The Empire Report - Thursday, July 8, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (5) SCANDALICIOUS can be forgiven for getting worn into submission by a sharp Malnificent
last week (but still holding together well) - versatile mare can race from on or off the pace here, and meets
nothing too scary tonight...solid chance in the opener. (1) ITS MESMERISE N seemed to appreciate the 4
weeks off as she returned sharper at Chester, winning two straight over cheaper - more than sharp enough
now to handle this class jump, and will likely look to control the action here - very legit chance, but no
value as the 9/5 ML choice. (2) FREE EXCHANGE was a little short off the qualifier 2 back but was much
sharper in her last (when 2nd) - should be close at the end with any half decent trip. (3) CHASE YOU
would look better in NW5000, but even the one class drop should help her tonight - willing to include on
the bottom of exotics. (4) KAITLYN N used a very easy trip to pick up 2nd last week, but seems unlikely to
land on as good a journey tonight - chance for another small piece, but still prefer a few others more. (6)
DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE has shown better life in her last couple, but faces tougher now and will need
to improve even more for any chance at being a contender. (7) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX is ok right now,
but she'll look a lot better with the nice class drop she'll probably be getting next week.
RACE 2 - (7) CHARMING BANK was a sharp winner two back in his YR debut and raced very well
again in last....but from too far back to pick up more than 3rd - guessing that Holland will try to have him
closer to the pace this time, and that would make him a very live player...at what figures to be a decent
price. (3) VICTORIANA is the most accomplished of this and probably the most talented - she'll also be a
short price and comes off a break at The Meadows, so make sure not to fall in love with her if overbet! (2)
INFINITE ZETTE must have had some issue here when he stopped on a dime 2 back because he bounced
right back to win his next start at Chester - barn is going strong now, he draws inside and could be a
legitimate threat. (4) SOUTHWIND RITZ failed to impress in her local debut, trotting only evenly for 5th -
connections are too strong to just write her off after on start, but we'll only be using her underneath, right
now. (8) DUCKDODGENDIVE probably fits ok with these, but lands in a brutal spot for his YR debut -
will just observe, for now. (6) SQUABLE has been upgraded to "functional" in his last couple - not ready to
endorse, but he at least has out attention now. (5) SV ROYAL FLUSH was left alone on a big lead after
most of the field was taken out early last week...and he STILL couldn't win -- sticking with others. (1)
TBTWELVE has decent speed and the rail, but just seems well below the major players in here.
RACE 3 - (2) BYE BYE MICHELLE was a fairly close 4th in NW15000 3 back, then had plenty of pace
for 3rd when down to NW7500 in her last- drops to the basement now, and no excuses will be accepted
against these. (3) TOPVILLE ANGELINA cut the mile before coming up 2nd best vs. the streaking
Franschoek 3 back - stuck 1st over in NW10000 in her next, then a pass from Post 8 in her last - drops to a
spot where she figures to come alive, and have a say....use in exotics. (8) SANDYS BEACH isn't all that
sharp right now and will be looking at a tough trip from Post 8...that being said, she's just better than a
bunch of these, and can still pick up a good piece even from this bad spot. (5) ROCK IS SWEET is 0 for 27
with just $11K in earning the past 2 years but her LAST start (after a barn change), was light years better -
we'll see if she can keep improving in her new surroundings. (4) CORAL BELLA had been no good at all
since returning to Yonkers until flashing some better interest in last - maybe she can start to build off that?
