Friday Empire Report

apatchworkdesign • March 24, 2023

The Empire Report - Friday, March 24, 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (3) DARK ENERGY N was heavily backed on 3/10, cut the mile but came up a nose short to

CAVIART SARGENT (who came back to win the next week, up in class from Post 7) - he was well meant

again last week, but had to make a hard retreat to 3rd after being unable to get the lead, then finished ok at

the end after pretty much losing any chance - deserves another shot! (4) IM A POWERPLAY A doesn't

have the greatest local history but he's been very consistent at Fhd. lately, and should be a good fit with

these - not a fan of that 5/2 ML price, however. (7) SAYING GRACE N is the "x factor" tonight - was sent

off at 2/5 last week but broke early on, then was empty after recovering - if he's able to bounce right back,

he can be a threat even from Post 7...but that's a big "if". (1) GOTTA MINUTE N hasn't hit board in 6 local

starts over the past 2 years but if he can just save ground to the lane, he may be able to grab a small slice of

this. (6) GARDYS LEGACY A just hasn't clicked for his current connections, and last week's poor finish

(after brushing to an open lead!) was disappointing, for sure - needs a wake up call. (5) YER SO BAD has

been limited to only minor checks lately and is looking at more of the same tonight. (2) RHODENA ROAD

hasn't thrived since returning from the layoff on 2/24 - inclined to pass, but will check the board before any

final decisions. (8) EL JACKO N raced for a new barn last week but still tired badly - now lands Post 8.


RACE 2 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #2 - (2) WAHS FIRE BUG N had only one previous start here this

year and she came up 2nd best to the oft-winning DELITFULCATHERIN N - caught two of the best mares

in the series last week but was still a solid 3rd in a fast mile....meets no such beasts tonight, and seems the

one to knock off. (1) LYDEO seemed ambitiously placed in this series but really did race well in Leg #1,

finishing with good pace for 5th in the same race as the top choice - draws best for tonight, and we'll see if

she can continue to do good things. (4) MABALENE N won 3 of 4 local starts last year (broke in the other)

but that was vs. much easier competition - she MAY be able to win at this level too but she's been scratched

sick from 3 of her last 4 starts yet is still listed as the ML favorite...better value with others right now. (3)

MCMARKLE SPARKLE gets a pass for last week (8 hole) but she really hasn't been close to peak form

since returning for the 2023 season - would like to see some better signs before hopping back on her team.

(5) ALTA MADEIRA N was an easy trip, no factor 4th last week and will need to be sharper to be a player

here - she may be in a little tough in this series. (6) THE PANTHEIST A raced "ok" vs. much easier in her

2 local starts prior to this series - another that may just find the competition a little too tough.


RACE 3 - (6) NVESTMENT BLUECHIP was the choice last start but he was scratched due to the weather

- he was absolutely flying the week before (after a class drop) and while he may be inconsistent, his better

efforts would make him a legitimate player here (Holland's choice over #5) - decent value play at that 10-1

ML price. (3) ON THE VI RG was very good 3 back, overcoming an early miscue AND tough first over

trip to pick up the very game victory- gets a pass for his last 2 (8 holes) and may be ready to do some

damage again with the move inside - another good value horse to consider. (8) SPLASH BROTHER was

beyond disappointing 2 back when sent off at 3/5, opening a clear lead on the final turn only to cave badly

(pulled himself up?) shortly after - he did make amends last week at 2/5, but was helped greatly by being

trapped inside behind a hot and heavy battle, easily pacing on by in the stretch after shaking free - feels

kind of risky tonight at that 9/5 ML price, moving up in class from Post 8. (5) LUCIANO N just missed last

week and this is definitely a very comfy level for him - he's a threat to blast to the top and take these a long

way. (7) CIGAR SMOKING TO NY came up short off the long layoff last week but he could be tighter

tonight - decent one for longshot fans who think he may be ready for a much bigger effort. (2) AIR FORCE

HANOVER has been coming up short in most of his starts this year - wouldn't be a shock, but still leaning

to others. (1) R CAPTAIN HAN OVER dropped to the bottom level, landed on a good trip and scored an

easy win last week - moves up, but the rail draw can put him in play for a piece of this. (4) DESIRES CAP

TAIN saved ground to pick up 4th last week, but he's been struggling overall and his barn has been ice cold.


