Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 - Excellent bunch of $50K claimers to start off the power-packed Monday night card! (5) OZONE

BLUE CHIP has been razor sharp for weeks, even as he's risen from the 20s to the 50s - almost was able to

overcome the tough trip to get the job done last time, and maybe he'll land on a winning trip tonight - one

of several in here with a legitimate chance at the top prize. (4) HEISMAN PLAYER was sharp in both

starts since the claim, finishing 3rd behind LYONS STEEL and DIAMONDBEACH, then winning his last

despite the outside draw - very live player again tonight. (6) CHANGE STRIDE N has been on what seems

like an eternal form spree, but still managed to elevate his game even more last week (1st time Super

Siblings), winning from Post 8 - deserves plenty of respect here! (2) KINNDER JACKSON joins one of the

top barns in the country in the midst of a 4 race win streak....but he also EXITS 2 barns that are very tough

to improve on....we'll see if he can maintain his stellar form here, especially against some very sharp foes!

(7) VENIER HANOVER saw his 5 race win streak snapped last week after drawing Post 8, up in class -

this is obviously another very tough spot, and he'll need a lot of trip luck to reach from out here. (1) NEXT

BIG THING went on an incredible 4 week run that saw him go from the bottom class to being favored

against the 50s - he SEEMS to be going back in the wrong direction now, but we'll have a much better

picture after tonight. (3) DARK ENERGY N just hasn't come close recently to that stellar form he had right

up to the winter break - needs to find more (or get some class relief). (8) ROBBIE BURNS N has been

good for some time, but draws Post 8 after failing on the lead last week, with no excuses.

RACE 2 - Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #4: (2) NANDOLO N went his usual rugged mile last week, but

came up a nose shy of winning his 3rd series leg when FUNATTHEBEACH N delivered his best effort in a

long time to nip him at the wire - catches an overall lesser division for tonight, and remains the one to beat

(after being the prohibitive choice in his first 3 legs). (3) IM SIR BLAKE A is routinely ignored at the

windows, but continues to deliver good closing rallies (for pieces) every week - could easily land on the

ticket once more tonight. (1) THIS IS THE PLAN is pretty hard to gauge right now - last year's series

winner looked super winning his first leg, but was beaten in Leg #2 with no excuses, and wasn't close to his

best last week - thought he might get this week off, but it seems like perhaps his connections just want him

to keep accumulating points, hoping he's back to his best self when the final comes around - maybe he'll

show up on his best game tonight, but it's hard to back him with confidence right now. (6) SPLASH BROT

HER was a solid 2nd in Leg #2 but was scratched sick last week - can probably leave from this spot and

work out a decent trip, but it's hard to like his chances coming off that scratch. (4) WOODMERE STEALD

EAL may improve a bit adding Lasix tonight, but still seems a bit below the main players. (5) TYGA HAN

OVER hasn't been "bad", but is simply racing over his head right now - wait for an easier spot.

RACE 3 - (5) BIG SIR had only 1 start in over 6 weeks heading into his last but still showed up on his best

game, brushing by the classy leader to the final turn, and staying strong to the end for the victory - chance

to make it 2 in a row with a similarly sharp effort tonight (4) MYKINDACHIP hasn't done a ton of winning

here over the past few years but much like many of his barnmates, the 13YO is hitting on all cylinders right

now - returns from PcD off a pair of sharp efforts, and could be a very live player with these, as well. (3)

SON OF A TIGER AS beat a NW5000 field 3 back, was blocked through the stretch in his next then came

back last week to rally by the heavily favored leader into the stretch to pick up another victory - may be

sharp enough to be a legitimate threat against these too. (6) GRIFFON HANOVER doesn't win here very

often and when he does, it's usually vs. cheaper - prefer others on top, but could see him picking up a piece,

with the right trip. (1) SOHO WALLSTREET A just hasn't clicked at all in his 3 starts since the claim -

we'll see if a move to the rail can help him find some better form. (2) BET ON BLAKE has 3 wins from his

last 5 starts but those were vs. easier, age-restricted fields - may have a tougher time hanging with some of

these more seasoned veterans. (7) ITSMYCHECK GB is prone to clunkers and he threw one here on 3/14 -

bounced back with a respectable try across the river, but lands in a tough spot for his YR return - prefer

others this week. (8) THEFLYINGROCK finished way back from a similar spot last week.

