The Empire Report - Thursday, February 2, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - Very tough opener! (1) BETTORSHIGHLIGHT N ended up with no room in the stretch last
week after sitting the two hole trip (and it's hard to say what she might have had in the tank) - she did win
at this level on 12/1, and she's one of several with a chance to take this wide open affair. (3) BROOKDALE
JESSIE showed good speed on 12/22 but did get cooked in the process - she's picked up a pair of 3rds to
start off the new year, and may be able to beat these with the right trip. (4) E R HILARY was a steady 4th
off the winter break then just missed last week, after looking like a winner into the stretch - she comes off a
rough 1 for 29 season, but does seem to have appreciated the winter break - definitely possible. (5) ANNE
BONNEY drew Post 7 vs. better to start the new year then was unable to capitalize on last week's drop after
landing Post 8 - have to believe Yannick will be a lot more aggressive from tonight's much better post. (2)
PULL ME THROUGH was just 1 for 28 last year but was "sneaky ok" in her last few starts of the year -
could be tighter with last week's start under her belt, but Stratton did opt for #4. (7) CRUSH ME made a
nice quarter move to command last week, only to lose action on turn two and bolt - the ability is there to
beat these, but she may have to wait for a better spot before she can show it. (6) BETABCOOL N draws
poorly for her YR return and is just 16-0-0-2 here over the last 2 seasons
RACE 2 - (5) HL REVADON just continued to improve after joining his current barn and has now taken 3
of his last 4 starts (with an awful track 2nd thrown in too) - not a "cinch" in here, but he does remain the
one to knock off, especially after drawing inside #6 again. (3) HEY LIVVY seemed to appreciate the time
off during the winter break, charging home for 2nd last week after sitting last all the way - she's beaten the
boys many times in the past, and could be the main danger tonight. (2) TIMESTORM can be a little
inconsistent, but he also is capable of some big efforts - seems a notch below the top pair, but may have a
shot if both come up short this week. (4) KENZIESKY HANOVER had things her own way vs. cheaper
last week and had no trouble holding off her only rival to the wire - she's probably more comfortable facing
a bit softer, but Bartlett does give her a vote of confidence by taking her over #1 - a quick start (to secure a
trip) would help her chances for a good piece. (1) FLIP THE SWITCH certainly hasn't embarrassed himself
at the Open level but still hasn't been able to win in this class - another rail assignment helps but Bartlett
does opt off one of his best accounts to drive #4. (6) NOWS THE MOMENT was super for 4 straight starts
but ended up pocketed by the top pick last time and weakened significantly in the stretch - drawing outside
that same foe tonight may hurt his chances once more
RACE 3 - (1) PROTECT BLUE CHIP took a couple of starts to get going for the Dynamic Duo but her
last was a big step in the right direction (and the winner of that race is used to facing much tougher than
these) - she's the one they'll have to catch and beat. (6) LADYBELUCKYTONITE was used very hard to
make the lead (vs. better) last week and probably deserves a pass for tiring into the stretch - drops to the
bottom level now and has to be considered a legitimate threat...although her 1 for 33 record here last year
makes it hard to take a short price)! (2) CHELSKI tired after coming first over into last week's slow pace -
she's eligible to tighter now, but she does tend to be unreliable...not impossible. (4) THUNDRA is another
that's capable of decent efforts, but throws far too many duds to ever really rely upon (like last week). (7)
