Friday Empire Report

March 12, 2021

The Empire Report - Friday, March 12, 2021 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (6) ROCK ON LINE wasn't bad at all in his only local try (2/12), rallying steadily from well

back to be 4th - won his next start at Fhd., and appears to have legitimate excuses in his last pair - gets a big

switch back to Stratton tonight, and catches a group with pretty questionable main players - hopefully can

find a trip to beat these. (3) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY finally got a long overdue win 2 back but caved badly

after hard use in his next, then never got close off the claim in last - moves inside for a hot barn, and can be

a major threat if he shows up anything close to his best game. (1) HIGHVIEW CONALL N will really

appreciate the move inside and will use his speed to be a close up player - he's not on top of his game right

now, though, and he'll need to be a bit sharper if he wants a shot at the top prize. (4) WAR DADDY does

seem to have fallen off form, but he hails from a sharp outfit and is eligible to perk up at any time - willing

to include him underneath. (5) WAVES OF FIRE hasn't necessarily been "good" in his last few, but he's a

lot better than he had been - chance for a small piece. (2) WILD WEST seems fine out of town but he's

12-0-0-0 locally over the past 2 years, and that doesn't inspire much confidence. (8) TWIN B

IMPRESSIVE hasn't really been clicking, and now lands Post 8 - wait for a better spot. (7) IMA

TRAGEDY N hasn't raced well at The Hilltop in a long time - wait for a decent effort before considering

again


RACE 2 - Matchmaker Pacing Series - (1) MY RUEBE STAR N probably wasn't at her best last week but

the guess is that she probably wasn't fully cranked up either, knowing the Series was right on the horizon -

her local record is outstanding, she figures to be cutting this mile and that stamps her as the one to beat

(though far from a "cinch"). (3) MACHNHOPE is definitely better on a bigger track, but she's a very tough

mare and has found a way to deal with the Yonkers turns as best she can - comes into this razor sharp and if

she's close when they turn for home, she'll have a legitimate chance to roll by for a win. (4) DBLDELITEB

RIGADE N was impressive in her first 2 local tries, quickly establishing that she definitely belongs with

these - not as sharp in last, though, and even made a little bobble on the final turn - wouldn't be shocked if

her sharp conditioner has her back on her game for tonight, but we'll still give the edge to the top pair. (5)

BETTORS HEART N started her U.S. career like she could be any kind, but definitely plateaued a bit

before being turned out for a freshening - hard to gauge anything from that qualifier but since she's drawn

outside, we'll just watch her...for now. (2) CAVIART CHERIE could have been a little stronger on the end

of her last but the bigger concern is her 1 for 27 record here in 2019-20 -- she'll need to prove that she's

ready to battle these. (6) ALLI NUI looks badly overmatched with these, especially with the outside draw


RACE 3 - Matchmaker Pacing Series - (4) ALEXA SKYE wasn't quite AS good for her new connections

last week, but it would be unfair to say she was "bad" (just because she got beat) - the 4YO has blossomed

into a serious beast this year, and has absolutely earned the right to make amends for last week's narrow

loss - one of the early favorites for this Series, if she maintains her top form. (1) SEASWIFT JOY N has

quietly done excellent work since shipping up here in late Oct. and her last effort was better than it may

look on paper - figures for a good trip from this spot, and should be right there from start to finish. (6)

MACZAFFAIR N has her issues for a while but has looked super since returning from the winter break -

should be able to be a player in this Series if able to maintain her fine current form, but may be at a

disadvantage here, starting from the outside (even in this abbreviated field) (2) MONICA GALLAGHER

was definitely tailing in her Open starts, and was just "good" hanging on vs. cheaper off last week's drop -

seems below the main players right now. (5) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP moves to a sharp local barn for this

series, but the Canadian shipper has missed time and may need a start or two before we see her best.


