Thursday Empire Report

soaofny • August 19, 2021

The Empire Report - Thursday, August 19, 2021 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - NYSS 2YO Filly Trot: (1) VALENTINA BLU showed ability right from the start, charging

home in :27.3 to win her first baby race - has done nothing but good work since then, and her only NYSS

try was an excellent 2nd from Post 8 at Stga. behind the VERY talented JOVIALITY S - this is a solid

bunch of young ladies, but this filly seems to have a talent advantage over the others. (4) GERTRUDE also

impressed in her first 2 baby races, then won a pair of NYSS events before making a costly miscue in last -

definitely some legitimate ability here! (5) BOMB HUGGER is 4 for 4 to start her career, including NYSS

wins at Stga., Btva., and Tioga - draws outside some good foes, and that winning streak will be put to the

test tonight. (3) SEVEN ON THE ROCKS was a solid 2nd behind GERTRUDE in both of her starts - may

head to the top here, with a chance to last for a good piece. (1A) ILUVMYMIMIUS doesn't seem as

talented as her entrymate, and did make a break last week - always useful to get a "free" horse on the ticket,

though. (2) CASH INFUSION adds hopples hoping it'll help her stay flat - she's shown ability when flat,

but still a very risky play here.


RACE 2 - NYSS 2YO Filly Trot: (6) JOVIALITY S has been outstanding right from the start, jogging in

her NYSS debut (beating VALENTINA BLU) then racing super across the river, winning a Doherty

division in 1:54.1 before finishing 4th in the $326K final, trotting in 1:52.4 - seems tons the best of these,

despite the outside draw. (2) LITTLE PINK LIES improved significantly at Tioga last week, finishing 2nd

at 58-1....a repeat performance could land her another good piece here. (1) GETTINMYSTEPSIN has hit

board in all 3 career starts, draws best, and is a prime candidate to land on the board once again. (3) LA

VIE EN BLANC made breaks in 2 of her last 3 but hails from top connections, and isn't at bad bomb to

throw in for 3rd. (5) CRANBERRY LAKE broke in her last after doing some good work prior to that - may

get a conservative steer tonight off that miscue. (4) COWBOY CRUSH won a couple of preps at Gaitway

but followed that with break, scratch, and break - re-qualified at Chester, but we'll just observe, for now.


RACE 3 - (8) CAMDEN HILLS has been a steady player in PA at this level - gets the worst of the draw

but also lands in a very beatable field, and should be a pretty nice price - worth a shot. (2) LADY RESORT

AS shows plenty of lines out of town that could beat these, but she goes for a new barn, has been away for

a month and will likely be the favorite - just not much value using her on top. (1)

CANTABSLEADINLADY gave her backers a big root at 82-1 last week, grabbing the top and holding it

until she broke on turn three - can definitely grab a piece of this if she behaves. (5) EXCHEQUER picked

up a pair of 4ths in his last 2 but seems like he may have more to offer - use underneath. (6) INFINITE

ZETTE picked up 2nds in her last two starts but does draw poorly - maybe a minor share? (7) KEYSTONE

CECILIA shipped in from Canada with some decent lines and was able to easily handle a very soft NW1

field - these are tougher, and the outside draw won't help either. (4) HEARTOFGOLD DEVIE did win here

2 back, even if it was by a nose, in 2:04.3 - just still out on this filly. (3) SAN CRISTOBAL had to

re-qualify and making breaks in two straight - prefer to see a clean mile before considering again.


RACE 4 - (3) LUCKY ARTIST A was last seen here racing in NW20000 (in May), so this is quite a drop

from those levels - debuts for a new barn tonight (and for an owner who has been buying up lots of horses

lately), and this feels like a good spot for her to pay instant dividends. (1) MORE THAN MANY has been

picking up lots of minor pieces lately but lands the pole in an overall soft field tonight, and should be able

to grab a larger slice. (5) MADAME LEZA was starting to put together a string of better efforts before

throwing a bit of a dud in last - should be a decent price tonight, and is worth including underneath, looking

for a quick rebound. (2) FREE EXCHANGE has been in and out lately - draws inside, and has a chance for

a piece if in one of her better moods. (4) MACHIN MARLEY seems a bit cheap right now but she did grab

three 3rds from 6 starts last year, and could be a decent bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) FOLLOWTHEWIND N has

some good recent efforts when drawn inside, but may struggle to get involved from out here. (7) TRIPLE

DIP always had legitimate ability but was highly erratic - she's still erratic, but we haven't seen the ability

in a long time. (6) BETABCOOL N hasn't been a factor in any of her recent starts - sticking with others.