SMOOTH DEBATE N just hasn't clicked yet since arriving from Australia - figured to perk up with last
week's class drop, but it was probably her worst effort to date - in need of a major form reversal! (3) LOVE
THAT SMILE was off a bad date for a new barn last week so the jury is still out on her - she hinted at
ability not all that long ago, but seems to be struggling at the moment. (5) KATHYS MOMENT faltered
badly as the favorite here on 10/27, took some time off, and is still trying to find some better form - hard to
back at that 3-1 ML price, even if you're looking for a better effort tonight
RACE 4 - (1) PROMISE FOR LIFE was basically just "road tested" from Post 6 in his local debut but
certainly came across the wire full of trot - was well backed the next week, and turned in an excellent try to
be 2nd best to the classy KENZIESKY HANOVER - his barn has been en fuego to start the new year (no
surprise there), and he's the one to beat tonight. (2) PALERMO HANOVER wasn't bad at all 2 back then
finished with good trot again next week - draws a good spot, and could make even more noise tonight. (7)
BARN HALL raced well here last year, and appears to be returning in fine form - Holland has left with him
from bad posts in the past, and will probably look to do the same tonight - worth considering. (3) SHARE
THE WEALTH never got involved from Post 8 last week but was a sharp winner (same class) the start
before that - the move inside gives him a chance to land somewhere on this ticket. (6) TOCCOA FALLS
has enjoyed some success here in the past, goes for a very high % barn, and has been solid over at Fhd. -
the tough draw may limit him to a smaller piece tonight, however. (4) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE fits
cheaper, and does seem a bit over his head with these. (5) LIFETIME ROYALTY makes his first start in 6
weeks and lands in a good field - just observing tonight
RACE 5 - (1) SAULSGOOD hit a rough patch recently where he seemed to show nothing but breaks and
scratches - the ability was always there, and he got to show it with that last qualifier....if that same version
shows up tonight, he could be a big threat here. (4) SAID N DONE AS races well every week, and last start
was no exception (excellent first over 2nd to the sharp front end winner) - Bartlett takes him over #7 (a barn
he always drives for), and that seems like a good vote of confidence - have to use. (7) PENCILS DOWN
ships in with solid NJ form but that was also true when he arrived here on 12/16 and was just "ok", DQ'd
from 2nd to 3rd for a pylon violation - can't be counted out, but it does feel like he'll probably be overbet.
(6) SOUTHWIND ARTURO added hopples and qualified cleanly (and nicely) at Monti - shipped in last
week and was able to rally on by a NW2 field, helped by a beautiful steer from Stratton - he does fit with
this better bunch, but that conservative steer may limit him tonight, especially from Post 6. (3) B THREEW
INDS made a decent recovery after a miscue 2 back, then was a steady 3rd after adding hopples last week -
ok for a piece. (5) LIVINGONTHERAIL did surprisingly well after a barn change in Nov. but may be
starting to tail - we'll see which direction he goes in tonight. (2) POCAHONTAS has a couple of recent
wins but still seems a little cheap - definitely leaning towards others. (8) JESSIES OUTLAWED trailed all
the way from a similar spot last week.
RACE 6 - (2) KICKUPYAHEELS N cut the mile in her local debut and came up 2nd best to the currently
razor sharp tripsitter - raced first over in her next, digging in gamely to just miss 2nd (behind the same foe
who beat her the week before) - the class was opened up to fit her in here ("NW20256 L6") and we'll see if
she can take full advantage. (7) WESTERN ROSIE was off almost 7 weeks to her last (vs. cheaper, at Fhd.)
