The Empire Report - Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (1) CANTSTOPLYING had no prayer in either start since returning from the layoff but those
two miles should have him tight for tonight - he's finally in a realistic spot, and figures to be looking at a
good trip here...we'll give him a shot in tonight's opener. (4) ROCKIN M couldn't quite last as the 1/5
favorite last week but he battle hard, and was run down late by a classy rival - clearly the one to beat, but
another short price looms. (3) BABES DIG ME was up the track at PcD last start but was just arriving from
Florida, and landing in a new barn - he's very familiar with the local scene, and should come up with a
much more competitive effort tonight. (6) MISTER HAT gets some class relief and also gets Gingras in the
bike - not sure he's a threat to win from this spot, but he may be able to add some value to the exotics, with
the right trip. (7) BET YOU was just moving closer on the final turn when he made a break last week - he'd
look a lot more playable from a better post, but still may find a way to pick up a minor share. (5) URBAN
RENEWAL is on the cheaper side, but he's shown that he can take home small pieces with easy enough
trips - maybe a chance for 3rd? (2) GONNAHAVEONMORE was just 11-0-0-2 here last year and is still
trying to get his 2022 season going - prefer to just watch, for now. (8) ABRAXAS BLUES A was able to
use a ground saving trip to grab 3rd last week, but that'll be harder to do from Post 8.
RACE 2 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #1: (1) SEVENTIER returned from a 4 month layoff to take
on the very tough $75K claimers and certainly held his own, staying close all the way to the hot pace before
finishing 3rd behind a pair of very classy veterans - draws best to start off this series, and it would seem
that the road to the winner's circle runs through him. (2) STRIKING GENSON may be on the cheaper side
but he's been racing well every week, hails from a top barn, and should be looking at a pretty decent trip -
could land somewhere in the exotics. (7) TUESDAY MORNING disappointed in her only local start but
took a couple of months off after that, and qualified back solidly at Fhd. - the Dynamic Duo is starting to
heat up again, so perhaps this mare can be part of the equation. (4) TRANQUILITY K qualified nicely
(without hopples) for her new barn, and has some experience racing here at Yonkers - may be ready off the
layoff, and is definitely playable underneath. (3) BLANK SPACE AS hasn't won since climbing to the
NW6 level, picking up only smaller pieces - seems a bit below the top players here. (5) CREATIVE
VENTURE is another that seems more comfortable with a bit easier - we'll see if he can up his game a bit
for this series. (6) SOOT HANOVER was pretty inconsistent when here last summer and seems to be
returning in similar fashion - will just pass (and watch), for now
RACE 3 - (4) SWEET HEAVEN may not win this race, but it would be awfully tough to pick against her -
she drops down from the Matchmaker Series (where she was sent off at 5/2 and cut the mile just 2 weeks
ago), and it's hard to envision her not just outrunning these...very short price looming (1) ANNE BONNEY
N finished 2nd to BETTERB CHEVRON N the last time she was down at this level, and she's looking at
very nice trip from this spot - may complete a very short exacta. (6) SHADY MADAM may be able to add
some value to the exotics - would have been much closer 3 back if not for a break into the stretch, cut the
mile and was 3rd in her next (right behind #1) and finished well for 4th from way back in her last - solid
chance she can outperform that 20-1 ML price. (2) PRAY THE ROSARY hasn't been at her best, but was
able to cash in last when she landed on a perfect trip, at the bottom level - we'll see if she can build off that.
(3) PAIGES GIRL is another who was able to capitalize on a drop to the basement last week - probably
sharp enough to grab a decent piece here too, if the trip works out. (5) CABOWABOCUTTIE has lost at
least 48 straight starts here, but does grab pieces (and wasn't bad in her last couple) - chance for 3rd? (8)
CORSINI A has been "ok" from a bunch of inside posts, but figures to struggle a bit from out here. (7)
POPPY DRAYTON N takes a nice drop from the 50s, but just isn't very sharp right now.
