The Empire Report - Thursday, December 2, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (2) CHELSKI was off 23 days to her last start but was a solid 4th in the Preferred at Fhd. - she's
been 1st/2nd here 8X this year, and can be a big threat here if she shows up on her best game. (8) THUND
RA would normally have been a "pass" from this spot but she's moving to a barn that's been known to
really improve fresh stock - if the $25K purchase can get into the mix, she'll offer some good value here.
(4) P L NOTORIOUS hit board in 5 straight out of town starts so she's probably worth considering in her
sharp current form....IF the price is decent. (1) MARYMACISBACK figures to land on a good trip from
this spot and certainly fits well enough - she's only 1 for 19 at Yonkers, though, and perhaps a better one to
use underneath, rather than on top. (5) SANDY WIN has never gotten back to her peak form from last year
but she does ship back in off a decent 2nd, and may be able to be a contender here...no real value on top
with that 5/2 ML price, though. (3) OK LETS ROCKNROLL used a ground saving trip to pick up 4th last
week - maybe can do something similar tonight? (7) AMERICAN TOUR N does throw a good one at times
and often at a big price - not a bad one for 3rd if spreading in trifectas. (6) STEAL MY THUNDER arrives
for connections that haven't had a ton of success here over the years
RACE 2 - (3) PRECIOUS ALEXIS landed in a tough spot upon arrival from Dover and just paced evenly
at the back - drops, moves inside, catches a questionable field and could be worth a stab here. (8) MAN
DONTFORGET ME would have been the strong choice off tonight's drop (even from Post 8) had she not
been a bit off form lately - still willing to use her, as long as the price is decent. (2) SPORTS FLIX was
facing (and holding her own) with much better not all that long ago, but she's another that's well off her best
game right now - can the class drop perk her up enough to be a threat? (5) MONICA GALLAGHER is yet
another that can beat better than these when sharp....but she weakened on the lead in her last pair, and
comes into this after missing a month - tough call. (4) BYE BYE MICHELLE just toured the oval from the
back last time but hit board in 3 straight prior to that - can be a threat at this level on her best effort. (6)
WAKEMESHAKEME really disappointed on the lead last week and now moves up in class - maybe can sit
back and rally for a small piece? (1) FOX VALLEY CHARLIZ used a picture perfect trip to just beat
cheaper in her last - steps up, and will need to up her game to contend with these. (7) PAIGES GIRL has
been solid lately, but with softer - not sure she'll be able to get into the hunt tonight
RACE 3 - (3) ELLAGATOR has won 4 of her last 6 with one excellent 2nd and a no-chance 7 hole - she
remains the one to beat, but wouldn't label her a "cinch" tonight. (4) WESTBEACH was very impressive in
her YR debut, flying off the car from Post 7 to grab the top in a flash, then easily completing the wire to
wire score -- steps up a notch here, but her last effort suggests she'll be up for it...the main danger. (2)
JOSSIE JAMES A has been off her best game for a while, but Dube just keeps sending her - she'll jump up
with a big mile one of these nights, but not ready to hop on her team at this point - ok for a smaller piece.
(5) GREENHILL HANOVER saved ground to grab 4th last week and may be able to do something similar
tonight - ok to use for the bottom of the ticket. (8) SOMEBEACHSOMEFRA has a good local history but
lands in a brutal spot for her return - will probably wait until she's in a more realistic scenario. (6)
CHECKERED PAST benefited from both a rail skimming trip and some weak foes to pick up that 3rd last
week - may not be as fortunate tonight. (7) PONDER THE ODDS isn't clicking right now, and the outside
draw isn't going to help.
