The Empire Report - Tuesday, September 6, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (6) MIND HUNTER had a useful 2YO campaign, hitting board in 4 of 8 starts and making it to
the TSS Final (in PA) - took a while to make it back at 3 but he qualified right behind a couple of very nice
(older) horses, and had plenty of pace for 4th in his first start back (a conservative try at Chester) - finds a
field he should handle in his Hilltop debut. (3) JITTERBUG FLIP was ok when he rallied for 3rd two back,
then just missed to a game frontrunner last week - logical one to include in exotics. (5) LENDA HAND
MAN is 7-0-0-0 at Yonkers and hasn't really thrived for the Dynamic Duo - still, he wasn't bad last week,
and does fit well in this modest group- a live trip can land him somewhere on the ticket (4) BEST BETTOR
is another that has struggled locally (9-0-0-0), but his recent form suggests he can contend for a piece here -
maybe can add some value to the exotics? (2) DOUBLE DOUBLE finished 2nd at PcD two back off the
layoff but disappointed as the 2/5 choice in his next - willing to throw in for 3rd. (7) GUSSYS TRUMP
CARD is 0 for 16 this year (1 for 24 lifetime) but did race well for a new barn last start - he'll be a big price
from out here, and he's another to consider for 3rd. (1) ONEOFTHEGOODGUYS has yet to hit board in 9
career starts - we'll just observe in his Yonkers debut
RACE 2 - (4) BIG CHIC MAGNET just missed off the barn change on 6/27 then took his next pair at The
Swamp - was scratched injured here on 7/26 but returned at Chester on 8/26 and was an even 4th, despite
missing 6 weeks -- giving him the narrow edge as he (finally) makes his YR debut tonight. (5) COPPER
TEEN picked up a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd locally after the private purchase in June, and has continued to race
well in PA since then - he's Bartlett's choice....and the main danger. (1) COLD CREEK FELIPE was very
well backed last week and delivered his best local effort, wiring the field with ease, by more than 4 lengths
- Bartlett still opts for #5, though, so we'll trust his decision - use this guy underneath. (3) EXOTIC SAND
took off the gate last week then was hurt by stalled cover - still rallied for 3rd, though, and his overall form
has been solid - another candidate for a good piece of this. (6) MAKE MY DEO benefited from an easy trip
last week and kicked home strong for 2nd - he's 5-1-2-2 locally, but may be hurt by the tough draw tonight -
ok for 3rd/4th. (2) STATE SENATOR was badly distanced in a terrible showing in his local debut...but then
came back the next week with a complete form reversal, toughing out a first over win at nearly 50-1 (in a
race ultimately declared "no contest" for wagering purposes) - last week he tried it first over once again, but
wasn't able to sustain his bid and tired to 6th....total guessing game with him! (7) SIX DEGREES finished
horribly after a pocket trip in his return from a long layoff - we'll just observe from Post 7
RACE 3 - (1) BUDDY HILL put together an outstanding 2021 season after joining this powerful barn - has
struggled to find the same groove in 2022 (just 9 starts so far this year), but he does seem to be coming
around now - have to give him the edge at this level with the rail draw. (5) ALWAYS AND AGAIN has
been very consistent for most of this year, and reunites tonight with Bartlett for the first time since they
teamed up to beat this class back on 7/5 - very legitimate player. (8) SPLASH BROTHER has been quite
inconsistent but has also gone some big efforts when the "good" version shows up - terrible post, but that
also means a better price - possibility. (7) PRETTY HANDSOME was outstanding in that win 3 starts back
but was unable to get involved in his last couple and may be stuck with a similar fate from another bad post
tonight. (6) PAT STANLEY N had a great run up to and through the Borgata Series but has only thrown a
handful of really good effort since then - wouldn't say he's impossible here, but he WOULD look better
next week....with a class drop and Jordan back on board. (2) SAUVIGNON BLUE CHIP was promising in
a handful of 2YO starts in a short season - never did find that form in a disappointing 3YO campaign, but
he has started to show that old spark since midway through his 4YO season - chance for a piece with the
good draw. (5) MULLINAX disappointed last week when faced with a tougher trip, up in class - likely
looking at only a minor share. (3) VIVA LAS VEGAS N was 2nd at 45-1 in last week's "fall apart" race,
losing to the 69-1 winner - may be in a bit too tough now.
