The Empire Report - Friday, June 23, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - Park MGM Filly Pace Eliminations: (1) EARTHWINDFIRE is 13-7-4-0 to start her career and
that includes 2 for 2 in NYSS events this year - draws the pole, gets Tetrick back on board and will get to
control the action - clearly the one to knock off. (2) SILKY STRIDE may be a little on the cheaper side but
she draws well, gets Stratton in the bike and is definitely sharp right now - maybe she can find a spot in the
Top 4 and qualify for next week's Final. (5) ALEXAS FANTASY just missed in an overnight here in her
last but was off 3 weeks and may not have been wound all that tight - Bartlett will probably look to leave
and find her an up close spot...and that would surely help her chances of qualifying for the Final. (4) LISA
LANE had a nice $111K season at 2, was sharp in her last pair and certainly fits well with these - would
like her chances much better with a catch driver, but at least her pilot does know her well. (3) TWIN B
ALLURE is a little hard to gauge class-wise but she does have 3 wins this year, gets Dube for the first time
and may be able to grab a piece if the trip goes her way. (6) TREACHEROUS PENNY is 0 for 13 to start
her career but has faced mostly stakes fillies and does have ability - we'll see if McCarthy can find her a
manageable trip from the outside
RACE 2 - Park MGM Filly Pace Eliminations: - evenly matched field! (1) UCANDOIT BLUE CHIP has
already banked $330K, mostly on the strength of a pair of NJSS Final victories - she was no threat in the
Fan Hanover up in Canada, but this should be a better spot for her - the rail draw may give her a bit of an
edge. (3) VIVIANS DREAM has already earned $472K in her career, helped by a win in last year's Matron
as well as a 2nd in the Three Diamonds - she also struggled in the Fan Hanover, but figures to be a lot
tougher in here (and was 2nd to EARTHWINDFIRE last year in her only Yonkers start). (2) TURN ON
THE CHARM was an excellent Excelsior A filly last year but has elevated her game at 3, coming into this
with 3 straight NYSS victories - legitimate threat. (5) TRUE BLUE HANOVER always acted like she was
going to be a nice filly and is really starting to blossom, picking up 2nds in her last 2 NYSS events - draws
outside her main foes, and Bartlett may be focused on just getting her into the Final with a good finish. (4)
AMERICAN CRISPIN hails from top connections but still may find herself the odd girl out as only FOUR
of these will advance to next week's Final.
RACE 3 - (4) RACINE BELL couldn't last on the lead last week but the (pocket) winner really has been in
raging from - would hardly call her a cinch in here, but she definitely deserves a chance to make amends
making another rare "non Open" start....but don't bet the rent money on her at a very short price. (3) SILK
CLOUD A still has to prove she can win at this higher level but the recent import has certainly shown a lot
of ability when placed in the right spot - may be worth a look if trying to find somebody to knock off #4.
(1) KARMA SEELSTER drops from the Open AND draws the pole - while she may not be on her absolute
"best" game right now, it's not like she's racing poorly - another logical candidate if looking to take a shot
against the favorite. (2) TONYS MOM took off the gate for the first time in a long time last week and
simply had no prayer (but still paced home strong) - she'll be closer to the action tonight and the 4YO has
really blossomed since joining her current barn a few months ago - use underneath. (5) MILLWOOD BON
NIE N rebounded from a (very) rare disappointing effort 2 back with a nice rallying 3rd last week - in a
tough spot here, but may be able to rally again for another small slice. (6) BETTER WATCH IT drops in for
a $75K tag after beating the 50s 5 of the last 6 weeks (broke in the lone loss) - can't deny how sharp she is,
but these mares are a lot tougher. (7) JODY may have a tough time getting in play from this brutal spot
RACE 4 - (4) HEARTLANDBANYSBRO now has 4 wins, a 2nd and a 3rd from his last 6 starts, and was
unaffected by last week's barn and driver change - he's obviously razor sharp, can handle any trip, and gets
the nod over a few other legitimate foes. (3) ZIGGY SKY gave it a very aggressive try in 20s last week and
paid for it late - drops to 15s now, and an easier trip could make him a real threat. (2) PICARD A is solid
right now but was unable to beat the top choice in his last pair and is listed, nevertheless, as the 9/5 ML
favorite - he has a chance to turn the tables tonight, but needs to be a decent price to be worth using on top.
(1) LETTUCERIPRITA A is the "x factor" in here - he SEEMS a bit off his game right now but he's also
won a LOT of these over the last 3 years - very dangerous if he shows up on his "A Game", but he's another
that would need to be a square price to be worth trying on top. (5) SULLIVAN just never clicked for his
current connections and finally makes an overdue drop to the bottom level - we'll see if the class relief can
perk him up a bit. (7) ROCK N TONY is just 9-0-0-2 this year and seems unlikely to ever get close from
out here. (6) PAST DUE stopped 2 back then broke last week - waiting for some better signs before using
RACE 5 - (1) TRAFALGAR is off a bad date but she gets a big barn change off a pair of 2nds in Canada
and we'll guess that she's ready to roll...especially since her co-owner is coming over to drive her tonight.
