The Empire Report - Thursday, May 12, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (3) GREENHILL HANOVER was a rallying 3rd vs. better here 3 back, then had excuses in her
last pair - she's definitely at a winning level here, and is worth a shot in the opener. (5) SCANDALICIOUS
appreciated both the class drop and pocket trip last week, picking up an easy 2nd - drops another notch, and
has to be seem as a legitimate threat. (2) CHECKERED PAST cut the mile last week and came up 2nd best
- logical player again tonight, and definitely belongs in exotics. (1) BALFAST N is nowhere near her best
self right now, but at least she's "functioning" - wouldn't be shocked if she won, but definitely leaning to
others for the top slot. (4) WALTZWITHSIERRAA had a promising effort for 2nd two back but
immediately reverted to her weaker form last week - tough one to gauge from start to start. (6) CHELSKI
was handled conservatively last week arriving from Fhd. and was no factor - tough draw tonight, but she's
capable of better....with the right trip. (7) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE has shown little lately and draws
horribly once again. (8) SILVER TAIL was way overbet in her only local try, quarter moving to command
then weakening to 3rd - fell before the start at Chester in her next (and re-qualified), and now lands Post 8
RACE 2 - (5) DRAGON ROLL had some bad luck in this year's Matchmaker Series and didn't get to strut
her best stuff - was a sharp wire to wire winner last week, and the oft-winning 5YO gets a free ride in the
same class - can't guarantee that she'll win again but she's certainly the one to beat. (4) BEST HEAD WEST
didn't win any Matchmaker legs but she hit board in all 5 starts, finishing a close 4th in the Final - the 4YO
has proven that she belongs with these, and should be able to make some late noise tonight. (3) ROCKN
PHILLY has really thrived since joining her current barn, and returns sharp from Chester - could end up
with a good trip tonight, and that could have her close at the finish. (6) SHES PUKKA N is a hard hitter
against this type, and delivers sharp efforts almost weekly (despite being used hard all the time) - tough
post tonight, but she can never be counted out. (1) STAR CAPTAIN wasn't at her best last week (off a sick
scratch), but still toughed out the victory (her 4th in a row) - she acts like she can go with this type...but
she'll need to be sharper than last week to have a big say here. (2) GOLDEN QUEST N has been solid for
some time, but catches a tough NW30000 field tonight - may find herself a little overmatched. (7) NO WIN
NO FEED A held her own in the Matchmaker then jogged off the class drop last week - Post 7 figures to
slow her down quite a bit tonight, however.
RACE 3 - (1) LUCKY ARTIST A just toured the oval from Post 8 last week but expect to see a much
different version from the pole tonight - she's having a slow start this year, but did win 8 of 21 local starts
the two prior years....might be a good spot for a big wake up call. (8) SIESTA BEACH is having a tough
time getting untracked this year, but she's a legitimate Open mare when even close to "right" - she needed
her last (when able to hold 2nd to runaway NO WIN NO FEED A) and would have a chance to beat these
(even from Post 8), if even close to 100% - maybe the tote board can offer some help? (4) WESTBEACH
had some sneaky life finishing 2 back so it was no surprise to see her come up 2nd best last week - can be a
player tonight too, with a decent trip. (3) COUSIN MARY may need a little easier to grab a win, but she
can certainly contend for a piece with these - include in exotics. (5) GINGER TREE LIZ is 8-4-0-3 on the
year, but her last 2 weren't as sharp (3rd both times) - good spot to race off the pace, and let her finish
strong (to build back some confidence). (2) CASH ROLL was a winner in her last pair, but faces a much
tougher field tonight - she'll need to prove she can hang with these. (7) LADYBELUCKYTONITE has
been a solid player in all her recent starts in this class but she's missed 3 weeks and draws Post 7 - might be
handled conservatively tonight. (6) ASHTINI rallied by cheaper to win her last, but may have a much
harder time having that kind of impact against these
RACE 4 - (1) SOUTHPORT BEACH charged home from last to beat this level at Chester 3 back - was 2nd
to a standout in 30s (here at YR) in his next, then was just in a bit too tough last week - drops, draws inside,
and deserves top billing for a barn that inconceivably has been finishing 1st or 2nd with HALF of their
starters for months! (5) URBAN RENEWAL was claimed when he beat the 20s two back - showed good
speed in last, but broke on the lead to the half, and then ran again off turn three - looked all done for sure,
but somehow was STRONG at the end to re-rally for 2nd - was re-claimed that night, and now confidently
bumps up to 25s - worth considering. (6) LYONS LIBERTY raced well here twice at this level after a barn
change - gets no luck with the draw, but will offer some good value for exotics. (2) TEXAS TERROR N
has been having an amazing 14YO season....after finishing his 13YO campaign in equally sharp form - this
level has slowed him down in the past, but his small barn does have a couple of recent winners...not
impossible. (3) SWAGASAURUSREX was solid 4th last week after being claimed by his old connections -
ok for a piece tonight too. (4) SPORTS BETTOR was sent off at 71-1 last week and was surprisingly
