The Empire Report – Thursday, October 17, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – Tough opener: (5) ICE BREAKERS K was a winner in this class 3 back, then was stuck in terrible spots
in his last 2 starts – his barn sent out a winner on Wed. night, and we’ll give this guy a look if the price is right. (3)
AUSTRAL HANOVER dropped in for a tag last week, landed on a perfect trip and picked up his first win of the
season – definitely a license to repeat, but that 9/5 ML price is a bit of a turn off. (8) ALL STAR SWAN was well
backed in his first 3 local starts but disappointed each time – he was ignored at the windows last week (from Post 8)
and actually went his best local effort to date – gets stuck out here once more, but willing to consider at the right
price. (2) DRACO S is just 3 for 55 locally (past 3 years) but does grab his share of smaller pieces – ok underneath.
(4) BAR COINS hasn’t been good in the 3 starts since the recent claim – waiting for better signs before hopping
back on his team. (1) BANK BOX TREASURE is fairly camera shy and maybe a little cheap...the good draw at
least gives him a shot at a piece. (7) FOR A DREAMER doesn’t seem sharp enough to be a serious threat from out
here. (6) J S HOPSCOTCH has been struggling for some time...and draws poorly for tonight
RACE 2 – (2) WINDSUN RICKY figured to come alive with the class drop and post relief last week and he had no
trouble jogging off the pocket trip, kicking home in a crisp :27.1 to draw off in the lane – can take another, even with
the slight class jump. (7) ULTIMAROCA was banging heads in the Invitational very recently but is struggling to
find his top form even as he’s been dropping back through the classes – he’ll surely be able to have a say tonight (as
he drops one more level), but you’d still need a “fair” price to try him from out here. (4) VIVA LAS VEGAS N has
4 thirds from his last 5 starts and remains a good one for the bottom of exotics. (1) MY ULTIMATE STAR A hasn’t
been sharp at all lately but his barn has sent out endless for-reversing performers lately (including $80 LUCIANO N
last night) so don’t just toss him too quickly (8) GROOVY JOE found some form vs. out town recently (trio of 2nds)
but struggled from a similar spot here last week – not sure he can reach. (3) KIMBLE A was dull in both tries since
returning from a sick scratch and needs to be a lot better. (5) HEISMAN PLAYER makes his 2 nd start off the claim –
we’ll see if tonight goes any better. (6) OCEAN RIDGE N continues to struggle in 2024 after winning 17X last year!
RACE 3 – (4) TWO FACED was claimed for $30K three back – came up 2 nd best in his next (vs. 40s) to the razor
sharp MIND HUNTER, then rallied as best he could for 5 th last week after sitting last – drops back down to 30s,
moves inside, and figures to be very tough tonight. (1) LOUS THE ATTITUDE picked up his first win of the season
3 back, was 2 nd best in his next then won again last week – the main danger! (2) ALABAMAJAMMA disappointed
when 5 th last week but he’s better than that – chance for a decent piece here with anything close to his best effort. (8)
SURFRIDER is a much better horse when on/near the lead – if you think Kakaley can blast from out here and gain
position, he’ll be a good bomb for exotics. (5) LAZ finished with much better life last week, even if helped by an
easy trip – willing to include in exotics. (3) CELLMATE shows a pair of wins and a nose-loss 2 nd from his last 3
starts but that was vs. easier – not sure if he’ll have the same success against these tougher ones. (7) KINGSTON PA
NIC has some good starts but may be coming from too far back. (6) INDIGENOUS HANOVER seems overmatched
RACE 4 – (3) FIXN AND MIXN has some “ok” form at The Meadows but gets a barn change that has produced
endless winners here over the last few years – willing to just hop on board in a field with no local stickouts. (4) SNO
UZE U LOUZE won off the claim 2 back then was an ok 4 th behind ITALIAN DELIGHT N in his last – logical
player once more. (1) I AINT NO MACK had trouble getting into play from Post 8 last week but kept coming and
was a fairly close 4 th at the end – he’s a proven player from spots like this, but hard to get excited about a wager at
that 6/5 ML price. (5) CAHOOTS was very good here for a few starts recently before tailing off a bit in his last few
– he goes for a new barn tonight (off the claim), and is worth a look if the price is right. (2) HURRIKANE CHUCK
has been racing ok at Stga. but his 8-0-0-0 record here this year is hard to ignore – maybe a small piece? (6) KNOC
KIN OUT is just 11-0-1-0 here this year, and draws poorly for tonight. (7) VOLTAGE BLUE CHIP goes 2
nd time Lasix but there’s not much else about him to recommend. (8) CANTFINDMYWAYHOME has Post 8 off 2 months
RACE 5 – (6) THEBEAUDENBLUES N finished with pace in his local debut after sitting last early on – he
definitely fits very well with these, and a better trip could give him a shot at the top prize. (5) ALL ALONE is 5 for
16 here this year and returns from PcD off a confidence building win vs. cheaper – could have a big say here too. (2)
GRETZKY THE GREAT’s last line looks pretty good...but what’s missing is that he was impossible to steer on a
couple of occasions, lost a TON of ground, and probably would have jogged with a “smooth trip” – he might get
some equipment changes for tonight, but unfortunately those are no longer made available to the public – willing to
use if the price is juicy. (4) SURFSIDE BEACH went a bunch of tough miles earlier in the year and seems to be
paying for that lately – still good enough to grab a share with these. (3) SPLASH BROTHER hasn’t looked good
since taking a couple of months off recently– minor share? (1) VENIER HANOVER tried to be aggressive last week
(despite his poor form) and predictably failed – could use a much easier trip tonight. (8) QUALITY BUD finally
found some life last week but it was off an easy trip – not sure he can overcome the draw. (7) MOONLITE DRIVE
N is now 12-0-0-0 here at Yonkers
RACE 6 – (6) STICK WITH ME KID had no trouble transitioning from the amateur races to the 40s, picking up
wins in 2 of his last 4 starts (along with a 3 rd and 4th) – he has 12 wins on the year, and we’ll give him the narrow
edge as he looks for “lucky 13”. (1) WILLY WALTON had been on a good roll before an untimely miscue before
the start last week – goes for a new barn tonight, and looms a major danger if able to just shrug off last week’s break.
