The Empire Report - Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - Tough opener: (2) GYPSY LEATHER picked up a 2nd in his return to Yonkers - he's always
liked racing here, and he moves to a sharp claiming outfit this week - we'll give him the narrow edge in a
field with several question marks. (4) ELECTRIC WESTERN stepped up to 15s off the claim last week and
reported home a winner....making it a guessing game as to why his connections are DROPPING him in
class off that victory - will it be a classic "drop and pop"....or end up a "drop and FLOP"? (6) LODI MACH
ETTE MAN has a pair of 4ths since the recent claim, one on the lead, the other from well off the pace - he
definitely has a chance here, at that 12-1 ML price does make him appealing. (3) LAREDO TORPEDO N
wiped out a field at Chester in May then broke on the lead here 4 starts later, having to be pulled up - he's
yet another horse that his world class trainer/owner has entrusted to this barn, although the results haven't
been quite as astonishing as with Effronte A - he seems to get along well (safely) with his conditioner on
board, but he'd be hard to use on top as the ML favorite. (1) SLUGGEM N looked and raced awful when
claimed 2 back, yet was claimed again the next week (after another weak performance) - he'd be tough here
"on his best", but it's hard to just expect him to just reverse form on a dime. (8) FAST ON THE DRAW was
a good 2nd last week but he moves out to Post 8 and he's just 1 for 28 at YR over the last 2 years - maybe a
small piece? (7) HALF A BILLION just hasn't clicked at all since returning from the layoff. (5) PIRATES
ALLEY ships in with less than stellar lines...and is just 1 for 25 this year.
RACE 2 - (8) ON HIGHER GROUND disappointed as the favorite in his local debut but that was a much
better field than this, and he was going for a new barn after missing 24 days - assuming Buter can improve
significantly at the start, he'll have a decent chance to beat these...and maybe even offer a decent price with
the bad post. (5) EVITA raced ok in her first try for the Dynamic Duo last week - gets a much better post,
and she'll probably be tuned up a bit more - could be the main danger. (4) TOTAL DIVA has been 2nd 7X
this year, often against better than these - she's also 1 for her last 40 at Yonkers, and just 1 for 42 overall in
2020-21 -- her last two lines don't inspire much confidence either (scr. sick, and a break at Monti). (3) TOR
KIL looked to leave last week before making a full retreat, then rallied pretty well in the final quarter - he's
just 1 for 40 over the past 2 years. though, so he's tough to really consider on top (1) KATKIN AND COKE
has struggled in all recent YR tries but he does move all the way inside, and perhaps that could lead to a
small piece. (7) BINGO QUEEN showed her first "life" in ages last week, but it was really more of a "right
place/right time" 2nd - she'll have a long haul from out here even if on the upswing. (2) TEDDY BROSEV
ELT showed nothing upon arrival from Monti and will need to be a lot better. (6) PETERS EXPRESS was
pretty much 3rd by default last week - not sure he can replicate that against this bunch (from Post 6)
RACE 3 - (6) GETTIN GONE reunites with Stratton and the pair combined for a very good looking win
here 2 starts back - she can be a little quirky, but there's definitely some ability...should be a square price in
a pretty wide open race. (3) SEA OF LOVE BC has been a complete "in and outer" for far this year - if she
shows up on her best game, she's more than capable of beating these. (4) ROBMOTION BLUECHIP has
been a rock solid player most every week in this class, although she's yet to get her picture taken at this
level - she gave the 1/10 favorite all she could handle last week, and figures to have a big say once again
tonight. (1) KIANNA raced ok in both local starts, and may be given a more aggressive try this time - we'll
see if she's up for it! (5) IDEAL IN MIRACLES shipped in and beat a softer NW2 field here on 6/16, but
weakened a bit cutting the mile at this level 2 starts back - another legitimate player in this evenly matched
affair. (2) IDEAL HANNAH was a winner here on 6/23 and that remains the barn's ONLY winner here in
2021 - hasn't fared as well at the NW4 level, and too many others look sharper. (7) BEAUTY BAYAMA
shows a new owner/trainer listed this week....after formerly being owned and trained by the same
individual that currently TRAINS some horses for her new owner/trainer - yes, it's definitely confusing, but
Stratton opts off (to drive #6) and so will we
RACE 4 - (2) YOUR MOMMA is hard to gauge off those fair lines but she clearly outperformed her odds
at Hoosier last week, and was quickly purchased by a top local outfit - we'll bite in her first local try. (3)
EYES DONT LIE has been improving so it was no surprise to see her win last week...and that 7-1 payoff
was a nice overlay -- definitely a chance she can make it 2 in a row against these. (7) FRENCH SHAKER
has raced well in all 4 local tries, grabbing two 2nds, a 3rd, and a 4th - she'll beat these some time soon...
