The Empire Report - Friday, December 2, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (4) CENTURY JAMILA has had no trouble transitioning to facing older mares and the 3YO
comes into this off a trio of 2nd place finishes (since arriving at her new barn from Canada) - could be the
spot for her to get over the hump and get her picture taken. (5) STAY HAPPY is another 3YO filly that has
had no trouble holding her own vs. her elders - she was handled aggressively last week and did well to hold
3rd after being worn into submission by the very sharp winner...no reason she can't be a big player here. (1)
IDEALINFUN probably needed her last (in NJ) after a sick scratch - figures to be an up close player from
start to finish for our leading trainer/driver tandem. (3) MILLWOOD BONNIE N is listed as the 9/5 ML
favorite but hasn't raced in 3 months - would hardly be a shock if she was ready to go, but there just seems
to be better value taking a shot against her tonight. (2) SILENT CROSSING has held her form nicely even
as she's climbed the class ladder recently - an easy trip could help her land a small piece. (7) JK MY GIRL
rallied nicely from tough spots in her only 2 local tries but she lands another bad post and is also off a sick
scratch. (8) MILIEU HANOVER can go with better than these when sharp but she disappointed in her last
pair and now draws Post 8 - wait for a better scenario. (6) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL seems overmatched
RACE 2 - (3) B NICKING lands in a spot much easier than he's used to facing and should have some extra
confidence coming in after blowing out another soft bunch at Freehold last week - hard to go past, but the
price will be very short! (4) NEW HEAVEN got very good after a barn change this summer - he's leveled
off quite a bit recently, but this is a spot where he should still be able to be part of the equation (1) DAGON
HANOVER hasn't had much luck in a handful of previous local appearances and he ships in off a break at
Monti last week - still, he draws the pole with Bartlett, and that makes him a threat to take home a decent
piece of this. (6) HOOFBEATS DE VIE has some ability but seems to need to be near the front end to be
effective- if you think Kakaley can leave and get a good spot here, he's a good one to include in exotics. (7)
EMPEREURTHEBEST FR changed barns 2 back and was able to score in a Fhd. amateur race from Post 7
- he was actually well meant here last week too, but saw his chances wiped out by a terrible trip - may be
looking at another rough journey tonight from this spot. (5) BAZILLIONAIRE rarely wins, but he's always
capable of rallying for a minor share. (2) INFINITY STONE drops to a better level, but may still need to be
in a bit easier
RACE 3 - (5) IMMANUEL K S tired in his first start off the barn change but he was also racing off 6
weeks - he put it all together in his last, though. and seems ready to start showing more of his ability - this
is not an easy spot, but he still seems capable of making it 2 in a row. (4) RESOLVE TO WIN was handled
conservatively in his local debut (when sent off at 4/5 against the streaking WARRIOR ONE!) and can be
forgiven for coming up just a little short at the wire - he's been hitting on all cylinders for a while, and
looms a very dangerous threat tonight. (1) MISSISSIPPI STORM isn't quite the same Open horse we're
used to seeing, but he's still more than good enough to pounce when he lands on a perfect trip (like last
week) - the rail draw will help offset tonight's class jump, and the classy 8YO would be hard to leave out of
exotics. (3) VELVET STYLE underachieved all year but is finally starting to really heat up - sharp enough
to grab a good piece of this, with the right trip. (2) P L OSCAR can usually tow along for good pieces from
a spot like this but this is a pretty good field - minor slice only. (8) STREET GOSSIP fits well at this level
and ships in off a win at "The Ridge" - may need to wait for a better draw, though. (6) SPECIAL PROSEC
UTOR has been sharp out of town but may be a little on the cheaper side. (7) WINDSONG PIONEER
seems unlikely to be able to get in play from out here
RACE 4 - (5) SWEETEST BELLE just missed at Chester on 11/10 for her new barn despite being away
for 6 weeks and taking on older mares - her next start (here at Yonkers) was HUGE, pacing a :27 third
panel first over and still wearing down the leader easily, and scoring ultra-impressively - we'll stay on board
with the very promising filly. (1) DELITFULCATHERIN N looked like her recent "comeback" was starting
to fizzle out quickly but she bounced back with a 2nd and a win- she'll be very tough if she brings her
absolute "A Game" tonight, but she's also likely to be overbet. (7) TONYS MOM took a couple of starts to
get going after a recent layoff but has been back on her game in her last few - has the speed to be a part of
this, even from Post 7. (4) VILLAGE JADE has been holding form nicely for weeks, and can grab a good
piece of this with any decent trip. (6) HEAVENS SHOWGIRL A changed things up and raced on the lead
last start, tiring in the lane - she'll likely revert to her preferred off-the-pace style tonight, and could rally
late for a good chunk. (2) FORTUNADA was no factor in her 2 local tries - may need a class drop. (3)
TWIN DELIGHT arrives from Canada and likely needs a start, despite the good looking qualifier
RACE 5 - Lot of struggling mares in here: (6) I LOVE ONGAIT has struggled with the "4YO Blues" all
year, turning in a disappointing season after being a big earner at 2 and 3 - she lands in a VERY soft field
tonight, however, and it may be a "now or never" spot for her - not one to bet the rent money on, though!
