The Empire Report - Thursday, December 7, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (3) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM has really upped his game since adding trotting hopples a few
starts back, and that includes last week's hard charging 3rd place finish (at 66-1) - moves inside, and may
be able to pull off a minor upset. (1) FOR A DREAMER is very solid in this class, and has been 1st or 2nd
in half of his 21 starts this year - the one to knock off, but figures to be a very short price. (4) EMPEREUR
THEBEST FR was a winner in his first start off the barn change (in an amateur race at Fhd.) and raced
better in his last 2 starts than his lines might suggest - could have a say tonight, but note that he's 0 for 20 at
Yonkers before taking a short price on top. (2) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO was good for a couple of starts
but reverted to lesser form in his last couple - his barn is going well right now, so maybe consider for a
small slice? (5) P C FREE WHEELING has been limited to minor awards lately. and probably destined for
more of the same tonight. (6) QUICKSILVR BLUECHIP rallied for 3rd upon arrival from Delaware but
seems to have regressed in his last couple - outside draw won't help his cause tonight. (7) PIVOTAL backed
through the field last start and now lands Post 7 after missing a month
RACE 2 - FM Open (none of these are really "Open" mares at the moment, but a nice opportunity for these
5 to race for $32K): (4) ANDOVER CONTESSA has been a reliable performer at several different tracks
this year, and was 2nd in her last local attempt - she should appreciate getting Stratton in the bike, and we'll
give her the narrow edge tonight. (3) X O X O picked up 3rds behind some tough male opponents in her
last couple and should fit perfectly here - feels like a spot where she can be a live player. (5) SMASHIN
RAQUETS probably shouldn't have had to draw for the outside posts based on her out of town lines but at
least it's only a 5 horse field - has speed, gets Yannick, and will surely make her presence felt. (2) ABBEY
D backed through the field 2 back then was a dull 4th in her last - her best effort would make her a threat
here but she's hard to endorse at that 3/2 ML price. (1) LADY JETER is struggling but does draw the pole
for a hot barn - would need a BIG wakeup, though
RACE 3 - (5) AUSSIE HANOVER raced well here in both November starts, facing better fields than this
one - drops in for a tag, and should be able to have a big say tonight. (4) STATE SENATOR had been no
good at all for a while - had some sneaky life 2 back, then was a decent 4th in his last - may be ready to
come up with a good one tonight....at a decent price. (2) ODDS ON PICK SIX has only one recent win but
he's hit board in 6 of his last 7 starts - hard to not have him in your exotics. (6) DA GHETTO WIZARD
didn't fire at all last week but did have some good miles just before that - good week to throw him in
underneath, at a big price. (3) JIM BLUE is another that HAD been racing well before a dud in his last -
maybe he's another that could bounce back tonight? (7) WORLD FOR TWO is 2 for 2 here at Yonkers, but
moves well outside tonight and may have a tougher time working out a manageable trip - still worth a look
if the price creeps high enough. (1) YS DO IT RIGHT shipped in and was a winner 4 back, but hasn't come
close to that effort in his last 3 - leaning towards others right now. (8) COLD CREEK FELIPE has that win
3 back -- but little before of after
RACE 4 - (2) PAPA DOC can be a pretty risky proposition (makes breaks) but he also can throw some big
miles - willing to try him on top tonight...as long as the price is decent. (4) SHEENA SOLDIER had 3
recent starts in this class and picked up a 2nd and two 3rds - that last amateur race was actually very good
(he made multiple moves and battled all the way), and that 12-1 ML price is definitely attractive. (6) HAT
TRICK MARLEAU was handled aggressively last week and it paid off with a victory - bit tougher starting
spot tonight, but still a very legitimate threat. (7) AUSTRAL HANOVER is a 3YO facing older (and from
Post 7) but really does feel like a very good fit - may be able to have a say, with a bit of trip luck. (1) LIGH
TFOOTEDLEGEND offered only even trot after an easy trip last week - needs to find a bit more if he
hopes to be a more serious player. (3) RIPPLE OF HOPE ships in with lines suggesting he may need to be
in a little bit easier. (5) CHARLIE BAR had things his own way on the front end last week but gave way
when tested - he's another that may need to find a softer spot.
