The Empire Report - Thursday, January 27, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (2) DEMETER N was last seen here racing in NW30000 - her two recent starts in NJ should
have her more than tight enough to get the job done at this significantly reduced level (but don't bet the
mortgage money on her at a very short price). (3) AMERICAN TOUR N is listed at 15-1 ML despite
picking up a 2nd and a 3rd in her last pair - definitely a good one to use in exotics. (5) VELOCITY MCSW
EETS was also 2nd and 3rd in her last pair (after a barn change) - sharp enough to be a player here too. (6)
SCANDALICIOUS continues to drop, seeking that level where she can come up with a wake up call -
maybe tonight? (1) PONDER THE ODDS disappointed vs. cheaper and is pretty unreliable at the moment -
can beat better "when right", but she's been throwing too many duds lately to back with any confidence. (8)
E R HILARY is more than sharp enough to be a contender, but will need a lot of trip luck from out here to
get herself into striking position - maybe can rally for a small piece? (7) CHECKERED PAST draws poorly
while currently struggling - not a winning formula. (4) SUNBURST KADA seems a bit overmatched
RACE 2 - (4) AWESOME TRIX made breaks in 2 of her 4 local starts, but raced big in the 2 where she
behaved herself - if she minds her manners tonight, she'll be a very tough player...but don't take too short a
price (as obviously she's a bit risky). (3) CREDIT CON was dull in his first start of the year, but is capable
of much better than that - not a bad week to include him in exotics, looking for him to produce a better
effort. (5) SHADRACK HANOVER actually had a pretty tough trip in his YR debut and deserves a pass
for that effort - he's another eligible to be a lot sharper this week (and should be a decent price, too). (1)
BIG MONEY HONEY was an even 4th in a quick mile returning from the winter break - another rail draw
should have him close to the action, and he certainly has a chance to grab a share of this. (2) SERRANO
VOLO was our pick last week and she gave the fans a good root, making a bold move (at 18-1) before
settling for the place dead heat - this is a tougher crew tonight, and we'll see if she can elevate her game
enough to be a player. (6) BLANK SPACE AS is riding a 3 race win streak, but faces much tougher rivals
tonight while also landing on the outside - he'll need to prove that he can hang with these better ones
RACE 3 - (8) LADY ANN NO is worth a stab in her Hilltop (and U.S.) debut - 6YO mare didn't make a lot
of starts back in Norway (just 20), but her earnings suggest she did have some ability as a youngster - hard
to believe Trond would have her shipped over if he didn't believe she could be a good earner here (note that
her mom is the sensational Peaceful Way...who like so many other "killer" mares, just hasn't been able to
replicate that success as a broodmare). (4) ) STRIKING GENSON didn't have enough late pop to rally by
for the win in his local debut, but was a close 2nd - 2nd time Lasix tonight, and eligible to be much tighter
now - worth considering. (6) SEVENSHADESOFGREY banged out $220K at 2 and 3 (helped by a shocker
in the NYSS Final), and now looks to do damage at 4 for his new connections - his last pair in NJ should
have him tight enough to have a say here. (2) PERRON has won a couple of big races in his career, but he
also tends to disappoint, more often than he delivers (see last week) - he'll be a much better price than last
time for those that want to give him another shot. (5) GRAFENBERG made breaks in 2 of his last 3 starts
to close out 2021, then was (understandably) handled conservatively in his first start of 2022 (7 hole, off a
month) - he does have some ability, and it wouldn't be a shock to see him show up late for a piece of this.
(3) DUKE OF LINDY picked up 3rd at a big price last week after cutting the mile at 135-1 4 starts back -
not a bad bomb for 3rd. (1) BIG CHARLIE MORAN struggled in most of his 7 starts here last year but
does return from Fhd. off a pair of wins, over cheaper - he'll have to prove that he can hold that good form
against these. (7) REAL MCCOY dug in late to hang on for the 12-1 upset last time, but may have trouble
being as effective from Post 7
RACE 4 - (1) LADYBELUCKYTONITE got VERY sharp for a while, earning her way up to the Open,
and even holding her own at that top level - she showed little in her last, but she had only 1 start in 8 weeks
prior to that, and may be a lot sharper this time around - not a bad week to hop on board. (4) ROBYN
CAMDEN was a bit sluggish last week (racing off a month) but hung in there and was going ok late should
be tighter now, and there's nothing too scary in this field....feels like a spot where she can be a major player.
