The Empire Report - Thursday, March 24, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (1) SLICK ARTIST left well 3 back but was completely wiped out (apparently seen by
everybody except the judges) - never close from Post 7 the next week but was very well meant in her last,
and might have won if not for too much stretch traffic to navigate - she likes to win races, and will get her
chance tonight. (4) NUTTINBETHEBEST was both too hot and erratic last week and lost all chance - may
be able to just blast cleanly to the lead here, and that would make her a legitimate contender against these.
(8) SHADY MADAM might have been the top pick with a better draw, but it's possible that Bartlett can
find her a winning trip even from out here - one to consider as long as the price is decent. (3) PRAY THE
ROSARY hasn't been close to her best in several starts, and has burned plenty of $$ as she's slid down the
class ladder - hits the bottom rung tonight and may perk up and beat these...but the better value still seems
to be in looking elsewhere. (6) TELL ME A JOKE has been a contender the past few starts but keeps taking
home only smaller pieces - could be looking at a similar scenario tonight. (5) E R HILARY would be a big
threat here on her best game, but she's thrown way more bad ones than good ones lately - needs a wake up
call! (2) CRYSTAL SPARKLES N is 14-0-0-1 over the past 2 years and has missed a month - her barn IS
hot now, but she's a tough one to support. (7) GOTTALOVEMYSHADOW is unlikely to reach from here
RACE 2 - (2) VIOLETS RAINBOW demolished the competition 3 back then traded neck decisions with
the very talented EASY TO PLEASE in her last pair - she's in an excellent groove right now, and deserves
the nod from this inside slot. (3) WESTBEACH was just hammered at the windows last week (1/5!) and
easily trounced the competition - she rattled off 3 in a row the last time she got sharp, so perhaps another
big effort will be forthcoming. (1) VELOCITY MCSWEETS got very good after moving to this barn late
last year and climbed the class ladder - wasn't at her best 2 back, though, and couldn't quite hang on after
cutting the mile last week - needs to find that "A Game" once more if she hopes to contend for the top slot.
(4) LADYBELUCKYTONIGHT picked up 2nds in her last two starts at this level and can certainly
contend for another good chunk tonight. (5) FIGHTING EVIL has been right there at this level in her last 3
starts, though a little short right at the end- probably looking at a smaller piece once again. (8) BRILLIANT
BEAUTY shipped up from PPk and faced better in her last pair across the river (and didn't embarrass
herself at all) - probably fits well with these, but will need much luck to overcome tonight's terrible draw.
(6) STAR CAPTAIN is a nice 4YO and was impressive in last week's wire to wire score from Post 8 - steps
up to face tough OLDER foes now, and will need to prove that she can be as effective at this level. (7)
ROYALTYWESTHO blasted off the car last week, earned a two hole trip and converted it into a win -
looking at a much tougher trip tonight, however
RACE 3 - Tough race: (6) JOE EXOTIC made breaks in 2 of his last 3 but will try it with the hopples
tonight - he has the ability to beat these when he behaves, so maybe this is a good week to hop on his team?
(4) YUCATAN PARTY MAN gave it a good try on the front end on a night where many of the speed
horses tired badly - big threat to get the job done this time. (3) LOVE THIS BAR just missed at PcD with
Kakaley last week and the pair gets reunited tonight here at Yonkers - logical player, but that 2-1 ML price
is a turnoff, for sure. (5) SHEZABARHOPPINGCHIC shows a mixed bag of recent efforts but did win
handily at PcD 2 back - barn has had some success here in the past, and may be able to have a say with this
mare tonight. (7) TRAIN returned from a 4 month layoff to qualify nicely at PcD, wearing hopples for the
first time - hails from a solid trotting outfit, and he's not the worst bomb you could come up with. (1)
SQUABLE turned in his best effort in a long time last week and draws the pole for a barn that's doing ok so
far in 2022 - willing to use underneath. (8) JESSIES OUTLAWED fits with these for sure, but figures to be
looking at a very conservative trip from Post 8, off 3 months. (2) BIG CHARLIE MORAN throws a good
one at times, but is just a little too unreliable for our tastes
RACE 4 - (4) CAMDEN HILLS was just too bad to be true in his last start - been away for 3 weeks since
then, and we'll just assume that the Dynamic Duo used that time to fix whatever was wrong that night -
supposed to handle these comfortably if anything close to "right". (1) SOUTHERN SWAN MAN was
racing very well to close out 2021 then returned with a good looking qualifier after 3 months off - if you
don't want to take the top choice at a short price (couldn't blame you), this guy could be a good alternative.
