The Empire Report - Thursday, May 27, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (2) SCANDALICIOUS flew home from well out of it two and three back to pick up sharp 3rds
each time - was ridiculously overbet in her last, and this time just had no chance at all to even try to rally
from way back - drops tonight and gets major post relief...and it should be a good time for an aggressive try
- solid chance here. (5) ACEFORTYFOUR DOME rallied nicely from well back to be 4th for her new barn
last week - she's a good fit at this level, and could be a legit threat tonight. (4) FRANSCHOEK raced well
off the barn change 2 back and was even better in her last, when an excellent 2nd after a tough first over
trip - definitely a main player again tonight. (1) SHELLIE DE VIE has been in the hunt every start lately,
but has come up short at the end every time - using underneath only. (7) POPPY DRAYTON N would
normally be a big threat dropping to this level but she doesn't seem sharp enough right now to get it done
from Post 7 - wouldn't shock, but still sticking with others tonight. (6) THREEDEE DELIGHT A just hasn't
really elevated her game since the barn change 4 back - draws outside, and will need trip luck just to grab a
minor share. (8) CERTIFIED IDEAL was unable to get involved from a similar spot in her last, and faces
the same fate from Post 8 tonight. (3) KAYS DELIGHT has been struggling - waiting for better signs
RACE 2 - (4) ELIZA B showed ability at 2 but didn't always behave - qualified back very nicely for her
3YO return and didn't disappoint in her seasonal debut, crushing this class as the 3/5 choice - if she
continues to behave, she'll have a good chance to take another, as she preps for her stakes season. (3)
MASSTRO benefited from a perfect trip 3 back to win his local debut - came up short as the favorite in his
last two, however, and certainly shouldn't be the 8/5 ML choice in here - good chance for another big piece,
though. (5) SHARE THE WEALTH used his gate speed to work out a good trip last week, and parlayed
that into a 3rd place finish - might be able to do something similar tonight. (2) WHAT A DAME was sent
off at 6/5 for her career debut at PcD on 4/26 and was a 1:57.4 winner - caught a much faster mile in her
next start and wasn't a player, and comes into this having missed 23 days after a sick scratch - guessing
she'll be a little short tonight. (8) KILAUEA was a little short in his 2021 return but looked very good the
next start, winning out of the pocket (over #3) - no luck with the draw tonight but showed last week that he
can leave pretty quickly - possibility for a piece if Mcnair can send him out of there at the start (6) LUCKY
RASCAL had some stakes success in Canada at 2 but hasn't hit his stride yet at 3 - will keep watching for
some better signs. (1) BROAD STROKE did enough to make it to the NYSS Final last year but has yet to
show much as a 3YO - does draw best, but still prefer others. (7) KOKOMO was no factor here last week
and is severely draw compromised tonight
RACE 3 - (7) SWEET HEAVEN was doing good work with much better up in Canada - got shuffled vs.
NW10000 in NJ 2 back, then gave it a good try on the front end at Chester (3rd in NW7000) - lands in the
bottom class for her YR debut, and she's worth a shot, even from this tough post. (1) CORAL BELLA used
her speed to work out a pocket trip from Post 7 last week but weakened a bit in the stretch and ended up 4th
- could have been a little short (shipping in to a new barn from Indiana), and has license to be much sharper
tonight - belongs on your tickets. (6) QUITE A DELIGHT N is a streaky mare and she's clearly in a good
way right now - hard to predict her trip from this spot, however, so make sure to get a good price if using
her on top. (3) ROCKIN THE BOYS A was a big "go" two back but came up just a little short after cutting
the mile - sat in and was empty in last, so it's tough to know which version we'll get tonight! (2) MORE
THAN MANY continues to pick up only minor pieces every week - guessing we'll see a similar effort
tonight. (4) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX was a little better last week but a 2nd over trip (into soft fractions)
probably helped - ok for a smaller piece. (5) JUST SAYIN shows a really good looking win in an Amateur
race at Monti last week in her first start for this barn - her overall form does suggest that she's a bit cheaper
than these, however -- will just watch for now. (8) HURRICANE CALLEIGH seems too far out to contend
RACE 4 - (7) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE's qualifier is better than it looks, as he was chasing three fast
PACERS in there - he's already shown that when "right", he can compete with much better than these, and
he's also shown that he can leave the gate, if asked to -- adds Lasix, and is definitely worth a look tonight.
