The Empire Report - Thursday, March 30, 2023 - Race Analysis
Tonight's Pick 5 starts with $10,000 seed money provided by the SOA of NY, and there
will be a $25K guaranteed pool - jump on in!
RACE 1 - (4) KATYS DELIGHT caught a couple of sharp ones last week but was a solid 3rd in a quick
mile - she can be a hard horse to drive (needs motivation all the way!) but Bartlett seemed to figure her out
pretty quickly - worth a play in the opener, as most of the others have question marks. (1) ANDRA DAY
was sent off as the prohibitive choice (vs. cheaper) in her last pair, got over 3/4s in a slow 1:27 both starts
and got beat both times - she's now listed at 8/5 ML moving up in class and while this MAY be the week
she finds her back class and gets the job done, it would be hard to back her with any confidence (on top)
right now. (5) ANNE BONNEY N raced well last week but was simply no match for a sharper foe - she's
feeling good lately, and a quick start would really help her chances tonight. (3) COOLNCALCULATING N
has been a bright spot lately for a barn off to a very rough start in '23 - she hit board in her last pair, and is a
good one to include underneath tonight. (2) CHELSKI can be frustratingly inconsistent but this is a field
where she can definitely have a say - hard to consider on top though as she's just 1 for 20 here over the last
2 years. (6) DISARONNO HILL was holding her own with MUCH better not long ago but just hasn't been
close to her best in weeks - drops again, but hard to just assume that'll perk her up enough
RACE 2 - (5) PRIMADONNA DEO was a good 3YO ($120K) and has raced well so far at 4, though 2nd
best in all four outings - catches an easier group here, and it feels like a good time for her to get into the win
column. (4) MUSCLE DAN made a rare miscue last start and was in tough spots in his prior two - he's
capable of better and perhaps can bring some value to the exotics with a rebound effort. (3) SAID N DONE
AS benefited from a soft spot and a couple of inside scratches and was able to just hit the top and bury the
field last week - he's been a total model of consistency at Yonkers (14-4-5-4) but still seems a notch below
the top choice - expect his usual solid performance. (2) TAP ME BLUE CHIP qualified nicely upstate after
a 4 month vacation and has raced well here in the past - guessing he'll likely need a start (or two), however.
(1) STRIKING COUNT looked a little better 2 back but reverted to his lesser form last week - needs to up
his game to be a bigger player here
RACE 3 - (2) TORRONE was sent off at an absurd 55-1 last week and provided some enormous value to
anybody that used him in the exotics - obviously the price will come way down tonight, and he remains a
solid threat to some out on top. (5) WICKENBURGH ran into a tougher trip last week but still delivered his
usual big effort, just missing out on 2nd to the top choice - the main danger, and a big threat with an easier
journey. (3) SPICY NUGGET was hammered down to 1/2 for his local debut, never looked all that "strong"
and was just an "ok" 4th (finishing behind the top pair) - he'll be a much better price this time for anybody
that wants to stay on board, but we're still leaning to the top two. (1) CRESCENT BEAUTY hasn't been
sharp enough in her last few but moves all the way inside and an easy trip could see her grab a piece of this.