maybe even tonight? (4) UPTOWN CALLIE usually isn't a threat to win, but she does pick up her share of
small pieces - include her underneath. (5) IDEAL CHIP ships in showing some poor recent form in PA -
prefer to just watch, for now. (1) SANTAFES MJ still hasn't shown much in her 7 lifetime starts - not sure
the rail is enough to make her a contender. (8) VALERYA STEEL was up the track from Post 8 in her local
debut, and finds herself in a similar spot tonight
RACE 5 - (1) AMERICAN NITRO was an ok 4th in his first try for a new barn two back then had no
trouble taking 'em wire to wire in his last - he'll be heavily favored to repeat that feat tonight, and there's a
good chance he'll do so....but not the type of short priced favorite to bet the rent money on. (3) WE THINK
ALIKE has been very steady vs. the 10s at Chester, but will still be a good fit against these - he's 0 for 22
here over the past 2 years, so we'll be using him underneath only. (6) VILLAGE CHAMP was a pocket
winner 2 back then rallied well for 3rd from far back in last - definitely can rally for another good piece
tonight. (7) SOSSY KING KONG did nothing in 4 starts across the river after the claim but wasn't too bad
from Post 7 here last week - willing to throw in for 3rd at 20-1 ML. (5) POCKET WATCH N seems
impossible to gauge off his recent lines, throwing efforts that are all over the place - will probably just pass
and watch, but wouldn't be surprised if he came up with a decent effort. (8) ENERGYZONE HANOVER
would be a threat for a good piece here from an inside post, but will probably struggle a bit from all the
way out here. (2) FRANKIE ROCKS A is 10-0-0-1 here at Yonkers, and 17-0-0-3 overall (last 2 years) -
have to pass. (4) FAR BETTER won a zillion in a row at Monti...but for a different barn - finished up the
track after a barn change last week, and we'll wait for better signs before giving him another look.
RACE 6 - (1) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS was an even 4th in her local debut shipping in from Ohio -
there aren't any stickouts in here, and this may be a shot where she can sit a trip, and grab her first local
victory. (5) OCEANVIEW ECHO won her local debut here on 5/26 but has never been able to build on that
- gave it a good try last (just miss 2nd best), and she'll have another chance to wire these...but definitely not
worth a very short price. (2) CHANEL BEACH was well backed in her last off the class drop but was
weakly parked and with no chance from early on - we'll see if she can do better with an easier trip. (7)
SOUTHWIND MINA is just 11-0-0-2 this year but she ships in for live connections, and probably is no
better or worse than most of these - willing to include underneath. (4) PRINCESS ALTA ships in showing
good form with cheaper out of town, but it's hard to say how she'll fit with these - another that's usable
underneath. (3) QUICK SIX hasn't shown much in 4 local tries but her barn has been sending out live ones
lately - we'll see if she improves too. (6) HIPHOPMOMMA came up short at the end in a slowish mile in
her YR debut - draws outside, and we're leaning to others tonight. (8) RENATUS moves to a new barn but
draws Post 8 off nearly a month - pass for tonight.
RACE 7 - (4) TRUMP THIS has really upped his game since being purchased 4 starts back and looked
super charging home through the lane to pick up a win in his first local try - steps up a notch tonight, but he
looks like he's capable of trotting with these too. (1) FOMOR is notoriously unreliable but was a good 2nd
to the top choice in last, and may be able to complete the exacta once again. (2) BANGE BI has been doing
some pretty good work out of town - should be able to hold her own with these with the inside draw. (5)
ZAGSTER dropped down into a very soft field last week and had no trouble trouncing them - he still fits ok
with this better bunch, and is definitely sharp enough to be in the mix. (6) SHOWMEYOURGUNS has
been extremely sluggish off the car for months....yet somehow just FLEW off the wings last week, and
crushed the field at 14-1 -- very hard to guess what we'll get from him tonight. (3) MONEY MAVEN
returns to YR in a new barn, as the 12YO tries to find some of that better form from the past - he's needed
cheaper for some time, but we'll see if his new team can get some more out of him. (8) KING CAST gave it
an aggressive try on the front end last week but weakened in the latter stages - seems destined to trail most
of the way from Post 8 tonight. (7) MISS YOU KELLY lands outside after a poor effort last week.
RACE 8 - (3) KISS THE CAPTAIN was a winner in her YR debut last week, but it's hard to say if she was
"better" than she had been, or simply landed on a "can't miss" dream trip - on her best she can beat these
too, so we'll gamble that she gained some confidence last week, and can take another. (2) SOCIETY JILL
charged home late 2 back after a terrible final turn shuffle, then toughed out a game first over win in her
last - absolutely can step up and take another, but that 9/5 ML price does make her a lot less appealing. (1)
JUBILEE QUEEN found some good recent form and that probably is what led to her being purchased - no
luck at all in a pair of NYSS attempts, but drops back in to a kinder spot tonight and draws the pole - she'll
have a big say for sure, but also figures to be overbet. (4) THUNDRA found herself in the pocket just off a
hot battle last week, had room at the cones in the stretch but still couldn't get by....which may explain why
she's just 1 for 22 this year (and 0 for 13 in her Yonkers career) - will use underneath, but sticking with
others on top. (8) AVAYA HANOVER gets a big barn change this week but also lands Post 8 - would rather
wait for a better scenario before giving her a look. (7) CATIE FAY HANOVER has been improving out of
town lately, but lands in a very tough spot for her local debut - will keep an eye on her, for the future. (6)
CHELSKI started off her local career strong but hasn't gone a good one in some time - prefer others. (5)
BETZIESBOOKINIT is struggling right now - have to pass
RACE 9 - (4) GREENHILL HANOVER has been holding her own with a bit better out of town - ships in
to a live barn for her Hilltop debut, and meets a pretty blank field....won't offer much of a price, but she
should be able to beat these. (1) FOLLOWTHEWIND N had been pretty good since the 6/10 claim until a
dullish try in last - definitely deserves a chance to rebound, and belongs in exotics. (2) FREE EXCHANGE
is another that disappointed in her last, but is capable of better...and the move inside can't hurt her chances.
