The Empire Report - Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (6) CHAPHEART was a respectable NYSS performer at 2, regularly picking up good pieces
(before getting bothered in the Final) - his return qualifier and first start back (across the river) suggest that
he should be able to get into the win column in his first local try of the year. (4) OCEANVIEW PRINCE
shipped in with solid Ohio form, and raced very well in his YR debut...with his owner trainer in the bike! -
Brennan gets the assignment for tonight and this guy WOULD have been the clear the top choice if not for
the presence of #6. (7) BIG CHARLIE MORAN gets a big drop out of the Brennan Trotting Series but he
also draws all the way outside, and did make a couple of recent miscues - would still use underneath in
exotics. (2) MAGNIFICENT CHAPTER was 4th last week in what should serve as a decent tightener -
we'll see if he can build off that mile with an even better effort tonight. (3) SQUABLE has just one win and
one 2nd from his 32 career starts but he IS racing pretty competitively in most of his recent outings -
chance for a small share. (5) ORIGINAL SMOKEY is just 1 for 29 but that win did come here at Yonkers -
he's been away since 11/4, and may need a start or two before we see his best. (1) VIVIANS CROWN was
no factor in her first start of 2022 and she appears to be a work in progress
RACE 2 - (1) STAR CAPTAIN is really blossoming into a potential star - it's not just that she's won 3 in a
row, it's the very impressive way that she's done it that suggests some major upside - can't say that she's a
cinch in here (she was scratched sick from her last), but it would be pretty hard to pick against her from this
spot. (5) SURREAL FEELING had a career year at age 6, winning 12 times for over $152K (though still
overshadowed by her "little sister", Racine Bell) - last couple suggest she's starting to sharpen again, and a
quick start here would really help her chances. (6) JIVE DANCING A finished well 2 and 3 starts back so
it was no surprise to see her score the first over win last week - steps up and lands outside, but can still have
a say here. (3) ANDRA DAY has done her best work vs. a bit easier this year - ok for a small piece, but
prefer others for the top slots. (4) TOBAGO TIME is another that seems to need a bit softer to strut her best
stuff - maybe 3rd/4th? (2) TEMPUS SEELSTER was terrific here in 2021 (9-4-3-2), but just can't seem to
get going yet in 2022 - waiting for better signs before hopping on her team again
RACE 3 - (6) MYSTIFYING takes a major drop out of the Matchmaker Series, and she was a winner
against a NW20000 field right before that series got underway - the Maritimes mare absolutely deserves top
billing tonight. (7) MAGICAL MISTRESS was stuck with a few bad posts against much better and can be
excused for some of those lesser efforts - was just "ok" off the class drop last week, but gets another drop
tonight and this could be the spot where she really perks up...even from out here. (3) ASHTINI needed that
start 2 back (off the payoff) then showed some better life last week - should be even tighter now, moves
inside, and could offer some value in here. (1) FILLY SPEAKS has several out of town lines that could
make her a player in here, but she's also been off for 25 days - mixed feelings about her chances. (2) AL
MAR GOT A FEVER used a good trip to pick up a 4th upon arrival from Stga. - seems a little cheap, but
may be able to grab a share with another up close trip. (8) PAIGES GIRL was way off the car (from the
rail) 2 back but other than that, has been pretty good - brutal spot tonight, but maybe can rally late for a
minor piece? (4) DELISHKA N was a winner in her first start of 2022 but has been very quiet in her 4
starts since then - needs a wake up call. (5) MALNIFICENT tends to be pretty in and out lately....but he
best efforts do seem to come vs. cheaper
RACE 4 - (2) MAJOR BATTLE shows a mixed bag of recent tries but they're all against better than these -
she beat a NW15000 field here 7 starts back, and faces much softer than that tonight - the one to knock off.
(5) SHELLIE DE VIE can be wildly unpredictable from start to start but she comes into tonight off a big
effort last week, used for much of the hot :26.3 opener, yet still gaining late (at 39-1) on the odds on choice
- if she can find a similar effort tonight, she'll be a legitimate threat. (1) BRING ME DIAMONDS seemed a
little hard to steer in the latter stages last week, possibly costing her a higher finish - should land a good trip
here and possibly a good piece....but hard to use for the top slot (0 for 34 over the last 2 years)! (4) LOOKA
TMYART is pretty solid right now, but she's another that's hard to consider on top (she had the race WON
last week, but basically just pulled herself up into the stretch after surging to the lead) - playable underneath
(7) PURE COTTON was well backed off the layoff last week but seemed well short - could be tighter now,
but this is a tough spot. (6) ROCKNROLL SHELLI was a winner in her local debut, but mostly because #4
just pulled herself up after going by her at the top of the lane - not impossible, but will definitely need to be
better against these. (3) BYE BYE MICHELLE doesn't seem on her bets game right now and is also racing
off a sick scratch. (8) IDEAL CLASSIC could use some class relief....and post relief too!
