The Empire Report - Thursday, January 20, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (3) WOODMERE SKYROLLER was hammered down to 4/5 from Post 7 for her local debut
and would have jogged...had she not struggled mightily on the turns - guessing that her sharp trainer will
make the necessary adjustments to make her a little easier to steer this week...and find a way to make
amends for last time. (2) PONDER THE ODDS was 3 for 14 here last year, but raced poorly in a lot of
those losses - when "right", she can beat much better than these...but it's hard to take a short price HOPING
that the "good version" will show up. (6) AMERICAN TOUR N landed on a decent trip last week and was
able to rally for 2nd at 48-1 -- barn has been hot in both NY and NJ lately, and this mare is worth including
in exotics. (5) FEAR MY SHADOW is probably a little bit cheaper, but she's raced well here at times in the
past, and did win her last at Fhd - been away since 12/17, though. (4) SEA CHANGE N made the lead and
carved out easy fractions last week, but still caved in the stretch - needs to be better tonight if she hopes to
pick up a decent piece. (1) READY SET ROCK hasn't been all that good at Monti, and would be hard to
recommend against these. (7) FLASH A SMILE showed little in NJ after shipping in from Western Canada
- draws outside, and we'll just observe, for now
RACE 2 - (2) MACHNHOPE had a very useful tightener last week, pacing a strong final half to finish
right behind a couple of solid rivals - last year's Matchmaker champ should be able to pick up her first win
of the year against this group (at a pretty short price). (5) EDGE OF ETERNITY returns from Dover to a
barn that did super with her last year, and may perk right back up - chance to add some value to the
exotics. (1) CORAL BELLA was late for Lasix last week so she'll get to make her first start of the new year
tonight - she really elevated her game after being claimed from the bottom class on 11/12, and the guess
here is that she'll be ready for a solid effort tonight, despite being away since 12/16 - use underneath. (4)
ANABELLE HANOVER was ok from a no chance spot last week (off almost 6 weeks) - should be tighter
now, and may be able to grab a decent piece of this, (3) THE FUN MARSHALL hit the top and was able to
handle a softer crew last week - may find things a bit tougher against these, however. (6) ROCKNROLL
ANNIE ended 2021 with a win at this level, but drawing outside figures to leave her at a disadvantage for
tonight
RACE 3 - (3) ROBYN CAMDEN was a bit sluggish last week (racing off a month) but hung in there and
was going ok late - should be tighter now, and there's nothing too scary in this field....feels like a spot she
can handle. (2) MALNIFICENT added Lasix while dropping in class at Chester last start, went from 98-1
to 7/5 and reported home a winner in her last start of 2021 - no reason she can't be a player against these too
(6) IM VERY SPECIAL was just 1 for 25 here last year in a disappointing campaign - she did hit board 10
other times, though, and perhaps she'll appreciate having Gingras at the lines -- willing to use in exotics. (1)
JUXTA COWGIRL has been racing ok across the river against a bit softer - will no doubt use her speed for
a close up trip here, and definitely has a chance to stick around for a piece. (4) IDEAL HANNAH wasn't up
for that first over trip at all last week, racing off the bad date - perhaps can do better with an easier journey
tonight? (5) SWEET SALLY SUE failed to click in 2 local tries before the winter break, and now moves up
2 classes off her last loss - prefer to just watch, for now. (8) COUSIN MARY shows Canadian lines that
would make her very competitive with these, but she also draws Post 8 after missing 6 weeks - good one to
watch, for future consideration. (7) WOODMERE HARRIET draws Post 7 after being dead short in her
first start of the year - pass for now
RACE 4 - (5) IDENTITY POLICE was off to a slow start in his YR debut, swung wide to the final turn
and finished alertly at the end - that was his first start in 3 months and he's eligible to be much tighter now -
should offer decent value in this wide open affair. (3) STRIKING GERSON didn't have enough late pop to
rally by for the win in his local debut, but was a close 2nd - 2nd time Lasix tonight, and another eligible to
be much tighter now. (6) TITANS HOPE raced well enough this summer to qualify for the NYSS Final -
he'll likely look to wire these, and there's definitely a chance he can do just that. (7) VENDOR BILL has
been very consistent at Chester, and should fit very well here - tough draw for his local debut, though. (4)
REAL MCCOY was handled aggressively last week and was able to hang on, albeit in a slow final quarter -