RACE 4 - (1) JIVE DANCING A was used hard in tough fields and saw her form fall off a bit...but last
week's class drop and pocket trip saw her quickly return to form, as she absolutely crushed her rivals - she
actually gets a bit of a DROP off that effort, and is definitely the one to knock off once more. (2) DRAGO
NS LUCKY LADY wasn't as sharp as she usually is last week but still was able to pick up 2nd - gets
another good draw, and should be able to grab another good chunk tonight. (3) NEVERFORGETWHOUR
has been rock solid for weeks, though she hasn't been able to WIN since moving up to these higher levels -
still a good one to include underneath. (5) TURNTHEFROWNAROUND looked like she'd easily be 2nd
last week but really faltered into the stretch and weakened to 4th - she's not a fan of the off tracks, so maybe
that was part of it...could easily bounce back with a better try tonight. (4) YS TALLIA hasn't been on her
best game, but may land on a good enough trip here for a minor share. (6) BETTERB CHEVRON N wasn't
on her game last week off the sick scratch - license to rebound, so maybe the tote board will offer some
clues? (7) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N can battle better than these when on her best game, but she doesn't
seem to be there right now - could definitely do a lot better than her 20-1 ML price IF she finds her best
form. (8) SEZANA N has been pretty good lately, but this is a brutal spot
RACE 5 - In a race full of interesting, talented shippers, we'll stick with the proven local horse -- (4)
DROP THE MIC continues to race well week after week, and always strong at the end of the mile - he
hasn't gone "fast" yet, but he does give the appearance that he can, when needed....we'll stick with the hot
horse. (2) ZENITH STRIDE only won once at 3 and 2X at 2....but he won at the "right time", bankrolling
over $350K so far - not sure how well he gets around the half, but we'll find out tonight -- major threat if he
has no issue with the turns here. (5) HOPE SO was 3rd at Chester off the purchase then jogged in her last -
figures to be aggressive in her YR debut, and definitely can be part of the equation here. (7) AWESOME
TRIX debuts for a successful team tonight but hasn't raced since 11/5 and draws Post 7 - hard to say if she'll
be fully cranked for this. (6) SEVENSHADESOFGREY was an upset winner in the NYSS Final (44-1)
when that race fell apart - was just plunked for $75K from the sale, but hasn't trotted a "clean" mile since
10/22, and could be a little iffy for tonight. (3) EXCHEQUER was an ok 2nd behind the top choice last
week - chance for a piece again tonight if the newcomers fail to deliver. (1) BREEZING PRAYER has been
away for 2 months after making a couple of breaks - prefer to just watch for tonight. (8) YUCATAN
PARTY MAN will have a hard time getting in play from out here.
RACE 6 - (1) SOMEBEACH BARON was no factor shipping in last start off the claim but that was vs. 40s
- faces easier here, draws the pole, and much more aggressive try is expected - he's been 1st or 2nd in 16 of
his 35 starts this year, and we'll give him a shot tonight. (2) ONE OFF DELIGHT A was a close 3rd against
better last week, and has held his own with tougher many times in the past - he's a logical threat from this
spot, but he's also just 1 for 27 on the year - playable if the price is fair. (4) THE DOWNTOWN BUS will
likely end up taking plenty of action off last week's try but he's 0 for 11 here this year, and just 1 for 30
overall in 2020-21...will use in exotics, but doesn't figure to offer any value on top. (3) AUDI HARE N has
been pretty good lately, and should have some confidence after easily handling easier last week - another
one to include in exotics. (5) ORILLIA JOE jogged at Chester back on 9/8 but hasn't really come close to
getting his picture taken since then - always have to respect his back class, but he does seem a bit off his
better form at the moment. (7) AVATAR J was no good at all for several starts but looked better in his last
couple - tough draw for tonight, though. (8) REVELRY might be ok at this level from the inside, but seems
unlikely to contend from all the way out here. (6) MUSTANG BEACH was no factor at all in 2 recent local
tries - may need to be in easier to be a threat
RACE 7 - (5) WET MY WHISTLE has been incredibly impressive in her 4 local tries, particularly since
she's a 3YO filly - looks to make it 3 in a row tonight and barring any miscues, should be able to make it
happen. (1) BOOM CITY shipped in and beat a NW4 field in late Sept. - finished 2nd moving up to NW6
in his next (in a fast mile), then finished decent 4ths in his last 2 local tries - rail draw makes him a logical
threat to complete this exacta. (8) ETHAN T HANOVER sports an impressive 8-4-1-2 local slate and is
obviously a very good fit with these - he does get stuck all the way outside, though, and may have to be
used harder to get into contention tonight - little vulnerable this week? (4) ALTUS HANOVER couldn't get
involved from the outside last week but he's proven that he has the ability to hang with these - good one to
include in exotics. (3) BAZILLIONAIRE is just 1 for 33 this year but often races we;; enough to grab small
pieces - ok for 3rd. (7) CAVALIER GEORGE may need a better post to be a serious player against these
but he's good enough for a minor piece IF the trip goes his way. (2) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE gave way
and tired badly last week, and just may need to be in easier to become a viable threat once again. (6) LOOK
IN MY EYES was visibly short off the layoff last weeks and probably needs at least another to tighten up
RACE 8 - (1) KARMA SEELSTER shipped down sharp from Canada and was immediately impressive for
her new barn, charging home to win in 1:50 across the river - she was allowed to draw for posts 1-5 and
came out with the rail...and that may give her the edge she needs to win her first YR start. (7) DRAGON
ROLL has been enjoying an amazing year, her local slate currently at 29-12-8-5 -- she handles ANY trip,
and can never be counted out - she has been away for 3 weeks, though, and that may leave her at a bit of a
disadvantage for tonight. (4) EDGE OF ETERNITY managed to hold her form even as she climbed from
NW7500 right up to the Open - she's been right there every start, and you definitely want to include her in
your exotics. (6) THE BETHINATOR won her first 2 local starts in impressive fashion - gets a pass for her
next (got parked the mile), then got worn down by the tripsitter in last and gave way right at the wire - she'll
be a better price tonight for those that want to stick on her team. (3) TUAPEKA JESSIE N won 3 straight at
Btva. off the barn change and passed the "class test" when she shipped down here, picking up excellent
2nds in both of her local starts - steps up to the big table now, but seems sharp enough for a shot at a piece.
