The Empire Report – Thursday, August 15, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – Excelsior A, 3YO Fillies: (5) DIZZY LIZZY is having a solid season with her trainer driving most weeks
– she was an excellent 2nd at Batavia when Marohn got the drive, and she’ll be handled by Stratton tonight – worth a
look in this well matched field. (2) SHINE ON SUSAN has been hurt a bit lately by some bad posts, etc. but she has
ability, and did pick up 2 wins and a 2 nd in this class to start off the year – possibility. (4) OBJ has been a threat most
weeks but her last WIN came back on 5/4...right here at Yonkers, with Bartlett driving – she can be a big threat, but
that 3/2 ML price suggests she’ll end up overbet. (6) VILLANNAH is having a strong campaign (10-5-3-1) and has
shown the ability to race on or off the pace – may be at a bit of disadvantage drawing outside a few other main foes,
though. (3) SANDY COURT feels a notch below the main players but an easy trip could yield a small share. (1)
KIN DANOBUTIAM seems a bit below a few of the others...but that doesn’t mean she can’t make life tough on
some early on. (7) IDEAL SKIES fits ok and gets a catch driver, but will likely be coming from well back
RACE 2 – NYSS, 3YO Fillies: (1) A FEW CHOICE WORDS made the jump seamlessly from Excelsior A races to
the NYSS, picking up a couple of recent wins before getting stuck too far back to threaten last week – moves all the
way inside, and we’ll give her the edge. (2) SHES EPIC has sharpened as the season has gone on, and comes into
tonight with a win, 2nd , and 3rd from her last 3 starts – more than capable of taking this if things go her way.
(3) HUNTING HULA rallied nicely for 2nd at Monti last week but that was a race that fell apart (when #5 just quit on the
lead) – she’s still looking for her first WIN of the season, and may have to settle for another smaller slice tonight. (5)
PEACE TALKS has now lost 5 straight as the favorite, and actually appears to be getting worse after adding Lasix 2
back – on her “best” she could certainly beat these...but it would be hard to consider her on top right now at that 8/5
ML price! (3) KISSAPOTAMUS wasn’t able to beat the Excelsior A fillies, but has figured out that she can keep
dropping into these lucrative 5 horse NYSS fields...and keep taking home a paycheck!
RACE 3 – Amateur race: (1) FANATIC has plenty of back class and the 8YO has been holding his from beautifully
as he’s recently been climbing right up the class ladder – he drops into an amateur event tonight, draws the pole with
a very capable pilot, and we’ll give him the slight edge over the streaking (5) STICK WITH ME KID. The latter
comes into this riding a 5 race winning streak, mostly by blowout margins – his driver seems to win almost every
amateur event, and he’s surely the one to knock off (he just might be at least a bit vulnerable against #1 tonight). (2)
INFINITY STONE failed to show up 3 back but he won the start before that, and two starts after – he loses his pilot
to #5 tonight, and he seems a bit risky as the 9/5 ML favorite. (4) WINDSONG PIONEER raced well in back to
back amateur races, finishing 2nd each time – he does face a more “iffy” trip for tonight, and that could hurt his
chances a bit. (3) BEACON BEACH seems a notch below the main players, but can take home a small piece with an
easy trip. (6) HOBBS may have trouble getting involved starting from the outside
RACE 4 – NYSS, 3YO Fillies: (4) TARRIFIC has taken 3 of her 4 NYSS races in dominant fashion (all with
Bartlett), missing by a neck in the other – she looked especially good winning at Monti last week, and looms the one
to knock off tonight. (3) AVYANNA ran over the top of a horse at the quarter at Batavia and lost all chance, but
landed on a perfect trip at Monti last week and charged on by for the victory – she only figures to keep getting better
in her current (outstanding) barn. (6) CAMERICAN won both of her Yonkers starts this year but has settled for
some smaller pieces in most of her other races (including the last pair) – gets a tough draw, and that may limit here
to a bit smaller piece tonight, as well. (1) STEPABOVETHEREST started the year strong but may be leveling off
lately – we’ll see if she can create a good trip for herself from the pole, and take home a decent chunk. (5) BLUE
POINT has been limited to minor shares in these NYSS races and will likely be looking at more of the same tonight.
