Friday Empire Report

soaofny • April 1, 2022

The Empire Report - Friday, April 1, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (4) SILAS SEELSTER rarely wins (last couple of years) and almost never leaves the gate...but

he did BOTH last start, in what was definitely a major wake up call - may be feeling good enough right

now to do it again tonight. (6) IM SOME GRADUATE raced well 2 of the 3 starts since being claimed for

$75K by one of the winningest outfits we've ever seen here at Yonkers - gets a class drop for tonight, and

looms one very dangerous player. (3) TURBO HILL was off a bad date last start (off a lame scratch) but

still went a BIG mile for 2nd - definitely a chance to have a say in the outcome tonight. (5) FIZZING N is

feeling pretty again - probably not a threat for the top prize, but a smaller share is within reach. (8) MACH

EASY A is capable of holding his own with (and even beating) better than these - the draw is the issue, and

he may have a hard time getting in play from all the way out here. (1) BIG SIR has been off his best game

lately, and comes into tonight with just one start in 7+ weeks - leaning towards others, but will certainly

keep an eye on him. (2) ORILLIA JOE really needs easier to be effective - even the inside draw may not be

enough to help him. (7) CRUNCH HANOVER added Lasix last week and raced pretty well - unfortunately

he moves up in class while drawing Post 7....and that's just not a winning formula.


RACE 2 - (1) ITSGOODTOBEDAKING has 5 wins here the past 2 seasons but has definitely been tailing

a bit lately - takes a drop down to 20s looking to turn it around...and this seems like a good spot for that to

happen. (5) TEXAS TERROR N is still doing damage at age 14...and still getting claimed regularly! Was

unable to get it done in his last 2 tries at the $20K level, but certainly raced very well each time - perhaps

he can get over that hump tonight in his first try for the terrific training tandem. (2) KIMANI N had been

struggling for a long time, but did find some better form recently - still a bit of a question at this level, but

should be able to be a player from this spot. (4) SILENT SPLENDOR was on the front end in his last pair

but gave way both times - this spot is definitely softer, so we'll see if that helps him to a better effort. (3)

CAROLINA MAGIC was claimed for $30K last June and instantly went on the shelf - returned in Feb. at

Pocono for the claiming series, but failed to sharpen after a decent first try - not sure what to expect in his

YR return. (7) MACH TIME N reversed form in a big way on 1/11 (barn change) then held that good form

for weeks - seemed to be tailing just a bit in his last couple, and goes for a new barn tonight (from a bad

post) - not sure he'll be able to have as much say this week. (8) VERGEOFGREATNESS N draws his 4th 8

hole in the last 5 starts....and hasn't been able to overcome the draw in previous attempts. (6) ITS ROCKIN

RANDY seems overmatched at the moment.


RACE 3 - (8) KEYSTONE DASH is listed at 20-1 ML for a barn that finishes 1st/2nd with an astonishing

50% of their starters so that's probably reason enough to give this guy a look...but he also finished up pretty

well last week, and there's definitely a chance Bartlett will try to send him out of there tonight - worth a

shot. (5) ROLL WITH JR lost all chance after being shuffled back last week but he's definitely a good fit

with these - include him in your plays. (6) CASHNCAM has raced well more often than not lately, and is

always a big price - not sure he's a candidate for the top prize, but he could definitely pick up at least a

small piece. (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES is often right there in this class, just as he was last week - has

had trouble finding the winner's circle, however, and always takes decent $$ - prefer to use him underneath.

(3) REMEMBER THE BEACH couldn't sustain his first over bid in his first try at this level but probably

shouldn't be written off just yet - willing to include underneath. (1) THIRD EDITION was well backed for

his local debut last week but failed to fire - he's another that can't just be written off (he did have a bad trip),

but it's hard to endorse his chances at that 2-1 ML price. (4) MINGO JOE was hammered down to 4/5 for

his YR debut but sputtered first over - was claimed that night, and we'll just keep an eye on him, for now.

(7) CRYSTAL BEACH has been away since last July, and only made 8 starts last year - pass for now.


RACE 4 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #3: (6) DRAMAACT was a very sharp front end winner in the first

leg - she was taken off the gate last week and VERY hot while waiting for the cover flow to develop...

which may have cost her a bit at the end (she only lost by a length) - seems like a spot where she can go to

the top again, and that would make her very dangerous. (3) BOLT OF BEAUTY was very sharp in her last

start prior to this series then raced extremely well in both legs - if she gets a contested pace in front of her

tonight, she may be sharp enough to pull off the upset. (4) MISS YOU N charged home from way back to

just miss in Leg #1, then was an easy front end winner in Leg #2 - obvious threat once more tonight. (1)

MYSTIFYING had some late pace for 4th in the first leg, and really wasn't bad last despite an impossible

trip - decent bomb for 3rd/4th with the inside draw. (2) KEEP ROCKIN A charged home to just miss in her

first series start, but lacked the stretch pop she needed last week (but was still right there 4th) - one of

several that could pick up a piece in this field with the right journey. (8) DRAGON ROLL is as tough as

they come but she's left the gate for 4 straight weeks, and may go a little more conservatively from this spot

- will be hard for her to be a significant threat if coming from too far back. (5) NO WIN NO FEED A

seemed a little cheap coming into this series but after skipping the first week, actually put in a very good try

for 3rd last week - still seems a bit below several of the main players here. (7) MACHNHOPE was much

better last week, but the move back outside may really hurt her chances again tonight.


