The Empire Report - Thursday, July 15, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (5) SCANDALICIOUS is probably better off the pace at this point in her career, so that last
effort was better than it looks (and she was worn down by a pretty sharp rival) - the price will be better
tonight, and a live trip may help get her to the winner's circle. (1) VICIOUS CIRCLE had a win and nose
loss 2nd in this class just a couple of months ago - goes for a new barn tonight, gets to pick her trip from
the pole, and looms a major threat. (4) ASHTINI hasn't found her best form in her last few starts but she
hasn't been bad, either - barn is enjoying a fine year so far, and perhaps the switch to Bartlett tonight will
perk her up a bit more. (2) ISLAY N is tempting here off a pair of back-to-back sharp 2nds, but she moves
up in class and is just 1 for 37 over the past years - will probably use her underneath, only. (3) SANDYS
BEACH hasn't been "bad", but she hasn't come up with one of her "big" efforts in a long time - she fits
NW5000 right now...and we'll give her a closer look when she does drop in that class. (6) ACEFOURTYF
OUR ALEX could really use a class drop and it's likely that she'll get one next week - still willing to use
her for 3rd, at a big price. (7) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE showed better life in her last couple but lands
outside again while also moving up in class here - wait for a better spot. (8) FREE EXCHANGE was good
in her 2nd start off the layoff but bumps up in class while drawing Post 8 - very tough spot
RACE 2 - NYSS 3YO Fillies: (4) TEST OF FAITH is arguably the best 3YO filly in the country....but she's
ABSOLUTELY the best in NY, by a large margin - should have no problem with these tonight, and there's a
good chance we'll see a "bridgejumper" take a shot in the place pool. (3) TAVA has hit board in 5 straight
and that includes a pair of NYSS 2nds - definitely a chance to complete the exacta. (2) BLUE ME A KISS
was a solid Excelsior A performer in a handful of 2YO starts - came back even better at 3, but was one of
several horses to make breaks at Buffalo that day, in her NYSS debut - looks like a legitimate player and
she'll be handled by 22 year old Braxten Boyd, as the promising young pilot makes his Yonkers driving
debut! (6) JUBILEE QUEEN has been on the upswing lately and debuts tonight for the "Super Siblings"
(while adding a couple of new owners) - would anybody be surprised to see her come up with a BIG effort
here? (5) ALBERGITA HANOVER has ability, and has finished just behind the top choice on a couple of
occasions already - she's not always the smoothest filly, however, and a couple of others may offer better
value in the exotics. (1) DARK MIRAGE is an improving filly, but we'll see if this maiden is fast enough to
hang with these. (7) THINK OF GALAXIES has legitimate ability but seems a bit one-dimensional - not
sure this is a spot where she'll really get to thrive.
RACE 3 - NYSS 3YO Fillies: (6) RIGHTFULLY MINE could be a good value play in here - she's come
back very good at 3, doesn't mind racing from behind, and IF a few of the inside contenders mix it up a bit,
she may be able to pick them off at the end. (3) HEART OF MINE saw her six race win streak snapped in
the Park MGM Final....but since she was 2nd to TEST OF FAITH, it was almost like a "win" - could easily
start a new streak tonight, but there's definitely some legitimate competition in here. (1) OLIVIA BLU
flashed ability right from the start but even though she's 5-3-2-0 to start her career, she can still be a bit
"green" at times (requiring assistance from Bongiorno to keep her mind on business) - very capable of
taking this, but also a bit risky. (2) SUMMER RAE has been super solid all year, and finally picked up her
first Hilltop victory last week - has proven she can hang with these, can handle any trip that comes her way,
and is another with a valid chance to come out on top. (4) DC BATGIRL showed good promise at 2 hasn't
really upped her game at 3 - needs to find more if she hopes to be a player. (5) PURAMERI was a solid
2YO and is so far doing good work at 3, as well - she won a NYSS division at Stga., but still may be a
notch below a few of the top ones.
