Wednesday Empire Report

soaofny • March 17, 2021

The Empire Report - Wednesday, March 17, 2021 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - M Life Rewards Gents Pacing Series - (5) RETOUR AU JEU got beat last week but put in his

usual sharp effort, dead game to the end despite the tough trip - he's absolutely the best of these and surely

deserves top billing....but with a spot in next week's Final basically locked up, it's possible that he may race

relatively conservatively tonight - should still win, but be careful about taking too short a price. (2) SAILB

OAT HANOVER got really hard used for the top last week and can be excused for tiring -- he can also be

forgiven for not being able to stay close the week before into the insane :27 final quarter -- he does fit well

here, and an easier trip should allow him to grab a big piece. (6) CIGAR SMOKIN TONY hasn't been quite

as effective facing these tougher rivals, but he's still a weekly player - draws worst in a short field, and still

should be able to grab a good chunk of this. (4) SOCIAL THEORIES wasn't bad last week... just too far

back early to have any chance - license to save ground here and rally late for a small share (1) GENERAL

WARD has some ability when "right", but his last pair at PcD make it hard to know what to expect from

him tonight - if on his game, he can contend for a piece. (3) SWEET TRUTH was a little better in last, but

still struggling since being purchased at the January sale.


RACE 2 - M Life Rewards Gents Pacing Series - (2) DIAMONDBEACH raced very well from off the

pace for a couple of weeks (pair of 2nds) but looked super when put on the front end last week (from Post

7) - seems to be in an excellent groove right now, and a repeat of last week's performance will make him

hard to knock off tonight. (1) LOUS SWEETREVENGE (sent off at 2/5), just couldn't get near the top one

with his first over try last week (into the hot pace) - should work out a much easier trip here and looms the

main danger...but it won't be easy to beat #2 if that one shows up as sharp as last time. (4) GOT THE

MOJO was used too hard in his YR debut and paid for it - raced much better in last, battling gamely right to

the end even after getting left first over against RETOUR AU JEU....chance for another good piece if

Kakaley can work out a manageable trip. (5) SCOOTNROLL wasn't particularly impressive in his first

round win but last week's victory was VERY sharp - the issue tonight is that he may be coming from too far

back, especially if #2 just airs it out on the front end again. (6) TREVORS ACE picked up 3rds in the first 2

legs and is racing well now...but drawing outside 4 solid foes may limit his opportunities tonight. (3)

GONNAHAVEONEMORE did grab a 3rd in the first leg but still seems a bit below several of these.


RACE 3 - M Life Rewards Gents Pacing Series - (2) PANTHER TIME was 2nd in the first leg but really

wasn't impressive, acting lazy on the lead all the way and under constant prodding just to go on....but his

effort last week was MUCH better, as he paced a big final 3/4s (from way back) to be right there 4th at the

wire - his barn is sending out some major airplanes these days, so we'll give this guy the nod in a very

competitive division. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM threw a dud in NJ off the barn change but has raced very

well in all 3 starts since coming to YR - major threat with any decent trip. (5) MY PAL JOE had excuses in

each of his last two starts but he also hasn't been close to his top form - if he bounces back tonight, it would

be no surprise at all to see him beat these. (6) ODDS ON BREXIT doesn't always bring his absolute best,

but he's still a contender week after week - outside draw may hurt his chances in this evenly matched field.

(1) SALT LIFE has plenty of speed but does seem a bit one dimensional - should be able to wire an easier

NW4 field after the Series ends - but not sure he can pull that off against these. (3) LEVEL UP seems a bit

below most of these - best hope is to save ground, and hope to grab a minor share.


RACE 4 - (5) SUPERIORCOURT has looked good since the barn change 3 back, and was a solid 3rd

behind a pair of very sharp rivals in last - the "best" horses in here are pretty shaky, and this guy may be

able to take advantage if his main competition self destructs. (3) CRAZY ABOUT PAT continues to lose a

few steps every year but the 11YO has a lot of class to him, and his last pair at Fhd. suggest he's feeling

pretty good right now - gets a major driver switch to Zeron, and is definitely worth a look at 15-1 ML. (4)