RACE 4 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #1: (8) SEVENSHADESOFGREY took a while to come
around for his current connections but comes into tonight riding a 3 race win streak, and he kicked home
powerfully in the last couple - will certainly need some things to go his way from out here, but the price
should make it worthwhile. (1) GOLDEN GENES is hard to gauge class-wise off his Ohio lines (especially
the Amateur races), but he's undeniably sharp, has speed, and is now being handled by successful upstate
connections - would be no surprise at all. (4) LADY ANN NO finished 3rd from Post 8 in her U.S. debut
but has rattled off 4 straight wins since then - the jury is still out as to how she'll fare against tougher
competition, but we'll surely get a clearer picture after the next couple of weeks. (7) PASS KEY was a solid
first over winner in his only local try (2 back) so that 12-1 ML price does seem a bit high - one to consider
if the value is there. (3) COLONIAL AS IT has as much ability as any of these, but he got fumbly behind in
the last turn at The Swamp last week and made a break as the 4/5 favorite in his first start off the qualifier -
may just crush these, but definitely a bit risky at what figures to be a fairly short price. (5) CREDIT CON
tried it without hopples at PcD, made a break, and will put them back on for tonight - overall recent form
has been "meh" (even when he trots), so we're leaning towards others. (2) CIRCLE OF LIFE AS was
forced to re-qualify after a couple of miscues - probably looking at a pretty conservative steer for tonight.
(6) BIG CHARLIE MORAN just seems a bit overmatched in here.
RACE 5 - (5) TAVA raced well a bunch of times at 2 and 3 - changed hands between her 3 and 4YO
seasons and after taking a couple of qualifiers to find her form, has looked very good in her last 2 starts,
finishing alertly each time....one of a few that could take this, and should be a decent price. (6) PLZDONT
LIETOME N was hammered down to 3/2 for her U.S. debut - was too far back for a chance to win, but
paced a BIG final half to be a close 3rd - was a little disappointing when a well beaten 2nd as the odds on
choice in her next, but this could be the week we see her best effort - major threat. (4) OAKWOOD
CORAL IR won 3X in a row in NW2 for the Super Siblings, but had to settle for 2nd and 3rd after moving
up to face tougher - definitely possible, but always tends to be overbet. (2) COZ IM SPECIAL is hard to
gauge off her first local try as she was almost impossible for Miller to steer from early on - you can be
certain that her crafty connections have made some adjustments for this week, and a much better effort (at a
nice price) could be forthcoming. (3) KATHYS MOMENT had a good streak of races for a while but has
really leveled off lately - seems destined for only a minor share tonight. (8) PULL ME THROUGH was
clearly a bit below the better mares in the "MGM Ladies" series but still picked up weekly pieces - hard to
see a way into the race for her from Post 8, though. (1) LADY ELECTRA fits NW2...and we'll give her a
closer look when she's back in there. (7) BUMP IN THE ROAD finally beat a NW2 field when most of the
horses were wiped out early - struggled up in class last week, and figures to struggle tonight
RACE 6 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #1: (4) TOCOA FALLS was 0 for 24 in 2021 but a
completely different horse since a barn change in 2022, winning 3 of 5 NJ starts since coming down from
Canada - has Yannick up to drive and the pair are 2 for 2 together....gets the narrow edge. (1) SHADRACK
HANOVER always had the ability, but he really put it together after adding hobbles on 2/3 - took a month
off after a dull try on 2/17 and that qualifier certainly suggests that he's ready for action - the main danger.