(3) MALNIFICENT added Lasix while dropping in class at Chester last start, went from 98-1 to 7/5 and
reported home a winner in her last start of 2021 - no reason she can't be a player against these too, although
the missed time is definitely a concern. (6) IM VERY SPECIAL was just 1 for 25 here last year in a
disappointing campaign - she did hit board 10 other times, though, and perhaps she'll appreciate having
Gingras at the lines -- willing to use in exotics, especially since she should be a decent price. (5) ) BYE
BYE MICHELLE just wasn't sharp at all last week, squandering a two hole trip - could be tighter now, but
still not ready to hop on her team. (2) WOODMERE HARRIET can hang with these when on her best
game, but she was well short in her 2022 return, and hard to recommend right now. (7) SWEET SALLY
SUE failed to click in 2 local tries before the winter break, and now moves up 2 classes off her last loss -
prefer to just watch, for now...especially with the terrible draw. (8) COOLNCALCULATING N was a
winner in her YR debut, but that was from a pocket, vs. much easier - seems unlikely to reach from out
here.
RACE 5 - (7) TITANS HOPE raced well enough this summer to qualify for the NYSS Final - he'll likely
look to wire these, and there's definitely a chance he can do just that....should offer a fair price from out
here. (6) KEEPER OF SECRETS tries his luck at Yonkers after competing primarily in NJ and PA - seems
to have more than enough ability to be a solid player with these...assuming he has no issues getting around
the half miler. (5) IDENTITY POLICE was off to a slow start in his YR debut, swung wide to the final turn
and finished alertly at the end - that was his first start in 3 months and he's eligible to be much tighter now -
another live player in this competitive affair. (2) MNEMONIC didn't fire in her last start here (1/13) but her
overall form has been pretty solid, usually trotting home well at the end - willing to include in exotics. (3)
SPELL CUTEYPIE had dead aim coming to the wire last week and really had no excuse to not go on by -
will need to be a bit better for a chance at a top prize tonight. (1) CHROME PACKAGE clearly outraced
his odds when 3rd last week.....at 99-1! Draws the pole once more, and perhaps can take home another
piece. (4) GREG has 2 local wins but he's disappointed more often than he's delivered - wouldn't shock, but
we'll stick with others. (8) SHENZI AS lands all the way outside, and hasn't really impressed in previous
local tries.
RACE 6 - (7) MACHNHOPE had a very useful tightener last week, pacing a strong final half to finish
right behind a couple of solid rivals - last year's Matchmaker champ may be able to pick up her first win
of the year against this group, even from all the way out here (she had a MUCH easier spot for last week's
canceled card, but at least the price will be much better tonight). (2) EDGE OF ETERNITY returns from
Dover to a barn that did super with her last year, and may perk right back up - chance to add some value to
the exotics. (3) ANABELLE HANOVER was ok from a no chance spot last week (off almost 6 weeks) -
should be tighter now, and may be able to grab a decent piece of this. (1) ROCKROLL ANNIE ended 2021
with a win at this level, and had a useful tightener off the winter break in her last - would hardly be a
surprise to see her very competitive from this spot....ok to include underneath. (4) THE FUN MARSHALL
hit the top and was able to handle a softer crew last week - may find things a bit tougher against these,
however, and isn't a very attractive option at that 5/2 ML price. (5) CORAL BELLA was late for Lasix last
start (scratched) so she'll get to make her first start of the new year tonight (after last week's card was
canceled) - she really elevated her game after being claimed from the bottom class on 11/12, but comes into
this with no starts since 12/16, and may find herself at a conditioning disadvantage. (6) MAGICAL MISTR
ESS really hasn't clicked yet since the recent barn change, and lands a tough post for her YR return.
