The Empire Report - Thursday, July 29, 2021- Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (4) ROSE RUN VICTORIA avoided any miscues last week and was a solid 2nd best to a very
logical dropdown winner - if she can remain mistake-free again tonight, she should be able to hit the top
and take these wire to wire. (1) BRING ME DIAMONDS is 0 for 19 this year but she's been 2nd or 3rd 8X
- draws the pole upon arrival from PcD and will have a good chance to grab a two hole trip...and perhaps
complete a short exacta. (5) MADAME LEZA grabbed small pieces 2 and 3 back and was even better in
last, finishing crisply to be a close 3rd - seems to be on the upswing, and is definitely one to include in
exotics. (2) SWEET MOVES tends to race "evenly" most weeks - from this spot, that could translate into a
small piece. (7) E R HILARY always "figures", usually races well, but her 2021 record now stands at 1 for
23 - she'll need some trip luck from Post 7 to contend for a larger piece. (8) SALLY FLETCHER A can be
pretty inconsistent - on her "best", she's a good fit with these...willing to throw in for 3rd, even from out
here. (6) AMERICAN TOUR N wasn't "good" last week, but she was certainly "improved" - would give
her a longer look had she not drawn outside. (3) ALWAYS B HANNY goes to her 3rd trainer in 3 weeks as
she tries to find her game (now 17-0-0-1 on the year).
RACE 2 - (3) CANE GANG was off a month to his last start but he clearly benefited from the time away,
delivering by FAR his best effort to date - he'll have Andy Miller back at the controls tonight and if he can
take another step in the right direction, he'll have a good chance to beat these. (5) CHERRY MASON is just
1 for 18 (7X 2nd or 3rd), but that one win came right here at Yonkers as a 2YO - has the speed to go right
to the top here, and he's definitely a threat to take these wire to wire. (4) ENDYMION followed the winner
last week but just wasn't as sharp as that one, settling for 3rd off the 2nd over trip - Bartlett knows him now,
so there's always a chance he could improve enough to be right there on the wire. (2) HEARTOFGOLD
DEVIE has been "steady" in his last few starts - not sure he's ready to win a race, but he remains a threat to
at least grab a piece. (1) SQUABLE just wasn't functioning week after week but did start to show a little
improvement here 2 and 3 starts back - was overmatched in a fast mile across the river last week, so we'll
see if he can continue to improve back here at Yonkers. (6) SV ROYAL FLUSH can leave the gate, but it's
the finishing part that has been giving him trouble - a quick start may help him take home a piece.
RACE 3 - (1) CARDIFF ships in from Maryland where she's hit board in 8 straight starts (4 wins) - it's a
little hard to know for sure where she fits class-wise, but the guess is that she'll be just fine, especially with
the pole, and the big switch to Stratton - they'll have her to catch and beat. (2) TALL POPPY N shows a
mixed bag of local tries - she moves to a barn that frequently improves them first time out, so we'll look for
a big one from her. (3) LADYBELUCKYTONITE was a solid 3rd vs. better in her first try off the claim
last week - drops, draws well, and could easily land somewhere on the ticket. (4) VH PRINCESS BREA
has failed here in a handful of starts vs. cheaper over the years but she really seems to have sharpened
quickly for her new trainer, and she did win 13 races last year - at 20-1 ML, she really does deserve a look.
(6) ISLAY N is listed at 15-1 ML, but she's razor sharp right now - with a little trip luck, maybe she can
land somewhere on the ticket? (5) COWGIRL LILLY gets the same barn change that instantly perked up
Rockn Philly a while ago....not sure that's going to happen for her, though.(7) BYE BYE MICHELLE was a
sharp front end winner over easier last week - not sure she'll be able to have the same impact from this spot,
though. (8) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE lands on another terrible post...wait for a better scenario
RACE 4 - (5) CHAPOLIER just wasn't on his best game when 2nd best here on 7/13 in an Excelsior A
race - came back with a much sharper looking try at Stga. (same class), and now drops back down to a
NW2 race, and gets a switch to Brennan in the bike - he'll be tough if anything close to his best. (6) FAWN
DE TOUGH was a good 2nd at PcD 3 back, won her next, then raced ok from an impossible spot moving
up to NW4 in her last - gets to drop down to NW2 for her Yonkers debut, should be a good fit and she's
listed at 10-1 ML - deserves consideration! (8) FASHION STAR has put together a solid 10-1-4-2 season so
far (out of town) for two different trainers - Post 8 is the obvious concern, but still worth using in exotics if
the price is juicy. (2) KING JIMMY is on the upswing, beating an Excelsior B field here 2 back, then also
beating a NW1 field in his last - we'll see if he can keep improving. (1) CHROME PACKAGE hasn't come
close to winning a race here at YR, but he does pick up pieces - ok for 3rd/4th, (3) SOUTHWIND RITZ
was a bit better 2 back, but then no factor again in last - needs to up her game a bit if she hopes to be a
player here. (4) DESTINY BLUE CHIP was somehow sent off at 9/5 last week but came up completely
empty once they hit the stretch - another that needs to be a lot sharper than he has been. (7) EXCHEQUER
finally got qualified last week, and will probably be happy just to trot a clean mile from this spot.