(6) SEVENSHADESOFGREY just wasn't clicking at all for his current connections but now sports a
modest 2 race win streak as he tries to step up in class tonight - might have built enough confidence to be a
player here too. (3) GRAFENBERG is just 1 for 20 here at YR but he's pretty good at just towing along
then finishing late for a piece - may be able to do that here too. (2) DUKE OF LINDY used a perfect drive
in a weak field to pick up his first win in a while last week - faces much better here, but may still be able to
snag a smaller piece, with the inside draw.(5) COCKTAILS N DREAMS had some good starts here last
year but tailed off to end 2021 and hasn't really shined since returning in '22 - we'll see if he can improve as
he ships over from The Swamp. (7) DROP THE MIC was very promising last year but went on the shelf
after being scratched injured, and hasn't looked nearly as good since returning - tough outside draw just
another obstacle to overcome. (8) PERRON seems to far out to have much say in here
RACE 5 - (5) GOLDEN QUEST N was really hurt when forced 3 wide to 3/4s last week (by MAGICAL
MISTRESS) but still raced big, rushing up uncovered into the final turn, collaring the leader, and only
getting run down by a razor sharp, late-flying foe - her prior 2 efforts were much better than they look on
paper, and she's absolutely worth another shot tonight (8) DEMETER N seems to be hitting on all cylinders
right now, and that gives her a chance here, even from Post 8 - would absolutely include her on your tickets
(6) MAGICAL MISTRESS was outbrushed to the final turn by GOLDEN QUEST N last week (after
forcing that one wide) but still finished strong for 3rd - overall recent form is solid, and she may find a way
onto the ticket once more, even from this tough post. (1) EDGE OF ETERNITY would like to be in a bit
cheaper, but she can still be a player with these thanks to the inside draw - use in exotics. (4) NEVERFOR
GETWHOUR is capable of a big effort at any time, even if her last few lines don't look all that stellar -
throw in underneath. (3) MAJOR BATTLE has a solid Yonkers record, but definitely does her best work
with a bit softer - the right trip could see her rally for a piece, though. (2) MACZAFFAIR N debuts tonight
for a new barn after some time off - she tends to run hot and cold, so it's anybody's guess as to how she'll do
tonight - perhaps the tote board can offer some clues? (7) TEMPUS SEELSTER has gone some big miles
here but she's been away for 3 months, and lands outside in a solid field - guessing she'll need a start or two
RACE 6 - (3) PAIGES GIRL is much sharper than her lines might suggest, and that was facing better -
drops for a hot barn, and should be pretty tough tonight. (1) FIRSTUP seemed hard to drive in her last
couple but Siegelman should have an easier time from the pole - logical threat from this spot. (5) MILADY
DENVER A tired on the lead last week on a night where several other frontrunners suffered the same fate -
she tends to be fairly unpredictable, but would have a big say with these with anything close to her top
effort. (2) FLASH A SMILE has been outracing her odds in many recent NJ starts, gets a good post upon
arrival as well as a nice driver upgrade - may be able to land somewhere on this ticket. (6) FEAR MY
SHADOW lands another tough post, but may be able to pick up a minor share with some trip luck. (7)
ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX has been fairly sluggish for some time, and drawing all the way outside puts
her in a tough spot even if she perks up a bit - wait for a better draw. (4) A CRAFTY LADY is off 3 weeks
and hasn't shown much in her most recent effort
RACE 7 - (4) MONICAL GALLAGHER charged home full of pace in her 2nd start off the layoff and vs. a
much better field than this - drops, moves inside, and looms the one to beat here. (1) CORSINI A is winless
in 7 local starts but did hit board in 4 of them - seems like a good spot for her to land somewhere on the
ticket. (6) CABOWABOCUTTIE finished surprisingly well against better last week (at 51-1) - figures to be
a pretty big price once again and may be able to grab herself a piece. (5) WALTZWITHSIERRAA showed
plenty of potential upon arriving from Down Under last year but now finds herself still winless after 14
local tries - hard to get a good read off her qualifier but she does hail from a sharp barn, so there's a chance
she could be ready right out of the box - willing to throw in underneath. (7) DANCE CLUB had been
struggling but did find a field last week that she was able to handle - tough spot tonight (vs. better), so we'll
see if she built enough confidence to go with these too. (8) COLOR ENVY wasn't bad 2 back off the layoff