RACE 7 - (5) YOU WILL BE QUEEN is 6-2-3-1 since arriving at Yonkers, and looked very good in last
week's jogburger victory - meets a few sharp foes tonight, but should be able to work out a good trip from
this spot - gets the narrow edge. (4) EMOTIONS RICHES broke in his local debut then was handled
carefully the next week....but he's delivered a pair of razor sharp victories since then, and his barn has come
to life in a big way since late 2021 - legit threat. (7) TOKYO SEELSTER has now won 2 in a row, and it
might have been 3 if not for a very costly final turn miscue on 12/16 - has the speed to overcome Post 7,
and looms a serious player even from out here. (3) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE ended the year with a narrow
loss in NJ, then started 2022 with a wire to wire 7 hole victory here at Yonkers - hard to leave out of your
exotics. (2) SWEET HEART AS should benefit from those 2 NJ starts, and may be handled more
aggressively now - had some success here back in 2019, and seems like a decent one to include in exotics at
that 10-1 ML price. (1) ONEMORESWAN shipped in sharp and passed the "class test" with a solid 3rd in
his YR debut - draws inside once more, and could easily land a share, with a decent trip. (6) BELIEVER
couldn't finish well enough last week and MAY be a little below the top ones...but we'll get a clearer picture
after tonight. (8) KANDY SWEET is the outsider...literally and figuratively
RACE 8 - (3) LIT DE ROSE probably wasn't even wound all that tight for her first start of the year but was
still able to grab the pocket victory - she's been outstanding since arriving from Canada, and has a very legit
chance to win again tonight...at another very short price. (4) DRAGON ROLL was clearly short in her 2022
return, but still held for 4th despite a tough trip - she comes off an outstanding 2021 season, and figures to
be a fair price tonight - one of several very live players in here. (1) ALEXA SKYE looked super winning
all her Matchmaker legs last year but came up short in the Final, and struggled to get back to that top form
for the rest of the year (though still racing pretty well to the end) - tried to wire them from Post 7 last week
but came up a little short at the end, and she'll need to be just a bit better if she hopes to get her picture
taken tonight. (1) HEAVENS SHOWGIRL A finally lived up to her potential with last week's excellent first
over victory - steps up a notch, and we'll see if she's able to be as successful against this tougher (overall)
bunch. (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N used an easy 3 hole trip to pick up 3rd in last week's Open - much
tougher draw tonight, and a much smaller piece seems likely. (6) ROCK N PHILLY seems a bit
overmatched up at this level, and Post 7 isn't going to help her cause - prefer others. (7) LUCKY ARTIST
A has been away for 7 weeks, and it seems likely that she'll be handled very conservatively from Post 7 -
keep an eye for next time. (8) WESTBEACH failed to get close from Post 8 in last - facing same fate here
RACE 9 - (2) NO WIN NO FEED A was a very classy mare Down Under, winning 14 races and over
$300K - she qualified nicely on 12/31 for her U.S. debut, and came out a winner in her first start (at The
Swamp) - hard to not use her on your tickets from this spot. (8) JODY was a winner of 3 straight here at
Yonkers before making a break before the start last week - absolutely deserves a chance to shrug that off
and make amends here, and she'll even be a decent price with the move all the way outside. (1) BETTERB
CHEVRON N had a useful start off the winter break, pacing evenly for 4th behind 3 good ones - chance to
pick up a good piece here with the inside draw. (7) ELLAGATOR picked up 3 wins over the last couple of
months of 2021, and was a sharp 2nd in her 2022 return - bumps up a bit in class here AND draws Post 7,
but seems sharp enough for a chance at a small piece. (3) PRAY THE ROSARY lagged in her 2022 debut
bit will be tighter now, and the inside draw can help too - chance for a minor piece. (5) IRON MISTRESS
steps up, loses Brennan, and may be in too tough a spot here. (4) EYE POPPING seems overmatched here.
(6) BETTORS HEART N drops, but will need to be a LOT better to be any kind of player
RACE 10 - (1) SLY ELEANOR N was sent off at 3/5 for her YR debut last week but made a costly break
as she was heading for the top on the first turn (tried to make a big recovery, but understandably flattened
late - she's in against pretty much the same type, and that makes her worth another shot (for her hot barn).
(3) SANDY WIN landed on a perfect trip last week, and parlayed it into a victory - barn has been winning
races lately at multiple tracks, and anything they send out has to be respected. (8) TELL ME A JOKE
reversed form in a big way when dropped to this class on 10/20 (5 length winner) - drew Post 8 last week
off the winter break but went a big mile for 3rd, despite a tough trip - drew well for last week's canceled
card, but unfortunately lands all the way outside again for tonight - maybe can still grab a piece? (6) THE
CHARGING MOA N beat a cheap field at Fhd. 2 back but may have gained some confidence from it, as
she was a solid rallying 4th here last week - would definitely use in exotics at that juicy 20-1 ML price. (2)
PAMMY JO was terrific here in 2020 but struggled mightily in 2021, and doesn't seem all that sharp at the
moment - a wake up call is needed. (5) BULLVILLEKARLA is winless over 17 YR starts over the past 2
years - chance to rally for a small piece? (4) CRYSTAL SPARKLES N is 11-0-0-0 over the past 2 seasons.
(7) CABOWABOCUTTIE moves out to Post 7 after quitting from the pocket last week.