The Empire Report - Friday, August 20, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (7) QUICK ASA TRICK N was sent off favored upon arrival last week (off the big barn change)
but just didn't bring his best and weakened to 4th - there's no guarantee he'll be any better tonight, but the
price WILL be much better, and he should still be able to work out a decent trip despite Post 7 - worth a
play? (2) THISISHOWWEDOIT was a "meh" 3rd shipping in from VD last week but he was claimed by a
sharp barn, and may show quick improvement tonight - definitely one to use on your tickets. (1) LODI
MACHETTE MAN raced very well last week, used hard early then still digging in for 2nd after being
outbrushed to 3/4s - expecting him to race well again from this spot. (5) BUGGER BRUISER was used
hard for the lead last week and wilted badly after yielding it back - another that's eligible to bounce back
with a much better effort. (6) FAST ON THE DRAW never really fired last week after a pair of better
efforts - could add some value to the bottom of the ticket (with some trip luck). (8) PIRATES ALLEY
wasn't bad last week, but may need to wait for a better spot before he can be a contender. (4) HALF A
BILLION just hasn't clicked in his 5 starts since the layoff - waiting for some better signs from him. (3)
COACH CAL changes barns - we'll see if it helps perk him up at all
RACE 2 - NAADA Summer Series Final: (1) WINNERESS has taken 4 of his last 7, with the 3 losses
coming from Posts 7 and 8 - he'll probably be a better price than his main rival here, and driver Anthony
Verruso is having an outstanding year (so far), winning with 1/3 of his starts - gets the narrow edge. (2)
KEYSTONE BLADE is another that comes into this razor sharp, showing 3 wins in his last 4 starts (Post 8
in the slop in the lone loss) - will surely be very tough tonight starting from Post 2, but also figures to be the
favorite. (3) JUDGE KEN was a blowout winner here 2 back, and also shows finishing 2nd to the top
choice twice, recently - at 12-1 ML, he's not a bad one to at least consider. (6) DARK POOL is a rock solid
player, sporting a very impressive 11-5-2-2 local record this year - the only real knock is the draw, and he'll
need some trip luck to find a way into the hunt from out here. (7) STEALING has 5 wins from 14 Yonkers
starts this year, but tends to struggle from outside posts - not sure that Zuccarello will be able to get him in
play tonight. (4) GEMINI EDDIE hasn't really been a threat in his last few, and seems a bit below the main
players right now. (5) RACEACE hasn't been sharp lately and faces a field where several rivals HAVE been
- tough spot.
RACE 3 - (3) ART HISTORY crushed the 12.5s (as expected) off the claim 3 back - right there vs. the 20s
the next week, but nightmarish trip dropping in for $15K in last - was claimed that night, stays in the same
class, and we'll give him a try for his new connections. (2) THUNDER SOME WHERE isn't a "flashy"
type but give him an up close trip in the right class and he can pick up good pieces - chance for a decent
chunk tonight. (5) GOTHIC ROCK was pretty good upon arrival at YR last, finishing solidly for 2nd to a
sharp, (repeat) winner - goes for a new barn here, but he'll be a good price, and may be able to land on the
ticket somewhere. (1) NIHILATED TRUTH has been sharp lately, but now lands in a new barn - not quite
sure what to expect, but if he holds that sane form he'll certainly be right in the hunt. (4) NORTHERN
SPORTSMAN will attract plenty of tote action off last week's blowout score but it was an easy trip, and
he's not really known for his consistency - could go either way. (8) BUSH MAN N hadn't won in ages but
certainly was feeling good on the lead last week when he ran and hid from the others - moves up and lands
Post 8, and it's hard to see him replicating that performance. (7) RAPTORS FLIGHT N was used early and
grabbed good position last week...then came up completely empty - back to rallying tonight, and that gives
him at least a chance for a small piece. (6) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY just hasn't been sharp lately - waiting for
better signs before hopping back on his team.
