The Empire Report - Friday, November 12, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (3) FASHIONONTHEBEACH has made only 5 starts this year but he won 3 of them (including
2 right here at Yonkers) - went on the shelf after beating the 20s in July and now resurfaces at the basement
level after another 4 month layoff - his qualifier suggests he's okay, though, and we'll gamble that he's
sound enough to beat these tonight. (5) WINDSONG JACK debuts tonight for the Super Siblings and that's
been a winning angle for a long time - the primary knock is that he's 0 for 19 here over the last 2 years, and
he'll be a short price. (1) EGOMANIA is the rare horse that this incredible barn has been unable to succeed
with - picked up a 2nd dropping to the basement last week, but it's hard to say that he was "good" that night
- could be vulnerable here. (2) ARI ALLSTAR did pick up a 2nd the last time he drew inside - maybe he
can squeeze out a small piece tonight? (3) JUST WAVE GOODBYE hails from a barn that's having a rough
year here (with limited starters), but the inside draw at least gives him a chance for a minor share. (8)
TASTE OF HISTORY was used hard for the lead last week and tired late - won't be any easier from Post 8!
(6) TALENT SOUP is 17-0-0-4 on the year so it was somewhat of a surprise to see him claimed last week -
figures to be too far back to have much impact for his new connections. (7) DLS BIG ELVIS might get a
look when he moves back inside
RACE 2 - (5) IMMA BE was "sneaky good" in his first 2 starts here so it was no big surprise to see him
dominate last week when he was able to be put in play - have to believe there will be several claims in on
him tonight...and he'll have a good chance to go out a winner for his current connections, if that's the case.
(2) BET ON BLAKE dropped down to this level last week and was a wire to wire winner - should be a
close up threat tonight as well. (3) SCHWARTZ BROS PAT moved to a very high % Midwest barn after the
fair season ended and promptly won 5 of 6 at Hoosier (with a 2nd) - moves to another high % barn as she
ships east, and figures to be a very good fit with the locals...hard to leave him off your tickets. (7)
ARRHYTHMIC SURGE got lost in the back in his local debut but looked pretty good finishing - not a bad
bomb to throw in for 3rd/4th. (4) KEYSTONE NOLAN drops in for tag, gets some post relief and goes 2nd
time with Lasix - another for the bottom of exotics. (1) MUSTANG BEACH just seemed to lose interest at
the back of the pack in his local debut - drops in to a claimer, moves all the way inside, and we'll see if
there's some major improvement this week. (8) BOURBONS COURAGE has gone some good miles here
but he's 0 for 13 locally and draws Post 8 - wait for a better spot. (6) ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP returns
from PRc but he's 0 for 11 locally and lands outside - prefer to just watch, for now
RACE 3 - (4) IN THE HUDDLE just missed off the claim to the suddenly razor sharp Cinnabar Dragon,
then ran and hid from the field last week (he broke a LONG local losing streak that night, but this barn has
a knack for getting horses to overachieve) - will be the prohibitive choice to make it 2 in a row. (1) WAY
TO CLOSE has a horrendous local slate (8-0-0-0) but he's racing well enough right now to at least look for
him to land somewhere on the board from the pole tonight. (6) FURIOUS BEACH was no match for the
top one out of the pocket last week but did hold 2nd (and was off 3 weeks) - may be able to complete the
exacta once again. (2) CASINO BAGS ANSO surprisingly crushed this class 3 back, then struggled vs.