RACE 4 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #2 - (4) LUCKY ARTIST A followed live cover last week, kicked

home strong but was outfinished for the top prize by the classy KARMA SEELSTER - she hasn't gone a

bad mile in ages, handles any trip, and is rarely (if ever) overbet - we'll give her the edge for tonight. (1)

SWEET TREASURE prepped for this series with a pair of outstanding NJ qualifiers - she had no trouble

blasting right to the top from Post 8 last week, let GIAS SURREAL take over but wasn't able to re-rally in

the lane after the leader tired - she MAY have been uncomfortable in the pocket and the guess is that she'll

look to cut the mile tonight....and might be hard to catch! (3) GOTTHEGREENLIGHT is a 4YO taking on

older and was racing off a 4 month layoff in the first leg - she did finish with very encouraging pace, and

we'll see if she's ready to step up and be a real contender here. (5) GIAS SURREAL was heavily backed in

her 2nd start off the layoff, cut a hot pace under heavy back side heat and just wasn't able to keep it going

once they turned for home - hard to know if that tightened her up enough for tonight, but look for a better

price if sticking with her once more. (6) LIT DE ROSE will likely be trying to rally from last and will need

things to fall apart a bit for a chance at the top prize. (2) COMMANDER CATHY N was overmatched in

this series last year, and may be in the same boat now.


RACE 5 - (3) CHERYLS SHADOW went on the shelf for 4 months but she returned in top form, winning

in her first start back (over Matchmaker entrant LYDEO) followed by a BIG effort last week (had to retreat

to 4th after leaving hard, then battling a long way first over before getting outkicked home by fresh closers)

- seems sharp enough right now to handle this modest NW15000 field. (2) BABS JANSEN threw a weak

one last start but may have disliked the off going - she's usually very reliable, and anything resembling her

best effort would make her a serious threat here. (7) ROCKNROLL ANNIE is pretty good right now, and

has the speed to grab a trip for herself even from Post 7 - could easily outperform that 12-1 ML price. (1)

PURAMERI was dull last start off the sick scr. and qualifier but drops right back in the box, and is capable

of better - willing to include underneath. (8) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS has definitely been better in her

last couple, but still well off her best form - she loses her favorite pilot, and the draw also figures to cause

her some problems - small piece? (6) GINGER TREE LIZ raced evenly at the back in her first start off the

layoff - gets Dunn in the bike, and we'll see if she's sharper the 2nd time around. (4) EDGE OF ETERNITY

does her damage on the lead, vs. cheaper - prefer others tonight. (5) TALL POPPY N is just 1 for 21 here

(last 2 years) and has lost to cheaper than these many times - wait for an easier spot.


RACE 6 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #2 - (1) RACINE BELL kicked home in :27 and :27.1 the past two

weeks.....and STILL came up 2nd best to DRAMA ACT both times -- avoids that razor sharp foe this week,

and may be allowed to grab herself a pretty easy time on the front end here - not a very "sexy" pick, but she

does figure to be very tough. (2) KARMA SEELSTER recently traded victories with DRAMA ACT so it

was hardly a surprise to see her charge home through the lane last week to grab a first leg victory - if she

gets to sit the pocket with a clear stretch shot at the top pick, she may be able to outkick her. (5) DOUGS

BABE A sat last with no chance last week (7 hole off the layoff) but her crisp finish confirmed that her

connections knew what they had when they entered her in this series - it's very possible that she could be a

real player as the series progresses....but Dunn will have to find her a manageable trip if she hopes to be a

serious contender tonight. (6) DELITFULCATHERIN N went a very game first over try last week before

getting overtaken by fresher foes - she loves to win, handles tough trips, but may have a tough time tonight,

thanks to the draw. (3) INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW was sharper last week than her line might suggest but

she lands in a tough field, and may have a hard time having an impact. (4) HOT MESS EXPRESS has a lot

of class and loves to win races....but also figures to be short having been away since December.


RACE 7 - (3) PROBERT was in a tough spot for her YR debut but still kicked home very strong for 4th,

pacing a final half in :54.1 - Stratton has more options tonight (better draw, down in class) and this mare

definitely loves to win races - gets top billing. (6) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL was probably bothered in the

stretch 3 back, had no room in her next, but came up with a BIG try last week, blowing by first over (at

23-1!) and only getting collared late by a currently very sharp FADE OUT - she'll likely still be a good

price tonight, and is a good one to include in exotics. (4) PURE SILKY won here on 2/8, took 3 in a row at

PcD then came back to Yonkers to grab another victory last week (extending her streak to 5) - Bartlett takes

her over #8, and she's hard to fault in her current form....she will get overbet, however, and this is a much

better field than she's used to - could be just a bit vulnerable. (2) TUGGINGONCREDIT didn't fire last

time but she drops down to a better level, stays inside and has gone some pretty nice efforts here - chance to

grab a piece. (5) MILIEU HANOVER can throw some big miles when on her game but she's making her

first start back since December and catches a relatively tough return spot - consider for a minor piece this

week. (1) DANCE CLUB makes her 2nd start back off the layoff and moves from the 8 hole to the rail-

improvement is expected, but hard to say if it'll be enough to help her land a piece. (8) ANNABELLE

HANOVER was a bit short in her first 2 off the layoff and now gets stuck outside- will look better with a

class drop next week (7) NEWSY loses wins off the bottom of her card the next 2 weeks - look for her after

she starts dropping.