RACE 4 - Good race: (3) KEYSTONE DASH went off 4-1 from Post 8 vs. this class on 8/6 but ended up
parked and had no chance - was claimed that night, re-qualified sharply at Monti, and pretty much HAS to
get an easier trip tonight - guessing he'll be a fair price...and that makes him worth using. (6) TERRITORY
is loving life in his new barn, crushing this class in back to back starts - can't blame anybody for sticking
with him, looking for the "hat trick". (2) LL MYSTRO was a steady 3rd from well back the first time they
carded this class, then used a major "brush and crush" move to bury the field in his last - if things get a little
testy up front, he becomes a major threat to repeat. (1) MY WISH CAME TRUE was handled aggressively
from Post 8 from Post 7 in his local debut but gave way to 3/4s and weakened - should work out an easier
trip tonight, and it sure looks like he fits with these - another possibility. (7) BOURBONS COURAGE
benefited from a ground saving trip last week to pick up a 2nd at a BIG price - remains solid since the 7/7
barn change, but faces an uphill battle from this spot tonight. (4) AQUAMAN HANOVER was a distant
2nd to #2 last time, helped by his trip - jury still out about how well he really fits with these. (5) BIG SIR
has missed 3 weeks after giving way badly off a sick scratch in last - seems a bit risky at the moment. (8)
SUNSETBOOZECRUISE doesn't figure to make much noise after drawing Post 8
RACE 5 - (3) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN showed some better life last week, almost holding 3rd off a
pocket trip - drops tonight, will be headed right to the top, and may be able to take this bunch wire to wire
for a trainer that has been having a breakthrough year! (1) P L KETCHUP has been struggling vs. better for
a few starts after taking three in a row in May/June - perked up nicely at Chester last week, and looms a
legitimate threat from the pole tonight. (4) BIG BOX HANOVER was short in his start here on 7/30 - raced
aggressively in his last, but made a break on the lead....the ability IS there, and it would hardly be a shock if
he put it all together tonight (putting the hopples back on). (6) THANKFUL NO has shown that she has
plenty of ability, but has made breaks in 2 of her 5 U.S. starts (at The Swamp) - feels a little risky in her
first try over the Hilltop half miler but if she's anything close to that 15-1 ML price, it would be pretty hard
NOT to use her. (2) SUMATRA disappointed last week but may have not liked the off going - chance to
just follow closely and land a piece of this. (8) THE LAST CHAPTER isn't on his best game right now and
to add insult to injury, lands his 3rd straight 8 hole - tough spot...again! (7) WARRAWEE SHIPSHAPE
raced very well off the claim last week but faces tougher now, and draws poorly - prefer others. (5) HOBBS
is now 0 for 9 on the year, unable to get anything going in his 4YO campaign - needs an easier spot.
RACE 6 - (1) ROCKABILLY CHARM has never clicked at YR (7-0-0-0) but he's gone plenty of strong
efforts out of town - moves to a trainer that has shown a knack for instantly getting fresh stock to find their
best form (no matter how bad they look at the time)...and that may very well happen for this guy too. (3)
BETTING EXCHANGE doesn't win very often but he doesn't face fields this soft too often either - legit
chance to come out on top tonight. (4) ST LADS NEPTUNE was a talented young horse but just never
clicked here at Yonkers for his current connections (16-0-1-1) - wasn't that bad in his last, and maybe he'll
come up with a contending effort (at a price) tonight? (2) ROCKNTOUCH has been racing well with
cheaper at Chester - could be sharp enough to grab a piece with the locals too. (5) PEMBROKE JOEY
would be a big threat here on his best, but he just hasn't been sharp lately - not sure a wake up call will be
coming tonight, either. (8) ALBERT A SCOOTIN fits well enough in this class but probably needs an
inside post to be any kind of serious player. (7) IWONTDOTHATAGAIN is 14-0-2-0 here this year and
hasn't been a factor in a long time. (6) ROCKATHON was weak in his qualifier (off the layoff) and his first
start back wasn't any better - remains a pass at this time.
