The Empire Report - Tuesday, April 13, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (2) LINNYCALLEDFRANKIE shipped in off a nice "brush and crush" win at Fhd. and was
even more impressive locally, showing an eye-catching turn of speed when asked for more at the top of the
lane -- unless #1 comes up with a big mile tonight, this guy should be able to make it 3 in a row. (1) THE
COOKIE MONSTER didn't make the races until recently turning 4 but the homebred was off to a great
start at Dover, with 3 wins and 2 seconds from his first 5 career starts - if anybody is going to beat the top
choice, it would be him. (3) MOXLEY went a much improved effort when 2nd two back, then was 2nd
again in last (though no match through the stretch for #2) - chance for another 2nd, but more likely looking
at 3rd for tonight. (4) YER SO BAD has been getting off to slow starts, but finishing up ok - a similar effort
would allow him to take home a small piece of this. (7) DILLINGER raced much better than expected
when 3rd two back, then was ok for 3rd in last - the issue tonight is the post, and it may hinder his chances
for another spot on the board. (6) KING STREET was a winner at Stga. in his first try for new connections
but draws poorly for his local debut and does look a bit cheap - we shall see. (5) ISSA HORSE failed to
function here last week, and it's hard to understand how he'll be allowed to race without re-qualifying.
RACE 2 - (5) TIGERS WAY is getting top billing based on his overall good recent form, the very modest
field, and the current hot hand the barn has been enjoying....but note that he's 0 for 16 at Yonkers before
betting the rent money on him....at a short price. (3) MACH TIME N beat this class back in January then
raced well vs. better for a few starts before starting to tail off - was an even 4th dropping back down to this
level last week, and could definitely improve on that against these. (6) LENWOODS REAL DEAL really
hasn't clicked since changing barns 5 starts back but he's also been in several impossible spots - this is a
very realistic spot to see him come up with a much better effort...with a chance at a big piece. (2) RANCO
USY was able to beat a bottom field at Stga. for new connections last week, but was really struggling for
his prior barn before that - at 5/2 ML, it's hard to consider him for a top slot (just no value). (7) ABRAXAS
BLUES A does have the speed to blast and Bartlett isn't shy about sending one - the bigger question is
whether or not his barn will have him ready to deal with the hard use that MAY come his way - at 20-1 ML,
he could be worth a stab. (1) ART HISTORY just hasn't been sharp for some time - chance for a small piece
just thanks to the draw. (4) TALENT SOUP has been struggling mightily for ages - still a pass
RACE 3 - (5) MAJOR BEAN was a strong winner in his first try for new connections at Pocono, then a
confident winner here at YR as well - this is a tougher spot than last week, but he still has to be accorded
the edge off his current form. (6) ROLLING WITH SAM went off 2nd choice to the top one last week then
came up 2nd best - has a chance to reverse that decision tonight, and his price will definitely be better - still
winless in 9 local tries, however. (1) BETTOR AT HIGHTIDE raced well up in Canada when in with this
type in late 2020 - draws best for his new barn, and does figure to be part of the equation - possibility. (4)
WALK IT TALK IT went his best local mile last but was still 3rd best behind the top 2 choices - chance he
could come out on top, but another smaller piece seems the likelier scenario. (2) GAMBLINGTERROR is
now 3 for 62 lifetime - more than willing to include him underneath, but he's a tough one to use for the top
slot. (3) BRAZEN BRAZILLIAN does seem to be heading in the wrong direction, but willing to throw him
for 3rd tonight, since the price will be decent....but he's starting to run out of excuses! (8) NOCH TEN
draws Post 8 for his local debut for a barn that's currently 2 for 55 here this year - will just watch for now.
(7) ALWAYS ON THE HUNT seems overmatched...and Post 7 just makes him even harder to recommend
RACE 4 - Good race: (1) ON THE VIRG likely knew this drop was coming when he just toured the oval
from Post 8 last week - was a front end winner (as the favorite) the last time he was at this level and while
this field has some pretty solid contenders in it, the rail might give this guy the edge he needs to beat them.
(6) CASUAL COOL has returned in fine form after 3 months off, and that includes last week's sharp first
over score here at YR - gets no breaks with the draw tonight, but still sharp enough to have a solid chance
even from out here. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N has two close 2nds and a close 3rd from his last 4 starts (no
chance 7 hole in the other), and he should be a live player in here too - he may be a little cheaper than a
couple of the others, but his sharp form could make up for that - another with a legit chance. (3) GLACIS
always "figures", usually races well, but he's now just 1 for 28 here at YR and a hard one to take on
top...especially since he's usually fairly well bet! (5) DON DOMINGO N had license to flatten in the
stretch last time after trying to rally into a fast final half - he's yet another that fits well here, but will need
some trip luck for a chance at the top prize. (2) MACINTOSH N might have been a winner last week had
he found room in the stretch - that was an easier bunch, however, and he may struggle a bit vs. some of
these tougher foes. (7) ONE OFF DELIGHT A is sharp now but he'll likely be coming from well back, and
things would have to fall apart up front for him to have any real chance.