then caught a fast mile last week - this is probably an impossible spot, but she's still not a bad bomb for 3rd
if spreading in trifectas. Both (2) MALNIFICENT and (3) BYE BYE MICHELLE are both struggling now,
and may have trouble contending despite their good draws
RACE 8 - The first edition of the FM Open trot draws a full field of 8: (8) HEY LIVVY never even looked
right 2 starts back, her "body language" terrible even before she made that break - last week was another
story, however, as she looked AND raced super, very much like the beastly version we've seen at times in
the past - we'll gamble that she has another good one coming. (4) NO MAS DRAMA is the other main
player in here and definitely the "safer" of the two - finished right behind frequent Open winner
MISSISSIPPI STORM last week, and is clearly the one to fear if the top pick doesn't bring her best. (1)
GREY hasn't missed a check in ages, and doesn't figure to miss one from the pole tonight - the only
question is how big a piece it'll be! (3) CASINO CUTIE IT returned sharp from the layoff, right there in
3rd despite the time off - may be able to rally for another decent piece tonight if the trip goes her way. (2)
KANDY SWEET is a streaky sort that's definitely feeling pretty good right now - probably not a threat to
win here, but can tow along closely for a minor share. (6) CHAMPAGNE ON ICE did pick up the win last
week but she's still not at her peak level (and hasn't been, for a while) - she also draws poorly tonight, and
may not end up with the best of trips. (5) SPREE has some good form on paper but that's against easier foes
- not sure how well she fits against this tougher bunch. (7) MISS MCKEE did her best racing here vs. a bit
easier, and was no factor in her last 2 starts in NJ - poor draw figures to put her in a rough spot tonight
RACE 9 - (4) TECHYS ANGEL A had 2 wins and 4 seconds from 8 starts in Australia last year, and that
includes a victory in a Group 1 race - her qualifier only looks "bad" because Borgata Series player CHASE
H HANOVER whistled a mile in 1:52.4, but this mare did pace home in :27.4 from the back of the pack -
barn usually has them ready to go, and the guess is that this mare will be no exception (2) JIVE DANCING
A finished alertly 2 back, then was 2nd best behind the currently sharp BETTERB CHEVRON N last week
- seems next in lane, and becomes the one to beat if the top choice isn't ready for action. (6) CASH ROLL
went a very solid effort for 3rd in her 2nd start off the layoff - she fits well here, and looks better than that
10-1 ML price might suggest. (7) GINGER TREE LIZ was a very game winner in her 2nd start of the year
but the 4YO will be forced to take on older mares tonight, and from a tough post - still think she can pick
up a decent chunk! (1) PONDER THE ODDS' best efforts have come vs. easier, but there's a few in here
that she could be able to beat....especially starting from the pole. (3) EYE POPPING has been mired in a
rough patch lately, and needs to find her better game if she hopes to contend for a piece here. (5) SCANDA
LICIOUS picked up a couple of recent wins over softer, but hasn't thrived up at these higher levels. (8)
DELISHKA N was a winner off the layoff but then unable to follow up that mile with more strong efforts,
coming up flat the last 2 weeks instead - and now gets stuck with Post 8.
RACE 10 - (4) JOSSIE JAMES A got nipped by #1 two starts back but was a lot sharper last week, wiring
the field with an open length victory - look for her to make it 2 in a row tonight. (1) WESTMONT Z TAM
was a dead game first over winner over the top choice last start, adding her name to the long list of horses
scoring victories in their first start for this barn - remains the main danger tonight, even though both mares
are moving up in class. (6) SHEIKH YABOOTY N had solid pace when clear in the stretch last week (her
2nd start off the layoff) - not a good draw for tonight, but still looking for her to improve even more, and
have a say in the outcome. (5) CHELSKI lacked the stretch rally she needed last week, but she's gone too
many good efforts here to not deserve a chance to be better tonight...at a good price - include underneath.
(2) TEAM KIWI N used good trips to pick up 2nds in her last 2 starts - could grab another good piece
tonight if the trip is kind once more. (3) HEY HEY DBAY followed along well enough to pick up a 4th in
her YR debut - suppose she could grab another minor piece with a similar trip. (7) SOMEBEACHSOMEF
RA fits well enough with these, but could be hampered by the draw - thinking a smaller piece tonight is
more likely than a larger one. (8) ANNE BONNEY N has used her speed to grab trips (and pieces) in the
past, but may have a hard time from all the way out here with some other speed types to her inside