The Empire Report – Thursday, March 21, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (6) YS DO IT RIGHT absolutely flew home from an impossible spot last week and almost got to #1 at
the wire (and that was racing off a sick scratch) – the price will surely come down tonight., but should still be good
enough to make him worth a shot. (1) BIG DREAM FELLA was a front end winner off the claim last week, digging
in late to hold off the top choice – would obviously be no surprise if he was able to take another. (4) SURFSIDE BE
ACH was unable to sustain his bid dropping in for a tag last week...the same problem he’s had in some other recent
starts – he DOES have ability and should put it all together one of these nights – consider if the price gets juicy
enough. (7) WORLD FOR TWO hasn’t clicked since claimed 5 starts back but he does get a class drop for tonight,
and the price should be pretty good – not a bad one for longshot fans. (2) BOOM TOWN BOY has shown that he
can take home small pieces when he lands an easy trip – maybe 3rd/4th? (3) HURRIKANE GEORGIE hasn’t been
“bad”, but he’s clearly off his best game – needs to pick things up a bit. (5) COLD CREEK FELIPE just hasn’t been
sharp in a while. (8) GANDOLF THE BLACK wasn’t close from a similarly bad spot last week
RACE 2 – (4) PERFECT VIXEN is in career form and just getting better with every start – she gave the streaking
TIPSY MONI a decent battle last week, and seems worth a play tonight (with that rival taking on the boys). (1) QUE
EN OF ALL had been doing good work but was handled very conservatively last week and could only rally mildly
late for 3rd – she can be a threat here if she brings her best effort. (5) HELPOFTHESEASON rallied for 2
nd to therunaway winner last week but really didn’t do much racing prior to that – her overall form seems to have declined a
bit, but she still can’t be counted out against these– no value at that 7/5 ML price, though. (3) LADY JETER is
never really a serious threat going in, but she makes a nice living staying flat and picking up her check every week
in these short fields – more of the same tonight. (2) NO TURNING BACK seems off her game right now
RACE 3 – Tough race! (1) TOP ME OFF wasn’t on his game the first start off the claim but he was MUCH better
last week, even if 2nd best to the perfect trip winner – one of several who could take this, and should be a fair price.
(3) STEUBEN HANOVER throws a dud from time to time but he’s a very tough player when on his game – should
handle the class jump just fine, and his pilot seems to win 4-5 races every night lately! (5) EPOS OSTERVANG DK
finished 4th three back but has otherwise hit the board in every start for what feels like an eternity– tough one to ever
leave off your tickets, especially with his ability to handle pretty much any trip! (4) CREDIT CON was sent off as
the heavy favorite off the class drop last week but was unable to make it last on the lead – remains a major threat,
but clearly a bit more iffy right now. (2) J S HOPSCOTCH has taken 3 of 5 since arriving at YR, including last
week’s jogburger – it’s only because of the sharpness of this field that he’s listed this far down. (6) P C FREE WHE
ELING is really the only one that would be a bit of a surprise
RACE 4 – (3) PAPPARDELLE always showed plenty of ability so it was no surprise to see him bank nearly $200K
last year, while going 9-3-5-1 here at Yonkers – he races well fresh, and that qualifier says he’ll be ready to roll off
the layoff – gets a good draw, and should offer some decent value tonight. (6) NOWS THE MOMENT gets assigned
the outside but he’s used to that by now– he’s already 5-4-0-1 here this year after winning 10 of 24 local starts in ’23
– serious threat almost any week he goes behind the gate. (4) TACHYON is in career form right now, and his last
mile (2nd to #6) was outstanding – he can be part of it here if he stays as sharp as he’s been. (2) ROYALTY BEER hit
board in his first 6 starts this year and while he may have been 4th last week, it could have been his “sharpest” mile
so far – always a good one to include in exotics. (5) TIPSY MONI has obviously hitting on all cylinders lately but
she tries to take on the boys tonight, and this field is much tougher than the ones she’s been facing – perhaps she’s
up for it, but offers no value at that 2-1 ML price. (1) I GET IT has been excellent at DD but this is likely a much
tougher bunch of trotters
RACE 5 – (5) PERRON was undeterred by the break on 3/7 and handled aggressively from Post 7 last week – he
rebounded with one of his typically sharp miles, finishing 2
nd for the 4th time in 5 starts – maybe this is the spot where he can get over the hump? (1) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND returned sharp off the layoff, and excellent 2nd at a zillion to one on 2/29, followed by another 2nd at 9-1 the following week – he was clearly a big “go” in his last, but made a break after hitting the early lead (then putting in a big recovery to come back for 3rd) – solid threat here, but
don’t expect him to be 8-1 (as listed on the ML). (3) CANTKEEPMIASECRET trotted an even mile off the layoff
last week and could be sharper the 2nd time around – she’s won 6 of her 22 local starts, and has to be taken seriously.
