The Empire Report - Thursday, September 1, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (1) VEL DONNA has legitimate excuses for her last 3 starts (shuffled 3 back, then a pair of 8
holes) - draws best tonight in a pretty modest NW7500 field, is looking at a good trip, and youngster
Braxten Boyd has shown that he can hold his own with the talented local drivers colony - we'll give her the
slight nod in this competitive opener. (4) ASHTINI benefited last week from the class drop, post relief, and
a perfect steer from Stratton to pick up her 2nd win of the year - moves up a notch, but this crew is still well
within her comfort zone - dangerous if Bongiorno can find her another good trip. (6) SHEIKH YABOOTY
N was hammered at the windows last week (class drop) and was able to prevail, though tiring late - will
need to be a little sharper to beat these, so insist on a fair price if using her on top again. (3) PAIGES GIRL
is having a rough year (1 for 21) but she did finish well last week after showing speed (at PRc) in her prior
two starts - would consider if the price was good enough. (5) SEZANA N is now 1 for 40 over the last 2
years, but racing "ok" lately - chance for a minor share. (2) SOUND IDEA was a "right place/right time" in
a "fall apart" race last week - she'll need to be a lot sharper for a chance to beat these. (7) ACEFOURTYFO
UR ALEX is 2 for 59 over the last 2 years and draws poorly - outside chance for a minor piece. (8) GREEN
HILL HANOVER drops, but is struggling too much to consider from all the way out here.
RACE 2 - (1) P C FREE WHEELING shows nothing but horrible posts and sick scratches in her recent
lines yet she's maintained good form, and comes into tonight off her best effort to date - faces a couple of
legitimate rivals here, but she's just too hard to go past with the move inside, and the quick return to the
entry box. (5) BACKSTREET PLAYER added Lasix last week after a dullish 3rd the week before and
rebounded with a very solid try, finishing right behind the top choice - may be the one with the best chance
at the upset. (6) WEE JILL was an "ok" 2nd in her local debut, disappointed the following week but was
sharp in her last, cutting the mile before losing out to the tripsitting favorite - should fit nicely here, but the
outside draw could hurt a bit. (4) LEDGES has some ability (5 for 14 last 2 years), but would be more
appealing with a local catch driver - still a good one to include underneath, though. (3) LIVINGONTHERA
IL raced much better last week after a few disappointing tries - still prefer others, but wouldn't be surprised
to see him race well again. (2) DOWN THE PIKE MIKE has been a steady player in the Excelsior A races
all summer, and does get major post relief - may be a notch below the main players, however. (7) MR ZUA
NETTI is the outsider....both literally and figuratively
RACE 3 - (7) MAGICAL MAJOR was a steady 3rd in his local debut (first start for one of our top barns),
then just missed in his last, despite a tough two-move try - won't be easy from Post 7, but hopefully the
better price will make him a decent play. (5) IMPORTER EXPORTER was well backed off the big barn
change (and fresh Lasix) last start but blew up early on - has missed a month, but probably deserves a 2nd
chance for connections that could probably win with a zebra. (3) THE BOSS MAN hasn't really stood out
in his 3 local tries but he can probably grab an easy trip from this spot, and that gives him a chance against
a pretty vulnerable bunch (not a fan of that 5/2 ML price, however). (4) NORTHERN BLIZZARD is just 1
for 16 over the past 2 years and usually goes off at big prices at Pocono - may actually fit well with the
locals for his Yonkers debut, though. . (8) BANK BREAKS hit board in 5 of 6 local starts but wasn't strong
at the end of her last pair, and lands the worst post for tonight - willing to throw in underneath. (6) SV ROY
AL FLUSH made an uncharacteristic miscue in his first start for a new trainer last week - he does have
speed, and will be a big price....so he's not a terrible option for those looking for a possible bomb here. (1)
THE GREAT WALL debuts locally for very solid connections, but she's 0 for 14 and still feels like a work
in progress. (2) IT IS WELL moves to a new barn upon arrival from PA...and will need to improve quite a
bit to be a player here (14-0-1-2 lifetime, and usually sent off at huge odds for a very high % PA barn)
RACE 4 - (2) DC BATGIRL was stuck in tough spots vs. much better for a few starts but appreciated the
class relief last week, finishing full of pace for 3rd once clear in the lane - drops again tonight, and reunites
with Bartlett....who steered her to her last win here (NW15000 on 6/30) - the one to beat. (3) BETTERB
CHEVRON N couldn't overcome a bad trip as the odds on choice 2 back but was able to make amends last
week with a much better steer - steps up a notch, but this level is still in her wheelhouse when on her game
- we'll see if she gained enough confidence with that last victory to take another. (7) GALLERIA GAL
shipped in sharp from upstate and was an excellent 2nd (right behind #3) returning to the track she loves -
no luck with the draw, but can still be a major player IF Boyd can get her off to a good start (5) TOBAGO
TIME perked up with a win and a 2nd two and three back but was ignored at the windows from Post 7 last
week, and raced accordingly - maybe she can rebound with a better effort with the improved post? (6) SPO
