The Empire Report - Thursday, April 28, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - NAADAAmateur Spring Series: (6) CHIEF JUSTICE paired up with Beltrami at Fhd. on 4/2
and was able to make a powerful sweep to win going away - the pair rallied for 3rd here last week and with
a bit of a battle up front tonight, may be able to replicate that Fhd. victory. (5) CALL ME THEFIREMAN
was away for over 8 months before qualifying back effectively at Freehold - came up 2nd best to the very
promising Takter 3YO PRETENDER in his first start back, then was 2nd best here at Yonkers last week in
an Amateur event - should be a very live player again tonight. (3) SEVEN KNIGHTS doesn't find the
winner's circle very often, but the 7YO has plenty of local experience, and may be able to leave well
enough for a decent trip here - ok to use underneath. (7) PILGRIM CAVIAR hit board in 3 of his last 4
Amateur races (all with Joe Lee on board) - will need a lot of racing luck from out here but at 20-1 ML, not
a bad one to include underneath. (1) GRAFENBERG draws best but doesn't really get away to the best
starts most weeks - picked up 4ths in his last 2 Amateur events, and may be able to grab another small piece
tonight. (8) RACEACE was a winner here last week, and knocking on the door in the few before that - his
form is obviously sharp, but he faces a long haul from all the way out here...maybe he can rally for a minor
share? (4) SKYWAY TINACIOUS weakened to 3rd after a speed try last time, but that was 3 weeks ago -
hard to say if he'll be 100% here. (2) REAL MCCOY should be closer to the action tonight than he was in
his last few - he's listed here on the bottom, but could easily do much better with a good trip
RACE 2 - (4) LETTUCERIPRITAA has won 4 of his last 6 starts, including last week's impressive 2
move jogburger - stays at the same level and remains the one to beat...unless one of these improves rapidly
for tonight. (1) IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N has been away for 3 weeks but resurfaces tonight in a barn that
has shown the ability to improve almost any horse significantly, virtually overnight - it would hardly be a
surprise to see him run and hide from these...and we've seen this trainer/driver duo pull off endless times
over the past several months. (2) LYONS LIBERTY debuted for a new barn last week and delivered an
excellent 2nd behind the top choice - could easily land somewhere on the ticket once again. (7) MISTER
SPOT A finished very well after an unlucky shuffle last week, and his overall recent form has been steady -
if he can leave hard and find himself a trip, he'd have a shot to add some value to the exotics. (3) DAVIDS
COMING HOME was a game first over 2nd last week, but that was for another barn, vs. cheaper - hard to
predict how he'll handle the class jump and new barn for tonight. (8) CASHNCAM figures to be coming
from too far back to do any real damage, but he's not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th, if spreading in tris and Supers
(5) KEPT UNDER WRAPS A seems a bit cheap AND comes into tonight off a sick scratch - sticking with
others. (6) SPORTS BETTOR has struggled to get untracked so far in 2022
RACE 3 - (4) PURE COTTON was 2nd at this level in Dec. before going on the shelf - she showed flashes
of ability in the midwest at times as a 3YO, and that return qualifier looks pretty good (she beat her
stablemate, who was 2nd last night in a 1:52.3 mile behind the odds on favorite) - worth a shot that she'll
fire fresh. (3) ANNE BONNEY N was our choice 2 weeks ago but never got involved - last week she had
the same Post 7, was the same price, and delivered the 16-1 upset after being handled aggressively - she can
be a big player with these too, if she brings the same type of effort. (2) CASH ROLL was holding her own
with better recently, then was a close 3rd (from Post 7) last week upon dropping to this level - legitimate
threat here. (1) SCANDALICIOUS will attract attention tonight with the class drop and rail - she may come
alive and beat these, but also figures to be significantly overbet. (6) COLOR ENVY was well backed on 4/7
and was a much improved 2nd best - built off that mile to crush cheaper last week, but may find this crew a
lot tougher- still, chance for a piece. (8) NORMAN MADELINE was handled aggressively 2 back and
delivered the well-backed, wire to wire score - reverted to her lesser efforts last week, and it's anybody's
guess as to what we'll get from her tonight - check the tote board? (5) IDEAL CLASSIC seems to need
easier these days to be a player. (7) CABOWABOCUTTIE hasn't won here since 2019 and draws Post 7 -
does pick up pieces, but seems too far out tonight
RACE 4 - (8) ANGELS FOLLY flashed some ability at 2 when she was able to stay trotting - seems to
have matured over the winter, and has looked good (at The Swamp) in a couple of starts since returning at 3
- barn has been on a Yonkers tear so far this year, so surely this filly is worth a stab at that 9-1 ML price. (2)
JBN had trouble behaving at 2 and was turned out after a couple of starts - seems to be doing better since
returning at 3 (with hopples this year), and looms a legitimate threat for very sharp connections. (6)
LEDGES is another that can do some damage when she stays trotting, and she's the only 4Y0 in here -
possibility. (3) QUINNPATRICKSHEA won at Chester as a 2YO, and was 2nd there two back in her first
start of 2022 - hails from a top barn, and can't be discounted here. (4) OCEANVIEW PRINCE moves to a
new barn after showing some good form in Ohio - chances go up if a last minute change to a catch driver is
announced. (1) MAGNIFICENTCHAPTER shows a pair of decent preps, hails from a solid barn and draws
the pole - could easily grab a piece of this. (7) HALLWAY BABE qualified ok with his trainer on board and
won an Excelsior B race here last year - would like her chances better from an inside post, though. (5)
VIVIANS CROWN appears to be a work in progress.