RACE 4 - NYSS 3YO Fillies: (3) DELIGHTFUL Z TAM has been improving all year long and while she's
"unproven" at the NYSS level, her efforts certainly suggest that she can go with these - raced super in last
off the miscue the week before (adding Lasix), and she'll be hard to hold off in the lane IF close enough
when they turn for home. (5) EASY TO PLEASE launched a 4 wide move here on 5/7 in her Reynolds
division and swooped past the field to win it - just missed to HEART OF MINE at Buffalo last week, and
looms a big threat tonight. (7) CARRINGTON was one of several horses to make breaks at Buffalo on 6/16
but that's really the only blemish in her record over the past few months - she's proven she can go with
these, but the obvious concern is Post 7 - at least the price will be right. (1) SO DIVA has won 5 of her last
7 and one of the losses was a 2nd in the NYSS at Buffalo - draws best, but that last sick scratch could be an
issue. (2) INDUSTRIAL HEMP won her career debut here then was 3rd in the NYSS at Stga. - she has
only one start in the last 6 weeks, though, and conditioning may be a factor tonight. (4) PARTY QUEEN
seems to be on the upswing but it's still a bit unclear as to how well she really fits at this level - we'll learn
more tonight. (6) MAJOR LOVER is more functional these days, but still seems a notch below these.
RACE 5 - (1) VICTORIANA tried a long way for the lead in the Currier & Ives then weakened and went
offtstride to 3/4s - she seems to possess more ability than the rest of these and will be pretty tough from this
spot if she minds her manners...but don't bet the rent money on her at a short price (2) CHARMING BANK
was a solid, easy winner in his first local start (after a barn change) - steady rally for 3rd in his next after
being well back early on, and should be a legitimate player once again - chances go way up if the top
choice makes another miscue. (4) INFINITE ZETTE had some issue here 2 starts back when she just gave
way and stopped, but bounced right back in her next, winning at Chester - assuming there's no issues, she
should be right in the hunt for a good piece. (8) SOOT HANOVER ships in off back to back wins at Nfd.
and Pocono, gets Buter on board, but will need to find a way to overcome Post 8 - make sure to get a good
price if using him on top. (3) CHROME PACKAGE has hit board in 16 of 29 starts but only ONE was a
victory - using underneath, only. (7) SOUTHWIND RITZ was no factor at all in her only local try and now
lands Post 7 off 3 weeks - will just watch, for now. (6) BIG CHARLIE MORAN won a "fall apart" race 2
back, but has shaky form other than that. (5) TBTWELVE was dull in his qualifier, then backed up badly in
his first start back at 3 - still a pass
RACE 6 - Totally wide open! (7) DIBABA N was a sharp winner from the outside last week, giving
Brennan his 11,000th career victory in the process - she's more than classy enough to handle the class hike,
and her new barn often does well off the claim - decent value play in a very hard to figure affair. (3)
BETCHA BABY is 0 for 15 this year, but did hit board 6X - her barn is finally back on track after a long
dry spell, and maybe she can trip out and give them another victory. (5) ITS MESMERISE N seemed to
appreciate the month off as she returned to score 2 easy wins over cheaper at Chester - definitely sharp
enough to be a player here, and worth using as long as she's not overbet. (2) ROCKIN THE BOYS A has
come back around recently, but still not close to her "peak form" - may need to be in a little easier to grab a
win, but wouldn't be surprised if she was able to prevail against these. (1) TALL POPPY N is another that
would prefer to be in cheaper, but she does show a solid 2nd in this class 2 back - draws the pole, and will
be a threat from start to finish (but may also end up overbet). (4) CHASE YOU's wins have come vs. easier,
and she's looking at drops starting next week - small piece only, for now. (8) SEZANA N can absolutely
hold her own at this level, and does have a pilot not afraid to send one from the outside - she's still winless
in 2021,though, and probably will need a better spot for a chance at that first victory. (6) KAITLYN N's
best work comes with easy trips, vs. lesser - feels like a tough spot tonight.
