIP THE SWITCH looked like he was starting to go the wrong way but he rebounded with
a win (with his trainer on board) two back, then delivered a mega-blowout last week, winning by 13 lengths
in a 1:54.3 mile - not the type to bet the mortgage money on, but it would also be hard to go against him
right now - oh....and somehow despite going the mile of his life last week, it seems his connections have
determined that he bled...and will now be racing on Lasix! (4) SEVENSHADESOFGREY has a 2nd, two
3rds and a 4th in his last 4 tries in this class - he has legitimate excuses in his last pair (facing tough older
foes), and could be next in line should the top one falter. (6) QUINCY MARKET has really come around
since the recent barn change, and comes into tonight with a win and a 2nd in his last 2 NYSS efforts - tough
post, but still a chance for a good piece. (7) BIG CHARLIE MORAN is in career form right now - draws
poorly as he steps up in class, and we'll see if he's good enough to still have some say from out here. (8)
MUSCLE DYNASTY has some ability when he behaves, and last week is a perfect example - may just
have too far to come this week. (3) JIVE NINETY FIVE has been solid out of town, but it's hard to say
how he'll fit with the locals - lands in a top barn, so we'll see if that helps him hang with these. (5) TITANS
HOPE leaves well, and stays trotting - that gets him a lot of pieces, but he's just not usually strong enough
at the end of his miles. (2) BY A HOFF HANOVER will be a lot closer to the action tonight, and we'll see
if he's able to stick around for a share.
RACE 7 - (2) MORNING HAS BROKEN is a bit questionable at the Open level, and being used so hard
the last 2 weeks certainly didn't help her cause - tonight's class was opened up to fit her in, and she would
probably really like to be handled more conservatively as well - good week to give her a shot. (6) SIESTA
BEACH isn't the Open performer she was in the past, but this is still a level where she can thrive - look for
a good effort from her tonight. (3) DANCE CLUB is definitely sharp right now and could easily make her
presence felt - hard to endorse on top at that 5/2 ML price, though. (7) GINGER TREE LIZ is VERY sharp
right now, but faces an uphill battle from Post 7 - not opposed to including her on some tickets at a big
price, though. (5) DC BATGIRL took no $$ and had no offer last week, but was pretty good prior to that -
we'll see if she can rebound with a better effort. (1) GAME OF SHADOWS used a perfect trip to beat
easier last week - draws best tonight, but may still struggle against this tougher field. (4) TEMPUS
SEELSTER got sharp a beat a couple of lesser fields, but has leveled off in her last few starts
RACE 8 - (6) DELITFULCATHERIN N has been loving life in her new barn, picking up a pair of wins
and an unlucky trip 2nd in her 3 starts - lands outside tonight but it's a short field, she's razor sharp, and
she's equally effective on or off the pace - we'll stick with her. (2) BEST HEAD WEST returns to the barn
that enjoyed amazing success with her all year after a 2 week stint with the Dynamic Duo failed miserably -
would definitely include her on your tickets tonight, looking for a quick bounce back. (1) DARBY HANO
VER was able to pick up 2nd last week after drawing the rail and she lands that same coveted spot tonight -
may be able to land on the board once more. (5) MCMARKLE SPARKLE has been razor sharp for some
time, but just wasn't on her best game last week (she did have a somewhat unusual trip) - would be no
surprise to see her rebound with a much sharper effort (3) DRAGON ROLL looked good beating a bit
easier the last 2 weeks, but she's beaten this kind a zillion times as well - another live player in this short,
but talented Open field. (4) IMPRINCESSGEMMAA has missed 3 weeks and truly feels like the outsider
here - of course, nothing this team sends out can ever be totally dismissed
RACE 9 - (1) VIOLETS RAINBOW gets an important drop out of the Open, and the inside draw will give
Buter the opportunity to control the action tonight - she's been 1st or 2nd in 11 of her 18 starts this year, and
this will be an opportunity to add to that total. (3) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS was too far back to have
any chance on 7/14 but was 2nd in her two starts prior to that, then 2nd again last week - very legit player
in here. (4) LUCKY ARTIST A moves up in class but is razor sharp right now - would have a chance to
beat these if she lands on the right trip. (2) TECHYS ANGEL A has shown ability from day one after
arriving in the U.S. but is still figuring out where her "proper level" is - going with others this week, but
wouldn't be surprised to see her come up with a big one here. (6) MAGICAL MISTRESS has been sharp,
but last week's (silly) drive left her with no chance from the start - may be able to show up late with a good
rally if the race shakes out her way. (5) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N was a game front end winner last week
after just missing the start before - may find this crew a little too tough, however
RACE 10 - (3) BABS JANSEN has been 1st or 2nd in 8 of her 17 starts this year, often facing better fields
than this - she just missed in NW20000 last week, and now draws well off the class drop - solid threat in
the finale. (4) PLZFONTLIETOME drew Post 8 in her last 2 local starts so she should appreciate the post
relief- she returns off a solid 2nd at Pocono, and could be the main danger. (1) CORAL BELLA is a tough
call - was nowhere to be found last week, but that was from Post 8 off a bad date - moves all the way inside
here, and may be primed for a much bigger effort. (8) ASHTINI figured to have a solid chance last week
but didn't get the best of drives, and was fortunate just to pick up a 4th - won't be easy getting into the mix
from Post 8 tonight but she'll be a big price, and is sharp enough to do some damage...with a little trip luck.
(6) MIKI ROSE comes into tonight sporting a local 7-5-2-0 record, but hasn't been asked to take on older
mares yet - she'll be class-tested tonight, and it's hard to say how that'll turn out. (7) THUNDRA has been
doing good things lately, but is another that will need some trip luck to be a threat from out here. (5) LA
ALWAYS AMARTINI is 1 for her last 31 here at Yonkers, and that win came at the bottom level - sticking
with others. (2) ENGLISH ROSE N beat a very soft field here 3 starts back, but may find this bunch a little
too tough