The Empire Report - Thursday, May 19, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (6) SO IRRESISTIBILE was hammered down to 3/5 at Chester in her 4th start of the year and
was able to deliver the hard used victory - this field is probably no tougher (despite the class jump), and she
showed plenty of ability last year at 3 - license to repeat. (3) DANCE CLUB was much sharper last week,
charging home to be a close 3rd - if she can build off that better effort, she can have a big say here. (5)
MILIEU HANOVER was a talented 3YO but did struggle against these older mares at the end of the season
- she ships in sharp from Pocono and may be ready to tackle the older ones now...but that 9/5 ML price
does make her a little less attractive (2) SOUND IDEA just missed 2 and 3 starts back (vs. a little easier)
then had Post 7 last week - moves back inside, and can be a player with any half-decent trip. (4) ASHTINI
used a perfect trip to beat softer two back, then made a break off turn two last week when she ran over a
rival in front of her - seems a notch below the top ones, but maybe can grab a small piece. (1) LARJ ON
LEAH was scratched lame on 2/16 and was idle until qualifying on 5/6 - guessing she'll need a start or two.
(7) ANNE BONNEY N is sharp right now, but moves up and draws Post 7...with likely a few leavers to her
inside - tough spot. (8) SHECANDANCE N is way up in class from the worst post
RACE 2 - Tough race! (1) BALFAST N was handled ultra-aggressively last week and the typically "lazy
closer" just fell apart to the top of the lane - assuming she'll be handled more sensibly tonight and that
would give her a good chance to rebound with a much better effort...but still hard to back at a pretty short
price. (5) CHECKERED PAST is more than good enough to beat these on her best...but she fails to BRING
that best effort more often than not - would only use on top if the price is decent. (7) BETABCOOL N is 0
for 19 here (last 3 years) with only one 2nd - she draws Post 7 off a sick scratch and normally would be a
quick toss....but her barn IS going well right now, so maybe she deserves a look at what figures to be a big
price? (3) THUNDRA went without Lasix last week and did race better- maybe she can build off that and
be a player tonight...but hard to use on top at that 9/5 ML price! (6) SHADY MADAM took home small
pieces in her last pair but really wasn't "sharp" either week - she's never been 1st or 2nd in 10 YR starts,
and will need to be better tonight for a chance at a big prize. (2) E R HILARY just hasn't raced well in ages,
and will need a major turnaround to be a serious player tonight. (4) CATIE FAYE HANOVER is just 1 for
15 at Yonkers, the win coming in a NW2 race - she's 12-0-0-4 to start 2022, but still can't be totally
dismissed arriving from Pocono (because this field is so soft)
RACE 3 - (5) LOVE THIS BAR moved to a new barn last week but was off 3 weeks and caught a fast mile
- was still ok at the end, and this spot seems much easier - look for a much better effort this week. (7) CHA
RLATAN HANOVER has been doing good work upstate and debuts tonight for a barn that has been known
to improve fresh stock - definitely one to include on your tickets. (6) OCEANVIEW PRINCE raced very
well in his first local try with his trainer on board - was a little disappointing the next week when he
switched to Brennan and couldn't stick with the winner in the lane...but he did hold 2nd and does get
another top catch driver for tonight - include in exotics. (1) JBN was a winner at Chester 2 back and a
winner last start in his Yonkers debut - faces tougher tonight, and has also been away for 3 weeks - MAY be
just a bit vulnerable. (4) DONT I WISH has shown some ability and was a (DH) winner at Chester last start
- he also seems prone to miscues, so insist on a fair price if he's your selection. (2) ORIGINAL SMOKEY
was 4th in his first start of the year and picked up a 3rd here last week - chance for another small slice
tonight. (3) SQUABLE is just 1 for 33 for his career and made a break last week - sticking with others. (8)
BIG CHARLIE MORAN may be worth a look when he moves inside...but seems buried tonight
RACE 4 - (2) SHES PUKKA N was in a no-chance spot from the start against much better last week, but
still only lost by a length and a half - look for a much more aggressive try tonight...with a good chance to
end up in the winner's circle. (1) ANDRA DAY has had trouble getting her picture taken this year, but tends
to race well most weeks and was pacing very well at the end in her last - starts from the pole, and that
should land her a big chunk of this. (6) GOLDEN QUEST N has raced better than her 9-1-2-0 record this
year might suggest - tough post tonight but she's a good fit with these, and could easily land somewhere on
the ticket. (3) JIVE DANCING A was handled aggressively last week and paid for it late - had been doing
good work stalking near the pace in several recent starts, and a similar trip could see her add some value to
the exotics. (4) LUCKY ARTIST A took full advantage last week of moving from the 8 hole to the rail,
defeating easier - may have regained some confidence, and has a chance at a small piece even moving up in
class. (7) ROBYN CAMDEN N draws terribly for her YR return and figures to be coming from way back -
wait for a better spot. (5) CORAL BELLA has found some form with easier, but still seems to be a bit
below the main players in here. (8) INTHESKYROCKET A doesn't seem as sharp lately, and draws all the
way outside for her Hilltop debut - will just observe, for now
RACE 5 - (5) SPORTS FLIX can hold her own with much better than these, and drops all the way to the
basement off a 2nd from Post 8 last week - shouldn't have any excuses here. (2) COOLNCALCULATING
N hasn't been good in her last few but this should be a prime wake up spot - was racing well with better
here not long ago, and could be the main threat to the top one. (4) CHELSKI was no factor shipping in 2
back but did race well last week, rallying for 3rd after racing 3rd over - chance for a piece tonight too. (6)
HEY HEY DBAY raced okay here a couple of times recently - maybe can add some value to the exotics?