RACE 4 - (3) CONTROL TOWER landed on a beyond perfect trip last week and had no problem pacing

on by for the win...his 4th in the last 8 starts - moves to a new barn for tonight but remains the one to beat

(but don't fall in love at too short a price)! (2) P H KENNY was reclaimed from his last by the barn that had

incredible success here with him this fall/winter - he hasn't been close lately to his best form, though, so it's

hard to say if he'll perk up enough to beat the top choice...but he's the main danger, for sure. (7) THEREIS

APACEFORUS has been a steady player lately, hitting board in his last 3 - no luck with the draw tonight,

but he does have a pilot that isn't afraid top gamble on leaving - at 20-1, he's worth using somewhere on

your ticket. (1) GIAS BOY seems a bit below the top players but he draws the pole again, and moves to a

barn suddenly very active at the claim box - we'll see how their horses do the next few cards. (4) REASON

ABLE FORCE gave it a go on the front end last week and really didn't tire badly, despite getting hounded

by #1 - maybe can race off the pace tonight and grab a small piece? (8) WHATA TWIST has NJ lines that

suggest he'll fit here, but he'll be severely compromised by the post tonight - keep an eye for the future. (5)

ROCK ON PRECIOUS came up with the big upset 2 back but that mile seems like an anomaly - prefer

others. (6) WE THINK ALIKE was 2nd by default last time - willing to let him beat us tonight


RACE 5 - Matchmaker Pacing Series - well matched field! (3) SIESTA BEACH is going to get the narrow

edge, mostly because she's been racing here every week...and racing very well! She's proven to be an

outstanding claim by her connections, and she's shown that she can beat these....and her ability to handle

any trip is just another asset in her favor. (2) SNOBBYTOWN really blossomed late in her 3YO year and

matured into an excellent, top level performer here as a 4YO (local record is an amazing 23-10-9-3) - her 2

qualifiers suggest that she'll be ready right out of the box, and it would be no surprise at all to see her come

out on top. (1) SOHO BURNING LOVE A has been a model of consistency at Dover for connections that

are no strangers to Matchmaker success - the assumption is that she'll fit perfectly here...and give the locals

all they can handle. (4) LADY DELA RENTAA really elevated her game after joining her current barn,

and was a winner in 6 of 10 local starts here in 2020 - yet another that could take this, if things go her way.

(5) BLUE IVY ships in showing some impressive form in Ohio and PA, but it's hard to gauge just how well

she fits with the top ones - we'll find out tonight! (6) KAITLYN N is extremely overmatched with this type


RACE 6 - (2) HERRICKROOSEVELT N is hard to "love", as he has just 1 win from 11 local starts (and

will sometimes misbehave) -- but he's faced much better in most of those of starts, and often raced very

well....this really does feel like a winning spot. (5) VELOCITY KOSMOS put in very good bids against

solid rivals 2 and 3 back before tiring in the latter stages - he's definitely a good fit with these, and should

be able to grab a good piece with any half-decent trip. (6) KNOCKING AROUND often faces better than

these and tends to hold his own - should be tight after last week's surprise speed try (finished 2nd), and he

could easily outrace that 10-1 ML price. (7) PERFECTLY CLOSE is sharp right now, but gets no luck with

the draw - not sure he can reach coming from so far back so Dube should at least consider trying to leave

(like Holland did 2 back) - chances go way up with an aggressive start. (8) LUCIANO N actually finished

with good pace in his last pair, but is stuck with another terrible draw - may have to take what he can get in

here, and wait for a better scenario. (1) ABERDEEN HANOVER would normally be a big threat from a

spot like this but he just hasn't been close to his best lately - in major need of a quick form reversal. (3)

MILITARY MASTER A still hasn't found his form since returning from the layoff - could wake up any

week, but so far has offered no signs that it's coming soon. (4) ART HISTORY has just been towing along

for small pieces - no rail tonight, and that will hurt for sure.


RACE 7 - (3) ARABELLAS CADET should be brimming with confidence as she's earned her way back

up to the Open on the strength of 3 straight dominant wins....not to mention that the "Super Siblings" are

back to sending out horses that look like Pegasus himself coming through the stretch - she'll actually be a

decent price (after being the odds on choice in her last 3), and sometimes it's a good idea to ride the hot

hand(s). (5) MAGICAL JOURNEY has really elevated his game for his talented young conditioner, and

comes into this off a couple of "career miles" - he'll be a nice price here, and just may be able to land

somewhere on the ticket. (2) LINDSEYS PRIDE was a very sharp winner 2 back but ended up with a brutal

trip last week (just through bad luck) - could easily rebound and be a threat again. (7) MELADYS MONET

can never be counted out in any field, from any post...although the old boy WILL need some things to go

his way from all the way out here. (4) HOMER HALL hasn't been able to beat the Opens yet, but he's

picked up plenty of good pieces - always a good one to throw in underneath. (1) LEAN HANOVER really

had been off his game for several starts before landing on the dream trip in last, and converting it to victory