RACE 5 - (7) CAROLINA MAGIC has been "sneaky good" vs. better in several recent starts, including his
last - not sure if he can get into the hunt from out here but he drops into a spot where he can do a lot of
damage if things go his way - definitely will offer some good value tonight. (2) THE REV is logically the
one to beat with both post and class relief - he'll surely be a very live player but he's also 0 for 5 here this
year, and does seem to race a bit better out of town - respect his chances, but he's sure to be overbet. (8)
WESTERN BEACHBOY seems to have benefited from a couple of months off and has been sharpening
with cheaper at Stga. - much like the top choice, he'll be offering some value tonight...IF he can work his
way into the race without being used too hard. (3) SCRAPPIN GOLD has held his own in many solid "NW
PM" fields and did beat a soft group at PcD two back - he's just 1 for 15 locally, however, and seems more
likely to grab a smaller prize, than a bigger one. (6) BALLERAT BOOMERANG has definitely been off
his best form, but he hasn't been terrible - a wake up call is possible at any time, and that 20-1 ML does
look tempting - possibility? (4) NOTWITHOUTAFIGHT seems a little cheap but he did win his last at
Stga. and picks up the perennial Yonkers driving champ - maybe a minor share? (5) KNOCKING
AROUND was a little better last time, but may have been helped by the easy trip - prefer others, but willing
to throw in for 3rd. (1) ZACH MAGUIRE N just hasn't been sharp, was off a bad date to his last and off
another bad date to tonight - sticking with others.
RACE 6 - (2) GALANTE A moves up from NW6 to NW8 but that really shouldn't be a problem - he's
raced well in all 5 local starts (despite some terrible spots), and was an impressive winner in his last pair -
has shown he can handle any trip, and he's the pick to extend his streak to 3. (5) DIAMONDBEACH has
been razor sharp for weeks, but has come up 2nd best to the beyond sharp Dragon Said the past 2 weeks -
gets to avoid that rival tonight, but will have to deal with another tough foe in GALANTE A - we'll see if
he's able to knock off that one. (3) QUAGMIRE BLUE CHIP took a big step up last week after easily
handling softer the prior 3 starts - went a very solid mile to be 3rd, and should be able to pick up another
big chunk tonight - next in line should the top pair falter. (1) REIGNING DEO seems to have leveled off a
bit from his top form, but is still a steady performer in this class - picked up a game 3rd last week, and the
rail draw gives him a shot to land somewhere in the exotics again. (4) ODDS ON BREXIT upped his game
with that series consolation win 2 back, but could only manage a 4th moving up in class last week - seems
destined for another smaller share tonight, as well. (6) MONEYMAN HILL enjoyed stakes success at 2 and
3 and was 2nd (in Canada) in his 4YO return (but then tired to 8th in his next start) - guessing he fits well
with the locals, but his barn has started off the year at just 2 for 55, so we'll just watch, for now (also going
without Lasix this week). (7) SO MANY ROADS has a powerful late kick when things go his way, but he's
likely to be too far back to do much damage from all the way out here. (8) WAY TO CLOSE has been
feasting on softer competition at Monti but steps way up AND draws Post 8 - pass for now
RACE 7 - (5) LISBURN has taken 2 of his last 4 and was an excellent 2nd to standout Mikes Z Tam in last
- definitely has a chance here with a live trip....and he should be a fair price, in a pretty wide open race. (4)
VIRGIN STORM wasn't up for the tough trip last week and threw a rare dud - drops right back into the
box, so perhaps he can bounce right back with a more typical effort...and that would give him a legit chance
(6) KERFORD ROAD A was too unaggressive early last week, resulting in a tougher first over trip that he
couldn't quite overcome - lands a tough outside spot, but a live flow would give him a chance to be around
at the end. (1) ORILLIA JOE has been able to blast to the lead from the extreme outside so speed won't be
an issue...but stamina will, so we'll see if he can remain strong to the end at this higher level. (2) BETTING
EXCHANGE is clearly in fine form right now, but he'll be taking on tougher tonight - he may be looking at
a smaller piece this time around, even with another sharp try. (3) ANTHEM N really does his better work
one level down, but the good draw gives him an opportunity to stick close, and still take home a piece of
this. (7) CAVIART SKYLER has continued to race well at these higher levels after winning 3 in a row vs.