(3) ROCK N ROLL ROSIE was an even 4th upon arrival last week - seems a notch below the top ones, but
not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) MORE THAN MANY has been away for several weeks after a sick scratch
and figures to need a start or two before we see her best. (6) TEMPURA HANOVER has been struggling
lately - moves from NW4 to the bottom condition and might be a decent fit...but the outside draw figures to
limit her this week. (8) SPEAK TO SIRI trailed all the way from Post 8 last week and lands in the same
spot tonight - will likely have to wait for a better draw before doing any real damage. (7) TENTHOUSAND
ANGELS is a fresh horse for the "Super Siblings" as they add yet another new owner...we've seen them
pull off some incredible turnarounds over the past couple of years, but this mare is 2 for 52 and may be a
challenge even for them!
RACE 10 - (6) NATASHA took a couple of weeks to find her best form (after a long layoff) then delivered
a powerful win 2 back - came up very sharp again in last, but was simply 2nd best to a razor sharp tripsitter
(while beating the others by MANY lengths) - can get back to her winning ways tonight. (5) WAKEMSHA
KEME is just 1 for 14 this year but hit board in 9 of those losses, often finishing right behind some pretty
nice horses - she's likely the main threat, but may have to settle for 2nd best again. (7) LAURIE LEE can be
a little inconsistent but she's gone too many strong miles here to leave out of the exotics, even from Post 7.
(3) FOLLOW YOUR NOSE had an eventful trip in her YR debut and raced much better than her 82-1 odds
- chance to land on the bottom of the ticket tonight. (2) LET ER BUCK was no factor in her last try here
but she's a bit better than that - chance to pick up 3rd/4th. (4) WOODMERE HARRIET was pretty good 2
and 3 back but not nearly as sharp in last (even though 3rd) - needs to bounce back for a shot at a small
piece. (1) BEAVER CREEK MISTY is 4 for 63 and just seems a bit below these - will jut watch, for now
RACE 11 - (5) KINDA LUCKY LINDY hasn't been at "peak form" in some time but he gets his best post
in ages here, and it might be a "now or never" scenario - we'll give him one more chance to deliver! (6)
TOP FLIGHT ANGEL was very sharp 2 back and might have been a big threat in his last had he not run
over the top of the horse in front of him, resulting in a miscue - should be a nice price tonight, and he's
worth considering. (3) BLENHEIM wasn't bad last week returning from Pocono - he fits well here, and
should be able to have a say in the outcome. (4) HALO ITS ME used every bit of her perfect pocket trip
last week to pick up her first Yonkers victory - definitely seems vulnerable against these, though (and at a
pretty short price). (1) THISISSHE was a "meh" 3rd the night she was claimed, then no good at all in her
first try for new connections - draws best here, but definitely is off her best game and will need to be better
if she hopes to be any kind of threat. (8) WHETHER OR NOT FI draws yet another horrible post and will
likely need to wait yet another week for a realistic chance. (2) MOMMS MY DAD really hasn't been
clicking lately - prefer others, even with the inside draw. (7) WARRAWEE SHIPSHAPE benefited from
the misfortune of others in last week's 2nd place finish - unlikely to be as fortunate from Post 7
RACE 12 - (7) SPORTS BETTOR may not have the best looking lines right now but he's been facing
much better - he generally does his damage when he drops to this level, and perhaps tonight he can do it
again. (2) JACKAMINO gets a big barn change and he's a proven player at this level - one to include on
your tickets. (1) THISJETSABOOKIN weakened late looking to take 'em wire to wire 2 back, then rallied
nicely from well back in last - he's become way too camera shy to use on top (at a short price), but
absolutely should be included underneath from this spot. (5) BAKERSFIELD is getting class relief but that
3/2 ML price is pretty absurd in his current form - he's eligible to perk up and win at this bottom level, but
there's no value to be had using him on top. (8) ARTMAGIC is in a terrible spot but has been improved
since the recent claim - maybe 3rd/4th, if spreading in tris and Supers? (4) SUPERIOR RAVEN did win
here last year and does show a recent win at Chester - prefer others, but wouldn't be shocked if this guy
races well. (3) RECORD MACHINE seems a little cheap for these, and his barn has struggled here in 2021.
(6) BALLERAT BOOMERANG was an even 3rd in his first start back off the layoff - draws outside, and
we'll wait for a better spot.