(1) MOMMS MY DAD stalled on the final turn last week, looked all done, but found some renewed life in
the stretch and wasn't all that far back in 4th at the end - could be a legit threat with the major post relief.
(2) HOOLIE N HECTOR was a confident winner off the perfect trip last week, and was 2nd best to a total
standout the week before - definitely a chance to make it two in a row. (6) CAVALIER GEORGE was a
solid 3rd in his local debut, and wasn't helped by getting stuck behind a tiring leader (#3) - tough draw, but
still capable of picking up a piece. (3) CHERRY RED worked hard for the lead at 30-1 last week and took
them a long way before finally giving way - he's a better horse than the last time he was here, and he may
be able to pick up a minor share tonight. (4) A BLUE BLOOD ships in off 2 Pocono wins but it's hard to
say how well she fits with the main players in here - guess we'll learn more tonight. (5) ALEXA BLUE
CHIP has been doing good work all year (7-2-3-1), but facing lesser competition - another that's hard to
gauge in her first Hilltop try. (8) I HAVE A DREAM really wasn't bad last week but gets stuck all the way
outside, and will likely need to wait for a better spot before being considered.
RACE 5 - (5) LYNBAR ROSE N ships in from Fhd. off a pair of front end scores - she catches a pretty
modest NW5000 field tonight, and she has had some success here in the past - might be able to extend her
streak to 3 in a row. (3) MARYMACISBACK has truly been "all or nothing" in her recent Chester starts --
but three of those "alls" have been wins - hails from a strong barn, and would be hard to leave off your
tickets. (4) CHASE YOU has been stuck too far back to threaten in her last 3 starts but should end up with
a much better trip tonight - but it's hard to recommend her for a wager at that 2-1 ML price! (2) MADE OF
JEWELS AS has been short in both starts since the layoff but this is a spot where she's eligible to perk up
with a better effort - possibility. (1) DEUCES FOR CHARITY hasn't won here in years, but at least has a
chance for a small piece with the move inside. (8) MAJOR MAID raced well in a couple of Stga. starts but
seems unlikely to be able to reach from out here - keep an eye for the future? (6) SWEET YOU is now
18-0-0-0 here over the last 2 years - still waiting for any kind of wake up call before hopping on board. (7)
ALWAYS B HANNY seems like the complete outsider
RACE 6 - (6) A CRAFTY LADY was sharp beating a NW10000 field here (off a layoff) back in Feb, then
was 2nd vs. a NW15000 field 2 weeks later - had to re-qualify after being scratched injured (in PA) on 4/11,
but raced ok there in a NW14000 field last week - lands in an easier NW7500 field returning to YR, and
we'll give her a shot. (8) ASHTINI had a big chance to win last week when Nick Clegg inexplicably just
refused to let her take the lead - eventually she just paced on by to the half (:55.3!), but understandably
gave way to 3/4s after being fried early on (she still lasted for 4th, while Clegg's horse finished "distanced",
with a :33.3 final quarter) - unfortunately she draws Post 8 tonight, and Siegelman may be shy about using
her too hard after what happened last week! (4) ANNABETH was a sharp 3rd from Post 8 two back, and
would have been closer if not trapped inside for too long - had pace from another 8 hole in last, and does
move inside tonight - include her in exotics. (2) MILADY DENVER A had been racing well before last
week's unexpected clunker - she'll be a nice price tonight, and perhaps can bounce right back with a better
effort? (3) BETCHA BABY had some pace finishing once free up the cones last week - steps up a notch,
but maybe she can grab a piece with another good trip. (5) ROCKNROLL ANNIE really had no excuse to
give way so badly after cutting the mile last week - she's capable of better...but not sure if we'll see it
tonight. (7) E R HILARY got a trip she liked last week and finally grabbed her first victory of the year -
steps up and draws poorly tonight, and may have trouble getting into the mix. (1) AMERICAN TOUR has
been racing ok and draws the pole, but she's 0 for 11 here and that includes plenty of losses vs. cheaper than
these - prefer others.