(7) SEVENSHADESOFGREY just wouldn't go by as the 4/5 choice two back but did score at 7-1 last
week, for those that gave him a chance at redemption - much tougher spot here but still a possibility for a
small slice. (4) BRAVE BY DESIGN had a useful tightener off the layoff last week - another possibility for
a minor share. (6) WILY WALLY debuted for our leading barn last week (in NJ) but took NO $$, and
finished up the track - he'll find his game eventually, and we'll keep looking for better signs from him
RACE 4 - (4) TECHYS ANGEL A is clearly not on her best game these days but it's not like she's been
"bad" - was a solid 3rd off the drop last week, and now drops another peg...we're giving her top billing
against these, but don't take too short a price. (1) COWGIRL LILLY was a sharp "pocket rocket" winner
last week but the fact that she was racing off a month makes that win that much more impressive - she has a
good history at YR, and may just continue to improve in her current barn- the main danger. (2) PRAY THE
ROSARY caught a fast mile in her YR return last week and wasn't quite up for it - drops in class, draws
well, and may be able to have a bigger say tonight. (3) SHOTGUN PERSUASION had 2 horrible posts for
her new barn but finished ok each time - finally gets a better draw and we'll get a better idea just how well
she fits with these - not a bad bomb to at least consider. (6) LIGHTNING LEIA disappointed as the 3/5
choice 2 back but made up for it with last week's sharp 2 move victory - moves up and draws outside
tonight, and we'll see if she can build off that last mile. (5) VEL DONNA through her best local mile in
ages last start to collar #6 - not quite ready to hop on her team, though, especially up in class
RACE 5 - (3) SPORTS FLIX was a little disappointing last time but she does throw a dud from time to
time - she's normally very tough down at this level and IF she brings her best tonight, she'll be pretty tough
to knock off. (1) ASHTINI was clearly short in her return mile on 3/16 but looked a little better last week -
if she shows up on her best game this week, she COULD be a threat from this spot (check the board for
clues). (4) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE came up with some good efforts at this bottom level and her last start was
better than it looks - another to consider if you're not a fan of the top one. (2) A CRAFTY LADY draws
well upon arrival from PcD but she just hasn't had much success here over the last couple of years (only 1
for 24) - would still consider underneath, as she should get a good trip from this spot. (7) MAJOR BATTLE
is used to facing tougher but really hasn't been sharp in any of her three starts since the layoff - Post 7 only
figures to make things even tougher. (5) BROOKDALE JESSIE is winless in her 11 YR starts but has raced
ok at times - another possibility for a small slice. (6) BETTORSHIGHLIGHT N is just 1 for 9 locally and
her barn is having a tough 2023 so far - prefer others. (8) E R HILARY doesn't figure to be able to get
anywhere near the action tonight
RACE 6 - (3) CINCINNATI HELP made 13 starts as a 2YO (out of town) with a mixed bag of results -
took 5 months off and qualified back at 3 without hopples, winning that prep at Hoosier - he hails from a
strong barn, gets Bartlett for his seasonal debut and may be worth a stab right out of the box. (4) CREDAR
ENA was "ok" winning on 2/23, looked very GOOD winning on 3/16 (off a sick scratch) then was an "ok"
2nd last week - clearly capable of taking this if he brings his best version tonight. (5) BIG CHRISTIAN
didn't race at 2 or 3 but started off his 4YO campaign in good fashion at The Swamp, picking up 2 wins and
a nose loss before making a costly miscue on 3/3 - debuted here at Yonkers 3 weeks later and was able to
beat a softer NW2 field, after some patient handling - he should be a very live player tonight as well, but he
also figures to be overbet against this better field. (8) LONESTAR FASHION added hopples on 2/14 and
was doing good things prior to that miscue on 3/9 - he draws Post 8 after missing 3 weeks but he DOES
have some ability, and isn't a bad one to include if spreading a bit. (6) HILLOFAKNOCKOUT outraced his
23-1 odds when a close 3rd in his local debut 2 back - failed to fire last week, but he's another potential
bomb if things fall apart. (2) SQUABLE added Lasix last week but really didn't race much differently - he
continues to pay for his groceries without ever running up a bill with the track photographer! (1) HILLTOP
BIG BOY faded off an easy trip in his YR debut - sticking with others. (7) AVACAKES looked well short
in her 2023 return and draws poorly for tonight - will just watch, for now
RACE 7 - Note that this race has a trailer (Post 9) and will be contested at 1/16th miles: (2) HYPNOTICD
REAM must have had some issue up at Stga. 3 back but it was quickly addressed, as he returned with a
very solid effort here at YR on 3/14 - went a very sharp mile last week to be right there with SON OF A
TIGER N and now catches a much easier spot for tonight - not the best draw for a 1 1/16th mile race but
Bartlett will find a way to get him away quickly....gets top billing. (1) DARK ENERGY N perked up with a
big mile to just miss 3 back, gets a pass for his next (terrible trip) then scored on the front end in his last -
steps up a notch but he's faced much better than these in the past-could be the main danger. (8) CAPTAINS
PLACE draws all the way outside but that's not a terrible spot at this distance - he showed GOOD speed out
of town in the past, and hopefully Siegelman recognizes the opportunity for a quick start here...decent value
horse to consider. (9) ONE OFF DELIGHT A is 0 for 26 at YR over the last 2 years but is definitely racing
better lately - any decent trip gives him a chance at a good slice tonight. (7) SWAGASAURUSREX figures
to be way back most of the way but he does finish well at times - ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) CRACK A
SMILE picked up a 2nd at PcD last week but his form has otherwise been fairly uninspiring - leaning
towards others, though his barn is having a decent year so far. (4) EL JACKO N was no factor in his last
pair (after a barn change) but he wasn't terrible either - maybe a minor share? (6) POSH ONTHE BEACH
A has been horrible but does move to a new barn - tough spot, but keep an eye for some improvement. (3) I
GET THAT showed his first life in eons last week - not ready to hop on board, but will keep an eye on him
RACE 8 - (6) VIOLETS RAINBOW just wasn't herself 2 back and should probably just get a pass for that
week - was handled conservatively in her last and did rally nicely for 4th after being well back early on -
gets no luck with the draw again tonight but does drop in class...and that could be enough to get her over
the top. (1) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N was really disappointing as the 4/5 choice 3 back then weakened on
the lead at 2/5 in her next...the public gave up and sent her off at 8-1 last week, and she proceeded to look a
lot more like her better self, wiring the field pretty confidently - hard to know if that was a turning point for
her, or if she'll revert to that lesser form (up in class) tonight- drawing her 4th straight rail surely won't hurt!