better in his last pair - we'll see if the class drop perks him back up. (3) COACH CAL steps up after taking
his 2nd win in 4 starts vs. lesser - definitely sharp enough for a chance at a piece. (5) BLACKTREE drops
below the level of the claim (3 starts back) and that's not something we usually see from this barn - red
flag? (8) MOXLEY might be able to hold his own with these from the inside, but will be hard pressed to be
a threat from out here. (7) BUSH MAN N was empty off the claim last week and now draws Post 7
RACE 4 - (3) HILLEXOTIC raced pretty well last week considering the race was contested under awful
weather conditions - he goes big miles more often than not, and looms the one to beat tonight. (4) PATRIA
RCH HANOVER hasn't been able to get back to his peak form, but it's not like he's racing poorly now -
should be able to have a say with this bunch. (5) DUCHESSPEDIA (to the surprise of few) delivered a
couple of huge victories after moving to the terrific training tandem 3 starts back - moved up to face older
rivals last week and ended up parked, finally tiring after 3/4s - guessing she'll bounce back quickly here,
although she may be handled a bit more conservatively. (1) WINDSONG PIONEER is sharp right now, and
can use his speed from the pole for an up close trip - he's facing tougher, so we'll see if he's able to stick
around to the end. (2) JULA MUSCLE PACK made that huge recovery after the miscue to win 2 back, but
then really disappointed in his last (stepping up to this level) - not really sure what to expect from him this
week. (8) DRAZZMATAZZ can be a player at this level, but generally from a better spot than this - much
trip luck will be needed to get close from out here. (6) SWAN BEFORE ALL was no factor bumping up to
this level last week, and things won't get any easier from Post 6. (7) BAZILLIONAIRE squandered a good
trip from the rail last week and will be coming from way back tonight.
RACE 5 - (1) TERRITORY doesn't have the best looking form right now but he takes a major drop, will be
taking these down the road from this spot, and this is a pretty successful trainer/driver combination - could
be a pretty short priced winner. (2) YANKEE ROLLER A hasn't raced in 23 days (sick scratch) and his
current form is less than stellar - that being said, he has some recent excuses, and he's better than a bunch of
these, if even close to his best....chance by default? (4) MCCLINCHIE N usually needs to be in cheaper to
succeed but he may be able to grab a piece tonight with even a half-decent trip. (8) SPORTS BETTOR can
be dangerous in a field like this, but probably not from out here - suppose a big enough price could make
him worth a small stab. (5) VERGEOFGREATNESS N almost gave his conditioner a 19-1 winner on her
first night training horses here at Yonkers - not as good in his next, so it's anybody's guess as to which
version we'll get tonight. (7) SPORTSKEEPER drops, but will still need a major wake up call just to be a
contender in here. (3) ARTIFACT HANOVER has been away since last February - we'll just observe, for
now. (6) SAILBOAT HANOVER has been non functional, but just keeps dropping back in the box
RACE 6 - (2) DIG DANNY DIG ships in from The Meadows and shows 3 recent victories....all on the
front end -- if Buter can put him there tonight (a decent possibility), he may be able to come out on top in
his Yonkers debut. (6) PATRIOT LINE is a much improved animal but generally gets ignored in the
wagering, despite his good current form - if he can get some racing luck here, he may be able to land
somewhere on the ticket...at his usual good price. (3) HEART ON MY SLEEVE also ships in from The
Meadows and like the top choice, sports some good recent form - this guy has missed 3 weeks, though, so
we'll see how tight his new barn has him for tonight (maybe some clues can be found on the tote board?)