RACE 5 - (2) MR PERFECT N may not look all that great on paper right now but he drops to the bottom
level, moves inside, and was just recently finishing behind the likes of GROOVY JOE, PEACE OUT POSS
E, and a bunch of others that would be 1/5 in here- sure feels like a good spot to look for a wake up call. (4)
OZONE BLUE CHIP is another that we never expected to see down at this basement level - another that
certainly figures to show improvement tonight. (3) SHERIFF N was an ok 4th dropping to this level last
week and starts from a much better post tonight - solid chance to land somewhere in the exotics. (6) SAUV
IGNON BLUECHIP didn't fire his best shot returning to YR last week but he's capable of better - willing to
include underneath. (5) B LIKE CRUISER has been "ok" lately - meaning towards others for the top slots,
but a minor share is within reach. (1) WON LAST FEELING has been well off his best game for a while -
not sure the rail is enough to make him a serious contender. (7) MAXIMUS RED A hung badly in the lane
from a great spot last week and now starts from Post 7. (8) KERFORD ROAD A doesn't seem nearly sharp
enough to make any big waves from out here
RACE 6 - (5) RATTLE MY CAGE is a legitimate Free For All trotter that just went a big mile to be a
close 3rd in the Breeders Crown Final - he also made a break at The Swamp last week, and in his only local
start, was cruising along on the final turn when he just went offstride - obviously the one to beat, but MAY
be a bit risky at 1/5 (or shorter)! (4) BIG BOX HANOVER drops down from the Open where he trotted
evenly at the back - he should fit nicely with these, and he's one of the possible winners should the top one
falter. (6) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS was off the board for only the 2nd time in 24 local starts last week
but he was racing off a month (sick scratch), and caught a fast mile - could easily be part of the action
tonight. (2) MISSISSIPPI STORM used a perfect trip to beat a NW10000 field 2 back then toughed out a
close first over win one level up in his last - faces even tougher now, and we'll see if he's built back the
confidence to hang with these too. (1) KINDA LUCKY LINDY continues to overachieve at big prices and
is worth using underneath once more (7) GRINDER really wasn't bad from an impossible spot last week
but unfortunately lands in another brutal spot tonight. (8) HAYEK ships in off a pair of wins out of town (as
he's done in the past) but he's tended to disappoint more often than not in his local tries (last 2 years) (3)
ROYALTY BEER ships in with some good Canadian form - would like to see a start from him first.
RACE 7 - (3) PAPPARDELLE hinted at serious ability late in his 3YO campaign and has developed into
an excellent trotter as a 4YO - he ships in off a pair of dominating wins in PA and while he hasn't won the
Open here at Yonkers yet, perhaps that'll change tonight. (4) NOWS THE MOMENT broke in 2 of his last
4 starts but was a winner the other 2 weeks - clearly he's a little risky these days, but the ability is still as
good as ever - remains a threat. (5) INCOMMUNICADO burned $$ 2 and 3 back but was able to finally
deliver last start, winning easily over a couple of (much) lesser foes - can never be counted out, but perhaps
there's some better value with the top pair? (2) WARRIOR ONE was struggling at the lowest levels not too
long ago but the classy warrior has made it back up to the Open - wouldn't be stunned to see him win, but
definitely leaning a bit more to the top trio. (1) TORRONE seems a bit overmatched - drops next week.
