The Empire Report - Thursday, July 21, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (6) AMERICAN TOUR N perked up with some better life 4 starts back - came up 2nd best to
sharp winners in her next pair, then finally got her picture taken last week....sharp enough to take another,
even with the outside draw. (1) CHECKERED PAST gave it a good try last week when 3rd after a first over
trip - may get a better trip tonight, and also gets "Mr. Grand Slam" in the bike...very live threat. (7) LINE
EM UP has done some good here in the past, although it's been a rough 2022 (locally) for her so far - she
races tonight for the first time for the Dynamic Duo, and there's a good chance she'll outperform that 20-1
ML price - include in exotics. (3) ALWAYS BE COOL moves back inside, and that makes her a danger to
rally late - the more things are contested up front, the more her chances go up. (5) ACEFOURTYFOUR
ALEX tries hard every week and is down at a level where she becomes a bigger threat - definitely can rally
for a piece of this. (2) SHELLIE DE VIE is a tough one to predict from week to week, although she's had
far more "bad" than "good" this year - maybe 3rd? (8) ROCKNROLL ANNIE is going to turn things
around one of these weeks and just reverse form to victory....hard to make the case it'll be tonight, though.
(4) NORA TOVA is hard to recommend off her recent efforts.
RACE 2 - (6) LUCKY ARTIST A came to life two back with a big late rally to get 2nd...and found an even
bigger rally in her last, charging home from 6th to score the victory - sharp enough to take another, with
some trip luck. (7) DC BATGIRL was sharp two back in her YR return, picking up the pocket victory - was
also very good in her last, rallying from the back for 4th, despite a class hike....chance to be a big player
here IF Miller can find her a decent journey. (4) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N was handled very aggressively
last start and was right there to the end (finished 3rd, just behind the top pick) - draws well, and her barn
has a few recent wins...possibility. (3) BABS JANSEN probably would like to be in a little easier, but she
can hold her own at this level too - she also has a post edge over the other main players, and may be able to
use that to her advantage. (5) EDGE OF ETERNITY drops a notch off an even 4th vs. better - logical
player here but she's just 2 for 26 at Yonkers, and that has us looking at others for the top slot (1) FLOSSIE
N has been good recently, but vs. much cheaper - this is a big step up! (2) STELLENBOSCH seems a little
cheap, and did struggle here over the last couple of seasons. (8) HEAVENISSOFARAWAY lands Post 8 for
her new barn upon arrival from Ohio - wait for a better spot
RACE 3 - (4) CANTSTOP YANKEE responded to the barn change last week, stalking closely from the
pocket throughout and then trotting on by for the win - definitely a chance to take another, though the price
will surely come way down. (5) FLIP THE SWITCH had a couple of rough outings here after seemingly
sorting out all his issues out of town - bounced back with a MUCH better effort last week, though, sitting
the pocket comfortably and then trotting on by inside...with his trainer in the bike - obviously a big chance
at taking another, with Bartlett handling the driving tonight. (1) BANK BREAK picked up a 2nd and 3rd in
his 2 local tries, and draws the pole tonight - she does lose Brennan/Buter, however, and may be looking at
another smaller piece here. (7) EXCHEQUER raced well for a few starts off the layoff but failed to get
involved from the back last week - another bad posy tonight, but would at least consider for exotics if the
price was juicy. (8) UNLEASHED KEMP finished steadily for 3rd in her only local try - might have ranked
her a bit higher tonight had she not drawn all the way outside. (6) LIVINGONTHERAIL was a nice 2nd in
his local debut but caved after trying to cut the mile in his last - we'll see if he can rebound here. (2) MATT
SO SURE has shown little in his 4 local tries - prefer others. (3) ANOTHER LOVE SONG seems to be
looking for an easier field
RACE 4 - (3) LADYBELUCKYTONITE improved a bit dropping to NW10000 two back and was a closer
3rd last week in NW7500 - hits the bottom level now, and may be in a spot where she can come out on top.
(6) LADY DELA RENTAA flattened after trying a big move from the back last week but that was vs.
better - might be able to have a much bigger say against this easier crew. (8) CASH ROLL was
(deservedly) well backed last week but was given an odd drive from Buter, and faltered in the stretch - the
price will be MUCH higher now, and she did leave from Post 8 (vs. much better) 2 back - would definitely
consider. (4) ALWAYS A MIRACLE was a winner at this level in her only local appearance, but those
recent Monti lines look pretty "meh" - maybe if the price was juicy enough? (5) SCANDALICIOUS seems
off her game, but is always eligible to perk up at this bottom level - would never be a shock. (7) PAIGES
GIRL can battle better when on her game, but just hasn't been sharp lately - Post 7 doesn't make things any
easier. (2) LITTLE HONEYBADGER has raced ok here at times in the past - would consider for 3rd/4th, at
a big price. (1) SWEET PINK is 7-0-0-0 this year - not sure the rail is going to cure her ills
RACE 5 - (3) MUSCLE DYNASTY made a couple of breaks here two starts back but had a ton of trot
when he was behaving - finished up strong last week after a conservative try, and it feels like he can beat
these IF he minds his manners - not a bad week to give him a shot. (7) MONEY MATTERS ships in from
PA and his lines suggest he'll be a perfect fit with the locals - will need some trip luck from out here but that
10-1 ML price makes him worth considering. (5) VENDOR BILL had a new trainer listed for his local
debut and he had no trouble crushing his rivals - it was a slow final quarter, but he may have just been
waiting on competition at that point - very legitimate threat to take another, but will also be heavily backed.