(4) UPTOWN HANOVER is rock solid at this level, comes off a win last week, and will be very tough
herself if the top choice fails to deliver. (5) WESTBEACH is a little iffy off a sick scratch but she beat a
sharp rival in her last start after finishing 2nd to the streaking JIVE DANCING A the start before that -
would certainly consider for exotics. (3) LAURIE LEE has done good work since joining her current barn
in April and even beat a NW20000 field not long ago - may be tailing a bit, but still worth including on the
bottom of exotics. (2) BELLADONNA GIRL A steps up off an "ok" win over cheaper - draws well and
gets Tetrick on board, so a small piece is not out of reach. (6) I LOVE ONGAIT has ability, but doesn't
bring it every week - tough spot tonight even if she shows up in a good mood. (7) DRAGONS LUCKY
LADY draws poorly after missing a month (sick scratch) - prefer others for now. (8) OKINAWA BEACH
A draws worst for her U.S. debut and the guess is that she'll need a start (but check the tote board!)
RACE 6 - Yonkers Trot Eliminations: (4) UP YOUR DEO was winless in 8 starts at 2 but did race well
several times against strong competition - he's come back VERY good at 3, qualifying sharply then winning
his first start of the year (NJSS division) in 1:52 before going a big mile in the Final, used hard and still a
close 3rd in a 1:51.4 mile - assuming he can get around the half, he could be very tough here. (2) FATHER
STOSH finished his 2YO season strong, winning an overnight at Chester before a 2nd in a Simpson
division followed by 3rd in the Matron - he's come back sharp as a 3YO and if he can shake off last week's
miscue, he can be a big player here. (6) CHAPERCRAZ got a barn change that has been very successful in
the past and immediately went out to win a NYSS division at Tioga (though placed 2nd) - he cut the mile is
last week's EBC before tiring to 3rd (behind 2 good ones in the 7th race tonight) and fits very nicely here -
will need some trip luck from Post 6, though. (3) CROWN was 9-4-3-0 at 2 and banked $186K - he started
this year off with a close 3rd a VD (NYSS) then was placed 1st (over #6) in his last - obvious threat, but
may also be overbet. (1) MANCLANE has been developing nicely through 4 starts and that includes a
blowout win here at YR (over much easier) -we'll see if he can hang with these too. (5) CALDERONE
buried cheaper here on 5/11 but does seem a notch below the main players - leaning towards others. (7)
USEYOURLOVETONIGHT seems a bit cheaper and also lands all the way outside
RACE 7 - Yonkers Trot Eliminations: (1) KIERKEGAARD K earned $137K at 2 and that included a 2nd
in the NYSS Final and a small check in the Breeder's Crown - he's certainly come back even better at 3,
winning both starts and taking a 1:50.3 mark in last week's EBC at VD - the rail draw stamps him as the
one to beat here. (5) TILLIOS ACTION is owned/trained by a longtime Yonkers staple and will be the
"hometown favorite" - he showed plenty of potential winning 4 of 8 starts at 2 but he's gone a couple of
BIG efforts so far at 3, marred only by a couple of miscues - if Stratton can keep him trotting, he'll have
plenty to say here. (7) ARI FERRARI J has plenty of ability but also starts from the extreme outside...Dunn
may be more focused on qualifying for next week's final than going "all out" from this tough spot tonight -
be careful. (2) SOUTHWIND ADMIRAL banged out $146K in a 7 win two year old campaign and is
looking good so far at 3, even beating solid older foes at Chester in his 2nd start of the year - in a good spot
to grab a nice piece of this, and make it to next week's Final. (4) KENOBI has shown ability at times for a
top barn but does feel like a work in progress right now - needs to bring his best. Both (3) COUNTRY
DAGGER and (6) DEVILISH HILL feel a bit overmatched in this solid field
RACE 8 - Wide open: (7) PURPLE POET is probably sharper than his lines look but he's been in some
very tough spots lately - this is certainly no "easy" spot, but he does drop in class and the price should be
pretty juicy - worth a stab, hoping he can find some trip luck. (2) NOWHERE CREEK A just missed 2nd
after an aggressive 8 hole try last week and is a very logical threat from this inside spot - he also figures to
be overbet, considering how camera shy he is at Yonkers. (1) LOVE THE BLUES N went some big miles
earlier this year but went on the shelf for a month after a miscue on 5/4 - his current from is hard to gauge
(off the qualifier and Monti start) but IF he's close to 100%, he'll be a major threat from this spot. (3) ON
THE VIRG is hard to like "on paper" but his ability to just reverse form on a dime at times makes him at
least a threat - consider if the price is decent. (8) HES GONNA GETYA was well backed getting post relief
last week and raced well for 2nd - the move back outside may really hurt his chances tonight, however. (5)
HIGH ST CORRIDOR was good here in the past but his current form seems well below that - prefer others