RACE 5 - (1) PIONEER AS had a productive 2YO season, winning 3 of 11 while banking $56K - hard to
fault her 2 preps for her 3YO season, and she draws well inside her main rivals in here - hard to know just
how "serious" she'll be in her first start back, but she's worth considering...as long as the price is right. (6)
SEVENSHADESOFGREY came into the Brennan Trotting Series riding a 3 race win streak but some bad
posts and miscues set him back a bit - he showed 2 starts back that his form is still there (when he behaves),
and he definitely can be a threat here with a clean effort. (7) THE IRISHMAN is finally getting into a good
groove, and comes into tonight off a pair of fine efforts in the series - would like his chances a lot more
from the inside, but he may still be able to threaten even from out here. (5) CREDIT CON hasn't been
finishing his miles quite strongly enough, but has been using his good early speed to establish good trips -
can see him being a big player here, but that 2-1 ML price makes it hard to get excited about a wager. (2)
VELVET STYLE did some good work at times at 2, but did make breaks in both local tries - seems tight
enough now to be a player, and he could easily outperform that 20-1 ML price - consider for exotics? (4)
LEDGES wasn't bad at all in her local debut, but she'll be facing much tougher tonight - not really sure if
she can be as big a player with this bunch. (3) JESSIES OUTLAWED hasn't clicked yet in 4 starts this year
- waiting to see some better life from him. (8) CREATIVE VENTURE fits decently here, but will likely be
coming from last - wait for a better spot.
RACE 6 - (6) DRAGON ROLL is an outstanding 43-16-10-6 at Yonkers over the past 2 years, but did run
into some bad luck in the Matchmaker Series - obviously this is a much easier (overall) field than she's used
to, and it's a good opportunity for her to get back on another good roll....but wouldn't bet the rent money on
her at a very short price! (2) MAN DONTFORGET ME has developed into a legitimate Open mare, and
raced very well throughout the recent series - figures to be a serious player, and may even be able to give
the top one a real tussle. (4) BOLT OF BEAUTY rallied very nicely in a few Matchmaker legs, and would
normally look terrific off this class drop...except that the top two are dropping down as well - belongs in
exotics. (5) TECHYS ANGEL A is a perfect 3 for 3 since arriving in the U.S., including a apir of sharp
local wins - this is the toughest crew she'll have faced so far...and we'll learn a bit more about her upside
after tonight. (3) GOLDEN QUEST N has been a solid player for most of the year, but seems more
comfortable vs. a bit easier. (1) EDGE OF ETERNITY perked up with a better effort last week, but does
seem a bit below several of the main players in here
RACE 7 - (7) IAMRBRIGHTSIDE N moved to a barn that improves virtually anything they touch....and
this guy was no exception, raging in the pocket throughout before easily blowing past the odds on favorite
once clear in the lane - tougher post tonight, but he can still find a way to overcome it. (4) MY MIND IS
MADEUP hasn't been sharp enough in his last few and now drops below the level of the 2/28 claim - we'll
see if the class relief can perk him up. (3) SWAGASAURUSREX was claimed for $20K last week by the
same connections that lost him for $30K on 1/24 - he raced well for these guys in the past, and he'll be a
good price tonight - worth including in exotics. (5) FOX VALLEY INFERNO can be pretty unpredictable
from week to week - he's another getting a class drop for tonight, and that may help him find a better effort.
(6) PLAY THE FIELD is hard to gauge moving to $25K claimers but his overall form has been good for
awhile, and he's listed at 20-1 ML...ok to throw in underneath. (1) SPORTSKEEPER won the night he was
claimed for $15K at PcD but finished "distanced" the next week - dullish qualifier 5 weeks later, and seems
like a good spot to just observe, for now. (8) DING DING DINGER moves to a new barn while drawing his
first bad post in a long time - doesn't seem the type that's going to like racing from out here. (2) MIGHT Y
MY SHARKEY N is 7-0-0-0 here over the last 2 years, and seems a bit cheap at the moment.
