Monday Empire Report

soaofny • May 16, 2022

The Empire Report - Monday, May 16, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (6) PYRO is used to facing much tougher than these, and comes into tonight off a solid 3rd to a

pair of Open-types - he's prone to some miscues at times but with a clean journey tonight, he should be

pretty tough against these. (8) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N was a BIG earner Down Under, and scored

nicely in his U.S. debut last week (vs.easier, with a nice two hole trip) - can he step up and beat these from

Post 8.....we'll find out tonight! (4) ALTA BLUES A made breaks in his first 2 U.S. qualifiers before getting

it right the 3rd time - was sent off favored here in his first stateside PM start, but was unable to sustain his

bid and faltered in the stretch - look for a better effort tonight from his sharp connections. (7) PRETTY

HANDSOME gets a nice drop but also lands in a very tough spot - he's "sneaky good" right now, so he may

be worth including in exotics...at a nice price. (1) SOUTHWIND PETYR has gone some big miles here in

the past but he'll be facing older foes in his return from PcD, and his form so far this year (3 starts) has been

mixed - has to avoid being overdriven for a chance at a good piece. (2) AMERICAN MERCURY has

plenty of back class, but hasn't clicked so far in a pair of starts since a layoff - prefer others here (5)

VIRGIN STORM had a long form spree going before a bit of a dud last week - we'll see which direction he

goes in tonight. (3) COALITION HANOVER is just 1 for 10 at YR and will be facing tough older foes

shipping in from PA - sticking with others tonight.


RACE 2 - (1) IM SOME GRADUATE wasn't up for the tough first over trip 2 back but has otherwise been

very reliable lately - gets to control the action tonight, and that makes him the one to knock off. (2) DELIG

HTFUL TERROR was stuck in the back the last 2 weeks and had no prayer - he'll be much closer to the

action tonight, and that could make him a legitimate stretch threat...worth considering if the price is fair.

(4) MACH DORO has proven that he can beat these, but he last raced 5 weeks ago - his qualifier was

sharp, however, so he's another worth a look IF the price is decent enough. (6) FEELIN WESTERN beat

these 2 and 3 back, but just wasn't nearly as sharp last time - more than eligible to bounce right back, but it

won't be easy from this tough post. (3) LYONS KING had everything break his way two back and was able

to pick up his first victory in a while - definitely ok for a piece, but may need some more of that good

fortune to get his picture taken again. (7) WALKINSHAW is sharp enough to win, but he'll likely be

coming from way out of it - would need things to really fall apart up front to have a chance to make his late

rally pay off. (8) ROCKIN M has been good in most of his recent starts, but beating THESE from Post 8

would be a pretty tall task - his pilot isn't afraid to send one, though! (5) EPIC ACE was surprisingly sharp

2 back, but seems like the outsider in this field.


RACE 3 - Excelsior A 3YO Filly Trot: (2) RHEIA ROSE hit board in 6 of 8 starts at 2, including an easy

win here at Yonkers - qualified back nicely (now on Lasix) at Chester, and raced very well at Pocono, only

missing 2nd by a length after a wide rally on the turn - we'll give her the edge over a couple of other solid

foes. (1) IMPACT JANE hit board in 5 of 6 at 2, and was a winner in the Excelsior A Final - looked strong

at Stga. in her 3YO return but lost action to the top of the lane (while about to come after the leader) and

went offstride...a clean mile tonight makes her very dangerous. (3) JE SUIS SI BELLE came up with some

big miles at 2, on the way to a solid $67K season - qualified nicely for her 3YO return, but did tire badly (at

Chester) in that first start - could easily rebound, and would be a legit player on her best effort. (6) TANTA

LIZE BLUECHIP has been good since returning at 3, picking up 2 wins and a 2nd from 4 Stga. starts

(broke in the other) - seems next in line should any of the top three falter. (4) VIVANS CROWN is a work

in progress, but at least has experience over the track - small piece? (7) TELENOVELA stuck to the NYFS

at 2, making her hard to gauge class-wise against these - big driver change, but also a terrible post. (5)

SEVENARE stays trotting, but just seems a bit below the main players.