(5) BROOKVIEW DARIUS has raced better than his 5-0-0-1 local record might suggest – a good trip could help
him add some value to the exotics. (3) NO TURNING BACK is prone to inconsistency but she was a decent 3
rd last week, and is line for a good piece here too...with a similar effort. (2) GAELIHILL was a no threat 3
rd in PA last week making his first start in 3 months – he hasn’t been finishing his miles well enough this year, and that could
happen here too. (4) GRINDER was ok with cheaper at Chester recently but seems ambitiously placed here vs. the
40s. (7) BEACON BEACH elevated his game dramatically after the 9/3 barn change but has leveled off since
moving up to these higher classes – tonight’s draw doesn’t help. (8) MAHONE SEELSTER picked up 2nds in 6 of
his 8 local tries but he’s been away since March and lands Post 8 for his return – good night to just observe
RACE 7 – (3) DELIGHTFUL TERROR got parked the mile 2 back (and gets a pass) but also has 4 wins and a close
2 nd from his last 6 starts – remains a very dangerous player at this $25K level. (6) KEYSTONE DASH has also been
razor sharp in recent weeks, and gets a total pass for last week’s brutal trip (off the claim) – can be a serious threat
here with any half decent journey. (5) NOME HANOVER is winless here in 19 starts this year but he’s been rallying
for pieces consistently lately, and may be able to do the same tonight. (8) VESPA N is clearly sharp, but moves up 2
classes off the claim while also drawing Post 8 - lot to overcome! (4) SMOKING BY N has 9 victories this year but
clearly off form at the moment– waiting for some better signs from him (1) FLIP MY CHIP seems a bit
overmatched and not sure the rail is enough to help. (2) WAR DAN DELIGHT N just seems to be going through the
motions most weeks. (7) SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL hasn’t had much local success the past 2 years
RACE 8 – (8) KHAOSAN ROAD made his Yonkers debut a winning one in the Invitational (7/25) but then broke
in his next start, facing cheaper – he returns from PA off a pair of 1:52.4 victories and we’ll give him a shot tonight,
even from Post 8. (2) DWS POINT MAN was no match for the sharp CHAKE last week, but safely held 2
nd – chance for a good piece here too. (1) TORRONE may prefer to be in a little easier but he returns off a sharp PcD win
(career best 1:53.2) and has to be seen as a legitimate player from the pole. (6) STREET GOSSIP hasn’t thrown a
bad one in a long time and is usually a good price – ok for the bottom of exotics. (5) I GET IT was able to prevail at
the NW15000 level 2 back, but did weaken a bit back up to NW20000 last week – ok for another piece. (4) WARRI
OR ONE is tough as nails but returns from a 3 month layoff and may need a start or two. (3) WARRIOR ONE’s last
win in the amateur race was certainly sharp, but the final time is another program error (he trotted 1:56.4) – may
need to be in a bit easier. (7) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE could use a class drop...and better draw.
RACE 9 – (4) URIEL BLUE CHIP is often his own worst enemy but he can throw a decent one, when in the right
mood/spot – gets his best local draw in a while, lands in a blank field, and may be worth a stab in the finale. (2) POR
TERS MAN has been a steady player in this class, gets another good draw and has to be considered a live player. (7)
JERSEY BEACH was able to deliver as the 6/5 favorite 2 back but was just an “ok” 2 nd last week, and now draws
outside – possible, but also vulnerable. (1) CHIP IN BLUE draws the pole after hitting board in 2 of his last 3 starts
– playable in exotics. (5) OVER THE HORIZON gets a class drop but he was pretty dull in his YR debut and there’s
no guarantee he’ll be that much better tonight – not a fan of the 5/2 ML price. (3) BETTER OFF SINGLE gets a
good draw but is still hard to like off his 19-0-1-2 record here this year. (6) MONACO HANOVER is having a tough
year, with no real signs that he’s coming around. (8) FULL SUPPORT lands all the way outside after coming up
well short last week in his first try off the layoff.