RACE 7 - (3) BRONSKIMACKENZIE A was in (raging) career form before a sick scratch on 5/6 - she
opted to qualify rather than drop right back in the box and that prep suggests that she should be able to pick
up right where she left off - chance for her to grab her first local "Open" victory. (1) SURREAL FEELING
may not be quite as talented as full sister Racine Bell, but she's awfully good right now - was a fine 3rd
here in the Open 3 starts back, and her last pair at Stga. are excellent as well - should have a big say from
the pole. (5) JEWELS FORREAL raced very well to be 3rd last week despite a longshot leader forcing her
to drop behind her to the quarter, then immediately jamming the breaks in her face (she was still able to
rally late for the show spot after shaking free) - she's grabbed pieces in the Open before, and may be able to
do so again tonight. (2) WALTZWITHSIERRAA has raced well in all 3 U.S. starts but has yet to win, and
now has to move up in class - maybe she can find an easy trip, then finish strong for a piece of this. (6)
GIAS SURREAL won very easily from Post 7 upon arrival from NJ, but was also helped a bit by a quick
tuck in 3rd, and then an easy lead to the quarter - looking at a much tougher trip tonight, and we'll see if
she's up for it. (4) JIVE DANCING A faltered in her first 3 local tries before taking her last pair - faces
tougher now, and it's hard to say how she'll fare. (7) NORMANS MADELINE has REALLY turned things
around - was losing regularly at the bottom levels for some time before suddenly finding her game, rattling
off 4 straight and then finishing 2nd in the Open - the move outside tonight may slow her down a bit,
however. (8) FEELIN RED HOT looked very good in back to back front end scores over cheaper - moves
up and draws Post 8 off 3 weeks here, and that just feels like a lot to overcome
RACE 8 - (4) SHECANDANCE N flew home for 3rd on 4/29 in her first start back off the layoff- was too
far back in a fast mile in her next, and then was just unlucky in her last, securing the pocket trip behind the
heavy favorite only to have that one tire at the top of the lane - should really appreciate tonight's drop, and
have a good chance to pick up her first win of 2021. (2) SLICK ARTIST A had some road trouble in her
first start off the barn change but took no prisoners in last, crushing 'em on the front end - steps up a notch,
but should still be a major player. (6) BEST HONEY HANOVER is very solid at this level, but lands a
tough post with a young pilot - still deserves to be used in exotics. (3) SANDYS BEACH raced close to a
hot pace last week and that's why she had nothing left in the stretch after taking the lead at 3/4s - could race
better here with a "relax and rally" trip that she prefers. (5) PAMMY JO just hasn't clicked at all in either
start since the barn change - one week she's going to put all together and crush one of these fields - hard to
predict it'll be tonight, though. (1) ANN HILL probably needs to be in cheaper to have a chance to win, but
she's more than sharp enough to grab a small piece starting from the pole. (7) CINDERELLA DELIGHT
has been sharp for weeks, but really needs to be in a bit cheaper - Post 7 only makes things tougher. (8)
COVEREDNDIAMONDS N draws outside again - wait for a better spot
RACE 9 - (2) LADY ROCKNROLLAA just beat this class 2 starts back as the even money choice at PcD
- never got involved from Post 7 in her YR debut but definitely had life coming across the wire - drops,
moves inside, and will give James MacDonald a shot at his first Yonkers victory. (8) BRONZE OVER N
drops in for a tag and that allows her to take a double drop down to the level she beat 3 starts back - forgive
her for tiring against better last week (after a rough drive), and expect a big effort tonight...as long as she