RACE 8 - Good race: (3) EMOTIONS RICHES just missed in his Hilltop return but he was a blowout
winner last week - barn has really started to percolate recently, and this guy may be able to take another -
vs. a solid field. (1) STEUBEN HANOVER clearly outraced his 50-1 odds with that hard charging 3rd two
back then followed that up with last week's pocket victory - he could be in line for another winning trip
tonight. (8) EPOS OSTERVANG DK has hit board every week for what feels like an eternity, and he's
shown looping speed from outside posts, when necessary - can never be counted out for this lethal trainer/
driver combo. (2) BRAVE BY DESIGN may have gotten in a little tight on the first turn last week when he
made that miscue - moves inside, and has way too many sharp recent tries in this class to be ignored. (4) PE
RRON actually put in a nice recovery after an early miscue last week - maybe 3rd/4th? (6) JACKED upset
#3 two back but broke in his last- tough draw for tonight figures to limit his opportunities. (5) OH SO PINE
ships in off a Stga, win but will have to prove that he fits here. (7) MUFASA AS figures to be stuck too far
back to have any impact tonight
RACE 9 - (2) POUND FOR POUND was well backed here two back taking on the 50s but was worn down
on the lead and tired in the lane - bounced right back to crush the 25s at Chester, and returns tonight at the
more comfortable $30K level - deserves a chance to make amends. (4) HURRIKANE GEORGIE has been
razor sharp for weeks and comes into tonight riding a 3 race winning streak (including a win from Post 8
last start) - hard to leave him off your tickets right now. (6) UP THE CREEK sat pocketed to #4 last week
and was gaining late after finally shaking free into the stretch - he gets the worst of the draw tonight, but is
still worth considering at the right price. (1) BRUSHING UP gets a total pass for last week (trapped at the
back from Post 7) but moves all the way inside and did wire these two back from the rail - in tougher now,
but still can land on the ticket somewhere. (5) BLOODHOUND is a little hard to gauge class-wise but he
did struggle here in two previous starts this year. (8) WHAT ABOUT BOB is a borderline player in this
class and Post 8 doesn't leave him many options. (3) EMINEM HANOVER would need to find a lot better
effort to be any kind of threat. (7) JK STANDINGOVATION seems too far out to make any real noise
RACE 10 - (1) HERODOTUS was gaining late and almost upset 3/5 EUROBOND two back, then built off
that with last week's effortless 1:54.4 blowout - he's hitting on all cylinders for his current crew, and should
be able to handle the class jump smoothly. (8) OUTSIDE THE FIRE was ignored in the wagering last week
(Post 7 off a layoff) but came charging through the lane like a freight train, coming up a nose shy of the big
upset - he's shown legitimate ability when on his game, and could easily outperform that 15-1 ML price
tonight. (4) TACHYON looked much better during the mile last week and was a very good 3rd - his barn
has enjoyed a good couple of weeks, so perhaps he can find his way into the exotics tonight. (3) SOUTHWI
ND ARTURO threw a rare dud last week but he's enjoyed a terrific year and drops right back in the box -
could bounce right back with a more typically sharp effort. (6) EUROBOND was fortunate to find the wire
(ahead of #1) two back, then was pretty dull in the Open last week - draws poorly as he drops back down,
and may be a little vulnerable right now. (5) VINNY DE VIE was an easy trip winner over lesser las start-
he's been away for 3 weeks, moves up, and may struggle a bit tonight. (7) KASHA V draws poorly off a
bad date and figures to be too far back to make much noise here. (2) HOOLIE N HECTOR's last 2 lines
show a break and a sick scratch - prefer to just watch this week
RACE 11 - (7) AIR FORCE HANOVER just toured the oval from Post 8 last week but he also gave
heavily favored JACKS LEGEND N all he could handle 2 back - he's as unreliable as they come, but he
does tend to find his best when in "cheap"...and that may be the case tonight. (3) CHIEFS BEACH moves
inside off a big 7 hole try last week and gets Bartlett to drive - he's very logical from this spot, but he's also
notoriously camera shy....don't fall in love at a short price. (5) CAPTAINS PLACE hasn't been doing much
lately but this is a spot where he may perk up a bit - he does have some speed if Siegelman looks to use it
tonight. (6) HES ELECTRIC is highly unpredictable from week to week but he often has one good brush in
him....he can rally for a piece if timed correctly. (8) SHADOWS TERROR looked much better in his 2nd
local start than in his first - brutal spot, but a decent bomb for 3rd/4th. (1) ICE HOUSE has had a rough
year - not sure how much the rail draw will help. (2) DENVER SEELSTER was ok to the final turn then
caved last week - may just be a little too cheap. (4) AINT HE SPECIAL hasn't beaten a single horse since
the middle of September.