The Empire Report - Thursday, July 14, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (4) BACKSTREET PLAYER raced a couple of times at 2 and picked up 2nds in each start -
came back ready at 3, racing well in the Weiss Series (including a 3rd in the Final) - seemed to tail a bit for
a couple of starts after that but qualified nicely after a brief freshening, and the guess is that he'll be ready
to bring his best tonight. (6) AVACAKES had a tough trip in her YR debut but held very nicely for 3rd -
overall recent form has been solid, and this would be a good spot for Gregory to be a bit more aggressive -
may be able to threaten for the top slot with a good start. (7) BANK BREAKS was a good 2nd (at a big
price) in her local debut - no luck with the draw tonight, but Bartlett will likely still be able to improve at
the start - use in exotics. (3) THE AMERICAN EAGLE got a catch driver at Chester last week and
improved quite a bit - picks up Stratton for his local debut, and that may give him a chance to be a player
tonight - just 13-0-1-1 lifetime, however. (2) HONORABLE LADY is 0 for 13 this year but has hit board
7X - chance for a small piece. (5) IMPORTER EXPORTER was a non threatening 5th in each of his local
tries - needs to be better. (1) CANTSTOP YANKEE has really been struggling upstate - we'll see if he can
pick his game up with the barn change
RACE 2 - (1) CASH ROLL had been struggling (at higher levels) but did leave hard from Post 8 last week,
stayed close (in 4th) to a hot 3rd panel and remained solid right to the end - drops, draws the pole, and she'll
be the one to catch and beat. (2) LADYBELUCKYTONITE was no threat last week but at least improved
enough to be able to last for 3rd- drops, figures to get a pretty easy trip, and may be able to land somewhere
on the ticket. (6) ANDRA DAY raced "better" last week, but is still well off her best form - could perk up at
any time, but right now the value remains in playing against her. (5) POPPY DRAYTON N dropped to this
level 2 back but was hurt by a pair of bad posts - it's hard to really gauge her form right now, but this may
be a decent spot to include her in exotics. (7) RABLE battled hard first over last week and was a very game
2nd - she raced better that #6, yet that one is listed at 9/5 ML and this mare is at 15-1....decent one to
include underneath. (4) SCANDALICIOUS weakened in the stretch last time but was racing off a bad date
- eligible to be better tonight, and just one of many with a chance at a good piece. (3) HEY HEY BDAY
had to move up because she's at $5015 in her last 5 starts - wait for the drop back down to the bottom class
RACE 3 - (1) DRIBBLING BI showed ability at 2, compiling a 7-2-1-2 record ($65K) while holding his
own against top PA freshmen - returned at 3 in a NW3 at Chester and was a sharp 1:56.3 winner and
although he was a notch below in a couple of PASS after that, he was 2nd and 3rd vs. just a bit easier in his
last couple - really supposed to handle his elders in his Yonkers debut. (5) MUSCLE DYNASTY had an
interesting YR debut - he made a couple of breaks, but showed a ton of trot when he was able to behave -
can make some real noise here IF he can stay trotting all the way. (2) BIG CHARLIE MORAN was off to a
horrendous start last week and lagged for almost 3/4s....but really charged home from the final turn and
rallied all the way up to 3rd - logical player for the exotics. (3) BY A HOFF HANOVER is just 1 for 18
this year but he leaves well and stays trotting....making him a threat to take home another good piece. (6)
EXCHEQUER has been racing well, but last week was a little ugly from the final turn (after he looked like
he'd be an easy 2nd) - will likely be coming from last, but a return to his better form could see him rally for
a piece. (4) MATT SO SURE feels like he might be a notch below a few of these
RACE 4 - (1) LAURIE LEE has done some good things here in the past, and has some pretty good recent
tries against better out of town - draws the pole, gets a big switch to Dube, and should have a big chance
here. (5) AHOY appreciated a class drop and good trip last week, parlaying that combination into a victory
- steps back up a notch, but she can go with these too - could be a live player once again. (7) ASHTINI
paced her back half in :55.3 last week but was in a no chance spot - drops to a winning level tonight, and
has a chance to do some damage if some trip luck comes her way. (3) PHELGON moved to her new barn 3
starts back and has raced well, vs. cheaper, across the river - hard to say how she'll fit with these, but would
definitely at least include her underneath. (2) CHELSKI has been struggling lately but does get a class drop
and goes back to Bartlett for the first time since they paired up to win on 5/19 - could find a better effort
from this spot. (6) LADY DELA RENTAA was outstanding here in 2020 after joining this barn but made
only 6 starts last year - recently returned from a long layoff, and it's hard to gauge from her Monti starts just
how well she fits here - maybe check the tote board? (4) TELLITSASSYMAE was 3 for 10 here last year
but returns from Delaware looking like she might be a little cheap right now - prefer to just watch tonight
RACE 5 - (2) STAMPED BY LINDY was no factor in either local start but did face better, and was in
tougher spots - this is definitely an easier crew, and a couple of the main players are definitely risky - may
be a decent value play. (5) LIVINGONTHERAIL was 2nd best to the solid favorite from post 7 last week -
he has speed, stays trotting, and has to be seen as a very live player here. (1) HALLWAY BABE popped out
of the two hole 3 starts back but was repelled, and weakened to 3rd - tried the same move the next week,
and was strong enough in the lane to grab the win - looking at a good trip here, and could easily be part of
the equation. (4) FLIP THE SWITCH couldn't stay flat in Ohio last year but took to the trotting hopples
this year and won his first start back - was purchased by top connections after that, and delivered the strong
1:54,2 win at Pocono the next start -- laid an egg in his Hilltop debut, however, then made a break trying