(1) AIR GUITAR is winless in 12 local starts but he should end up with a good trip from this spot, and that
may help him earn a board spot. (4) MOONLIGHT SHADOW has been on our tickets a few times but he's
currently 6-0-1-0 at Yonkers, and quickly running out of excuses. (8) FOLLOW YOUR HEART beat this
class on 10/1 (off the claim) but seems to have regressed since then - the terrible draw probably seals his
fate for tonight. (5) ROLLING WITH SAM is 1 for 26 locally for a barn that is used to winning races
-needs to step up his game. (7) REMEMBERING SHORTY seems a bit overmatched...especially out here
RACE 7 - (6) ALL CHAMPY was stuck in the back of the pack in a hot mile in his first start off the barn
change and had no chance (10/15) - had plenty of trot finishing to be right on the wire (with better) in his
next, and did the best he could to rally for 4th after an unlucky trip in last - if Stratton can hustle him away
to a good start here, he'd have a decent chance to beat these. (1) MAGICAL JOURNEY will likely be the
favorite from this spot and he'll surely get an aggressive try with the post relief - may be a bit vulnerable in
his current form, however. (2) BIZET scored the 126-1 shocker here on 9/18, then was a fast closing 3rd
last week at 39-1 - he's off a sick scratch, however, so he's a tough call for tonight. (4) IT AINT THE WHI
SKY raced in terrible weather conditions off the barn change last start so it's hard to gauge that effort - his
"typical" try would give him a chance at a piece here. (7) FULL RIGHTS showed some improvement last
week but that was with a perfect trip, vs. easier - if you think Buter will take a shot and leave with him
tonight, by all means include him in exotics. (5) KASHA V does his best work with lesser but if the pace
ends up being hotly contested, he may be able to use his last kick to grab a small piece. (3) LEVITATION
had wins (vs. softer) 3 and 4 starts down, but broke in his next, then had Post 8 in his last - these may be a
little tougher than he'd like. (8) OUR WHITE KNIGHT really isn't bad right now, but faces an uphill battle
trying to get into the hunt from this spot.
RACE 8 - Tough race! (2) CAPTAIN HILL raced well in all three local starts, but very tough trips (and an
8 hole) have hurt his chances to grab a win - he's been off for 3 weeks but IF he's ready to go, he can be a
threat here. (3) DENVER SEESLTER raced evenly in the back of the pack off a layoff in his last start, and
now drops in for a tag against a very beatable field- another that's racing off a bad date, and is a bit of a
guessing game. (1) MISTER HAT owns a recent win over the 12.5s, and the 15s - not sure he can beat the
20s, but he can definitely contend for a piece with the good draw. (4) BRANDON HANOVER was a close
4th off the claim last week but was still a bit disappointing considering the very easy trip he had - possible
tonight if he's a bit sharper. (5) THEREISAPACEFORUS does his best work vs. easier, but can't be counted
out in this suspect field - would want a good price to consider on top, though. (6) MAJOR BUCKS was
pretty solid for a long time but seems like he may be going the wrong way right now - wouldn't be shocked
to see him rebound with a better race, but not ready to endorse him, either. (8) ARCANE SEELSTER
would be getting more consideration had he not drawn all the way outside - not sure that he can find his
way into the hunt from out here. (7) P H KENNY needs a major reversal after those last couple.
RACE 9 - (8) REFINED has been in career form for some time in Ohio - was right there 3rd in Breeders
Crown elimination and was sitting a close up trip in the Final when Brett Miller tried to angle her sharply
off the cones in the stretch, and knocked her offstride - tough post for her Hilltop debut, but we'll give her a
try in a fairly modest field. (7) THANKFUL NO wasn't as much of a player as #8 in the Breeders Crown
but she owns a powerful win in this class 3 back, and can be a major threat again tonight with an aggressive
start - would be no surprise at all. (1) LEAN HANOVER has been very solid lately, and really lucks out
winning the 1-6 draw - good chance he'll find his way somewhere onto the ticket from this spot. (4) HL
REVADON seemed to just lose action for a moment on the final turn last week and his bid stalled at that
point - he's otherwise been in career form, and might bounce back with a big effort here...with the right trip.
(2) ROCK OF CASHEL folded after a speed try last week but has always been a better horse chasing - an
easy, close up trip could land him a small piece here. (3) WARRIOR ONE's last win came vs. much easier -
still tries hard all the time, but may need easier to be a serious threat these days. (5) D P ROCKET is one of
several trotters doing excellent work for these connections, but she's still a bit unproven against these types.
(6) FANATIC was a BIG overlay when he won at 17-1 last week...but that was from the rail, vs. much
easier - figures to have a much tougher time against these.