(1) THREEDEE DELIGHT A hasn't upped her game all that much since moving to this barn this spring,
but this is at least the kind of spot where she may be able to tow along for a small piece...if Bartlett doesn't
use her too hard. (7) SWEET MOVES was ok in her last 2 starts here, but may just find herself too far back
to do any real damage tonight. (6) BETZIESBOOKINIT seems seriously overmatched
RACE 4 - Good race: (2) I HAVE A DREAM raced much better than his lines look from impossible spots
in his last pair - almost pulled off an 88-1 upset here on 5/27 and while he won't be close to those huge odds
tonight, he does have a chance to pull off a decent upset. (4) REEL EM IN raced super behind a sharp
winner upon arrival from Monti 2 back, and was simply handled too unaggressively in last (but still a close
3rd) - hopefully Zeron will have more confidence in him now, because this guy does have a shot at beating
these. (1) DUKE OF LINDY didn't seem like all that much when he arrived at Yonkers (1 for 28 lifetime)
but he has continued to get better all the time, and now has won 2 of his last 4 starts (with a good 2nd in the
other) - steps up off a win last week, and definitely has license to take yet another. (5) BRILLIANT BOB
has trotted steadily in 2 starts since arriving from Ohio and it does seem like he's a good fit with the locals -
chance for sure, but seems more likely to end up somewhere on the bottom of the exotics. (3) CHERRY
RED appreciated the easy trip last week and almost pulled off the 22-1 upset - racing well enough to keep
using underneath. (7) BREEZING PRAYER throws a good one here and there - terrible spot, but ok bomb
for 3rd/4th, if spreading. (6) FATHER DUNN was void of trot in his return - waiting for better signs from
him. (8) SNOWFALLA seems damned if she leaves and double damned if she doesn't - pass for now
RACE 5 - Very tough race: (1) WARDAN EXPRESS A was stuck first over vs. much better the last 2
starts and really didn't tire all that badly after being turned back - he should be able to work out a much
easier trip tonight (vs. easier competition), and Brennan takes him over #2 - the knock is that he's just 3 for
35 at Yonkers, and not the most reliable proposition. (2) BIGONPERSONALITY N was also a victim of a
first over trip last week (against a VERY sharp front end winner), and he could be tougher tonight with an
easier journey - Zeron is certainly a suitable replacement! (8) THE REAL ONE will likely get overbet even
from Post 8 just because nobody can remember the last time he was in this cheap - the concern is that he
hasn't been all that sharp in his last couple, and there's no guarantee Lachance will even have him in
striking range when they turn for home - risky proposition. (5) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N takes a big class
drop tonight but is questionable as to whether he was even realistically placed recently (when in for a $50K
tag) - these should be more up his alley, and improvement is very possible. (3) LUCK N ROLL K was
stuck in the back in his last 2 YR starts and gets a pass - definitely can be a much bigger player tonight, but
his 0 for 13 Yonkers slate is also a concern. (4) MCCLINCHIE N's only local win this year came at the
bottom level - he's probably ok (with a trip) in this class too, but still leaning to others. (6) ISLANDSPECI
ALMAJOR turned last week's race into a training mile, benefiting from 3 scratches, and no challengers -
won't be nearly as easy with these, and that 3-1 ML is definitely a turn off. (7) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP
can be forgiven for just running out on the lead last week (and basically taking himself out of serious
contention), but it's hard to say if he's just not good right now - he's listed here at the bottom, it still would
be no big shock to see him beat these.
RACE 6 - (5) LADY ROCKNROLLAA beat this class 4 starts back (as the 3/5 choice) and beat a similar
field at Pocono 2 starts before that - impossible spots vs. better in her last couple but she drops tonight, and
Brennan will likely be handling her aggressively here - major player. (6) MALNIFICENT was a big "go" in
this class 2 back but was hung out to dry by the heavy favorite - came back to score the game win one level
down in her next, but has a realistic chance to repeat, even moving back up the ladder. (8) PONDER THE
ODDS is hard to gauge from week to week but we know that on her best, she can be very tough at this level
- worth considering, even from Post 8. (4) SEZANA N almost wired these 2 back, so that 12-1 ML seems
pretty generous - still prefer a couple of others, but can see why others would give this mare a shot. (1)
TALL POPPY N seems to do her best with a bit easier, but she's looking at a potentially good trip from this
spot, and that would give her a shot to land somewhere in the exotics. Both (2) BALFAST N and (3)
BETCHA BABY have similar profiles - both have been picking up smaller pieces, both would like to be in
a little cheaper...and either could pick up a decent piece here with the right trip! (7) ROCKIN THE BOYS
A probably needs an inside draw to have any real say at this level - at least in her current form.
