Thursday Empire Report

RACE 1 - (3) CLASSY CHAPEL N wasn't a factor in her YR return last week but she was WAY back at the half then paced a strong back half to only get beat by 3 lengths - she can be driven more aggressively here, and that would give her a big shot to take tonight's opener. (1) FREE EXCHANGE also found herself a bit too far back in that same race, and finished just ahead of the top choice - clearly a major threat tonight with the move inside. (5) CINDERELLA DELIGHT showed some courage last week to just hold on for the victory - her first since joining this barn recently - won't say that she can't repeat, but she'll probably need to be a bit sharper to get it done from this spot. (2) BETABCOOL N reunites with Marohn, and the pair were victorious over cheaper at Fhd. 2 back - don't think she can beat these, but the good draw puts her in play for a piece. (4) TELL ME A JOKE wasn't "good" last week, but she did finish a bit more enthusiastically than she has been lately - we'll see if she can build on that tonight. (6) LADYBELUCKYTONITE looked like she was going to beat #5 last week but came up a hair shy at the wire - move outside may leave her with a bit too much to do tonight. (7) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX doesn't seem sharp enough to do much damage from out here. (8) FEAR MY SHADOW will need a much better draw to have any real say

RACE 2 - (2) DESTINY BLUE CHIP always had some ability but only managed to race a handful of times at 2 and 3 - seemed to be coming around up in Canada for her 4YO season, and ships down to a barn that always seems to do well with these - we'll give her the call....even though Stratton opts for another. (5) CATWALK AS was Stratton's choice, and she does have an experience/accomplishment edge on these - she's also 0 for 10 at Yonkers, made a break in her last, and will likely be the favorite - very possible, but won't offer much value. (6) IZZY DEMSKY won half of her 6 starts at 2, including an Excelsior A race here at The Hilltop - qualified nicely at Chester, but seems likely to be handled pretty conservatively as she preps for her 3YO campaign. (1) EXCHEQUER shows solid enough race lines in Ohio but has missed 3 weeks (moving to his new barn), and is just 1 for 26 lifetime - prefer others for the top spot. (7) TROTTIN FOR CASH was just no good at all in his local debut, and now lands all the way outside - will just watch, for now. (3) CHERRY MASON failed to impress at 2 - we'll see if he comes back better as a 3YO.

RACE 3 - (1) KEENE OLIVIA raced very well last time, making a couple of moves and holding well for a close 3rd behind a pair of sharp foes - barn sent out a very live winner last week, and may have this one on her toes tonight from the best starting spot. (3) AMANDEROSA dropped to the bottom level last week but was compromised by Post 8 - will surely have a much bigger say this time, but she'll likely be overbet and just may not be sharp enough right now to capitalize on this seemingly good scenario. (5) ONEIDA BLUE CHIP took advantage of the post relief last time, blasting to the front and taking 'em wire to wire - may have to deal with some leavers inside of her tonight, but can still be a big threat with any half-decent trip - belongs on your tickets. (2) ALL ABOUT MADI hasn't necessarily been "good", but at least she's been competitive each week - can follow along with a chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (4) MILLWOOD BONNIE N is just 1 for 24 over the past few years and just one of the few horses that the barn just can't seem to get going - chance for a piece, but really needs to do better to be a threat for a win. (6) CABOWAB OCUTTIE has improved considerably over the last few starts (after being terrible for a long time), but is still probably looking at only a minor share from this outside spot. (7) LAALWAYS AMARTINI has been impossible to predict from week to week...but even one of her better efforts would likely only yield a small piece from Post 7. (8) DEUCES FOR CHARITY is the outsider - both literally and figuratively