RACE 7 - (7) FELICITYSHAGWELL S jogged in her only local try (also from Post 7, 3 starts back), vs. a
bit cheaper - she's been holding her own vs. the best mares around all year, and the guess is that she can
handle this class hike, and pick up another victory. (6) CHAPTIAMA charged home from a tough spot to
be a close 2nd here on 7/16 - never could get involved in his next, but returns to YR off another sharp try
across the river - can definitely have a say tonight. (1) HILL OF A HORSE never got close last week but as
a result, was rewarded with the rail assignment tonight - can pick up a piece this week with any kind of trip
luck. (2) CHAMPAGNE ON ICE was "ok" in that win 2 back but was outright scary in her last victory,
launching wide on the final turn then sprouting wings in the stretch to win from a spot not too many trotters
can get there from - takes a big step up, but if there's a barn that can squeeze even more out of her it's this
one! (5) EYE OFA TIGER AS never got involved last time but had been doing good work for weeks prior
to that - he'll be a good price tonight, and the right trip could help him and a share (8) MELADYS MONET
is being picked this far down only because of the draw (and 3 weeks off)...but the mega-classy 12YO is
never a bad bet (at a price), as he's always a threat IF somehow things go his way. (4) NO MAS DRAMA
has enjoyed a terrific 4YO campaign after changing hands after her 3YO season - faces much tougher off
last week's win, and we'll see if she can hang with these too. (3) FASHION CREDITOR broke a long local
drought with back to back wins but moves up in class after missing 4 weeks - sticking with others.
RACE 8 - (5) BETTOR CAT ships in from Canada with lines that would probably send him off at 50-1
here - except he's moving to a barn that has recently taken several horses with similar lines, and won right
off the bat with all of them - could this guy be the next to benefit from the trainer's current Midas Touch?
(1) WAR DAN DELIGHT N is clearly the one to beat, dropping in class while getting major post relief -
he'll also be a very short price, and he's only 1 for 28 here at Yonkers...not one to bet the rent money on. (4)
SADIQ HANOVER can be highly inconsistent and has only one start in the last 5 weeks - he also throws a
good line every now and then, and one of those better efforts might land him a piece. (6) LETS ROLL is a
logical player with these, but he hasn't hit board in 6 local starts, draws outside, and is listed at 2-1 ML -
just no value here. (7) MUSCLE MACH A has a couple of recent wins and was 3rd in his last at PcD -
definitely a chance to grab a piece, and would have been selected higher up if not for Post 7. (3) ESAI
HANOVER qualified nicely after the layoff but he's 2 for 43 lifetime, and winless in 2020-21 - will just
watch, for now. (8) HEAVENLY SOUND fits well at this level but will be coming from last, and is just 1
for 39 over the last 2 seasons. (2) BUNGALOW BILL N has earned $1250 from 7 starts this year
RACE 9 - (3) HOMER HALL is definitely a little risky coming off a break in his last but this field is well
within his comfort zone, and he figures to get a pretty good trip - wouldn't take too short a price on him, but
there are enough contenders here that it shouldn't be an issue. (1) MAGIC VACATION was a close, solid
3rd in his YR debut and has been holding form for some time now - an effort similar to his last would make
him a solid threat tonight. (4) DRAZZMATAZZ is another that has been holding his form nicely even as
he's been climbing the class ladder lately - he can race on or off the pace, and could definitely add some
value to the ticket. (6) BLUFFINER seems to have leveled off a bit in his last few after putting together
some terrific wins here not long ago - draws outside several main players, and that may limit him to a
smaller piece tonight. (2) HALO ITS ME took a while to find her game after coming down from Canada
but has been pretty reliable since moving to her current barn - still prefer a few others, but it would hardly
be a surprise to see her right in the thick of this. (7) FULL RIGHTS would be pretty tough in here on his
best game, but he's been off for a couple of months, draws outside and has his trainer at the lines tonight -
guessing he'll need a start, but we'll find out tonight. (5) KANDY SWEET does her best work on the lead
