The Empire Report - Friday, July 23, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (4) ROCKIN RAMBARAN went a solid mile for 3rd from a tough spot upon arrival from NJ -
moves to a sharp barn (off the claim), gets some post relief, and he has a very strong record over the past
couple of years - gets top billing in the opener. (7) LANAS DESIRE had been struggling for a long time
and going off at huge odds...then suddenly was an incredible 2-1 two weeks ago, and proceeded to get his
picture taken, despite being parked most of the mile - was about to drop in 3rd last week when he reverted
to bad habits (and went offstride), but if he gets back to behaving this week, he could definitely be a threat
again. (1) WAVES OF FIRE A is just 1 for 35 over the past 2 years but the rail draw should land him a
good trip -- and chance at a nice piece. (6) RISKY MILLION delivered a better effort last week, even if it
was from the rail - could add some value to the bottom of exotics. (5) SLUGGEM N was claimed for $15K
last week and immediately drops in for $12,500 tonight...and if you saw him race last time, you'd know that
this is hardly surprising (was locked on a line and unsteerable most of the way, before stopping) - pretty
hard to recommend at 7/2 ML! (8) SOSSY KING KONG ships in for a very successful young trainer, but
even she might have a hard time getting this guy to be a player from out here. (2) ENERGYZONE HANO
VER has been very in-and-out- on his best, he'd have a chance at a small piece. (3) FAST ON THE DRAW
found a field he could beat 3 back but other than that, has been mostly uninspiring.
RACE 2 - (1) FASHION CREDITOR has done plenty of damage here over the years but the 9YO is
somehow 0 for 16 locally over the past 2 seasons - he lands in a good spot here, is definitely sharp, and it
seems like a good time for him to get that monkey off his back! (3) BULLY BOY rattled off 4 straight here
earlier this year, and the streaky gelding returns from Chester, where he won his last pair - definitely a
threat to keep his current streak alive. (5) GHOSTINTHESHELL S was a bit overmatched in the Miss
Versatility after arriving in the U.S but beat a NW9000 field at PcD after dropping down, was a good 3rd in
NW12000, then broke in the pocket in NW17500 in her last - have to believe she'll fit well here, and does
have a shot to come out on top. (2) STINGLIKE A B K's only recent win was vs. much easier - just isn't on
his best game right now, and likely looking at a smaller piece. (7) WARRIOR ONE has won too many
starts here to ever be overlooked, but he wasn't all that impressive in last week's victory, and he'll likely get
plenty of support despite the class jump and outside draw - prefer others this week. (4) TOP FLIGHT
ANGEL went his best local mile in some time last start, charging at #7 to the wire- faces a tougher field
tonight, and may need to be in a bit easier to remain a serious player. (6) WHIMZICAL CHAPTER looks
like a good fit with these, but he also figures to be coming from well out of it - prefer to just watch for
tonight, and perhaps consider from a better spot, going forward.
RACE 3 - (1) ELECTRIC WESTERN disappointed in his last pair vs. 12.5s, but had a brutal trip the first
week, then lost to repeater IDEAL SON in his next - was claimed by a hot barn, draws the pole, and we'll
see if he can get it done despite the class jump. (6) PLAY THE FIELD had been holding his own vs. the
20s so it was hardly a surprise to see him wire the field easily last week, dropping down to the 15s - stays in
the same class tonight, and many of his rivals in here are better suited for the 12.5s - chance to make it 2 in
a row, this time with the red hot "Jumpin' Joe" in the bike. (2) LITTLE BEN couldn't hold off the tripsitter
last week after having things his own way on the front end - moves up a notch, but still in line here for a
good piece - not using on top as the 2-1 ML choice, though. (3) SHOREVIEW gave way and folded on the
front end last week in his Hilltop return - goes for a new barn this week, so we'll see if he can do better this
time. (5) LODI MACHETTE MAN raced well from an impossible spot off the claim last week, but not sure
that moving him up a class was warranted - guess we'll find out tonight. (7) TERRITORY took off the gate
last week (not really his thing) but did race ok for his new barn - not sure he'll be able to leave from this
spot either, and may have to wait for a better draw before we see his best. (4) RANSOM DEMAND will
get our attention when he drops back down in class. (8) MCNULTY Z TAM is the outsider, both literally
and figuratively.
