The Empire Report - Thursday, February 24, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - Tough opener: (3) E R HILARY drops back down to the level of the claim and she's much more
comfortable in this class - should get a good trip, her barn is winning races in bunches, and she's a logical
player in here. (1) BYE BYE MICHELLE was sent off at 3/5 last week in what appeared to be a "soft" spot
- had things mostly her own way, but still tired in the stretch - hard to love her chances off that effort, but
we know she's capable of better and the price WILL go up for those willing to stick with her. (7) WOODM
ERE HARRIET really reversed form with last week's (very) sharp win - moves up and lands in a terrible
spot but she'll probably be a nice price tonight, and may be able to be a player IF some trip luck comes her
way. (5) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE was no threat to #7 last week when a clear 2nd best - might be
sharper tonight, but her barn has really been cold to start of 2022. (6) CLASSY CHAPEL has way more
bad efforts than good ones in recent times, but she does take a significant class drop here - a wake up call is
not impossible. (4) PONDER THE ODDS picked up a 2nd last week, but it was due, in large part, to a very
opportunistic trip - needs to find some better form to be a more serious weekly player. (2) PAIGES GIRL
was dull last week off the qualifier - would like to see a better start before hopping on her team. (8) A
CRAFTY LADY doesn't figure to get into the hunt from out here
RACE 2 - (2) PRAY THE ROSARY has been chasing much better lately and drops down into a field
where nobody is particularly sharp - feels like a good spot for her to pick up her first win of the season. (1)
DANCE CLUB is the "x factor" here - she's capable of banging heads with MUCH better than these when
"right", but she was sent off at 80-1 in her first start off the winter break (finishing well back), then was
scratched sick from her next - may come alive with the drop and move inside, but it would be hard to back
her at a short price! (3) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX would look better in a little easier but she's a hard
knocking mare, and an easy trip could see her grab a small piece. (8) MILADY DENVER A won 9X last
year and a couple of those were right here at Yonkers - she does fit with these, but it won't be easy to
overcome Post 8 - if you see a way into the hunt for her, by all means include her on your tickets. (4) CHE
CKERED PAST showed some life 2 back then built on that with last week's victory - not sure she can step
up and beat these too, but would certainly include her in exotics. (7) COUSIN MARY had a decent year in
Canada in 2021 and actually had good success here in her younger days - pretty hard to get excited about
her chances off that last NJ effort, though. (5) YS TALLIA has found some better form with cheaper, but
will need to pick it up even more to be a serious threat in here. (6) BABS JANSEN has been struggling
lately, and now draws poorly off a sick scratch - leaning towards others
RACE 3 - (2) P L OSCAR is 2 for 2 since joining his current barn, and that includes last week's easy win
here vs. NW2 - steps up to NW4 now, but it looks like he may be able to take another, especially with the
inside draw. (8) YUCATAN PARTY MAN rallied from way back to finish 2nd to the top choice last week,
looking very good in his first start back off the layoff - might have gone with him on top tonight if not for
another terrible draw. (5) JOE EXOTIC seems to be on the upswing since joining this barn 3 starts back,
and that includes last week's nice recovery after an early miscue (he did NOT cut the mile - that line is
completely wrong in the program) - definitely consider for exotics. (6) KEEPER OF SECRETS fits well
with these, but the outside draw may hurt his chances a bit - another that's very playable in exotics. (4)
DUKE OF LINDY usually outperforms his long odds, and gives his backers a decent root - always willing
to throw him onto the bottom of the ticket. (3) INFINITE ZETTE is 0 for 10 at Yonkers, but did hit board a
few times - not sure he's sharp enough right now off those Dover lines, however. (1) SV ROYAL FLUSH
had a couple of better efforts before going on the shelf in November, but the 2 qualifiers suggest he may
need a start or two. (7) MNEMONIC figures to have a hard time getting involved from out here
RACE 4 - (6) MAJOR BATTLE has beaten better than these in the past, and is in excellent form right now
- drops in class, and should be able to get the job done here, even from Post 6. (1) FIGHTING EVIL was a
very game 2nd to a sharp winner 2back, then an ok 2nd again last week - can grab a good piece here if she
shows up on her best game. (2) LADYBELUCKYTONITE will attract a lot of attention with the class drop
and move inside but she MAY not be on her best game right now...and therefore a little vulnerable? (3)
WOODMERE SKYROLLER has handled each class jump beautifully, and shown that she's good enough
right now to hang with these - ok to include in exotics. (5) TOBAGO TIME outperformed her long odds
while finishing 3rd in both local starts - steps up a bit here, and we'll see if she can continue to thrive
against these tougher foes. (4) CHUPPAH ON raced 3rd over last week (not indicated in the program),
followed wide on the last turn then finished up with some pace for 4th - chance for another small share
tonight (if the trip works out). (7) CAMPUS QUEEN was an "ok" 4th from the pole last week, but may
have trouble ever getting close tonight. (8) MALNIFICENT will look better with a class drop next week
(and hopefully a better post).