RACE 8 - (3) LADY JETER was claimed on 4/13 for $50K then just missed the next week in this FM
Open Trot - wasn't quite as sharp last week but still came up 2nd best....maybe tonight she can get over the
hump...at a decent price. (7) HEY LIVVY has taken 4 of her last 6 and made breaks in the other two (in the
same spot on the final turn, after enduring tough trips) - remains a very dangerous mare, even with another
outside post assignment. (5) KENZIESKY HANOVER avoided being assigned the outside despite winning
2 of 3 starts at this top level - her speed always makes her a legit threat to grab an easy lead, and "steal" an
easy win! (6) NO MAS DRAMA was in position to come out on top on 4/21 but made an uncharacteristic
break at the most costly time - scratched from her last (last for Lasix) and draws outside tonight....but still a
decent value play. (2) BROADWAY ATHENA seems to have leveled off a bit and has been settling for
smaller pieces every week - feels like more of the same for tonight. (4) D P ROCKET has been really sharp
ever since losing to LIMERENCE in a NW5000 race on 3/30 - tries her luck against the Open Mares now,
and we'll see if she's good enough to be a player. (1) YOU WILL BE QUEEN lands inside, but has been a
bit below the top ones in here - probably looking at only a minor share once more
RACE 9 - (1) GINGER TREE LIZ was going for 3 in a row last week but was worn down by the winner
into the lane, and weakened to 3rd - she's been strong all season long, and deserves a chance to make
amends. (5) WESTBEACH worked her way all the way up to the Open this winter before leveling off -
beat a NW10000 field on 3/10 (after dropping back down the ladder), but has been just "ok" in most of her
starts since then - did have some sneaky life finishing in her last, so maybe this is a good week to look for a
real wake up call from her. (3) CLASSICIST had solid season at 2 and 3, and did very good work right here
in her Yonkers starts - hard to gauge her fitness off the 2 qualifiers, but perhaps the tote board will offer
some clues (barn goes with young Braxton Boyd in the bike tonight...and has enjoyed success with another
young pilot (Luke Hanners) in the past). (2) DANCE CLUB was a winner at the bottom level here in
March, and beat a NW7000 field at Chester 2 back - seems a notch below the main players right now, but a
decent piece could be within reach. (7) SOUND IDEA took nose beats in her last 2 starts and seems ready
to pick up her first win of the season - class jump (and Post 7) may leave her waiting for a little better spot,
though. (4) EYE POPPING was a form reversing winner 2 back, but quickly reverted to her lesser form in
her next - a little too unreliable for our tastes. (6) PRAY THE ROSARY's only win this year was at the
bottom level, with a perfect trip
RACE 10 - (2) CORAL BELLA was a nice 2nd to the currently sharp BABS JANSEN 3 back, was a big
"go" the next week when parked from Post 8, then made amends with the wire to wire score in her last -
barn has started to heat back up lately, and this mare may be able to bump up one notch and make it 2 in a
row. (3) TEAM KIWI N had a good March when she picked up a trio of 2nd place finishes - was a in a few
tough spots after that but raced a bit better in her last, and now drops in class tonight - use in exotics. (4)
CASH ROLL came up 3rd best to the top choice 2 back, then was able to wire the field in her last - legit
threat here, but can't really say why SHE would be the 8/5 ML favorite. (5) ANNE BONNEY N scored the
16-1 (big overlay) upset 2 back, then was an ok first over 3rd in her last - chance for a piece tonight too. (1)
ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX always does better one or two levels down, but may be able to stay close
enough from this spot to tow along for a small piece. (6) QUEEN LOSTRIS N woke up 2 back and rallied
through the stretch to beat the bottom level, then was a close 2nd at Chester last week- tough draw shipping
back in to YR, but may still be sharp enough for share. (7) COLOR ENVY has been much better in her last
few, albeit vs. cheaper - may just have a little too much work to do from out here to be a player tonight. (8)
NORMANS MADELINE shot to the top and wired a bit easier 3 back, but did little before that start, and
has done nothing since....and now lands Post 8
RACE 11 - (5) MILADY DENVER A could have been a very live player last week but Buter took her off
the gate and left her with no chance (before rallying crisply for 4th at the end) - should be a decent price
here, and Miller may have more confidence in her...worth a shot. (4) BALFAST N finished much better last
week - was it a sign that she's ready to improve, or was it just thanks to the slow final quarter - guess we'll
find out tonight. (2) CHELSKI returns at the bottom level off a nice Fhd. try, and has had good success here
in the past - logical player against these. (3) POPPY DRAYTON N hasn't done nearly enough lately to
merit being the ML favorite, but she does have a chance to at least be in the hunt from this spot. (7) CRYS
TAL SPARKLES N has been in and out lately, but she's definitely ok to throw in for 3rd/4th at that 20-1
ML price. (1) SHADY MADAM just hasn't been any good since the claim on 3/24 - she's capable of better,
but it's hard to say when (if?) we'll see it from her. (6) SNIPER HANOVER put in a good move in her only
local try before weakening late - tough post tonight, but a small piece isn't out of the question. (8) DIAMO
NDTOOTHGERTIE just hasn't been sharp, and lands another terrible post