The Empire Report - Friday, March 18, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (4) DAAMERICANSKY went a strong mile in his first try for this outstanding barn, only giving
way to pressure grudgingly into the stretch - his last mile was every bit as amazing as it looks on paper
(maybe even more so!), and he just seems one "decent" trip away from finding the winner's circle. (1) SEA
FARER beat this class in his 2nd to last start of 2021, and has come up 2nd best in all three of his starts in
2022 - very dangerous player from the pole. (2) PACING MAJOR N only made 5 starts last year, and
certainly wasn't looking very good in his first 2 starts of 2022 - he dropped down to this $20K level last
week and was able to perk up enough to cash in with a victory, helped by a perfect trip...may be overbet
tonight off that mile, and definitely could be a bit vulnerable. (5) KIMANI N had been struggling for some
time but has definitely seen his game pick up over the last few starts - chance for a good piece, with the
right trip. (3) BAKERSFIELD caught a hot mile off the long layoff and has license to come up short - may
be able to hang around much closer with that start under his belt, so consider for a small piece. (6) MISTER
HAT has done ok in some starts at this level but generally from inside posts - may struggle a bit with the
tougher draw tonight. (8) PEPPER GUY probably fits ok with these, but also figures to be coming from to
far back to seriously threaten. (7) KINGSTONS BAD BOY has been away since being scratched lame on
10/22 - we'll just keep an eye, for now
RACE 2 - (5) WATERWAY was handled conservatively the last 2 starts but finished full of pace both times
- goes for a new pilot tonight but if Holland can work out a similarly kind trip here, he may be in a spot to
cash in with a victory. (2) BETTER UP gave it a strong first over try last week, looked like a winner into
the stretch but was outmuscled to the wire by a game REAL LUCKY N - could easily get it done tonight
with the right journey. (3) MISSILE SEELSTER carved it out on the front end last week for his new barn
and almost got it done - another live player in this competitive affair. (4) REAL LUCKY N hadn't been
sharp for some time but was handled VERY aggressively last week by Brennan and he was able to summon
up some of that back class through the lane to hold off #2 to the wire - more than capable of repeating, but
he loses the rail and may not race as well with a different trip - we shall see. (8) KILOWATT KID N was
caught behind horrible cover last week but did finish well (in an improved effort) - should appreciate yet
another class drop tonight, but it's hard to say if he'll be able to get into the mix from out here. (1) DELIGH
TFUL JOE shows a couple of good recent starts at Stga. but does seem a notch below some of the locals in
here - maybe a small piece? (6) GLACIS figures to be coming from pretty far back - his chances of rallying
for a piece go up if the pace is hotly contested (7) WESTERN BEACHBOY shows some solid form upstate
but has struggled locally in recent years, going 0 for 18 - Post 7 doesn't help, either
RACE 3 - (3) MOHAWK WARRIOR hasn't been close to "sharp" in some time, but at least he was more of
a factor with last week's class drop, and post relief - catches a pretty blank field tonight, and perhaps it's a
good spot for him to pick up his first victory of the year...especially with a familiar pilot back on board. (1)
NORTHERN NETWORK seemed disinterested in the back of the pack last week (Post 8) but he moves all
the way inside and figures to have a big say tonight....even if by default. (7) SMOKIN BY N draws Post 7
for the 3rd straight week and while he's been unable to get involved the last 2X, he may have better luck in
this field - not a bad value horse to include on your tickets. (2) DENVER SEELSTER should be sitting
close enough to at least have a say in the outcome, but he's been extremely camera shy both at Yonkers, and
overall - good one to use underneath. (6) SPORTS BETTOR showed little in 2 starts since the layoff but he
does drop in class, and may be able to at least grab a small piece. (5) ROCKIN THE ARENA ships down
from Stga. where he's been "meh" against "NWPM" types - seems a bit cheap, but this is a pretty soft bunch
- we'll see if he can have any impact. (4) ZACH MAGUIRE N was winless in 26 starts last year and was
beaten by 22 lengths in his 2022 return - pretty hard to recommend at that 3-1 ML price! (8) FROMAS
HESTOASHES N hasn't been sharp enough to consider from all the way out here.
