The Empire Report - Tuesday, April 20, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (3) THE COOKIE MONSTER came up a no-match 2nd best in his YR debut but there's no
shame in losing to the promising Linnycalledfrankie...especially chasing a :27.3 final quarter - there's some
promising youngsters added to the mix tonight, but this guy is still the one to knock off. (2) NUTTIN BUT
FINESSE won in 1:57 at Monti as a 2YO, then won up there last week to begin his 3YO campaign - barn
does excellent work with youngsters, and this guy picks up Bartlett for his Hilltop debut - we'll see if he's
good enough to be a legit threat to the top one. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP went a few decent efforts in a
brief 2YO campaign - came back solidly at 3, grabbing a win and a 2nd at Stga. before being in a little too
steep in the Weiss Series at Pocono - should be an up close player from start to finish against these. (4)
FAKE OUT is another that showed promise at 2 but ended the year with a miscue, then made breaks in his
first 2 return qualifiers - expecting a conservative try here, but can still rally late for a piece (if he behaves).
(8) SOCRATES BLUE CHIP had no wins as a 2YO but did grab FIVE 3rds up in Canada holding his own
with OnSS competition - he's another that made breaks in a couple of return qualifiers (before getting in
right the 3rd time), and the expectation is that he'l' be handled carefully from Post 8 tonight -- keep a close
eye on him for the future. (7) PREMIER NACHO won 1 of 3 starts at 2 (in Canada), won a qualifier on
3/25 but was unable to get involved in his first start as a 3YO - should definitely fit here, but he's another
that's likely to be handled conservatively from out here. (5) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER grabbed a slow win
at Monti as a 2YO, and makes his 3YO return tonight - guessing he's a notch below several of these, but we
shall find out. (6) YER SO BAD doesn't figure to get involved from this spot
RACE 2 - (4) GALANTE A has now made 6 starts here and raced big in all of them - carries a 3 race win
streak into tonight and while he'll be facing a few solid foes in this abbreviated field, he's still the choice to
extend his streak to 4. (2) MISTER REBBILY A went his usual sharp try last week but came up 2nd best to
a very promising winner- has done fine work for 2 seasons here at Yonkers (19-5-6-1), and he'll be tough
tonight with any decent trip (Stratton opts for #6, but Brennan has driven him before). (1) GENIUS MAN is
just one of many from this barn that has elevated their games tremendously over the past month or so - he's
won his last 2 starts, and can't be discounted tonight...especially if able to steal a soft half on the front end.
(6) MAJOR BETTS only managed 9 starts at 3 but still banged out $172K - he has plenty of ability, and
went a BIG mile here on 2/16, losing by only a head despite a brutal trip - next couple in NJ weren't as
good, though, and he took a month off to freshen up - may just sit back and rally from last tonight...but can
still be right there late if 100%. (3) SO MANY ROADS loves to sit to the final turn then kick home with
one late burst - not sure how well that'll work tonight, though. (5) WAY TO CLOSE gets some post relief
but still seems like the outsider against this very solid crew.
RACE 3 - (2) MISTER SPOT A is used to facing (and holding his own vs.) much better than these - draws
inside with the class drop, and really isn't supposed to have any excuses here. (1) ZACH MAGUIRE N
only had one start in 7 weeks prior to his last, but still raced pretty well - gets right back in the box, draws
the pole, and would seem to be the one with the best chance to knock off the top one. (6) CAMPORA N
usually goes a pretty solid mile at this level, but his local win record over the past 3 years is just 1 for 31 -
great one to include underneath, though. (3) BILBO HANOVER has a few decent PcD tries recently, but
hasn't done much here at The Hilltop - maybe an easy, up close trip can land him a piece of this. (4)
SCRUB HANOVER just quit badly last start, but he has gone some ok tries at this level in the past - if he's
back to functioning tonight, he's another with a chance at a small piece. (7) SUNKEN TREASURE throws
a good one here and there, but this seems like an unlikely spot for him to be a player. (5) TITANIUM N
requalified after a 4 month layoff and figures to need a start or two before we see his best - just watching,
for now. (8) BENNY IS A JET won 6 of 10 starts as a 3YO, but has started off 5-0-0-0 at 4 - draws Post 8
for his local return, and seems unlikely to be able to get into the hunt here.