RTS FLIX came up with a much improved effort to win 2 back but reverted to her lesser form last week
(after a barn change) - not really sure what to expect from her tonight. (4) NORMANS MADELINE likes
to race on the lead vs. cheaper at this point in her career - maybe can tow along for a minor check? (8) SU
MMER RAE used a good trip to finish well for 3rd last week, but faces a tall task trying to find a journey
from out here that can match last week's result. (1) RIGHTFULLY MINE gets a new trainer listed upon
arrival from PRc and just seems a bit cheaper than these - we'll see if the draw can help her grab a piece
RACE 5 - (2) MIKI ROSE has beaten this class 2 of her last 3 starts, with an excellent first over 3rd
(behind the classy SIESTA BEACH) in the other - there are some solid players in here, but her sharp form
(and inside draw) have earned her top billing. (6) BABS JANSEN has been rock solid at this level, and
comes into tonight showing three straight 2nd place finishes (with more good efforts right before that) - the
top choice did beat her twice recently, so she'll need to find a way to overcome Post 6 if she hopes to
reverse that trend. (1) ROCKN PHILLY was well backed last week off the class drop, handled aggressively
from the start but wilted to 4th in the stretch - she just hasn't been on her best game for a while, and will
need to be a bit sharper if she hopes for a shot at the top prize. (4) LADY DELA RENTAA found her form
with a win over cheaper on 7/21, took her next as well, flew home for 3rd the following week but just
couldn't fully sustain her first over move in the lane last week, tiring to 6th - an easier trip would give her a
chance at a much better piece tonight. (7) JODY shipped back in on 8/11 off a sharp Chester score and
raced very well that night for 3rd, despite a miserable trip - was handled (surprisingly) conservative in her
last, then rallied late for the show spot - she certainly fits well with these, but some trip luck will be needed
to overcome tonight's poor draw. (8) FAIRIESDELIGHT A probably wasn't right in her first U.S. qualifier
but was very good in her next - was sent off at 1/2 for her U.S./Yonkers debut last week, but even her :27
final quarter wasn't enough to go by the sharp winner - she clearly has ability, but Bartlett opts to drive #2 --
and that suggests she MAY be handled conservatively tonight from Post 8. (5) COMMANDER CATHY N
isn't a bad mare but she's now raced 22X in the U.S. and is still seeking her first pari mutuel victory - hard
to consider for anything more than a minor share tonight. (3) GAME OF SHADOWS has been away for a
month after stopping on the lead last start - will just watch, for now
RACE 6 - (3) FLIP THE SWITCH saw his 5 race win streak snapped last week, but he was just as good in
defeat as he was in those victories (trotted a final quarter in :27.3 to come up a neck behind the talented
DELAYED HANOVER in 2nd) -- he meets a couple of very interesting shippers tonight (both entering top
new barns), but still deserves top billing off the work he's done here so far. (6) LEXUS KODY was just
purchased in Canada where he finished 2nd in ALL 6 starts this year - he was a fine 3YO ($162K earned
and 3rd in the OnSS Final), and lands in a barn that always does well with these types - could be a very
dangerous foe if the 23 days off don't bother him. (2) CANTKEEPMIASECRET was floundering in NW1
at VD to start the season, losing her first 13 starts and trotting around 2:00 every week - was purchased
after her start on 6/10 and her new Meadows connections certainly figured out quickly how to press her
buttons, sending her out to an eye-popping SIXTEEN length win in her first start....while establishing a
new 1:53.4 mark -- she took 4 more starts after that then was sold to local connections....and makes her
Yonkers debut tonight for the Dynamic Duo -- won't be easy to keep that winning streak going (especially
after missing 25 days), but it definitely is possible! (1) STARLIT RAMBO was able to hold 3rd after
towing along behind the sharp top pair in his last - may get a chance to do the same tonight, for another
decent piece. (5) SEVENSHADESOFGREY picked up a pair of 4ths in his last two and will need to find a
bit more if he hopes to go home with a better share tonight (seems below the top ones right now). (7)
YUCATAN PARTY MAN has developed into a solid trotter this year but another poor draw really figures
to limit his production once again. (4) TITANS HOPE has speed and stays trotting - that's helped her pick
up lots of pieces this year, but this crew is definitely a bit tougher than she'd like to be facing
RACE 7 - Well matched field: (5) MORNING HAS BROKEN was stuck up in the Open after being
claimed on 6/1 but has really been clicking since dropping 3 starts back (2 wins and a 3rd) - should get
another live trip tonight, and looms a threat to take another. (4) CHUPPAH ON raced super in her first 2
starts after returning from Ohio - took no $$ from Post 8 last week (and remained in the back) but figures to
be handled more aggressively with the move back inside - can be a player tonight. (3) WESTERN ROSIE
looks a bit cheap at first glance but she adds Lasix after WINNING last week, and Bartlett takes her over a
razor sharp GINGER TREE LIZ - maybe she's good enough to handle the class jump and hang with these
too? (2) MAGICAL MISTRESS has been racing well for some time, although her last wasn't as sharp -
moves inside, goes with Lasix for the 2nd time, and may be a decent bomb to try to sneak onto the ticket.