(3) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE has shown nothing lately, but does move inside and catches a few weak
ones tonight - maybe can pick up a minor share? (7) ALWAYS BE COOL tends to lag much of the way,
then finish with some belated decent pace - may be too far back to it count tonight, however. (1) SKIP
ACROSS draws best but her recent Monti lines don't inspire a lot of confidence. (8) PLAY TO THE
CROWD was up the track in both local starts, and lands all the way outside tonight
RACE 6 - Tough race: (1) TOBAGO TIME has raced well in most of her local starts and almost knocked
off the heavy favorite last week (at 39-1!) - has the speed to take advantage of the draw, and that might give
her the edge over her main rivals tonight. (4) BABS JANSEN is very sharp right now, and can handle a
variety of trips - very logical threat, especially if the trip goes her way. (5) GINGER TREE LIZ has been
solid all year, compiling a 9-3-0-5 record - she's another that can deal with any trip that comes her way, and
does have a chance to be right there at the wire. (3) PAIGES GIRL was racing well until getting away
horribly from the rail 3 back, followed by a pair of 7 holes - moves inside, and may be able to outrace her
odds tonight with some trip luck. (8) TEMPUS SEELSTER had really gone south but was sneaky sharp last
week - on her best, she can beat much better than these...worth a stab from Post 8? (2) EYE POPPING
came up with that winning front end mile 3 back but did little before OR after that effort - hard to make a
case for her tonight. (6) DC BATGIRL could be tighter after her last start at Chester but she draws outside
for her YR return and we'll probably just observe, for now. (7) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N just hasn't been
clicking in her last few - hard to recommend right now
RACE 7 - (3) BEST HEAD WEST really hasn't gone a bad mile all year, and comes into tonight off a very
tough nose loss (to DRAGON ROLL) after being hard used all the way last week - she doesn't always race
"pretty", but she almost always finds a way to be right there at the end - we'll go with her here. (2) BOLT
OF BEAUTY really appreciated the class drop last week, crushing 'em from Post 7 - steps back up, but also
gets to move inside...very legitimate rival. (5) STAR CAPTAIN slipped out a little too late at the half last
week and was flagged for interference....putting a damper on an otherwise excellent effort - the 4YO has
quickly matured into a serious mare, and might be able to threaten for the top prize tonight with a bit of trip
luck. (4) DEMETER N definitely would prefer to be in cheaper, but an easy trip would at least give her a
chance at a small piece here (at a big price). (8) ROCK NPHILY has really thrived since joining her current
barn, and absolutely fits with these - won't be easy to find a manageable trip from Post 8, however. (7)
MAN DONTFORGET ME has held form beautifully this year, building on her excellent 4YO campaign
last year - hasn't drawn outside in a while, however, and may have some trouble getting into the mix this
week. (6) VIOLETS RAINBOW is an impressive 10-4-5-0 on the year, but the lone blemish came when
she moved up to this level last week, and drew outside - may be stuck in a similarly tough situation tonight
too. (1) CASH ROLL draws best, but does seem a bit below the main players in here
RACE 8 - (3) GIAS SURREAL had a rough start to her season, scratched from the first Matchmaker leg
then missing the 2nd as well -- but she's been making up for lost time since then, putting in sharp efforts
week after week including a win in the Matchmaker consolation, followed by an excellent try across the
river - we'll give her the narrow edge over a few pretty good foes! (6) DRAMAACT failed to beat a horse
after cutting the mile last week as the 1/20 favorite -- it's good to see she drops right back in the box, and
obviously she'll be a much better price tonight - the Matchmaker champ might be a good play here. (4)
DRAGON ROLL returned to her winning ways last week, grabbing her 18th local win over the past 2 years
