The Empire Report - Thursday, February 23, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - The contestants in here are 1 for 27, 1 for 24, 1 for 46, 1 for 23, 1 for 35, and 1 for 51 - the good
news is that ONE of them will double their total after tonight! (5) WANIA certainly hasn't been "great"
since arriving from Canada but at least he's been consistent, hitting board in all 3 local starts - while HE has
struggled to win throughout his career, his current trainer has been unfathomably hot since last year...and
that's enough to make him the top pick tonight. (4) CREDARENA wasn't bad here last year, compiling an
8-1-2-1 record - not thrilled that he lost his last pair at Monti but he did hit board from tough posts, and
does go from Cory to Jordan tonight - legitimate threat. (1) A ONE A is definitely a bit risky having broke
at the start in 2 of his last 4 starts - a clean getaway would put him right in the mix, but that 9/5 ML price
makes him hard to consider on top. (3) SV ROYAL FLUSH will likely use his speed tonight and look to
take these as far as he can - suppose it's possible that he can go wire to wire, but he'd need to be a pretty
good price to try him on top. (2) BRUTUS BEEFCAKE B has yet to hit board in 5 local starts and will
need to better to be a serious player. (6) SQUABLE had his first chance to threaten for a win in ages last
week - popped out of the two hole on the final turn, looked for a few steps then instantly weakened to 4th -
won't be any easier starting from Post 7 now!
RACE 2 - (4) HEY LIVVY was probably happy when she looked at the entries and noticed that she
wouldn't have to deal with NOWS THE MOMENT this week - was stuck chasing a pair of hot miles from
that one the last 2 weeks and still raced well for 2nd and 3rd....this more modest bunch should be to her
liking, and may help the classy mare get back to the winner's circle. (3) GREY looked all done on the final
turn last week but still managed to battle back into the lane to be 3rd- been solid overall since the '23 season
began, and should be a solid player again tonight. (5) SWEET SOUL DAVID was on quite a roll before
that sick scratch on 2/3 - raced very well last week from an impossible spot, and may be able to rally for a
good piece here. (2) CREDIT CON had been sharp for weeks prior to last week's uncharacteristic miscue -
if she shrugs that off and bounces right back, she can be right in the mix. (1) LEAN HANOVER is listed on
the bottom tonight, but obviously the classy veteran can grab a chunk if things go his way.
RACE 3 - (5) TOBAGO TIME had some life vs. the 50s three back then was 2nd to a sharp winner in her
next - disappointed a bit in her last (when stuck in the back) but she lands in a very modest field tonight and
Stratton may see this as an opportunity to put her on the front end...which would make her a solid threat (1)
PULL ME THROUGH came up with a good one in that victory 3 back but broke in her next, then was in a
no chance spot in her last - logical spot to look for a much better effort. (2) BROOKDALE JESSIE is
winless in her 7 local tries but has regularly picked up smaller pieces - would like her more one level down,
but she can still grab a share tonight with the good draw. (3) TALL POPPY N is winless here over the past
2 years (0 for 18) but did use a live trip to pick up a 2nd at this level 2 back, and has a chance at a piece
tonight with another good journey. (6) CHELSKI hit board in her last pair but moves outside tonight and
faces an uncertain trip - would consider for a smaller share. (4) NITE TIME DEAL had mixed results as a
3YO as she bounced around the classes - her season ended with a sick scratch on 11/7, and her return qua.
