Wednesday Empire Report

soaofny • April 13, 2022

The Empire Report - Wednesday, April 13, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - Tough opener! (4) SKIP TO MY LOU just never really thrived for his last barn, after being

acquired some time last year - his most recent out of town form isn't bad, and he does go for a new barn

this week - catches a very beatable field in his YR return, and perhaps he can break a long local losing

streak. (1) BET YOU has managed only one 2nd in 4 local starts (racing mostly against this type) but he

still seems like a live player from this spot - would consider using on top, but only if the price is decent. (3)

KERFORD ROAD A figures to be the favorite from this spot, but his current local form has been less than

stellar (even with the class drop) - chance this could be his "wake up" spot, but wouldn't take a very short

price to find out. (5) CAPTIVATE HANOVER is another capable of much better that has been struggling

considerably lately - if the action is hot up front, he may be able to use his late rally to do some damage. (2)

BABES DIG ME has been way off his best form, and can be added to the growing list of horses in here

looking to turn things around tonight- perhaps the tote board can offer some clues? (8) KAUAI KING raced

much better than expected last week, but goes from the rail to Post 8 and is 0 for 10 at Yonkers - tough spot.

(6) SECRECY was racing ok for several starts but hasn't earned a check in his last 4 - hard to make a case

for him. (7) SHINY BLACK BEAMER has been really struggling, and lands Post 7.


RACE 2 - (2) MAJOR LOVER didn't make a lot of starts at 2 and 3 and struggled to ever find any kind of

rhythm - she did show some ability at times, however, and her return qualifier (after 8 months on the shelf),

looks as good as any of these have been capable of in their races - worth a shot in this very vulnerable field.

(3) IDEAL CHIP was stuck with a tough trip from Post 8 last week and it was the first time she was off the

board all year (9-0-6-2-) -- will almost certainly be a major player from this spot....but also pretty hard to

take on top (at a short price) with her 1 for 38 career record. (6) B VANISH was well backed in 2 of her 3

local starts but could only manage a 3rd and a 4th - she hails from a top barn and figures to beat this class

some time soon...maybe even tonight? (4) HELLRUNNER HANOVER is just 1 for 34 lifetime, but did hit

board in 14 of those losses - small piece? (1) PINE BUSH LIBERTY has shown little in her 3 local tries but

she draws the pole, and that may be enough to help her grab a minor piece. (5) ARTEMIDA won an

Excelsior B race here last year, but was no factor in her 2 starts (so far) in 2022 - will keep watching for

signs of improvement. (7) BUY ONE GET ONE draws outside for her 3YO debut and seems unlikely to be

a player tonight - observe for the future.


RACE 3 - Good race: (1) TAVA was the selection here last week and she gave it a big try....but her bid

stalled a little at the top of the lane and she ended up a close 3rd - maybe Siegelman can put her on the front

end tonight, and see if that helps her pick up her first win of the year. (3) COZ IM SPECIAL was simply

impossible to steer in her first local try and never had a chance - looked 100X better last week, and paced a

big final half to be right there 4th at the wire - at that 15-1 ML price, she absolutely deserves a spot on your

tickets. (4) PLZDONTLIETOME N was well backed in all 3 of her U.S. starts and finally was able to get to

the winner's circle last week - legitimate threat to make it 2 in a row, but the top 2 choices may offer a little

more wagering value. (7) OAKWOOD CORAL IR won her first 3 local starts vs. cheaper, but has found

things a little tougher in NW4/NW6 - she did hit board in her last 3 losses, and does fit very nicely with

these...she'll need to find a way to overcome the draw, however, with her main rivals all well inside of her.

(2) MARVELOUS KISS raced well in both PcD starts after arriving from Canada - hard to know for sure

how well she'll fit with these, but we'll find out tonight (and congrats to her young pilot who picked up his

first Yonkers victory last week)! (5) KATHYS MOMENT and (6) PULL ME THROUGH finished 5th and

6th respectively behind the top 4 choices last week, and seem destined to end up behind those rivals once

again tonight. (8) STAY SAFE raced well here a couple of times but seems to struggle from outside posts.


RACE 4 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #2: (2) HAT TRICK MARLEAU figured to be pretty tough

last week dropping out of the Open and he certainly was, scoring a wire to wire victory in the fastest of all

the divisions (1:55.3) - meets another strong first round winner in here, but remains the one to knock off.