RACE 4 - (7) ADDISON SEELSTER was a non-threatening 4th in her local debut (just missed 3rd) but
that was a much tougher field than this one - may end up with a terrible trip from out here, but she'll also be
a better price because of the draw- worth a shot against a pretty uninspiring crew. (1) ARTEMIDA finished
5th 2 back after racing from last, then rallied a bit for 3rd last week - figures to be looking at a nice trip
from this spot, and may have a chance to pick up her first victory of the season. (4) ROLL WITH SHORTY
looked like a winner entering the stretch last week but hung badly at the end and wound up 3rd....and that's
probably why she's just 1 for 37 to start her career - still, her overall form IS solid and she does have a
chance to be a player tonight. (6) FOX VALLEY CACHET brushed right by a stopping leader last week,
fought off #4 through the lane but was nipped up the cones by a mare that's taken 2 in a row - logical threat
here, but she draws outside and is just 1 for 17 lifetime. (2) NOT SO EVIL has a lot of $$ on her card but
that's mostly because she got to race in 4 horse NJSS fields - her local efforts have been "meh" at best, but
the modest nature of this field at least gives her a chance from her inside post. (8) KILEE ROCKS was well
backed for her local debut, got away in the pocket but was caught behind a stopping leader to 3/4s and
never really recovered after shaking free - the horrible draw makes it tough to back her with any confidence
tonight (5) PINE BUSH LOVELIFE shows a variety of weak efforts but also shows 3 wins (and 2 seconds)
from her 9 career starts - would consider if the price was good enough. (3) LADYSHOOTSTHEBLUES
arrives at Yonkers with an 0 for 32 career slate - we'll just watch, for now
RACE 5 - (5) TRENDY TEEN crushed his rivals here on 7/26 in his first start for new connections -
crossed the wire first again the next week but was disqualified (for a brief back side miscue), then went a
big parked the mile effort for 2nd at Chester - returned to crush another field here last week, and Bartlett
sticks with him tonight over his best client (#1) - hard to go against. (4) DANCING JOE just toured the
oval from Post 8 last week but was pretty good in a few starts prior to that - look for a much more involved
effort tonight. (3) LOUS BEACH is another who had been doing good things until slowed by a bad post
last week - the move back inside should result in a much better performance. (1) TASK BAR HANOVER
looks pretty weak on paper BUT he exits a Canadian barn that wins at a 6% clip to join up with our leading
trainer - like many before him, he immediately adds Lasix without even making a start, but it may be telling
that Bartlett will be handling the top choice tonight - keep an eye for the future. (6) LETSNOTFORGET
has been terrific upstate but disappointed in a NW2 event in his only local attempt - we'll see if he can do
better the 2nd time around. (7) AMERICAN WAY will be coming from well back tonight and that figures
to leave him looking at only a minor share. (8) SHARKY BEAR showed some heart hanging in to prevail
last week after a tough opening quarter, but he steps up in class and lands all the way outside - very tough
combination to overcome. (2) PBR STREET GANG has shown little in his 3 local tries
RACE 6 - (8) CHERYLS SHADOW is 3 for 3 since arriving at Yonkers and has taken all 3 in similar
fashion (hit the top, rate a mild 3/4s, then sprint home in :27 and change) - the draw figures to make this her
toughest test to date...but she's still earned top billing. (7) SO FIA LOLITA was our pick against the top
choice on 8/23 but she came up 2nd best that night - she also finished 2nd in her last (to another sharp
winner), and it would be no great surprise to see her turn the tables tonight....but she'll need to be a little
better. (1) JE TAIME N qualified nicely here upon arrival in the U.S. - was well backed at Chester for her
stateside pari-mutuel debut but faltered in the lane after cutting the mile - eligible to be sharper tonight, and
she certainly has a major post edge over the top 2 choices. (2) TAVA did well to hold 3rd last after a long
first over trip - could easily grab another good piece with the inside draw. (3) MISS DOTTIE MAE had too
far to come last week but has rallied well for pieces at times - at 20-1 ML, she's a good one to include for
3rd/4th. (4) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL shows a mixed bag of efforts from her 8 starts this season - on her
best, she can grab a piece here....but seems risky at a relatively short price. (5) CLEAR THE WAY is