BULLY BOY has the TALENT to crush these....but he also made a break in his only local try (he's prone

to them, on all size tracks), and he was VERY hot in both of those Pocono starts - may just run and hide

from these, but a bit too risky to accept at a short price. (1) CYCLONE MAXIMUS is another that could

crush these "on his best", but currently struggling to find any kind of form - made a break trying for the

lead in last, but is still listed at 2-1 ML...just not much value here. (6) MUFASA AS continues to pick up

minor pieces, and that may continue tonight - not a bad one to include in exotics if looking to beat the

favorites. (7) SIR JOHN F has now drawn Post 7 or 8 in 6 of his last 8 starts - usually hurts his chances,

and probably will tonight, as well. (2) ROSE RUN SPEEDSTER draws inside and may get a decent trip...

but does seem to need a bit easier to succeed. (8) TORKIL seems unlikely to threaten from out here.


RACE 5 - (4) MILIEU HANOVER showed some potential as a 2YO and qualified back nicely (for a new

barn) to start off her 3YO campaign - meets no killers in here, and may be ready to win right out of the box.

(2) CHELSKI is clearly the one to beat, with 2 wins and a pair of close 2nds from her 4 local tries - will

likely be way overbet, though, and may not be a bad one to take a little shot against. (1) POWERED BY

MACH shows several Canadian lines that would make her a legit player in her Yonkers debut - draws best

for a very live pilot, and couldn't blame anybody that wants to lean her way. (3) LADY IN FASHION, like

the top choice, showed some ability at 2 - been stuck facing the tougher Series competition in her 2 local

starts, and may find this crew more to her liking - not impossible. (6) IDEAL HANNAH has gone a few

sharp tries here, but here 0 for 28 record makes it hard to consider her for the top slot - could add some

value to the exotics, though. (7) ADMITYOUREWRONG has been "ok" in a trio of starts since arriving on

the local scene, but look a lot more appealing with an inside draw. (8) SUNSHINE HALL did grab an upset

win here at this level on 1/27, but gets stuck all the way outside and may not be able to get into the mix. (4)

JUBILEE QUEEN looks much cheaper, based on her Monti lines


RACE 6 - (2) MACMORRIS HANOVER was handled conservatively in his first start back off the layoff

but appeared to have plenty of trot (in traffic) through the stretch - should be tighter now, drops a notch,

and may land on a very nice trip from this spot...gets the narrow edge vs. a few pretty sharp foes. (1) FULL

RIGHTS came up 2nd best to a stubborn winner off the class drop 2 back, then was able to score on the

lead (one level down) in last - will look to wire these as well, and he's the one to catch (and beat). (7)

BLENHEIM had been disappointing for ages until perking up with a big effort for 2nd to YES two back,

then was right there 2nd vs. FULL RIGHTS in his last - won't be easy from out here, but the price will also

be a lot better. (8) ABBIES CELTICLASS is as good as any of these, has been sharp for some time, but

gets stuck with the worst of the draw - can't blame anybody for using her if the price is right. (3) LADY

EAGLE runs hot and cold but on her best effort, she's another that's capable of winning here - wasn't bad in

last, and probably just looking for a clean mile off the qualifier that night. (4) FREDDIE MAC has been

unable to replicate that form reversing win of 3 starts back - probably needs a drop back to the basement.

(6) BROWNIE finally found the winner's circle vs. cheaper last time but figures to struggle with these


RACE 7 - (6) DANCE CLUB was a powerful winner here on 2/11 in her first try for her new barn -

conceded from Post 8 (against good older mares) in her next but didn't let that same draw dissuade her last

week, delivering a razor sharp, two-move 8 hole blowout - faces a solid bunch here, but will be tough to

beat IF she can bring that same effort. (2) MAJOR BATTLE shipped down from Canada sporting some

good form, and continued to race very well in her starts across the river - should be a major player in her

local debut, with the good inside draw. (8) NORTH STAR IDEAL will need a lot of trip luck from out here

but she's also going to appreciate escaping the high end, older mares she's been facing - if she's a price,

make sure to include her on your tickets. (1) TIPPERARY HILL has been a solid performer for several

weeks now, draws best and is definitely one to include underneath. (3) MAN DONTFORGET ME has hit

board in 6 of 7 local starts but still hasn't been able to get her picture taken - have a feeling it'll be more of

the same tonight! (4) ACEFORTYFOUR DOME is back on the upswing, racing very well in her last pair -

one of several solid players in here, and just as deserving of a spot on your tickets as many of the others. (7)

VICIOUS CIRCLE was just too far back to enter contention last week after beating these in her 2 prior

starts - the draw may leave her with too much to do tonight, as well. (5) ROCKNROLL ANNIE seems to

have tailed a bit and that has landed her at the bottom of the selections - but IF she rebounds to the strong

form she was showing just recently, she can quickly jump up past a lot of these -- good race!


