The Empire Report - Friday, August 19, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (2) KEYSTONE DASH was driven differently for his new barn last week and was able to
deliver the sharp first over victory (after being allowed to relax early on) - bumps up to 20s off that win, but
when he's sharp he can beat even better than these- sticking with him one more time (6) AWESOMENESS
won his first two off the barn change but just wasn't as sharp last week - gets Bartlett back on board tonight,
and that may bring him back to his top form...will have to overcome Post 6, however. (1) DAVIDS COMI
NG HOME raced well last week, away alertly from the pole then a game 2nd best after the first over trip -
include him in your exotics. (4) SPORTS BETTOR is winless in 19 starts this year but his overall recent
form has been pretty good - another worth including underneath. (3) WON LAST FEELING was claimed
for $25K, REclaimed by his former connections for $30K the next week but instantly dropped in for $25K,
and now drops in for $20K after tiring on the lead last week - definitely a bit of a mystery horse for tonight.
(5) OUR THIRD ROCK is just 2 for 68 over the past 2 seasons but his overall recent out of town form isn't
bad - ok to throw in for 3rd. Both (7) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER and (8) OHIO VINTAGE figure to be
spectators tonight from their outside posts
RACE 2 - (2) BET THE LIMIT looked good in his first 2 local starts - rallied from well back for 3rd after
being claimed, but was unable to get near the action last week - moves inside, and may end up the best
price among the logical contenders in here....making him worth a play. (3) FARMERS TAN ships down
from Canada for a barn that has struggled here all year, but HAS enjoyed some recent success putting
Bartlett up on their fresh shippers - look for a good speed try from this guy. (5) HENRICO was no match
for the dominant Machiavelli in his local debut, but did a nice job holding 2nd after the winner drew off -
would be no surprise to see him step up and beat this easier bunch. (4) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN may be
returning with some confidence after a pair of sharp Monti tries - he's done well enough here in the past to
at least consider using in exotics. (6) WAVES OF FIRE A showed he can beat these 3 starts back, but then
failed to beat a horse in his last pair (two 8 holes) - gets some minor post relief tonight, but it may not be
enough to make him a player. (1) SARATOGA BLUE CHIP ships in with less than stellar lines, but does
get a barn change and draws the pole - we'll keep an eye for any improvement. (8) CACHNCAM has 2
recent wins but both were off pocket trips from the pole - he usually struggles from spots like this. (7)
LETTUCERIPRITAA has his owner on board tonight - hopefully he won't get in anybody's way from out
here.
RACE 3 - (1) JOHAN PALEMA earned about $500K as a 3 year old...with a big chunk of that coming
right here, where he won the Yonkers Trot - he's been "pretty good" so far as a 4YO, but still not hitting on
all cylinders (although he did win here at YR on 6/25) - switched barns before his last start and had a very
useful tightener at Chester - draws best tonight, gets a big switch to Bartlett, and the road to the winner's
circle goes through him. (8) MISSION VOYAGE was racing very well in PA (albeit vs. cheaper) before
joining the Dynamic Duo locally - he jogged at PcD in his first start, but made an early miscue (as the
favorite) in his YR debut - re-qualified nicely at Pocono, and has a chance to be part of this, even from Post
8 (if he behaves himself). (2) BARRY BLACK hasn't been nearly as consistent this year, but he can still
bring a big effort when in the right mood (see 3 starts down) - the good draw makes him a threat to land a
good piece. (4) ARABELLAS CADET wasn't a player last week, but wasn't terrible either - the class drop
could put her in play for a decent chunk. (5) MADHATTER BLUECHIP is hard to get a good read on these
days - his only recent win came on the lead vs. cheaper, after crawling the half in :59.3 - not sure what to
expect from him tonight. (6) NO DRAMA PLEASE seems to do his best vs. easier, but he has raced well
here in the past - maybe throw in for 3rd? (7) SWANSEA seems damned if he leaves and damned if he
doesn't - just a very tough spot. (3) TESLA SEELSTER added Lasix for her Yonkers debut and finished
way back - it's possible the dosage just needs to be adjusted, but we'll still pass on her for tonight
RACE 4 - (8) DIAMONDBEACH left from Post 7 last week, got herself a 3 hole tuck but made a costly
miscue after getting that spot - she's rebounded from breaks in the past, and the price should be decent
(despite that 5/2 ML) if you want to give him another chance. (2) ROCK LIGHTS has been struggling but
his last effort hinted at some better life - not a bad week to hop on his team. (1) REIGNING DEO hit the
wire with interest from an impossible spot last week, and now moves all the way inside - the right trip
might see him show up strong at the wire. (7) I GET THAT hasn't hit board in his last 5 starts after winning
three straight - tonight's drop can help, but unfortunately others are dropping too, and drew better than he
did - consider if the price is right. (4) ALOTBETTOR N has several decent efforts vs. 40s and 50s and this
is a significant class drop (one which a few of these are getting) - add him to the list of possibilities (with
the right trip). (6) HEAVENLY SOUND dropped to this level 2 back, got pounded at the windows and was
a dominant winner - clearly had some issue last week but if you're willing to just ignore that line, he'll
probably be a pretty good price here. (5) MONTY MONO feels like he's tailing right now, but we'll get a
clearer picture after tonight. (3) SANTAFES COACH seems a little cheap for these.
