The Empire Report - Thursday, April 21, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (4) SOUTHPORT BEACH was claimed by our leading barn on 2/25 from a $15K claimer in a
race where he was basically distanced - showed up a month later and went a BIG effort, no doubt helped by
the addition of "Go Straights" (a significant change that unfortunately was never revealed to the public) -
broke before the start in his next but then went to Chester last week and circled the field from last to first
from the final turn, scoring at 25-1 (amazing price, for those who follow both tracks) - lands in a tough spot
for his Hilltop return, but we'll stay on board. (1) EDDARD HANOVER hadn't won here in a long time but
was super in his victory last week...a race he got claimed from - legitimate chance to repeat for his new
connections, even up one level. (6) BETTORS DREAM has been on quite a form spree in Ohio, recently
climbing the class ladder - ships in tonight to one of our top outfits, and has to be respected....despite the
bad date, and tough post. (7) SEAFARER had been knocking on the door for weeks, and a move to the
Dynamic Duo got him over the top (in a big way!) last start - double jumps and lands Post 7, but still can't
be discounted. (2) ROLL WITH JR may be a slightly below the top ones in here but he has 3 recent wins,
draws inside, and may have a chance if he lands on the right trip. (3) MONTY MONO was 3rd in his local
debut then was able to score by a nose last week - prefer others for the top slot, but he's more than playable
in exotics. (5) MISTER SPOT A is just 2 for 35 here (last 2 years) but does grab pieces - hard to consider
on top, though. (8) BROTHER JAMES fits okay, but we'll wait for a better spot before considering
RACE 2 - (3) GOLDEN QUEST N has been pretty solid most weeks, even when facing a bit better - gets
some post relief tonight, and that may be what it takes to get her back to the winner's circle. (5) VIOLETS
RAINBOW has been beyond consistent this year, so far compiling an 8-3-5-0 record - not quite sure how
many leavers she'll have inside of her, however, and that 9/5 ML price is a bit of a turn off too -- still, hard
to leave her off your tickets. (2) ROCKNROLL ANNIE may or may not be ready for action on her 2nd
start off the layoff but this race was opened up to fit her in, she gets major post relief, and she's beaten
better in the past - possibility. (1) SHEIK YABOOTY N was helped by a nice trip last week but still paced
home strong in a quick mile, and draws the pole tonight - chance for a good piece of this. (4) TOBAGO
TIME has done some good work since arriving in Feb., but against easier - willing to use for 3rd/4th. (6)
WESTBEACH perked up with a nice form reversing win on 3/10 then just missed in her next - the last 2
starts weren't quite as sharp, however, and tonight's post isn't the greatest....maybe a minor share? (7)
DARBY HANOVER showed ability at 2 and then again at 3, although in a short, 12 race season - has been
doing good work at 4 racing at Dover, but these are tougher older mares that she'll be facing tonight (for her
new barn) - outside draw may leave her waiting for an easier spot
RACE 3 - (8) CASH ROLL gets a drop from her last few starts here as she returns from NJ off a solid 3rd -
has enough speed to at least improve at the start, and she's definitely worth a play....assuming she's a decent
price from out here. (2) AMERICAN TOUR N looked pretty good rallying for 4th last week in her 2nd try
for a new barn - drops, moves inside, and looms a serious threat....but note that she's 0 for 31 locally before
falling in love at a short price. (6) CORAL BELLA seems to be back on the upswing, and can be excused
for her last (parked the mile from Post 8) - figures to be handled aggressively again tonight, and does have
a shot in here. (4) BALFAST N just didn't function in 3 starts after the recent claim and apparently was sold
back to her previous connections - she may just turn things around immediately, and that would make her a
big threat against these. (3) CABOWABOCUTTIE hasn't won here since 2019, but she does grab pieces -
ok to throw in for 3rd. (1) BYE BYE MICHELLE would normally be a solid play from a spot like this but
she's been way off her game for some time - hard to like her chances right now, as she's in need of a quick
form reversal. (7) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX has looked better in her last couple but this is a brutal spot -
seems unlikely she'll be able to reach. (5) MILLENIUMS GIRL takes on older mares in her YR debut -
hard to say how she'll fit with these.
