The Empire Report - Thursday, December 8, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (2) LIGHTNING LEIA had a pretty solid start for 4th last week against a tougher field than this
one - she moves inside, catches a modest group of her elders and may be in a good spot to pick up her first
Hilltop victory (0 for 6 so far). (5) CORSINI A has struggled to win here in the past (1 for 16 this year) but
she's generally faced better, and held her own more often than not - she's another that just may find this
particular group to her liking. (1) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE is on the cheaper side but she has the rail with
speed and Bongiorno, and that makes her a threat to be right there for a long way. (3) A CRAFTY LADY
ships in off a PcD win but the 9YO is 10-0-0-0 locally this year, and just 1 for 23 at YR over the past 2 yrs.
- if she can shake off those "Yonkers Blues", she's sharp enough for a piece of this. (6) MONEYMAKEHE
RSMILE was no factor in her first 2 local starts but does drop a peg for tonight - would have ranked her a
bit higher if not for the poor draw. (4) AMERICAN TOUR N won here on 9/22 in her 2nd start off the
claim but then was away for 6 weeks before coming back at Stga. - her two starts since then have been dull,
so it's hard to know what to expect from her tonight. (7) HEY HEY DBAY was a "meh" 2nd in her last and
that was a month ago - draws poorly, and we'll probably just keep an eye on her for now. (8) ST LADS
BIJOU draws horrible for her YR debut - good spot to just observe the Canadian filly
RACE 2 - (3) TAKE ALL COMERS was an excellent youngster and hasn't missed a beat since turning 4,
already close to $200K this year in just 16 starts - he's won 3 of his 4 local attempts (the lone loss coming
after a horrific trip in the Miecuna Trot), and is currently riding a 3 race win streak - good chance he can
extend that streak to 4 tonight. (4) EUROBOND is 9 for 24 this year and that includes some big miles here
at YR - he came up 2nd best to TAKE ALL COMERS at Chester last week (at 3/5!), and figures to be the
main danger once again - certainly a chance he can reverse that decision on his best effort. (1) BARRY BL
ACK was off a month to his last but was still able to maintain the good form he was showing prior to that,
picking up a steady 3rd - gets right back in this time, draws best, and has a decent chance to grab himself a
piece of this. (7) NOWS THE MOMENT got some class relief last week, hit the front end and reminded
everybody that he can be a pretty nice trotter under the right circumstances - this is a much tougher task,
but if he can get away to a good start, he's sharp enough to contend for nice chunk. (2) FLIP THE SWITCH
was doing some incredible work for our former leading trainer as he just shot right up through the classes -
he qualified back beautifully for his new conditioner, but this is a very tough assignment right off the bat -
sticking with others tonight, but also keeping an eye on this one for the future. (8) WARRIOR ONE was
able to summon up that back class last start to pull off a dead game, 2 move victory - lands in a MUCH
tougher spot tonight, however, and Yannick's own seems destined for a much smaller award this time. (5)
VINNY DE VIE is a streaky horse that's hitting on all cylinders right now - his recent success does land
him in a field that MAY be out of his comfort zone, however. (6) HOMER HALL broke his streak of 2nd
place finishes with last week's victory...but he's another that may find the competition a little too tough here
RACE 3 - (1) ITZPAPALOTL acted like she'd develop into a nice older mare but she struggled to get going
as a 4YO this year, and didn't pick up her first win of the season until last week (at Chester, start #10) - she
faltered badly on the lead in her last local start but she added Lasix after that, and raced well in her 3 PA
starts since then - maybe last week's victory is something she can build off of? (6) SARAHS LILLY added
Lasix at Plainridge last week and raced a lot better- she had success here not long ago, figures to be a good
price, and may be worth including on some tickets. (3) GINGER TREE LIZ was terrific for a good stretch
earlier this year - she hit an extended rough patch after that, but seems to be starting to head back in the
right direction - if she can build off last week's victory (vs. cheaper), she can be a big player tonight too. (2)
KATYS DELIGHT has been a hard horse to drive in her 2 starts since arriving from Canada, but still
managed to jog the first week, and somehow pick up 2nd in her last (after looking empty by the final turn) -
if Kakaley can find a way to get her motivated a bit earlier tonight, she may be able to threaten these better
ones as well. (4) SEZANA N is notoriously camera shy but she does have a pair of fairly recent wins, and
her barn has been sending out some very good ones - not a bad bomb if spreading a bit. (5) APRIL AVA