(6) TOP ME OFF came into last week off a 6 month layoff and debuting for a new barn....but that didn't

stop him from registering the dead game first over upset (at 19-1) - the price will be a lot shorter this time,

and he does have a chance to beat the top one if he shows up as sharp as he did last week. (1) TRANQUILI

TY K was unable to sustain his first over bid into the lane last week, but he had license to be a little short

(1st start since December) - goes 2nd time with Lasix tonight, and could be a bit sharper...especially with an

easier trip. (4) BAZILLIONAIRE sat the pocket to the front end winner last week and chased nicely to be

2nd in a quick mile - chance for a piece here too, with an easy enough trip. (3) LOVE THIS BAR rallied for

2nd against cheaper 2 back, but also finished up ok for 4th against these tougher ones last week - maybe

can rally late for a minor share? (7) DC ANNA was no threat last week despite a pretty easy 3 hole trip -

she's capable of better, and will need to be if she hopes to overcome Post 7 tonight. (5) GOO DOO DOLL

tired from the two hole last week - sticking with others tonight.


RACE 5 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #2: (7) JULA MUSCLE PACK was a very sharp 2nd in the

first leg behind HAT TRICK MARLEAU, but we knew he had plenty of ability well before that effort - IF

Gingras can improve at the start (without using him too hard, or making a break), he'll have a decent chance

to beat these...even from out here. (1) SEVENTIER was a close 3rd in the tough $75K claimers in his first

start of the year so it was hardly a surprise to see him score an easy wire to wire victory in the first leg of

the series - draws the pole again tonight, and will surely be one very tough customer. (2) B NICKING

stayed trotting all the way last week after costly miscues in his prior two - gets big time post relief here, and

he can give the top two a battle if he's able to mind his manners once again. (3) CREATIVE VENTURE put

in a nice rally through the lane last week to grab the show spot - an easy trip tonight would put him in play

for another small piece. (4) THE IRISHMAN was starting to make a nice move two back when he went

offstride - added hopples last week (after adding Lasix the week before), and was a decent 4th place

finisher - another with a chance at a small piece with the right trip. (5) DROP THE MIC finished with some

life in his last pair, but is probably going to be coming from too far back tonight to too much impact - wait

for a better spot. (6) P L OSCAR is hard to fault since the barn change on 2/11 - tough post tonight, though,

and may have a hard time finding a trip he can handle here.


RACE 6 - (1) IN MY DREAMS was used hard 2 back and missed by a nose, but came right back in his last

to be a "pocket rocket" winner - steps up a notch but he's more than sharp enough to handle it, especially

from the pole - decent chance to repeat for a barn that's going strong right now. (4) LINDSEYS PRIDE

tired badly from the pocket in his return from Ohio but he's had 3 weeks to recover for his new connections

- if he brings his best tonight, he could be a very live player. (2) BULLY BOY got very sharp for a while

here last year, winning 5 of 16 starts while climbing right up the class ladder - he makes his first tonight

since Nov., however, and it's hard to know just how tightly he'll be wound. (3) FASHION CREDITOR has

gone plenty of good miles here over the years, but just doesn't seem to be close to his best right now - at

that 2-1 ML price, he's not a bad one to take a shot against tonight. (5) LIMERENCE returned sharp from

the layoff, and this class bump isn't all that steep - good one to include underneath in exotics. (7) LOOK IN

MY EYES isn't a bad one for longshot fans - tried to leave last week but had to grab up to avoid a first turn

breaker, then never seemed to get his mojo back - may come up with a much better effort tonight (at a big

price). (6) OOH RAH gets a class drop but doesn't draw very well - prefer to wait for a better spot. (8)

HOBBS doesn't figure to be any kind of threat from out here.


RACE 7 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #2: (1) TOCCOA FALLS shipped in sporting excellent NJ

form and had no trouble completing the wire to wire score as the odds on choice - may face a tougher

challenge tonight, but still a good chance he can be a repeat winner. (3) SPUNKINSROCKETMAN was

handled very conservatively in the first leg and did well just to get 5th (from Post 8) - figures to be handled

a lot more aggressively from this spot, and may be able to provide a legitimate test to the top choice. (2)

HEARTOFGOLD DEVIE is always good for a decent finish and tonight should be no exception - use on

the bottom exotics. (6) LADY ANN NO was 3rd in her first U.S./Yonkers start and has rattled off 5 in a

row since then - this will surely be her toughest test to date...and we'll learn a little bit more about her after

tonight. (5) CREDIT CON put the hopples back on last week, stayed trotting, and picked up a 2nd - will

need to be a lot sharper to be as successful against these, though. (4) BIG CHARLIE MORAN had some

trot behind a wall of horses last week, but still looks quite a bit overmatched against these. (7) SOOT

HANOVER was no factor last week in his YR return, and now gets stuck all the way outside.