RACE 8 - (1) TAD KRAZY HANOVER has been behaving herself every week...and doing some good

work on the racetrack as a result - finished 2nd off the class drop in last, but considering the winner was

YES, it wasn't all that much of a "drop" - as long as she continues to stay trotting, this is a good spot for her

to pick up that first win of 2021. (2) RACEACE went a nice mile off the claim last week, saving ground all

the way then finishing solidly up a clear rail for 3rd (right behind the top choice) - no reason he can't get

another big slice tonight. (4) INNISFALLEN is an in and out type, but was certainly on his game for last

week's blowout at The Swamp - that was an easier bunch, though, and we'll see if he can replicate that

effort against these. (8) ASKMELATER HANOVER grabbed a win and a 3rd in his 2 starts here late last

year - he definitely fits, but will need to find a way to overcome Post 8 - MacDonald has to at least try to

leave out of there to put him in play. (5) DIRTY SECRET has been "ok" lately - would definitely include

on the bottom of exotics, but looking elsewhere for the winner. (3) SHOWMEYOURGUNS totally lost

action at the start last week and lost any realistic chance - probably needs a class drop to threaten for a top

prize, but a minor share is probably within reach. Both (6) CON AIR HALL and (7) TOTAL DIVA would

look much better with better posts, in a cheaper class!


RACE 9 - (5) YES has looked terrific since coming back east and reuniting with his favorite trainer - steps

up another class after winning 2 straight and if he's just as good tonight, he'll have a good chance to beat

these too. (4) OOH RAH qualified back nicely (vs. a pacer) at Fhd., but was in a no chance spot for his first

start back under the lights - this is a much more realistic spot, and barnmate Ponder The Odds won here last

week off HER layoff - could be a serious player now. (3) KING CAST beat cheaper here on 2/17 but has

held his form very well even at these higher levels - gets major post relief, and could find himself a spot

somewhere in the exotics. (7) HAMMER CREEK has done good work since arriving here in late Jan. -

would love to see him with a better post (in a softer field), but he'll be a good price and does have a chance

to pick up a small share. (1) MAJESTIC KAT used a 1:00.1 half to steal one vs. easier last time - would be

surprised if she could beat this better bunch, but a small piece isn't out of reach. (8) SVF CASH DEPOSIT

couldn't reach from a similar spot in last but was still trotting well late - has improved considerably for his

current barn, but will need lots of trip luck to find a way into the hunt tonight. (2) FOMOR hasn't really

clicked since moving here to his current barn, with his only win coming on the lead, vs. much cheaper -

maybe can save ground for a small share, but definitely prefer others. (6) KOLIN disappointed vs. cheaper

shipping in from Ohio - hard to like his chances moving up in class tonight



RACE 10 - (5) PICARD A was very well meant last time but the trip just didn't work out, and he was

parked the entire way - was still right there 3rd at the top of the lane, though, and maybe can get it done

tonight with a kinder journey. (8) CENTURY FURY is the horse to beat, even from Post 8 - he's faced (and

beaten) better than these here recently, and returns from facing a couple of tough fields over in NJ - his

barn is en fuego right now, and he should definitely be included on your tickets. (3) ART SCENE shows a

mixed bag of race lines but he's actually fairly sharp (note that he was 2nd to both Yankee Roller A and

Keystone Phoenix recently) - expect him to have a legitimate say in the outcome. (7) TAP TAP TAP

showed a much improved effort returning to an old barn last week, but lands in a very difficult spot tonight

- willing to use him underneath. (4) CHANGE STRIDE N hasn't been doing much of anything lately and

shouldn't be as low as 4-1 on the ML - but he may be able to save ground and beat some of the others. (1)

BATTLE STRONG found a weak field he could beat in NJ 2 back but his last 2 local efforts were lacking,

and he'll need to be better (even from the rail) just to get a piece. (6) SUNKEN TREASURE has a recent

2nd and 3rd but generally does better work from the inside. (2) THUNDER SOME WHERE draws inside

but will need to be sharper to have any kind of say.

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