won her only start here in 2020, but then went 0 for 18 the next 2 years (at YR) - would consider using on
the bottom of exotics only. (7) TALL POPPY N seems cheap, draws poorly for her YR return and is
13-0-1-1 locally this year - prefer others. (8) IMPRINCESSGEMMAA has way more disappointing efforts
than good ones lately - brutal spot, regardless
RACE 4 - (7) PORTOFINOs showed talent in Canada at 2, going 5-2-3-0 -- her 3YO season was definitely
disappointing (just 7 starts and about $40K) but was she was recently sold to top shelf local connections,
and was able to deliver the victory (in NJ) right off the bat - Gingras steered her to the win, and we'll see if
he can do the same here at Yonkers. (2) QUINCY MARKET had been coming up light at the end of his
recent miles so a change in tactics for last week was in order - he was forced to race from behind, kept on a
helmet, and DID finish a lot better....maybe he's ready for a top effort? (1) CREATE MYSTIQUE couldn't
overcome a tough trip in a late closer final in Ohop last week, but had been going some strong miles prior
to that - should fit nicely with the locals, and can use her speed from the pole -- trainer sports an impressive
21% win on the year. (8) THE AMERICAN EAGLE was rated on top here last week, even though we
knew he'd go off at less than his 15-1 ML price (off the big barn change) - he ended up the favorite, and had
no trouble overcoming Post 8 to score the victory - starts from the same slot tonight, but this is a much
more solid field...still a legitimate chance, but a little "iffier". (3) BACKSTREET PLAYER is a steady
performer in this class, and usually ends up with a decent piece - chance for the same tonight. (5) MUSCLE
DAN is another that's been pretty reliable lately - a good trip could see him land a share as well. (6) STRO
NGERWITHLINDY was a promising 2nd in his local debut but his follow up race was pretty disappointing
- lands a tough post now, and may need things to fall apart a bit to be a late player. (4) EXCHEQUER is
now 2 for 58 lifetime and 1 for 33 at Yonkers - he sometimes seems like he's ready to step up his game, but
clearly that just hasn't happened - we'll see if a fresh (young) set of hands can help him
RACE 5 - (8) OUTSIDE THE FIRE was hard to gauge when he shipped in from KY on 10/27 but he was a
big blowout winner that night, followed up by another mega-blowout the following start - seemed headed
for 3rd straight on 11/17 but he made an unexpected miscue on the final turn (while sailing along with
another clear lead) - was good to see him bounce right back to win at Chester last week, and he may be able
to keep it going tonight, even from Post 8 -- wouldn't take a very short price, though! (2) PAPPARDELLE
did some good things at 3 in Ohio this year, especially that dominant win on 10/23 - he took off a month off
and just re-qualified for the Super Siblings in pretty impressive fashion - may be ready to deliver a big one
in his YR debut. (1) JIVE NINETY FIVE has been banging heads with tough older claimers lately, and
may appreciate dropping in with some younger foes instead - he has the speed to be sitting close all the
way, and could definitely be a part of this. (4) MUSCLEDOVER had some solid Hoosier form so it's a little
surprising that he hasn't clicked yet since shipping East (to a barn that normally improves their fresh stock)
- this could be the night he finds his better form...but hard to recommend (on top) at that 5/2 ML price. (5)
CIEL BLEU was well backed last week and raced well for 2nd - seems like he has some upside, but he's
also facing much tougher tonight...and that may leave him looking at only a smaller share. (3) FAMOUS
DAN ships in showing solid form but he also exits a high % barn, and it's hard to know what to expect from
him in his new surroundings - he does draw well with Bartlett, so he'd be reasonable to at least consider if
the price was decent. (6) THE BOSS MAN has been a steady performer since arriving here this summer but
may be a notch below a few of the top players in here - the outside draw won't make things any easier on
him. (7) SEVENSHADESOFGREY hails from a hot barn but he hasn't won in some time, and draws
poorly tonight - prefer to wait for a better spot
RACE 6 - (6) ROBYN CAMDEN has been facing MUCH better, and did show some better life at Chester
last week, finishing a close 4th in a NW14000 race - drops down into a pretty soft NW7500 field tonight,
and this feels like a spot where she can get the job done. (1) CHECKERED PAST was stuck with 8 holes
vs. better in her last couple but now drops in class and moves all the way inside...and that should help her
pick up a nice chunk here. (3) LADYBELUCKYTONITE is just 1 for 31 at Yonkers this year, but she did
hit board in 13 of those losses - an easy trip tonight would give her a chance to grab a small slice. (2) MILL
WOOD BONNIE N really hasn't been any good lately but she does draw inside while also getting class
relief, and that may be enough to help her find a better effort - ok to include underneath. (5) ENGLISH