RACE 4 - NYSS 3YO Filly Trot: (5) JOVIALITY S earned almost $900K at 2, including wins in the

NYSS Final (from Post 8), and the Breeders Crown (from Post 10) - her qualifier looks super, and it would

be pretty hard to make a case against her in her much anticipated 3YO return. (4) CASH INFUSION had a

solid 2YO campaign, finishing a close 2nd behind the top choice at VD, and rallying for 4th in the NYSS

Final - returned on Lasix for her 3YO campaign, and that first start at PcD should serve as an excellent

tightener - chance for 2nd. (6) LITTLE PINK LIES finished right behind the top choice here at Yonkers last

August, then was 3rd in the NYSS Final - started off her 3YO campaign with a Lady Suffolk win at Fhd.,

and should be able to make a lot of noise here, even drawing outside. (1) DELI TESSEL was a bit below

these at 2, but is 2 for 2 so far at 3 (adding Lasix), and she draws the pole with Dunn tonight - we'll see if

she can be a NYSS player this season. (2) PRASIOLITE is 3 for 3 in overnight races, but broke (at Stga.) in

her only NYSS try last year - adds hopples for tonight, but catches some strong foes. (3) ILOVEM

YMIUMIUS seems to have some ability, but is still a work in progress.


RACE 5 - (8) DRAGON SAID was used hard for a few starts leading up to the Borgata Series and that

may be why he disappointed after the first leg - was no factor in his last at The Swamp, but the good news

is that his last win dropped off the bottom of the card, making him eligible for tonight's big class drop -

really should be able to handle this assignment, even from Post 8. (1) ROCKAPELO was a little better 2

back, and showed good life finishing in his last - this is the first chance to be aggressive since the recent

barn change, and you can be sure that Bartlett will do just that - the main danger. (2) RHODENA ROAD

was one of several from this barn to turn things around recently, scoring the 13-1 upset in his last - steps up

to face older foes now, but may be able to just tow along for a piece from this spot. (5) SOME WARATAH

A did super here to start off his U.S. career last year but soon leveled off - took some time off and returned

sharp upstate, but then seemed to level off once again - anything close to his best effort could land him a

good piece tonight. (3) GINGRAS BEACH tends to be in and out, and was no factor in his last couple - but

that doesn't mean he can't rebound with a better effort tonight - use for 3rd. (4) MIGHTY SANTANA N is

just 1 for 13 here this year and 2 for 27 over the last 2 seasons....capable of a grabbing a piece with an easy

enough trip, however. (7) ON THE CARDS N has the speed to leave from out here but definitely came up

disappointing last week, and it's hard to say how much confidence his (new) pilot will have in him tonight

(6) HYPNOTICDREAM seems overmatched here arriving from Monti.


RACE 6 - NYSS 3YO Filly Trot: (4) VALENTINA BLU won only one 1 of her 13 starts last year but

picked up some big pieces in lucrative Finals, and banked $336K (was 2nd to JOVIALITY S in the NYSS

Final, here at Yonkers) - both preps look strong, and she deserves top billing in her first start of 2022. (1)

PURE COUNTESS started her career in Sweden, starting twice there as a 2YO (with a win, and a 2nd) -

ships to the U.S. for her 3YO campaign, lands in a top shelf barn, and qualified nicely -- guessing she'll be

ready for action right off the bat. (3) GERTRUDE won 6 of 10 starts as a 2YO, and just missed to the top

choice at YR on 8/19 - figures to benefit from her first start of the year, and also figures to be more

aggressive tonight - could be a live player. (5) PIONEER AS prepped for this in an overnight here last week

and looked super, crushing a NW6 field (with some older, and male rivals) - would be no surprise to see her

contend tonight as well. (2) BARE MY SOUL started her career at Stga. last year with a 3rd, but avoided

the half milers for the rest of the year - there's definitely ability here, but would prefer to see her get around

the Hilltop oval before backing her. (6) BOMB HUGGER was a sharp NW4 winner in PA then was a good

3rd (from well back) in the Lady Suffolk last week - the draw could definitely hurt, though.