(2) JUST ONE BITE is still looking for her first career victory, now in start #16
RACE 5 - Excelsior A, 3YO Fillies – good race! (2) TEMPVILLE (11-6-3-0 on the year) has taken 5 of her last 6
starts, the lone loss being a 2nd when she tried to circle the field from 7th – she has to be given top billing...but there
are a couple of very legitimate rivals in here too! (3) LADY SATURN is having an outstanding year as well
(11-8-3-0), and comes into this off a pair of 2nds behind the top choice – would hardly be a shock if she was able to
turn the tables on her tonight. (1) PETROL QUEEN was a very game winner at Monti last week despite being
forced to make a long first over move – her overall form in these Excelsior A races has been very solid, and she’ll
start tonight from the rail with Gingras...has to be respected. (7) PONYNAMEDWILDFIRE actually beat the top
choice 3 back, although with a much easier trip – she also finished right behind the top two choices last week, so
clearly the ability is there – the real question is whether she can find a way to overcome tonight’s horrible draw.
(5)IM A BELIEVER was a close 2nd (behind #1) last week but with a very kind trip – unlikely to get the same kind of
journey tonight. (4) PALADIO owns a local victory but over much easier – seems a notch below the main players.
(6) CRISS CHOICE and (8) MELANIES MEGAN figure to be the outsiders, especially with their poor post draws
RACE 6 – (6) TIPSY MONI has been virtually unbeatable against the mares all year, and even beat the boys last
week (even if helped a bit by some racing luck) – she never really “crushes” the competition, but always seems to
get her picture taken. (2) QUEEN OF ALL has had an inconsistent year but she’s on the upswing right now, and
definitely a good candidate for exotics. (5) WARRAWEE XENIA is used to taking on stakes mares every week but
she hasn’t won a race since 2022, and is 0 for 27 over the last 2 seasons– hard to justify that 9/5 ML price, regardless
of her class. (1) DIAMANTE TRIO IT made an uncharacteristic miscue trying for the lead last week – she’s looking
at smoother sailing from the pole tonight, and could easily be part of the equation. (3) CANTKEEPMIASECRET
handled the switch from $40K claimers to the FM Open effortlessly last week, scoring on the front end for her new
connections – likely facing a tougher journey tonight, and we’ll see how she fares. (4) ENOLA still needs to prove
she can trot with these tougher ones
RACE 7 – (4) TAKE ALL COMERS was a winner here in his first start of 2024 (5/16) but the classy 6YO has been
stuck settling for smaller pieces since then, despite racing well pretty much every week – feels like it’s time for him
to get back over the hump. (3) PAPPARDELLE was a winner here on 4/4, took 4 months off then returned a winner
in PA last week – he’s a threat any week he’s on his game, and owns a stellar 15-7-6-1 local slate– deserves plenty of
respect. (6) STORMY KROMER was overdriven in his 2nd start off the long layoff and tired from the final turn – he
was handled conservatively last week, and did finish solidly to rally into 2nd – he’s won here a zillion times in the
past, and sometimes at nice prices – not impossible (and congrats to his long-time connections, as last week’s 2
nd place finish put him into the “Millionaires’ Club”)! (5) MISSISSIPPI STORM is feeling good these days, and
finishing his miles with good trot – ok to use underneath. (1) CRYSTAL TRIO IT returns sharp from PA but is
taking a BIG step up – sticking with others. (2) WARRAWEE YANG took some time off after winning the Brennan
Trotting Final and hasn’t clicked so far at this top level
RACE 8 – (4) KHAOSAN ROAD banked $329K at 3 – he took a little while to find his best at 4, but he was a
winner in PA on 7/18 then shipped in to take on our Invitational trotters...going off at 4/5 and wiring the field – he
actually DROPS off that victory and had to be seen as the one to beat...despite 3 weeks off. (2) RITSON missed 3
weeks before his local debut but still raced well, finishing 3rd (not far off 2nd) – could easily be part of the equation