RACE 5 - (5) STAR CAPTAIN is a 4YO facing older mares and is also stepping up to face a much tougher
bunch than she has to this point - that being said, she's riding a 3 race win streak and looks better every start
- we'll take a shot that she can tackle these more accomplished mares...as long as the price is fair! (6) NO
WIN NO FEED A was a notch below the top ones in the Matchmaker Series, but still finished just behind
them every week - she'll appreciate the class relief here, and can be a big player if Miller finds her a
manageable trip. (7) BITTY BITTY is feeling good again, and she's shown that she can race from behind, if
necessary - not sure whether she can find a way into this race but if she does, she can grab a big chunk.(1)
SIESTA BEACH is the "x factor" tonight - she's a legitimate Open mare when on her game, but she's been
having some issues trying to get her 2022 season going...and it's anybody's guess just how sharp/serious
she'll be tonight, even from the pole - MAY be a bit vulnerable right now. (2) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N
has been known to travel up and down the class ladder but she's been pretty good so far in 2022 - she's been
away for almost 3 weeks, though, and that has to be at least a bit of a concern. (4) ANDRA DAY shows a
mixed bag of starts this year - even on her best, she may be a bit below some of the main players in here.
(3) WESTBEACH isn't on her game right now and lands in a tough field - wait for better signs, and an
easier spot. (8) DASHINTOTHEBEACH N has done good things here in the past (vs. cheaper) and is
clearly racing well upstate - lands in a brutal spot for her Hilltop return, however.
RACE 6 - (7) MILADY DENVER A can be somewhat unpredictable but when she's in the mood, she's
definitely a threat at this level - hopefully Buter realizes this is a good spot for her to leave the gate (despite
Post 7), and that would give her a chance to upset this pretty beatable bunch. (2) WALTZWITHSIERRAA
feels like she's getting closer to finally grabbing that first Yonkers victory...which has eluded her since
arriving in the U.S. in 2021 - logical threat from this spot, but don't fall in love if the price is too short (0 for
18 here)! (4) ROCKNROLL SHELLI wouldn't be a serious consideration off her current Ohio lines but she
lands in a barn that has won with a zillion of these shippers the past few years, and this may very well be
another - just expect a short price if using her on top. (6) ALWAYS BE COOL picked up 3rds in her 2 local
starts, and hails from a very high % barn - not a great post (and hasn't shown any early speed), but that 20-1
ML price has to make her worth using in some exotics. (8) LOOKATMYART was used too hard early on
last week and paid for it late - she definitely fits with these, but Post 8 may severely hamper her chances
tonight. (1) LADY WARRIOR arrives from Ohio and exits a high % barn - she also may be on the cheaper
side, but we'll learn more about her after tonight. (3) DIBABA N is still trying to find some 2022 form -
watching for better signs before considering. (5) CRYSTAL SPARKLES N has a couple of ok recent tries,
but still feels like an outsider
RACE 7 - Good race: (1) JIVE DANCING A rallied nicely for 4th from well back on 4/7, then raced very
well for 3rd after being first over in last - overdue to trip out, and finally get into the 2022 win column. (6)
GINGER TREE LIZ won 3 of her last 5, and finished on the board behind STAR CAPTAIN & TOUCHYS
ANGEL A in the other 2 - remains a major threat, especially with red hot Bartlett at the lines. (8) LUCKY
ARTIST A drops out of the Matchmaker where she hardly embarrassed herself - might have been the top
choice if not for Post 8, but she still has a chance from out her...with a pinch of racing luck. (4) FIGHTING
EVIL is a proven threat in this class, and has excuses in her last 3 - look for a much better showing from
this spot, and include her in exotics. (5) EDGE OF ETERNITY would have been rated higher had she not
tailed a bit in her last couple (much of the barn seems to be a little off the last couple of weeks) - eligible to
rebound with a big mile at any time. (2) EYE POPPING surprised last week when she was able to dig in
and prevail on the front end despite being away for a month - figures to find these much tougher, though.
