Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, December 19, 2024 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Tough opener! (8) CELLMATE returns from NJ in razor sharp form, and has his share of good local

tries, as well – not sure he can find a winning trip from out here, but he’s worth at least a look at a big price. (4)

COLD CREEK FELIPE hasn’t been as sharp across the river as #8 lately, but he was doing excellent work here at

YR not long ago – could be a very live player tonight. (5) I B LOVIN was an ok 4 th vs. better returning from the

Midwest to a new barn last week– drops in for a tag, and looks attractive with that 10-1 ML price. Both (3)

SNOUZE U LOUZE and (1) MONACO HANOVER put on quite a protracted battle last week, with #3 prevailing in

the end– either could be a big threat tonight, with the right trip! (7) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE came into his last at

1 for 24 on the year at Yonkers but he was hammered down to 1/5 off the class drop and was able to deliver after

landing on a dream trip – may not get that same perfect journey tonight, however. (2) BUCHANNON HANOVER is

1 for 33 locally over the past 2 years – sticking with others. (6) VICTOR CRUISE adds Lasix but has been stuck on

minor pieces all year

RACE 2 – (1) TWIN B SEAMONSTER shipped in from Ohio with some raging form but found himself in too

steep in the 3-5YO Open class – he’s found some much better form in NJ recently (after getting major class relief),

and this feels like a spot he should be able to handle right now. (2) MASONS DELIGHT N hasn’t been effective in

the starts where he’s been used too hard recently, but he’s done good work when able to sit an easier trip – should

have a big say from this spot. (5) FINAL CHEESERECIPE was a bit better last week in his 3 rd start off the barn

change – he’s done good work with better for much of the year, and could rally late here for a decent chunk. (3)

GDS THUNDER GB went some big miles this year but the last few months have been plagued by scratches and

layoffs – not ready to hop on his team off the latest Monti qualifier, but will definitely pay attention for future

consideration. (4) JUDDY DOUGLAS A hasn’t been clicking for a while but draws well enough for a chance at

some minor spoils. (8) GAMBLINGTERROR throws some big efforts throughout the year but it would be hard to

look for one from this bad spot. (6) ALWAYS ROCKIN is 1 for 26 locally and draws poorly. (7) BULLVILLE

FRANK probably needs an inside draw in an easier field to be any kind of serious player

RACE 3 – (5) KINGSTON PANIC hasn’t been a serious threat in his last few but he was facing much tougher –

he’s an excellent fit with THIS bunch, and can be handled more aggressively here...we’ll give him a try. (8)

CONTACT ZONE is the sharpest one in here, but he’s stuck all the way outside and goes from Kakaley to Smith –

still willing to use him, as long as the price is fair. (2) KING OF ACES is a bit hard to gauge off his out of town

form but he was 3 rd at The Swamp 2 back, then showed speed last week – consider for exotics? (6) MANHATTAN

ARTIST was a front end winner in this class 2 back, but a non-factor last week– pretty hard to know which version

we’ll see tonight (1) METAMAN was sluggish much of the way in his local starts this year, so he may not be able to

really take full advantage of the rail draw – he wouldn’t be a shock, but he does figure to be somewhat overbet. (4)

VALENTINO OF LEDA has gate speed but stamina has ben an issue – would consider underneath, but looking

elsewhere for the winner. (3) IRRESISTIBLE started off well after arriving from Canada but feels like he’s starting

to tail off now. (7) SOUL ROCKER paced 2:00 and was distanced in his local debut – pass for now

RACE 4 – (3) MAHONE SEELSTER is 0 for 15 at Yonkers this year but he’s been 2 nd NINE times – he finished

full of trot from a tough spot last week (off the claim), and may land on a much better trip tonight – one of several

very live players in here. (4) ROGER RABBIT has a similar profile to the #3, with just 2 local wins this year

compared to TEN 2 nd place finishes – he drops back down to the $40K level, and he’s always a big threat in this

class. (7) PASSIONATE PROMISE rebounded from a miscue 2 back with a solid 3 rd last week – he likes to win

races, and definitely has appeal at that 20-1 ML price. (1) STEALING has been throwing some big late finishes

lately, but he’s shown that he can be handled more aggressively as well – very logical player with the move inside

(after 5 straight 6 holes), but he also figures to be overbet in this very competitive affair. (8) BE DIFFERENT debuts

for our leading barn tonight and he just may be a good fit with the locals – hard to love his chances from Post 8,

however. (2) ENERGYSOURCE finally got re-qualified upstate last week after a trip of miscues – probably will be

handled very conservatively here. (6) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO can throw a big one at any time but seems up

against it from Post 6, in a strong field. (5) MUFASA AS is just 1 for 28 here this year, after going 2 for 36 in 2023

RACE 5 – (2) PRINCE OF TIDES was heavily backed upon arrival from PA but came up just a nose shy to a very

sharp KOOTENAY SANTANNA – his price should be a bit better here, and we’ll give him a shot to make amends.