cheaper - it's the outside draw that figures to limit his output for tonight, though. (8) EPIC ACE needs a
class drop and better post to be a serious threat
RACE 8 - (2) HIGHLAND TARTAN gave it a bold try looking to wire better from Post 8 last week and
only gave way in the latter stages - drops, moves inside, and will have every chance to make amends. (1)
SANTAFES COACH finished with alert pace vs. much better in a few recent starts - dropped last week, but
made no use of the rail draw and got trapped inside with no chance to pace - may happen again tonight, but
he does have a chance to be right there if he's free and clear in the stretch. (4) NO ORDINARY MAN drops
down to the class he beat in early Feb. and any decent trip would give him a good chance to land
somewhere on the ticket. (5) DANCIN DRAGON shipped in with poor form and stopped badly in his first
local try - looked better just following along last week, and another easy trip could help build him a little
more confidence - one to include in exotics. (3) BLATANTLY BEST is hard to gauge off that terrible
performance for his new connections last week - keeping him on the "watch only" list for now. (6) LYONS
WILLIAM picked up that long overdue victory last week but now moves up and lands outside - may be
able to rally for a minor share with the right trip. (7) MCCLINCHIE N sat the pocket last week and only
lost 2nd in the final stride - may not have that same good fortune with tonight's outside draw, though. (8)
CHOREOGRAPHER ships in with poor looking form and draws Post 8 - pass for now
RACE 9 - (4) IDEAL ARTILLERY showed a ton of promise in the Fall of his 3YO season (including 3
wins here at YR) before being turned out for a few months - qualified back beautifully, but for reasons
known only to his catch driver, was sent on a complete suicide mission in his first start back...leaving him
NO chance, and surely making the heads of his connections spin in disbelief - goes back to his regular pilot
now, and we're more than happy to give him another chance. (5) MISTER REBBILY A was actually the
victim of the top one's suicide mission, making what seemed to be a routine quarter move to the lead (as the
3/5 choice) only to be viciously parked by the 15-1 shot off a month layoff - he actually was huge that
night, finishing 4th (beaten by only a couple of lengths), and is absolutely worth following up with tonight.
(2) IMA GIGOLO N added Lasix last week but was unable to make any noise from Post 7 - moves inside,
and we'll surely see a much more involved effort tonight - possibility. (6) SUMTHINBOUTIM has really
elevated his game in 2021, and has 2 wins & a 2nd from his last 4 starts (8 hole in the other) - may get hurt
by the draw tonight, though, but still can grab a nice chunk. (1) PANTHER TIME made a nice recovery
after an early miscue in last, but still seems a notch below the top ones - ok for a small piece. (7) RETOUR
AU JEU raced well last week after being handled very conservatively - unfortunately, he may need to wait
for a better draw before he's able to strut his best stuff again. (3) BETTER UP is one of several from the
barn that has been tearing 'em up at Monti the past few weeks....he'll need to show that he can also hang
with these, though. (8) ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP lands another 8 hole - wait for a better spot.
RACE 10 - (1) TELL THEM LOU was a winner here last Nov. in his first try for these connections - ran
into some tough spots in good fields after that, then went on the shelf for 4 months - came back strong,
almost winning in his first off the layoff, then raced much better from Post 8 than the line might suggest -
faces older foes tonight but does seem to land in a winning spot - only knock is that 7/5 ML price. (6) WIN
DSUN RICKY got very good for a while, then seemed to tail after being forced to race in the higher classes
- looked good winning at Fhd. despite a month off, and his return try here was better than it looks - have a
feeling he'll come up with a good one tonight. (3) MACHING TIME may seem a little cheap but he was
just claimed by a hot barn, and he does like racing here at the Hilltop - use underneath. (7) GINGRAS
BEACH hails from a very hot barn, is listed at 20-1 ML, and just may take a shot at leaving tonight - decent
bomb to throw in underneath. (2) ABERDEEN HANOVER reversed form to grab that win 2 back but
quickly reverted to that lesser form last week - needs to find that better effort if he hopes to grab a piece
here. (5) MELODIES MAJOR looked great as a 2YO until the NYSS Final...and has been trying to find
that form ever since - resurfaces at age 5 after being on the shelf since last August, and it's anybody's guess
as to what we'll get from him here. (4) SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN was starting to do a bit better before
regressing in last - another that's hard to predict right now. (8) SPORTS BETTOR needs a class drop and
much better post.