RACE 5 - (2) BIG BAD SWAN was doing excellent work at Monti for low profile connections - was
purchased by pair of (top) local trainers (seems to be a new trend!), but was offstride at the start, and then
broke again in the midst of a good recovery - deserves another chance. (4) YOU MAKE IT EASY has won
4 of her last 5 with a miscue in the other - if she gets around the half miler ok, she can be a big player here.
(5) CREDITRINA is a logical threat but his two Yonkers tries this year were just ok, and he'll probably be a
bit overbet tonight - possible for sure, but may not be offering any value. (3) DUKE OF LINDY made an
unexpected break in the pocket last start but was certainly sharp before that - chance to be in the picture if
he reverts to that prior form. (1) CHERRY RED is much better in his current local stint than when he raced
here in the past - has speed from the pole, and will surely make his presence felt during the mile. (6)
BRILLIANT BOB raced "ok" in a pair of local starts, finishing 4th both times - has missed a month (scr.
sick), and may need a start. (8) REEL EM IN looked excellent in his first local try but was just "ok" in his
last pair - may be too far back for anything more than a small piece here. (7) SNOWFALLA wasn't bad in
his first local try but lands in another bad spot and doesn't figure to have much impact tonight.
RACE 6 - (3) NORMANS MADELINE woke up with a big try vs. much better 2 back - never got involved
from Post 6 off a bad date in last but gets both post and class relief for tonight, and that may result in an
aggressive effort - she can be a handful in here if anywhere close to her best game. (2) VICIOUS CIRCLE's
2 recent wins came one level down, but she can hold her own with these too - goes for her 3rd different
trainer in her last 3 starts, and we'll see how she does in this barn, (1) TOPVILLE ANGELINA shocked at
nearly 50-1 last week, although she really should never have been that long - looking at another good trip
despite the class hike, and could land somewhere on the ticket once again. (8) SCANDALICIOUS does her
best work one level down, but she also has a knack for flying home from spots like this - good bomb to use
on the bottom of exotics. (4) BETCHA BABY is 0 for 16 this year, but does tow along for pieces - maybe
can grab a minor share? (7) DIBABA N was unable to reach from a similar spot last week and may be in
the same boat tonight - probably needs a better draw to be a player up at this level. (5) KAITLYN N needs
an easy trip in a cheaper class just to pick up minor spoils - still winless on the year. (6) GIRL ALMIGHTY
shows some good lines at OD but does look to be a bit cheaper than these,
RACE 7 - Excellent Open this week! (7) RACINE BELL can be forgiven for losing to Imprincessgemma
A two back as we now know just how sharp that one is - raced huge in last from an impossible spot, and
also gets a pass for being unable to win that one - she's due for some trip luck, the price will be better
tonight, and she's definitely one you'll want to have on your ticket. (5) SIESTA BEACH never goes a bad
one and handles any trip that comes her way - another that surely belongs on your tickets. (6) MACHNHO
PE (this year's Matchmaker Final winner) has only one start over the past 6 weeks but it was a sharp win at
Chester - she's probably the least handy of the main players (at least here at Yonkers), and would need to be
offering a good price to be used on top. (8) GIAS SURREAL is hard to fault, other than the draw - she's
5-3-1-1 here this year, and is another that has shown she can handle any trip that comes her way - don't be
afraid to use her at a nice price. (2) STOWAWAY HANOVER almost beat this class in her first crack at the
Open, then was a close 4th in last - good draw puts her in play for another good piece. (1) JOSSIE JAMES
A was a huge overlay at 15-1 last week and almost pulled it off - she usually comes up a little light against
these, but it wouldn't be a shock if she grabbed a small piece. (3) SHES PUKKA N beat #1 last week but in
general, this is a field she'd usually struggle with. (3) SEASWIFT JOY N hasn't come close to top form
since returning from the layoff.
RACE 8 - (3) SHEIKH YABOOTY N moves to a barn that has been winning regularly with fresh pieces
for the last couple of years, and that has been clicking at an amazing clip (overall) here for the past couple
of months - been away for 4 weeks, but that just gives this crew even more time to have her even sharper
right out of the box! (4) SHOULDABEENATD seems to go her best miles when on or near the lead, and it
would seem like Brennan can get her that trip in her YR debut - dangerous rival. (2) CHECKERED PAST
had been very good lately with cheaper, but hung in well up in class last week too - willing to include her
underneath. (1) HIGH ROLLING A is another that has done her best with easier, but she moves inside now
and may be able to hang around for a piece here too. (6) PAIGES GIRL is forced to move up again despite
only finishing 3rd - she's been consistently grabbing pieces with cheaper, and maybe she can pick up a
small slice with these too. (5) POPPY DRAYTON N is one of many in this field that tends to do her best
with softer competition - perhaps an easy trip could help her land a share. (8) AMERICAN DELIGHT N
tired last week after an aggressive attempt - guessing she'll take a conservative approach from Post 8
tonight. (7) ANNE BONNEY N hasn't been bad, but could really use a better post in an easier field.
