Wednesday Empire Report

soaofny • March 23, 2022

The Empire Report - Wednesday, March 23, 2033 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (5) EYE OF A TIGER AS had a good chance to win last week (or be no worse than 2nd) against

better...except for that most untimely break on the final turn - drops to an easier spot here, and will be very

tough -- as long as he can mind his manners! (3) SWANSEA was able to prevail over his main rival last

week, scoring as the 2/5 choice in his Hilltop return - he can handle tonight's class jump, but does seem at

least a bit vulnerable - just not much value using him on top. (1) ALL CHAMPY hasn't had quite enough at

the end of his recent miles to be a more serious threat for the top slot - he's always in the hunt, though, and

may be able to pull it off here if things go his way. (2) CAVALIER GEORGE had a useful start last week

after being away for 3 months - should end up with a pretty good trip from this spot, and may be sharp

enough now to contend for a decent piece. (6) SOUTHWIND FROST was an even 5th last week upon

arrival at YR - seems to fit well enough, but the outside draw may limit him to a smaller share. (7) SHOEM

AKER HANOVER trotted evenly for minor pieces in his 2 local starts - would have liked his chances a lot

more if not for the terrible draw. (4) IN MY DREAMS seems to have gone in the wrong direction recently,

and is need of a wake up call. (8) CERTIFY seems a bit overmatched off his recent upstate lines, and

drawing Post 8 just makes his task that much more difficult.


RACE 2 - MGM Rewards Ladies, Leg #3: (1) DIVINE DEO landed on a very tough trip in a fast mile last

week but still went a big effort for 3rd (and not far off 2nd) - she jogged in her previous 2 starts, and will be

the prohibitive choice to get back to her winning ways tonight. (2) GABBYS GIRL is 7-2-3-1 here at YR,

and likely bled in that one off-the-board start - came up 2nd to JM BETONSIX the last 2 weeks, and may

finish right behind that one's barnmate tonight. (3) BYTHEWAY HANOVER was no factor in the first leg

but raced much better for an even 4th last week - may be able to tow along for a another small piece tonight

(5) PLEASURE SEEKER was caught in the back in leg #1, but was a close 3rd last week - may be able to

land on the bottom of the ticket again tonight, with the right trip. (4) SHE KNOWS IT ALL rattled off 5

straight 2nds here this Fall, but hasn't been the same since returning from a 3 month layoff - needs to step

up her game a bit. (6) CINCO SENORITA feels like the outsider, both literally and figuratively.


RACE 3 - (3) EPIC ACE landed in the top classes for a while after an extended form spree but has been

struggling to regain his form even as he's plummeted back down the class ladder - never threatened from

Post 7 in his first try back at this basement level last week but he moves inside tonight, and figures to get a

very aggressive steer from Bartlett - we'll give him top billing in this difficult race. (6) AWESOMENESS

came up 2nd best despite a long mile 2 back, then only lost by a length and a half after getting parked the

mile from Post 8 last week - that 20-1 ML price is pretty ridiculous (he'll be much shorter), and he's

definitely one to include on your tickets. (5) PLAY THE FIELD had been terrible for an extended period

but showed much better life last week (and his ice cold barn picked up a winner last week as well) - not a

bad time to consider him....at least for a piece. (1) SOMEBEACH BARON was facing much better not long

ago, but he's another that has struggled to come around even as he's dropped in class - maybe this is the

week he perks up? (4) FOUR STAR FLASH seems to come up light in the latter stages more often than not

- he does have some speed, though, and is worth a look IF the price is decent. (2) SWEET TRUTH was

neither "good" nor "bad" last week - he has a poor local win %, but his barn IS sending out live ones this

meet - not impossible, under the right circumstances. (7) IWONTDOTHATAGAIN has some good tries

when he can just sit an easy trip but the outside draw will probably make it hard for him to get into the mix.

(8) EXTRADITE N almost stole one on the lead last week, but will have a much harder time from Post 8.


RACE 4 - (5) HORIZON was well meant in her first start back as a 3YO but got roughed up getting to the

top, and weakened just a bit at the end - figured to have a big chance last week, but got smashed into early

on by a breaking/swerving rival, and was taken completely out of the race....stay on board one more time!