RACE 8 - (3) WILD AND CRAZY GUY hit a little rough patch for a few starts but he was handled

perfectly by Bartlett last week and delivered a powerful 2 move victory - anything close to that effort is

going to make him very hard to beat tonight (but he'll also be a VERY short priced favorite). (5) CRAZYC

AT is about as sharp right now as he can possibly get - if the top choice should falter, this guy could be

waiting in the wings to take advantage. (1) LADY JETER picked up a win in her last start in a race that just

fell apart completely - that being said, she was very good when 3rd here on 3/4, and her overall Yonkers

slate is excellent as well - belongs in exotics. (6) JUSTLIKEHIM is winless so far in 2022 but his 10-0-5-1

record (in NJ) shows just how consistent he's been - tough draw for his local debut, but should still be able

to make at least some noise here. (4) OUR WHITE KNIGHT can be unpredictable from week to week but

if the "good" version shows up, a small piece is possible. (7) FASHION FOREVER is legitimately sharp

right now, but lands a tough post in a good field, and may have to wait for a better scenario. (2) LEVATOR

makes an odd switch from the Brennan Series to this $50K claimer....but he'll need to be a lot better than he

was last week to be a player in ANY field. (8) EVA DAIRPET FR faces an uphill battle from out here.


RACE 9 - Tough race: (1) IT AINT THE WHISKY was a good 2nd to a sharp HUNTING AS 4 starts back

- threw couple of duds after that, but was definitely better in his last - makes his first start for a new trainer

tonight, and also draws the best post- decent value play in a seemingly wide open affair (6) FULL RIGHTS

has been steadily getting sharper, and his last effort was very solid 2nd - he's getting closer to finding the

winner's circle - maybe tonight. (2) NEW HEAVEN probably made a big mistake NOT retaking the lead

last week, as it allowed his main rival (who is MUCH better when cutting a mile) to get brave when this

guy came to challenge - regardless, he just hasn't been on his best game so far in 2022, and could be

vulnerable at a short price for the 3rd straight week. (5) PAPPY GO GO seemed overbet when he shipped

in here on 2/2 but he delivered a very easy victory - hasn't been able to win since then, but he's thrown a

couple of good efforts along the way - capable of being right there if things go his way. (3) HATIKVAH

crushed the bottom class 3 back, used a perfect trip to eke out a nose victory in his next, then failed to get

involved when bumped up in class for his last - maybe he can be a bit better with tonight's improved draw?

(4) SERRANO VOLO has done her best work with a bit cheaper - wouldn't be a shock to see her beat

these, but a few others definitely seem more appealing for the top slots. (7) CHIEF JUSTICE throws some

good efforts at times, but has also come up with his share to clunkers here at Yonkers - tough post to

overcome even if on his best game tonight. (8) BIG MONEY HONEY seems too far out to threaten.


RACE 10 - (6) EMOTIONS RICHES won his last start of 2021 then started off 2022 with two more

victories - continued to race well until slowed by outside posts for a couple of starts -- freshened up for this

series and raced terrific in the first leg, rallying for 3rd from well back to finish behind a pair of very nice

trotters - deserves top billing here, even with the outside draw. (4) SEVENSHADESOFGREY was given

no chance to succeed last week when taken back to last from Post 8 - he finished up well from an

impossible spot, and now gets a much kinder draw - look for him to have big say tonight. (3) STRIKING

GENSON has been very consistent for a while, and that includes last week's 2nd to a sharp SEVENTIER -

another that certainly belongs in exotics. (5) PASS KEY was a solid winner in his YR debut on 3/10, then

finished up well for 4th in the first series leg after being stuck in the back - use underneath. (1) GOLDEN

GENES disappointed in the first leg, unable to sustain his first over bid into the stretch - we'll see if he can

be a little better with a start over the track. (2) BLANK SPACE AS sat the cones and weakened last week,

making him hard to endorse tonight. (7) CIRCLE OF LIFE AS was a "trip 3rd" last week, but doesn't figure

to be as fortunate tonight.


RACE 11 - (3) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN comes into this riding a 3 race win streak for a barn that

continues to finish 1st or 2nd with an unfathomable 50% of their starters (and who just put a new lifetime

mark on RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N the other night in the 9YOs 133rd career start, with Bartlett just

strangling him through the lane) - hard to go against the classy veteran right now. (1) VOYAGE TO PARIS

came up light at the end last time, but probably because he was used hard early - could be much better here

with an easier trip. (4) MUSCLE JACK added hopples for his new barn last week and looked super in his

1:55.3 victory - we'll see if he can keep behaving...and maybe give the top choice a battle? (2) STEUBEN

HANOVER benefited from a live trip last week and almost won from Post 8 - certainly a chance for a good

piece from this much better post. (7) STONEBRIDGE GAMBLE was a winner last week, also benefiting

from a nice trip - the knock here is Post 7, and we'll see if Buter can work out a manageable trip from this

spot. (8) BIZET has been rock solid for ages, but this is his first outside draw in a long time - may struggle

a bit tonight. (5) SO LONG HANOVER was a winner here on 2/2, but done little since then - prefer others

right now. (6) MANHATTANUP NO ICE wasn't close in his last pair, and draws poorly again tonight.

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