RACE 4 - (4) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N has been very sharp in the majority of his recent races, and now

moves to a barn that has been able to improve almost EVERY new horse that comes its way....sometimes

dramatically - gets the narrow nod over a few other very sharp rivals. (1) VELOCITY KOMODO is right

there start after start, seemingly regardless of trip - major threat any time he's in to go. (2) MOTIVE HANO

VER was 1 for 27 at Yonkers the past 2 years....but that was BSS ("Before Super Siblings") - he's upped his

game significantly in NJ since moving to this high powered barn, and has to be respected in his YR return -

despite the dismal local slate (note - Air Guitar was winless at YR before getting this SAME barn change -

and did win the first time the Dynamic Duo brought him back to Yonkers)! (5) ELWELL is the "x factor'

tonight - after an LONG run of excellent starts, he finally threw a dud last week - does he rebound tonight

(giving him a legitimate chance), or was it a sign that he's finally going to start tailing a bit - we'll find out

tonight!. (3) JESSE DUKE N was sharp for a bunch of tries vs. better but was a "meh" 2nd two back, then

no factor last week - needs to find that better form if he hopes to be a player here. (7) GLENGARRY KNIG

HT N had a win and a 2nd in this class earlier this year, but from easier posts - may have trouble reaching

from out here, even for a currently hot barn. (8) BETTOR BE OSCAR A was a solid 2nd off an easy trip

last week but now moves up in class while drawing Post 8 - tough combination to overcome. (6) DINA

BOLT N has taken three straight, but moves up in class while exiting a couple of high % barns - he also

draws outside, and we'll stick with others this week.

RACE 5 - Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #4 - compact field of 6, but wouldn't be shocked to see ANY of them

come out on top! (4) DEAN B HANOVER may be worth a stab (assuming a pretty decent price) - he tends

to finish well almost every week, and it seems that the closers' chances have been going up in races where

AMERICAN HISTORY and TATTOO ARTIST are involved -also, his barn sent out a pair of upset winners

last Monday, including FUNATTHEBEACH N in a Borgata division. (2) TATTOO ARTIST has hit board

in 9 of his 10 Yonkers starts, but has only found the winner's circle 3X - always a threat, but also gets

heavily backed every week- and perhaps doesn't offer the best value in here (5) CHASE H HANOVER

made his 2022 debut in the first leg and came up 2nd best to the "good" THIS IS THE PLAN - had no

prayer in his next then got very unlucky in his last, trapped behind a pair of tiring leaders to the top of the

lane - he did finish up well when clear, and may be able to be a player tonight with some (much) better trip

luck. (1) AMERICAN HISTORY has been an unpredictable commodity throughout his career, and clearly

he's still the same way at age 7 - really disappointed in his last 2 (at very short prices) and hard to really

"like" tonight...but a form reversing win (at a better price) really shouldn't shock anybody. (3) TOWN GOS

SIP is being listed on the bottom, but that doesn't mean that he can't take this, under the right circumstances

- he was a solid 2nd last start in his best performance of the year (so far).

RACE 6- (7) PRICELESS BEACH ships down from Canada in fine form, wiped out 3 back as the favorite,

followed by a head loss and a win....even more significantly, he lands in a barn that excels with fresh stock

- we'll hop on board, even from this tough post. (3) MYSWEETBOY MAX was a blowout winner here 2

back in a career best 1:51.3 mile, then dug in bravely to hold off a very highly regarded recent import in his

last - will faces older rivals here, but still belongs on your tickets! (2) WINDSUN RICKY was clearly short

in his first 2 starts of 2022 but that last victory at Fhd. (vs. cheaper) suggests that he may be ready for some

more serious efforts - more than capable against this type, if anywhere close to 100%. (6) IM SOME GRA

DUATE came up 2nd best last week in a mile that was "good", but not "great" - draws a tough post here,

and will need to be a little sharper if he hopes to contend for the top prize. (4) KEYSTONE NOLAN is very

sharp, but is also exiting age-restricted claimers and may find some of these a little tougher - would still

include him in exotics, assuming he's a fair price. (8) WALKINSHAW N faces a very difficult task coming

from well back, but he's often rallied for pieces against tougher than these - use for 3rd/4th. (1)

IMSTAYNALIVE fits well enough with these when on his game, but he was a pretty dull 7th last week -

we'll see if the class drop and move inside can help him find a sharper effort. (5) KING JAMES EXPRESS

wasn't bad at Fhd. last week to start off his 4YO campaign - not sure he's ready to tackle these, however.

RACE 7 - Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #4: (6) POSEIDON SEELSTER was well backed in Leg #2, made

the top but was worn down by NANDOLO N and weakened to 3rd - raced from off the pace last week and

appeared to be in a very tough spot on the final turn....but hit his gear into the lane (after swinging wide)

and simply exploded in the final 100 yards to run down TATTOO ARTIST in a sharp 1:51 mile - he could

really use a win here to solidify his chances at making the Final, and we'll look for him to bring his best

effort once more. (4) PAT STANLEY N came into the Series sharp, and has held that outstanding form even

against these top pacers - he's come up 2nd best in all three legs so far, and it would be no surprise to see

him get over that hump tonight...with the right trip. (3) SEMI TOUGH tends to be a little in and out but he