(5) SMOKIN BY N can run a little hot and cold but he’s managed to win 10 races this year, and drops tonight to his

preferred $25K level – legitimate threat. (6) MARLBANK ROAD dropped to 25s last week and was sharper than

his line might look – definitely eligible to outperform that 20-1 ML price. (1) LYONS PEGASUS towed along and

held on for 3 rd last start and may be able to deliver a similar effort tonight. (7) DIAMONDBEACH is in a seemingly

terrible spot but his chances would go up significantly if able to leave the gate and work out a trip – maybe give him

a look if the price climbs high enough? (3) BIG DREAM FELLA would be very dangerous here on anything close

to his best effort but he looked well short last week (after being scratched lame, and re-qualifying) and he just feels

pretty risky right now. (4) VESPA N is stuck on minor pieces at this level, and could use a class drop. (8) PRETTY

HANDSOME lost all chance after having to retreat at the start last week, and now gets stuck behind the 8 ball

RACE 6 – (4) FLIP MY CHIP has taken 4 of his last 5 starts, with a tough trip in the lone loss – he has a positional

edge on his main foes tonight, and that may help him add another victory to his total. (5) MUSIC HALL shipped in

very sharp from NJ and was sent off at 3-1 from Post 7 against some very tough 40s – he tired (after being used hard

early) but gets a class drop and better draw for tonight, and could be mighty dangerous. (6) J B GRAM has been

sharp for months but does get his first bad draw in a long time, and will likely need some things to go his way to

come out on top – playable, but only if the price is fair. (2) DONTTELLMEKNOW grabbed small pieces in 2 of 3

local starts (broke in the other) and has a chance for more of the same tonight. (1) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL is just 1

for 40 this year but an EASY trip from the pole may help him at least pick up a small paycheck. (3) EMINEM HAN

OVER is struggling and his barn is fairly cold as well – sticking with others. (8) HES SPECIAL lasted for a

no-threat 3 rd last week but has been struggling, on the whole. (7) FALL IN LINE drops in for a tag, but still feels

pretty overmatched against these

RACE 7 – Wide open! (8) STORMONT DIVIDE was a very nice trotter BEFORE the recent claim, but has really

elevated his game since then – he gets the absolute worst of the draw but he may also be the sharpest among these

right now – hard to say just how aggressive Stratton will be, but this guy does have a chance at the upset IF able to

get into play. (3) SOUTHWIND COORS is off 25 days and been facing lesser in Canada recently but he has talent

for sure, and his new connections have thrived with these types for a long time – wouldn’t be shocked to see him

ready to do some damage. (1) HERODOTUS struggled for the early part of the season but has been making up for

lost time the last couple of months – he used a very easy trip to grab 3 rd last week, and could make some noise here

with another easy journey. (7) PAPPARDELLE is eligible to come up big and beat these on any given week but his

last start was definitely sub-par – he does drop right back in the box (a good sign), but also gets a tough post – mixed

feelings. (2) BY THE BOOK is having another strong season and while he’s been facing softer on a weekly basis at

Stga., he’s raced well in the past – could see him adding some value to the exotics. (6) KEG STAND got hit with the

deck last week, having every possible break go his way and then cashing in on the very opportunistic trip – he MAY

be able to win here too, but he shouldn’t be the ML favorite. (5) TORRONE is having a solid season for a barn also

enjoying a very good year – probably looking at only a minor share from this spot, however. (4) CANTSTOP YANK

EE threw his first lesser effort in a while last time – we’ll see if he can bounce right back

RACE 8 – (4) LAZ has now won 3 of his last 4 starts (since dropping to this level), with an impossible trip in the

lone loss – remains the one to beat. (1) THAT DOG WILL HUNT tracked the top choice through some strong

fractions last week and was right there 2 nd – perhaps déjà vu? (2) CLEVELAND B MIKI gets major post relief and

will be much closer to the action – big threat to land somewhere in the exotics. (5) WOLFTRAX had quick starts in

both miles since shipping up from KY and picked up a good piece both times – could happen again. (8) CHIP IN

BLUE finished well behind the top two when 3 rd last week but he actually raced very well – playable for 3

rd/4 th , even from out here. (3) LAST POUND has gone the wrong way since changing barns recently – waiting for better signs.

(6) TWIGGS PUB just hasn’t been clicking at all for his current barn. (7) VANDALISM hasn’t been close in some

time and draws Post 7.

