The Empire Report - Thursday, October 13, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - Tough opener: (3) EDGE OF ETERNITY drew Post 8 in NW10000 in her YR return last week
and finished with good life, from an impossible spot - she drops, moves inside, and may be ready to deliver
a winning effort from this spot. (7) IDEATION HANOVER is listed at 10-1 ML but she gets a pass for last
week (bad trip), and raced well for 3rds the last 2X she was here - could be a nice bomb to include on your
tickets. (5) ITZPAPALOTL went some strong miles as a 3YO, and was 3 for 4 here at YR - she's only made
6 starts at 4, however, and has struggled mightily to get anything going this year - she has a useful qualifier
and tightener in PA, and could be a major threat here IF she's anywhere close to top form ( a BIG "if"). (4)
NORMANS MADELINE landed on a dream trip vs. easier last week and pounced on it - she's always been
a streaky mare, and does string together good efforts at times....possibility. (1) BOTTOMOFTH ENINTH is
hard to really gauge off her PRc lines but she's earned $56K so far this year and may be a good fit with the
locals - suppose we'll learn a bit more tonight. (2) CHELSKI disappointed when she shipped in here on 9/1
for a start., but does seem to have sharpened out of town since then - one of many with a chance to be part
of this. (6) THUNDRA should appreciate the class drop, but she doesn't have much speed and starts from a
tough post - will need some action up front if she hopes to make some noise late. (8) LARJON LEAH is
having a tough year (12-0-1-0) -- Post 8 isn't going to help the matter
RACE 2 - (3) GHOSTINTHESHELLS AS seemed to sense she was overmatched in those last few stakes
starts and never even got in the hunt - just prior to that she set a lifetime mark in a sharp (overnight) win at
Chester, and she also had 3 Yonkers wins (May, June) that were simply outstanding - reunites with Dube,
and we'll give her the nod in this short, but solid FM Open Trot. (4) QUEEN OF ALL had a terrific 3YO
season (mostly Indiana) and has also blossomed into an excellent 4YO, already proving that she's a strong
player at this top local level - major danger. (2) WHAT SHOULD I GOO is just a 3YO filly but she picked
up a pair of 3rds in her two local tries at this level - no reason she can't contend for another good piece here.
(5) I DA PRINCESS has been a very nice pickup for Yannick and Co., but seems better suited a notch
below this - still a threat for a good piece thanks to her quick starts, but not sure she can take home the top
prize. (6) HEY LIVVY has been off her best game for a while - she seemed to be coming up with a big one
last week, but ended up making a break on the final turn after battling for the lead a long way - still prefer
others, but can't blame anybody looking to use her, at a decent price. (1) GERTRUDE just isn't as
accomplished as these and the 3YO figures to be in for a rough time tonight
RACE 3 - (2) KAT was a winner in NJ 3 back for her new connections - came up big in her YR debut the
next week, remaining wide a long way but still able to sustain her bid through the lane for the victory -
moved up a notch last week, landed on a very unlucky trip but still was loaded once free into the lane, right
there 3rd (and just missing 2nd) - faces a few tough opponents here (up in class again), but may be sharp
enough to handle it. (3) GAME OF SHADOWS is an in-and-out sort, but her best effort would make her
dangerous against these - her last line was sharper than it looks, and she does figure to be a fair price
tonight....even with the switch to Bartlett. (1) ANDRA DAY has been pretty solid since joining this barn in
late July, and she had good pace at both ends of the mile last week - another very legitimate player. (7)
WHOS SMOKIN N is good right now, but draws far outside while her main foes are inside - maybe she
can still grab a piece, but trip luck will be needed. (5) CORSINI A finished decently from an impossible
spot last week - she may prefer to be in a little cheaper, however, and likely will be battling for only a
minor award tonight. (4) IN LOU OF MONEY sat the cones in her local debut and finished up ok - still has
to prove that she can really hold her own at this local level. (6) ANYTIME N couldn't sustain her bid vs.