(4) LADY NEWTON has been off form for some time but did at least turn in a bit better effort dropping to
this class last week - could be a player in this very iffy field. (3) LIGHTNING LEIA hasn't exactly been
clicking lately but she drops, draws well for a very potent trainer/driver team and could have a wake up call
tonight. (7) MY RED SEA was very unaggressive as the 2/5 choice last week and got rolling way too late
for any chance to overtake the winner - the 3YO draws poorly vs. older mares tonight, and it's hard to
predict how she'll handle it. (8) THUNDRA is 0 for 24 here this year and draws Post 8....but she'll be a big
price with our leading driver and may be worth throwing in for 3rd/4th. (2) ACEFOURTYFOURALEX has
been no factor for months - maybe this is a field where she can at least perk up a little bit? (5) DBLDELITE
BRIGADE N has been WAY off form for weeks - would need a big price to gamble that she can reverse
form tonight. (1) LARJON LEAH is 1 for 31 on the year, and 0 for 24 here at Yonkers - not sure the pole is
enough to make her a contender.
RACE 6 - (1) PINEWOOD HANOVER was full of trot with no place to go 2 back (in NW15000) - he's
been prone to early miscues (making him a bit risky), but he could be worth a shot tonight IF the price is
fair. (4) WILLY WALTON finished up well from an impossible spot 2 back (8 hole) then was an excellent
2nd behind the always tough EPOS OSTERVANG DK in his last - should be a big threat tonight. (2) NO
DRAMA PLEASE is a reliable player in this class and should land on a decent journey from this spot -
very usable in exotics. (6) B MEDITHREE got caught in a bad shuffle last week so he gets a pass for that -
he drops to a level right in his wheelhouse, but also lands a poor post - would need a decent price to use on
top tonight. (7) TIMESTORM has been a bit inconsistent lately - he can beat better than these when sharp,
but it's hard to gauge where he's at right now - at that 20-1 ML price, he's certainly worth at least a look. (3)
FULL RIGHTS was a decent 3rd last week racing off a sick scratch - if he's not overdriven here, he may
have a shot to add some value to the exotics. (5) LUCKY WEEKEND was handled aggressively returning
from PA and used that to pick up a win over cheaper - may be able to hang with these too, but that 3-1 ML
price is a turnoff. (8) LADY JETER draws Post 8 off a total clunker
RACE 7- Lot of "iffy" players in here: (6) FLOW WITH JOE may be the "iffiest" of all (prone to bad starts
and duds) but he does have his moments and is listed at 20-1 ML....not a bad race to take a shot with a
bomb. (1) SULLIVAN is a very logical player in here getting the double benefit of both class AND major
post relief - it could be a big wake up spot....but it's also possible that he's just not as sharp right now, and
may not be up for an aggressive try, at a short price. (2) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE was super for several
starts vs. the 40s but was dull 2 back then empty last week - another that could be a "drop and pop", or a
"drop and flop"! (3) ARTIST BEST is usually "all or nothing", but last week was sort of in-between - his
best effort would make him a threat here. (4) MISSILE SEELSTER is very capable in 25s (with a trip) but
may be pushing his luck a bit bumping up to 30s tonight. (7) LOORIM LAKE A bounced back from a
miscue the night he was claimed to rally for 3rd last week for his new crew - he's another trying to move up
to 30s here, and the poor draw will only make that jump even tougher. (5) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL has
been mostly "meh" facing age restricted claimers - definitely leaning towards others. (8) GLACIS drops
from 40s but has seemingly tailed, and also lands behind the 8 ball
RACE 8 - Interesting race with all of the participants having been away for at least 3 weeks: (6) UPTOWN
HANOVER has been sharp for some time, and is particularly dangerous at this level - she'll probably be a
decent price from Post 6, and that makes her worth a look. (4) DOUGS BABE A hasn't been close to her
Matchmaker form in some time, but at least got back on the right track with a trio of victories over cheaper
- much better spot tonight than last start, and that makes her a real threat. (5) SILK CLOUD A is capable of
some big miles, and can race from on or off the pace - could offer some value in here. (3) MADRID A
started off her U.S. career in fine fashion but soon went the other way - we'll see if a month off actually