claimed - we'll see if his new team can help turn his season around. (7) DING DING DINGER and (8)
SPORTSKEEPER both figure to have a hard time getting into the hunt tonight
RACE 5 - (5) DRAMAACT (recent winner of the Matchmaker Final) has won 4 of her 6 Yonkers starts,
the lone losses being 2nd by a head in a 1:51.1 mile, and 3rd by a length, trying to rally from 5th - catches a
short field for her first post-series start, and looms a very short priced favorite. (1) LIT DE ROSE seems the
likely tripsitter, and her Yonkers record has been outstanding since arriving from Canada last year - may
complete a very short exacta. (2) MAN DONTFORGET ME really blossomed as a 4YO, and has continued
to thrive so far at 5, holding her own throughout the recent Matchmaker Series - guessing she'll get away
3rd, sit to the stretch and hope to rally from there. (3) MCMARKLE SPARKLE won 3 in a row after
arriving from Ohio but was scratched sick from the first series leg then missed the 2nd as well - sharpened
nicely after returning, but comes into tonight having missed another month....making it hard to like her
chances here. (4) TECHYS ANGEL A wasn't able to produce the same big stretch rally when facing
tougher last week, and may need a little easier to threaten for a top slot - not writing her off just yet, though
RACE 6 - (4) BETTOR LADY was somewhat oddly placed against $20K claiming MALES in her last
couple - she finished with sneaky pace from impossible spots both times, and her previous start was a 3rd,
as the favorite, in a NW15000 field - drops to NW7500 tonight for a very high % barn, and is worth a look.
(8) SPORTS FLIX is used to facing (and even beating) much better, but it's hard to say if she can find a
manageable trip from all the way out here - very dangerous player if she does. (1) AMERICAN TOUR N is
a much better mare since the recent claim - looking at a good trip from this spot, and a very legitimate
contender. (3) MYSTIFYING went a bit of an odd race last start but regardless, it was very disappointing
after dropping out of the Matchmaker Series- can be a threat tonight IF she can bring her best effort. (5)
MAGICAL MISTRESS is another that's used to hanging with better company, but her current form just
hasn't been that sharp - needs a wake up call to be a threat tonight. (6) SHECANDANCE N was able to
tally off cover to beat cheaper last week - draws outside while moving up in class, and probably looking at
only a minor piece here. (2) BYE BYE MICHELLE just hasn't been sharp enough in many of her 2022
starts - prefer others. (7) TEAM KIWI N drops a bit, but may struggle to get into contention from out here
RACE 7 - (2) SEVENSHADESOFGREY won 3 in a row heading into the Brennan Trotting Series but bad
posts and miscues derailed him....rebounded with a very nice 3rd (despite a very tough trip) last week, and
his barn is always dangerous - decent value horse in here. (4) INFINITY STONE really exploded in his 3rd
try for new connections, crushing 'em at Chester with a 1:52.4 mile - he'll be the deserving (heavy) favorite
in here, and certainly the one to beat. (5) THE IRISHMAN had no interest from Post 7 last week, but he's
shown that he can trot a bit when in the right spot - could be primed for a much better effort tonight. (1)
LOVE THIS BAR has been away for 3 weeks off a few dull tries but lands in a new barn that often does
well with fresh trotters - deserves a look if the price is decent. (3) SWEETLIES N ALIBIS added Lasix and
beat a NW4 field from the pocket here on 4/21 - returns from Plainridge (where he also grabbed a win) to a
tougher spot, and we'll see if he can contend with these NW6 foes as well. (8) BLANK SPACE AS might
be ok with these from a better post, but figures to struggle to get in play from all the way out here. (7)
TITANS HOPE has the speed to routinely put herself on play....but she's been coming up well short at the
end of her miles, and figures to be in the same boat tonight. (6) TELLING THE STORY is hard to
recommend of her recent out of town tries
RACE 8 - (7) BOLT OF BEAUTY was sharp all through the Matchmaker Series and razor sharp again last
week, flying home in :27.1 to finish right behind DRAGON ROLL and MAN DONTFORGET ME - not
sure if she's handy enough to create a good trip for herself from out here, but she's just way too sharp to
pick against vs. these easier foes. (1) JIVE DANCING A has been sharp for a few weeks, and may have
been hurt by a lack of room in her last - she's looking at another good trip tonight, and should be a very live
player from start to finish. (2) EDGE OF ETERNITY is just 2 for 23 at YR (last 2 yrs.) but she's held her
own against even better any number of times - should be in play for a good piece here, assuming her trip
isn't too tough. (4) ROCKNROLL ANNIE has popped some big miles (for wins) at times, and often when
least expected - hard to say if she's ready for one of those big efforts, but she's always worth a look IF the
price is right. (5) ANDRA DAY always seems to attract $$, but her 2 wins this year were by narrow
margins, over lesser - ok for a piece, but looking at others for the top spot. (6) IMPRINCESSGEMMAA
has just 1 start in 6 weeks and it wasn't a good one - unless you have reason to believe she's ready to reverse
form with a huge effort tonight, she's a tough one to recommend right now. (3) CYCLONE SISTER was no
factor vs. lesser in her last 3 NJ starts - sticking with others. (8) CORAL BELLA has been sharp, but vs.