(8) B NICKING has PLENTY of speed, but comes into tonight off a pair of miscues (and also draws Post
8) - clearly very risky right now, but would still be worth a look IF the price was long enough. (2)
BAZILLIONAIRE almost never wins, but he does pick up lots of smaller pieces...and he may be able to do
that tonight - ok for 3rd/4th. (5) HEARTOFGOLD DEVIE is a little cheaper and definitely a bit
unpredictable...but she does throw a decent rally from time to time, and is another that can be slotted for
3rd or 4th. (6) PIVOTAL is one of the rare few that just hasn't clicked since joining this powerful outfit -
needs to up his game if he hopes to be a player in this series. (7) DROP THE MIC showed a lot of potential
before getting scratched injured on 12/9...and he just hasn't regained that top form since returning - another
that needs to improve in order to be a threat (3) THE IRISHMAN was making a decent move before going
offstride last week but that was vs. a lot easier - will need to prove that he can hold his own with this type
RACE 7 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #1: (6) HAT TRICK MARLEAU was purchased at the sale
last Fall by Gingras and did terrific before getting claimed for $50K on 1/19 - he elevated his game even
more for his current connections, and has become a weekly contender at the Open level - spots his main
rival in here a significant post disadvantage, but we'll still give him top billing off his impressive local
resume. (1) JULA MUSCLE PACK is the "other" horse in what could easily shape up as a two horse affair
- had a good 3YO season then started off his 4YO campaign with a lifetime best 1:53.1 win across the river,
trotting home in :26.3 -- put in excellent rally here at Yonkers in his next start, coming from 7th to end up
3rd in race won by runaway HEY LIVVY...would be no surprise if HE came out on top tonight. (2)
LEVATOR has some good recent Ohio efforts, and lands in a strong barn for this series - the good draw
could help him take home a decent chunk. (3) GOO DOO DOLL seems a little cheaper, but does have a
2nd here (to the talented Wet My Whistle) back in Nov. (also with Zeron driving) - small share? (7) EMOT
IONS RICHES appeared to tail a bit in his last couple and comes into this Series having missed nearly a
month - the outside draw just makes it even harder to like his chances. (5) LOVE THIS BAR was 2nd in his
only local try but with a very easy trip, vs. much softer - may be in a bit too tough now, (4) MASSTRO also
feels a bit overmatched against these
RACE 8 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #1: (4) PLUMB has been a rock solid $50K claimer, and
comes into tonight off a game, first over victory last week - hardly a "cinch", but definitely has earned top
billing. (2) DC ANNA won her last 2 starts against the 50s as well, but didn't fare as well the last 2 weeks
vs. the 75s - fits nicely with this bunch, and would be no surprise at all. (8) SPUNKINSROCKETMAN has
been racing well in PA and NJ, and Kakaley remains in the bike - brutal spot for his first local try, but worth
including in exotics at what figures to be a pretty good price. (1) P L OSCAR has done excellent work
since changing barns on 2/11, winning three straight (including 2 right here at Yonkers), followed by a pair
of 2nds - he'll be facing tougher tonight than he's used to, and we'll see if he can have the same kind of
success at this level. (5) TOP ME OFF won 21 races at 2 and 3 (mostly at the PA fairs), and is hard to
gauge class-wise against these - he's also been away since 10/8, and debuts for new connections - will keep
a close eye on him. (3) DAGON HANOVER has been racing ok with lesser, and may struggle a bit with
these - should have a better read on the PA shipper after tonight. (6) VINNY DE VIE always seemed to
have more ability than he was able to show most weeks here at Yonkers (just 20-2-1-1 lifetime at YR) -
lands in a tough spot returning from NJ, and will need quite a bit of trip luck to be a player here. (7) CAVA
LIER GEORGE gave it a good aggressive try vs. cheaper last week before weakening to 3rd - not sure he
can make his way into the hunt from out here, though.
RACE 9 - Totally wide open! (2) VOYAGE TO PARIS beat this class on 2/23 -- made a break rallying on
the final turn in his next, was scratched sick after that, then lost all chance last week when trapped inside to
3/4s behind a stopper - one of many who could take this....with the right trip. (4) ON HIGHER GROUND
was surprisingly off the gate last week (he wired this class at 4/5 the week before), then went offstride on
the final turn as he was about to launch his bid - drops right back in the box, and could easily make amends.
(3) DRAZZMATAZZ normally needs to be in easier to do his best work but he's deceptively sharp right
now, moves inside, and will be a big price...worth considering. (6) STONEBRIDGE GAMBLE beat the 50s
upon arrival from Ohio, then came up 2nd best to a powerful winner in a very fast mile - he can overcome
tonight's class jump if he lands on the right journey. (7) VAINQUEUR R P NO lands in a very difficult spot
but his Yonkers resume (16-7-4-1) is just too strong to ignore his chances -- even from out here. (1)
MUFASAAS is another that usually does his most damage vs. softer, but good enough right now to have a
say with these....especially with the rail draw. (5) WINDSONG PIONEER may be a notch below this level,
and landing in such a stacked field makes it hard to like his chances for tonight. (8) STEUBEN HANOVER
caved badly after cutting the mile off the claim last week - guessing that he'll be handled conservatively
tonight, especially after drawing Post 8
RACE 10 - (1) CRAZYCAT came into his last moving well up in class (from Monti), off a break and a sick
scratch, and having missed a month....then proceeded to trot a strong final half in this class to rally for a
good 3rd in a 1:54.2 mile -- he caught everybody off guard last week, but that won't be the case tonight...