doesn't look overly promising - prefer to just observe, for now. (7) VELOCITY MCSWEETS was able to
cash in last week after sitting the pocket behind a tiring leader - moves up, no rail tonight, and may have
trouble getting involved. (8) APRIL AVA has struggled other than that win 3 back - prefer others
RACE 4 - (8) TACHYON is hitting on all cylinders for his current connections, going a BIG mile from
Post 7 in his first start of the year followed by last week's solid victory - gets stuck all the way outside, but
seems sharp enough to overcome it! (6) MUSCLE DAN scored on the front end 2 and 3 starts down and
was leaving hard again last week when wiped out on the first turn - he's listed at 12-1 ML and may be able
to add some value to the ticket. (4) VELVET STYLE was a surprise leaver last week but broke on the first
turn (wiping out #6, as well) - his best game has always been from OFF the pace, and he may be able to
rally for a good piece with a quick rebound mile. (2) WICKENBURGH really wasn't all that impressive in
his first 3 local tries but he was surprisingly hammered at the windows in last then went out and produced
his best effort by far, scoring the dead game victory - we'll see if he can step up in class and maintain that
form against these. (3) PENCILS DOWN was bothered by an early breaker last week and went offstride
herself - her form has otherwise been very solid, but she does move up a bit in class here - still has a decent
shot at a good piece with the right trip. (5) CIEL BLUE has missed 3 weeks after a sick scratch and his barn
has been ice cold - maybe can rally late for some minor spoils? (1) JARA is riding a 3 race winning streak
but also stepping up to face MUCH tougher than she has been - we'll see if she can hold her own against
these. (7) GREG's best asset is his speed, but tonight's tough draw figures to hurt his chances considerably
RACE 5 - (4) GOLDEN QUEST N wasn't great in her 2 starts back since the layoff (in NJ) but she was
facing much better, and certainly wasn't "bad" - goes 2nd time Lasix for her YR return, and this really is a
field she's supposed to handle. (3) THUNDRA was well backed and tried to cut it last week but was
collared by the tripsitter (who happens to be pretty good right now) - solid chance for another good chunk
tonight. (1) CRUSH ME gets major post relief and that may really improve her chances for a piece - she's
probably better than her lines look right now, and a wake up call is definitely possible. (2) LITTLE HONE
YBADGER has some good recent tries across the river, and raced well here at times a few years back -
draws inside, and is very playable in exotics. (5) DBLEDELITEBRIGADE N is the "x factor" in here -
when even close to "right", she's used to battling MUCH better than these....but after 3 months on the shelf
she shows a pretty lackluster qualifier at Fhd., and it's hard to know what to expect tonight (barnmate
NIGHT TIME DEAL in Race 3 has a similarly weak looking prep - maybe she how SHE does?) (7) PROT
ECT BLUE CHIP has been "ok" lately, but would need to really up her game to threaten from out here. 96)
ITS MESMERISE N hasn't gone in a good one in quite some time
RACE 6 - (3) PROMISE FOR LIFE was well backed in his 2nd local start and came up 2nd best to
KENZIESKY HANOVER - was even more heavily backed in his next but came up 2nd best to the
tripsitting TOCCOA FALLS - just toured the oval from Post 7 last week but look for a much more
aggressive tonight....perhaps a winning one? (5) OUTSIDE THE FIRE is now 7-3-2-1 here at Yonkers and
broke on the lead in the lone off the board finish - the talented 4YO remains a weekly threat. (4) LOS BAL
LYKEELAMIGO has been good since returning from a (needed) freshening, and was the easiest kind of
winner last week - he'll face much tougher now, but just may be sharp enough to hold his own. (6) LOOK
IN MY EYES has been very good lately for a (small) barn off to a good start here this year - moves up and
draws poorly, but he'll be a big price and may have a chance for a piece with the right trip. (1) HUNTING
AS had no prayer from Post 8 last week but he's otherwise been ok lately, and moves all the way inside -
maybe 3rd/4th? (2) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM is just 1 for 10 since arriving from Canada but throws
some good efforts at times - can grab a piece if he's on his better game tonight. (7) JULA MUSCLE PACK
will be rallying late....unfortunately it'll likely be from the back of the pack - tough spot
RACE 7 - (1) THE PANTHEIST A was a successful mare Down Under winning 9 of her 48 starts and
banking nearly $170K - she failed to win any of her first 3 U.S. starts (at The Swamp) but raced well each
time, especially in her last (racing with Lasix for the first time)- draws best for her YR debut, was Holland's
