The Empire Report – Thursday, February 29, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (6) BAMBINO JOE ships in sharp from Freehold, and gets a big driver change – the last time he had a
top catch driver he wired a similar field at Chester...perhaps he’s found a winning spot here at Yonkers as well? (2)BEEBEETEE was also getting a big driver change upon arrival at Yonkers last week and came up with a solid 3rd behind a pair of horses that would be prohibitive favorites in here – very logical player. (3) TYGA HANOVER hasn’t won locally in some time but this is a field that should be in his comfort zone, and his barn did send out a similar “dropdown” winner not long ago – possibility. (1) ON THE VIRG is in a prime spot for a wake up call for a barn that is not unfamiliar with form reversals – he does lose a lot of appeal after being listed as the ML favorite, however. (4) HYPNOTIC DREAM was good 3 and 4 back, but no factor in his last pair – perhaps an easy trip could help him take home a small share? (8) HEISMAN PLAYER comes off a disappointing 1 for 25 season and hasn’t shown much (so far) to start off 2024 – obviously the draw won’t be any help. (5) MOONLITE DRIVE N and (7) ICE HOUSE both finished WAY back in their seasonal debuts, and remain on the “watch list” for now
RACE 2 – (5) NOWS THE MOMENT has taken all 3 local starts this year, after winning 10 of 24 last year – he’s
ultra reliable, is used to drawing outside, and deserves top billing...though he’s sure to be tested by the newcomer
tonight. (4) LOVEDBYTHEMASSES makes his first local start since picking up a 4th in the International Trot in
2022 – he has 28 wins and $825K in career earnings, and started off 2024 with a decisive victory in NJ – would
obviously be no surprise to see him take this. (1) CREDIT CON lands inside and should be looking at a pretty kind
trip – should be able to grab a nice chunk from this spot. (2) ROYALTY BEER has hit board in all local tries, but his
only win came vs. easier – he’s always in the hunt, but does seem better used underneath, rather than on top. (3) YA
NKS DUGOUT threw a dud last week, and it would be asking a lot for him to rebound enough to win off that mile
RACE 3 – Tough race: (2) HURRIKANE GEORGIE lost all chance when parked from Post 8 two back then just
never seemed to get untracked after following poor cover last week – he was re-claimed by a barn that has won races
with him, and he’s one of several with a legitimate chance in here. (5) STOP STARING left well last week but made
an early miscue (then ended up parked after recovering, and trying to rush up for the lead) – his overall recent form
is very solid, and a clean mile would make him a player. (1) YS DO IT RIGHT hasn’t won in a while but he’s gone a
bunch of good miles – he’s eligible to trip out here, and a good price makes him worth a look. (6) GDS THUNDER
GB clearly loves being paired with Gingras as they’ve teamed up for 2 wins and a close 3rd in their 3 starts together
– only real knock is the draw. (7) THEFLYINGROCK looked like a winner turning for home last week but was
outgamed by #6 for the top prize – he lands in a tough spot tonight, but a good price makes him worth considering.
(3) BOOM TOWN BOY and (4) DA GHETTO WIZARD haven’t been “bad”, but both seem a notch below the top
players and are likely looking at only minor spoils. (8) OH COFFEE BEAN arrives sharp from NJ for a hot barn but
his “class” is questionable, and the draw is horrible
RACE 4 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (3) FLIP THE SWITCH was a solid 4
th in his 2nd start of the year and builtoff that with last week’s “brush and crush” blowout – seems sharp enough to take another.
(1) SCUBA DAN is 0 for3 here at Yonkers but lost those 3 starts by a combined total of a NECK – figures to be a big player again, but may
be looking at 2nd or 3rd once more. (8) WILLY WALTON has been solid lately, and does have the speed to take a shot
at leaving from out here – interesting bomb to consider. (5) BELLA CAVALLA wasn’t bad 2 back then made a
decent recovery after an early miscue last week – might be able to sneak somewhere onto the ticket at a nice price.
(2) X O X O was able to find enough to pick up the (well beaten) 2nd behind the top choice last week – the good
draw gives her a chance at another small piece. (4) INFINITY STONE picked up a trip of recent 3rds – the right trip
gives him a shot at another small slice. (6) LIGHFOOTEDLEGEND makes his first of the year and may need a race
before we see his best. (7) QUICKSILVR BLUECHIP had a couple of nice efforts to start the new year but hasn’t
looked as good in his last pair (after a claim) – tough post, as well.
RACE 5 – (5) YOROKOBI N seems to have benefited from the winter break, qualifying back nicely then kicking
home full of pace in his first start of the year – willing to give him a shot tonight vs. a couple of vulnerable main
players. (4) CADILLAC BAYAMA failed to thrive in 3 starts after arriving from Canada but that qualifier (after a
couple of months off) looks much better – the ability is certainly there, and we may see it tonight. (6) UNDRTHSO
UTHRNSUN N went a big mile last week and looked like a winner turning for home...but his inability to put away
the leader may explain why he was just 2 for 33 last year – still one to fear, but be careful about taking a short price.
