The Empire Report - Thursday, February 10, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (3) ROBYN CAMDEN hasn't been "bad", but hasn't been on her best game either - lands in a
field where Marohn can handle her a bit more aggressively, and that may help her to perk up enough to
grab a victory. (6) CHUPPAH ON improved instantly upon joining a (small) barn that has been enjoying
considerable success for a while - steps up one notch off last week's sharp win, and absolutely has a chance
to take another. (5) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE qualified nicely and had a very useful tightener when 4th
last week - not sure she's ready to beat the top two, but she's worth a look if the price is juicy enough. (7)
SHECANDANCE N has been facing better for some time, but with limited success - she's 0 for 19 here
over the past 2 years, draws outside, and may have to settle for a smaller piece here. (8) CABOWABOCU
TTIE had some life 2 back, and was actually a very good 2nd last week (behind #6) - she's getting closer to
breaking a LONG losing streak, but it seems unlikely it'll be from a spot like this. (1) CHECKERED PAST
gets major post relief, but her current form has really been lacking - needs a major wake up call to be a
threat here. (2) IDEAL HANNAH has picked up her game since joining this barn a while back, but still
seems a bit below the main players here. (4) BULLVILLEKARLA moves up in class off a weak effort
RACE 2 - (4) SHES PUKKA N hasn't won in a while at Dover, but that's because she keeps finishing right
behind Scuola Hanover and Soho Burning Love A -- should be pretty tough in her Hilltop return. (5) LA
BELLA VITA N came up 2nd best in her YR debut as the odds-on choice - it SEEMED like she landed on
a good enough trip (the fog made it hard to tell), but she may have disliked the off going and was clearly
outkicked in the lane - barn has been on fire lately, so look for a good effort tonight. (2) JIVE DANCING A
had an outstanding 9 win, $176K season last year - been freshened up, qualified nicely, and may very well
be ready to contend right off the bench. (6) DELITFULCATHERIN N has been holding her own in the
Open lately, and gets some class relief tonight - the outside draw may limit her to a smaller piece, though.
(1) COWGIRL LILLY has been sharp for weeks and draws the pole...she's also moving up in class for a
new barn, and may find a few of these a little too tough. (3) THE FUN MARSHALL seems more at home
one or two classes down.
RACE 3 - (4) SHADRACK HANOVER always hinted that he was much better than his lines suggested
and he got to prove it last week, after putting on the trotting hopples - his price will surely come down after
that solid victory, but he definitely can take another....if he keeps behaving. (3) AWESOME TRIX is
another talented player in here - she disappointed as the 2/5 choice last week after enduring a VERY tough
trip over the off going, before going offstride in the lane - could easily make amends tonight, and the price
will be better for those looking to stay on her team. (1) STORM BRINGER has a pair of 2nds since
changing barns and shipping in to Yonkers, and he should be a live player once again - may be a notch
below the top two, however. (8) CREDIT CON came up 2nd best to #3 two back, then rallied mildly for a
piece from Post 8 last week - gets stuck all the way outside once again, and it may not be a bad idea for
Buter to at least look to leave a bit. (2) BLANK SPACE AS wasn't overly impressive beating cheaper foes
recently but has continued to race well even after moving up in class - no reason he can't take home a piece
here, with a decent trip. (5) BIG MONEY HONEY tends to lag a bit early on, and that could hurt his
chances tonight - needs some trip luck for a chance to make some late noise. (6) HEARTOFGOLD DEVIE
rebounded last week (NJ) with a much better effort, but seems to be in a tough spot returning to YR. (7)
SPELL CUTEYPIE just seems overmatched as she moves up from NW4
RACE 4 - (1) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N was "sneaky good' in that mile on 1/13, so it was really no
surprise to see her rattle off last week's very sharp front end win - she steps up a notch here but when she's
good, she can beat much better than these - good chance she can repeat here. (4) FIGHTING EVIL was
uninvolved from Post 8 last week but it was her first start of the year - look for a much more serious try
tonight with the move inside, and use her in exotics. (3) DANCE CLUB is a tough call - was clearly short