choice over a couple of others and we'll go with her too. (4) ROCKNROLL ANNIE had been sharp before
hitting a snag in her first 2 starts of '23 - raced much better last week, however, and that suggests another
good try could be coming - she can handle better than these, when sharp. (2) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL has
improved since recently joining her current barn, and makes her Hilltop debut off a pair of wins across the
river - should fit nicely with the locals. (5) ROSE RUN VANTAGE didn't have the best form out of town
before arriving here on 1/27 and tired badly that night - has missed a month since then (sick scr.) and does
seem vulnerable at the moment. (3) NORMANS MADELINE was hammered at the windows 2 back so her
form reversing win wasn't all that unexpected - not a bad 3rd to follow that up, and good enough now for a
chance at a piece. (6) WESTBEACH took 3 months off after a dull try on 11/11 and just re-qualified - she's
used to facing better, and perhaps the tote board can offer some clues as to her readiness for tonight? (7)
LAURIE LEE landed on a dream trip last week and was able to ship in and beat (much) easier - will be
tough for her to get into the hunt from this spot, however
RACE 8 - (1) PLATINUM AS shipped in sharp from NJ and was a very impressive 8 hole winner on 2/9 -
might have been a winner again last week had he not broke while challenging on the final turn, and we'll
give him a chance to make amends tonight. (4) BARN HALL came up 2nd best to the top choice 2 back
then just missed to the tripsitter last week - he's back on his game, and figures to be a big player again
tonight. (6) FLIP THE SWITCH will surely appreciate the drop from the Open, but may not be as thrilled
about the draw - legitimate chance, but could be overbet from a potentially difficult spot. (5) HOOLIE N
HECTOR might have won 2 back if not for a very unfortunate trip then did make amends last week in a
gutsy victory - he's sharp for sure, but may find this bunch just a bit tougher. (3) SMALLTOWNTHROWD
OWN should definitely benefit from last week's mile (off the 4 month layoff) but may look better over the
next couple of weeks when he figures to get in a bit cheaper. (2) DELICIOUSSTONE DK makes his US
debut for a barn that has really started to dabble with horses from other countries - feels like a tough spot,
but we'll certainly learn more after tonight
RACE 9 - Tough race! (3) POPPY DRAYTON N can be pretty unreliable (and that last Monti start doesn't
really inspire confidence) BUT she also manages to grab a few wins every year, usually in spots just like
this - one of several with a chance in this somewhat formless field. (1) BETTORSHIGHLIGHT N draws
best with Gingras and did wire this class back on 12/1 for her only Yonkers victory - may be able to wire
these too, but her barn is off to a rough start in 2023. (5) ALWAYS BE TRUE doesn't look too exciting on
paper but Bartlett drives for the first time and that often results in a wake up speed try - not impossible. (4)
KATHYS MOMENT raced ok in her last couple but was helped each time by rail skimming trips - does
figure to get overbet tonight, and hasn't won here in her last 14 attempts. (6) BOTTOMOFTHENINTH
tends to lag AND come off the bit in most of her starts - she does finish well at times, and may have a
chance if the field bunches up on the final turn. (2) WOODMERE JAZZ is racing ok at Fhd. vs. cheaper,
but this field is soft enough that she may be able to tow around and take home a piece. (7) E R HILARY
hasn't been sharp in her last few and lands all the way outside
RACE 10 - (6) SOUTHWIND ARTURO has really turned things around since adding hopples on 1/18,
picking up a pair of fast closing wins and an excellent (close) 3rd last week - meets a couple of legitimate
rivals tonight, but he's surely worth a long look at that 8-1 ML price. (1) LONESTAR FASHION showed
ability upon arrival here last Sept. but soon started making breaks - was freshened up but made another
break qualifying before finally adding hopples at Pocono last week - stayed trotting and kicked home
strong, and he can be a big threat here with a clean mile. (2) TRANQUILITY K is just 3 for 50 lifetime but
she's definitely sharp right now, racing well against good older foes in her last couple - include in exotics.
(3) STRIKING COUNT really improved at The Meadows after changing hands 4 back but never made it to
the winner's circle - goes for new connections again tonight, and figures to fit well here - another to use in
exotics. (7) SAID N DONE AS continues to race well every week but still hasn't been able to WIN since
moving up to NW4 (hit board 7 straight times) - the poor draw will probably limit him to a smaller piece
once again. (5) B THREEWINDS, (4) LIVINGONTHERAIL, and (8) MATT SO SURE all seem below the
top ones, and will be hard pressed to have much say tonight.