RACE 5 - (1) TELL ME A JOKE gets her first good draw of 2022 and has perked up in this class in the
past - barn was off to a horrible start to the new year but did have a winner earlier this week (HUNDIE N) -
maybe they'll start to finally win a few races? (6) FEAR MY SHADOW was no factor here on 1/20 but was
racing off a month that night - returns to YR off a pair of solid Fhd. efforts, and isn't a bad value horse to
consider. (5) SCANDALICIOUS finally flashed some life 2 back but seemed to just lose interest at the
back last week - may very well come alive from this spot, but don't take a short price if she's your pick. (2)
CABOWABOCUTTIE hasn't won here since 2019, but she does have several decent recent efforts - ok to
include underneath. (8) GOTTALOVEMYSHADOW had some pace finishing from impossible spots the
last 2 weeks but ;ands yet another horrible post - ok bomb for 3rd. (4) IDEAL HANNAH is just 1 for 37 at
YR (last 3 years), and hasn't really upped her game enough since joining her current barn - minor piece
only. (3) CRYSTAL SPARKLES had been terrible for ages but did pick up a 3rd two back before making
an equipment break last week - we'll see if she can continue to improve. (7) SWEET SALLY SUE just
hasn't clicked yet since arriving at YR - tough spot to endorse her tonight
RACE 6 - (5) LUCKY ARTIST A rallied nicely in a pair of Open starts to start off 2022 - dropped to
NW30000 last week and was handled aggressively, but ran into a very sharp Rockn Philly and came up a
neck short - drops one more notch, and gets a chance to make amends. (1) VELOCITY MCSWEETS
improved instantly upon joining her current barn on 12/16, and has continued to get better even as she's
climbed the class ladder - definitely a chance to be a big part of this with the move back inside. (4) IMPRI
NCESSGEMMAA gave it a big try in her YR return but was collared late by the razor sharp tripsitter -
would hardly be a surprise if she was able to beat these. (2) MCMARKLE SPARKLE was a sharp 7 hole
winner in her local debut vs. a bit cheaper - steps up a notch, but the inside draw should allow her to
contend for a piece with these too. (3) ANDRA DAY has been "good" facing age restricted "NWPM"
competition - takes on tough older mares here, and may struggle a bit. (7) THE FUN MARSHALL drops a
notch, but the outside draw still figures to limit her production tonight. (8) LAURIE LEE has been away
since August and draws Post 8 - we'll just observe, for now
RACE 7 - (5) MANDONTFORGETME had a terrific season here in 2021 which fittingly ended with a win
- qualified back nicely in NJ, and that tightener there last week should have her ready for action tonight -
she's Bartlett's choice...and ours too. (4) EASY TO PLEASE really thrived after joining her current barn
last Sept., hitting board in all 6 starts - she qualified right behind the top choice at The Swamp, but doesn't
have the benefit of a tightener...and that may leave her just a little short for tonight. (3) MAGICAL MISTR
ESS came up 2nd best from the pocket when dropping down to this level last week - should be able to have
a good say tonight as well. (7) BETTERB CHEVRON N faltered badly on the lead 2 back but roared home
for 3rd racing off the pace last week - at 20-1 ML, she's definitely worth including on the bottom of exotics.