lesser last week, and now moves up in class while drawing outside - prefer others. (8) ALTA MADEIRA N
is good right now, but Post 8 and a class jump figure to slow her down considerably this week
RACE 4 - (5) DRAMAACT hasn't been the same since winning the Matchmaker Final but it's actually
pretty sad to see her all the way down at this level - it's not like she isn't functioning at all and she's STILL
the one to beat here....but it would be tough to unload on her at a short price right now! (1) ALWAYS B
MIMI exploded to an 8 lengths win off the barn change 3 starts back, then held her own vs. much better in
her last pair - she was just racing in 12.5s a month ago, but she does have a realistic chance to knock of the
Matchmaker winner from this spot. (4) BETTORS HEART N raced well when a close 2nd two back, then
just didn't get involved from Post 7 last week - Bartlett hops off his main meal ticket barn (#8) to drive her
tonight, and that's been a good angle in the past - worth considering. (3) GINGER TREE LIZ would be
very tough at this level if anywhere close to top form but like most of her barnmates, has been in a slide in
recent weeks - needs a wake up call if she hopes to be a threat tonight. (2) DISARONNO HILL drew Post 8
for her local debut and just toured the oval - definitely a chance we could see a much more competitive
effort here with the move inside. (6) TOBAGO TIME had a nice trip last week but was no late threat to the
normally camera-shy winner - draws outside, and likely looking at only a small share tonight. (7) TEMPUS
SEELSTER isn't "bad" right now, but does seem to need a bit easier to be a serious threat- the outside draw
just makes it even tougher to like her chances. (8) RIGHTFULLY MINE just missed in her first try for our
leading barn but quickly made amends with that win last week - generally when Bartlett opts off anything
from this barn, however, a much lesser effort can be expected
RACE 5 - (5) SARAHS LILLY was well backed off the class drop last week, hit the top and simply buried
the competition - she'll take on better tonight, but may have enough confidence built up from that last win
to take another one. (2) MAJOR BATTLE is used to facing better here, and finds a pretty soft spot for her
local return - looms the main danger. (1) CHECKERED PAST found a couple of cheaper fields in PA and
picked up a close 3rd followed by a win - looking at a pretty good trip from this spot....and a good chance
to grab a nice chunk. (8) LAALWAYS AMARTINI was racing off a sick scratch last week, but still was
able to kick home nicely for 3rd - brutal post for tonight, but a good price makes her worth including on the
bottom of exotics. (4) HEY HEY DBAY has fallen off form lately but she gets a class drop and also
Gingras in the bike - may be able to show some improvement this week. (7) LADYBELUCKYTONITE
has only been picking up pieces vs. easier lately, so it's asking a lot for her to do any real damage against
these tougher ones, especially from Post 7. (3) BALFAST N hasn't clicked since returning from the layoff -
waiting for any sign of progress. (6) SOUND IDEA just has way more weak efforts lately than good ones
RACE 6 - (2) SOME KINDAANGEL was in the midst of what felt like a winning bid last week when she
just bolted a bit on the final turn - she righted the ship once into the stretch and finished strong to just miss
2nd, but the major damage was already done - deserves a chance to make amends. (4) ROCKNROLL ANN
IE seemed to appreciate the 2 months off as she qualified back nicely, then gave it a big try (for 2nd) on the
front end last week - eligible to just outrun one of these fields any week. (6) WOODMERE SKYROLLER
was terrific early in the year, endured a long rough patch but does seem to be coming back around (slowly)
in her last few starts - tough draw, but she gets Yannick on board and deserves a good look. (8) CORAL
BELLA has been off form for a long time but last week was her first sign of better life in a while - she's
blasted from outside posts in the past, so maybe a quick peek at the tote board could lend some clues. (3)
SHORTYS GAL really wasn't terrible from a hopeless spot last week - she draws much better tonight, and
may have a chance to pick up a piece of this. (7) ELLEOFADELI looked better in her last pair since the
barn change but that was vs. cheaper in PA - steps up and draws poorly, but definitely worth considering for
the longshot fans. (1) MILADY DENVER A is eligible to perk up with a big one at any time but those
efforts have been few and far between lately. (5) COLORFUL VIRGIN was no good at all in her 2 local