- almost never a bad play when she draws well enough. (2) MCMARKLE SPARKLE won her first 3 local
starts (vs. cheaper) - a sick scratch slowed her down as the Matchmaker Series began, but she finished 2nd
to RACINE BELL on 4/15, then won this race last week, despite missing 4 weeks- has earned a lot of
respect! (5) MAJORCA N looks very good on paper, but she'll have to prove that she can maintain that
same form here at Yonkers. (8) LIT DE ROSE has gone plenty of big efforts since arriving from Canada,
but starts from Post 8 tonight after being away for 24 days - perhaps wait for a better spot? (7) MYSTICAL
CARRIE is also off a bad date, while having to deal with a bad post - good week to just observe? (1) SLY
ELEANOR N is a hard hitter and draws the pole...but still seems a notch below a lot of these
RACE 9 - (7) SIESTA BEACH is a good OPEN mare when on her game, but she's had a very hard time
getting untracked so far in 2022 - it's hard to "love" her chances tonight from Post 7, but there really aren't
any in here that are too scary - may not be a bad week to give her a shot. (4) COUSIN MARY is a pretty
steady player against this type, and Marohn can probably get a bit aggressive with her tonight - possibility.
(3) FIGHTING EVIL hasn't been all that sharp lately, but still seems like a good fit with these - ok piece.
(5) MAGICAL MISTRESS enjoyed the class drop and the lead last week and finally grabbed her first win
of the season - we'll see if she picked up some confidence with that score, and if she can contend with these
slightly better ones too. (1) SUMMER RAE shows that sharp 1:51.4 score at Chester 2 back, but also
shows struggling to be a threat in several other starts this year - possible, but likely to be overbet. (2) ACEF
OURTYFOUR ALEX does her best work with softer, but the good draw at least gives her a chance for a
piece. (6) TAVA was a little better last week after declining a bit for a few weeks- may find this spot a little
tougher than she'd like. (8) FILLY SPEAKS seems unlikely to be involved from out here
RACE 10 - (6) TEXAS TERROR N was reclaimed for $25K last week...a $5K premium for what they lost
the 14YO for 2 starts back - he's maintained his razor sharp form for a long time, and may be the right one
in a field of suspect contenders. (3) URBAN RENEWAL disappointed last week after HE was reclaimed -
could rebound with a much better try tonight. (7) SWAGASAURUSREX continues to outrace his odds, and
has held form since rejoining his old connections - not sure he'll be able to get in play from out here, but the
expected good price makes him worth considering for a piece. (4) DING DING DINGER has disappointed
more often than he's delivered but his last was sharp, and he may be able to squeeze a piece out of this (5)
SHOREVIEW shows up from time to time - willing to include underneath in exotics. (1) MISTER SPOT A
has been away for 4 weeks thanks to a sick scratch - sticking with others. (2) POSH ONTHE BEACH A
backed up in his first U.S. start, and would be hard to recommend off that mile.
RACE 11 - Tough finale - (6) LOOKATMYART has been going good miles every week lately, and doesn't
need the lead to be effective - the price should be fair, and she's one to consider. (3) RIGGINSWIND is
listed at 20-1 ML but seems to be more of a contender than that - consider using if sent off at a long price.
(8) PURE COTTON should be tighter with a pair of starts under her belt - very tough task, but at least the
price will be right. (4) SHELLIE DE VIE just missed 2 back, and is used to facing better- she's pretty
camera shy, however, and may be better used underneath. (2) CORSINI A ships back off a blowout win at
Fhd., but is currently 9-0-1-4 here at Yonkers - needs to step up her game a bit. (5) SLICK ARTIST A does
her best damage one level down, but a good trip puts her right in the hunt here too - would consider for a
piece IF the price is right. (1) ALWAYS B MIMI is hard to evaluate from her out of town lines but she
moves to a hot barn and draws the pole - wouldn't be shocked to see her race well. (7) DELISHKA N
looked done to the final turn last week but somehow just missed by a nose- tough spot to repeat that
performance, however.