RACE 4 - (2) IDEAL SON put in a very nice move to score the 12-1 upset in his local debut, then stepped
up a notch and delivered a powerful "brush and crush" victory, at 6-1 -- his young conditioner has been
sending out very live horses all year, and this guy has a legitimate chance to extend his streak to 3 tonight.
(4) RUTHLESS DUDE has been 1st or 2nd in 6 of his last 8 starts, including last week's wire to wire win
over the 20s - goes for a new barn this week, but the expectation is that he'll continue to race well - major
threat. (5) GINGER TREE PETE charged home to be a close 3rd in his local debut, rallied from way back
to win his next, then scored again in last, using a more aggressive strategy - takes a double jump tonight for
a new barn and while he's been undeniably sharp, it's hard to say how he'll do here - playable as long as he's
a fair price. (8) MASTERSON has been very sharp for some time, and kicked home full of pace for 2nd
from well out of it in last - might have been the top choice had he drawn inside, but he'll have his work cut
out for him from all the way out here. (1) ASTAIRE has just 5 career wins but the rail draw does put him in
play for a small piece. (3) PANTHEON HANOVER seems well suited for the 12.5s, but seems to be in a
bit too tough against these - wait for an easier spot. (7) MR DS ROCK was an even 4th arriving from Ohio
but gets no luck with the draw tonight - faces a tall task from out here. (6) ROCKABILLY CHARM was
claimed away from a successful barn and we'll see if his new connections can do any better with him
RACE 5 - (3) COOL BLUES MAN had no chance in his last but he moves inside, goes back to Jordan, and
has been racing very well for some time - he needs the trip to go his way for a chance, but he can offer
some nice value here if that happens. (4) PEMBROKE JOEY had been very sharp but then drew 2 outside
posts after being claimed by a low profile barn - was claimed last week by one of our top outfits, gets major
post relief, and a big effort is expected this evening. (5) DESIRES CAPTAIN was in a no chance spot in his
first try for the "Dynamic Duo" but was handled aggressively off the class drop last week and obliterated a
field of basement claimers - he's facing much better here, but that win was certainly eye popping....hard to
dismiss his chances. (2) RAPTORS FLIGHT A went a much improved effort for 2nd last week for a barn
that's been inconceivably hot for the past several weeks - a repeat of that performance would give him a
legitimate chance here. (1) BLACKTREE has the rail with speed and Bartlett - not sure he can beat these,
but he's certainly playable underneath in exotics. (7) BEGINNERS LUCK had a nightmarish trip 2 back but
has otherwise been a solid player week after week - concerned that he may not be able to get involved from
Post 7 but at a big price, he's worth at least using on the bottom of the ticket. (8) BRACKLEY BEACH
seems damned if he leaves but probably has no chance if he doesn't - may have to wait one more week for a
better spot. (6) ELRAMA N is just 1 for 10 this year but has been very popular at the claim box - will need
things to fall apart up front for a chance to make some late noise.
RACE 6 - Short field, but an excellent race! (1) CHIEF MATE showed a world of promise early in the
Borgata Series but then was killed by a few bad posts and just seemed to fall off form - he did win by open
lengths in his last start here (4/26) before heading over to NJ, where he held his own in a few Graduate legs
- been stuck with Posts 9 or 10 in his last 4 starts, but ends up with the rail for his YR return and you know
a big try will be coming - gets the narrow nod. (5) SPLASH BROTHER jogged here last week, making up
for the tough beat he took at the hands of DRAGON SAID on 6/29 - he has a ton of ability, and will be a
big threat tonight. (4) ELVER HANOVER banged out $625K at 2 and 3, but has been adjusting to life as a
4YO this year - he fits nicely with these, and can be close at the end with a good trip. (6) DRAGON SAID
is probably THE greatest "turnaround" story in years, yet very little has been written about him, or his
trainer - he's now 8 for 8, and gone from bottom level Freehold "also ran" to Yonkers OPEN winner, with a
1:49.4 mile along the way - can't blame anybody for staying on his team, but this is a tricky spot tonight -
could finally be vulnerable, (2) TITO ROCKS was a little short off the layoff when 4th last week - should
be tighter now, but this is a VERY tough field! (3) TOWNLINE FLIGHT is being "picked last", but that's
only because the others are so strong - hard to knock his current form vs. tough older claimers!