(1) COMPLETE LIFE was an okay 3rd in her local debut, but came up empty last week - the "good"
version would have a solid chance at picking up a good piece here. (2) JBN was used hard last week and
came up 2nd best to the tripsitting winner - steps up to NW4 tonight, and it's hard to say if he can be as
effective. (4) STAMPED BY LINDY finished well after being shuffled back last week (NW2) - he's
another that will have to show that he can do it against NW4 types. (8) BY A HOFF HANOVER leaves
well and stays trotting...and that's helped him pick up a lot of pieces - faces a tougher assignment from Post
8 tonight, however. (6) DIAMANTE VIC just seems a bit cheaper than the main players in here
RACE 6 - (1) ASHTINI had no prayer of rallying into the :55.1 final half 2 back, but did finish nicely for
4th from an impossible spot in her last - her overall form has been solid for some time, and a live trip
tonight would give her a chance for the mild upset. (2) GAME OF SHADOWS just missed in her local
debut but disappointed in her last pair - gets some class relief tonight, and should be able to grab a good trip
from this spot - worth considering. (4) TOBAGO TIME has been right there with better several times this
year but was on the dull side last week, and is just 1 for 20 on the season - mixed feelings about her chances
here. (6) LAURIE LEE was sent off at 3/5 last week arriving from NJ/PA and did get the job done vs. a bit
easier....but did have to work for it - faces tougher now (while moving from the rail to Post 6), and would
have to be a much better price to be worth a play here. (7) JIVE DANCING A is eligible to reverse from at
any time, but this would be a difficult spot even if she did - prefer others, but note that she did upset a
NW20000 field (at 74-1!) not too long ago. (5) POPPY DRAYTON N steps up in class after charging by
late in a "fall apart" race last week - not sure she can do that same damage against these. (3) PHELGON
offered only a weak bid vs. lesser last time - would need to be much better to be a contender here. (8)
NORMANS MADELINE is the outsider....literally and figuratively
RACE 7 - (6) MCMARKLE SPARKLE has thrived ever since arriving at Yonkers and is at absolute peak
form right now - she comes off a pair of ultra-impressive wins, and has a good chance to complete the "hat
trick" tonight, despite the outside post. (4) DELITFULCATHERIN N looked terrific charging home to win
2 back (returning to Yonkers, for a new barn) then looked very good again last week, finishing with good
pace for 2nd (to the top choice) after being forced into the pocket early on - could be the main danger here.
(1) DARBY HANOVER steps up to the Open tonight but she's given every indication that she'll be able to
handle it....especially from the pole - can be in the hunt from start to finish. (3) VIOLETS RAINBOW has
done good things all year, and is now holding her own at the top level - the right trip can help her pick up a
good chunk. (5) BEST HEAD WEST threw her first dud in ages last week....and it was right after a barn
change - wouldn't be shocked to see her bounce right back with one of her typically sharp efforts...but not
quite ready to hop back on her team just yet (2) MORNING HAS BROKEN was handled overly-aggressive
last week and it was no surprise to see her tire late - eligible to race better tonight with a more patient steer
RACE 8 - (3) DRAGON ROLL benefited from a couple of weeks off and returned on her game last week,
looking sharp in that front end score....and because a win drops off the bottom of her card, she fits this same
class again -- good chance she can beat them once more. (2) BETTERB CHEVRON N was in a hopeless
spot last week but raced well in the 2 starts prior to that - maybe she can land on an easy trip here and rally
in the stretch for a nice piece? (1) ROCKN PHILLY could be looking at the two hole trip here and that
would normally make her the main danger - she wasn't as sharp in her last couple, though, and she MAY be
off her game right now - could be a little vulnerable, at a pretty short price. (4) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS
was too far back to threaten last week but was in fine form prior to that - the class was opened up to fit her
in ("NW31251L6") and we'll see if she can take advantage. (5) MAGICAL MISTRESS stepped up off the
claim last week and despite looking empty to the final turn, found her best stride late and rallied for 3rd -
license to pick up a piece here too. (6) SIESTA BEACH just hasn't been on top of her game lately - draws
outside, and may have a hard time getting in the hunt tonight. (7) GINGER TREE LIZ seemed to be tailing
a bit before rebounding with a sharp win 2 back - raced well again last week (just missed), but lands a
tough post while up in class tonight - not sure she can get involved. (8) TEMPUS SEELSTER started to
come around again but has leveled off in these higher classes - Post 8 will really compromise her chances
RACE 9 - Tough race: (6) SHECANDANCE N was 2nd to the runaway winner at PcD last week, after
picking up good pieces (vs. better) for several starts - gets stuck with an outside draw returning to YR, but
also faces a field full of suspect contenders - gets a narrow vote. (4) ROCKNROLL SHELLI went a few
good miles here before having some issue on 6/21 - her qualifier and start since then aren't overly
encouraging, but her best effort would make her a solid threat in here - not a fan of that 8/5 ML price,
though. (5) ANNE BONNEY N is just 1 for 20 this year (and highly unreliable) but shouldn't be 15-1 ML
against these - probably worth including on some tickets. (3) HEY HEY DBAY hasn't hit board in 7 local
starts but really hasn't raced poorly, either- not a terrible bomb in a field full of question marks. (7) SOUND
IDEA was sent off favored last week but faltered on the lead with no real excuses - draws outside now, and
will need to find a much better effort if she hopes to be a serious player. (8) CAYS BLESSING clearly was
overmatched in that $50K claimer last week, and this field should be more to her liking - hard to endorse
her from Post 8 at that 3-1 ML price, though! (1) CABOWABOCUTTIE is winless in 50 local starts over
the last 3 years - does pick up small pieces, so ok to use for 3rd/4th. (2) BULLVILLEKARLA is 0 for 22
here over the last 2 years, and 6-0-0-0 this year.