The Empire Report – Thursday, September 19, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (1) TO THE HUNT is now 6-3-2-0 here at Yonkers this year, with a tough trip 4 th in his lone start off the
board – he was a wire to wire winner in his last pair, and will be controlling the action again tonight – remains the
one to knock off. (5) J B GRAM took a while to find his form for his current crew but he’s now racing well every
start – certainly feels like the main danger. (7) CAPTAIN T HANOVER has been rock solid almost every week, and
can handle any trip – he does seem to be at a post disadvantage tonight, however, and that may leave him fighting
for a bit smaller share. (6) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE charged home to win 3 back (when last dropped to this
level) but he tends to get lost early in the mile, and that may leave him with too much to do as they turn for home
tonight. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL is never a win threat, but he does “tow along” well for pieces when he lands
on an easy trip – ok underneath at that 20-1 ML price. (4) KINGSTON PANIC may need to be in a bit easier for a
chance at the top prize, but he’s good enough to contend for a minor piece here. (2) LAZ has finished 5
th in 8 of his last 9 starts – sticking with others. (8) LAST POUND fits well with these but another 8 hole makes him hard to like
RACE 2 – (1) TOP ME OFF landed on a perfect trip last week and was able to rebound from a pair of dull efforts to
score off the claim – he throws his share of duds but he’s also managed to win 9X this year...making him the one to
beat from the pole. (5) ROGER RABBIT takes a meaningful drop from the 60s to the 40s and his last pair at this
level resulted in a win and a 2 nd – logical threat. (2) KINDA LUCKY LINDY has a few mixed efforts since moving
to our leading trainer but he gets a good draw, and is listed at 8-1 ML – certainly playable in exotics. (3) MANCLA
NE is racing well for a low profile barn and almost upset the top choice (at 24-1) last week – he has an aggressive
pilot, and could make some noise once more (at another big price). (7) RODEO HILL has a bunch of solid Ohio
lines for a barn that usually classifies them properly– would still need a decent price to consider on top (from Post 7)
in his YR debut. (8) KEYSTONE APACHE has been sharp out of town for some time but his 3 race winning streak
will sure be put to the test here with both a class hike AND Post 8! (6) O C FREE WHEELING is in the midst of
another solid year but may be off her best game right now – tough post doesn’t help. (4) ICE BREAKERS K drops
out of amateur races and may be ambitiously placed at this $40K level.
RACE 3 – (1) KEYSTONE DASH was an ok 4 th for his new connections moving up to 25s last week, racing from a
tough spot – Stratton can handle him much more aggressively tonight, and that could make him a tough customer in
this modest field. (6) DELIGHTFUL TERROR was hammered down to favoritism last week despite jumping from
15s to 25s but he had no trouble extending his winning streak to 3 – he did beat the top choice that night, but things
could be different tonight with the different post positions. (2) WAR DAN DELIGHT feels a little sharper in his last
few and gets some class relief here – could have a bigger say. (3) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES has been just “ok”
most weeks, but his “typical” effort may be enough to make him a player with these. (5) NOME HANOVER hasn’t
been a serious threat in a while but he hasn’t been terrible either – ok to use underneath. (8) SULLIVAN dropped in
class of a bad date last week and came up empty – hard to like his chances from out here. (4) LYONS PEGASUS
trailed all the way in 20s last week and feels like a “field filler” vs. the 25s tonight. (7) HEISMAN is having his 2 nd
straight weak season and lands a terrible post
RACE 4 – (4) OUTLAW MAN N was sent off favored (in NJ) for his U.S. debut, likely because he finished 2 nd in
his qualifier behind the $1M dollar earning import SPIRIT OF STLOUIS N – he rallied nicely for 3rd , and we’ll give
him the edge in his Hilltop debut (1) ITS MAHOMES A (who happens to be a barnmate to SPIRIT OF STLOUIS
N) also qualified nicely for his U.S. debut, but weakened a bit after cutting the mile at Chester and finished 3 rd – the
main danger! (5) WALKINSHAW N figured to have a big chance last week but came up with an untimely clunker –
can be a big part of the equation here if he reverts to one of his better efforts. (6) KB MAC hooked wheels early last
week and lost all chance – he gets a nice drop from 30s, but has the misfortune of landing in an unusually good field
for this class – minor share? (3) VESPA N seems a little bit cheaper, but an easy trip could help grab some minor
spoils. (7) ALEX TYE will come up with a wake up call one of these nights – not sure this is a realistic spot, though.