(4) YES doesn’t look great on paper right now but he did race well at PcD last week off the barn change, and might
be able to add some value to the exotics. (7) VOYAGE TO PARIS is a little hard to gauge shipping in from Ohio to a
new barn – she does get Yannick on board, and that certainly won’t hurt – would hardly be a shock. (6) EMOTIONS
RICHES is a streaky sort and he does seem to have gone the other way after recently winning 3 in a row – hard to
get excited about at that 5/2 ML price. (2) CREDARENA raced much better in last week’s win over cheaper, but the
race just falling apart was probably the biggest factor – in MUCH tougher tonight. (8) IN MY DREAMS draws Post
8 off last week’s break and despite that win 2 back, has been a little shaky lately
RACE 6 – NAADA Amateur Spring Series: (4) B MEDITHREE suddenly hit the skids on 12/29 and continued to
struggle mightily even as he plummeted through the classes – he was a little better after hitting NW5000 here on 3/8,
then built off that to jog at Freehold last week – clearly the one to beat right now, but that needless 4/5 ML price will
surely hurt his price significantly – not one to bet the ranch on. (3) JUDGE KEN has been in some tough spots lately
but he has a good local history, and certainly one to consider if the price is decent. (2) WINNERESS wasn’t as
successful here in 2023 as he was in 2022 but he returns from Freehold showing a few decent efforts and the good
draw should put him into the mix. (8) JUST A PASSENGER has some good recent tries at Monti and his driver has
won more than his share on this circuit (from limited starts) - brutal post but that 15-1 ML price does make him
worth at least a look. (5) KASHAS BOY never fired last week but it was just his 2nd start off a long layoff – may be
ready to be a bigger player now, especially with a live trip. (1) SWAN FACTOR was dull last start but it was also his
first start of the year – could be a bit more involved this time. (6) BACARDI feels a little cheap, and the poor draw
doesn’t help. (7) ASTRE DUHARAS certainly feels like the outsider, especially having been off since 2/17
RACE 7 – (8) BIG GULP has made some good money and paced some fast miles in the Midwest – he now joins
our leading barn and that qualifier looks outstanding, kicking home in :27.1 (and leaving a Borgata participant and
Tuesday night winner in the dust) – could be hard to deny, even from Post 8. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N gets some
important class relief and a better expected can be expected – use in exotics. (7) MIRRAGON A raced very well
adding Lasix 2 back, but couldn’t keep it going the next week when used very hard on the lead– he’s missed 3 weeks
and draws poorly, but may still be able to have a say. (3) WAR DAN DELIGHT N has gone some decent miles for
pieces lately – he drops from the 40s, and may be able to grab a slice (at a price?) here too. (1) TYGA HANOVER
ended up with a dream trip last week (hard to tell from the line) but did battle well, even with the good fortune –
moves up a peg, but a small slice is still within reach. (2) HOPNROLL HEAVEN left our leading trainer but did
pick up his game the last 2 starts, helped by the softer Monti competition – the good draw makes him another with a
chance for a small share. (6) BEREAVED HANOVER has a few ok tries but has been disappointing, overall – the
tough draw isn’t going to help his cause. (5) THREE IN HEAVEN A seems a bit overmatched off his recent form
RACE 8 - NAADA Amateur Spring Series: (1) RACEACE had the lead most of the way in a division of this series
last week but was nailed near the wire – he’s had a lot of success here the past few years, and deserves a chance to
make amends tonight. (2) SS TYS AFLYIN ended 2023 on a winning note and just re-qualified in solid fashion –
may be able to sit a close up trip and threaten late. (3) SOUTHWIND LARADO sat a pocket trip last week and
came up 2nd best – no reason he can’t grab another good chunk tonight. (5) MAKING SPARKS was caught wide a
long way (after being out early) and continued to trot well to the end – chance he could outrace his 20-1 ML odds
with a little better journey tonight. (8) EXPLOSIVE RIDGE came first over and collared the top choice last week
for a pilot (and a leading Yonkers trainer!) that has won more than his share of limited starts – will need to make
some of his own luck from out here, however. (7) BY A HOFF HANOVER used to be as camera shy as they come
but has to at least get some respect after winning his last 2 in a row – faces a MUCH tougher assignment starting
from Post 7, though. (4) BIRDMAN got qualified in his 2 nd attempt after being away for an entire year – he makes
his 2024 debut tonight (after a scratch on 3/9) and it’s anybody’s guess as to what we’ll see from him. (6) SKYWAY
PROFESSOR got parked last week and could be looking at a bad trip tonight, as well.