ROSE N was racing ok from tough spots for a while but seems to have tailed a bit lately - she's yet another
getting some class relief tonight....and may be able to at least rally for a piece against these. (8) SLYMARS
DRAGON had some trouble grabbing the bit in her local debut 2 back, then made a break trying to leave in
her last - gets stuck all the way outside tonight, and you'll need to demand a really good price if looking to
give her a shot from out here. (4) BETTORSHIGHLIGHT N and (7) TENTHOUSAND ANGELS battled
through the stretch last week and finished a nose apart for the win photo -- they're facing tougher now, and
it seems unlikely that they can have the same impact against these
RACE 7 - (5) MAKE IT EASY was sent off as the odds on choice for her YR debut on the strength of her
good Canadian form, and her move to one of the sharpest barns around - she broke as she was getting the
lead and lost any real chance, but did make a decent recovery after landing - one more chance. (1) ELLIOT
CLOUD S won 4 of 13 in Sweden to start his career before shipping to the U.S. recently - landed in a top
barn, qualified nicely, then gave it a solid try in his first start, sitting the pocket to PORTOFINO before
weakening just a bit to 3rd - clearly the main danger. (2) FORREST was an ok 5th in NJ upon arrival from
Canada (same race as ELLIOT CLOUD S) - eligible to be even sharper tonight, and a logical one to use in
exotics. (3) A ONE A added Lasix last week and probably raced a little better (3rd in a slow mile) - the
good draw puts him in play for a small piece tonight. (8) WALK WITH ME cut yesteryear type fractions
last week but still weakened to 4th - the move out to Post 8 doesn't inspire much confidence for tonight! (4)
CHAPERIDGE just never clicked at all after being purchased earlier this year - waiting for any signs of life
before hopping back on his team. (7) SQUABLE has used some better spots to pick up some better pieces
recently, but the move outside figures to negatively impact his chances for tonight. (6) AREBELLAS
GLIDER has yet to hit board in 5 local tries, and draws poorly once again
RACE 8 - (7) REFINED raced well in her only local try this year, rallying wide to pick up 2nd behind a
very sharp Stormy Kromer - she should appreciate getting away from the REALLY top mares she's been
facing recently, and be able to handle these somewhat easier ones. (6) QUEEN OF ALL came up with a
good one when 2nd two back then was in the midst of another strong effort last week when she made a
costly miscue while battling to the top of the lane - would definitely include her in exotics tonight. (3)
KENZIESKY HANOVER is 14-4-5-3 here this year and tonight's favorable draw should put her right in
the hunt again - in line for another good piece. (8) HEY LIVVY has finally found some much better form,
and comes into tonight off a pair of victories - tonight's trip seems a lot more iffy, however. (4) GREY was
scary for weeks but she broke leaving 2 back, then was no factor at all last week - suppose it's a good sign
that she drops right back in the box, but she seems a little too shaky right now for that 5/2 ML price. (1)
PLUMB had been sneaky good for a few starts but made a (very) costly break 2 back, then failed to fire in
the lane off a pretty live trip last week- if you think she can bounce back, the price should be very attractive
(2) LADY JETER was a decent 4th last week but still seems a bit below the top players in here - minor
share only. (5) CHAMPAGNE ON ICE goes for a new barn tonight while also moving up in class - sticking
with others
RACE 9 - (5) POPPY DRAYTON N hasn't done much lately but facing much better - she beat a NW10000
field on 9/29 and now catches a particularly soft basement field - should be pretty tough against these. (2)
SHORTYS GIRL picked up a 2nd in this class back on 10/13 - draws inside, gets Bartlett on board and
could easily grab another good piece tonight. (3) THUNDRA landed on a golden trip last week but ended
up hanging badly all through the lane, turning what should have been a win into a 4th place finish - needs to
be much better for a chance to get it done tonight (but it's possible). (4) IDEAL CHIP is 1 for 28 here, and 2
for 48 overall - that being said, she's been freshened up, adds Lasix, and may be able to beat a bunch of
these for a piece. (7) GOTTALOVEMYSHADOW is hard to gauge off those amateur races out of town but
she's just 12-0-0-4 locally, and draws poorly for her YR return - would consider for a minor share. (1) E R
HILARY seems to disappoint almost every week - she does draw best, but she'll need to find a much better
effort to be any kind of serious player. (6) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE is 0 for 19 here this year and
returns from Chester off a pair of clunkers - hard to like right now. (8) BROOKDALE JESSIE lands Post 8
for her local debut and is 0 for 32 this year coming into tonight - pass for now