(2) SMOOTH DEBATE N really struggled for a while after arriving in the U.S. but she's been improving
every start lately, and steps up tonight off a pair of victories...has to be respected in her current form. (3)
PULL ME THROUGH got lost at the back last start but had been doing good work prior to that - chance to
land somewhere on the ticket from this much better spot. (5) PROTECT BLUE CHIP has consistently been
picking up pieces - in a bit tough here, but still may be able to land a small share with the right trip. (4) VE
LOCITY MCSWEETS really hasn't been good for a while - sticking with others
RACE 9 - (3) GREY beat this class 4 starts down and has had a couple of strong tries in the Open since
then - meets a couple of pretty classy rivals tonight, but we'll still give her the narrow edge. (4) WARRIOR
ONE was off a month to his last at Dover (after racing well in Canada) and only got beat by 3 lengths -
should be much tighter now. and looms a major threat with his owner at the lines! (5) MISSISSIPPI STOR
M hasn't been at his best in NJ lately (after returning from a layoff) but the $800K earner has done far too
much damage here over the years ever to be taken lightly - could bring a BIG mile at any time. (1) B NICK
ING is stepping up quite a bit in class but he's been very sharp since the layoff and should get a nice trip
from this spot - chance if a couple of the big guns fail to deliver. (2) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN was
handled conservatively last week and finished full of trot for 2nd - he's taking a big step up here but he has
$1.3M worth of back class - not impossible. (6) ALL CHAMPY has been a true iron horse, going big miles
week after week, for a whole variety of barns - he's used to facing a bit softer, however, and also draws
outside several very tough foes - will probably have to settle for a smaller share than he's used to tonight.
(7) ON HIGHER GROUND has been outstanding since returning from the layoff, and brings a 3 race
(impressive) winning streak into this - he's also moving up in class, and draws Post 7 after being away for 3
weeks - pretty tough assignment! (8) GEMOLOGIST loves to win races but he goes for a new barn, from
Post 8, moving well up in class - hard to see a way into the hunt for him tonight
RACE 10 - Tough finale! (1) HUNTING AS was "sneaky good" 2 back then raced very well in his last,
hurt by poor cover but still finishing with plenty of trot - should be able to work out a good trip from this
spot, and gets the services of Mr. Gingras for tonight - possible upsetter, but at much lower odds than he's
been going off lately. (4) IM THE MUSCLE was no factor after taking off the gate the last 2 weeks but he
delivered a pair of 1:55 front end scores just prior to that - another possible upsetter IF Dube tries to send
him. (3) STREET GOSSIP really didn't look all that sporty in the win 2 back but he was traveling smoother
last week, and was able to pounce on a dream trip - has more than enough class to step up and win again,
but he also figures to be a bit overbet. (8) WHAT SHOULD I GOO was a talented 3YO filly and more than
held her own here when facing the tough OLDER Open mares - just returned from a vacation with a nice
win at Pocono and she might have been the top pick here if not for the draw...but still may be able to beat
these. (2) SHARE THE WEALTH beat this class back on 1/19 but that's his only local score in 14 starts -
prefer to use him underneath. (7) NEWSBOY gave it a good try last week and battled back for 2nd after #3
trotted by in the lane - can never dismiss the prolific trainer/driver combination, but this does feel like a
rough spot. (5) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE has always done his best vs. easier- wait for a drop. (6) PERRON
clearly needed his last off the layoff - moves to a new barn for tonight but draws poorly, and the guess is
that another conservative trip will likely be in the cards.