here too. (7) STORMONT DIVIDE races well here every week so it was a surprise to see him sent off at 36-1 when
2 nd last week (even from Post 7) – another quick start puts him in play for another good piece. (3) CRAZYLAND hit
board in his first 7 local starts this year before being unable to get into the hunt last week – a better trip could see
him contending for a decent slice tonight. (1) SWAN FLYER wasn’t bad here on 8/1 (shipping in, off a month) but
he definitely regressed last week – not sure which version we’ll get tonight. (6) DJIMON has ability and will surely
appreciate the class relief from his last (in NJ) – tough draw shipping over to the half-miler, though. (5) STREET
GOSSIP is racing very well, but likely pushing it up at this level
RACE 9 – Amateur race: (3) VOYAGE TO PARIS chased SKYWAY PROFESSOR last week and came up 2
nd best – HE has the post edge this week, however, and that may help the sharp 8YO find his way to the winner’s circle. (1)
VELOCIRAPTOR arrives from Ohio off a win last week, and should be a good fit (especially from the rail) – a fast
start could put him right in the hunt from start to finish. (6) SKYWAY PROFESOR holds his own vs. $40K claimers
and has certainly been doing his share of damage in these amateur events – he was a winner last week, retains the
hottest pilot in the series but the draw MAY just cramp his style just a bit. (4) CAL MILES N SHELL is a steady
player, and was 3 rd last week – we’ll see how he goes for his new pilot (and conditioner?) tonight. (2) EXPLOSIVE
RIDGE seems to have gone backwards since the recent claim – waiting for better signs before endorsing again. (5)
BONTONI DEGATO S has struggled a bit in his last few amateur tries – we’ll see if a new pilot has better luck
RACE 10 – (3) SURFRIDER was a no threat 2 nd to GENTLE GIANT last week, but that winner is just scary right
now – he won 3 of 4 starts right before that, is looking at another good trip from this spot, and we’ll give him the
narrow nod. (4) TWO FACED also was a no threat 2 nd last week, no match for the well-backed, fire-breathing
SPORTS FAN – his overall form has been excellent, he has 3 recent wins at this level and should prove to be the
main danger. (2) HUNT FOR CASH used a dream trip to pick up the win two back – he would have been in a great
spot again last week, but lost all chance after a first turn miscue – a clean effort could easily land him back in the
exotics tonight. (5) LAST POUND raced well here in his last pair but was scratched sick from his last and draws
outside some main foes – may have to accept a smaller slice tonight. (1) LAZ hasn’t been on his game for some
time, but his barn has come back to life and we’ll see if he turns in a better effort too. (7) DE LA HOYA HANOVER
turned in a solid try for 3rd last week (off the barn change), even if helped by the easy trip – may have trouble getting
close from out here, though. (6) SOUTH POINT just hasn’t clicked since arriving here 5 starts back
RACE 11 – Wide open finale: (6) MAX doesn’t usually have much early speed so he relies on trips...but he can
rally nicely when he lands on one, and he’s done good work with Brennan – one of many possibilities in here. (1)
WHATS THE TALK is a little hard to gauge class-wise (off his PA lines) but he likes to win races, gets a very live
pilot, and has to be worth at least a look. (4) P C FREE WHEELING may not be at her absolute best right now but
she can still be a major threat any time she lands on a good trip. (5) TOP ME OFF looked shaky at times last week
(off the claim) but was able to stay trotting and wasn’t too far back at the end – perhaps with a couple of adjustments
he can find a winning trip tonight? (2) STEUBEN HANOVER has 5 wins this year but none lately – capable of a
wake up call at any time, but insist on a decent price if trying on top. (3) THE AMERICAN EAGLE has been hard
to predict from start to start lately – suppose he can threaten on his best effort. (7) NO TURNING BACK’s recent
tries have been all over the place – very tough spot, even if on her game this week. (8) WILLY WALTON has shown
that he CAN blast from out here...but seems unlikely to try it tonight, off his last effort.