(2) FREE TO DREAM is just 7-0-0-1 since arriving at YR – prefer others. (8) VELOCITY KOMODO needs a
better spot to have any chance at a piece.
RACE 5 – (3) ALL STAR SWAN was debuting here last week for top shelf connections and was sluggish early,
then made a break, but put in a BIG recovery before finally flattening a bit (understandably) at the end – perhaps
she’s just a correction or two away from finding the winner’s circle tonight? (5) PASSIONATE PROMISE has won
4 of 9 local starts and is particularly dangerous at this $40K level – she’s won 2 in a row, and remains a big threat to
extend her streak to 3 (now for new connections). (1) WILLY WALTON will surely use his speed from the rail and
be an up-close player all the way – he does need to find a little more in the latter stages, however. (7) BULLY BOY
HILL has been behaving himself lately (wasn’t always the case) and was a dead game 2nd to #5 last week – he’s at a
major disadvantage because of the draw, but that also means he’ll be a generous price. (4) BROOKVIEW DARIUS
trotted evenly for a pair of 5ths since arriving locally and seems capable of a bit more– small piece? (6) THE BALL
YKEEL DEAL returns from PA and may prefer to be in just a bit easier– the draw certainly doesn’t help. (2) STICK
WITH ME KID has been accumulating a LOT of wins recently but will face tougher here than in most of those
amateur races – lot to prove vs. these better ones. (8) FIGHT SONG seems unlikely to threaten from out here
RACE 6 – NAADA Amateur Fall Series: (1) IM THE MUSCLE has only 3 local starts this year but he’s competed
(and won) plenty of times here in the past – he can be a tough horse when on the front end, and Verruso will likely
try to put him there tonight. (5) IMA STANDUP GUY broke at the start at PcD (with Faraldo on board), recovered
in last then ended up finishing 2 nd , beaten only a head – he was a winner at Freehold last week, and has to get plenty
of respect tonight. (4) HOBBS has some speed, stays trotting and is pretty good right now – very logical threat, but
won’t offer much value on top as the 9/5 ML favorite. (6) MUFASA AS fits well with these but the draw is a major
concern, as his 25-0-0-5 local record this year – willing to use underneath. (3) LIMERENCE draws well and should
be reasonably close to the action – could tow along for some minor spoils. (2) EXPLOSIVE RIDGE has struggled
since being claimed in July – waiting to see some better signs before hopping back on his team. (7) LIVINGONTHE
RAIL is 1 for 38 at Yonkers and that win came a long time ago – also Post 7 off a sick scratch! (8) DOO WOP KID
shows nothing but qualifiers, scratches, and well-beaten efforts in all his recent lines
RACE 7 – (1) KEG STAND was off a month (scratched injured) to that start on 9/5 but was still sent off at 1/5 and
jogged – bumped up to the Invitational last week and absolutely charged home, almost getting to the streaking
DJIMON – may just be too sharp for these right now (this NW30000 class has 5 “Open” trotters this week). (5) STO
RMY KROMER is still looking for his first win of the season but he has three 3rds from his 6 starts and is definitely
getting closer to a “W” – look for an aggressive try here. (4) BLACK MAGIC has two breaks in his last 6 starts but
the other 4 tries have produced 3 wins and a 2 nd to ITS ACADEMIC – more than capable IF he behaves. (7) MISSIS
SIPPI STORM has held form beautifully and is worth using underneath even from Post 7, at that juicy 15-1 ML
price. (2) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS definitely prefers to be facing a bit easier, but the good draw puts him in the
mix for a smaller piece. (6) NOWS THE MOMENT has won way too many of these to ever just dismiss, but he’s
definitely not in his best game right now, and likely looking at a tough trip from this spot. (3) DWS POINT MAN is
having a strong year, but may find this field a bit tougher than he’d like. (8) YANKS DUGOUT is the outsider
tonight, both literally and figuratively
RACE 8 - NAADA Amateur Fall Series: (6) STEALING won his last 6 starts at Ocean Downs and it would appear
that these local Yonkers connections claimed him from his last start with races like this in mind – he was beaten by
25 lengths in that 8/30 qualifier but he did face PACERS in a 1:52.4 mile...making his own 1:57.4 effort not bad at
all – we’ll try him on top in this pretty well matched affair. (3) REEL EM IN has been solid in his last few facing the
top trotters at Monti, has a very capable pilot and should be able to make his presence felt here. (2) DWIGHT HAN
OVER was doing good work not long ago and actually hung in a long way at Fhd. last week despite being parked –
not a bad one to consider at that 15-1 ML price. (5) CALL ME THEFIREMAN had a few tough starts recently but
has since returned to form – another very viable value horse. (7) RACEACE is 22-8-6-2 locally over the past 3 years
but gets hurt badly by the draw tonight – if you think Schwartz can get him in play from out here, the price will be
pretty juicy. (1) SHOWME SOME MUSCLE ships in off a pair of 2nds in Maine but goes back to a previous barn
and doesn’t have Walter Case driving tonight – mixed feelings about his chances. (4) BACARDI gets a better draw
but may not be sharp enough to capitalize. (8) SHINY NEW PENNY will have to pass a lot of ‘em from Post 8!