(6) LYONS LIBERTY hails from a hot barn but he's off a sick scratch and just 9-0-1-1 to start his 2023
season. (4) ROSE RUN X CON hasn't been sharp in some time
RACE 9 - (6) GOTTHEGREENLIGHT was a little overmatched in the Matchmaker but still picked up
smaller pieces - she raced well for a few starts at Chester after the series ended, but did throw a dud in
Delaware last week - she should be a decent price tonight, and this is a field that should be right in her
wheelhouse...worth a shot. (4) ANNABELLE HANOVER was good at both ends of the mile last week,
finishing 2nd to a good looking 4 year old - very logical threat tonight. (2) TECHYS ANGEL A has added
some consistency to her game recently and gets another good draw - include in exotics. (3) MAGICAL
MISTRESS has upped her game lately, and has been holding form even as she's risen up from the bottom
levels - willing to include underneath. (1) CHERYLS SHADOW was good here as a 3YO and was off to an
excellent start at 4 - she comes into tonight with 3 disappointing tries in her last 4 starts, however, and may
be a bit vulnerable at the moment. (5) LUCKY ARTIST A was holding her own through the Matchmaker
Series and has been a favorite in this corner for the last couple of years - her form has been well off for
weeks, however, and she's hard to play with confidence right now. (7) MISS DOTTIE MAE is listed on the
bottom but only because of the draw - she can do better than that if she lands on a live trip
RACE 10 - (1) JIVE DANCING A gets a pretty kind post assignment considering she's won 4 in a row and
just beat RACINE BELL last week - this is a much tougher spot, but sometimes it's a good idea to just ride
a hot streak...maybe she can trip out and win here too? (2) MAN DONTFORGET ME has been feeling
good for some time and is definitely sharp enough to win if the trip goes her way. (4) DRAMA ACT is also
very good right now and it was no shame losing to a tripsitting LIT DE ROSE last week - logical player
once again. (6) DOUGS BABE was just scratched sick from the Roses Are Red Final but drops right back
in the box after returning from Canada - she's capable of big miles, and the right trip could make her a real
threat. (7) LIT DE ROSE is as tough as they come but may be handled conservatively from this spot...and
that may leave her with too much work to do. (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N cut some absurdly slow
fractions en route to a safe score 2 back - but then had a horrible trip last week (but was no good anyway) -
may not get the trip she needs tonight to bounce right back. (3) OUR LADY LARA A sports some mighty
impressive Stga. form but will still have to prove she can threaten here too
RACE 11 - (4) SEAFARER was a winner (for $25K) off the long layoff but his form has been mixed in the
3 starts since then - catches a shaky group of 20s tonight, and that may help him get back to the winner's
circle. (2) STATEMENT MADE A benefited from a "fall apart" race last week but the 14-1 price was still a
major overlay- the odds will come way down now, but he still remains a real threat. (1) GOTHIC ROCK is
one of the few horses in his barn that haven't just fallen apart recently - as long as he's not overdriven early
on, he can be part of the equation. (3) MAJESTIC KIWI N seems to have fallen off his game lately, and his
barn has cooled off too - minor share? (5) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N drops in for $20K after bing claimed
for $25K last week....reminiscent of when he was recently claimed for $40K, then dropped right in for
$30K - definitely red flags! (7) CAVIART VAL rallied to just miss last week but was helped by the trip -
may have trouble replicating that effort from Post 7. (8) SWAGASAURUSREX will be coming from last -
wait for better spot. (6) MACINTOSH N draws poorly after failing to capitalize on a perfect trip in last
RACE 12 - (1) DESIRES CAPTAIN gets major post relief and is capable of throwing a much better effort
tonight - worth a look in a wide open finale. (5) LYONS JOHNNYJNR was quickly reclaimed by previous
connections and has been good lately - logical threat. (3) MINGO JOEL had tailed off a bit after a long run
of sharp starts but his last wasn't bad at all - maybe can grab another good piece tonight? (7) SHANWAY N
has been solid, but will have to contend with Post 7 - willing to use underneath. (2) MISSILE SEELSTER
wasn't as sharp moving up to 25s last week and may need a drop back to 20s before we see his best. (6) BE
TTER UP has a couple of recent wins but vs. easier - tough draw, and probably looking at only a minor
share. (4) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN has fallen on some hard times and it's hard to predict when a wake
up call may be coming - prefer others right now. (8) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP hasn't been horrible, but
hard to see him doing any real damage from all the way out here.