helps her cause. (2) TWIN B SUNKISSED has been very good with cheaper, but may find a few of these a
little tougher than she'd like. (1) MCMARKLE SPARKLE just hasn't been all that sharp even with lesser -
her connections are too dangerous to just totally dismiss, though. (7) ROCKN PHILLY has enjoyed good
posts for a long time - may have some trouble getting in play tonight
RACE 9 - (6) BULLY BOY HILL was able to mind his manners last week, going a HUGE trip only to get
run down late by the classy, perfect trip winner - if he can build off that mile at all, he'll be very tough
tonight - even from Post 6. (4) CREATIVE VENTURE rallied crisply for 3rd off the class drop 2 back then
was a blowout winner off another drop last week - steps back up a notch, but should still be a very serious
player. (3) KILIMANJARO N was hammered down to 3/5 for his YR debut (2nd start in the country) and
found himself outbrushed to 3/4s after being used hard to make the lead - could be a tougher player tonight
with an easier trip, and surely belongs in exotics (5) ETHAN T HANOVER was a big earner as a youngster
but his 4 and 5 year old seasons have been busts....in the few starts that he's actually been able to make -
tried another comeback after qualifying at Plainridge, and we'll keep an eye on him tonight for future
consideration. (7) BARABOBBITT S is a Swedish import for the Dynamic Duo that got off to a rocky start
in his Meadowlands qualifiers (adding hopples after a break the first week) - the GUESS is that he's not
ready for this...but the tote board may offer some additional help. (8) SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE has a few
good recent tries but this seems like a spot beyond his comfort zone. (1) BLUEBIRD JESSE looked well
short at Chester in his first start off the layoff. (2) SS TYS AFLYIN was dull in his only local start, and
returns tonight off a sick scratch
RACE 10 - (4) EASY TO PLEASE has had a very disappointing season but she looked better last week,
rallying for 2nd after working out a nice trip following the winner - catches a shaky field tonight, and may
be able to pick up her 2nd win of the season. (1) BETTER WATCH IT wasn't at her best last week but she's
held her own with much better for many starts this year - maybe going back to Dube can perk her up, and
help her find a contending effort. (2) MORNING HAS BROKEN hasn't found the winner's circle since
returning from a layoff this summer, and her current form shows signs of tailing even more - she can perk
up at any time, but seems like a tough one to back as the ML favorite tonight. (3) LUCKY ARTIST
dropped in for a tag, landed on a good trip and was able to perk up enough to pick up a victory - she was
struggling prior to that, and will need to be even sharper tonight for a chance to beat these too. (5) COMM
ANDER CATHY N was a solid first over winner last week vs. easier - she'll probably be looking at only
smaller pieces against these, however. (7) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL came to life 2 back when she hit the
bottom level, soundly defeating those lesser foes - she really wasn't bad last week (enduring a brutal trip),
but figures to have a tough time overcoming the draw tonight. (6) COWGIRL LILLY has hit board in 5
straight but facing softer - tough post in a better field tonight could slow her down a bit.
RACE 11 - (2) DOUBLE DEALING is 0 for 22 at YR this year but did hit board 8X and has generally
faced much better - gets a fresh set of hands, and maybe this is a field he can beat? (1) STICK WITH ME
KID gave it a solid try off the claim, worn down by a couple of better ones that were chasing him - always
a chance he can just airmail these from the pole. (5) PERFECT VIXEN banked 6 figures at 3 but hasn't had
anything close to that success at 4 -gets a major barn change for tonight, picks up Kakaley in the bike and
almost has to be on some tickets at that 8-1 ML price. (4) KOSHER MAHONEY has been disappointing at
short prices for weeks, the latest being a dull 4th at 3/5 - he's listed at 8/5 ML tonight, and it would be hard
to endorse him at that price! (3) BANK BOX TREASURE drops back down to the basement and is eligible
to perk up vs. these - another value play to consider. (8) TIMONIER was a good 3rd (at a huge price) 2
back, then landed on a hopeless trip last week - he'll probably need to wait for a better spot to be a serious
player, but he does bear watching. (6) SECRET OR NOT ships back in dull form and is 7-0-0-0 here this
year. (7) TORKIL is now 0 for 33 this year with just one 2nd.