may have a tougher time repeating against this bunch. (2) PERRON has won a couple of big races in his
career, but he also tends to disappoint, more often than he delivers (see last week) - he'll be a much better
price than last time for those that want to give him another shot. (1) FASHION ON A STAR shows a few
ok lines out of town but he's 1 for 26 and does look a bit below several of these. (8) GREG broke trying to
leave from Post 8 last week, and now lands out here once more - sticking with others
RACE 5 - (4) JODY was a winner of 3 straight here at Yonkers before making a break before the start last
week - absolutely deserves a chance to shrug that off, and make amends tonight. (6) NO WIN NO FEED A
was a very classy mare Down Under, winning 14 races and over $300K - she qualified nicely on 12/31 for
her U.S. debut, and came out a winner in her first start (at The Swamp) - hard to not use her on your tickets
at that 15-1 ML price. (2) ELLAGATOR picked up 3 wins over the last couple of months of 2021, and was
a sharp 2nd in her 2022 return - bumps up a bit in class here, but seems sharp enough for a chance at a
piece. (7) BEYOND WORDS N ended the year with a pair of 2nds in NJ, and started off 2022 with a big
move victory at Fhd. - chance to have a say here, even from Post 7. (5) BETTERB CHEVRON N had a
useful start off the winter break, pacing evenly for 4th behind 3 good ones - chance to pick up a small piece
here as well. (3) IRON MISTRESS was a little short last week, weakening to 3rd off the two hole trip -
steps up, loses Brennan, and likely to find things a bit tougher this time. (1) EYE POPPING beat cheaper 2
back in awake up mile, but seems overmatched here, even from the pole. (8) PRAY THE ROSARY doesn't
figure to be able to make much noise from all the way out here
RACE 6 - (1) AWESOME TRIX made breaks in 2 of her 4 local starts, but showed plenty of ability the
two times she behaved - obviously a bit risky, but worth using as long as the price is decent. (4) STORM
BRINGER got a little tired at the end last week but still held 2nd safely, while debuting here for new
connections - would include in exotics once more. (6) CREDIT CON just never grabbed the bit last week,
likely short off the winter break - he's capable of much better, and perhaps we'll see it with that start under
his belt. (8) SHADRACK HANOVER really had no chance last week, aborting to last after a brief leave
attempt, then trying to rally from well back into a quick final half - gets no luck with the draw again, but
he'll be a big price and isn't a bad bomb to include in exotics. (3) SERRANO VOLO was a big overlay at
19-1 last week, and finished in a DH for 2nd (not far off the winner) after a nice rally - this is a tougher
field tonight, and we'll see if she can elevate her game a bit more, and hang with these too. (2) BIG
MONEY HONEY was a dull 4th last week and it's hard to say if he was just a bit overmatched, or simply
short off the layoff - suppose we'll get a clearer picture after tonight. (5) CIRCLE OF LIFE AS has been
away for a month after a dull Chester start to close out 2021 - guessing she'll need a start before we see her
best. (7) BLANK SPACE AS is riding a 3 race win streak but he'll be facing much tougher tonight, while
also stuck with Post 7 - tough assignment
RACE 7 - (1) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N was much better last week than her line might look, getting
shuffled badly to the half behind a stopper, then hitting the wire with better pace than it might appear on
paper - she hasn't been on her best game in some time, but look for a sharp try from her tonight. (2) LADY
BELUCKYTONITE got VERY sharp for a while, earning her way up to the Open, and even holding her
own at that top level - she showed little in her last, but she had only 1 start in 8 weeks prior to that, and may
be a lot sharper this time around. (7) ANNE BONNEY N loses Zeron and gets stuck outside once more, but
she was really pacing well at the wire last week, and seems like a good bomb to try to get onto the ticket.
(5) MILADY DENVER A throws some big miles here, and here recent NJ form is solid - another worth
using on your tickets. (6) SOMEBEACHSOMEFRA has a good Hilltop history, and wasn't bad last start off
a 3 week layoff - chance for a small piece, with the right trip. (4) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX benefited
from a good trip last week, but still raced very well for 2nd - leaning towards others tonight, but wouldn't
be shocked if she was able to grab another piece, with similar trip luck. (3) BYE BYE MICHELLE just
wasn't sharp at all last week, squandering a two hole trip - could be tighter now, but still not ready to hop on
her team. (8) COOLNCALCULATING N was a winner in her YR debut, but that was from a pocket, vs.
much easier - seems unlikely to reach from out here.