RACE 5 - (3) BIG NUDGE raced in back to back weeks for the first time in ages last week and was very

good, finishing a close 4th behind THREE Open trotters - drops right back in the box again, and we'll give

him the call here. (1) EYE OF A TIGER AS might have won 2 back had he not made that costly final turn

miscue, then came back to make amends with last week's victory - steps up a notch tonight, but he was

racing well against better than these not long ago - should be a player again tonight. (2) NEXTROUNDSO

NME sat the pocket and finished 2nd the last 2 weeks and should be looking at another good trip tonight -

use underneath in exotics. (6) GREY is a solid player at this level, and should be able to use her speed to at

least improve at the start - another to include underneath. (7) LADY JETER was a very nice 3rd here on 3/4

and has a good local history overall - may have a tough time getting involved from out here, though. (4)

BUXTON shows a pair of solid PcD qualifiers but hasn't raced since Nov. 2020 - prefer to just watch, for

now. (5) LIFETIME ROYALTY still seems short off that qualifier and first start back.


RACE 6 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #3: (5) BLUE IVY was disappointing in the first leg but MUCH

better last week, finishing 2nd after doing the work first over - we know how good she can be when on her

best game, and maybe we'll get that from her tonight. (4) GIAS SURREAL qualified sharply in preparation

for this series but was scratched sick from the first leg, and not in the box last week - it's asking a lot for her

to be ready for her best tonight under the circumstances but on the flip side, she needs a good showing here

to have any realistic chance of making it to the final - we'll see what she's up for. (2) KARMA SEELSTER

got nipped with no real excuse 2 back, then failed to fire her best shot in the lane last week - she wasn't

"bad" in either start, but she's definitely capable of better...and she'll need to find that better game soon. (7)

TEMPUS SEELSTER didn't race the first leg and entered a softer event instead of racing in the series last

week - she was "sneaky sharp", however, and may not be a bad bomb to use for 3rd/4th tonight. (1) THE

BETHINATOR can use her speed to work out a close up trip here, and that may allow her to grab a decent

piece tonight. (3) COMMANDER CATHY N was pacing well late from an impossible spot 2 back, but

came up empty in her last - no idea which version we'll see tonight! (5) JODY has been off form, and seems

overmatched at the moment.


RACE 7 - (6) KEYSTONE NOLAN went a huge mile off the claim last week and it took a big mile from

the winner to beat him - gets the same tough draw tonight, but he's worth sticking with in this pretty modest

field. (2) ROCKIN JUKEBOX held his own for a couple of starts against the aged 40s off the claim, but

had no shot in his first try in this class (too far back) - can be handled more aggressively here, and should

be able to be part of the equation. (5) BOLT OF LUCK earned himself a class jump with last week's solid

win over cheaper - he's unproven at this level, but the field is fairly modest - can be a big player once again.

(3) MOONLIGHT SHADOW seems more comfortable one claiming class down, but he bumps up off the

claim by an outfit that has been very quiet in the game for some time, but has popped up and done some

damage at times in the past - use in exotics. (1) MY WISH CAME TRUE is one of the only proven players

at this level, but he hasn't raced since November - perhaps a check of the tote board is in order? (4) ROLLI

NG WITH SAM has finished 7th in FIVE straight starts (and 6 of his last 7) - could do a bit better tonight,

but still prefer several others. (7) LOUIE LOUIE was no good at all last week and now draws poorly for his

new connections - prefer to see a better effort before hopping back on his team. (8) AIR GUITAR probably

needs a class drop to be a threat...along with a much better post.


RACE 8 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #3: (7) RACINE BELL had an improbable streak where she

finished 2nd here at Yonkers EIGHT straight times - well she ended that streak last week in style, thrashing

her rivals with a visually impressive front end score - no reason she can't take another, even from Post 7. (4)

MAN DONTFORGET ME is actually very sharp right now, but has simply been stuck in impossible spots -

moves inside a bit, and she has a chance to make some more noise if new pilot Dunn gets to put her in play.