RACE 5 - (2) BLUE DEVIL improved significantly in his Yonkers debut last week, scoring impressively

at 13-1...but that really was no great shock as his conditioner has suddenly become a training force this year

- price will be much lower this time, but he still may be worth sticking with. (3) DA BOOGIE MAN wasn't

bad at all from Post 8 last week upon arrival from Pocono - moves inside, picks up Bartlett, and is a good

one for exotics. (6) DUCHESSPEDIA may have the most ability of these but she's been a bit unreliable in

NJ, and the barn has been burned a lot of $$ with short priced ship-in favorites this summer - be careful. (4)

DESTINY BLUE CHIP hadn't been good for weeks but reversed form in a big way last start to score the

upset victory - we'll see if she can build off that, or if it was more of a fluke. (5) PANTHERAAS is just 3

for 42 but does have 16 2nds and 3rds - throw in for 3rd. (8) BRILLIANT BOB is yet another in here that

reversed form to take his last - not sure he can reach from out here, though. (2) DUKE OF LINDY had a

string of sharp efforts but hasn't looked good in his last few - will just watch him, for now. (7) REEL EM

IN has a few solid tries lately, but will be hard pressed to make much noise from out here.


RACE 6 - (6) NEVERFORGETWHOUR was very well backed last week off the long layoff and went a

BIG mile, coming up 2nd best to the sharp front end winner - she drops a notch, loves to win races, and is

the one to beat tonight. (1) BEST HONEY HANOVER lost all chance by the first turn last week, finishing

way up the track after needlessly getting parked the mile - less chance for any driver error with the rail

tonight, and she's definitely good enough to have a big say with these. (2) LAURIE LEE looked a bit better

last week, and one her best, is a good fit here - include in exotics. (8) PETTYCOAT BUSINESS was a

"meh" winner (at 1/5) last week, and now draws Post 8, up in class - certainly shouldn't be listed at 5/2 ML,

but does have a chance to rally for a small share. (4) SOUND IDEA burned a lot of money in her last

couple, coming up short at the bottom level - steps up a notch, and is likely looking at another smaller

piece. (7) SANDYS BEACH usually hates being on the lead and Stratton knows it...so it was a surprise to

see her there last week (but no surprise at all to see her back up badly) - maybe she can do better sitting

back and rallying late this time? (5) DIAMONDTOOTHEGERTIE just isn't on her game right now.


RACE 7 - (7) RACINE BELL was way wide into the first turn before backing off then launched a BIG

wide move on the final turn, before ultimately flattening just a bit at the end (losing the whole race by just

over a length) - even her losses this year have been outstanding, and this feels like a good spot for her to

add the 10 wins she already has in 2021. (6) SHES PUKKA N is feeling pretty good right now - any decent

trip should put her in play for another big chunk. (4) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N is back on her game, gets a

good draw, and could land herself somewhere on the ticket once again. (5) BOLT OF BEAUTY steps up to

the Open and she's sharp enough right now to handle it - can see her grabbing a decent piece if the trip goes

her way. (2) JIVE DANCING A was very game last week, even though weakening to 5th after a very tough

trip - chance for a better piece with an easier trip. (3) DEMETER N just conceded at the start last week and

never had a prayer (but wasn't bad) - may continue to race conservatively, as wins come off the bottom of

her card the next two weeks. (1) TURNTHEFROWNAROUND is enjoying a fine season at YR (11-5-0-4)

but steps WAY up tonight and will need to prove that she belongs. (8) IMPRINCESSGEMMAA went a

couple of scary miles after changing hands in June but seems to have leveled off a bit - lands all the way

outside, and we'll just keep an eye on her, for now.


RACE 8 - (1) NORMANS MADELINE just missed cutting the mile 2 back, then put in a decent rally for

4th from a tough spot in last - she'll likely be looking to cut the mile again tonight...maybe this time she can

make it last? (3) HIGH ROLLING rebounded from a dud 2 back with a game uncovered 3rd in last - she

fits well here, and a good trip could out her right there on the wire. (7) CANDY ON THE BEACH ships in

sharp from PcD and seems like a perfect fit - the outside draw is a concern, so make sure to get a decent

price if using her on top. (5) TOPVILLE ANGELINA certainly gets a pass for last week (for being brutally

parked) - she won her previous two (at big prices), and that includes a win over the top choice - her new

barn usually has success right off the claim/purchase. (2) MILADY DENVER A steps up off a win in her

last - seems a little cheap, but an up-close, easy trip could help her take home a piece. (6) J ROCKIN B is

sharp now, but steps up in class while drawing outside - will need a live trip for a chance at a small piece.

(8) PAIGES GIRL is good right now, but may have trouble finding a way into the hunt from this spot. (4)

BALFAST N has missed time, and that qualifier doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.