(6) WATERMELON SUGAR ships down from Saratoga and she's certainly earned it, looking good from

her first start, and just getting better and better every start since - could be a very legitimate threat. (3)

IDEAL CHIP has finished 2nd an incredible 9X in her last 10 starts (with a 3rd in the other) - would be

hard NOT to use her underneath in exotics! (8) B VANISH was also wiped out early last week, and did well

to recover enough to grab 3rd - she's definitely better than a bunch of these, but will need some trip luck

from all the way out here. (7) BETTE TINA was yet another to have been wiped out early by that breaker

last week - has shown some ability at times, and may be able to grab herself a small piece. (4) PINE BUSH

LIBERTY seems a bit below the top ones, but did win upstate last week and gets Gingras for tonight. (2)

ARTEMIDA won one of her 3 starts as a 2YO before going on the shelf - hard to know what to expect in

her first start back at 3....maybe the toe board will offer some clues? (1) GENESIS still feels like a work in

progress.


RACE 5 - (4) PASS A GRILLEBEACH hasn't lived up to expectations since being claimed for $50K (in

Dec.), but it's not like he's been "terrible" - he'll likely look to just outrun this softer bunch...and there's a

good chance he can make that work. (1) ONE OFF DELIGHT's last try at this level was back on 12/14 and

he made it a winning one - would appear to be the main danger in what could shape up as a two horse affair

(5) BECKHAMS Z TAM sat an easy rail trip last week and finished well to be 3rd - he has plenty of back

class, so we'll see if he can build off that effort, and contend for a good piece tonight. (6) SUNKEN TREAS

URE had a bit better effort last week, and may be heading in the right direction now - consider for a small

piece. (8) CLIFFHANGER had a few good local starts in the past - not a terrible bomb for 3rd, if spreading

a bit in trifectas. (2) CALVIN K has been terrible in all 4 local starts, but perhaps he can just tow along

from this good spot and take home a minor share? (3) IM J BEE N is another that has shown little in 4 local

tries - prefer others. (7) SAILBOAT HANOVER throws a decent one here and there, but will have a long

way to come even if "good" tonight.


RACE 6 - MGM Rewards Ladies, Leg #3: (2) BELINA weakened a bit from the pocket in her first local

start but has just gotten sharper and sharper with each start since then, and will be tough to beat in here if

she brings that same kind of mile tonight. (3) STATE OF MIND was well backed in her first local try but

came up just a little short at the end , finishing 3rd - definitely some concern that she took off Leg #2, but

her connections are too sharp to have her in to go here if she wasn't ready for action - looking for a good

mile from her tonight. (4) JM BETONSIX just lost action and went offstride in the lane last week but

Brennan did an outstanding job of getting her back pacing quickly, and then finding the wire on time - goes

back to her owner (Gingras) in the bike tonight, and is an obvious threat....but MAY be a bit vulnerable at a

short price. (7) OFF THE RECORD was a good 3rd in the first leg racing off the layoff - thought she be

much sharper last week, but was no match at all from the pocket (behind the top choice) - lands a terrible

spot for tonight, but she'll be a good enough price to consider underneath. (5) FILLY just came up horrible

(unexpectedly) 2 back - was much more credible in her last, but still weakened to 5th after a tough trip -

leaning towards others right now. (1) PULL ME THROUGH picked up minor checks in the first 2 legs, and

perhaps the rail can help her grab another tonight. (6) KATHYS MOMENT seems a bit below the main

players, and Post 6 won't help her chances any.