RACE 5 - (5) NOWHERE CREEK A is 0 for 12 here this year but he's racing much better lately than his
lines might suggest - gets some important post relief in his 2nd try off the claim and that 12-1 ML price
looks mighty appealing - good value play. (1) MARCO BEACH bumps up to 40s for tonight and he's
earned that with his recent form - draws best, and figures to make a lot of noise in here. (6) DESIRES CAP
TAIN has gone a bunch of good miles lately and his current barn has recently started to really come to life -
if he can work out a live trip, he can be a legitimate threat. (7) BLUEBIRD RECON is hard to fault as he's
taken 5 of his last 6 for the barn that's been winning at a nearly 40% clip since the beginning of July - he
draws his first bad post in ages, though, and maybe this is the week to take a shot against him. (3) URBAN
RENEWAL is still a bit unproven at the $40K level but he draws well, and is a reasonable one to include
underneath. (2) SHARK PLAY certainly shows some good form out of town but it's a tough call as to
whether he actually belongs in a $40K claimer - guess we'll find out tonight! (4) EDDARD HANOVER
had a couple of really nice starts before getting claimed from his last barn - gets a new trainer for tonight
(his last listed trainer is serving a suspension), and we'll see how these horses do for their new conditioner.
(8) SOHO CHELSEAA is highly questionable at this level...especially from Post 8!
RACE 6 - (3) AMBASSADOR HANOVER is winless in 7 starts this year but that has a lot to do with the
competition he's been facing - this is hardly an "easy" spot but anytime Dube drives for this barn, good
things tend to happen...last year's Yonkers Trot runner up gets the nod in his local seasonal debut. (1)
QUEEN OF ALL continues to get better and better into her 4YO season, and comes into tonight off an
excellent 2nd behind the mega-classy HEY LIVVY - draws best, and can be a big player here. (4) NEXTR
OUNDSONME win his last 2 starts here before heading to Tioga then was an excellent 2nd last week in his
return - decent value horse to use in exotics. (5) KENZIESKY HANOVER has a strong 8-3-2-1 slate here
this year, and a pilot that seems to win 4-5 races a night - definitely possible, but may be overbet. (2) HAT
TRICK MARLEAU probably isn't as sharp as he was at his peak, but he's been very consistent lately - not
sure if he's up to a few of the top ones, though. (6) SECRET BRO was unable to find the kick to be a player
last week, and lands in a similarly tough spot tonight - leaning towards others. (7) LEAN HANOVER
draws all the way outside...and that figures to really hurt his chances
RACE 7 - (1) GINGRAS BEACH is used to facing much tougher - wasn't able to cash in on the class drops
the last 2 starts, but still raced super despite horrible posts/trips - no excuses from the pole tonight. (2) TOP
VILLE OLYMPIAN seems to be on the upswing, draws well, and a couple of the "better" ones in here are
stuck outside - maybe can take advantage of the draw and bring home a nice piece. (4) SAMSON BLUE
CHIP is a bit of a question mark taking on older rivals but he's had good success here in the past, and may
be able to hold his own here well enough for a decent piece. (6) MY MIND IS MADEUP came up empty
last week but he's rebounded from tough outings in the past - should be a decent price (despite the class
drop), and is worth including underneath. (7) BET ON BLAKE seemed to be heading back in the right
direction before coming up a little short (when 3rd) last week - Post 7 is never easy, and he'll need to bring
his best if he hopes to be a player. (8) QUALITY BUD was hammered at the windows dropping to the
bottom level last week and delivered a sharp victory - not sure he'll be able to overcome Post 8 tonight,
though. (3) KNOCKING AROUND ships back sharp from Monti, but he's struggled against cheaper in a
bunch of starts here this year. (5) GOOD OLE ETHIN has disappointed in his 3 local tries.
