The Empire Report - Wednesday, August 18, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (7) ROCK N BLUE blasted to the top from the same Post 7 last week but was hounded into
submission to the final turn and gave way - drops in for a tag this week and this is a much softer bunch -
maybe he can braven up on the lead against these lesser foes, avoiding pressure and making his speed last
all the way. (3) FOX VALLEY NEMITZ hasn't looked as good in his 3 starts since the layoff but he gets
major post relief tonight, and that may bring out a better effort - worth a look if the price is fair. (1) NORT
HERN ROCK did manage to hold 2nd to a runaway winner from Post 8 three starts back - maybe he can go
a similar trip here? (5) ENERGYZONE HANOVER has some "ok" recent tries...but those efforts are better
than anything some of these others have done lately - ok piece. (2) AMERICAN NITRO does have a pair
of wire to wire victories recently, but he's also pretty inconsistent - possible, but not a great horse to play at
a short price. (6) ROCK ON PRECIOUS wasn't terrible last week - not a bad bomb for 3rd. (4) BRINGITO
NHOME N failed several times recently vs. NW7500 fields at PcD - just seems to be on the cheaper side.
(8) GRAND PRIORITY probably needs a much better draw for any chance to be a serious contender
RACE 2 - (7) SVF CASH DEPOSIT has been inconsistent at best, and definitely not on his best game...
but he drops into a very soft field tonight, and did grab a win at PcD 3 starts back - Merton has to just send
him out of there at the start and hope that a manageable trip develops. (3) BINGO QUEEN had been no
good at all for ages but definitely showed more enthusiasm in her last couple - not sure how many big miles
the 12YO has left in here, but this is a good spot to be a player. (8) BAZILLIONAIRE has held his own
with better ant number of times and is better than most of these - he's also going to be a relatively short
price from Post 8, while also being 0 for 23 on the year - hard to use him on top. (4) MANWILLING came
alive off the drop at Tioga last week and has raced well at times in the past - definitely ok for exotics. (2)
MAKING SPARKS seemed cheap shipping in from Monti but really wasn't too bad last time - we'll see if
she can build on that effort. (6) DEW CAN DEW is 1 for 36 here (last 3 yrs.) and 4 for 81 lifetime - small
piece only. (1) KEYSTONE THUNDER seems pretty cheap right now, but did win from the pole at PcD 3
back - prefer to just watch, for now. (5) PETERS EXPRESS hasn't been a factor here in ages...maybe ever?
RACE 3 - (2) ALLGONOWHOA was one of a few horses recently that didn't click out of town for the
Super Siblings, but were able to sprout wings upon arrival at Yonkers and crush fields - anything close to
his last effort should give him two in a row. (1) DEERFIELD BEACH was part of that "no contest" wipe
out last week but actually wasn't bad in his previous two - prime candidate for a board spot from the pole.
(5) CINNABAR DRAGON may be worth a look - he clearly has issues, but he's thrown some good efforts
here from time to time, and that last Monto qualifier doesn't look bad at all - consider at a big price. (4)
CARTERS CAPER drops back down to 12.5s and that makes him a legit candidate to grab a small piece
here. (7) RISKY MILLION throws a good one at times but he's 0 for 24 this year and stuck outside - prefer
to wait for a better scenario. (8) MACHING TIME dropped from 20s to 12.5s for his previous barn but still
couldn't find his best form - may enjoy the change of scenery this week (new barn), but he doesn't figure to
enjoy starting from Post 8. (3) BIG SWEEP OSBORNE has failed to hit board in 5 local tries - needs to be
better. (6) SKYWAY BILL was no factor in his last pair and draws outside once again.
RACE 4 - (3) PRINCESS ALTA just missed to #6 at Stga, three back, jogged at Tioga, then rallied nicely
in her YR debut to be a close 3rd - may end up with a very nice trip here...and even offer some value on
top. (2) OCEANVIEW ECHO adds Lasix for tonight and that may help her carry her speed better in the
latter stages - could easily outrun these tonight, but also figures to be overbet. (6) ROLL WITH KAY won 3
in a row at Stga. before a costly miscue, then just missed from off the pace in her Hilltop debut - legit
player, and worth using if she's a good price. (8) PLEASURE SEEKER is yet another Stga. shipper and she
comes in sporting a fine 3 race win streak (2 for 2 for her current barn) - tough assignment from Post 8, but
she's another that's worth considering if the price is juicy enough. (4) ROLL WITH SHORTY steps up off
last week's win but she was helped by both a short field, and her main rival blowing the final turn - not a
fan at that 5/2 ML price. (5) MAKE A SCENE does have some ability but shows up tonight after being scr.
sick off a qualifier, and the guess is that she'll need a start (or two) before we see her best. (1) MAJOR LO
VER was finally getting "functional" again before regressing in last - has missed 3 weeks, and we'll stick
with others. (7) BRUCH N CRUSH has lines that would at least give her a chance for a piece in here but
she's 0 for 29 and stuck with Post 7.
RACE 5 - (1) ER HILARY has been behaving herself every week lately and right there on the wire in her
last 3 - the good draw should allow her to make an early move to the lead, and she'll pretty hard to beat
with that trip...won't be much of a price, though. (5) FOX VALLEY CHARLIZ woke up out of the blue 3
back with her best mile in ages - no factor with better in her last pair but drops back down to the level of
that win, and deserves respect here. (7) ATORITOTELL seems to be coming around nicely now after a
couple of lesser tries (after the recent barn change) - not sure if she can overcome the poor draw, but worth
using as long as the price is decent. (6) ISLAY N is just 1 for 40 over the last 2 years, and 1 for 37 at YR,
over the last 3 -- that being said, she's gone a bunch of strong efforts lately, and definitely belongs in
exotics. (3) TOO MUCH SUN has a bunch of Monti efforts that would at least give her a chance at a small
piece here- throw her in for 3rd. (2) AMERICAN TOUR N just came up empty off a pocket trip in last but
that doesn't mean she won't race better now - inconsistent mare is hard to gauge. (4) BULLVILLEKARLA
is 0 for 12 here this year, and 1 for 26 overall - too many other sharp mares in here to look her way. (8)
PAPPY ROCKS moves to a new barn after never functioning for her precious connections - brutal spot
RACE 6 - (2) FLY EAGLE FLY doesn't have Canadian lines screaming "BET ME!"....but he does debut
tonight for the Dynamic Duo, and that team has been winning here at an almost impossible 40% clip since
early June - we'll stick with the hot angle. (5) UVA HANOVER charged home for 3rd here 3 back, then
raced well at PcD in his next - sharp enough for a good piece of this. (6) KING CAST has been holding his
own with better for some time, and should appreciate the drop to the bottom level - not a great post, but still
a chance to have a say tonight. (4) BARNEY MAC is notoriously camera shy here at Yonkers but he fits
well enough with these to consider for a small piece. (8) ON HIGHER GROUND will probably race
conservatively tonight after last week's brutal 8 hole trip but the ability is there, and he's not a bad bomb for
3rd/4th. (3) SHARED INTEREST A had things all his own way last week and couldn't finish the job -
might have not been a fan of the off track, but still hard to back with any confidence off that effort. (1)
PRESIDENTE ZETTE has struggled in his local starts but does seem to be getting better at Chester in his
last couple - we'll see if he can build off those miles and be a contender from this good spot. (7) SEVEN
KNIGHTS just isn't sharp enough to consider from out here - at least wait for a better draw.
RACE 7 - (2) ROSE RUN VANTAGE ships in after being similar at Chester last week, and shows a pair of
wins there in June, as well - draws well for her local debut, and will give her a shot to make it 2 straight. (3)
CORAL BELLA is sharp right now, and should be able to continue racing well for her new connections -
belongs in exotics. (1) GLENEFERRIE BLADE A was super here in 2019 ($121K) but was 0 for 7 here
last year - has found her form (at these lower levels) for her current connections out of town, and ships in
riding a 3 race win streak - definitely deserves some respect. (7) SALLY FLETCHER A was just super last
week, continuing to dig in through the stretch despite a very hard trip, and earning a well-deserved victory -
steps up and lands Post 7, but still should be included somewhere on your tickets. (6) IDEAL CLASSIC
has been ok lately, but faces an uncertain trip from Post 6 - maybe a minor share? (4) SEZANA N has
missed almost 4 weeks after a sick scratch, and is also 0 for 18 on the year - prefer others this week. (5)
CLASSY CHAPEL N drops, but just isn't clicking at the moment. (8) WINDSONG PARISIAN is 0 for 17
at YR, and draws Post 8 off a sick scratch - pass for tonight.
RACE 8 - (1) MADHATTER BLUECHIP rallied nicely from well back in his last couple and now gets the
potent combination of both post and class relief - the road to the winner's circle goes through him tonight.
(4) BLENHEIM was trapped a long way in last then had plenty of late life once free - his overall recent
form is solid, and he can have a big say here...as long as he stays trotting. (2) ALL CHAMPY picked up a
couple of very well backed Pocono wins before last week's Amateur race - classy veteran should be able to
grab a nice piece of this. (3) WHETHER OR NOT FI isn't on his best game at the moment but an easy trip
from this spot could help him pick up a minor share. (6) OOH RAH has a few good recent starts vs.
cheaper in PA - draws outside several main foes, and will need some trip luck just for a small share. (7)
SKYWAY TINACIOUS kept digging through the lane last week and earned a tough win vs. cheaper -
moves up and lands outside...and that will hurt his chances significantly.(8) CREWS HILLTOPPER wasn't
bad in his local debut - no spot tonight, but keep an eye for when he lands in a better situation. (5) MISS
YOU KELLY needs to be in easier to be a serious player.
RACE 9 - (2) SUNSHINE HALL always had ability, but has never been a fan of the Yonkers turns - ships
back from NJ after beating older males, and she draws well enough that she may not need to be out on too
many turns - definite should offer some decent value here. (4) CHELSKI raced much better than expected 2
back, then was sharp finishing in her last as well - was sharp here early in the year, and seems to be on her
game right now as well - legit threat. (1) BEAUTY BAYAMA has been inconsistent all year, but does
throw a good one now and then - definitely ok to use underneath. (3) SEAL OF LOVE BC seemed ready to
start doing some good work recently but quickly reverted to her lesser form instead - always a threat to
deliver a good one, but only willing to use her if the price is decent. (6) IDEAL HANNAH still has her
barn's only win this meet (1 for 61) - draws outside, and will hope for some live cover (for a chance to rally
for a piece). (5) KISS THE CAPTAIN used a perfect trip to win off the pace 2 back but rather than build off
that effort, she reverted to her erratic self again in last - guessing she'll race from the back tonight, and that
may help her find another better effort. (7) REACHTHRITHESKY AS used a perfect trip to beat cheaper
by a nose in her last - steps up. moves outside, and may struggle from this spot. (8) RENATUS used a quick
start to pick up a surprise 2nd last week - moves up in class, lands Post 8, and may not be so fortunate
tonight.
RACE 10 - (8) LARJON LEAH was sent off at 3/5 last week and was cruising along the lead when she had
to be pulled up with broken equipment - clearly this is a tougher spot (8 hole), but she's still the best of
these and the price will be a lot better....worth sticking with her. (5) ELLAGATOR was handled
conservatively here off a qualifier, got shuffled badly but did finish well, despite some interference - don't
like that she's been away for 27 days, but she still figures to be able to beat a bunch of these. (3) ROLL ON
MAMA can throw a good one from time to time - hails from a strong trainer/driver combination, and could
be a player at a decent price. (1) ROBMOTION BLUECHIP has the speed to establish a decent trip (again)
and stick around for a small share. (4) FOLLOW YOUR NOSE has been decent in all 3 local starts, and all
at good prices - good one for the bottom of tris and Supers. (6) THUNDRA may be a little cheap but she's
certainly been very consistent lately - tough post means she'll need some trip luck in order to grab a decent
piece. (2) LET ER BUCK hasn't had any real YR success but she draws inside, goes back to MacDonald
and we'll see if that helps her earn a piece. (7) WOODMERE HARRIET was extremely opportunistic last
week, taking the lead when the top choice had to pull up, and grabbing a victory - will be hard to replicate
that performance from Post 7, however.
RACE 11 - (2) KASHA V finished alertly from a tough spot last week - he's looking at a pretty good trip
from here, with a chance to reel in the speed once they hit the stretch - hopefully the price will be decent in
a race with a few live contenders. (1) WINDSONG PIONEER pulled up with some issue on 7/16 after
wiring 'em from Post 8 the week before (at 35-1!) - qualified back strong at Chester, and he'll be able to be
on the lead tonight - major threat. (4) GREY just missed here on 7/26 and goes back to a catch driver again
tonight (Zeron) - she definitely fits, and has a chance at a good piece. (6) LADY EAGLE drops to a more
comfortable level and has done damage in this class in the past - a decent trip puts her right in the hunt. (3)
TRUMP THIS saw his 3 race win streak snapped last week after a very tough 8 hole trip (but was only 5
lengths back at the end) - no reason he can't land somewhere in the exotics with the move back inside. (5)
BIZET ships in off a pair of Pocono wins, but vs. much easier - may not have that same success against
these tougher foes. (8) CON AIR HALL has also been doing good work at PcD...and also vs. lesser - we'll
wait for a better spot. (7) FOMOR found a field he could wire last week but now moves up and draws Post
8 - sticking with others.
RACE 12 - (3) SPRINGSTEEN has really hit the skids out of town, burning a ton of money with a long
string of terrible efforts -- he's exiting a couple of top barns and would normally be the first throwout in his
current form....but he lands in a barn that's been known to help horses quickly forget their problems, and the
guess is the same will happen for him - but NO, do not bet the rent money on him! (1) AMERICAN
WIGLE shows a few decent Canadian lines, moves to a barn that usually improves their fresh stock, and
would have been the clear first choice has #3 not been in the race. (2) FIREBALL was a surprise when
claimed on 6/14 and a bigger surprise when claimed from his last (since his season has been pretty terrible)
- maybe his new connections can get a better effort from him. (4) TITANIUM N is actually not bad these
days - maybe can add some value to the exotics? (6) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING has been pretty steady
lately - tough draw, but good enough right now for a chance at a small piece. (7) CLIFFHANGER seems
cheap, but does move to a sharp new barn - will just observe for tonight, though. (5) ELRAMA N is
desperately in need of a wake up call. (8) HAGGARD hasn't hit board in 5 local starts, and goes from a pair
of rails to Post 8 - looking elsewhere