RACE 7 - (4) LUCKY MATTER has win, 2nd, and 3rd the last 3 starts at this level and also has a pair of

3rds vs. the 75s - he's by the far the most consistent of these and somebody will have to come up with a big

effort to beat him. (3) WILD AND CRAZY GUY picked up a pair of 2nds vs. the 75s in his first two starts

here but broke at the start in his next, then just stopped on a dime last week after cutting the mile - drops

down to 50s for tonight, and he's the one with the best chance to knock off the top choice...if he reverts to

his better form. (7) LINDSEYS PRIDE has a good Yonkers history, winning 8 of 28 starts in 2020-21 --

hard to really get a good read on his current Ohio form and he gets no help with the draw....but he's not a

bad "value horse" to consider if looking to beat the top two. (6) FASHION FOREVER beat cheaper 3 back,

was 2nd best to a currently sharp KANDY SWEET in his next, then was 2nd best bumping up to this level

last week - will probably be coming from well out of it tonight but at that 20-1 ML price, not a bad one for

the bottom of exotics. (2) SERRANO VOLO may need a little easier and is also off 3 weeks - she does

draw well, however, and that may help her bring home a small piece. (8) J A T O puts the hopples on after

making breaks in 2 of his last 3 starts - have to believe he'll be handled pretty conservatively from this spot.

(1) SWEET HEART AS draws best for her Hilltop return but does seem to be a bit below these - leaning

towards others. (5) MUSCLE STAR has continued to try hard even at this higher level, but really does

seem to be better suited with a bit easier.


RACE 8 - Good race: (6) THUNDRA was tiring before the break last week but may have disliked the off

going - she's certainly as good as any of these (on her best effort), and that 15-1 ML price makes her worth

a look tonight. (7) BEACH MOMENT ships down sharp from Canada, adds Lasix, and has Yannick at the

controls - tough post, but still worth using on your tickets. (2) OAKWOOD CORAL IR handled the jump

from NW2 to NW6 very nicely last week, although finishing a close 2nd (and seeing her win streak

snapped at 3) - very logical threat here for the Dynamic Duo. (3) STAY SAFE shipped in sharp from Fhd.,

hit board in 2 of 3 local starts, and now adds Lasix for tonight - well worth considering at what figures to be

a decent price. (8) ALTA MADEIRA N shipped in from NJ and was a winner in her first 3 local starts -

came up 2nd best to the sharp DIVINE DEO in her next, but did weaken in the lane to 5th after cutting the

mile last week - gets stuck with Post 8 again and while she does seem pretty vulnerable from out here, she's

also done enough good work to at least consider at a big price! (5) LINE EM UP has gone some sharp

miles here in the past, although it's hard to get a good read on her right now - add her to the (long) list of

potential contenders. (1) BUMP IN THE ROAD was one of only 2 horses to avoid an early breaker last

week so don't put too much stock into that win - her overall form HAS been good, but she's facing much

tougher tonight than she has been - wouldn't shock, but sticking with others. (4) BACI BACI seems a notch

below the others, but at least she'll be a big price!


RACE 9 - (4) HILL OF A HORSE was a little disappointing last week, unable to sustain his bid well

enough into the stretch and weakening a bit to 3rd - he MAY get a bit more of a contested pace to rally into

tonight, and his price may even be a little better - we'll try him one more time. (3) MADHATTER BLUEC

HIP is feeling pretty good again, and steps up to 75s after beating the 50s the last 2 starts - very possible.

(5) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN came up short as the favorite 2 back but made amends last week,

wiring the field at 4-1 - steps up to 75s but he's another than can handle it, if on his "A Game". (2) VAINQ

UEUR R P NO did beat the 75s two back but seems more comfortable at the $50K level - certainly a

chance, but leaning to a few others a bit more. (1) SEVENTIER was a nice 3YO, but takes on tough older

foes in his 4YO debut and has been away for over 4 months - a lot to ask from him tonight! (6) STICK

WITH ME KID was caught in a bad shuffle last week but didn't have much to offer even when clear - will

wait for a better effort before hopping back on his team. (8) DRAZZMATAZZ is good right now, but lands

in a seemingly impossible spot - wait for a better scenario. (7) LIFETIME ROYALTY draws post 7 after

being gone for 3 months - good week to pass, and watch.