(8) LUCKY ARTIST A decided to try her luck in the Open after beating the $50K claimers twice and was
able to convert a pocket trip into a victory last week - she's undeniably sharp, but seems unlikely to be able
to find a manageable trip from all the way out here. (2) FEELIN RED HOT will try her luck back in the
Open after being claimed for $50K last week - not sure she's still up for wiring these types, but we'll find
out tonight. (5) GOLDEN QUEST N has finally come around lately, but may be pushing her limits in here
RACE 9 - (5) CREDIT CON was getting the top off turn one last week (from Post 8) when he made a
costly miscue - he won back to back starts prior to that, and last week might have just been a bad blip -
worth a look tonight at what figures to be a good price. (4) YOU WILL BE QUEEN was an excellent 2nd
to WET MY WHISTLE in her first local try, from Post 8 - was heavily backed the last 3 weeks but could
only take home a pair of 2nds and a 3rd - she's the one to beat, but she's burned a bit of $$ so far so don't
fall in love at another short price. (2) CHURCH SOUT was just 1 for 41 when he arrived here in Sept. but
he's really blossomed since then, compiling an 8-3-2-2 record - moves inside, and certainly belongs in
exotics. (7) CHAPOLIER will be rallying late, but may have too far to come for anything more than a small
piece. (1) CIRCLE OF LIFE AS is probably a notch below these but she's pretty good right now, draws best
and is worth including for 3rd/4th. (3) KING JIMMY won 3X here earlier in the year and was 2nd in his
last 2 local starts as well - not sure if he's as good as the top players in here, however. (6) BIG BAD SWAN
has been behaving since adding hopples 6 starts back but may need a little easier to be a serious threat
again. (8) GOO GOO DOLL was 2nd to WET MY WHISTLE last start but was greatly aided by a pocket
trip - likely looking at a much tougher journey tonight.
RACE 10 - (5) LIT DE ROSE showed good Canadian form before shipping down here so it was no
surprise to see her win her first local start....but it's the WAY that she won it that was eye opening - steps up
and faces better, but she's worth sticking with after last week's very impressive victory. (1) TEMPUS
SEELSTER was on an outstanding roll here from 9/8 to 10/28 and probably wishes she never left (got
parked in NJ on 11/5, then threw an unexpected dud the next week) - has been off 3 weeks since then, and
it's hard to know if she'll be 100% for tonight - tough call! (4) MAJOR BATTLE was way overbet last
week but still raced well for 2nd to the dominant winner- should be able to grab another good piece tonight
(6) BETTORS HEART was a steady 4th last week after dead-heating for the win the week before (vs.
easier) - outside draw figures to hurt, but she could still pick up a good piece tonight with the right trip. (3)
PRAY THE ROSARY has been racing (and looking) well for a while, but may be pushing her limits up at
this higher level. (2) ROCKNROLL ANNIE looked to cut the mile last week but was blown away by the
tripsitter to 3/4s and tired - probably looking at a conservative steer for tonight. (7) SCANDALICIOUS
draws outside in a field that's probably out of her range - does drop wins off the bottom of her card the next
two weeks.
RACE 11 - (6) GRAFENBERG is 0 for 9 at Yonkers but did hit board in 6 of those losses - he's used to
facing better fields than these, and this feels like a good spot for him to pick up his first local victory as he
returns off a good try in PA. (1) SEARCHING FOR YOU almost managed to steal one on the front end (at
13-1) 2 starts back - good spot for him to make his presence felt again. (5) GREG fell apart late as the 2/5
favorite last week, but perhaps that helps to explain his 1 for 25 career slate - always has a chance against
these, but definitely not worth using on top at another short price. (8) SOUTHERN SWAN MAN owns a
couple of recent NW2 wins and wasn't bad at all when 3rd in a NW4 race last week - the obvious knock is
Post 8, but at least he'll be a good price...ok for a piece. (2) JESSIES OUTLAWED just hasn't really gotten
any better over the weeks since arriving from Hoosier in last Sept. - may be able to rally late for a minor
share. (4) BLANK SPACE AS is now 1 for 24 and will need to up his game to be a significant player
tonight. (7) WORLDSSTONECOLDAS was no factor in his only local try and draws outside tonight - will
give him a longer look when he gets a better post. (3) SQUABLE was scratched from his last and hasn't
raced in a month - will pass for tonight.