RACE 8 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #2 - (4) DRAMA ACT clearly appreciated her time off, compiling a

5-4-1-0 record since returning - last year's series winner was able to knock off RACINE BELL the last 2

weeks (once from behind, once on the lead) and deserves top billing tonight....although she'll have a fresh

face to contend with. (3) AMAZING DREAM N finished 2nd in all 3 qualifiers but the millionaire from

Down Under was ready for Leg 1 of the series, serving notice with a sharp wire to wire score - she's the

main danger to the top one, and it really wouldn't be a surprise if she was able to beat her. (5) MAJORCA

N came into her last off a sick scratch but still raced well from Post 8,. beaten by less than 2 lengths - she

should be even sharper tonight but will have a tough time dealing with the top pair! (1) EASY TO PLEASE

sat pocketed behind #3 last week but was no threat in the lane, fortunate just to hold 2nd - we still haven't

seen her best yet this year....maybe tonight? (2) MORNING HAS BROKEN has been inconsistent at best

lately - probably needs to just sit the cones and hope for a good finish. (7) UPTOWN HANOVER lost all

chance after an early miscue last week- drawing Post 7 won't help in her attempt to get back into this series.

(6) ANNERIE N hung in decently last week but that was from the pole - much tougher spot tonight.


RACE 9 - (2) JIVE DANCING A has raced well in all 6 starts since returning in 2023 but still hasn't been

able to get her picture taken - she's always right there (at a good price), and she's overdue to land on a

perfect trip...good value play in a very wide open race. (3) FADE OUT looked very good last Fall right

after joining her current barn but took some time off after just a few starts - she's come back super, and

followed up a win from the pole 2 back with another victory last week (this time, from Post 8!) - moves up

another level, but may be sharp enough right now to still be a threat. (4) MILLWOOD BONNIE N saw her

4 race win streak snapped 2 back but rebounded with a VERY sharp first over victory last week - would be

no surprise at all if she took another. (5) DARBY HANOVER serves notice 2 and 3 back that she might be

ready for a big one and that's exactly what we saw last week (powerful "pocket rocket" victory) - probably

sharp enough for a chance to win again, but she does have a trio of sharp ones to her inside. (7) DRAGONS

LUCKY LADY was claimed for $50K by our top barn and it was hardly a surprise to see her competitive

in the OPEN right after that - was very sharp winning off the class drop in her last but her earnings land her

all the way outside tonight, and that may just slow her down a bit. (1) WESTBEACH was 2nd best to #5

last time and though very good right now, she does seem a bit below several of the others.


RACE 10 - (5) TOATSMYGOATS got used MUCH harder than usual last week and can be completely

forgiven for that 5th place finish - he was claimed by a VERY sharp trainer who besides doing well with

ALL of her horses, has been particularly successful with fresh stock over the last 3 years (15-5-5-1 off the

claim!) - Kakaley bails off a regular client (#8) to drive this guy, and we'll hop on board too. (4) CASHNC

AM is back on his game and would have been the clear choice here if not for the barn change on the top

pick - clearly the main danger. (1) KINGSTONS BAD BOY hasn't been sharp in some time but we may see

a better effort with the move all the way inside - okay for the bottom of exotics. (2) VAN DIESEL has

picked up his game in NJ since joining his current barn - another logical player for the bottom of exotics.

(8) MAAJAACKKOBE has been very good but got REALLY roughed up last week and tired badly - not

sure how much he'll be up for from Post 8 after that rough outing. (6) SNAP CALL throws an ok rally once

in a blue moon - best of the rest? (7) THISISHOWEDOIT and (3) VEL LARRY would be major surprises.


RACE 11 - Tough finale! (4) REAL LUCKY N won 8X last year but has been struggling for ages - finally

came up with a much better effort last week...maybe he's ready to be a serious player again? (7) THE DOW

NTOWN BUS went from "can't win" to "can't lose" after joining our leading barn last year....but it's been

all downhill since he left - gets a pass for his last (brutalized) and MAY be able to beat these, with the right

trip. (5) SANATAFES COACH went his best mile in some time last week, but is too camera shy to take a

short price on top. (1) SWAGASUARUSREX is finally in his proper class, and did finish ok last start - not

a bad one to include underneath in exotics, hoping for some late rally. (2) CONBOYVILLE just hasn't

clicked at all so far in 2023 - a major wake up is needed! (3) MANY MOONS took $$$ for his local debut

despite some poor Canadian form, and came up empty...maybe he can do better in his 2nd try (with Lasix?)

(8) CAPTAIN SLEAZE was "meh" in his first off the layoff and now lands Post 8 - wait for a better spot.

(6) WEONA SIZZLER A shows mostly weak efforts for a barn that has been struggling - prefer others.

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