RACE 4 - (5) KASHA V has been pretty solid lately, despite facing a bit tougher than he'd prefer - lands in
a bit of a softer spot for tonight, and may be able to make his presence felt late if they mix things up a bit up
front. (3) ROCK OF CASHEL comes off a $114K season at age 11, qualified back nicely behind the
sharp/talented NO MAS DRAMA, then was 3rd in a fast mile (in NJ) in his first start back - could easily
outperform that 15-1 ML price here. (2) LEAN HANOVER hasn't been on his best game lately but it's
always just a matter of time before he bounces back - could easily come out on top here if he shows up
closer to his top form. (4) HEY LIVVY continues to burn $$, as she broke last week for the 2nd time in 3
starts (after looking "fidgety" from before the start) - has the talent to crush these...but way too risky to
endorse on top in her current state. (1) IM THE MUSCLE is more comfortable vs. cheaper but he has speed
and the rail, so that at least gives him a puncher's chance. (7) JULA MUSCLE PACK has legitimate ability
and should have a strong 4YO season - he's also prone to miscues, and lands outside in his YR seasonal
debut...possible, but sticking with others tonight. (8) NEW HEAVEN drops, but just hasn't clicked so far
this year and draws Post 8 - keep an eye for future consideration. (6) IT AINT THE WHISKY was a good
2nd two back but took no $$ at all last week, and finished well back - prefer others
RACE 5 - Blue Chip Matchmaker - (5) DRAMAACT was a nice 3YO and had no trouble transitioning to
her 4YO season, winning a LOT of Ohio Opens last year - has shown that she can get around the half
nicely as well (see that 12/4 scorcher at Northfield), and we'll give her the nod in her Yonkers debut. (3)
LIT DE ROSE has really thrived here since arriving from Canada, sporting a very impressive 11-6-1-1
record - the main danger, for sure. (2) THE BETHINATOR was holding her own at the Open level here for
a few starts before tailing a bit at the end of the year - her NJ lines suggest she's come back feeling pretty
good, and she should be able to stay close all the way tonight. (7) MACHNHOPE was last year's series
winner, but the classy mare may be up against it tonight from all the way out here - look for her to rally late
for a smaller piece. (6) MAN DONTFORGET ME had a terrific 4YO season and may very well make the
jump to the "Open" ranks this year at 5 - definitely sharp now, but the outside draw may leave her looking
at only a minor award for tonight. (1) SO MIKI HANOVER finished way up the track last week in her YR
debut, and that's not the way she wanted to come into this series - expect a better effort tonight, but we'll
leave her on the "watch only" list for the moment. (4) LA BELLA VITA is a nice mare, but does seem to
need a bit easier to be effective. (8) COMMANDER CATHY N has raced well since arriving from Down
Under but she's still WINLESS here, and that's against NW6 fields - definitely reaching in this series
RACE 6 - Blue Chip Matchmaker - (3) MCMARKLE SPARKLE is a perfect 3 for 3 since arriving here
and getting sharper each week - this will be her toughest assignment to date, but we'll stick with the hot
hand as she looks to go 4 for 4. (4) BEST HEAD WEST sports a 9-6-0-2 record since arriving here, and
never missed a beat as she went from facing "NWPM" competition all the way up to the Open - never
seems to get tired, and figures to have a say in tonight's opening leg. (1) SWEET HEAVEN seems a little
on the cheaper side in general, but that last qualifier (for a new barn) looks mighty impressive - would be
no surprise to see her wire these, but she also figures to be somewhat overbet from this spot. (7) EASY TO
PLEASE really blossomed after moving to her current connections last year, and seems primed for a big
4YO campaign - she's taking a big jump in company tonight (while also drawing outside), but still may able
to at least grab a piece from this tough spot. (8) SOHO BURNING LOVE A had some mixed tries here in
last year's series - when on her game, she's a talented mare....but it's hard to gauge her current form right
now, and she also has to deal with Post 8 - mixed feelings. (2) DELITFULCATHERIN N has picked up
some smaller pieces at the top level - makes her first start back after a sick scratch, and this is probably a
good week to just observe. (5) WESTERN WISH was a dullish 4th in her local debut - seems capable of
better, and we'll watch her closely tonight. (6) BOLT OF BEAUTY seems a bit overmatched right now
RACE 7 - Blue Chip Matchmaker - Good division! (4) DRAGON ROLL has proven to be an outstanding
purchase for an owner/trainer who has done very well with several of his pickups the past few years - she's
been an incredible 1st or 2nd in 25 of her 38 local starts the past 2 years, and can win from on OR off the
pace - she's often a very fair price, and she'll probably be one tonight in this very competitive division -
worth a play. (1) BLUE IVY shipped in for last year's series and was a weekly threat, picking up 3 wins and
3 seconds from her 6 starts - had a nice prep last week (no chance in a paceless race), and should be ready
to deliver her best tonight - live player. (5) SCARLETT HANOVER was right near the top of her 3YO
division last year, earning over $520K (and that was after banking over $350K at 2) - has to take on older
mares now, and will be doing it off just a pair of qualifiers...has a license to come up a little short this week.