was definitely "in" last week, leaving alertly for a tuck, then toughing out the first over victory - Gingras is

back on board, and he can be a big threat once more with a similarly sharp mile (5) FUNATTHEBEACH N

hadn't been finishing nearly strong enough in recent starts but was able to charge home at the end last week,

outkicking heavily favored NANDOLO N to score the 29-1 upset - seems like a tougher spot to pull that off

here, but it's not impossible. (1) AMERICAN DEALER was a front end winner over a much softer bunch

in Leg #2, but wasn't up to last week's much tougher trip - the jury is still out on him, but we're leaning to a

couple of others here. (2) CAPTAIN BARBOSSA is just 1 for 6 here at Yonkers, and that win was over

much easier - needs to be better to be a more serious player against these.

RACE 8 - (5) BRONX SEELSTER was a powerful first over winner 2 back, then just missed cutting the

mile (up at this Open level) last week - he's definitely on top of his game right now, and should be able to

land on a good trip here - we'll give him the narrow nod. (2) LOUS SWEETREVENGE couldn't gain on

the rim to 3/4s last week despite pacing a third quarter in :27 flat, but did keep on trying hard and wasn't

fare back in 4th at the wire - he's almost always coming best at the end, and it's possible things could a little

testy up front tonight - good one to include on your tickets. (1) ROCK CANDY just missed to #7 3 starts

back, but was no factor in his last couple - moves inside tonight, and note that Bartlett jumps off a razor

sharp JOESSTAR OF MIAA to drive this guy - look for a much better effort tonight. (8) SPEED MAN N

has been unbelievably consistent throughout 2022 so far, compiling a 9-3-1-4 record - he would need a lot

of racing luck to win from out here, but couldn't blame anybody for including him at the right price. (6) PY

RO has held his form beautifully for weeks, though was no match in his last to the razor sharp winner -

outside draw figures to limit him to a minor share tonight, however. (7) JOESSTAR OF MIAA has won

this race 2 of the last 3 starts, and lacked stretch room in the lone loss - the fact that Bartlett has opted OFF

tonight (especially since this is his BEST client), suggests that he may not be quite as big a factor this time

around. (3) MR DS ROCK wasn't bad at all last week, considering he had been away since 1/22 - could be

even tighter now, but will like him even better with a class drop next week. (4) ROCKAPELO moves to a

new barn, and just seems to be in a bit too tough right now with these types.

RACE 9 - Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #4: (2) LEONIDAS A is a perfect 2 for 2 in the series so far and may

have been 3 for 3 if not late for Lasix (and unfortunately scratched) from Leg #2 - he's been very sharp all

year, can pick out any trip he wants from this spot, and remains the one to beat. (1) NONE BETTOR A

made his first start of 2022 in Leg #1 of this series and came up 2nd best (to #4) - was scratched sick the

next week, and can be forgiven for being a little short at the end of his last mile (but still an ok 4th) - could

be tighter tonight, and may also be able to add some value to the exotics. (5) JACKS LEGEND N did a

great job NOT bottoming out 2 back after chasing the blistering 1:21.3 pace, then running down the leader

late to pick up the win - wasn't able to keep it going on the lead last week when he weakened to 3rd, and

finds himself needing a good finish here to stay in the hunt for a spot in the Final - expect a good effort. (7)

COVERED BRIDGE was used hard in the first leg for the lead and did a good job lasting for 2nd (behind

#3) - was hurt trying to move into that 1:21.3 pace in Leg #2 but bounced back with a big try last week,

used hard but still 2nd best to the top choice - could use some trip luck from out here, but sharp enough to

land a good piece if he gets it. (3) WESTERN JOE kept grinding first over in the first leg and eventually

got by #7 to pick up the win - never got involved the next week, then finished ok for 3rd last week after

finally shaking free in the lane - always a chance for a piece. (4) DRAGON SAID was able to prevail in

Leg #1 after being used hard but it was his 3rd consecutive front end try and that MAY be why he came up

weak in Leg #2 - took off Leg #3, and it's hard to know what to expect from him tonight - will probably

stick with others. (6) WALKNAFTER MIDNIGHT skipped Legs #2 and 3 after an even 4th the first week -

draws outside, and appears to be in a tough spot.