RACE 9 – (3) FUNATTHEBEACH’s last line doesn’t look very good on paper BUT he was behind a gapper and
WAY back at the half, made up a ton of ground to catch up to the leaders then really had no room in the lane, while
seemingly with plenty still in the tank – feels like a prime spot for a big wake up call. (2) SPLASH BROTHER was
hurt by the same gapper as #3 last week, though never close (8 hole off 2 months) – could be ready for a much more
serious try tonight. (5) YO A J weakened late after a good start last week but gets Brennan at the lines tonight and
may be able to grab a slice with a good trip. (1) THRASHER isn’t on his best game right now, but he isn’t “bad”
either – any reasonable trip could see him pacing well late for a piece. (6) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A has a very
mixed bag of recent efforts– willing to use him on the bottom of exotics if the price is juicy (7) BE DAZZLED LOU
A was well backed and aggressively handled in PA off the barn change last week but gave way and tired – certainly
too soon to write him off, but this is a pretty tough spot for his local debut. (8) ALL ALONE is used to racing in
higher classes and likely needed his last start – may not be an opportunity to get involved tonight, however. (4) AUS
SIE HANOVER turned in a big one to win last week, one of the barn’s several recent “wake up call winners” – may
have a tough time against these better ones, however
RACE 10 – (2) GHOSTLY CAPER made $170K at 2, $300K at 3 and already has over $90K on the card as a 4YO,
showing some excellent miles up in Canada – lands in a barn where he should thrive locally, and worth a good look
in his Hilltop debut. (1) I GET IT drops from the Open, draws the pole, and it may be time for a big wake up call –
good one to have on your tickets tonight. (3) TACHYON is always a threat when not in the Invitational, and his barn
has been very good for a long time – possible. (5) STREET GOSSIP has maintained form beautifully from the
bottom level right up to this one – maybe a small piece, with an easy trip. (6) BAR COINS found his best career
form recently and was finally claimed last week after winning 3 of his last 4 starts – moves from one top barn to
another, but draws outside while facing a couple of tough ones – would need a good price to consider on top. (4)
WINDSONG PIONEER started hitting on all cylinders recently, but primarily facing easier in amateur races – not
sure he can have that same success with these. (7) UNFORGETTABLE lands Post 7 off a miscue – prefer others
RACE 11 – (6) ON DAYBOO was well backed dropping in for this tag last week, handled aggressively and able to
score the victory – suppose he’s still the one to beat, but a tougher trip COULD make him a bit vulnerable – don’t
take too short a price on top. (7) CAHOOTS turned in 3 straight excellent efforts here before a dud last week – that
was vs. better, though, and dropping back to 20s MAY help him bounce right back – he’ll certainly be a fair price
with the terrible draw. (4) CELLMATE really hasn’t done all that much lately but Bartlett may be able to coax some
speed from him at the start, and a good trip would make him a player with these. (5) AIRY SHADOW does have
speed, but it’s the end of the miles where he’s been lacking – still worth using in exotics, as he’s usually a good price
(3) CHIP IN BLUE seemed iffy coming in from Monti 4 back but he’s raced ok a few times, and even came close to
an upset last week (after shaking free late) – another one to consider for exotics. (8) PORTERS MAN shows a good
move every week but seems to falter on the final turn sometimes – brutal spot, but still not a bad one for longshot
fans. (1) FOUT has been racing a bit better at Fhd. lately but he was a non-factor in all 8 local starts. (2) PINEBUSH
DRAGONLIFE has to prove that he can compete with the locals