(2) RACINE BELL had an outstanding 4YO season, and it was launched primarily here at Yonkers (where
she dominated the Open ranks, for a while) - a quick check shows that she's actually been 2nd in her last
SEVEN local tries, however, often coming up just a little light at the end - she'll have no margin for error
against this high powered group! (7) MISS YOU N is a hard knocker that has been hitting on all cylinders
in NJ prepping for this series - gets no luck with the draw, however, and will need some things to go her
way for a chance at the top prize. (3) SIESTA BEACH landed on a horrible trip off the layoff and probably
didn't get as much out of that race as her connections hoped for - may need another start before she's sharp
enough to threaten. (6) HIGH MINDED was a talented 3YO who will now try to make the tough transition
to 4YO - nice looking prep, but would still prefer to watch a start before forming an opinion. (8)
HEAVENS SHOWGIRL A is capable of big efforts, but will be severely post compromised tonight - wait
for a better spot to consider
RACE 8 - Blue Chip Matchmaker - (1) GIAS SURREAL raced very well in her starts here last year,
winning 3 of 6 (with a 2nd and a 3rd) - qualified beautifully last week (2nd to Borgata entrant Chase H
Hanover in a 1:52.4 mile) and that suggests she'll be ready right off the bat - gets the narrow nod thanks to
the rail draw. (4) KARMA SEELSTER would appear to be her main threat - she has a very strong 5-3-1-1
local slate, and that includes a win in last week's tune up for this series - would be no surprise at all. (3)
MYSTICAL CARRIE was a dead game winner 2 back (vs. a bit cheaper) and finished with good pace from
an impossible spot in last - sharp enough to grab a decent piece here. (7) KEEP ROCKIN A had a couple of
ok Matchmaker starts last year before falling apart in her next couple - changed hands after that, and has
had her ups and downs....not sure she's sharp enough right now for more than a small piece from out here.
(2) JODY made a break on 2/17, missed 3 weeks, then was no good at all last week - we'll see if her crew
can get her back on track on time to do some damage in this series. (5) SURREAL FEELING hasn't looked
sharp enough to be a player in here - wait for some better signs. (6) MYSTIFYING was a 46-1 upsetter vs.
cheaper last week in a race that fell apart - seems up against it vs, these, however.