for the top last week - could easily handle these "on his best"....but we may not see that best from him
tonight. (6) JBN did pick up a win here back in April, but hasn't really gotten better as the season has
moved along - he also seems to prefer racing on the lead, and that could be a problem from this spot --
seems a bit vulnerable. (3) DIMANTE VIC picked up a 2nd in a fall apart race 2 back, but otherwise hasn't
really impressed in his local starts. (7) ANOTHER LONG SONG seems a bit cheaper, and draws outside
RACE 6 - (4) SUNDAY AFTERNOON shipped in sharp from Canada, added Lasix for her new barn,
made a brief break in the pocket heading to 3/4s and had to come after the leader after recovering on the
rim, did pace on by the leader but got a little tried near the end - Bongiorno back on board, and may be able
to get the job done tonight with a clean trip. (5) GINGER TREE LIZ seemed to be tailing for a few starts
but bounced back last week with what was probably the best mile of her career - if she can bring that same
effort tonight, she'll have a chance to repeat. (6) LUCKY ARTIST A responded to the class drop last week,
rallying crisply from well back to be 2nd - a live trip could put her right there again. (3) TOBAGO TIME is
just 1 for 13 here in 2022 but raced well in the bulk of those starts - always a good one to include
underneath. (7) JIVE DANCING A drops in class and fits very nicely with these - the post is the issue, and
some trip luck will be needed to get in play from out here. (2) SPORTS FLIX drops back to a more
comfortable level, but this is a tough field - mixed feelings about her chances in here. (1) DBLDELITEBRI
GADE N seems to need to be in easier these days - the rail helps, but maybe not enough (8) MYSTIFYING
has looked better in her last couple, but the draw makes this a very tough assignment
RACE 7 - (3) DRAGON ROLL has enjoyed an amazing couple of years here at Yonkers, but does seem a
bit off her best game right now (along with several of her barnmates) - it's hard to "love" her chances, but
the guess is that the 3 weeks off will actually benefit here, and we'll see a better version tonight - giving her
the lukewarm nod. (5) DRAMAACT just hasn't been the same since winning the Matchmaker Final in late
April, but it's not like she's been horrible either - still have to always respect her chances at this level,
though it's hard to accept a short price on top. (7) ROCKN PHILLY was dropping with sharp form last
week and sent off at 3/5 - didn't bring her best that night (finished 4th), but that doesn't mean she can't
bounce right back tonight - the price will certainly be a lot better. (8) BETTERB CHEVRON N was very
dull in her YR return (3 back) but did come up very sharp in her last pair - chance for a piece, even from all
the way out here. (4) TEMPUS SEELSTER was on a good roll before coming up a little flat last week - she
has a shot at a good piece of this IF she can bounce back to that better form. (6) INTHESKYROCKET A is
a question mark at this higher level but that last win was definitely impressive - suppose we'll learn more
tonight. (2) MAGICAL MISTRESS landed on perfect trips the last 2 weeks and beat easier - steps up in
class off the claim tonight, and may find a few of these a little too tough. (1) EDGE OF ETERNITY seems
a bit overmatched against these, and is just 2 for 25 here over the last 2 seasons
RACE 8 - (4) MCMARKLE SPARKLE thrived immediately upon arriving at Yonkers, and quickly
established herself as a legitimate Open mare - she was a razor sharp winner last week, and the good draw
gives her a good chance to take another. (2) DELITFULCATHERIN N was a very impressive winner for
her new barn in her Hilltop return - she steps up to face better now, but that last mile suggests that she may
be up for it. (6) MAJORCA N still draws outside, but should have more options from this spot - she's
proven that she can win at this level, and should be a good price here. (1) MORNING HAS BROKEN has
come a long way from flashy (but inconsistent) lower level performer, to legitimate Open contender -
rallied nicely last week for her new barn, and may be able to make some noise tonight, as well. (5)
VIOLETS RAINBOW has been very good all year, and truly earned her way up to this top class - still
unproven against these, but acts like she can at least contend for a piece of this. (3) SIESTA BEACH hasn't
been "bad", but also hasn't been close to her peak form in a long time - needs to find more if she hopes to
be a threat here. (7) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS has done good work since arriving from Ohio, and even
picked up a 2nd last week in her first Open attempt - don't think the trip will be as kind tonight, however.
(8) IMPRINCESSGEMMAA seems damned if she leaves, and damned if she doesn't - just a tough spot
RACE 9 - Very competitive finale: (1) AMERICAN TOUR N was very good 2 back so last week's 32-1
price was pretty absurd - she just missed, and unfortunately the price will be a LOT lower tonight...but she
does have a very solid chance from the pole. (2) RIGGINSWIND had to work hard into a hot 3rd panel last
week but did kick in nicely through the lane to be right there - possibility. (3) PAIGES GIRL will attract
plenty of $$ off the class drop, but she seems to be on the dullish side right now, and has never been a
prolific winner - consider only if the price is fair. (5) VEL DONNA wasn't bad when 3rd in her local debut
and there's a chance that she might have shut off her air last week (she was raging in the pocket a long way)
- not impossible. (6) WOODMERE HARRIET is listed at 20-1 ML but she's been facing better, and did
win here earlier this season - one to consider if looking for a last race "bail out". (4) BET IM LUCKY was
a big go 2 back and did cross the finish line first - only to be placed 2nd for a pylon violation - eligible to
have a say tonight. (7) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX gets the class relief she needs, but not the draw she
wants - may just have too far to come this week. (8) ALWAYS BE COOL can be a good finisher, but will
likely be trying to rally from last.