MUCH softer - hard to see her doing any real damage vs. these, from out here
RACE 9 - (4) MAJOR BATTLE had a few tough outings but last week's class drop (and easy trip) helped
her to an easy first over victory - moves up a notch here but isn't really facing much tougher, and has a
decent chance to take another. (3) ROCKNROLL SHELLI was actually pretty fortunate to win her first
local start (first time Super Siblings), but actually raced very well in her next, even though only 4th -
Bartlett may be able top get more aggressive tonight, and that would make her a serious contender for the
top spot. (5) DANCE CLUB hasn't found her best game in some time, but still fits well enough with these
in here current form - include in exotics. (2) SEZANA N is just 1 for 33 over the past 2 years but she drops,
moves inside, and may be able to grab a small piece, with an easy trip. (8) MILLWOOD BONNIE N runs
hot and cold....but she seems to be in that "cold phase" right now - drops, but that could be offset by Post 8
-- maybe 3rd/4th at a big price? (1) COLOR ENVY has been better lately, but vs. softer - probably looking
at only a minor piece, even with the good draw. (6) LAALWAYS AMARTINI has been having a good year
down in Florida....but was 0 for 27 HERE over the prior 2 years, with just one 2nd - she's also been away
since 4/17, and we'll probably just watch, for now. (7) MALNIFICENT moves to a new (unknown) barn off
the claim, and lands outside - will just observe, at least for this week
RACE 10 - (6) HEY LIVVY has now won 5 of her last 7, with breaks in the two losses - she seems to be
able to overcome even very tough trips to beat these whenever she behaves, but her price will probably
come down significantly this week - has earned top billing, but don't bet the rent money at too short a price.
(3) KENZIESKY HANOVER's 2 recent wins came when the top choice went offstride - she remains the
main foe, but may need "Livvy" to misbehave in order to beat her again. (4) NO MAS DRAMA has made
it a habit of finishing right behind the top 2...and may do just that once again. (1) BROADWAY ATHENA
seems a bit below the top two and comes into tonight off a sick scratch - likely looking at only a minor
piece. (2) D P ROCKET was an even 4th in her first try in this class last week - will need to find a bit more
if she hopes to contend for a bigger share. (5) LADY JETER almost pulled off the upset in her first try at
this level (3 back, off the claim), but has tailed a bit in her two starts since then
RACE 11 - (7) SNIPER HANOVER was very hot early on last week and that was made worse when stuck
behind very weak cover (necessitating a premature 3 wide move that basically ruined her chances) - may
not be a bad spot for Brennan to just send her for the top, and see if she can outrun this soft bunch. (1)
POPPY DRAYTON N was 2nd and 3rd last two starts but not overly "sharp" - certainly a chance from this
spot, but that 6/5 ML price is way too low. (2) ALWAYS B COOL was no factor last week but wasn't bad at
all in the two prior starts - absolutely worth a look at that 15-1 ML price. (4) THUNDRA hasn't looked
good in her 2 starts since the barn change - may perk up tonight, but that 2-1 ML price is pretty absurd. (3)
CRYSTAL SPARKLES N has an anemic local win % but HAS been better in some recent starts - ok bomb
for exotics. (6) E R HILARY owns plenty of wins against this type but just hasn't clicked at all lately -
maybe she'll get along with her new young pilot...who has been doing fine work at Yonkers lately! (5)
SHADY MADAM has struggled in her 5 starts since the claim - needs to find some of her old, better form.
(8) DIBABA N has struggled so far in 2022 and now lands Post 8