(1) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N weakened a bit at the end in her last couple and may need to be in a little
easier to do her best damage - still, she has speed from the rail and that always creates the possibility of a
good trip...and a decent piece. (8) GINGER TREE LIZ has held her form beautifully as she's climbed the
class ladder and comes into tonight off a VERY impressive, lifetime-best 1:51.2 score - she does land in a
brutal spot, however, and Bartlett does opt for #3 - maybe she can rally for a small piece? (7) DARBY HA
NOVER can hold her own with even better but she draws her first bad post in a long time, and may have
some trouble getting into play tonight. (6) YS TALLIA really perked up after the barn change in May and
has continued to thrive since changing hands once more 3 starts back - not sure she'll be able to make too
much noise from this spot, however
RACE 8 - (4) BEST HEAD WEST was mysteriously moved to another trainer on 7/7 (after doing
incredible work all year for her previous barn) - came up empty for 2 weeks and was quickly sent back to
her previous conditioner...where she quickly started looking more like her usual self - draws inside her two
main rivals, gets Bartlett back in the bike and we'll give her a narrow edge. (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N
instantly improved after moving to her current barn on 7/7, establishing herself as a major force in this top
class - was just an "ok" 4th last week, but anything close to her best would make her a very dangerous
player here. (6) MCMARKLE SPARKLE started to really thrive after shipping in here this spring, and is a
proven winner at the Open level - draws the outside, but will be helped by the short field - possible. (3)
DRAGON ROLL has enjoyed an amazing run the past 2 seasons here, currently at 53-20-11-9 for nearly
$500K in earnings - she MAY be a notch below the top ones right now, but can never be dismissed too
easily - prefer to use her underneath tonight. (2) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS rebounded from a rare dud 2
back with a dead game first over 2nd last week - that earned her a trip back up to the Open, and her best
work has come vs. a little easier - sticking with others. (1) PURE COTTON has been very sharp for a
LONG time, but is unproven against these top mares - we'll see if her speed can help her stay close enough
to grab a small share
RACE 9 - (4) SO IRRESISTIBLE was very well backed vs. much better last week, and raced very well to
be a close 3rd - figures to be pretty tough here with the class drop. (5) ALWAYS BE COOL just found
unknown speed 3 back and crushed the field on the front end - broke in her next (as she did 4 starts down),
but rebounded in her last to be a close 2nd, almost reeling in the tiring favorite late - solid player IF she can
continue to behave. (2) CHELSKI has enjoyed some success here in the past, and returns from PA in a spot
that should be well within her comfort zone - use in exotics. (3) COLORFUL VIRGIN didn't fire at all in
her local debut but seems capable of better - willing to include her underneath, hoping for a sharper effort.
(7) BRONZE OVER N was better in her 2nd start after the barn change but last week's mile probably
wasn't as good as it looks on paper (the race fell apart, and a bunch ended up close at the end) - tough draw,
but playable for 3rd/4th at that 20-1 ML price. (1) ROCKNROLL SHELLI had an excuse last week (she
was running over the struggling leader for some time) but her overall form really hasn't been that good - she
does have speed from the rail, so we'll see if she can use that to at least pick up a piece. (6) AMERICAN
YOUR N was pretty good for a bunch of starts but stopped badly last week, and now will race for new
connections - hard to know what to expect from her tonight. (8) E R HILARY had been struggling for some
time before missing a month after a sick scratch - gets the worst of the draw for her return, and we'll just
observe, for future considerations