can work out a manageable trip. (6) CLASSY CHAPEL N has been solid since the claim 4 back, but gets
stuck with Post 6 again - if the trip is decent, she can rally for another good piece. (7) LADYBELUCKYTO
NITE is just razor sharp right now, and it's apparent why the barn was quick to re-claim her 2 starts back -
may end up with a pretty tough trip from out here, though. (1) BUZINGA has missed 3 weeks after a
couple of lesser efforts across the river, but perhaps the good draw will allow her to grab an easy trip - and
maybe a small share. (4) CABOWABOCUTTIE somehow continues to pick up 2nd and 3rds at big prices
almost every week - don't think she'll be as fortunate tonight, but she's been proving everybody wrong for a
while now! (5) MILLWOOD BONNIE N finally picked up a long overdue win vs. cheaper 3 back - and
may need to get back down to that lower level before she's a legitimate threat again. (3) MOTU
MOONBEAM N had an excellent run but was showing obvious signs of tailing before being claimed twice
recently - prefer others, for now.
RACE 10 - (5) GOLDEN QUEST N comes into tonight winless in 10 starts this year, but that's in large
part due to some terrible spots, and also being forced to chase the likes of Racine Bell, Snobbytown, etc.
-can't say tonight's drop makes her a "cinch", but it does make her the one to beat. (3) LARJON LEAH
raced well in 2 starts at The Swamp after a barn change then raced very well in her local debut, used hard
from Post 8 and still a close 2nd - may be sharp enough right now to beat these older rivals. (4) THE
CHARGING MOA N has been sharp in most of her recent starts, and might have had a couple of wins if
not for running into a streaking Normans Madeline a couple of times - should be able to make her presence
felt late...for at least a piece of this. (6) CASIES BELIEVER was doing plenty of good work in Pompano
and her 2 Stga. starts suggest that form came up North with her - definitely can grab a good piece here, but
may be too far out for a chance at the top prize. (1) IDEAL CLASSIC has been pretty solid in her last few -
definitely include her for 3rd/4th in tris and Supers. (7) BYE BYE MICHELLE did upset this class 4 back,
but seems unlikely to threaten from out here, (2) ANGELS PRIDE seems to need to be in with cheaper to
find her good efforts these days. (8) WESTERN SHOWGIRL lands Post 8 and doesn't figure to get close
tonight
RACE 11 - Good finale before the hiatus (until June 7th): (6) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP could offer some
value here - just wasn't right during the Matchmaker Series but was a bit better in the consolation, then was
a solid 2nd (as the favorite) to a sharp Feelin Red Hot - added Lasix for her next start at Chester and raced
ok from a no chance spot - maybe she can find a trip and beat these? (5) DEMETER N was very sharp here
for a while and even won an Open - her last few in NJ suggest that she's returning sharp enough to beat
these, but she may also be a bit overbet. (1) ROBYN CAMDEN was very good when 2nd here on 5/6, then
went a pair of excellent miles up at Stga - sharp enough now for a chance to beat these, if the trip works
out. (3) JOSSIE JAMES A disappointed off a two hole trip 2 back but exploded home off the cover trip to
take her last - always dangerous when on her best game. (4) NORTH STAR IDEAL was an excellent 2nd
(to #3) last week after doing all the heavy lifting - may need to be in a little cheaper, though. (2) PONDER
THE ODDS woke up with back to back wins over cheaper but failed to sustain her bid when bumped up to
this level in last - mixed feelings. (7) TAKE ABIT OF LIFE was very sharp beating lesser in last, but the
class hike and poor draw figure to really hurt. (8) MALNIFICENT wasn't involved off the claim last week,
and now lands Post 8 - wait for a (much) better spot