but she was still able to grab the win, rallying from back in 6th - this field is much tougher, but she's also
used to taking on better than these- may have a chance at the upset if she can find some trip luck. (6) EDGE
OF ETERNITY looked super when she jogged off the layoff 2 back but was left with no chance in her last
when forced to get away last from Post 8 - this spot isn't all that much better, but a good price makes her
worth at least considering for exotics. (1) MONEYMAKEHERSMILE had some traffic issues last week or
she might have been closer at the end - the jury is still out on her at this level but she draws best, and that
may help her land a share. (5) ELLEOFADELI has taken 2 of her last 3 (vs. easier) and was Bartlett's pick
over a couple of others - this is tougher than she's used to facing, so don't take a short price if she's your top
pick. (3) GOT SEXY SCARS grabbed a beautiful two hole trip in her local debut but fell apart despite the
slow pace - can't write her off just yet, but also hard to feel too confident about her chances tonight. (4)
POPPY DRAYTON N was a live trip 2nd last week but generally needs easier to do her best work
RACE 7 - (2) OUTSIDE THE FIRE was probably hurt a bit both by the off going and Post 7 last week, but
still held on to the place DH after being collared by a solid older foe - he's gone some big miles here in the
past, and most of them would make him very tough tonight. (4) GREG was certainly helped by several
breakers last week but was still sharp regardless - seems to be on the upswing since the recent barn change,
and he could have a say even up in class tonight (though Dube does opt for #6, despite the time off). (6)
MYCROWNMYKINGDOM was plagued by inconsistency up in Canada and was pretty much the same
way after arriving here last Fall - his best effort would put him right in the thick of this but he's been away
since 12/22, and many of his barnmates have been short in their 2023 returns - tough call. (3) SEVENSHA
DESOFGREY doesn't have the best of recent lines but this is a spot where he could race much better -
consider using underneath in exotics. (5) FORREST saw his 4 race win streak snapped when offstride
before the start last week - even if willing to forgive that miscue, it still remains to be seen if he as good as
a couple of these. (1) GRACE was sent off at 66-1 for her new connections last week (in NJ) and offered
little - waiting for better signs before considering
RACE 8 - (1) BARRY BLACK was in too tough in his last couple but really wasn't bad - still faces a few
tough rivals in here but he does start from the pole, and may be able to work out a winning trip...at a fair
price. (2) LEAN HANOVER gave it a try on the front end off the class drop last week but was eventually
worn down by a determined TIMESTORM - very logical player again tonight. (3) WESLYNN QUEST was
no good in two tries here last September but really just wasn't "right" (in general) at that time - her current
form is much more solid, and we know that she CAN get around the half - legitimate threat. (5) TOP ME
OFF came up a little short off the hiatus last week but was still a solid 3rd - could be tighter now but also
faces even tougher, while drawing outside a few main foes. (4) WILLY WALTON gets an important drop
out of the Open, but it feels a bit like he might have tailed off form - leaning towards others for the top
slots, but wouldn't be surprised if he threw a good one tonight. (7) GREY also gets to drop from the Open,
but gets no luck with the draw - she's gone some BIG miles since joining this high powered barn, but this
spot may be a little tough for her right now. (8) BIZET has been a very steady performer but he'd look
much better down in class, from a better post. (6) WINDSONG PIONEER needed his last, and probably
needs this one to - may get some more attention with another class drop next week
RACE 9 - (5) AMERICAN EMPRESS N is clearly well off her best game and tired badly after an
aggressive try in her YR return - she'd normally be one to go against as the 8/5 ML choice BUT this is a
field where it's hard to really "like" anybody - maybe it's a "get healthy quick" spot for her? (3) CORSINI A
tends to be camera shy here at Yonkers and may be a little cheap - she did pick up a win last week, though,
and maybe is sharp enough now to contend tonight, despite the class jump. (8) SPORTS FLIX would
probably have been the pick had she drawn decently but after getting parked last week, the guess is that
she'll probably be handled more cautiously from Post 8 - may still be able to make some noise, with some
racing luck. (1) ALWAYS BE TRUE has only one local start and it was from Post 8, so it's hard to really
know how well she fits here - has to be worth at least some consideration from the rail at that 15-1 ML
price, though. (6) APRIL AVA added Lasix 2 back but came up terrible for her new connections - bounced
right back to beat cheaper last week, though, and may have built enough confidence to go with these too -
would need a pretty good price to use her on top from this spot. (2) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE got parked every
step in her last start of the year here and still finished 2nd - was unable to replicate that in her last pair,
however, and it's anybody's guess as to what we'll get from her tonight. (4) FOR CHIPS SAKE never fired
after swinging wide last week and does feel a bit cheap - she's had some success with Yannick in the past,
so we'll see if she can find a better effort tonight. (7) STELLENBOSCH was hammered at the windows in a
soft field last week but was unable to win out of the pocket against a mare that never hit board in 7 local
starts prior to last week - hard to like her chances from Post 7 tonight.