RACE 4 - (1) ROCK LIGHTS put in a big brush debuting for a new barn 3 back but was unable to sustain
that move - came flying from the back the next week to just miss (at 46-1), then finished full of pace from
well back again in last to be a close 4th in a $40K claimer - this is a much easier spot, and he's clearly the
one to beat....but he's never been a prolific Yonkers winner, so be careful about taking too short a price. (4)
FINE DIAMOND was just no good at all off the big class drop last week, but he was holding his own in the
Open just a few short weeks ago - eligible to wake up and do some serious damage at any time. (2) MACH
IT SO won easily last start...but it would have been a lot closer had the tripsitter not made a break before
3/4s - the classy 11YO continues his march towards $3M in earnings (needs about $62K), but may only be
able to pick up a small piece of that tonight. (8) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP has been holding his own vs.
much better than these, and he'll beat this class some time very soon - maybe even tonight, but it won't be
easy from all the way out here! (3) TIGERS WAY came into his last at 0 for 16 at Yonkers but hit the top in
a very soft field and finally got off the schneid - steps up now and can still pick up a good piece...but seems
unlikely to get his picture taken again. (5) EGOMANIA had been super for a while but has been showing
signs of slippage in his last few - definitely a questionable claim for $30K last week, and we'll see how his
new connections do with him. (6) WARDAN EXPRESS A has 2 wins this year and both came with good
trips, one level down - generally limited to smaller pieces when he bumps up to this level. (7) FIREBALL
hasn't been sharp, and gets stuck with Post 7 tonight - tough spot.
RACE 5 - Tough race: (5) CAROLINA MAGIC has been "sneaky ok" for a while, his barn has been going
well lately, and he definitely figures to be a good price in a very competitive affair - one of several possible
winners, and certainly worth a play. (3) SPORTS BETTOR took some $$ from Post 8 last week and gave it
a big try against the classy, dropdown winner - moves inside, and looms a very dangerous player tonight.
(6) ON THE VIRG has to be respected off the class drop, but note that he failed from the rail off a class
drop in his last - not a great post, and only worth using if the price is decent. (4) MACHING TIME tired
after chasing the winner's sharp mile last week in his first try off the claim - he was good here at the end of
2020, and is eligible to be sharper tonight in his 2nd week in the new barn - possibility. (2) ARTMAGIC
seems more likely to get his wins one level down at this point, but he can still contend in this class when
the trip goes his way - include in exotics. (1) FOX VALLEY INFERNO was outstanding for weeks but he
tailed considerably 4 starts back and hasn't been able to get back to top form ever since - may just wake up
from the pole tonight, but not ready to bet on him right now. (7) ABERDEEN HANOVER reversed form in
that win 3 back but struggled both before and after that mile - tough spot. (8) IWONTDOTHATAGAIN
draws Post 8 off the claim and will likely need a much better spot before he can be a threat
RACE 6 - (2) TOWN GOSSIP was a solid 2YO from the time he hit the track last year, banging out $155K
with a 7-2-4-0 record (including 4 seconds in 4 starts here at Yonkers) - clearly the stake season is what
really "matters" to him, but with the inside draw the guess is that he'll race more aggressively this week...
and be able to knock off some more experienced (older) foes. (4) ROLLINGWITHSAM raced well
throughout the M Life Series, and was just in a tough spot last week - seems like the main danger, but note
that he's 0 for 10 at YR before taking a short price on him. (3) SHINY BLACK BEAMER wasn't up for
that fast mile at Fhd in his first start for a new barn (off the layoff), but he was right there 3rd the following
week - eligible to improve again tonight, and be part of the equation. (5) ILLBEWATCHINGYOU has gone
several miles here that would make him a player but he took a month off after a recent sick scratch and may
need a start before we see his best. (6) WALK IT TALK IT went his best local mile 2 back but quickly
regressed in last - tough spot, and looking at only a minor share at best. (7) GAMBLINGTERROR used an
easy trip to pick up 3rd last week but is looking at a tougher time from out here - seems damned if he
leaves, and damned if he doesn't. (8) BRAZEN BRAZILLIAN was an even 4th off an easy trip last week
and now lands Post 8 - will need to wait for a much easier spot.
RACE 7 - (2) SILAS SEELSTER seemed to go winless for ages but he used a perfectly timed move to
brush to the lead to 3/4s last week, then was very game in holding off a sharp Bill Haley N - barnmate
Windsun Ricky was able to build off a win and take his 2nd in a row on Monday night...maybe this guy can
do the same? (1) SHADOW CAT went a HUGE mile here 2 back when parked every step from Post 7 and
still 2nd into the stretch (before weakening to 4th) - no prayer 8 hole in last, but moves all the way inside
tonight and a big effort is expected. (3) IM BENICIO A took a long time before finally getting his act
together in the U.S. but comes into this having taken his last two, and just may be sharp enough to be right
there once again, even with the class hike. (6) POINTOMYGRANSON hasn't raced here since his early
days, but the 7YO has been showing speed up in Canada in most starts, moves to a small, but sharp barn,
and is listed at 20-1 ML - may be short off the bad date, but he's at least worth a look. (5) NO ORDINARY
MAN continues to pick up pieces just about every week - looking at another small share again tonight. (4)
IMSTAYNALIVE was just starting to sharpen before that sick scratch on 4/7 - may be short tonight after
missing 3 weeks. (7) HIGHLAND TARTAN blasted from Post 8 in this class 2 back and only tired late to
4th - was able to wire cheaper in last, but now gets stuck outside again stepping back up, and may have
some speed inside of him - not sure this is a good spot for him. (8) ONE OFF DELIGHT A fits well with
these but lands his 4th horrible post in 5 starts, and will need all kinds of trip luck to even get close.