and she doesn't figure to be there tonight - wait for a better spot. (8) BROWNIE will look a lot better in a
cheaper class, from a better post
RACE 10 - (3) HEAVENS GAIT is hardly the world's most reliable horse but he still throws some big
efforts when in the right mood - he should definitely appreciate the class relief here, and this just feels like
a good spot for him to come up with a winning effort. (2) MAROMA BEACH was never involved last
week but was surprisingly sharp (off the claim) in his prior two - looking at a good trip here, and may add
some value to the exotics. (1) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN hasn't been able to leave in weeks but tonight is
another story - Brennan can put this guy on the lead here, and that's how he does his best racing - may take
them a long way. (5) DELIGHTFUL TERROR will likely attract plenty of tote action but he's not all that
handy, and may prove somewhat vulnerable at a short price - if things do go his way, however, he may be
charging late and end up right there. (4) MACINTOSH N rarely wins but does collect plenty of pieces -
decent bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) ALL HANDS ON DECK came into his last start at 0 for 12 on the year and 1
for 29 over the last 2 seasons - he WOULD have been at least 25-1 (arriving from Chester in poor form) but
the fans recognized the enormous barn change, sent him off at 8/5, and he improved dramatically to be a
very easy winner - this field is MUCH tougher and as much as we've seen the Dynamic Duo transform
horses, it would be pretty stunning to see them get THIS guy to beat this field! (7) LA PLAYER A is doing
a bit better since dropping to this level but the poor draw figures to slow his progress tonight. (8) ROCK
ON LINE is the outsider, literally and figuratively
RACE 11 - (7) ROCK OF CASHEL could be a good bomb here - he was a close 3rd here vs. better on
7/16, but got stuck in the back and no chance in his next - shipped over to Chester and was a close 4th
behind Mississippi Storm, then just missed as the favorite in last - will need some racing luck, but he does
have a chance if that happens. (3) WHAT CHAPTER was an "ok" 3rd in last, but a very good 3rd two back
- he's in career form right now, and the right trip could make him a winner here. (6) BEYOND ORDINARY
is having a solid season (24-6-6-3) and looks like a good fit in her Hilltop debut - another good priced horse
with a chance. (5) AFTER ALL PAUL used a pretty easy trip to pick up 2nd behind the stickout winner in
last - has a chance to win here with the right journey, but won't be offering much value with that 2-1 ML
price. (4) MISS MCKEE has done her best work with a bit easier - she's listed at 5/2 on the ML, and a few
others definitely look more appealing. (8) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES went a BIG mile to win last week,
even if vs. cheaper - tough spot (moving up from Post 8), but would definitely consider him for a small
piece, at a big price. (1) IT AINT THE WHISKY draws his 3rd straight rail but it seems like what he really
needs is a class drop. (2) HIGH GEAR NO FEAR drew Post 8 last week moving up out of the "NWPM"
classes and never got involved - he'll get a chance tonight to show how well he fits with these.
RACE 12 - (1) REDBANK BLAZE A likely needed his last, racing off 5 weeks (after a sick scratch) - he's
used to holding his own vs. much better than these, and looks like the most likely to take the finale. (4)
SHAMMA LAMMA picked up three 2nds from his 4 starts here in 2020 - ships in off a good qua. at "The
Aces", gets Holland in the bike, and may be able to make some noise. (6) THE WILD CARD drops again
trying to find his level - should be able to have more of a say tonight, but not ready to take a short price off
his current efforts. (2) BILBO HANOVER should get a good trip from this spot, and he just had a couple of
solid tries one level down - ok for a piece. (3) SWEET TRUTH was a little better last week - we'll see if he
can build off that, or revert to his lesser form. (5) SECRECY generally does his better work vs. cheaper -
may be able to grab a small share, though. (7) VANQUISHED N has been steadily picking up smaller
pieces but the outside draw may slow him down a bit. (8) TULLOW N figures to be too far back to threaten