RACE 9 - NAADA Amateur Spring Series: (5) CALL ME THEFIREMAN had an easy trip last time and trotted
home steadily for 3rd – hard to say if he’s on his best game right now but he’s listed at 10-1 ML, likes to win races,
and catches some iffy rivals in here – worth a stab? (2) GRAFENBERG was a 7 hole winner at Fhd. 3 back and
probably would have won his next as well if not for a very untimely stretch break – logical player from this spot, but
would still want a decent price to use him on top. (6) PSALMFORTYSIXFIVE has been rock solid at Fhd. lately
and her pilot had a training victory on Wed. night – if she can find a decent trip from this tough post, she’ll have a
shot to take this. (1) SKRILL is a tough call – he has pretty recent Monti lines that would make him a big threat here
but he broke (a winner) 3 back, then really struggled in his last pair at Pocono – that 2-1 ML price makes it even
tougher to jump on his team tonight. (8) EMPEREURTHEBEST FR was outfinished off a pocket trip last week and
now moves from the pole to the 8 hole– he’s also winless at Yonkers over the last 3 years. (3) LIVINGONTHERAIL
hasn’t won a race since 2022 and has just 4 career victories – tough one to consider on top. (4) CYCLONE MAXIM
US has been struggling lately and would need a major wake up call to threaten here. (7) MUSCLE DAN actually
wasn’t terrible last week, starting the race well off the gate, racing parked every step and still not finishing that far
back – he shows removing the hopples for tonight, however, and that makes him pretty shaky from out here
RACE 10 – Solid field: (1) ON HIGHER GROUND raced in last week’s Invitational after more than 3 months off
and was still trotting well late – he gets a drop, the rail, and he’s won plenty of races here in the past – may be worth
a play tonight in this very well matched field. (2) EUROBOND has been on a good roll lately, finishing strong every
week off good trips – could prove the right one if things go his way. (3) P L OSCAR is one of several trotters in the
barn racing very well right now – he’s been a strong weekly player and may very well be right in the thick of it once
more. (4) WARRIOR ONE disappointed last week but he was racing off 3 weeks – drops right back in the box, and
the classy 8YO could bounce back with one of his winning efforts. (5) B NICKING is very good right now, but has
the misfortune of drawing outside 4 very live rivals – may be stuck settling for a bit smaller piece tonight. (6) DWS
POINT MAN is on a very good roll himself, but will have to overcome both the class jump and outside post in order
to be a threat
RACE 11 – (2) MIGHTY SANTANA N has been stuck in terrible spots vs. better for weeks, but has still managed
to pick up three 2nds and a 3rd (all at big prices) – moves inside, drops to the bottom level, and it sure feels like a
spot for him to pick up that first victory of the year. (1) SWEET TROY has been sharper than his lines might look,
and he gets an important drop to the basement – if the top choice fails to show up, perhaps he’s the one that can pick
up the pieces. (7) MAJOR SHOW would seem to be in an impossible spot but he did leave the gate with Gingras on
1/22 and pick up a 2nd (behind #5) – maybe he can add some value to the exotics tonight? (5) GENIUS MAN has
done little since that sin on 1/22 but this is the type of spot where he can usually find a better effort – willing to
include underneath. (6) P L OCTAVIUS was just 2 for 33 in Canada last year and has started off 0 for 5 in 2024 –
his last start (at PcD, for a new barn) doesn’t look bad, and he’s another with a chance to add some value to the
bottom of exotics. (3) HOUND ON THE BEACH seems cheap, but may be able to beat a couple of the others. (4)
TALBOTCREEKWHISKEY loved Yonkers at one time but those glory days seem a thing of the past – probably
needs to find a softer field to be a contender. (8) ICE HOUSE figures to be too far back to have any real impact (new
barn tonight)
RACE 12 – (1) DP REALORDEAL changed hands after the 2023 season and looked very good for his new
connections in his first start of 2024 – he put together a good year in ’23, despite the fact that he failed to win any
races here at Yonkers...maybe he can get off that schneid tonight? (2) CADILLAC BAYAMA was one of a few
horses that won for other drivers while Lachance was on the sidelines for a couple of weeks – Patrick is back on
board tonight, but this guy seems sharp enough right now to still be a big threat, despite the class bump. (5) VULCA
N STAR N went a big mile for 2nd from Post 8 last week, even if facing lesser – could easily land on the ticket
tonight, as well. (4) AIR FORCE HANOVER has a few good starts lately – he would look better in a bit easier, but
that 15-1 ML price makes him worth considering for exotics. (3) MIND HUNTER drops a notch but still seems
destined for another of the smaller pieces he’s been picking up lately. (6) CENTURY INSPECTOR hasn’t been
terrible vs. better – would have liked his chances a bit more had he not drawn poorly. (7) FRANCO NANDOR N
trailed all the way last week but wasn’t far back at the wire – he’d probably have a chance at a piece here if not for
another miserable draw. (8) NINETEENTH MAN A was a solid winner over lesser last week, but figures to have a
hard time getting in play from out here.