RACE 7 - Good race! (1) WATERWAY has held form for a long time, and could have been a lot closer last

week had he found more room into the stretch - may land on a better trip this week...with a chance to

pounce if things get testy up front. (3) MACH N CHEESE was no factor at all in his first try for a new barn

last week but that doesn't mean he won't perk up tonight - has plenty of back class, and is eligible to just

reverse form at any time. (6) MYSWEETBOYMAX has 4 wins and a 2nd from his last 6 starts and is

shooting for 3 in a row here - he's certainly capable of doing that, but he's looking at a much tougher trip

than last week, and may be a bit vulnerable at a short price here. (5) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N got away

in the pocket last week but was no match for the "good" SOHO LENNON A - add him to the list of solid

contenders in here. (4) DON DOMINGO N was sneaky good 4 back, obviously sharp in his next pair then

better in his last than the line might look - legitimate threat, at a nice price (with some trip luck). (2) KILO

WATT KID N got pretty good for a few starts but may be leveling off a bit - ok for a piece, but sticking

with others on top. Both (7) IMSTAYNALIVE and (8) CAN B PERFECT with well with these, but they

face uphill battles trying to get in play from their outside posts.


RACE 8 - EXCELSIOR A, 3YO Filly Trot: (3) PERFECT VIXEN was a sharp 1:55.4 winner at Stga. last

week in the Mongeon Memorial Final....quite fitting as SCOTT Mongeon is her trainer - she's been

outstanding since returning at 3, and is now 9-7-0-1 on the year....absolutely the one to beat tonight. (1)

ADJURE HANOVER had a very nice 2YO campaign, going 7-3-3-1 with a 2nd in the Excelsior A Final

(while winning her only Yonkers start) - qualified nicely for her 3YO return, and looms the main danger.

(7) TAP ME BLUE CHIP may be able to add some value to the exotics - finished only a length behind #1

here at Yonkers last year, and prepped nicely for tonight with a 2nd upstate - gets Stratton at the lines, and

could outrace her (expected) odds. (5) SHES A SCORCHER returned with hopples for her 3YO season and

has a win and a 3rd from her first 2 starts - picked up a 3rd in a NYSS race last year, and should fit well in

here. (6) WE COULD BE HEROS didn't offer a lot at 2 but won a pair of Weiss Series legs after returning

at 3, before landing too far back in the Final - she's been away for 3 weeks and draws poorly...and that may

hurt her chances tonight. (2) QUINNPATRICKSHEA hails from a top barn, but was dull in her only local

try - will need to be sharper to be a contender tonight. (4) AULTER EGO feels a little cheap, but is eligible

to improve in her 2nd start of the year.


RACE 9 - NYSS, 3YO Filly Trot: (2) SEVEN ON THE ROCKS was winless in 5 2YO starts but held her

own in all her NYSS events - has been prepping at Stga., and comes into tonight having won 3 in a row,

and looking sharper each time - deserves top billing, but wouldn't fall in love if she ends up way overbet.

(4) GETTINMYSTEPSIN was similar at 2 to the top choice, picking up good NYSS pieces while unable to

grab any wins - started her 3YO season with a pair of wins in Weiss legs, then was 2nd in a quick Final -

logical threat tonight. (1) LA VIE EN BLANC has ability but was prone to miscues at 2, and went offstride

in her first 3YO qualifier - behaved and was a sharp winner in her last morning prep, and would be a big

threat here if she's able to behave...but that's a big if. (6) ANGELS FOLLY was sent off here at 6/5 from

Post 8 last week but broke before the start (as she did here LAST year, as well) - she has more than enough

ability to be a big threat IF she trots....so at least consider at that 20-1 ML price. (3) DEVIOUS DUSHI

won a Weiss leg and won at Tioga last week but still looks a notch below the main players. (5) HALLWAY

BABE raced well with lesser at 2 - had a useful tightener here on 4/28, and a small piece is not impossible.