RACE 8 - (2) IDEAL ARTILLERY went some big miles here in Sept/Oct and showed a ton of promise -
was freshened up and qualified back sharply, but was sent on an inexplicable suicide mission by Holland in
his first start back and finally weakened into the stretch - came back 2 weeks later none the worse for wear,
and went a BIG mile to score the victory, coming a long first over from 5th, finally wearing down the
leader in the stretch then holding off a sharp rival to his back - talented 4YO can step up and take another.
(1) QUAGMIRE BLUE CHIP rattled off 3 straight (easy) wins over softer before moving up to this level -
where he's raced well twice for 3rd...can be right in the hunt once again from the pole. (5) IMA GIGOLO N
added Lasix last week but was clear too late for anything better than 3rd (right behind the top choice) - if he
can build off that effort, he can be a major player once again. (4) SUMTHINBOUTIM was razor sharp in
those 2 early March victories - doesn't seem quite as sharp right now, but he's still a threat to grab a good
piece either on or off the pace. (6) REIGNING DEO picked up a nice 2nd and 3rd the last 2 starts but those
were from the pole - will need a bit of trip luck to replicate those miles from Post 6. (3) PANTHER TIME
seems a notch below the top ones in here, but the good draw does create the possibility of a small piece,
with an easy enough trip. (8) BETTOR AT HIGHTIDE was definitely impressive in winning his local
debut, but he jumps up considerably in class while also moving from the pole to Post 8...and that's a tough
combo to overcome! (7) ODDS ON BREXIT wasn't sharp in his last and moves outside here - prefer others
RACE 9 - (3) FIZZING N finished with alert pace from tough spots against better in his last pair - just
missed the last time he was in this class, and he does have a post edge on his main rivals - chance for the
mild upset tonight. (6) CAVIART LUCA can still crank up some winning miles when in the right spot and
tonight's class drop may be just what the doctor ordered - and after seeing the performance of barnmate
This Is The Plan in last night's Borgata Final, it's hard to not consider this guy too! (4) RUNRUNJIMMY
DUNN N beat this class back on 2/15, and was also a winner in his last (one level down) - draws well
enough to be a legit player again tonight. (5) EPIC ACE has been pretty good lately - would prefer to be in
a little cheaper, but he can still grab pieces with these - chance to add some value to the exotics. (1) BIG
BAD BILL has been coming up with more good efforts than bad these days - he's another that may be
pushing it up at this level, but the rail draw puts him in play for a minor piece. (7) GLACIS never wins but
can pick up pieces with his late rally even from spots like this - good one to include for 3rd/4th. (2)
FLYING FINN N was a winner 3 and 4 starts down vs. cheaper, but has only been able to grab smaller
pieces since moving up in class - looking at that same scenario tonight. (8) MARK WITHA K is still sharp,
but lands another outside draw - drops next week, and will look much better then.
RACE 10 - (7) KEYSTONE PHOENIX just toured the oval from Post 8 last week but did finish alertly -
gets another poor post tonight, but may have an opportunity to leave the gate this time - at 8-1, he's worth a
look in a wide open finale. (2) HOT DEUCE wasn't any good from the pocket last week, but he's capable of
much better efforts than that - only a matter of time before he pops off a big mile...maybe tonight? (4)
ALTA LEROY N also didn't fire last time, but we've seen him rebound in the past - on his best, he can be a
legit threat here. (3) MACINTOSH N is yet another that just came up weak last start - doesn't win all that
often. but he does pick up his share of pieces. (1) MOTIVE HANOVER was doing good work at Monti and
wasn't bad when 4th in his YR return - draws best, and could have a real say here...but hard to get excited
about a wager at 5/2 ML. (5) URBAN RENEWAL ships in off a win over cheaper at PcD - wouldn't be a
shock, but he does seem a little cheaper than some of the main players. (6) TOM ME GUN N went in
reverse when he came off the cones last week and just seems to need an easier spot to be a contender. (8)
SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN has a few decent starts recently but he draws Post 8 while up in class and
that's usually not a winning formula.