RACE 4 - (6) ROCKNROLL ANNIE is just one of many from this barn that is thriving right now, and she comes into this off a tough, narrow loss to her tripsitting rival in last - not a great draw, but that also means a better price - definitely worth another shot if you just missed with her last time. (5) NORMANS MADEL INE appreciated the softer competition at Chester last week and the ease of that victory should have her feeling pretty good about herself - more than capable at this level when sharp, and a very logical threat here (2) TELLITSSASSYMAE couldn't last as the 4/5 choice on 2/26 in her local debut but was right there vs. much better foes - impossible long uncovered try in her next, followed by a pair of "excuse lines" over in NJ - definitely time for her to "put up, or shut up" from this easier spot, but the top two just figure to offer a bit better value. Both (7) AMERICAN TOUR N and (8) ANN HILL raced very well from off the pace last week, and both would deserve a look here had they drawn inside....but it's going to be hard for either to get into the hunt tonight....at least without a ton of trip luck! (1) FOX VALLEY CHARLIZ showed up for that win 3 back but was struggling prior to that, and dull in the 2 starts since - maybe re-uniting with Stratton will help perk her up enough to grab a piece here? (4) ALL ABOUT AMY really does her best work vs. a bit easier, but may be good enough right now for a shot at 3rd/4th....with an easy, ground saving trip. (3) SHELLIE DE VIE was visibly "ouchy" scoring down last time and ultimately scratched lame - qualified back ok, but would still like to watch a start before hopping back on her team

RACE 5 - (1) NORTH STAR IDEAL never really had a chance at the winner last week as that one kept her trapped in for much of the stretch - gets this class opened up for her ("NW7501 last 5"), and then draws the rail, to boot - will be a very short price....and hard to knock off. (2) MORE THAN MANY dropped in for the tag last week and just wasn't as sharp as he has been - gets a nice draw for tonight, is likely looking at an easy trip, and could easily bounce right back - solid chance to be in the exotics. (6) SEZANA N is very good right now, and just unlucky that a horse insistent on cutting the mile last week ended up stopping in her face - not a great draw this time, but still good enough right now for a chance to find a way onto the ticket somewhere. (8) COVEREDNDIAMONDS N was actually very good last week despite a bad post and tough trip - unfortunately, she draws yet another 7/8 hole, and will need a lot of luck for a chance to replicate last week's effort....but at another big price, not a bad bomb to include underneath, hoping to add some spice to the exotics. (3) SOMETHING REEL came up terrible for her new barn last week despite an easy trip - drops right back in the box so perhaps she'll shrug that off and come back with a solid effort - but hard to BET on that, at a relatively short price. (4) WINDSONG PARISIAN is 0 for 14 at YR, but capable of grabbing a minor share with the right trip - willing to use for 3rd. (5) QUITE A DELIGHT N was pretty good for a few starts but didn't have that same late kick in her last couple - we'll see if she rebounds here, or has just started to head in the wrong direction. (7) HIGH ROLLING seems to have leveled off after a good first few starts for her current barn - Post 7 isn't going to help her cause tonight.

RACE 6 - (3) BYE BYE MICHELLE was well backed for her last, went to the top and was a very sharp winner - moves up a notch tonight, but this level is well within her comfort zone when sharp - faces a couple of other sharp rivals, but we'll give her the narrow edge. (6) E R HILARY ended up with a strange, brutal trip last week but was somehow still right there to the top of the lane before finally weakening - assuming she's still a pretty good price, she's definitely worth considering as she reunites with Brennan. (1) MOTU MOONBEAM N perked up as soon as the calendar flipped to 2021, and is currently 8-4-3-0 since the year began - moves up another peg tonight and goes for yet another new barn...but she's way too sharp to ignore from this spot - another very live player. (2) CHECKERED PAST came up with her best mile in ages in that upset win 2 back - stepped up a class and raced big for 3rd last week, and now has to move up once again - still willing to include her underneath in current form. (5) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE has found her form and is another moving up tonight....off a pair of hard fought wins - would hardly be a surprise but at 9/5 ML, there are too many other equally sharp ones to consider. (7) THE CHARGING MOA N just missed in 2 of her last 3 starts but if really on her best game, probably would have won them both - if she can follow live cover she can rally late for a piece (at a price)...but hard to say if that trip will materialize. (4) LIVELY ROCKET wasn't bad last week from an impossible spot but lands in a field full of sharp players, and that figures to limit her output for tonight.