in 2022 return when 80-1 from Post 8...but she drops in class, moves inside, and has that start under her belt
- perhaps the tote board will offer some clues? (5) CORSINI A picked up a 2nd and 3rd from two starts
here last Fall, and returns from Fhd. in good form - definitely include underneath. (2) ACEFOURTYFOUR
ALEX is a little cheap but the inside draw at least gives her a chance to save ground, and maybe pick up a
minor share. (7) APRIL AVA just hasn't been good for a while, and another bad post won't help her cause -
would like to see a better effort before hopping back on her team. (6) TOBAGO TIME was no factor in her
only local start, and may need to be in a bit easier. (8) BABS JANSEN draws Post 8 while facing older
mares...and just hasn't been sharp enough to consider here
RACE 5 - (1) BEST HEAD WEST rattled off 4 straight wins to close out 2021 - seemed to need that first
start back in 2022 (when 4th), but was right back to her best self last week, winning easily by 3 lengths -
the one to beat, once more. (3) EYE POPPING was "sneaky ok" 2 back, but legitimately very sharp when
2nd best last week - a similar effort puts her right in the hunt tonight. (6) THEBEACHISCALLING was
invisible in her first 2 starts of the year (for new connections) but was a BIG go last week....in fact she was
uncharacteristically overdriven by Zeron, coming after the top choice prematurely, resulting in being pretty
tired at the end - should benefit from that effort, though, and could grab a good piece of this with an easier
trip. (2) VELOCITY MCSWEETS has really upped her game since joining this barn 4 starts back - gets a
good draw, and could easily take home a decent piece. (4) ANNE BONNEY N had an unlucky trip last
week but really had little when clear anyway - she's capable of better, and not a bad bomb for 3rd. (7)
CAMPUS QUEEN seems to have matured since last seen here in '20, but she may have to go conservative
tonight with the outside draw - wouldn't be a surprise to see her race well, though. (5) BYE BYE MICHEL
LE does her best work with easier - will look better with a class drop, next week. (8) MALNIFICENT was
no factor last week, and now gets stuck all the way outside
RACE 6 - Tough race: (7) EDGE OF ETERNITY was trapped for too long in her YR return last week and
really had no chance for better - she was holding her own in the Open at the end of 2021, and could be a
decent value play in a hard race to decipher. (5) MY LAST BET joins a barn that has seen their horses
finish 1st/2nd an incredible 60% of the time since Dec. 1st, while also getting a big switch to Bartlett - was
a winner at Dover last week, and a threat to repeat here at Yonkers for her new connections. (4) MAJOR
BATTLE fits well with these, and stands to benefit if the pace ends up hotly contested - one to consider. (6)
NEVERFORGETWHOUR returned from the layoff on Lasix, but landed in a tough spot in a bit of a crazy
race - she's won plenty of times here at YR, and can't be dismissed. (3) LADYBELUCKYTONITE was an
all out winner vs. cheaper 2 back, and just doesn't seem close to her top form right now - needs to find more
to be a player here. (1) IRON MISTRESS was sent off at 20-1 from the rail last week but elected to park a
couple of live players...resulting in a wild race (in the fog!) - sharp enough to pick up a piece...with a more
sensible steer. (8) MAGICAL MISTRESS draws Post 8 and really hasn't proven that she can hang with
these - leaning towards others
RACE 7 - (5) JOE EXOTIC held well for 3rd after a first over try in his Yonkers debut - catches a pretty
soft NW2 field tonight, and may be able to come out on top (but note that he's just 1 for 47 before ever
unloading at a short price)! (1) PEACEFUL MISSION NO was an even 4th in her first U.S. start - her sister
LADY ANN NO was a winner last week in HER 2nd U.S. start, so perhaps this mare will follow suit? (7)
SHALL I FEAR ALL shows a few decent Lexington tries, she won at Stga. off the layoff, and just
re-qualified in NJ for new connections (the winner of that qua. is a solid Open trotter) - interesting 15-1 ML
shot to at least consider. (3) IDENTITY POLICE has been plagued by some terrible starts - a more alert
getaway may allow him to have a bigger say with some late kick. (4) CHROME PACKAGE broke in 2 of
his last 3 but sandwiched in between was a 3rd, at 99-1 -- ok bomb for a small piece. (2) FASHION ON A
STAR is 1 for 27 and showing little lately - inside draw and Brennan seem to be his best assets right now.