RACE 7 - (7) RACINE BELL has been so outstanding all year that we're more than willing to forgive her
for coming up 2nd best last week (to IMPRINCESSGEMMA A) - she's stuck with her usual outside post
assignment, but she's been able to overcome it in the past...and we'll look for her to do it again tonight. (5)
SIESTA BEACH is a proven player at this level and she should be feeling pretty good about herself after a
pair of easy wins over a bit softer - always dangerous when she lands on a manageable trip, and hopefully
she'll be able to work one out for tonight. (3) FEELIN RED HOT can probably hit the top early from this
spot and that should land her on a good trip - definitely sharp enough to bring home a good chunk if that
happens. (4) SEASWIFT JOY N was conservative off the layoff last start but not terrible by any means -
could be much tighter now, and she can hold her own with these when on her game. (6) IMPRINCESSGE
MMAA broke in her first try off the barn change but then took 3 in a row, including last week's upset of
the top choice - trainer has been making some noise here this year with limited starters, and the barn was 3
for 4 even while he was serving a brief suspension...not sure about her trip/chances from THIS spot, though
(1) STOWAWAY HANOVER was touted here as a future Open mare a few months ago, and now she's
made it to the top level - best post and sharp now, but we'll let her prove that she belongs before hopping on
board. (2) JOSSIE JAMES A is having an outstanding year, but may finally be showing some wear and tear
- might need some class relief.
RACE 8 - (4) REEL EM IN raced super behind a sharp winner upon arrival from Monti 2 back, and was
simply handled too unaggressively in last (but still a close 3rd) - hopefully Zeron will have more
confidence in him now, because this guy does have a shot at beating these. (5) I HAVE A DREAM raced
much better than his lines look from impossible spots in his last pair - almost pulled off an 88-1 upset here
on 5/27 and while he won't be close to those huge odds tonight, he does have a chance to pull off a decent
upset. (1) DUKE OF LINDY didn't seem like all that much when he arrived at Yonkers (1 for 28 lifetime)
but he has continued to get better all the time, and now has won 2 of his last 4 starts (with a good 2nd in the
other) - steps up off a win last week, and definitely has license to take yet another. (3) CHERRY RED
appreciated the easy trip last week and almost pulled off the 22-1 upset - racing well enough to keep using
underneath. (6) MASSTRO was no factor moving up to this level 2 back, then folded badly after making
the lead from Post 8 in his last - wouldn't say he CAN'T beat these, but he won't be offering any value as
the 5/2 ML favorite. (2) BREEZING PRAYER draws much better tonight than in the canceled card last
week (he had Post 7), and that may be enough to help him pick up a small share...with an easy trip. Both (7)
FATHER DUNN and (8) SNOWFALLA would be surprises from their extreme outside posts.
RACE 9 - (3) APRIL AVA has been doing good work all year in NJ and PA (13-4-0-5) and now returns to
Yonkers, where she has a terrific 7-2-2-2 slate - will get to control the action, and seems more than sharp
enough to make it hold up. (4) SLICK ARTIST A has been beyond sharp in taking her last 4 in a row....but
she was claimed from her last, and it's hard to say if she can replicate that form for her new connections -
she'll be right in the hunt if she can. (7) STONEBRIDGE SOULwas a big earner as a youngster but had a
slow year at 4, winning only 1 of 19 starts - has looked better since taking time off and now returning at 5,
and a good trip would put her right in the hunt tonight. (6) GOLDEN QUEST turned in a much better effort
dropping in class last week, even if nipped on the wire - gets no luck with the draw, however, and that may
leave her looking at a smaller piece tonight. (2) A CRAFTY LADY is sharp right now, but vs. cheaper -
seems a bit below a few of the main players, but the inside draw may allow her to grab a small piece. (1)
LADYBELUCKYTONITE has come a long way from battling bottom level claimers not long ago, but she
may be up at a level (after last week's claim) that's just a little too tough for her - we'll see if the rail allows
her to get away well enough to contend for a piece. (5) POPPY DRAYTON N has been much better in her
last few (like many of her barnmates), but she figures to struggle a bit against these tougher mares. (8)
BERAZZLED lands Post 8 off a sick scratch and really needs to be in easier - pass this week.