clearly on the upswing, but her two race win streak will be in serious jeopardy as she bumps up to face
much tougher - hard to say how well she can hang with these better ones. (6) RAISE THE ANTE has a
couple of ok tries, but figures to be too far back to make any kind of noise tonight
RACE 7 - Tough race: (3) SETH HANOVER feels like he's starting to develop into a solid raceway horse,
and his last couple of efforts have been very sharp - he's proving that he does belong with these, and may be
able to work out another good trip here - one of a few possibilities in this competitive affair. (4) DELIG
HTFUL TERROR is pretty solid right now, and gets the hottest driver on the planet right now (Bartlett had
6 more winners on Monday) to fill in for Stratton - becomes very dangerous with a live trip. (5) ULTIMAR
OCA really disappointed as the favorite last week but maybe he's not at his best on the front end - the price
will be a lot better now if you're willing to give him another chance. (1) MACH N CHEESE had horrible
posts the last 2 weeks and now moves all the way inside - he's a bit of a question mark at this level, but still
deserves plenty of respect here. (6) OUR CORELLI N is sharp now but has to contend with both a class
jump and a tough post - at 20-1 ML, he's still worth a look, at least for exotics. (2) IMSTAYNALIVE
probably needs to be in easier for a chance at the top prize but he's sharp enough right now to at least
contend for a piece, with the good draw. (7) WALKINSHAW N is a hard hitter but lands far outside while
up in class, and may have trouble getting into the hunt. (8) SOUTHWIND PETYR is good right now, but
faces a daunting task from all the way out here
RACE 8 - (4) JOSSIE JAMES A responded to the change of scenery on 8/9, charging home to power away
impressively off the claim - found things a little tougher up in class the last couple of weeks but drops back
in for $50K tonight, and looms the one to beat. (6) AHOY finished 3rd behind the top choice 3 back, and
has been rock solid at this level - she'll be a decent price here, and worth a look if you think #4 might be
vulnerable. (2) MILLWOOD BONNIE N drew poorly in her last 3 tries at this level and should appreciate
starting from Post 2 tonight - good one to include in exotics. (3) CAVIART CHERIE kept coming first over
last week to be an excellent 2nd, and it was her best effort in a while - she's another with a good chance to
land somewhere on the ticket. (5) HEY HEY DBAY has done a good job holding her form, although she's
still a bit of a question mark at this level - ok to use for 3rd/4th. (1) CHECKERED PAST really isn't a $50K
claimer but the rail draw at least gives her a shot at a minor share. (7) POPPY DRAYTON N has been
picking up only smaller pieces at this level - drawing outside (and losing Jordan) won't help her cause
tonight. (8) THUNDRA draws all the way outside after missing time due to sickness - pass for tonight
RACE 9 - (8) SHINE A LIGHT is the 2nd horse that our leading barn is debuting tonight from Canada
(purchased from the same low % connections) but note that Bartlett IS driving this one, despite the outside
draw, and seemingly "cheap" form (he's also 0 for 20 this year) - it's noteworthy that both horses are also
adding Lasix, although this outfit seems to detect "bleeders" regularly, without them even making a
start....don't think he'll be close to that 20-1 ML price, but will likely still be worth a play in a very beatable
field. (2) SAMSON BLUE CHIP was a nice 2nd to the suddenly streaking VENIER HANOVER last week,
and WOULD have been the top choice had Bartlett not opted to drive #8 - may still be able to come out on
top. (5) TELL THEM LOU really tired at Pocono last week but he paced a big opening quarter to make the
lead, and was also racing off a sick scratch - he may bounce right back with a much better effort tonight. (1)
IM J BEE N disappoints more often than he delivers, but the rail draw does make him worth at least
considering. (6) BABES DIG ME isn't having nearly the year in 2022 that he had last season, and he's
winless at Yonkers since 2019 - piece only. (4) RYCROFT N did win here last year but he seems on the
cheaper side out of town right now, and his barn has been ice cold here all year. (7) SPORTSKEEPER
rallied for 2nd three back but has otherwise been a non factor in most of his starts this year - terrible draw
won't help his cause. (3) PREPPY ART is struggling out of town right now, and just seems a bit too cheap
to be a player here