(2) WESTERN WISH changed barns last week and put in a much better effort - we'll see if she can build

off that, and perhaps pick up a bigger piece. (3) SCARLETT HANOVER weakened off a tough trip in the

first leg, and was no match at all for the top one after sitting the pocket last week - she was a big earner at 2

and 3, but is still trying to establish herself as a 4YO. (1) LUCKY ARTIST A was an okay 3rd last week,

helped by an easy trip - draws best, and may be able to pick up another good share with a similarly easy

journey. (6) BEST HEAD WEST has plenty of talent and is now 11-6-4-2 here at Yonkers - the concern

here is the draw, and the possibility of a less than stellar trip - insist on a good price if using her tonight. (5)

MCMARKLE SPARKLE won all 3 starts after arriving here at YR and looked ready to take on the big girls

in this series - was scratched sick from the first leg, however, and didn't drop in the box for Leg #2 -- has

now missed a month, and just seems a little risky for this week.


RACE 9 - (7) HILLEXOTIC did good work as a youngster then banged out a strong $124K season at 4,

highlighted by his 8-5-3-0 local slate - solid 4th for his 5YO return (in NJ), and was purchased after that

mile by his current top connections - we'll try him tonight, despite the terrible draw. (6) HAT TRICK

MARLEAU was claimed in Jan. by a barn that has enjoyed excellent success with these trotting types... and

this guy was no exception - he drops down from the Open (where he more than held his own), and looms a

very dangerous player tonight. (4) HUNTING AS also drops down to a more favorable level after getting

lost a bit in last week's Open - if he shows up on his best game here, he can be part of the equation. (3)

MAGICAL JOURNEY was forced to requalify after a pair of breaks and looked very good putting the

hopples back on - a clean mile can put him right in the thick of this. (1) ROCK OF CASHEL was a big

overlay at 14-1 last week and he raced well for 2nd, behind the favorite - a good trip tonight can land him a

board spot, once more. (5) THE LAST CHAPTER looked good wiring easier the last 2 weeks, but this is

certainly a much tougher assignment - likely looking at a much smaller share tonight. (2) IM THE

MUSCLE really does his best work vs. easier - several in here look like they may just be a little too tough

for him. (8) HOCKEY HANOVER draws Post 8 up in class - and that's just not a winning formula.


RACE 10 - (7) KILOWATT KID N was actually sent off favored from Post 8 vs. better last week - got

himself into the hunt, but seemed to lose action a bit swinging wide to the top of the lane then flattened into

the stretch - should be a BETTER price tonight (despite dropping down even further), and perhaps Miller

can handle him more aggressively at the start against these. (1) WARDAN EXPRESS A was stuck all the

way outside vs. better in his last pair, and now moves all the way inside as he drops to the bottom class -

figures to be a major player tonight. (2) HES ELECTRIC just doesn't win often enough to consider on top

at a shortish price but he does fit well with these, and should be able to grab a good slice with the inside

draw. (3) IM J BEE N hadn't been doing much of anything but did turn in a much better effort last week -

willing to use underneath in exactas, now that he's shown a bit of life. (4) SWEET TRUTH is just 1 for 27

at YR but he picked up 3rds in his last pair, and his barn has sent out their share of live ones this year - ok

piece. (5) FIRST GLANCE had a win and 3rd from his 2 starts here last year, but has struggled so far in

2022 - moving into the basement condition class may perk him up a bit....3rd/4th? (6) PLAY THE FIELD

showed a hint of life 2 back for the first time in ages, but reverted to his lesser form last week - prefer

others. (8) BULLVILLE KYLE is 26-0-0-3 here over the past 3 seasons...and draws Post 8.


RACE 11 - Tough finale - (3) PASS A GRILLEBEACH got in cheap last week and was able to just run and

hide from the field - might have bravened him up enough to do the same to these. (5) PADUKA N was sent

off at 3/2 off the big class drop 2 back but failed miserably - has to be MUCH better than what he showed

that night, and this feels like a spot where he can throw a big one. (8) LIFEONTHEBEACH N really

disappointed last week off the class drop - lands another bad post but he'll be a big price, and is worth

considering underneath. (4) WHITE HAIR ROCKS went an eternity without winning a race then suddenly

took 2 in a row in February....then (ironically) was stripped of one of those victories for a post race positive

- total guessing game as to what we'll get from him tonight. (1) ONE OFF DELIGHT followed the winner

last week and was a well beaten 2nd - draws the pole again, and may be able to chase for another good

piece. (2) MACINTOSH N was a little disappointing last week and hard to endorse at the moment - the

inside draw gives him hope of taking home some minor spoils. (6) MOHAWK WARRIOR hit the top and

buried a soft crew last week - will be hard to do that to these, though. (7) LUCIANO N isn't bad right now,

but will need to find a way to overcome the draw.

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