may be in the right place at the right time to pick up a win. (7) LOOK IN MY EYES left well last week and
right into the pocket, but seemed to spook when the leader broke in front of him then went offstride himself
- Yannick should be able to improve significantly at the start here, and that 12-1 ML price looks mighty
appealing. (5) MUSCLE JACK shipped in sharp from NJ on 2/17 and was a very sharp local winner...he
was sent off as the prohibitive choice the next 2 weeks, but was unable to stay trotting either time - came up
with a clean start across the river on 3/19, and now returns to YR in a new barn, and adding trotting hopples
- he may just crush these, but he's a little too risky to accept a short price right now. (2) TORKIL is in his
best form in a LONG time, and was a close 3rd and 4th the last starts - definitely playable in exotics here.
(4) SERRANO VOLO did some good recent work with easier, but could only manage a non-threatening
4th (at 31-1) when bumped up to this level last week - will need to find a bit more if she hopes to be a more
serious player. (8) MANHATTANUP NO ICE has three 3rds and a win in this class before getting lost at
the back last week - tonight's draw puts him in danger of getting lost once again. (3) MAGNIFICENT SEV
EN was able to grab a 3rd two back with an easy trip in a soft division, but he generally needs to be in a bit
cheaper to be successful - prefer others. (6) EVA DAIRPET FR seemed like she was sharpening a few
starts back but seems to have gone the wrong way once again
RACE 11 - (2) NEW HEAVEN hasn't quite found his best form so far in 2022, but that last effort was a
step in the right direction - may be able to build off that 2nd place finish, and pick up his first win of the
season tonight. (1) FASHION CREDITOR was no factor at The Swamp in his first 2 starts of the year, but
it's only a matter of time before the classy 10YO perks up - could easily be tonight, but it's a little tough to
take a very short price on him right now. (3) MOMMS MY DAD has historically been cheaper, but he's
done a nice job holding his form even at this higher level - the good draw puts him in play for a decent
chunk tonight. (5) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE drops a notch and can certainly contend with these - he does
his best work on the front end, however, and that may not be an option for him tonight....leaning towards
others for the top slot. (4) HOBBS won his first race in ages 3 back (vs. much easier) but wasn't terrible at
this level last week - not a bad bomb to throw in for 3rd. (6) HATIKVAH trounced cheaper in his YR return
then used an absolute perfect trip last week to get up by a nose - steps up to face even tougher now, draws
outside, and may have a tougher time getting in play this week. (7) ALL CHAMPY has been a consistent
"piece getter" in this class, but mostly from much better spots - could struggle a but from out here. (8) OOH
RAH shows a mixed bag of recent starts, but faces an uphill battle from Post 8
RACE 12 - (5) IN MY DREAMS was hurt by a series of bad posts in tougher classes - showed some
sneaky life 2 back and was a big "go" in his last...only to get collared by a nose by the easy trip winner -
solid chance to get it done in the finale. (4) FULL RIGHTS has been finding some better form as he's
dropped down the class ladder - was destined to be parked when he tried to leave from Post 8 last week, but
still hung in a long way before finally weakening - legitimate threat tonight with the move inside. (6)
KNIGHT ANGEL was handled very conservatively in his first local try and did finish very well at the end -
chance for a piece of this with a live trip. (2) BROWNIE was actually in a good spot for a piece last week
when he broke on the final turn - decent one to include on the bottom of exotics. (1) SEVEN KNIGHTS
was just 1 for 34 last year - picked up a win very early in the season this year (off a perfect trip), but has
been "meh" in most of his other starts - rail draw at least puts him in play for a minor share. (3) INNISFAL
LEN has some ability, but just never seems to show it here at Yonkers - minor piece only, even at this
bottom level. (8) GEMINI EDDIE is just 2 for 33 over the last 2 years, seems a bit cheaper, and draws Post
8. (7) MISS YOU KELLY was pretty much 4th by default last week - doesn't figure to be much of a threat
from all the way out here