(2) IRON MISTRESS gets a bit of a drop, lands inside, and may be able to grab a minor share. (8) DEMET
ER N was an easy front end winner last week, but that was from the pole, vs. cheaper - clearly a much
tougher spot tonight, and it may be hard for her to get into the mix. (1) GREENHILL HANOVER has been
even at best lately - rail helps, but others just seem sharper now. (6) THEBEACHISCALLING has found
some better form lately, but steps up to face older mares tonight and the outside draw doesn't help either -
sticking with others.
RACE 8 - (1) KARMA SEELSTER was 2 for 2 here last year, then came up 2nd best last week in her 2022
return, catching a blazing 1:51.4 mile - should be tighter now, and is surely looking at a good trip from this
spot - we'll give her the narrow nod. (6) RACINE BELL was scary sharp here earlier last year, but was
coming up just a bit short in a bunch of her starts to close out 2021 - seems to have appreciated some time
off, and was a game winner across the river in her 2022 return - legitimate threat to hit the top and take
these wire to wire. (2) ALEXA SKYE really hasn't been as sharp since winning a bunch of Matchmaker
legs last year, but it's not like she's been "bad" - she's looking at a good trip from this spot, and is definitely
a threat to take home a nice chunk here. (5) LIT DE ROSE is now 9-5-1-1 since arriving here from Canada,
and has proven herself to be a legitimate Open mare - may find herself coming from a little too far back
tonight, though. (3) ROCKN PHILLY is thriving for her new barn, even at these top levels - catches a few
tough foes tonight, though, and may be looking at a smaller piece this week. (4) LA BELLA VITA N was
outkicked home in her first Open try last week, and may need to be in a little easier.
RACE 9 - (2) AWESOME TRIX put in a long move on a terrible track on 2/3 and can be forgiven for
making a break into the stretch - she's shown more ability than the others in here, and can get the job done
tonight....IF she's ready to go off that sick scratch. (4) HEARTOFGOLD DEVIE was well backed for her
YR return last week but failed to make the gate - the ability is there, if willing to overlook that miscue (and
the price should be pretty good tonight as well). (5) LADY ANN NO was 3rd from Post 8 in her US debut,
then came out on top in her last pair - faces tougher now, but she certainly seems capable of holding her
own with these too. (1) STRIKING GENSON was offstride before the start last week, but actually put in a
pretty nice recovery - more than capable of grabbing a nice share with a clean effort. (6) BLANK SPACE
AS has leveled off a bit since winning 3 straight and landing up at this level, but can still grab a piece
tonight if the trip goes his way. (3) PERRON showed up at the right times to earn nearly $350K at 2 and 3,
but his current form needs to be better if he hopes to be a player with this NW6 group. (7) GRAFENBERG
had everything go his way last week, and he parlayed that good fortune into his first Hilltop victory - don't
see him being quite as fortunate from this spot, however. (8) TITANS HOPE cut the mile last week (the
program line is incorrect), and weakened in the stretch - hard to like his chances from Post 8 tonight.
RACE 10 - (6) MACHNHOPE has been knocking on the door in all four 2022 starts, against some strong
competition - draws a tough post in a solid field, but should be able to find a way to beat these. (5) HEAVE
NS SHOWGIRL A drops back down to the level she beat on 1/13 - should be a live player tonight, as well.
(1) MYSTICAL CARRIE hasn't been at her best in her last couple, but she's definitely capable of better -
draws best for a hot barn, and may come up with a better effort this week. (4) ANNABELLE HANOVER
was a well backed in this class on 1/27, but a little overmatched in NJ last week - could bounce right back
tonight, and grab a decent piece. (8) JIVE DANCING A was a solid 3rd to 2 sharp mares last week and
does seem ready to do some damage - she'll be a big price for anybody looking for a "last race bail out", but
it's more likely that she'll race conservatively from this spot, especially with a win about to come off the
bottom of her card. (3) CORAL BELLA seems to be tailing a bit after going on quite a run after being
claimed for $12,500 on 11/18 - could perk up with a big one here, but hard to count on that. (2) NEVERFO
RGETWHOUR charged home to take her last and she likes to win races - may find a few of these a little
too tough, though. (7) SPORTS FLIX wasn't bad off the layoff last week, but this just isn't a very good spot