RACE 9 - (3) DRAGON ROLL has been having an outstanding 4YO campaign and made the transition
from the "NW8PM" class to "Open Mare" seamlessly - dropped last week to what seemed like a winning
spot but she ended up trapped in the pocket in the stretch and never had a chance to strut her stuff - stick
with her as she looks to make amends tonight. (2) ACEFORTYFOUR DOME took a little longer than the
top choice to hit her stride at 4 but she's in career form right now, and can land another big chunk tonight
despite another class hike (she's won her last 3 in a row, impressively)! (5) MAD DONTFORGET ME saw
her own three race win streak ended last week but she was beaten by a classy rival, and was still a close 2nd
- no reason she shouldn't be right back in the mix tonight. (1) SLICK ARTIST A rattled off 4 straight
impressive wins before being claimed 2 starts back - could only manage a 4th for her new connections, but
perhaps an easier trip from the pole can yield a better result. (6) DANCE CLUB is having a strong year so
far, and is 9-3-3-0 here at Yonkers- not a great draw, but she can land a nice piece if some racing luck
comes her way. (4) SHELLIE DE VIE has been overachieving lately, holding her own at levels usually out
of her comfort zone - will definitely include her for 3rd/4th. Both (7) WATCH MY LUCK and (8)
BETTERB CHEVRON N are sharp now, but seem to need easier spots to really do any damage.
RACE 10 - Tough race! (5) BRONZE OVER N got a bit lazy on the final turn last week and took too long
once into the stretch to find her best stride (first start for a new barn) - she's been rock solid for weeks, and
just seems overdue for a winning trip - maybe tonight? (6) ROBYN CAMDEN is always dangerous
dropping to this level - definitely worth using as long as the price is decent. (1) APRIL AVA came up 2nd
best in her YR return to a sharp front end winner - steps up a notch but the rail draw will help offset that -
very logical threat. (4) TAKE ABIT OF LIFE has been in career form, holding her own at levels she never
used to get to - at 15-1 ML, she has a chance to add some value to the exotics. (3) ROCKN PHILLY will
appreciate the class relief, but all of her recent 3 race win streak came at lower levels - can go either way.
(2) MALNIFICENT is up higher in class than she's like to be, but she's a hard knocker, and the good draw
at least gives her a shot at a piece. (8) NORTH STAR IDEAL is actually very good right now, and sharp
enough to win at this level...but probably not from out here. (7) GOLDEN QUEST N found a field she
could wire last week, and that :58 half really helped -- much tougher spot now, however.
RACE 11 - (6) TURBOCHARGEDPETE has really taken to Yonkers, finally grabbing the win last week
after finishing 2nd in his first 3 starts - should be the best price among the contenders, and we'll give him a
shot to repeat. (2) SO LONG HANOVER was used hard making the lead from Post 8 last week and just
couldn't keep battling after #1 wore him down - was still a fine try (first time Lasix), and he could be even
better tonight with the move inside. (1) HIGH GEAR NO FEAR shipped down from Canada off a pair off
poor efforts but immediately turned things around for his new trainer - draws best, and obviously has a
chance to repeat. (3) I HAVE A DREAM beat cheaper last week with a gutsy victory - seems a notch below
a few of these, but still has a decent chance to grab a small piece. (4) BAZILLIONAIRE remains winless
on the year (0 for 21), but does race well on occasion - chance to save ground and rally for a minor share.
(5) CAVALIER GEORGE hasn't been nearly as effective since leaving the NW4 ranks - looking at only a
small piece once again. (7) MY BOY CHRISTIAN shipped in with good out of town form but didn't lift a
hoof in his YR debut - will likely be getting away near the back again, so we'll stick with others this week.
(8) YANKEE GIRLFRIEND used an opportunistic trip to pick up 2nd last week - unlikely to do nearly as
well from Post 8, though.
RACE 12 - (3) DEMETER N's win 2 back didn't seem all that impressive but her LAST effort (3rd, off 3
weeks) was actually very sharp - on her best she can battle the Open mares, so this may not be a bad week
to take a shot with her, (7) YS TALLIA reached peak form upon joining the barn of the fastest rising young
star in the game - that young woman is currently serving a suspension, however (30 days, glaucine
positive), so we'll see if this mare's fine form can continue under the care of a veteran California driver - at
20-1 ML, she may be worth including! (8) SPORTS FLIX appreciated last week's class drop and raced
much better - no luck with the draw tonight, but that also means a good price - not impossible. (2) JIVE
DANCIN A was a huge overlay at 17-1 last week and congrats to anybody that was on board - steps up but
also moves inside...chance to make some noise here. (1) BETALADY just kept coming in last week's very
game first over victory - faces a tougher bunch now, and may be a bit vulnerable at a short price. (4)
MACZAFFAIR N is dangerous with these on her best game but she's been off for a month (sick scr.) and
may not be prepared to deliver her best tonight. (5) ROCKNROLL ANNIE was really overachieving for a
few starts but may be coming back to earth now - leaning to her classier foes, (6) TELL ME A JOKE is
another that seems to have peaked out after a good run of several starts.