RACE 10 - Tough race: (7) AUDI HARE N went a sharp first over try last week, finishing a good 3rd vs.
much better - he's definitely good enough to beat these, and the barn sent out a sharp winner on Thurs.
(Epic Ace) - not sure if he can overcome the draw, but he's worth using if the price is fair. (6) OURLITTLE
GENERAL A is a little hard to read right now but he jogged at Pocono 4 starts back, and his barn has sent
out some live ones recently - good value play? (3) WHITE HAIR ROCKS drops into a field where MOST
horses with his lines would be an automatic selection.....but this guy is an amazing 1 for 65 over the last 2
years, and just too hard to use on top at a short price! (2) TITANIUM N has a pretty poor local win %, but
he was pretty sharp from an impossible spot last week, and now moves inside - could add some value to the
exotics. (1) BEACH FIRE K found a soft spot at Chester last week where he was able to outrun his rivals,
winning easily despite a slow final quarter - may try that here too, but he seems a little risky at a short price.
(4) AVATAR J just hasn't been clicking lately - needs a big wake up call to threaten here. (5) BETTER UP
seems to have tailed off, and his barn has suddenly gone cold too - prefer others tonight
RACE 11 - (6) SECRET BRO raced HUGE in his first two tries after being acquired by the Dynamic Duo
but was scratched injured from his next - re-qualified sharply almost 3 months later, and was full of trot
from the back of the pack in his return last week - worth a play tonight. (2) EYE OF A TIGER AS hasn't
been on his best game for a while, but he's also had excuses in his last few - expect a much better effort
from this much better spot. (5) LUCKY MATTER can be prone to the occasional miscue, but he's also been
super when he minds his manners - another of the barn's thriving cross-steppers. (4) BARRY BLACK
prefer to be in just a little softer, but he can hold his own with these when the right trip comes his way -
French import is still an excellent earner since arriving here a few years ago. (1) CAVILL HANOVER has
been thriving since arriving here 4 starts back, but that good form now lands him a bit higher than he may
be comfortable with - rail draw may help him take home a piece. (8) NEW HEAVEN has been very good
for some time, and would have been ranked much higher if not for Post 8 - may still be able to grab a small
piece with some racing luck. (3) KINDA LUCKY LINDY beat cheaper last week, but it was more like he
"survived" - may struggle a bit vs. these tougher foes. (7) WHAT CHAPTER was a game first over winner
in last, but doesn't (usually) do as well racing from this far out.
RACE 12 - (4) ROCK KING DEO was claimed on 8/18 and won his first 2 starts for new connections -
tailed a bit as he moved up higher, but his last couple suggest that he's feeling pretty good again - catches a
pretty suspect field for his local debut, and may be sharp enough to beat 'em. (7) PICARD A was already
tailing when claimed for $40K on 8/9 so it was surprising to see his former connections take him right back
the next week - he's struggled since then, but has to at least be considered tonight as he now finds himself at
the bottom level. (2) VANQUISHED N is hard to take on top (0 for 18 this year, 1 for 21 at YR last 2 yrs.)
but he's in a good spot to at least land on a good trip, and take home a piece. (1) MISSILE SEELSTER
seems pretty cheap, but he went a wild mile at Fhd. off the barn change (literally went from the pocket,
back to 7th on the final turn, to just missing!), and who knows how much sharper this talented training
tandem can have him for tonight. (5) LA PLAYER A has been a bust since arriving in the U.S. but at least
his form is improving at these lower levels - insist on a decent price if looking for him to build off that last
Fhd. win. (6) PRINCE MCARDLE N suffered broken equipment upon arrival last week so just ignore that
line - he didn't take any $$ that night but IF he attracts some tote action here, maybe give him a look? (3)
BIG BAD BILL just hasn't been sharp lately - waiting for better signs before considering, (8) MAROMA
BEACH has been way off form lately and draws post 8.