The Empire Report - Tuesday, September 21, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (2) MILITARY MASTER A beat this class back on 7/30 and now drops back down after
finishing 2nd vs. $12.5s last week - assuming a wheel didn't fall off, he should be a dangerous player
against these. (5) FIREBALL's only local win this year came when he dropped down to the bottom
conditioned class - he takes an (appropriate) drop down to the bottom claiming rung tonight, and we'll see if
that helps produce a similar wake up call. (7) AMRCANBOOTSCOOTAA got parked each of the last 2
starts so the guess is that he'll look to relax early tonight - that's not his best "style", but he's reasonably
sharp now and he'll be a big price...not the worst bomb to consider. (1) BEGINNERS LUCK was able to
hang on last week despite a :30 final quarter - he'll need to be sharper tonight to beat these. (3) WE THINK
ALIKE is 0 for 27 here over the past 2 years but it's possible that he can save ground and pick up a small
piece tonight. (6) BUGGER BRUISER has been 1st/2nd in 4 of his last starts but he likes to race on/near
the lead and that MAY be a problem here - could be a bit vulnerable this week. (4) GRAND PRIORITY is
1 for 40 over the past 2 years - maybe a minor piece with an easy trip
RACE 2 - (5) KINNDER JACKSON disappointed off the class drop last week but gets another drop here,
and this is a much easier spot - he also reunites with Stratton, and the pair teamed up for back to back wins
here in June, vs. better - the one to beat. (2) CAMPORA N was an ok 4th off the layoff last week behind a
trio of solid foes - feels like a good spot for him to be a legitimate player. (6) ABRAXAS BLUES A has
been struggling out of town but lands in a modest spot for his YR return and he's won a lot of races here
over the last couple of years - good one for longshot fans. (1) WAR DAN DELIGHT N generally isn't a
threat to win, but he has a chance to sit close enough for a small piece tonight. (3) BIG SIR disappointed in
the stretch last week but he was also involved in a hot opening panel - mixed feelings about his chances. (4)
JMS DELIGHT seemed to be racing well for a few starts but also seems to have regressed in his last couple
- not really a fan at that 3-1 ML price. (7) AUDI HARE N can grab pieces at this level but may need a
better post to do so - tough spot.
RACE 3 - (6) SAMSON BLUE CHIP changed barns, added Lasix, dropped in class and obliterated the
field last week with an effortless :27.4 kicker - wouldn't say he's a "cinch" here, but he's certainly the one to
knock off. (3) ZOES LUCKY GUY has been sharp lately up North and moves to a very sharp local outfit -
definitely ranks next in line, but the time off is definitely a little concerning. (4) OLD TOWN ROAD gets
his best post in a few weeks and will probably be handled more aggressively - chance to land somewhere
on the ticket. (1) A B COLLINS wasn't terrible in a fast mile 2 back and rallied nicely for 3rd last week -
good draw puts him in play for another good chunk tonight. (5) CONFIDENCE MAN chased nicely for
2nd in a hot mile 2 back but came up disappointing in his last - mixed feelings about his chances for tonight
(8) LORD AND LEGEND is winless in 6 starts this year but moves to an outstanding young conditioner
and did qualify nicely in PA - maybe the tote board will offer some clues as to their intentions tonight from
Post 8? (2) CAPTAIN GOOGLE was empty in his local debut and just may be on the cheaper side. (7)
LINEMAKER had some good efforts before laying an egg in his last - tough to like from Post tonight
RACE 4 - Very tough race! (1) MICKEYMAKSOMESPEED was likely facing much lesser in Canada for
the bulk of his career but he did win 14 of 28 starts - shipped down and beat the Monti Open with his
trainer on board, before landing on a tough trip in his last - gets Dube at the controls while drawing the rail
for his YR debut, and just may be worth a stab at that enticing 15-1 ML price. (2) MOONLIT SHADOW
landed on a brutal trip in last and still was beaten by only a couple of lengths - should be a decent price here
and definitely can be right there with a kinder journey. (4) CARRYTHETORCHMAN has been sharp for a
while, and raced well last week despite an unlucky trip - one of several very possible winners in here. (3)
MARLBANK ROAD was handled conservatively in his local debut and finished full of pace - was a very
sharp 1:52 winner in his nest but faltered on the lead last week as the prohibitive favorite - more than
capable of making amends tonight. (5) NEXT BIG THING drew inside last week (after a pair of local
outside posts) and was a "brush and crush" winner - hard to not give him another look tonight! (7) JIM
BLUE jogged in his local debut in NW2 - disappointed on the lead in his next (NW4) but overcame a poor
trip last week to charge on by with the bounce back victory - will need some luck to overcome Post 7,
however. (8) ELS DISCO JOHNNY overcame the same Post 8 to score last week, but that was a much
easier NW2 field - not sure he can be as fortunate tonight. (6) KING SPENCER is picked on the bottom,
but it would truly be no surprise at all to see him grab a piece of this.
RACE 5 - (4) FOOLISH PROPHET wasn't involved for most of his YR debut but certainly had plenty of
life finishing crisply to be a close 3rd - Stratton knows him better now, and perhaps can build off that effort
to get the job done tonight. (8) COPPER TEEN has definitely upped his game since the recent barn change
- just missed here with Marohn 4 starts back (vs. a bit cheaper) and he'll certainly be a good price from Post
8 tonight - worth a look. (1) AIR GUITAR hasn't been sharp in his last couple but had a series of good
efforts (vs. better) just prior to that - he hasn't had much success so far at Yonkers (7-0-0-2), but he does
draw best in a field he should fit well with - mixed feelings! (7) STELLAR YANKEE has been sharper in
his last few at PcD and ships over for a sharp outfit - on the flip side, he draws Post 7 and one has to
wonder why he hasn't been tried yet here at YR - another that sends out mixed signals. (5) BRAZEN
BRAZILIAN is 0 for 26 on the year but has picked up pieces here several times in the past, and his current
NJ form isn't bad - ok for a small share. (6) MACHPHEUS showed little in his 3 local starts but does seem
to have found some better form in PA - hard to say how he'll fare back at The Hilltop. (3) SCOTT ONTHE
ROCKS has some mixed recent form but even on his best, may be a notch below these. (2) BEACH BLOG
GER beat lesser here on 8/10 but remains unproven at this higher level.