RACE 7 - (1) HILL OF A HORSE really prefers to relax early and brush home late, and that may be why
he seemingly squandered "good" trips the past two starts (close to a hot pace, then on the lead, from Post 8)
- Stratton (subbing for Holland) is good at getting one to relax....maybe that'll work out tonight. (2) MOSTI
NTERESTINGMAN actually set a lifetime mark in that impressive win 2 back (at age 8, in his 163rd
career start!) then finished with good trot in last week's Open after shaking free late - clearly on his game
right now, and a legit threat here. (7) FELICITYSHAGWELL S can be a little inconsistent, but does throw
some big efforts when in the right mood - draws poorly and is a question mark on the half miler, but she's
also 20-1 ML and gets a driver change that has produced a ton of winners over the last few years - good one
for longshot fans. (3) PATRIARCH HANOVER took 4 straight Yonkers starts recently before ending up
4th (from Post 8) in Hey Livvy's track record mile - was beaten only a nose in his next, but made a costly
early miscue in his last - more than capable of bouncing right back and beating these, but he may also be
overbet tonight. (5) MISS MCKEE shipped in sharp and won her YR debut in very game fashion,
overcoming hard early use to prevail over a bit cheaper - we'll see if she can do as well with these tougher
foes. (6) ROCK OF CASHEL seems as good at age 11 as he ever was, but will need things to get pretty
testy up front for a chance to do much damage from out here. (8) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN is
struggling right now - as amazing as his trainer has been this year, it would be asking a lot for this guy to be
any kind of player from out here,
RACE 8 - (5) JOJOS PLACE faltered badly 2 back but bounced back with an excellent 2nd to a stickout
winner in last - catches a pretty blank field tonight, and this feels like a spot where he can grab a win. (8)
OUR CORELLI N seemed like he was starting to come around but was pretty disappointing in his last,
reverting to his lesser form - he's never been known as a "leaver", but Buter has to be prepared to send him
out of there tonight to at least TRY to get him into some sort of striking position - on his best effort, would
have a chance against these. (1) JUST WAVE GOODBYE used an easy trip to pick up a 4th in his only
local try this year - should be looking at another easy trip tonight...and that could land him a decent chunk
of this. (3) BALLERAT BOOMERANG has been away for 3 months and that qualifier looks less than
stellar - figures to need a start, but may still be able to beat a bunch of these. (2) ALBERT A SCOOTIN is 0
for 24 this year and seems on the cheaper side right now - the inside draw may help him squeeze out a
small check, though. (4) STEADY PULSE hails from a strong barn, but just isn't showing any signs of life
these days. (7) PARTY BOY is better than several of these, but figures to be too far back to have much say.
(6) TALENT SOUP has missed a month after finishing up the track in his last.
RACE 9 - (1) KANDY SWEET has 4 wins this year and ALL of them came on the front end - was a solid
2nd from the pocket last week (behind a classy winner), but Stratton will get to put her on the front tonight
- the one to catch and beat. (5) IT AINT THE WHISKY took all the $$ last week, made the front but was
no match for the sharp LADY EAGLE - remains a legit threat, from on or off the pace. (6) LADY EAGLE
just missed 2 and 3 back but was able to use a perfectly timed brush to trot by #5 last week to score the
victory - has a license to repeat, but the move to Post 6 will make her task that much harder. (2) HOBBS
banked $300K last year but just can't get untracked as a 4YO - has been away for a month, and it doesn't
seem likely that he'll come back sharper with the time off....but it's NOT impossible. (7) EVS GIRL has
been holding her form nicely even at these higher levels, but gets no luck with the draw for the 2nd straight
week - chance for a small piece, with some racing luck. (3) THISISSHE picked up a 3rd last week but
never really looked all that "strong" - steps up off the claim, and will need to be sharper if she hopes to be a
serious player. (4) CASINO CUTIE IT does her best work with softer - likely looking at a minor share, at
most. (8) MADHATTER BLUE CHIP had to back off after trying to leave last week and was never heard
from again - may be looking at a similar fate tonight after drawing outside yet again.