RACE 10 - (1) MONICA GALLAGHER did well at the end of 2020 then stayed sharp into 2021, even
holding her own against the Matchmaker mares - started to tail a bit, and she debuts tonight for a new barn -
that often does well with fresh stock - we'll give her top billing, but don't fall in love with her if she ends up
way overbet. (4) IM VERY SPECIAL seems to disappoint lately every time it LOOKS like she may be
ready to up her game and go on a form spree - her last couple are very promising, so perhaps she can be
considered if the price is good enough (2) BOLT OF BEAUTY dominated the Excelsior A series last year,
and was a winner in the final - she's really starting to find herself as a 4YO lately, and ships in off a trio of
Tioga wins....we'll see how that translates against these. (5) SHECANDANCE N's comeback seemed to
stall a bit but then she shipped over to PcD and picked up back to back wins - we'll see if she can hold that
form back here at Yonkers, against some tougher stock. (3) CASIES BELIEVER is probably up a bit higher
than she'd like, but a conservative trip may be enough to land her a small piece. (8) BETTORS HEART N
looked SO good just after arriving in this country but soon just hit a wall, and has struggled ever since - will
need a major wakeup to any real damage from out here. (7) MY RUEBE STAR N, like several from this
barn, was scary good after first arriving in the U.S. (she was 6-5-0-1 last year) but soon petered out, unable
to get back close to that top form - Post 7 (off the layoff) isn't going to help her get back on track, either
(but watch closely for future consideration). (6) HIGH ROLLING A is good right now, but moves up
another level, draws outside, and may have a hard time getting close to contention this week.
RACE 11 - (2) MOON BRIDGE didn't mind the barn change at all last week as he delivered the sharp
victory at Pocono - clearly has more than enough ability to beat these, and he'll be a handful IF he gets
around the Hilltop Oval without any trouble. (1) TURBOCHARGEDPETE has really thrived since arriving
at Yonkers, registering three straight 2nd place finishes - (with his price dropping each start) - has a chance
to finally make it to the winner's circle...but a better chance to wind up 2nd once again. (4) FOCUS POCUS
had a solid 3YO season and continues to succeed at 4, shipping over in sharp form off a win at Chester -
should be a good fit here, with a chance for a nice piece. (3) CAVALIER GEORGE won 2 straight in NW4
before finishing 3rd last week in a tougher NW6 field - likely looking at a similar result tonight. (5) SWISS
HOUSE ONFIRE has shown that he can go with these, but he draws outside 4 solid foes, and will need
some trip luck to pick up more than a minor share tonight. (7) YANKEE GIRLFRIEND was definitely
doing better in NW4 - might be able to be a player at this level with an inside draw, but Post 7 will probably
leave him with way too much to do when they turn for home. (8) GERARD has some good looking lines
but seems pretty one dimensional....and his speed show may not work so well against these, from Post 8.
(6) MOMMS MY DAD probably needs to be in easier to be a serious player again
RACE 12 - (5) SHES NUN BETTOR N raced very well in NJ for 4 starts after changing barns - was
freshened up for a month, qualified sharply, and went a big effort for 2nd in that 1:49.1 mile - doesn't land
in an easy spot for her YR debut, but we'll give her the call to get it done. (4) TAKE ABIT OF LIFE is in
career form right now, delivering sharp miles at much higher levels than we're used to seeing her - no
reason she can't be a big player tonight, as well. (2) MACZAFFAIR N definitely benefited from the trip in
last week's win but she responded when called upon - tends to be a little unreliable, but anything close to
her best effort would make her a live player tonight. (3) ROCK N PHILLY rattled off 3 straight airmail
victories upon arrival from Delaware but has found things much tougher up at this higher level - we'll see if
she can be a little more aggressive from this spot...and maybe get a better result. (7) ROBYN CAMDEN
had something wrong in her last start at Stga. but that Monti qualifier suggests it was nothing too major -
the bigger concern tonight is the draw...which may limit her to rallying late for a small piece. (8)
ROCKNROLL ANNIE is another that's currently in career form, but the draw was unkind to her this week
- was able to prevail from Post 8 vs. NW10000, but seems unlikely to be able to do that against these. (1)
TELL ME A JOKE finally found her form and won 3 straight over lesser - couldn't make her first over
move work in NW15000 last week, and she figures to really struggle in this NW30000 field. (6) ANN
HILL can be forgiven for not surviving a first over bid against SIESTA BEACH last week, but she still
seems overmatched (in general) against this type.