RACE 4 - (7) NORMANS MADELINE was well backed last week (off some less than stellar form), shot
right to the top and was a very handy winner - she's been known to string good efforts in the past, so she
may be worth sticking with, even with the class jump and poor post. (4) SOUND IDEA was 3rd in her first
start of the year then paced evenly from an impossible spot last week - drops, moves inside, and figures to
be a "full go" tonight. (1) PRAY THE ROSARY did very little racing the last couple of weeks, but was able
to find enough late to pick up a pair of 3rds - not looking to use her on top here, but she may be able to grab
another smaller piece. (6) AL MAR GOT A FEVER is hard to gauge off her recent upstate form but she's
done okay here in the past, gets Bartlett, and is listed at 15-1 ML...worth including in exotics? (8)
GREENHILL HANOVER fits well with these but she lands all the way outside and there may not be a way
into the race for her. (5) ASHTINI qualified okay after being on the shelf since December - guessing she'll
need a start, but perhaps the tote board will offer some hints. (2) EYE POPPING has been missing since her
last start on 3/24 - we'll just observe for tonight. (3) SCANDALICIOUS would be hard to recommend off
those recent efforts.
RACE 5 - (5) LETTUCERIPRITA has been very good for the past 5 starts, including his last (where he
somehow got the lead after being parked to a :55 half, holding well for 4th despite the hard use) - if that
effort didn't just drain him, this is a field that he should be able to handle. (1) ROCK THE NITE was 2nd
vs. the 30s before drawing horrible for 3 straight starts - moves all the way inside, and could definitely
come up with a much better effort tonight. (3) DING DING DINGER just missed last week off the claim,
but really should have won off the perfect trip he landed on - he may be able to beat these, but he's not
worth taking too short a price with. (2) SPORTS BETTOR had been struggling here but did find a better
effort in PA - maybe he can take advantage of the good draw and grab a piece of this? (4) KEPT UNDER
WRAPS A is a little hard to gauge off his recent Fhd. lines - may be good enough to pick up a small piece.
(7) CASHNCAM fits with these, but may be coming from too far back to do any significant damage. (8) IN
SPADES was a winner dropping (suspiciously) from 40s to 20s three back - was an "ok" 3rd vs. the 25s in
his next, then not really serious in his last (Post 8, with his trainer on board) - mixed feelings about his
chances from Post 8 tonight (Bartlett back up), but not all that interested at that 5/2 ML price. (6) LYONS
LIBERTY goes for a new barn tonight, but just feels to be a bit on the cheaper side.
RACE 6 - (1) LL MYSTRO went a BIG effort in that win 2 back then was very good again last week, but
from an impossible spot - draws best tonight for a new barn, and we'll give him the edge over a few pretty
solid rivals. (2) MISSILE SEELSTER was a winner at this level last week and now debuts tonight for a
barn that's been finishing 1st/2nd with 50% of their starters for the past 5 months - hard to leave him off
your tickets. (5) SOUTHWIND ONYX was a winner 3 back, 4th from an impossible spot in his next, then
2nd best to a sharp one in his last - major threat. (6) NEXT BIG THING rode the elevator up on his recent
meteoric form spree, but now is stopping on all floors on his way back down - inclined to pass tonight, but
(always good to avoid falling knives!), but it wouldn't be a shock if he came up with a rebound effort this
week. (7) CENTURY GRIZZLY moves to a new barn this week but draws poorly, and well outside his
main competition - maybe can rally for a minor share? (3) MAJESTIC KIWI may start to improve for his
current connections but he was racing in 15s (for a good barn) not all that long ago - we'll see if he can
become a good 30. (4) TREASURE MACH returns from PcD where he's been going off at big odds at
picking up only minor shares - prefer to just watch, for now. (8) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES tries it for a
new barn tonight but he's just 1 for 18 over the last 2 years and draws Post 8 - sticking with others
RACE 7 - (1) BITTY BITTY had an 8 hole off a sick scratch last week but was still charging home with
reckless abandon for 3rd - drops, draws the pole, and has the looks of a short priced winner tonight. (2)
MAGICAL MISTRESS was sneaky ok from an impossible spot last week, and finally gets some post relief
after a trio of bad draws - should be able to pick up a nice chunk tonight. (5) COUSIN MARY raced well in
both of her starts here (a few weeks back) and returns from NJ is seemingly good form - chance for a good
piece here with any half decent trip. (3) JIVE DANCING A is another getting important post relief tonight -
and can be in play for a good piece if Dube finds her a good journey. (4) SHELLIE DE VIE was needlessly
overdriven last week and paid for it - chance to pick up a piece tonight (at a good price) with an easier trip.
