The Empire Report - Thursday, September 8, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (8) PRECISE FASHION has shown real ability in his 5 career starts, and can be forgiven for
losing last week in the Pocono slop, as the prohibitive choice (the winner would be the favorite to beat the
rest of these) - debuts tonight for one of our sharpest barns and as long as Stratton is willingly to race this
guy aggressively enough to win, he should be able to overcome the terrible draw. (1) LONESTAR FASHI
ON had a solid season on the Indiana Fair circuit, and now debuts for a sharp outfit....while drawing the
pole with Bartlett - should be able to have a big say here...assuming he behaves. (5) MUSCLE DAN has
been facing #1 in Indiana all year, and gets a pretty significant trainer and driver switch as well - belongs in
exotics. (7) WEATHER VANES has done good work so far at 3, picking up 2 wins and a 2nd from his 5
starts - hails from a very strong barn and will be getting a significant driver change for tonight...the obvious
concern is the draw, however. (3) ARYA DE VIE failed to hit board in her first 7 career starts but was much
better last week, finishing 2nd in PA - we'll see if she can build off that mile. (6) CREDARENA broke his
maiden in start #17 last week, but faces a tougher field tonight while moving from the rail to Post 6 - will
likely be chasing only a smaller share this time. (2) IT IS WELL picked up a 3rd in his local debut but in a
race that featured a 1:01.2 final half - not sure how well he fits with these. (4) SQUABLE has just one win
and one 2nd from his 37 career starts
RACE 2 - (2) FAIRIESDELIGHT A was sent off at 1/2 for her U.S. debut (off the sharp looking qualifier)
but had to settle for a close 2nd when the winner rattled off a :27 final quarter in front of her - finished well
from an impossible spot (against better) last week, and will be the prohibitive choice tonight with the class
drop, and move inside. (5) GALLERIA GAL sharpened at Monti and brought that good form down here to
Yonkers, racing very well in her last 2 starts - a live trip could help her pick up a nice chunk tonight. (3)
GAME OF SHADOWS was racing off a bad date last week but still kicked home with crisp pace - she beat
this class3 starts down, and shouldn't be dismissed too quickly. (7) IMPRINCESSGEMMAA fell apart
after a couple of starts for our leading trainer, and the streaky mare now finds herself back in the barn she
was in prior to that - would never be a shock at this level, but she WILL need a pretty quick turnaround to
come out on top from this spot. (1) SPORTS FLIX found a winning effort 3 back but has otherwise been
disappointing for some time - rail helps, but still sticking with others. (4) SEZANAA used a perfect trip vs.
cheaper to pick up an extremely rare local victory last week - unlikely repeater! (6) ASHTINI seems to
need a good trip vs. softer to be a threat these days - not sure she'll get near the action tonight
RACE 3 - (2) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY had a strong 3YO season $191K and was 6-3-3-0 right here at
Yonkers - has struggled just to function (so far) at 4, but her latest qualifier and start (just missed at Chester
from well back) suggest she may finally be on the right track - would have no trouble against these if even
close to 100%. (7) DIAMOND OFFICIAL recently changed barns and was well backed in a pair of 3rds at
Chester - not an ideal spot for her Hilltop debut, but that 20-1 ML price makes her worth at least a look. (3)
SUMMER RAE earned over $150K at 3 but is another that has been suffering from the "4YO blues", with
just one win and one 2nd from her 19 starts - could have a say here if she can bring one of her better efforts.