- could be some value playing against him here. (6) SWANSEA is hard to fault of his current lines, but it

still seems like he's not quite as sharp as he was in many of his starts last year - certainly can't count him

out, but make sure to get a good price if using on top. (8) HILL OF A HORSE may have too far to come

tonight - tough spot


RACE 8 - (5) CINNABAR DRAGON had been off form for weeks but looked like a new horse in last,

rallying from a seemingly hopeless spot to be right there 3rd at the wire - barn tends to be a bit streaky, so

not a bad week to give this guy a look (hopefully at a decent price). (2) BABES DIG ME always "figures",

but is winless here over the last 2 years (10 starts, but six 2nds and a 3rd) - always a better one to use

underneath, rather than on top (especially when overbet). (6) MY DELIGHT is probably a good fit in this

field, and the right trip could put him close at the wire...maybe even a shot at the win? (3) SOUTHWIND

MOROCCAN just hasn't been as sharp since the barn change 4 back - needs to step up his game if he hopes

to be a more serious contender. (7) IDEAL WHEEL hit the top from Post 8 2 back but tired to 4th - took off

the gate from Post 7 in last and was too far back to have any prayer - needs to improve at the start to have

any realistic shot at a piece of this. (4) PLAY THE FIELD rallied for 2nd last week but it was a "fall apart"

race, won (easily) by a big longshot - will need to improve to grab a piece tonight. (1) MAJESTIC KIWI N

draws best but has really been dull lately - rail his only asset right now. (8) BRACKLEY BEACH is the

outsider, both literally and figuratively.


RACE 9 - Good betting race: (3) SECRET BRO should be a big price here, but his form suggests he's a

legt player - plenty of late trot to be a close 3rd two back, and may have been a winner last week if free a

bit sooner - no clue what trip is in store for him, but he's sharp enough for a chance at a big slice if it's a

good one. (6) NEW HEAVEN was able to rally for 2nd behind last week's runaway winner, and his 3

previous starts were better than they look on paper - he's quite capable at this level when things go his way.

(7) MOST INTERESTINGMAN is always a big threat when he drops to this level, regardless of what his

form looks like - the issue is the poor post, and it's hard to say if he'll be able to overcome it....but he's

definitely worth using if the price is right. (5) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN was sharp when 3rd in his

NY return, then was able to wire the field in his last pair - this is a much tougher spot, but the 8YO does

have plenty of back class - possibility. (2) EYE OFA TIGER AS made breaks in 4 straight Yonkers starts

before adding hopples on 1/22 and JUST hanging on - did revert to a break in his next, though, followed by

a weak try at DD - seems like the value here is in playing against him. (4) THE LAST CHAPTER was a

pocket winner 2 back but in general, he hasn't been on his best game (especially at the end of his miles) - ok

for a piece, but prefer others for the top slots. (1) AFTER ALL PAUL wasn't looking too good in his last

even before the miscue - may just look to get around the track safely tonight, even with the inside draw. (8)

WHETHER OR NOT FI looked good beating cheaper in his first 2 starts back at Yonkers, then was a close

3rd after a ground saving trip in last - faces a tough assignment from Post 8, though


RACE 10 - Another wide open affair: (8) MACHIATTO A had been leaving well and grabbing good trips

week after week....leading to a long string of 3rd place finishes - was in a no-chance spot from the back last

week but actually was charging home through the wire - if Siegelman can find him a decent spot without

using him too hard, maybe he can charge by tonight for an overdue victory? (1) BAKERSFIELD only

made 12 starts last year but two of them were back to back front end scores at PcD - qualified like he's

ready for action, and the barn has delivered several "off the bench" winners already this year - maybe this

guy can do it too? (3) SOHO LEVIATHAN A has been solid lately, and gets major post relief for tonight -

another very logical contender. (7) ALTA LEROY N was very sharp when an unlucky 2nd to the form

reversing Dragon Said two back, then jogged last week to make amends - terrible post tonight, but his new

found gate speed may be put to use again...and that could put him in the mix. (2) TREASURE MACH was

2nd best to a classy front end winner 2 back, then sharp in victory last week - draws inside, and definitely

can have a say in the outcome. (5) SCRAPPIN GOLD has been facing tough rivals in those "NWPM" races

- should fit nicely here, but not sure what trip he's looking at. (4) PATRIOT NATION seemed to be a

talented 3YO earlier last year but then sort of fell off the planet - been freshened up, but that return qua.

doesn't inspire much confidence - pass for now. (6) BALLERAT BOOMERANG draws outside off a sick

scratch - will pass tonight, and watch for the future.


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