RACE 7 - (2) JIVE DANCING A would seem a little cheap off her recent RcR lines but she's certainly sharp, and moves to a barn that has been known to improve fresh acquisitions considerably - may be worth a stab in a race with no real standouts. (5) FEELIN RED HOT paced a 3rd quarter last week that normally would have been enough to discourage any contenders from getting too close....but unfortunately for her, Racine Bell is beyond sharp right now, and blew right past her anyway! Can be excused for tiring after that, and there's no reason to think she can't bounce right back and go a big one against this much easier bunch. (4) JEWELS FORREAL has been sharp for weeks, and continues to come up with big miles every start - if things go her way, she has a chance to be right there on the wire. (3) IM VERY SPECIAL is trying to get back to her top form, and she is showing some better signs - not sure it's time to hop back on her team, but she should certainly be able to pick up a decent chunk from this spot. (1) ANNABETH does show beating this class 3 starts back but overall, her form hasn't been all that great - others just look sharper right now. (6) MALNIFICENT was nailed late after cutting the mile 2 back then made up for it last week, sitting the two hole and running down the leader - moves up and moves outside, and that will probably leave her looking at only a minor share for tonight. (7) VICIOUS CIRCLE came up flat after an easy trip from the pole last week and now lands far outside - seems like a tough spot. (8) PONDER THE ODDS was a winner off the layoff one level down, but wasn't able to build off that mile - at least wait for a better spot

RACE 8 - (3) BRONSKIMACKENZIE A was shuffled all the way back last week but still had plenty of pace after shaking free - she beat this class back on 2/11, and then again on 4/1...both times with McCarthy on board - might be able to use her potent brush to do it again tonight. (2) ASHTINI is in career from right now - she's forced to step up off a loss (where she was hurt badly by poor cover), and may be able to grab a good piece even against these tougher mares...with a better trip. (1) BYE BYE FELICIA pounced on a pocket trip vs. softer last week to grab the victory - steps up now but the rail will be a big equalizer for her - deserves respect from this spot. (6) GOLDEN QUEST N finished 2nd to the beastly Racine Bell last week - and that was her 4th straight 2nd place finish - she's been holding her own with good mares for a while now, and the only real knock is the outside draw. (5) ROBYN CAMDEN was pounded at the windows last week, manufactured the gate speed needed to put her on the lead, then had no trouble completing the wire to wire score - figures to be back to her off the pace style tonight, but still is sharp enough to rally for a good chunk - if the race goes her way. (7) JOSSIE JAMES A has been using her gate speed effectively for weeks, and has been able to climb the class ladder - even if she's able to outstep these to the front, she'll probably have a harder time making it stick at this higher level - we shall see. (4) BEST HONEY HANOVER was reclaimed from last week's disastrous outing, and now finds herself facing much tougher than she'd like - will wait for a better scenario.

RACE 9 - Tough finale: (3) ANGELS PRIDE is a true "all or nothing" mare, as you can see from her recent lines - drops to the level she beat on 2/11, and this seems like a spot where Brennan can send her to the top and let her do her thing...just wouldn't want to take too short a price. (4) ROCKIN THE BOYS A just fell apart completely for 3 starts after several sharp ones prior to that - changed barns for her last and raced ok off some conservative handling - if she's over whatever was bugging her, she can definitely be a legit threat here. (8) DIBABA N was a nice winner off the layoff at Stga. 2 back, then rallied steadily for 2nd here last week vs. a sharp, well meant front end winner - moves up and draws outside, but she would still have a chance to contend if Zeron can get her into the hunt from out here. (5) VIBRENT KALLY gives mixed feelings - hasn't impressed in her 2 local tries but does drop down to an easier level, and figures to be forwardly placed - certainly playable in exotics. (7) SALLY FLETCHER A has been pretty good overall lately, and definitely finished very alertly from an impossible spot off the claim last week - the obvious issue here is yet another bad post...and if there's any way that she can get herself into contention. (6) BALFAST N was claimed from her last and while she doesn't really excite on paper, she's listed at 20-1 ML and a few of the favorites here are a bit shaky - not a terrible bomb if looking for a "last race escape". (2) ACEFORTYFOUR DOME held her form nicely off the claim last start, but the guess is that she'll gradually see a deterioration in form...especially up at this level. (1) IDEAL CLASSIC had a terrible start from the pole last week, and that may happen again tonight - will wait until she's in cheaper again.