(4) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX has been massively camera shy over the past 2 years but she does fit with
these, and does have Bartlett - would need a nice price to consider on top, though. (1) CORAL BELLA got
hot and ran all the way up to the Open.....but she turned in the other direction some time ago and has really
struggled since - the good draw at least puts her in play for a piece. (5) LARJON LEAH is another that's
been well off form in 2022 - has only 1 start in the last 5 weeks, and would need a major wakeup to
threaten tonight. (6) RIGGINSWIND was unable to beat even lesser when she was here awhile back - the
outside draw doesn't help her prospects for tonight. (8) RIGHTFULLY MINE chased better from the 3 hole
last week but tired badly in the stretch - moves all the way outside, and would be hard to endorse here
RACE 4 - (3) CANTKEEPMIASECRET was floundering in NW1 at VD to start the season, losing her
first 13 starts and trotting around 2:00 every week - was purchased after her start on 6/10 and her new
Meadows connections certainly figured out quickly how to press her buttons, sending her out to an
eye-popping SIXTEEN length win in her first start....while establishing a new 1:53.4 mark -- she took 4
more starts after that then was sold to local connections - was no match for the outstanding FLIP THE
SWITCH in her local debut, but avoids that rival tonight...so we'll go with her on top. (7) X O X O shipped
in from Canada and was an impressive winner in both of her local starts - took two more at Chester before
finishing 3rd off a tough 8 hole trip, and then bled in her next - returns to Yonkers on Lasix, and may race a
lot better than that 10-1 ML price seems to suggest. (4) VILLAIN got major class relief for his first local
start and charged home an easy winner - steps up to face tougher now for his potent trainer/driver
combination, and looks like he might be up for it - legitimate threat. (8) VALI HANOVER had been
enjoying a solid season up in Canada before being purchased in late August by Yannick and Co. - likely
needed that last start at Chester and should be tighter now....but of course will have to contend with Post 8 -
that 20-1 ML price does make him worth a look, though. (1) YUCATAN PARTY MAN has blossomed into
a pretty solid trotter this year - gets major post relief for tonight and should be able to at least grab a small
piece of this. (2) STARLIT RAMBO won from the pocket in NW4 but has settled for a couple of well
beaten 3rds against a few good ones at this NW6 level - looking at a similar scenario tonight. (6)
SEVENSHADESOFGREY has only been able to take home minor shares lately, and may need some trip
luck just to do as well tonight - just a tough spot. (5) LEDGES had some good trot finishing against easier
last week, but may struggle a bit against this strong NW6 bunch
RACE 5 - (7) BEST HEAD WEST was very well meant in last week's Open but a very tough trip left her
settling for 3rd - she's held her own (and beaten) better than these for most of the year, but she draws poorly
and really isn't the handiest mare on the planet - we'll give her top billing, but won't be betting the ranch on
her at what may be a pretty short price. (1) DRESDEN shipped in and raced very gamely here on 8/18 but
it's last week's eye-catching win (at Tioga) over the very talented RACINE BELL that really stands out -
hard to say if SHE was just super or if RACINE BELL just wasn't on her best game (or a combination of
both?), but it would be hard to NOT include her on your tickets after that victory. (3) WESTBEACH was 3
for 4 here last year but just 1 for 15 earlier this season - appears to have really gotten her act together over
at Pocono lately, and may be good enough right now to be a player tonight. (2) ANDRA DAY just never
clicked at all for her previous barn but instantly came back to life upon joining this high % outfit - may be a
notch below a couple of these, but the good draw does put her in play for a piece. (4) MAGICAL MISTRE
SS was sharper than her lines might have looked so it really was no surprise to see her win last week (at
11-1) off the perfect trip - may not land on quite as good a journey this time, however. (6) DBLDELITEBR
IGADE N has been racing better than her 20-1 ML might infer, but this does feel like a tough spot - not a
bad one for longshot fans. (8) GINGER TREE LIZ was suddenly a big player last week after blasting to the
top from Post 8....but gambled on coming after the favorite from the pocket on the back side, and it left her
short at the end - don't think she'll be catching them off guard THIS week. (5) WESTERN ROSIE added
Lasix last week and was well supported despite the class jump - could only manage a "meh" 4th, though,
and may need to be in a little easier before we see her best again
RACE 6 - (1) SECRET OR NOT was our choice in his Yonkers debut but he lost all chance with an early
miscue - he did trot a BIG final half (only lost by 7 lengths after being WAY out of it) and while it would
have been nice to have a top local catch driver on board, Smith did qualify him and has to know what he's
capable of - hopefully the price will be a little better as we try him again. (4) WEE JILL has a pair of 2nds
from 4 local tries and should be able to use her speed to work out a nice trip - she did make a break last
week, but figures to have a big say here as long as she avoids any more mistakes. (8) BY A HOFF HANOV
ER is just 1 for 25 this year after winning 11X in 2021 - he also draws Post 8 BUT he has the speed to get
away quickly, gets Bartlett at the lines and does figure to be a big part of this. (2) EXCHEQUER is tough to
predict from week to week but if he shows up with one of his better efforts, that could land him a spot in
the exotics. (7) THE BOSS MAN was able to get the job done last week but was helped by a weak field,
and a :31 final quarter - will probably be looking at a much smaller slice tonight. (5) NORTHERN BLIZZA
RD picked up a 2nd in his local debut but that was with a beautiful trip in a soft field - will need to be better
to contend in here. (6) PROTOSTAR ships in showing an 0 for 37 record over the past 2 years - we'll just
watch, for now. (3) OCEANVIEW PRINCE hasn't beaten a single horse in 6 straight starts - adds Lasix
tonight, but it would be hard to believe that he can turn things around enough to be a player
RACE 7 - Tough race: (4) JODY has been pretty good lately, but got away in the back last week and was
never part of the action - gets a much kinder draw for tonight, and Brennan will have some options as to
how he wants to race her - could be a spot for a big effort. (1) DC BATGIRL really perked up off the drop 2
back so last week's front end win (at 3/5) was certainly no surprise - gets another crack at the class, draws
the pole, and Bartlett (who drove her in both local wins this year) is back on board - threat to take another.