RACE 10 - (3) SILENT SPLENDOR showed that he doesn't have to be on the lead when a solid 3rd two

back - did look to cut it last week but was outblitzed by a razor sharp winner to the final turn, and

weakened late to 4th - faces older rival in this $25K claimer tonight but this is a pretty suspect group -- and

he may just be able to outrun them. (6) DESIRES CAPTAIN just missed 3 and 4 starts back in 30s, then

raced ok for a pair of 4ths in fast miles won by the razor sharp VENIER HANOVER - draws outside, but

does look sharper than most of these...possible! (2) MISTER SPOT A may prefer to be in a little cheaper

but the same can be said for a few others in here - a quick start (and good trip) could land him somewhere

on the ticket. (4) DING DING DINGER raced much better in his last 2 starts - not convinced he's a $25K

claimer, but he does fit ok with these - use underneath. (1) SWAGASAURUREX just hasn't clicked at all

since being claimed 4 back - suppose he'll perk up and reverse form one of these nights...but hard to make a

case that it'll be tonight. (5) STARK HANOVER drops back down to 25s, but has been pretty dull in his

last few - will need to be sharper if he hopes to contend for a piece.


RACE 11 - (5) DELIGHTFUL TERROR was hammered down to 2/5 for his YR return last week but he

made a break on the first turn when Bartlett tried manufacture some speed out of him - guessing that

Bartlett will handle him a little differently this week (and perhaps his barn will provide some re-rigging as

well), and the price will certainly be better - deserves a chance at redemption. (4) REDBANK BLAZE

picked up a 3rd dropping to NW7500 last week and now drops even lower - has to be seen as a legitimate

threat tonight. (1) HEAVENS GAIT has been burning $$ for weeks and he'll get a chance to do it once

again tonight - the classy veteran will surely throw a big mile one of these days and get his picture taken

but for now, the value remains playing against him. (7) TULHURSTSANTANNAA appears to have fallen

off form last summer/fall and just recently returned down in Florida - ships up to a top barn, and the 9YO

does have plenty of back class....worth at least a look? (6) KERFORD ROAD A is used to facing much

better than these, but his form has been iffy, at best - chance to be a player if he decides to bring his best

tonight. (8) FOO FIGHTER N dropped to NW7500 last week and picked up a 3rd...after failing to hit the

board in his 8 previous Yonkers attempts - would have been willing to use him on the ticket this week had

he not drawn so poorly! (2) ABRAXAS BLUES A finally gets some post relief but also lands in a field

with several class droppers - likely looking at only a minor share chance tonight. (3) SOUTHPORT

BEACH was claimed by a barn that has been responsible for some incredible turnaround....and that's just

what this guy will need after last week's horrendous performance!


RACE 12 - (3) CIRCLE OF LIFE AS has won 3 of 10 starts locally - catches a very shaky bunch returning

from The Swamp, and we'll give her the edge in the finale. (2) VOLARE was facing tougher in his last few

local tries, but this level is right up his alley - should be a solid player here. (1) HATIKVAH was freshened

up and qualified nicely (in NJ) for his new barn - was sent off favored in his next start but made a break on

the lead -- added hopples for his last and while he did stay trotting, he finished well back - if he puts it all

together tonight he could easily beat these....but as the 8/5 ML choice, it's hard to endorse him for a wager!

(5) TEDDY BROSEVELT is racing pretty well every week - good value horse to try to get onto the ticket.

(4) SEVEN KNIGHTS was a winner here in January and that matched his win output for all of last year (1

for 34) - ok for a piece, but hard to use on top. (6) BROWNIE is just 1 for 23 here (last 3 years) and was a

dull 5th in his last start here at this level - needs to be better. (7) LIMERENCE often feasts on the

competition at this level but he's been away for 3months, and probably not cranked up for a big effort yet.

(8) MISS YOU KELLY faces an uphill battle from all the way out here.

By soaofny February 21, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 21, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 20, 2025
The Empire Report – Thursday, February 20, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 19, 2025
The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 19, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 18, 2025
The Empire Report – Tuesday, February 18, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 14, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 14, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 13, 2025
The Empire Report – Thursday, February 13, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 12, 2025
The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 12, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 11, 2025
The Empire Report – Tuesday, February 11, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 10, 2025
The Empire Report – Monday, February 10, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 7, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 7, 2025 – Race Analysis
Show More
Share by: