The Empire Report - Thursday, February 16, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (7) WILLY WALTON was super for an extended period of time before recently hitting a brief
rough patch - his last start was more like it, and he has a chance to work out a manageable trip against these
even from Post 7 - if he can build off his last, he'll have a decent chance here. (4) HOOLIE N HECTOR
failed to pop out of the two hole off turn three last week and ended up shuffled behind a quitting leader as a
result - had plenty of trot after maneuvering free to the top of the lane, and was still right there on the wire -
legitimate threat tonight. (1) C YOU AGAIN DK won his U.S. debut (in NJ) with his co-owner on board
and was sent off as the odds on choice in his next start here at Yonkers - ended up getting nailed by the trip
sitter and while he's eligible to be sharper this week, that 8/5 ML price makes him tough to recommend on
top, especially facing much better now. (2) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM had a useful start off the bad date
although really only beating weaker ones for the distant show spot - he'd have a chance here on his very
best effort, but still seems more likely to grab a smaller piece, than a bigger one. (3) NEW HEAVEN came
back solid off the winter break but was pretty dismal in his last couple - he's become tough to predict these
days, but we're still leaning towards his more consistent rivals. (5) SEVENSHADESOFGREY actually
made a good recover after an early miscue last week but he generally struggles at this level. (6) ETHAN T
HANOVER has plenty of back class, but just didn't look good at all returning from the layoff last week -
waiting for a better effort before considering
RACE 2 - (5) NOWS THE MOMENT and (6) HL REVADON have both been razor sharp for a while and
have been trading victories lately - they've shown that they can overcome the outside posts and it's very
hard to separate the two - we'll give NOWS THE MOMENT the VERY slight edge, mostly because he's
draws inside....but it would be hard to like one and not the other! (4) HEY LIVVY was well meant last
week but caught first over into the hot clip before holding well for 3rd - she's capable of big miles at times,
and could be next in line should the top pair falter. (2) CREDIT CON has held form beautifully for some
time - if he lands on a decent trip, he may be able to pick up another good chunk. (1) LEAN HANOVER is
still a solid trotter at age 10 but does seem to do his better work with easier these days - we'll see how much
the rail draw can help his cause. (3) TIMESTORM is capable of some big efforts but is also inconsistent -
we'll stick with his more reliable rivals tonight
RACE 3 - (5) JARA was a winner at Fhd. in her first try for a new barn and looked very good winning her
YR debut as well, used early then still able to brush by first over, hanging tough to the end to win it - the
one to beat with a similar effort. (8) THEWALLOFLOVE AS was solid right from the start when she hit
the track at 2 last summer, and has continued to race well since then - she hasn't really elevated her game
(yet), however, and that's why she still fits this NW2 class - was able to work out a good trip from Post 8
last week to be 2nd best to the top choice, and another live trip would put her close once more. (6) WANIA
has been well backed in both local tries but just missed the first time, and could only manage 3rd last week
- his barn is dangerous with anything they send out, but this guy needs to be a little better if he hopes to get
his picture taken tonight. (4) A ONE A races a bit differently each start, but is just 1 for 26 lifetime and
seems better used underneath, than on top. (7) LADYFLIX grabbed a win and a 2nd in her first 2 local tries
then was an ok 4th last week - seems like she may end up too far back to do any serious damage tonight,
however. (3) SQUABLE has a 50-1-2-10 career record but earns his keep by staying trotting, while beating
the weak ones and breakers - maybe 3rd/4th? (2) BRUTUS BEEFCAKE B has yet to hit board in 4 local
tries and needs to be better. (1) BANGIN IN THE HALL broke early in 2 of his last 3 starts and both were
from the pole - feels pretty risky at the moment
RACE 4 - (2) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX gets significant class relief, draws inside, and faces a field of
questionable rivals - Stratton opts for #6, but we'll still go with her on top. (4) ALWAYS B MIMI has been
inconsistent at best lately but she's more than capable with these when at her best, and many of her
banrmates have been sharpening recently - maybe she'll be next? (6) TOBAGO TIME showed some life 2
back but was unable to deliver as the favorite last week (finished 2nd) - may continue to improve, and that
would make her a player tonight. (7) HEY HEY DBAY showed good life finishing 2 back then built on that
with last week's sharp 8 hole victory - faces better now (and draws outside once more), but is still worth
considering as long as the price is good. (5) LAURIE LEE tends to always be overbet and that 2-1 ML
price (shipping in from NJ) suggests she'll probably offer no value tonight as well - CAN beat these, but
we'll stick with others on top. (3) COOLNCALCULATING N gave it a decent first over try last week
before tiring a bit in the lane - ok to include in exotics. (1) APRIL AVA was a wildly overbet (all out)
winner vs. easier 2 back, but didn't function at all last week - too risky right now. (8) ITS MESMERISE N
is off form, and now starts from Post 8
RACE 5 - Good race: (2) HAND OVER DAN clearly has ability (and loves to win races) but he's struggled
a bit to stay trotting since arriving from the midwest late last summer - that last Monti qualifier does look
good, though, especially since he beat the classy SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN (who sat to his back) -
worth a play IF the price is decent enough. (7) SOUTHWIND ARTURO added hopples for his qualifier
upstate on 1/18 - stayed flat and won that day, then charged home to win his last pair here at YR - hard to
day if he can reach from out here, but he's another worth considering if the price is right. (4) SAID N
DONE AS won back to back starts here vs. NW2 in Nov. but has struggled to break through in NW4,
finishing 3rd three straight times followed by a trio of 2nds...maybe he finally gets his picture taken again
tonight? (3) PENCILS DOWN hit board in all 3 local tries and was very good when 3rd two back - another
more than capable of taking this if things go his way. (6) WICKENBURGH has been "ok" since arriving
from Canada recently but needs to find a little more to contend for the top slot - ok to include underneath.
(1) B THREEWINDS stayed trotting after adding hopples 2 back but reverted to bad habits in last - bit
risky, and may be a bit below the top ones regardless. (6) LIVINGONTHERAIL has some good tries for his
current connections but tonight's draw may limit his possibilities. (8) MATT SO SURE made a break last
week and now lands Post 8 - sticking with others
RACE 6 - (3) TACHYON came up big from Post 7 in his seasonal debut, not only staying trotting but also
putting in a big move to rally all the way up for a close 2nd - loses Brennan tonight (he drives #6, who he
owns), but Boyd can get the job done too...if he's anywhere as good as last week. (4) VELVET STYLE
didn't have his usual stretch pop last week but he was also racing off a layoff - eligible to be tighter this
time around. (1) ESPLOSIONE was a solid 3rd last week despite missing time due to sickness - draws best,
and looms a major threat now. (6) MUSCLE DAN steps up to NW6 after registering back to back sharp
front end scores in NW4 - gets a tough draw, but is still sharp enough for a piece. (2) GREG has speed and
stays trotting...and that gives him a chance to stick around for a piece of this (but prefer others on top). (8)
THE AMERICAN EAGLE left last week but had to retreat to last after finding no holes - hard to know if
Bartlett will try to send him once more, hoping for some better luck - include him in exotics if you think
he's leaving. (5) UP HELLY AA had some better life 2 back before a dull one in last - drops out of the 50s
for this, and we'll see if that results in a better effort. (7) GRACE has been struggling and lands outside
RACE 7 - Good race: (1) TOP ME OFF was REALLY overdriven up in NW30000 last week and it
resulted in him tiring through the lane - drops back to NW15000, draws the pole, and will be a big threat
with an easier trip. (3) OUTSIDE THE FIRE broke on the lead here on 11/17 but is otherwise 5 for 5 on the
board, with some big efforts along the way - very legitimate threat from this spot. (2) ADORE ME shipped
in sharp from out of town, got Miller to come over for the drive and was sharp beating a NW6 field - this is
a tougher spot, but she's more than sharp enough to be a serious player. (6) SHARE THE WEALTH was a
sharp winner at this level 3 back - had no chance from Post 8 in his next, then was an ok 4th last week
behind a few sharp ones - possible, but the post is going to hurt. (7) PROMISE FOR LIFE finished strong
when "road tested" in his local debut 3 starts back - was well backed for his next but came up 2nd best to
the classy KENZIESKY HANOVER, then was overtaken in the stretch last week by the tripsitter - he fits
for sure, but will need trip luck to win from out here. (5) BARN HALL was well backed in his last but
proved no match for the multi-move 8 hole winner - prefer others for the top spots, but a small piece is well
within reach. (4) BAZILLIONAIRE is beyond camera shy but does grab smaller pieces when the right trip
comes his way. (8) HUNTING AS is sharpening now, but the class jump and 8 hole are going to hurt!
RACE 8 - (3) EDGE OF ETERNITY returned sharp off the winter break, crushing a NW7500 field - no
prayer 8 hole in her next but raced very well last week, used very hard at a couple of points in the mile and
not beaten all that badly for 4th - could proven best of this modest group. (6) CALLMEQUEENBEE A was
handled aggressively dropping out of the 50s last week and was a sharp, pace at both ends winner - moves
up a notch, but likely fits well with these too....chance to be a serious player. (1) CORSINI A was just 1 for
19 at YR but has started off the new year with a pair of victories, helped each time by a two hole trip - she
bumps up another level but the inside draw gives her a chance for another good trip...and she may be sharp
enough right now to be a player. (4) NORMANS MADELINE is notorious for her sudden form reversals
and as the tote board suggested, we saw one last week - this is a tougher spot, but she's been known to
string good efforts in the past....the "x factor" tonight. (2) LADYBELUCKYTONITE was camera shy last
year and has some mixed form to start out 2023 - leaning to others on top, but would certainly consider her
for exotics. (5) TALL POPPY N benefited from a very live trip in last week's 2nd place finish - not sure
she'll be nearly as fortunate tonight, but that 20-1 ML price makes her at least playable underneath. (7)
PULL ME THROUGH picked up a rare YR victory over a soft field 2 back, but made a break in her last -
seems buried from this spot. (8) BROOKDALE JESSIE has been holding her own lately and grabbing
pieces....but will have a hard time ever getting close from all the way out here (up in class)!
RACE 9 - Tough race! (8) HIGHLAND MOWGLI showed a new dimension last week, charging home
powerfully from off the pace to win it - that versatility may serve him well here as he tries to find a way
into the hunt from Post 8....one of several with a chance in here, and the price will definitely be right. (7)
GREY was a very game 1st over 2nd two back then dead game for 2nd again last week, this time cutting
the mile under pressure - could be the one if the trip goes her way. (6) PLATINUM AS shipped in off a win
at The Swamp and was very impressive taking his Hilltop debut, utilizing two moves from Post 8 - faces
better now, but may be up for it. (1) KENZIESKY HANOVER just wasn't on her best game last week but
she drops right back in the box, and draws the pole for a very dangerous trainer/drover tandem - would be
no surprise to see her bounce back with a big one. (3) JULA MUSCLE PACK had his usual good trot
finishing last week but was too far back to do any real damage - may find these a little tougher than he'd
like, but a small share is possible. (5) SWEET SOUL DAVID was on a good roll but comes into tonight
having missed a month after a sick scratch - prefer to just watch this time. (2) BIZET is another capable
player that \has missed time due to sickness - will just watch her too. (4) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN
returns from a lengthy absence and the guess is that he'll need a couple of starts before we see his best
RACE 10 - (6) CRUSH ME was very well meant 2 back, made it to the top but bolted on the 2nd turn and
lost all chance - finished well in a conservative try last week, and may be able to pull off the upset in a race
where the likely favorite could be vulnerable. (3) PROTECT BLUE CHIP had things her own way on the
front end last week but faltered to 3rd - goes for a new barn tonight, and we'll see if she can be a little
sharper. (1) VELOCITY MCSWEETS will likely be heavily favored off the class drop/rail but she just
hasn't been sharp at all lately - this MAY be her wake up spot, but it would be hard to count on that at a
short price. (2) SMOOTH DEBATE N has been a complete bust since arriving in the U.S, but her
connections just keep dropping her back in the box every week - maybe she can be better with the post
relief? (5) KATHYS MOMENT also figures to take some $$ but she hasn't won here in her last 13 starts
and that last 3rd was really helped by an easy trip - no value, but chance for a piece. (4) E R HILARY had a
couple of "ok" tries to start the new year but then made a break last week - not sure what to expect from her
tonight. (7) BOTTOMOFTHENINTH is at a level where she CAN do some damage - but she just seems to
be going through the motions most weeks, and will be coming from way back. (8) SOME KINDAANGEL
is struggling and draws Post 8.