(3) PLZDONTLIETOME N kicked home in :27.1 last week to beat the hot import (as the 2nd choice) -
steps up a notch but she's shown that she can contend at this level as well - a live trip could make her a
serious player. (2) BETTERB CHEVRON N has plenty of back class and is pretty good right now - her
only recent WIN, however, came on the lead vs. easier - would prefer to use her underneath tonight. (5)
BABS JANSEN looked like a winner as they turned for home last week, but somehow the leader (whom
she already passed) managed to battle back and beat her at the end - she's a very steady player in this class
but it almost seems like she's forgotten her way to the winner's circle - another one to use underneath. (7)
COMMANDER CATHY N is still (incredibly) looking for her first U.S. victory, and has lost all 23 local
starts - she's actually raced well plenty of times, though, and always has a chance to rally for a share...with
the right trip. (6) TOBAGO TIME was nowhere 2 back after looking like she was starting to come around -
rebounded with a better try in her last, but this just feels like a very tough spot.
RACE 8 - (3) MCMARKLE SPARKLE was ignored in the wagering last week and offered only some mild
late pace for 4th - gets a much better draw now, and she's a proven winner at this level - could be a decent
value play tonight. (7) DELITFULCATHERIN N has taken 3 of her last 4 starts- note that she was favored
in all of those victories, but ignored at the windows the week she was a non-threatening 4th - perhaps a
check of the tote board will offer some guidance? (5) DRAGON ROLL has been unbelievably consistent
for 2 years, and picks up good pieces even when not on her best game - she may have to race from off the
pace tonight, but she's shown that she can do that too - could offer some good value for the exotics. (6)
RACINE BELL can be a little streaky and she just seems to be a little short at the end in most of her recent
starts (still shocked that she was worn down by DRESDEN up at Tioga last week) - as good as she can be
(when 100%), you'll still want a decent price to consider her on top right now. (2) SIESTA BEACH is
feeling pretty good again, but now she'll have to do it at the top level - mixed feelings about her chances for
tonight. (4) DRAMAACT looked like she may finally be coming back to her best form (after two wins at
PcD) but she really disappointed here (as the favorite) on 8/18, and remains pretty risky. (1) REACHTHRU
THESKY AS has been in and out recently, but even her best may not be enough against these.
RACE 9 - (6) TURNTHEFROWNAROUND recently returned to the barn that won several races with her
at Yonkers last year (and had her racing at the NW20000 level) and her last start at Chester suggests she
ready to go back on the upswing - gets the call in this blank NW5000 field. (2) LADYBELUCKYTONITE
hasn't been doing all that much, but she hasn't been terrible and now drops and moves inside - a player by
default! (7) BRONE OVER N raced "ok" in her last few - if Smith can land on a live cover trip, she may be
able to rally for a share. (5) ALWAYS A MIRACLE hasn't really thrived since the recent claim, but may be
able to do a little better against these (1) AMERICAN TOUR N had been on a nice roll before just stopping
badly on 8/18 - was claimed that night, then immediately scratched sick the next week - truly no idea what
we'll see from her tonight! (4) GREENHILL HANOVER has been pretty invisible lately, but does have a
couple of wins here this year - suppose she may get a wake up call one of these weeks. (3) WOODMERE
SKYROLLER has been terrible for a long time, and now she's been almost unsteerable on the turns - hard
to like her chances right now. (8) SCANDALICIOUS doesn't seem sharp enough right now to make much
noise from out here