(6) SQUABLE just hasn't been sharp in some time, and has just one start in almost 8 weeks - pass for now.
(8) BIG CHARLIE MORAN draws Post 8 after making a break last week - connections would probably be
happy just getting a clean effort from him tonight.
RACE 8 - (2) LIT DE ROSE may not be on her absolute best game at the moment, but she's still awfully
good - gets a very nice draw for tonight, and that might be what it takes to get her back to the winner's
circle. (3) MYSTICAL CARRIE just missed to the top choice on 1/13, and was a close 4th the week before
that - as noted earlier, her barn is hitting on all cylinders right now, and that makes her worth a serious look
(7) DRAGON ROLL needed her first start back off the winter break but has come out on top in her last
pair, and is already on her way to another terrific season - may be hampered a bit by tonight's draw,
however, so make sure to get a fair price if using her on top. (4) JODY was unable to get involved from
Post 7 last week, but may have a bigger say tonight with the post relief - still needs to prove that she can
beat this type. (1) ROCK N PHILLY was able to upset cheaper last week, going into the fog last on the
back side, but emerging on top when they came out of the fog near the wire - rail will help her cause, but
still not sure she's a real "Open Mare". (5) BITTY BITTY is hard to knock, as she's won 7 of 8 local starts
(a few of them very impressively) - this is a BIG class jump she'll be making tonight, and she'll need to
show that she can beat this type before getting our endorsement. (6) CORAL BELLA has enjoyed an
amazing run since getting claimed at the bottom level not long ago - not sure she really wants to be facing
THESE every week, however.
RACE 9 - Another tough race: (3) YS TALLIA had been well off form for some time but a drop to this
bottom level produced a much better try last week - perhaps she can build off that mile, and grab a win? (4)
SWEET SALLY SUE had been disappointing since arriving on 12/9 but her last effort was definitely better
and she may be on the upswing - not a bad week to give her a look...as long as the price is decent. (6) TELL
ME A JOKE was a nice 3rd from Post 8 two back, but then finished up the track from a similar spot last
week - she's beaten much better in the past, and isn't a bad bomb to consider. (2) PONDER THE ODDS has
gone way more lesser miles than better ones for some time, but she draws inside vs. a questionable crew,
and it would hardly be a shock to see her get a wake up call tonight. (5) THE CHARGING MOA seemed to
be coming around before throwing a dud last week - another one for longshot fans. (1) SHELLIE DE VIE
was racing in the Open not long ago....but now she's having trouble just functioning at the bottom level -
add her to the list of mares in here that could do major damage IF they get that wake up call. (8) HEAVENS
CHALLENGE was struggling at Monti, and now draws Post 8 here at Yonkers - pass for now. (7)
GOTTALOVEMYSHADOW sports some poor recent form at The Swamp - hard to recommend now
RACE 10 - (1) LADY ANN NO came up a little shy from Post 8 in her US debut but had no trouble
winning easily from Post 2 in her next start - faces a similar bunch tonight, and seems the one to beat from
the pole. (3) STRIKING GENSON disappointed as the favorite 2 back but was able to make amends last
week with a solid front end score - the main danger. (7) PAINT BY NUMBERS makes her first local start
and wouldn't be rated this high (from Post 7) if not for the fact that she's debuting tonight for a pretty high
profile barn - we'll see if she improves for her new conditioner. (2) GRAFENBERG showed some potential
when he first arrived at Yonkers but he's still winless here, 15 starts later - using underneath only. (6)
DUKE OF LINDY seems to outrace his odds almost every week, and his quick starts have helped him land
some ok pieces - always a good one to include underneath. (4) PREACHER MAN was an ok 4th 2 back,
then a good 2nd in his last - one of several with a chance at a piece of this. (5) SEVESHADESOFGREY
did win the 2021 NYSS Final but he's just not clicking at all right now for his current connections - looking
for some better signs from him. (8) SHENZI AS doesn't figure to get into the mix from out here