RACE 9 - (4) MISSISSIPPI STORM gets a rare drop out of the Open, and a good post position as well - he
was Stratton's choice, and he'll be ours too...look for him to take advantage of the class relief. (5) HAYEK
also get a drop from the top class but has the misfortune of running into the top choice in here - any decent
trip should give him a solid chance at a nice piece of this. (3) NO MAS DRAMA qualified back nicely, was
an excellent 2nd in her first start of the year then scored as the odds on choice last week - stays in the same
class, and figures to be a legitimate contender once again. (2) MAGICAL JOURNEY tired from a pocket
trip 3 back but then was a winner with the same trip the following week - made a costly early miscue last
start but was a pretty good 4th after recovering - sharp enough to contend for a piece tonight (7) HUNTING
AS is hitting on all cylinders right now - faces an uphill battle from Post 7, but certainly can race better than
his 20-1 ML price might suggest. (1) BIG NUDGE has been racing very sporadically, so it's nice to finally
see him in the box on consecutive weeks - did make a break last week, though, and could be a little risky at
the moment. (6) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN came up 2nd best the last 2 weeks but lands in a tougher spot
tonight and may have trouble replicating those efforts - classy 9YO will need some trip luck for even a
small piece. (8) SECRET BRO qualified back sharply at Fhd. and gets Dunn on board for tonight - tough
task from Post 8, however
RACE 10 - (3) ETHAN T HANOVER trotted home steadily for 4th in his first start of the year - rallied
crisply late for 2nd the next week but when he found himself on the lead last week, he seemed to go way
too slow (1:00.1) and allowed a rival to get in front of him into the lane....and was unable to battle back
enough to win it -- deserves a chance to make amends. (7) B NICKING was 2nd to a talented rival in his
first local try - weakened a bit to 3rd in his next but was able to go coast to coast in his last (even if helped
by his main foe going offstride on the final bend) - remains a threat, even from out here. (5) HOCKEY
HANOVER didn't look overly impressive beating cheaper as the 1/2 choice last week, but he may have
also been struggling a bit with the off going - wouldn't be surprised to see him race even better tonight,
even up in class. (1) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE does his best work with a bit easier but he has speed from
the pole, and that could be enough to land him somewhere in the exotics. (2) WINDSONG PIONEER
qualified solidly off the layoff, but he does his best work on the front end...and he's unlikely to be there this
week - keep an eye for future consideration. (6) OOH RAH really prefers to be in a little cheaper...he's
looking at a class drop next, and that's when we'll get more interested in him. (4) MY BOY CHRISTIAN
seems somewhat overmatched against most of these. (8) PAPPY GO GO came up with a better effort last
week, but is forced to bump up while drawing Post 8 -- and that's a tough combination to overcome
RACE 11 - (1) MINGO JOEL shows a mixed bag of efforts in Ohio but is usually pretty good when
on/near the lead....where he should be with the rail draw - we'll give him a try against the locals. (3) HURRI
KANEKINGJAMES got trapped inside last week but had good life when he finally shook free - maybe he
can build off that effort and be a player tonight. (4) RISKY MILLION has been a steady performer, and
should be able to grab another good piece tonight - use in exotics. (6) CASHNCAM can be a little in and
out, but the "good" version would have a chance to rally for a piece here....even from Post 6. (2) BEEBEET
EE wasn't really "good" when 3rd last week, but he definitely was better than he had been - gets another
good draw, and we'll see if he can build off that last effort and grab a piece tonight too. (5) ELS DISCO
JOHNNY was no factor last week, but did come over the wire ok (after the fact) - not a bad bomb for 3rd.
(8) AIR GUITAR was a winner off the claim in NJ (dropping in class) but not as sharp in his next couple -
returns to YR (where he's 0 for 16) and draws Post 8 - prefer others. (7) ITS ROCKIN RANDY was no
factor at all in his local debut and draws terribly for tonight
RACE 12 - (2) FIZZING N had been off his game for a while but looked like his good self last week, even
if he crushed a cheaper field - doesn't meet anything too scary tonight, and he has a solid chance to make it
two in a row. (4) CRUNCH HANOVER doesn't look too great on paper right now but he does have ability,
has done well here in the past, and debuts on Lasix tonight...look for a much better effort from him. (1)
BARON MICHAEL used a class drop AND perfect trip to pick up the victory last week - moves up one
class but he draws inside, and can be in the mix tonight, too. (5) MIKES Z TAM has been WAY off form
but does drop to a level where it's possible he'll perk up a bit - include underneath. (8) LIKE CLOCKWO
RK is actually better than many of these, but will have to find a way to overcome Post 8 - would certainly
include in exotics, especially at a nice price (6) EHRMANTROUT was invisible last week but aggressively
handled as the favorite the week before (coming up 2nd best, after cutting the mile) - perhaps the tote board
will offer clues as to his intentions for tonight? (3) PERFECTLY CLOSE had a useful tightener 2 back but
failed to build off it in his last - not really sure what to expect from him in here. (7) NOME HANOVER
drops a peg, but doesn't seem sharp enough to do any real damage from all the way out here