RACE 10 - (2) REIGNING DEO was facing some tough horses in those NW6 events before switching
over to PA in May - was just 2nd in a NW14000 race at Chester, and switches to Marohn for his YR return
- might have found a winning spot. (3) SPORTS BETTOR manages to pick up a few wins every year and
this is the type of field where he can get them - very logical threat from this spot. (4) ABRAXAS BLUES A
is hard to like of his recent lines but if you look 5 starts down, you'll see that he did beat this level - not a
bad one for longshot fans. (1) TIGERS WAY moves up a notch off last week's nose loss but he can hold his
own at this level too -- notoriously camera shy here at Yonkers, however (just 1 for 24). (7) DREAMFAIR
CHARRO will attract attention tonight (even from Post 7) off the claim, and class drop -hasn't done much
to impress (so far) in his local tries, so we'll see if he can do better for his new connections. (5) GRIFFON
HANOVER has been sharp lately, but vs. easier fields - we'll see if that form can hold facing this better
bunch. (6) WAIMAC ATACK N wasn't bad last week but he's just 1 for 27 at YR and draws a poor post.
(8) WAGON MASTER ships in with lines that suggest he's a good fit, but he may need to wait for a better
draw before showing his best stuff.
RACE 11 - (1) A FANCY FACE was a sharp 3rd from Post 8 in her local debut, then won confidently out
of the pocket 2 starts later - she has a very similar profile as the other 4YO mare in this race (#2), but will
give HER the edge, just because she has the pole. (2) NO MAS DRAMA, like the top pick, is a talented
4YO that has been facing tough stock across the river, and done very well when she's shipped in here to
Yonkers - could easily come out on top tonight. (5) THE LAST CHAPTER has held his form nicely for
some time, and figures to blasting out quickly to set himself up with a nice trip - may have some trouble in
the latter stages with the 2 young ladies to his inside, however. (6) TAD KRAZY HANOVER was sharp in
3 of her last 4 starts, but is looking at a potentially rough trip from out here - not sure she can overcome the
tactical edge her inside rivals have over her. (7) CHAMPAGNE ON ICE has done fine work since joining
the "Super Sibling" team in May, but lands a very tough spot for her Hilltop debut - may have to wait for a
little better spot before we see her best. (4) WHAT CHAPTER was able to make the top and safely handle
easier last week - this is a much tougher spot, and he's likely looking at a much smaller piece. (8) SUMAT
RA has elevated his game lately after a tough start to 2021 - can't see him thriving from THIS spot, though.
(3) P L KETCHUP is off a break, and probably wants to be in easier as well.
RACE 12 - (6) BRAEVIEW BONDI A was ok from an impossible spot in his first local try (NW15000) -
rallied nicely for 3rd behind 2 sharp foes in his last (NW10000), and drops into an easier spot tonight - can
overcome the draw with a bit of racing luck. (1) HEAVENLY SOUND drops, goes 8 hole to the rail, and
should have a much bigger say tonight - just 1 for 36 over the last 2 years, though, so probably better for
underneath, than on top. (2) WARDAN EXPRESS A was hanging in there with better not long ago, and has
a couple of tough first over trips recently - definitely one to include in exotics in this spot. (3) BAKERS
FIELD is a bit unreliable from week to week but when he's on his game. the 10YO can still make some
noise with this type. (5) SEEUINNASHVILLE A was 2nd best to the heavy favorite 2 back, then rallied
well for 3rd last week behind a very sharp winner - logical one to include in exotics. (8) SPEED MAN N is
capable of waking up in a big way ANY week....but that wake up call is becoming way overdue....only
using if he's a really big price tonight. (4) MCCLINCHIE N throws a good one now and then - doesn't feel
like a great spot, but it's not out of the question. (7) WAR DAN DELIGHT A is just 1 for 26 at YR and is
stuck with Post 7 - wait for a better scenario