RACE 9 – The 2 nd division of $40K claiming trotters tonight and this one is packed with sharp players too! (6) BRO

OKVIEW DARIUS was very sharp before changing hands two starts back and has been as good (or better?) since

then – he’s shown that he can leave OR race from off the pace, and that could come in handy in a race that’s hard to

predict – one of several with a real chance in here. (7) WILLY WALTON seems to race well almost every single

week and last start was no exception – he has the speed to make something good happen even from out here, and a

good price makes him worth using. (3) AUSTRAL HANOVER was handled conservatively 2 back (for his new

barn) and finished very alertly – he got a more aggressive steer last week but was hurt by an untimely miscue in the

pocket, putting in a good recovery after landing – he’s a proven player at this level, and a real possibility tonight. (2)

BLUEBIRD BISHOP put in a very nice streak this summer before going on the shelf for a few months – he’s been

good since recently returning, and that includes last week’s victory – good draw, and another very live player. (1)

UNFORGETTABLE came up 2 nd best last week after winning 3 in a row just prior to that – the fact that a few others

are listed here on top of her tells you just how packed this field really is. (8) P C FREE WHEELING quickly came

around for her new barn, winning her last pair – will be pretty tough to keep that streak going starting from Post 8,

though. (4) ICE BREAKERS K and (5) KENOBI both feel a bit overmatched in this very strong field

RACE 10 – (6) MISSISSIPPI STORM is having a strong 9YO campaign, and even went over the $1M career

earnings mark in 2024 – he was off over 5 weeks to his last start (after a sick scratch) but still was a DH winner in

NJ – he’s held his own with better most of the year (and much of his career), and is definitely a good value play in

here. (1) YO BETH D is behaving every week and also racing well every start – she’s up in class here, but seems

sharp enough to still be a big player with a decent trip. (5) ALL STAR SWAN took a few starts to find her form but

she’s hitting on all cylinders right now, with 4 wins and a 2 nd from her last 5 starts – deserves plenty of respect! (8)

DOMOVOY will likely be handled very conservatively off last week’s miscue but he has plenty of ability, and may

still be able to make his presence felt at the end...at a big price. (4) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS has felt a bit in and

out for much of the year but he’s still made nearly $150K, bringing his 2 year total to over $300K – clearly he’s not

one that can ever be taken lightly. (2) I GET IT picked up wins 2 and 3 back but with perfect trips – could be in for a

tougher journey tonight. (3) FERRETTI raced ok in the Brennan Series here earlier in the year and returns in good

form from Ohio – has to prove he can be a player at THIS level, however. (7) STREET GOSSIP picked up a long

overdue victory last week but figures to be slowed down a bit by the class jump and outside draw

RACE 11 – (5) CHANTEE has just one local win on the season but he’s charged home for good pieces against

much better plenty of times – if he’s within shouting range turning for home, he may be able to rally by these

tonight. (2) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK had been struggling but he was bet like he was going to be very good last

week and that’s exactly what happened, as he picked up his first victory of the season in form reversing fashion –

we’ll see if he can string together a few more good efforts. (1) C BET HANOVER had to back off into 3

rd after leaving hard last week, pulled first over and was still a solid 2 nd best – could have a big say here with an easier trip.

(3) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER was 2 nd to the stickout winner 2 back, then wired the field last week – may not land

on a great trip from THIS spot, however. (4) REAL WILLEY went sour for an extended period but is back

competitive again, picking up 2nds in his last 2 starts – very playable in exotics. (6) OCEAN RIDGE N won back to

back starts on PA vs. cheaper, but quickly reverted to his lesser form returning to Yonkers last week. (7) SHOTGUN

INTHEHOTSUN draws all the way outside after showing little in his first two local tries

RACE 12 – (6) BRAEVIEW BONDI A is pretty camera shy here at Yonkers but he was good last week (and sneaky

ok the week before), and catches a field tonight of horses that are either, cheaper, struggling, or both – maybe this is

a winning spot for him? (4) LEVINE will get plenty of respect dropping to the bottom level and he may even be able

to beat these...but the fact that he’s listed at 6/5 on the ML while still winless in 2024 makes it tough to consider

him for the top spot! (1) CAHOOTS had his first life in a while finishing from an impossible spot last week – he’s

raced well here at times in the past, and a wake up call wouldn’t be out of the question. (3) RICARDOSHILYSHAL

LY has been “ok” in his 5 local tries – ok for underneath, but sticking with others on top. (2) THRASHER has fallen

on some hard times, unable to even perk up with a series of class drops – maybe a small slice? (7) MOVIN ON UP

wasn’t terrible in his last couple and he can beat much better when sharp...but his barn has been cold for some time,

and he’d need to be a BIG price to even consider. (8) MULLINAX had a few good starts after returning from a very

long layoff but soon leveled off, and now has to contend with Post 8. (5) COTTON ON N looked well short in his

first start back off the layoff.