The Empire Report - Thursday, May 4, 2023 - Race Analysis
Tonight's Pick 5 starts with $10,000 seed money provided by the SOA of NY, and there
will be a $25K guaranteed pool - jump on in!
RACE 1 - (6) USEYOURLOVETONIGHT showed ability at 2, racing well enough to qualify for the
NYSS Final (and picking up a 5th place check) - he had good trot finishing in his 3YO debut (4/20) but
made an early miscue in his next (as the 3/5 choice), making up a ton of ground after recovering - he should
be able to beat these even from Post 6, but only if he minds his manners! (3) BRAVO ROMEO is strikingly
similar to barnmate BYINVITEONLY - both are sons of Trixton, neither raced at 2 or 3, BOTH won their
career debuts at 4, and both only made 5 starts in 2022 - BYINVITEONLY actually crossed the finish line
first the other night, but had an "eventful" trip and was rightfully disqualified (placed 2nd)- if the top choice
self destructs, this guy may be next in line. (4) COLUMBUS won a race at the Ohio Fairs at 2, and did win
at Nfd. to start his 3YO season - he lands in a new barn and has a chance here...even if mostly by default.
(1) HEART OF A TITAN made breaks in all 3 starts at 2 - stayed trotting in both 3YO attempts, but was no
factor at all (in NJ) - we'll see if he can stay flat here at Yonkers. (2) BARCELONA PRINCESS showed
little in her Canadian starts and did the same in her lone Yonkers try- needs to be better. (5) MY BELFAST
ANGEL shipped in off a pair of weak tries in PA...and finished way back here, as well
RACE 2 - (1) ROCK DIAMONDS N was a dominant winner 2 back and while his last race was declared
"no contest", note that HE raced the entire way, following up a :27.4 third quarter with a :27.3 kicker to win
easily in 1:52.4 - he's one of several horses to have enjoyed MAJOR form improvements after joining this
barn recently, and the rail draw makes him a big threat to grab another victory. (6) TUFFENUFTOWEARP
INK has also benefited from a recent barn change, going a big mile for 2nd two back followed by last
week's sharp front end score - the main danger, but clearly at a post disadvantage. (3) BETTOR ROLL ON
A was no threat in his last pair, but did take home the show spot both times - maybe a similar piece tonight?
(4) MAXIMUS RED A is having a disappointing season so far, but still seems a threat to pick up a small
piece here if the trip goes his way. (2) LOVE THE BLUES goes from Jordan to Cory but the good draw at
least gives him a chance to tow along for a minor share. (5) ROSE RUN X CON is listed at 5/2 ML but
really hasn't been sharp in some time - leaning towards others
RACE 3 - (4) STORMY KROMER had struggled in his first few starts this year but was bet down to 1/2
two starts back and looked like his old self, effortlessly crushing the field by 5 lengths - it seemed like he
was ready to go on a roll but while he wasn't "bad" last week, he did get beat as the 1/5 choice (while
actually DROPPING in class) - he's still the one to beat here....just not as "certain" looking as he was last
start. (3) SEVENSHADESOFGREY has not only been behaving in his last few starts, he's actually racing
very well - finished up with plenty of in traffic last week, and could be waiting in the wings should the top
one falter again. (1) CALL ME DANI arrived here from NJ in early March and delivered a trip of sharp
efforts - hasn't been on top of her game in her last few, but she's eligible to turn things back around at any
time - consider if the price is right. (2) MISSION VOYAGE is just one of many from this barn that is firing
on all cylinders right now - may be a notch below a couple of these, but it's hard to ignore ANYTHING the
Dynamic Duo sends out right now. (5) PROMISE FOR LIFE picked up his first local victory with a sharp
try 2 back but the inconsistent 4YO reverted to his lesser form the very next week - prefer others for the top
slots. (6) NO DRAMA PLEASE is hanging in there at these higher levels but would probably benefit from
some class relief (and a better post). (7) IN MY DREAMS lands in a brutal spot after being re-claimed
from his last start.
RACE 4 - (2) CRAZYLAND actually fits NW2 so it's a little tough to take a very short price on him in
NW4, trying the half miler for the first time - that being said, this is a soft bunch and IF he has no trouble
getting around the Hilltop Oval, he'll probably come out on top for our leading trainer/driver duo. (3) ER
NO MORE put in a solid 1st over try (for 3rd) in his first local start and raced well again last week, digging
in to the end to snatch 2nd at the wire - could be next in line should the top one falter. (6) WANIA is just 1
for 11 locally but he's hit board in 9 of his starts - always a good one to include underneath. (5) HEADOVE
RBOOTS AS often "figures", but has only managed one win from 9 local starts - another that's better used
underneath, rather than on top. (4) MATT SO SURE has raced "ok" here and there but his 17-0-0-2 local
record is hard to ignore. (7) CREDARENA was way overbet last week, used hard to make the lead then
came to a crawl after getting passed to 3/4s - Post 7 won't make things any easier. (1) A MILLION CHU
CKLES is hard to consider, even from the pole
RACE 5 - (3) SOUTHWIND PETYR is another that the Super Siblings have quickly elevated to new
heights - his first start for his new barn saw him improve by leaps and bounds, coming first over and just
missing to the streaking TAKE A GAMBLE (6 for 6 at Yonkers this year!), followed by last week's
methodical first over victory in this class - he's in career form, and remains the one to beat. (4) FEELIN
WESTERN has come up 2nd best in 4 of his last 5 starts (Post 8 in the other) - no reason he can't land on
the ticket again tonight. (5) PLEASELETMEKNOW was a game 2nd to TAKE A GAMBLE in his 2nd
start of the year - he followed the top choice in his last but wasn't able to fully capitalize on the trip, finding
only mild stretch pace to be 3rd - has a chance at the mile upset, but will need to be a bit sharper. (1) KOO
TENAY SANTANNA was an ok 4th in his first try at this level but a tiring 5th last week - draws best, and