RACE 8 - (7) SLY ELEANOR N was sent off at 3/5 for her YR debut last week but made a costly break as
she was heading for the top on the first turn (tried to make a big recovery, but understandably flattened late
- she's now listed at 15-1 ML against pretty much the same type, and that makes her worth another shot. (3)
TELL ME A JOKE reversed form in a big way when dropped to this class on 10/20 (5 length winner) -
drew Post 8 last week off the winter break but went a big mile for 3rd, despite a tough trip -- logical threat
tonight. (2) SANDY WIN landed on a perfect trip last week, and parlayed it into a victory - barn has been
winning races lately at multiple tracks, and anything they send out has to be respected. (1) WATCH MY
LUCK was last seen here racing in $50K claimers so obviously this is a much softer spot - current NJ form
is just "ok", though, so make sure to get a decent price if looking to use her on top. (5) THE CHARGING
MOA N beat a cheap field at Fhd. 2 back but may have gained some confidence from it, as she was a solid
rallying 4th here last week - would definitely use in exotics. (4) BULLVILLEKARLA was 0 for 16 here
last year, but did hit board a few times - chance for 3rd/4th. (6) CRYSTAL SPARKLES failed to hit board
in 7 tries over the last 2 years, and was 1 for 16 the year before that - waiting for better signs from her. (8)
NARINA HANOVER is the outsider...literally and figuratively
RACE 9 - (2) DRAGON ROLL was clearly short in her 2022 return, but still held for 4th despite a tough
trip - she comes off an outstanding 2021 season, and figures to be a pretty fair price tonight - one of several
very live players in here. (4) LIT DE ROSE probably wasn't even wound all that tight for her first start of
the year but was still able to grab the pocket victory - she's been outstanding since arriving from Canada,
and has a very legit chance to win again tonight. (1) ALEXA SKYE looked super winning all her
Matchmaker legs last year but came up short in the Final, and struggled to get back to that top form for the
rest of the year (though still racing pretty well to the end) - tried to wire them from Post 7 last week but
came up a little short at the end, and she'll need to be just a bit better if she hopes to get her picture taken
tonight. (5) HEAVENS SHOWGIRL A finally lived up to her potential with last week's excellent first over
victory - steps up a notch and draws outside her main foes here, and that may leave her looking at a little
smaller piece this time. (6) DELITFULCATHERIN N used an easy 3 hole trip to pick up 3rd in last week's
Open - much tougher draw tonight, and a much smaller piece seems likely. (3) WESTBEACH has looked
overmatched since moving up to this top level - does get some post relief, so we'll see if that helps at all. (7)
ROCK N PHILLY seems a bit overmatched up at this level, and Post 7 isn't going to help her cause. (8)
LUCKY ARTIST A has been away for 6 weeks, and it seems likely that she'll be handled very
conservatively from Post 8 - keep an eye for next time
RACE 10 - (1) YOU WILL BE QUEEN is 6-2-3-1 since arriving at Yonkers, and looked very good in last
week's jogburger victory - meets a few sharp foes tonight, but the rail draw stamps her as the one to beat.
(8) TOKYO SEELSTER has now won 2 in a row, and it might have been 3 if not for a very costly final turn
miscue on 12/16 - has the speed to overcome Post 8, and looms a serious player even from out here. (6)
EMOTIONS RICHES broke in his local debut then handled carefully the next week....but he's delivered a
pair of razor sharp victories since then, and his barn has come to life in a big way since late 2021 - legit
threat. (4) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE ended the year with a narrow loss in NJ, then started 2022 with a wire
to wire 7 hole victory here at Yonkers - hard to leave out of your exotics. (5) BELIEVER couldn't finish
well enough last week and MAY be a little below the top ones...but we'll get a clearer picture after tonight.
(7) ONEMORESWAN shipped in sharp and passed the "class test" with a solid 3rd in his YR debut - would
have been picked higher if not for the tough draw. (2) VINNY DE VIE had only even trot last week, and
will need to be sharper tonight if he hopes to be a serious player. (3) KANDY SWEET gets some post
relief, but still seems a notch below the main contenders.