RACE 7 - (4) LOVELY DONNA raced better on 6/17 than her 5th place showing would suggest - solid
2nd behind stickout Siesta Beach in her next, then a solid final 3/8ths finishing 4th in her last - Bartlett
elects to stay with her (over a couple of others), and we'll hop on board too. (5) JOSSIE JAMES A may be
overlooked here but she's been really good for a long time, and may perk up tonight off a couple of ho-hum
performances - should definitely be an attractive price. (8) SURREAL FEELING hasn't been as flashy as
full sister Racine Bell this year but she IS having the best year of her career - not sure she can get in play
this week but if she's a good price, you probably will want to include her on your tickets. (3) SPORTS
FLIX is a bit of an "x factor" tonight - shipped in razor sharp from Ohio and delivered a sharp 2nd debuting
for new connections - wasn't as sharp in her next, and was stuck in the back last week - she could go either
way this week -- if you're expecting her to show up on her "A Game", she'll probably be offering some
good value. (6) FEELIN RED HOT is very good right now, but was in no chance spots in both of her last
pair - this SEEMS like a tough spot too, but if she ends up the only outside leaver she can quickly become a
threat. (2) ROCKNROLL ANNIE just suddenly came to life on 6/9, wiring the bottom class...and then she
STAYED just as sharp as she climbed her way up to this top level - can she keep it up? (1) MACZAFFAIR
N was good last week, but also the beneficiary of a perfect trip - if she brings her absolute best she can be a
player from this spot...but that's a big if! (7) SEASWIFT JOY N gets stuck outside in her 2nd start off the
layoff and may need another tightener before we see her best.
RACE 8 - (8) DRAGON ROLL has blossomed into a terrific 4YO mare, and has now shown that she can
compete with the Open mares - gets a significant class drop tonight (thanks to the "NW9" condition) and
she can beat these from Post 8...with just a bit of racing luck. (6) SLICK ARTIST A has been beyond sharp
in taking her last 4 in a row....but she was claimed from her last, and it's hard to say if she can replicate that
form for her new connections - she'll be right in the hunt if she can. (3) LUCKY ARTIST A was facing a
bit better when she was here in May - Zeron can handle her aggressively from this spot, and that should put
her in the hunt for a good piece of this. (5) MISS IRISH ROSE A hasn't been great here the last few years
but like a couple of her barnmates, seems to have really come to life lately racing upstate - if she can
replicate that form here at Yonkers, she can definitely be a player here. (2) CHECKERED PAST built off
that basement win 2 back with a close 2nd up in class in her last...but she really bumps up tonight, and we'll
see if she can maintain that form at this level. (1) POPPY DRAYTON N is another that's racing well now,
but questionable in this class...even from the pole. (4) BERAZZLED raced well here earlier this year, but a
few of these may be a little tough for her. (7) A CRAFTY LADY seems unlikely to be able to get into the
mix from all the way out here.
RACE 9 - (1) APRIL AVA has been doing good work all year in NJ and PA (13-4-0-5) and now returns to
Yonkers, where she has a terrific 7-2-2-2 slate - will get to control the action, and seems more than sharp
enough to make it hold up. (5) NORMANS MADELINE had some sign of life finishing 2 back so it wasn't
a shock to see her turn in a MUCH improved front end try in last - barn sent out a 35-1 wire to wire 8 hole
winner on Wed. night, so anything they send out now is worth considering. (4) STONEBRIDGE SOUL
was a big earner as a youngster but had a slow year at 4, winning only 1 of 19 starts - has looked better
since taking time off and now returning at 5, and a good trip would put her right in the hunt tonight. (6)
GOLDEN QUEST turned in a much better effort dropping in class last week, even if nipped on the wire -
gets no luck with the draw, however, and that will probably leave her looking at a smaller piece tonight. (7)
JIVE DANCING A was a very game 2nd best in last, especially since she looked all done on the final turn -
would have been one of the top choices here had she drawn inside, but Post 7 figures to compromise her
chances significantly. (3) ANGELS PRIDE was able to run and hide from lesser in her last couple but she
usually peters out once she gets up to these higher levels - sticking with others tonight. (2) LADYBELUCK
YTONITE has been enjoying a strong season but doesn't seem to enjoy the quicker miles at these higher
levels - we'll see how she does for yet another new barn tonight. (8) CLASSY CHAPEL N is in a terrible