RACE 10 - (6) JUST PLAIN LOCO is a bit risky since he's been strictly an off-the-pace horse, but he's

been very (sneaky) good for a while, and would have a chance to beat these IF things get contested heavily

enough up front - since he's usually a pretty good price we'll take a shot with him tonight...and hope enough

of the players inside of him mix things up a bit. (4) OUR CORELLI N worked out a really nice trip for

himself last week but came up a little light at the end - he's capable of better and we may see it from him

tonight...but that 9/5 ML price makes him a bit unattractive (from a value standpoint). (1) TOPVILLE OL

PIAN wasn't a bad 3rd off the layoff 2 back, but failed to get involved last week - draws the pole here, and

may be ready for a bigger effort - consider for exotics. (5) TONY TOO TALL goes to his 4th barn in 4

weeks and has done well for the other 3 - his fate tonight probably lies in how good a trip he can work out

early on - a quick pocket tick would improve his chance considerably. (7) IM BENICIO A lost to the

tripsitter last week while looking to take his 3rd in a row - would like his chances a lot more from a better

post, but it's not impossible for him to contend for a share even from out here. (3) JIMS PERFECT TEN

has done good work since being claimed for $30K back on 2/7 - has a chance to grab a piece here, but

would really like to see him in a little cheaper. (2) MOONLIGHT SHADOW tries to make the jump from

age-restricted 50 to open 50s....and he may find these a little tougher than he'd like.

RACE 11 - (2) BELTANE A broke hitting the top as the 3/5 choice last week and lost all chance - was

taken by a barn that does super off the claim, and it should be a good sign that he drops right back in the

box, and at the same price (and note that he rebounded from a break on 2/7 to be a close 2nd the very next

start) - we'll give him another shot. (4) LYONS KING had no room to pace in the lane 2 back, then did rally

nicely to be a close 3rd last week - seems good enough right now to be a threat. (7) MONEYMAN HILL

has the speed to leave even from out here, and has done so twice just recently - at 15-1 ML, he's a good

value horse to include in exotics. (5) MACH DORO A was an 8-1 overlay winner 2 back, then somehow

was sent off at 12-1 last week....and won again -- leaning to a couple of others ahead of him here but if he's

ignored in the wagering once again, you can be sure he'll be back on our tickets. (6) THE WILD CARD

threw a major clunker 2 back but has otherwise been good most weeks - chance for a piece if the trip goes

his way. (3) PRINCE MCARDLE N has just one 2nd from his 7 starts this year, usually picking up only

minor shares - seems destined for more of the same tonight. (1) QUALITY BUD wasn't terrible last week

in this class, but still seems ambitiously placed at this level. (8) WEONA SIZZLER A trailed all the way

from a similar spot last week.

RACE 12 - Tough race: (2) WESTERN HILL takes a significant drop back down to the $40K level, where

he was a front end winner the last time he was here - many of the other players are unproven in this class,

and that's why we'll give this guy the edge. (5) MARINER SEELSTER certainly thrives at the $30K level

(seven 2nds from 10 starts this year), but may be able to be a big player with this group as well - just make

sure to get a fair price if using him on top. (7) GINGER TREE PETE has been struggling through the early

stages in almost all of his recent starts, but then finishing up much better - his barn has really come alive

lately, so perhaps he's ready for a wake up call as well? (6) ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP has been doing

good work at The Swamp since being claimed by the Dynamic Duo in February - he was 0 for 14 at YR in

2020-21 but as noted earlier, this barn took the previously winless locally AIR GUITAR and got him to win

here in his first start back...maybe they can do it with this guy too? (1) ROLL WITH JR has used a few

recent wins to surge up the class ladder - he's definitely sharp, but it's hard to say how well he fits with

these. (4) HUNDIE N beat much cheaper here 5 starts back - may find these a little tougher than he's up for

right now. (8) BOLT OF LUCK is certainly sharp, but he's another that's stepping up in class...and Post 8

won't help his cause, either. (3) ROCKIN JUKEBOX was claimed on 2/25 and after a couple of solid

efforts, does seem to now be headed in the wrong direction.

RACE 13- (3) ON THE CARDS N was sharp in his first start of 2022, finishing 2nd to AMERICAN

DEALER N over at The Swamp - shipped in to YR and landed on a tough first over trip in the Open, then

raced much better last week (from Post 8) than the line might suggest - he'll be more aggressive tonight,

and feels like a major threat to take the finale. (5) REVELRY won off the claim on 2/21 then hit board in

his next three, finishing right behind Borgata/Open rivals - legitimate threat tonight. (8) BUDDY HILL

drops out of the Open after a dead game 1st over try for a close 3rd - if Kakaley can find him a manageable

trip, he can make some noise...even from out here. (4) IM A GIGOLO N has raced well since joining this

barn in late January, and returns to YR off a pair of Pocono wins - decent value horse to try to get into the

exotics. (1) ALWAYS AND AGAIN is a bit unproven at this level but he's sharp, draws the pole, and

should be able to make some noise here. (6) PRETTY HANDSOME won back to back starts in NW15000

before an ok 3rd up in this class last week - outside draw hurts, but a small share is not impossible. (2)

BILL HALEY N double jumps in class after a perfect trip win last week - will need to be even sharper for a

chance against these. (7) NVESTMENT BLUECHIP hit board in 5 straight but faces an uphill battle

tonight, up in class from Post 7.