RACE 6 - (4) GAMBLINGTERROR has been sharp much of the year and very sharp lately - may be able
to blast to the top and set himself up with a nice trip here...and maybe get his picture taken. (5) DIAMOND
BEACH put in a much improved effort last week and is capable of big miles, when "right" - gets a new
pilot tonight, but can be a threat here if the pair get along. (6) CODY HANOVER might have been the
automatic choice as a "first time Dynamic Duo" shipper, but the barn had an uncharacteristically "so so"
night on Monday, so we'll drop this guy down to the 3rd slot (understanding that he might just beat these
anyway). (2) CAPTIVATE HANOVER had been racing well for weeks but didn't seem to appreciate the
first over trip last time - definitely could rebound with a bigger effort tonight. (7) CRUNCH HANOVER is
5-3-4-0 here at Yonkers and was facing better in his last pair in PA - draws outside for his return, and may
struggle a bit with the trip tonight. (8) OAKWOODINITOWINIT IR did try to leave last week but had to
retreat to last, losing all chance - he's a very good fit here, but may be buried by the draw once more. (1) L
DEES JACK LOPEZ was sharp in a pair of wins but didn't look good moving up to NW6 last week, and
now ends up in an even tougher spot - prefer others. (3) ROLLING WITH SAM would need to perk up in a
big way to be a threat here.
RACE 7 - (2) AFLAME HANOVER is used to facing better and lands in a soft spot for his YR return -
should be aggressively handled tonight with a good chance to make it hold up against these. (3) KERFORD
ROAD A was able to overcome Post 8 (thanks to a nice trip) and score off the class drop in last - he's
comfortable at this level too, and should be a very live player once again. (4) DELIGHTFUL TERROR is
forced to move up two classes off last week's 2nd place finish but he's another that's fine at this level when
sharp (which he is right now) - belongs in exotics. (6) LOUS SWEETREVENGE just missed in a pair of
back to back starts at Chester, then shipped back in and won his last 2 starts here - may actually be getting a
class drop (thanks to the "NW9" condition) and will make his presence felt at some point - will need some
trip luck from out here, though. (7) LEVINE qualified like he'll be ready right out of the box but the outside
draw (off 7 weeks) may see him handled a bit conservatively tonight. (1) SPORTS BETTOR usually needs
easier to do his best work but he's been holding his form well despite the recent class hikes - we'll see if he
can keep it going with this tougher bunch. (8) SADIQ HANOVER has been good lately, but figures to be
hurt badly by tonight's terrible draw. (5) MIGHTY MR SHARKEY N ships in off a win, but just seems a
bit below several of these.
RACE 8 - (6) BOLT POWER has been doing excellent work since joining this barn in June, and that
includes a blowout Excelsior A win here 3 starts back - added Lasix and just missed in the Final last start,
and can overcome the outside draw tonight with just a bit of racing luck. (4) STOP STARING did enough
in his NYSS races this summer to qualify for the Final...but lost all chance with an early miscue - should be
a very live player here, assuming he shrugs off that last miscue. (1) UCANTTOUCHTHIS seems a bit
cheap off his Canadian lines but he gets a big barn and driver change, and just may be able to step up and
be a player here. (8) MR DUNNIGANS finished well in both local tries but faces a tough task from Post 8 -
decent bomb to throw in for 3rd/4th, hoping for some good fortune. (2) SOLID ALIBI was a decent 2nd to
the runaway winner debuting for his new barn last week - may be a little cheap, but the inside draw puts
him in play for a piece. (5) BAY BRUTE is a tough call - he exits a top barn, but he'll be getting a much
more experienced pilot - good one to keep an eye on tonight. (3) SARANAC BLUE CHIP has gone some
good miles here but may find a few of these a little tougher than he prefers. (7) NORTHERN BACCARAT
has done good work since arriving (5-2-1-1), but the outside draw may limit his opportunities here.
RACE 9 - (7) MAJOR BEAN improved steadily over the summer and looked VERY good in his first try
for this barn 2 starts back, finishing a close 3rd in the EBC at Tioga - not sure if he can work out a decent
trip from out here, but he's worth a play IF the price is right. (1) LINNYCALLEDFRANKIE's starts have
been highly inconsistent, but there are some good ones in there (including his last) - could add some value
to this ticket if he shows up on his best game. (2) HIPPESTCATINTOWN has a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd from his
3 local tries and is an obvious threat - may be overbet, though. (5) TALKING TOM ships in sporting some
pretty good looking Stga. lines - gets Bartlett for his YR debut and he would hardly be a surprise. (4)
COALITION HANOVER is a good fit here, and a candidate for the bottom of the ticket - prefer a few
others on top, though. (3) SHINY BLACK BEAMER is capable on his best, but has been plagued with
some inconsistency lately - can go either way. (8) ARTIST BEST is off 3 weeks and draws Post 8 in a solid
field - will just observe this start. (6) DIAMOND HEAD would seem to need an easier spot.