RACE 9 - (3) DRAGON ROLL was trapped while full of pace 3 back - had the misfortune of catching a

scary sharp Man Dontforget Me in her next, then was clear too late again in last - time for some trip luck to

go HER way! (5) TAKE ABIT OF LIFE has gone some very good miles since arriving from Pompano this

Spring and last week's effort was better than it looks - good value horse to include in exotics. (1) LYNBAR

ROSE A is sharp right now, even if a little on the cheaper side - chance for a good piece from this spot. (7)

MAJOR BATTLE raced super last week, engaged in a VERY long battle with the winner before finally

giving way very late - she's been right there week after week for months, and has to be respected, even

from Post 7. (2) BYE BYE MICHELLE does her best work with softer, but the good draw may help her

pick up a piece. (4) ROLL WITH ANGEL is probably a bit over her head right now, but her form remains

pretty solid - willing to use for 3rd/4th. (6) CARDIFF disappointed in NW7500 last week and is now forced

to double jump - wait for an easier spot. (8) CHECKERED PAST seems too far out to make any noise.


RACE 10 - Tough race! (4) BETTERB CHEVRON N was sharp earlier in the year, tailed badly for a while

but is definitely back on the upswing right now - flew home to beat cheaper 2 back, the finished full of pace

for 3rd from Post 8 last week - she'll be a nice price again, and may be sharp enough to beat these. (3)

NORTH STAR IDEAL got major post relief last week and used an aggressive drive to score the victory -

can be right there with these too if the trip goes her way. (2) SPORTS FLIX was a "drop and pop" winner

last week, appreciating the class relief - moves up a peg, but can be a player with these too. (7) SEASWIFT

JOY N took all the $$ last week and crushed her foes off the class drop - gets a free ride in the class, but

also gets stuck with Post 7 - can't blame anybody willing to use her, at a price. (1) POPPY DRAYTON N

has found her form lately, and wasn't terrible in the Open last week - drops back down, and may be able to

pick up a decent piece from the pole. (6) APRIL AVA has been ultra consistent, but draws outside while up

in class and may not be able to get into the mix this week. (5) GOLDEN QUEST N used an easy trip to

grab 2nd last week - been a little too inconsistent for our tastes, though (8) SHEIKH YABOOTY N is

picked on the bottom but only because she has Post 8 in a solid field - this'll be a rare chance to get a nice

price on a live one from the talented training tandem.


RACE 11 - (3) COCKTAILS N DREAMS was racing well at Chester before shipping in last week and she

raced well here too, finishing 2nd the standout winner - major threat to get her picture taken tonight. (1)

TURBOCHARGEDPETE made a break last week but was doing fine work here at Yonkers before that -

very dangerous player if he minds his manners here. (5) MOON RIDGE disappointed here when 2nd best

at 1/2 on 7/15 then was no good at all at PcD the next week - has been away 25 days since then, and

definitely feels vulnerable tonight (as the ML favorite). (4) YOU MAKE IT EASY was a good 2nd here 2

back and may very well have been a winner last time had she not made that costly beak on the final turn -

include in exotics. (7) BIG BAD SWAN was showing excellent Monti form prior to the recent purchase -

made a break in his first local try, rebounded to win his next but was no factor in last before making another

break - bad post, and thinking he may be handled conservatively here. (2) MY BOY CHRISTIAN just

hasn't really thrived since shipping in from Chester - needs to pick up his game! (6) CAVALIER GEORGE

and (8) I HAVE A DREAM seem up against it from their outside posts.


RACE 12 - (3) MAN DONTFORGET ME has taken 4 of her last 6, and was REALLY good in a few of

those victories - meets some other good ones tonight, but seems capable of coming out on top if she brings

her best. (5) ROBYN CAMDEN was handled very conservatively last week and didn't have much chance-

she always deserves a lot of respect dropping down to this level. (6) DANCE CLUB has a strong 12-3-4-1

record here this year and was a game first over 2nd in her last - will need some trip luck to get it done from

Post 6, though. (7) BRONZE OVER N has been sharp for a long time, for different barns - goes for new

connections tonight, and will need to find some way to get into the hunt from out here. (1) MALNIFICENT

does her best work vs. easier, but she'll appreciate racing from the rail - may be able to just tow along for a

piece. (4) BETALADY was way back after some early trouble last week but was pacing well after the fact -

legit player when she behaves herself. (2) MILLWOOD BONNIE N is one of several from the barn starting

to really come around lately - in tough here, and we'll see if she can continue to thrive at these higher

levels. (8) ROCKNROLL ANNIE raced much better than expected last week, but has her work cut out for

her from Post 8 tonight.


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