RACE 10 - (7) LEONIDAS A just won 3 legs of the Borgata as the odds on favorite, and was a fine 2nd in

the Final - he's 10-7-3-0 this year and can overcome bad posts....he absolutely deserves top billing, but his

OWNER is listed as trainer this week, and it's really just a guess as to how that will affect his performance -

definitely not a week to load up at a short price! (6) SPEED MAN N had a rare "no factor" mile two back

but responded last week with a sharp front end score...at a ridiculously generous 6-1 price -- he's been

terrific all year, and has a legitimate chance to repeat. (1) JOESSTAR OF MIAA is one of TWO claimers

that this incredible barn has transformed into OPEN winners - draws best tonight, and has a very real

chance to take this. (4) DIAMONDBEACH has been a reliable player for weeks, and was particularly game

in that win 2 back - always has a shot, but he can be a tough horse to drive at times so we'll see how he gets

along with a new pilot tonight. (3) MR DS ROCK has proven he can beat these, but still seems slightly

below a few of the top guns in here - wouldn't shock, but would want a pretty decent price to use him on

top. (2) FUNKNWAFFLES has been away since December and lands in a very tough spot for his return -

prefer to just watch, for now. (5) BRONX SEELSTER struggled in his last pair then was scratched sick -

good week to just observe.


RACE 11 - (3) EMOTIONS RICHES can be a little in and out but on his best, this is a field he can handle -

we'll take a shot that he's on his game tonight. (7) KANDY SWEET has been very steady for some time,

using quick starts to grab good trips...tough draw, but she can leave well enough to still have a chance at a

decent trip - should offer some decent value here. (4) VINNY DE VIE wasn't bad on 4/30 so it was no

surprise to see him jog the next week (vs. cheaper) - may have disliked the sloppy track at Chester last

week, so we'll look for a good effort tonight. (6) BIG RICH controlled the action in his first local start and

was a wire to wire winner in this class - he was "good", but not overly impressive...could be vulnerable

with the move outside, at a short price. (1) LOOK IN MY EYES has some good recent efforts, but may

need a bit easier to strut his best stuff - ok to use underneath. (2) KEYSTONE BLADE has been sharp

across the river, but against much easier - figures to find things a lot tougher against these. (5) MIGHTY

SURF is 1 for 20 at YR over the last 3 years - may be worth a look when she drops to the bottom level next

week. (8) ALL CHAMPY made a break last week and now draws Post 8....and like barnmate LEONIDAS

A, has his owner down as trainer this week.


RACE 12 - Tough finale: (7) BETTOR BE OSCAR A isn't the type of horse this barn usually takes (no real

gate speed) but it certainly would be no shock to see Bartlett find some for tonight - he's adding Lasix

(apparently none of his previous trainers detected that he was bleeding), and he's listed at 9-1 ML - rare

chance at a good price from the highest % barn on the planet. (1) OZONE BLUE CHIP hasn't been as sharp

in his last couple, but he did start from Post 8 both times - legitimate chance that he'll come up a lot sharper

starting from the pole tonight. (2) KINNDER JACKSON is generally not known for his off the pace heroics

but he did charge home for the victory last week when things fell apart up front - should be looking at a

good trip from this spot, and has to be respected. (8) MOONLIGHT SHADOW would seem to be in an

impossible spot this week, but he does have a win and a 2nd at big prices recently - ok bomb for 3rd/4th.

(3) ALOTBETTOR N has been on the upswing, even if against much easier - maybe he built enough

confidence to grab a piece with these too? (5) WHITE HAIR ROCKS does his best work with a bit easier -

likely looking at only a minor piece with these. (4) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N has a win and two 2nds

from 4 local starts, but with easy trips vs. lesser - may not be as fortunate against these. (6) OUR CORELLI

N came up 2nd best dropping down to 30s last week and now double jumps back up to 50s off the claim -

leaning towards others.

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