(3) MALNIFICENT does her best work with easier - minor share only. (7) PAIGES GIRL got off to a
horrible start last week and was never close - Post 7 won't make things any easier tonight
RACE 8 - (4) NO MAS DRAMA seemed poised to make the winning move last week but went offstride
just after coming out behind the battling leaders on the final turn - deserves a chance to make amends
tonight. (3) LADY JETER went a huge mile in her first attempt for a barn that has had the uncanny ability
to purchase, and improve top class trotters the last few years - has to be respected off that last stellar effort.
(8) HEY LIVVY has taken 4 of her last 5 (broke on an off track in the other, and her last 2 wins have been
beastly - starts from Post 8 tonight, however, and may have enough road trouble to at least make her a bit
vulnerable. (5) KENZIESKY HANOVER stole one on the front end 2 back (shipping in from NJ) but was
used harder last start and wasn't able to keep it going - probably looking at another tougher trip tonight. (6)
BROADWAY ATHENA picked up a pair of solid 3rds before coming up a little flat in last week's 4th place
finish - always worth including on the bottom of exotics. (2) CELEBRATE WITH ME left hard in her YR
debut but didn't survive the first turn - sticking with proven YR commodities for tonight, though it would
be no surprise to see this mare have a much better outing tonight. (7) YOU WILL BE QUEEN moves from
a pair of rails to Post 7 and that figures to significantly hurt her chances tonight. (1) SPREE is assigned the
rail, but does seem overmatched against these.
RACE 9 - (2) LA BELLA VITA beat a NW30000 field here in February, then battled Matchmaker mares
after that - came up 2nd best in the PcD slop off the class drop last week (first time Lasix), and will get her
chance to get to the winner's circle tonight....if she can beat her one main rival. (3) WESTERN WISH has
also been facing much better, and would have been the stickout here if not for drawing in with the top
choice - she's clearly the main danger...and does have a chance to come out on top. (6) SOMEBEACHSOM
EFRA has a good local history, and figures to be a decent price from this spot - maybe can add some value
to the exotics? (5) SHELLIE DE VIE wasn't bad three back, was overdriven in her next but no factor in her
last - gets a class drop, and this may be a spot where we get a better effort from here - one to consider
underneath. (4) SOUND IDEA certainly wasn't "bad " last week, though she probably should have been
able to win that race - another logical player for 3rd/4th. (7) ASHTINI returned from the layoff last week
and may be tighter this time around - maybe we'll see a better late rally from here tonight. (1) A CRAFTY
LADY won back to back starts at Chester but those may have been cheaper fields - she's just 1for 22 at YR
(last 3 years), and may struggle tonight....even from the pole. (8) THUNDRA was dull off the barn change
last week and now lands all the way outside.
RACE 10 - Very tough finale: (2) SHECANDANCE N hasn't won at Yonkers in a long time but she really
did finish with crisp pace last week, and may finally be in a field she can beat....that 3/2 ML makes it hard
to get excited about a wager, but hopefully she'll still go off at a reasonable price. (1) POPPY DRAYTON
N was a big "go" last week but came up significantly short, after being used hard to make the lead - maybe
she'll be better tonight staring from the pole? (5) CHECKERED PAST can vary significantly from week to
week, but she does become dangerous down at this bottom level - consider if the price is decent. (7) DIAM
ONDTOOTHGERTIE has been struggling in many of her recent starts but does get a meaningful class drop
for tonight - we'll see if Holland can find her a way to overcome the draw. (3) SEA OF LOVE BC hasn't
been sharp, but perhaps can tow along for a small piece from this spot. (4) BRING ME DIAMONDS is
winless in 33 starts over the past 2 years, but did finish 2nd in 10 of them - suppose she's ok to use
underneath. (6) SHADY MADAM hasn't clicked at all since the recent claim - needs to up her game
quickly. (8) BALFAST was sold back to her previous connections but even they couldn't help perk her up
last week - waiting for some better signs before considering.