RACE 8 - (2) MISSISSIPPI STORM isn't having his best year, but he certainly knew what to do with the
class drop last week - he's still at a pretty easy level for him, and has a good chance to take another. (4) ON
HIGHER GROUND made a costly break 3 back but rebounded quickly with an excellent 2nd from Post 8,
followed by last week's easy win - the main danger, but likely will have to settle for 2nd. (3) TOCCOA
FALLS was a winner 3 back, found himself blocked in the lane the next week, then rallied for 2nd behind
#4 last week - can pick up another good piece tonight. (7) THE LAST CHAPTER has been back on the
upswing in his last few starts, and was 2nd best to the top choice last week - tougher spot now, but still a
chance for a piece if Boyd can leave and find a good early spot. (8) WARRIOR ONE was a "meh" winner 2
back, then finished ok last week to pass a few for 4th - lands in a terrible spot, and will have to up his
current game to be a threat from out here. (6) NEW HEAVEN hasn't been nearly as consistent this year, and
this isn't an easy spot for him - maybe a minor share? (1) LADY JETER grabbed a pair of wins vs. easier,
but this is a much tougher crew - not sure how much the rail will help her. (5) KINDA LUCKY LINDY has
been pretty solid for a while but backed up badly last week for no clear reason - would like to see a better
effort before hopping back on his team
RACE 9 - (3) GOTHIC ROCK rallied very nicely from impossible spots in his last couple - moves inside,
and lands in a field where it's hard to get too excited about any of the favorites - worth a shot in a race that
could easily fall apart. (8) TELL THEM LOU should be a little tighter now with two starts since the layoff
- but he would have looked a lot better had he not drawn all the way outside, with a generally unaggressive
pilot. (6) HES ELECTRIC is pretty camera shy here at Yonkers but he's sharper than his lines may look
right now, and he's listed at 20-1 ML - not the worst bomb you could come up with. (5) REMEMBER THE
BEACH got away last from the rail in his first try for a new barn, but did race okay after that - he's another
of the bombs in here that are reasonable to consider. (1) PRINCE MCARDLE N was good 4 starts back
when 2nd, but did little before or after that....would be hard to endorse him at that 8/5 ML price. (4) CINN
ABAR DRAGON is listed as the second choice, but he's another with way more bad recent efforts than
good ones. (2) DRY RIDGE ACE has rallied for pieces a few times, and does draw well - ok to consider
using underneath. (7) ON THE VIRG has been struggling here for a long time - found a weak Chester field
he could beat last week- but hard to like his chances from Post 7 returning to Yonkers
RACE 10 - (5) MACHIAVELLI exits the sharpest barn around right now and jumps from 15s to 25s off
last week's claim - that would normally be an easy reason to toss him this week, but he moves to a small but
very sharp barn that does exceptionally well with fresh acquisitions, and gets a pilot that won't be shy about
sending him - we'll stay on board. (2) RISKY MILLION raced ok from a tough spot last week - he's
capable of better (with a better trip), and could easily come out on tip tonight. (4) MAJESTIC KIWI N
should appreciate dropping back down to 25s - quite possible here if the trip goes his way. (6) NOAHS
MILL has a 2nd and a 3rd in his 2 starts since arriving at Yonkers - he's listed at 20-1 ML, and that makes
him a good one to include in exotics. (3) TEXAS TERROR N has been amazing at ages 13 and 14 but
comes into tonight off a pair of scratches (and qualifier), and it's anybody's guess what we'll see from him
tonight. (1) SWAGASAURUSREX is always capable of rallying late for a piece when he sits an easy trip.
(8) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN is riding a 2 race win streak but he was claimed from a very high % barn
and draws Post 8 for his new team - tough spot tonight. (7) SOHO WALLSTREET A was claimed by our
leading trainer but it's generally a major red flag when Bartlett choices of ANY horse from this barn