(6) FIGHTING EVIL was unable to get involved from outside posts the last 2 starts and may find herself in
that same boat tonight - leaning towards others. (8) EDGE OF ETERNITY fits well enough but faces a tall
task trying to overcome the extreme outside draw. (7) SEZANA N is 1 for 32 over the past 2 years and gets
stuck outside tonight - wait for a better spot
RACE 8 - (4) SWEETLIES N ALIBIS made her local debut on an off track, after missing 3 weeks -
eligible to be much tighter now, and will also be adding Lasix for the first time...worth a stab, assuming the
price is decent. (5) YUCATAN PARTY MAN only has one recent disappointing try and was on the off
going - very logical threat against these, but no bargain at that 8/5 ML price. (2) BY A HOFF HANOVER
was dull in his first local try, a solid 2nd in his next, then "meh" in his last - needs to bring that "good"
version to have a serious chance tonight. (3) SOUTHERN SWAN MAN qualified back very nicely in NJ on
3/11....making his 3 local tries since then all the more disappointing - he's capable of better, so maybe
tonight is when we'll finally see it? (1) SQUABLE is just 1 for 31 lifetime despite an inordinate number of
inside draws - ok to use underneath. (6) JESSIES OUTLAWED hasn't clicked yet in his 3 starts in 2022 -
needs to show more. (7) INFINITE ZETTE is 0 for 15 at Yonkers, and just 3 for 35 overall - draws outside,
and we'll at least wait for a better spot
RACE 9 - Good race! (6) STAR CAPTAIN has developed beautifully so far as a 4YO, and made the
transition to facing tough older foes with ease - she's already won with 3 different drivers (and gets another
new one tonight), and has won on the lead, first over, and with a cover trip - not the greatest post position,
but she just may be the sharpest of all in here - we'll go with her on top. (1) PAIGES GIRL may be pushing
her luck up at this level but she's hitting on all cylinders right now, and gets the best draw- could be a threat
from start to finish. (8) SWEET HEAVEN certainly appreciated the drop out of the Matchmaker Series,
winning both starts (at 1/10, then at 1/20!) - won't be nearly as easy from Post 8 tonight, but it's also not
impossible -still belongs on your tickets. (4) APRIL AVA had been struggling in a lot of her recent local
starts but was actually VERY good last week, finishing 3rd despite being very hard used - chance to take
home a decent piece tonight. (2) SURREAL FEELING was struggling in her first few starts this year but
found her form at PcD last week and grabbed a win - we'll see if the full sister to RACINE BELL can build
off that victory. (5) LADYBELUCKYTONITE was 2nd at this level last week, and also 2nd on 3/17 and
2/24 - the right trip gives her a shot at a board spot. (3 DANCE CLUB found some better form after
heading to Chester, grabbing a win and a 2nd in her last tries - we'll see if she can bring that form back over
with her.(7) MALNIFICENT was 2nd last week after jogging the week before - faces tougher from Post 7,
however.
RACE 10 - (6) HEY LIVVY was flat out beastly last week, and has now taken 3 of her last 4 (tough trip
and a break in that one loss) - wouldn't bet the rent money on her, but she does deserve top billing. (2) NO
MAS DRAMA is now 6-1-5-0 to start the year, despite some less than stellar drives - hard to ever leave her
off your tickets. (4) BROADWAY ATHENA was a massive overlay last week (52-1) and wasn't far from
pulling off the shocker - her price will come down off that mile, but likely still be long enough to make her
worth using. (3) LADY JETER moves to a barn that has turned these trotters into personal ATMs over the
past few years - might she turn out to be another? (5) CELEBRATE WITH ME ships in from Ohio sporting
some fine form - faces a major acid test tonight, though, and we'll find out quickly just how well she fits
with the locals. (1) YOU WILL BE QUEEN is a nice mare, but seemed overmatched in her first try at this
level - we'll see if she can do any better tonight
RACE 11 - (3) LOOKATMYART changed barns 3 back - drew outside (off a month) the first start, got
wiped out in the 2nd, but got a big driver switch and jogged at Fhd. in her last - catches a soft group here
and could easily prove best....but she also figures to be overbet with that 7/5 ML - just don't go overboard at
a short price. (4) WALTZWITHSIERRAA is still winless since arriving stateside but hits the bottom level
tonight and does have a chance to finally break the schneid - would consider IF the price is decent. (7)
ANNE BONNEY looked like she was in cheap enough to have a chance last week but took NO money, and
never got involved - maybe Siegelman will give her more of a chance here? (2) SHADY MADAM was
racing well enough recently to have a chance here but hasn't looked as good in 2 starts since the claim -
needs to find that better form if she hopes to be a serious player. (8) CHECKERED PAST is as in and out as
they come....but even if on her game tonight, it would be pretty hard for her to reach from out here. (1)
DIBABA N has shown nothing is her 2 (PA) starts since returning from the layoff - suppose the wake up
call will come eventually...maybe tonight? (5) SHECANDANCE N has a few decent tries out of town but
she's 0 for 20 at YR over the last 2 years - consider only if a juicy price. (6) GRANT ME THIS was 56-1
and up the track at PcD in her first start off the layoff - pass tonight too