spot - but she does get a drop next week
RACE 10 - Tough race: (1) SHECANDANCE N's comeback seemed to stall a bit but then she shipped
over to PcD and picked up back to back wins - draws the pole in a vulnerable field here, and just may be
sharp enough to extend her winning streak to 3. (6) WALTZWITHSIERRAA showed big potential in her
first U.S start but now it's 6 starts later and she still hasn't found the winner's circle - on the positive side,
she's hit board in 5 of 7, and at 20-1 ML, she's certainly very playable. (3) BETTORS HEART N looked
SO good just after arriving in this country but soon just hit a wall, and has struggled ever since - maybe she
can find some confidence in this pretty modest field. (7) BOLT OF BEAUTY dominated the Excelsior A
series last year, and was a winner in the final - she's really starting to find herself as a 4YO lately, and ships
in off a trio of Tioga wins....we'll see how that translates against these. (5) IM VERY SPECIAL seems to
disappoint lately every time it LOOKS like she may be ready to up her game and go on a form spree - her
last couple are promising, so perhaps she can be considered if the price is juicy enough. (2) CASIES BELI
EVER would seem to need a bit easier - probably looking at only a minor piece. (4) TELLITSASSYMAE
has missed 3 weeks after looking terrible (right from the start) in her last - wouldn't be shocked if the barn
had her patched up for tonight, but it's probably a good week to just observe, as she'll probably be handled
conservatively. (8) MY RUEBE STAR N, like several from this barn, was scary good after first arriving in
the U.S. (she was 6-5-0-1 last year) but soon petered out, unable to get back close to that top form - Post 8
isn't going to help her get back on track, either
RACE 11 - (5) FOCUS POCUS took 3 months off and has come back solid, grabbing a win last week at
Chester after coming close the two starts before that - catches a few solid foes in his YR debut, but we'll
give him a shot to make it two in a row. (1) TURBOCHARGEDPETE has been our play at nice prices the
last couple of starts but he's now come up 2nd best in 3 straight - he may very well get over that hump
tonight, but he'll probably be a lot shorter price as well! (4) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE is a weekly player
against these, and he did grab a win 3 back - another with a legitimate chance in here. (3) YANKEE
GIRLFRIEND disappointed in her last couple but it's possible that she just doesn't like an off track - barn
has been doing excellent work, and we may see this one rebound this week. (7) CAVALIER GEORGE
weakened to 3rd behind runaway Bluffiner after winning 2 straight prior to that - outside draw may put a
dent in his chances tonight, though. (6) GERARD goes for a new trainer and driver tonight while also
drawing poorly - he does have some good looking lines, though, so feel free to give him a shot...as long as
the price is juicy enough. (2) MOMMS MY DAD shows a mixed bag of efforts but even his best mile may
leave him short against a few of these. (8) MISS YOU KELLY lands in a brutal spot - pass tonight
RACE 12 - (4) NORTH STAR IDEAL is finally living up to the potential she showed from early on in her
career (and her trainer has been having a big bounce back year as well) - hard to predict trips in this evenly
matched finale but if she lands on a good one, she's sharp enough to take this. (1) ROBYN CAMDEN N
isn't blessed with great gate speed so drawing the rail really helps her cause - usually come sup with a big
effort in a spot like this...and figures to do just that tonight. (2) TAKE ABIT OF LIFE got VERY sharp
upon arrival from Florida and has been holding that fine form even as she's climbed the class ladder -
belongs in exotics. (5) DEMETER N easily crushed a NW10000 field 2 back and while she stepped up and
won again last week, it wasn't nearly as easy - moves up 2 classes tonight, and definitely could be a bit
vulnerable at a short price. (6) YS TALLIA has been brought to career form by her talented first year
trainer - she's off a sick scratch, however, and also draws outside a few main rivals - may be looking at a
smaller piece this week. (3) ANN HILL has been really good lately but definitely did NOT appreciate that
first over move against Siesta Beach last week - may find a few of these too tough as well. (7) ROCK N
PHILLY has leveled off considerably since landing in fields she can't just outrun - another tough spot
tonight, (8) TELL ME A JOKE faltered in NW15000 last week and now has Post 8 in NW30000 - not an
ideal spot, to say the least.