may be able to follow along for a small share (if he gets back to his better game). (7) KINGSVILLE cut the
mile last week and gave the top one a good battle before giving way and finishing 2nd - clearly he belongs,
but the draw may hurt his chances a bit tonight. (2) CAVIART SARGENT was reclaimed last week and his
connections move him out of claimers to avoid losing him again - may find these tougher than he'd like,
though. (6) SETH HANOVER can hang with these with an easy trip (from a good post) but may have a
harder time having the same impact from Post 6. (8) STATE SENATOR drops wins off the bottom of his
card the next 2 starts - look for him as he starts to get some important class drops
RACE 6 - Good race: (2) HAYEK often "figured", but had lost 14 straight starts here over the last 2 years
before last week's powerful "brush and crush" victory - the ability has always been there....maybe getting
that win will help him get on a roll now? (4) ON HIGHER GROUND has been sharp for weeks, handling
any trip that comes his way - as noted, the barn has been sending out beast after beast recently, and this guy
has to be taken very seriously. (5) MISSISSIPPI STORM is still seeking his first victory of the season, and
it does feel like the classy 8YO may have lost a step - still, he's been right there in almost all of his recent
starts, and a live trip would at least give him a chance tonight. (7) B NICKING gets important class relief
but that may be offset by the terrible draw - at that 20-1 ML price, he's still worth including on some tickets
(3) ICANFLYLIKEANANGEL hasn't been here in a few years but has done good work at Yonkers in the
past - seems to still have plenty of life in his 9YO legs, and would be no shock at all. (1) ALL CHAMPY is
tough as nails, but is used to facing a bit easier - hard to say if his best is enough to threaten some of these.
(6) STREET GOSSIP feels like the outsider in an otherwise very competitive affair
RACE 7 - 1 1/16th miles - (4) FOREVER FAV is used to facing MUCH better, usually holding his own
and picking up good pieces - if Siegelman can find him a half decent trip here, he'll have a solid chance to
kick home for a victory...don't take too short a price, though. (7) PACE N PRIDE N had a couple of tough
outings (broke on the lead on 4/10, then parked brutally the next week) but he rebounded with a solid try in
the race that was declared "no contest", tracking a very sharp ROCK DIAMONDS N all the way to be 2nd
- good value play at that 12-1 ML price. (1) TIN ROOF RAIDER A sports some less than stellar form but
he's another that used to facing much better - logical spot to look for a wake up call. (3) VEL MR NICE
GUY hasn't been sharp enough lately, though he hasn't been terrible, either - a good trip could land him a
piece here. (9) PAST DUE won his first start of the year at Fhd. but hasn't threatened since then - he also
faces an unpredictable trip tonight starting from the back row. (6) KEYSTONE DASH turned in a better try
last week with the class relief - leaning towards others, but this guy may be able to land a piece with a
quick start. (5) VIVA LAS VEGAS N is just 1 for 25 at Yonkers, lacks speed, and figures to be in a tough
spot as they turn for home. (2) AINTONOBETTOR A is just 1 for 35 at YR the last 2 years and his barn off
to a dreadful start in 2023 - sticking with others. (8) THIRD EDITION has had some mixed results at Stga.
since the recent claim - brutal spot to ship in to!
RACE 8 - (5) HERCULISA made an early miscue in her first start of the year but was trotting well late
after recovering - qualified back nicely at PcD then finished well here on 4/20 from a difficult spot -
gambled on staying inside to 3/4s last week but found herself hopelessly trapped through the stretch,
seemingly loaded with trot - giving her another chance! (4) NO MAS DRAMA has been very sharp lately,
and definitely a threat with these types when on her game - the barn usually does best with Bongiorno on
board, but Marohn has definitely been handling this mare very well - major threat. (6) HEY LIVVY hasn't
been at her best recently, but any week that she's "in the mood" would make her dangerous - consider only
if the price is juicy. (1) I DA PRINCESS had fallen apart badly but is back on the upswing since being
moved to our leading barn - seems a notch below a few of these, but she has the rail, speed, and Yannick -
and therefore can't be discounted. (7) GREY fits with these for sure but figures to be severely compromised
by the draw - tough spot. (1) P C FREE WHEELING steps up off the claim and may find the waters a little
too deep against these - we shall see. (3) LADY JETER does seem a bit overmatched in this field
RACE 9 - (7) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN gets some class relief and has enough speed to at least
improve position at the start - the favorites in here could be a little shaky, and this guy may offer some
value in the finale. (5) FLIP THE SWITCH struggled racing in the Open to start off 2023 - gave it a good
try at Chester last week (cut the mile and finished 2nd off the class drop), and he may have found a winning
spot tonight - he also figures to be way overbet! (1) KASHA V is a little hard to read right now but he won
a couple here not too long ago and his barn is having a decent 2023 season - possible for sure, but no value
at that 5/2 ML price. (2) WINDSONG PIONEER beat cheaper in back to back starts in early March - he
gets some class relief tonight, moves inside, and a wake up call could be coming. (4) BANK BOX TREAS
URE threw a dud at PcD last week but was 2nd here in back to back starts before that - prefer a few others,
but a juicy price makes this one worth at least a look. (6) AFTER ALL PAUL has been "ok" lately, but will
probably find himself too far back tonight to do any significant damage. (8) BARRY BLACK draws Post 8
after missing 4 weeks - have to believe a conservative effort is coming. (3) CIEL BLEU likely needs to
drop at least a couple of levels before being a serious player again