tries - barn going well right now, but hard to get excited about this one's chances
RACE 7 - (1) VIOLETS RAINBOW had a very useful tightener after a couple of months off last week,
pacing a solid final half that should have her more than tight enough for tonight - she's blossomed into a
very nice mare this year, and is in a good spot here. (4) JIVE DANCING N shipped in sharp from Pocono
and went a BIG mile last week, parked every step of the way and somehow still right there 2nd at the end -
she seems capable of handling tonight's class hike in her current form, and may even have a shot to pull off
the upset. (3) WESTERN ROSIE definitely fits with these, and should end up with a pretty decent trip -
good one to include in exotics. (5) BEST HEAD WEST was outstanding for a long time earlier this year
but just hasn't come close to that form in some time (her lone recent win was off a perfect pocket trip) -
needs to find her better game for a chance at the top prize. (2) BABS JANSEN hasn't been on her game the
last couple of weeks, but she gets major post relief tonight and is eligible to perk up and get back to that
better form - throw in for 3rd. (6) SCARLETT HANOVER has just ONE start in the last 7 weeks - we'll
just keep an eye on her for tonight. (7) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY seemed to be heading in the right
direction but that comeback hit a snag last week- moves up in class and draws Post 7, and that will be tough
to overcome (8) NUTTINBUTHEBEST weakened on the lead last start and now draws Post 8, off a month,
while moving up in class...another on tonight's "watch list"
RACE 8 - (4) DELITFULCATHERIN N was off 3 weeks to her last start, was a big part of the hot :26.3
opener and still finished alertly for 3rd after finding room inside for the drive home - she's gone some
beastly miles in winning at this level, and deserves top billing tonight. (6) FIRE START HANOVER earned
over $1M at 2 and 3 but like so many other top youngsters, has endured some speed bumps at 4 (as she's
been facing the top mares in the country most every week) - she does show a pair of August wins (in PA)
when able to face more modest Open types, and is likely a good fit here....just hard to accept too short a
price in her first Yonkers try. (5) DRAGON ROLL hit board in 7 straight before getting hard used and
shuffled last week...so that 15-1 ML price seems awfully high - include underneath. (3) SIESTA BEACH
does her best work vs. a little cheaper at this point, but she's sharp right now and the good draw gives her a
chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (7) MCMARKLE SPARKLE is undeniably sharp, but really
benefited from the way the race played out last week - gets assigned the outside for tonight, and is likely
looking at a much less perfect journey - ok to use underneath. (2) MAN DONTFORGET ME has come
back sharp and steps up tonight off a pair of nice victories - the bump to this level usually slows her down,
however. (1) WESTBEACH is likely pushing her limits at this top level
RACE 9 - (2) LUCKY ARTIST A was very sharp when she took a month of recently as has returned in
similarly excellent form, picking up a close 3rd and then 2nd in her last - she's a streaky mare and clearly
on her game right now....gets our vote in the finale. (6) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS gets a tough draw for
tonight but she also reunites with Stratton, who is easily her favorite pilot - chance to be right there with
some trip luck. ! (4) MAGICAL MISTRESS is often overlooked at the windows but she's already been 1st
or 2nd nine times here this year - always worth at least a look at a good price. (1) MORNING HAS BROK
EN can be a little erratic from start to start sometimes - she was a "drop and pop" winner against the 50s
last week, and now will take on the 75s after being claimed - not a big fan of that 3/2 ML price! (7) GOLD
EN QUEST N has raced well since being acquired recently by the Super Siblings, but gets no luck at the
draw box for tonight - chance for a piece if some things go her way. (3) BETTERB CHEVRON N is hard
to like off those last couple of lines, but she's been known to reverse form in the past - we'll be sticking with
others, but her price will be big for anybody looking for a big wake up call. (8) ANNABELLE HANOVER
just missed in this class 2 back but that was on the lead, from a much better post - hard to see a way into the
hunt for her from out here. (5) DBLEDELITEBRIGADE N upset these at 40-1 three back so it's hard to say
she CAN'T win here....but the chances for a repeat performance do seem a bit unlikely