(2) WON LAST FEELING was probably a little short when 4th in his 2024 return – could be tighter now, and he can
definitely grab a piece from this spot. (7) HEARTONMYSLEEVE gets a terrible draw but still can be considered for
a minor piece down at this bottom level. (1) BRUSHING UP hasn’t been overly sharp lately, but he hasn’t been
terrible either – the inside draw puts him in play for a small slice. (3) BLUEBIRD RECON tired in his last pair and
would be hard to recommend right now. (8) GINGRAS BEACH seems up against it from all the way out here
RACE 6 – (5) EPOS OSTERVANG DK finished 4th last week and it’s the first time he’s been off the board for what
feels like an eternity – he was facing better that night, and the drop back down to this more comfortable class should
give him the edge. (3) EMOTIONS RICHES had to grab up early last week and never seemed to find the mojo that
led to 3 straight blowout scores prior to that – we’ll see if he bounces right back, or if it was a sign that he’s starting
to tail off. (4) GRINDER was stuck in the back and never got involved last week but he picked up a win, 2
nd, and 3rd just before that – moves inside, and could rebound quickly. (1) HOOLIE N HECTOR was no factor in his last pair
but he drops, draws the rail, and may be ready to come up with a much bigger effort tonight – the tote board may
offer some clues. (2) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS had a terrific 2023 season but still hasn’t gotten untracked in ’24 –
looking for some better signs before giving him more serious thought. (6) DRACO S may be on the cheaper side but
he’s certainly in fine form – will need some trip luck from out here, though. (7) TEXSONG SOPRANO crushed ‘em
in his Yonkers debut– was a no threat 2nd as the 1/5 choice the following week, could only manage 3rd as the favorite
in his next, then wasn’t involved at all in his last – definitely needs a wake up call. (8) THE LAST CHAPTER
started the year strong but has quickly leveled off in these higher classes
RACE 7 – “Stake Your Claim” Series: (3) TOP ME OFF has been hitting on all cylinders for a while, and comes
into tonight off a mega-blowout - not sure he can win as easily here, but he remains the one to knock off in his
current form. (5) J S HOPSCOTCH and (7) FOR A DREAMER were both a little overmatched while up in class last
week, but both now drop back down to the level where they were victorious in 2 straight prior to last start – either
could be a big player tonight. (1) PERRON came up 2nd best in his last pair, finishing right behind the top choice 2
back – can be right in the hunt once more. (4) IN MY DREAMS lost action early on last week and just wasn’t at his
best (even though 3rd) – at 15-1 ML he’s a good one to include in exotics. (2) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO tired in
his last pair but did hold for 3rd and 2nd in much improved performances – may find this solid field a little tough,
however. (8) STEUBEN HANOVER had been burning a ton of $$ before finally winning his last couple (as the
odds on choice) – he does look pretty vulnerable from Post 8 against this solid crew. (6) SHEENA SOLDIER is
good right now, and only listed on the bottom because of the tough draw (and possibility of a tough trip).
RACE 8 – (4) QUEEN OF ALL is capable of some big miles when on her game and last week was one of them –
she’ll likely still be the 3rd choice in this 5 horse field, and she just feels like a good value play. (5) TIPSY MONI has
really blossomed for our leading trainer, taking her last two Invitationals by open lengths – she’s still the one to beat,
but maybe she’ll have to work a bit harder tonight. (3) NO MAS DRAMA went her best mile of the year (so far) last
week but came up 2nd best to #4 – she’s more than capable of turning the tables and getting it done tonight. Both (2)
LADY JETER and (1) ABBEY D are a bit below the top trio, and looking at scraps for tonight.
RACE 9 - “Stake Your Claim” Series: (8) INN AT RODANTHE was sharp in his last pair – he’ll need a lot of trip
luck from out here, but his pilot has a knack for making that happen – hopefully the poor post will also bring a good
price. (2) DELICIOUSTONE DK raced ok upon arrival from Ohio after a ground saving trip – could be more active
tonight, and that 10-1 ML price makes him appealing. (5) PERFECT TITAN has a history of local miscues but has
also raced well a bunch of times when he behaves – willing to include IF the price is decent. (1) MUFASA AS isn’t
usually one of our favorites but he moves all the way inside and there are some shaky players in here – may be able
to grab a piece. (3) BRAVE BY DESIGN broke 2 back then sat 8th last week – he’s capable of better and we’ll
probably see it tonight...but it’s hard to get excited about a wager when he’s listed as the ML favorite. (4) CRESCE
NT BEAUTY hasn’t found her stride since returning in 2024 – if you think she can turn things around tonight, the
price should be solid. (6) PIVOTAL has done little since a perfect trip win in his first start of the year – leaning
towards others. (8) LOOK IN MY EYES will need a big wake up call to make noise from out here
RACE 10 - (5) VENIER HANOVER had been putting in good moves recently but failing to sustain them – last
week he made a HUGE move, and paced solidly right through the wire – not a bad week to give him a shot. (1)
LOUS BEACH has been a little flat at the end of his miles himself, though still picking up three 3rds from his 4
starts this year – should be right in the thick of it once more. (2) QUALITY BUD was no good at all at 3/5 two back
but made amends with last week’s gutsy victory – a similar effort makes him a threat to take another. (4) CAVIART
SARGENT can be pretty unpredictable from week to week but he throws enough good efforts to consider
underneath at that 20-1 ML price. (3) VULCAN STAR N hasn’t had the needed pop at the end of his miles – likely
looking at a minor share only. (6) KERFORD ROAD A picked up 2nds in 2 of his last starts, and at mice prices –
another decent bomb for the bottom of the ticket. (8) DIAMONDBEACH fits the bottom level right now – the guess
is that he’ll be very conservative from out here knowing that NW5000 awaits next week. (7) ROCKAPELO will
perk up at some point, but there’s no real signs it’ll be tonight.