The Empire Report - Thursday, April 29, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (1) SHELLIE DE VIE bounced back from that lame scratch here (3/25) to qualify nicely, then
pace solid last halves from tough spots in her next couple - will get to be much more aggressive tonight,
and looks like one of two main players in here - since she'll likely be the better price, we'll make her the top
choice. (2) CHASE YOU finished solidly from well back (against better) last week, and now drops down to
a level she has proven she can beat - clearly the main danger, but will probably be a shorter price than the
top pick. (3) SUDDEN CHANGE N can be pretty inconsistent but she does have a solid Yonkers history,
and gets a good draw for tonight - might be next in line. (6) LADYBELUCKYTONITE scored the 17-1
upset last week but it's hard to say if she actually raced "better" than she has been (or simply was in the
right place, at the right time, in a slow mile - could easily rally for a good piece here, but still prefer others
for the top spot. (4) BULLVILLEKARLA just hasn't put in a big effort here in a long time - maybe can just
save ground and pick up a small share? (8) MILLWOOD BONNIE N just hasn't clicked at all lately and
now lands Post 8 - wait for a better scenario. (5) TYRONBETTORSELLA is 32-1-1-3 at YR over the past
3 years - hard one to recommend. (7) DEUCES FOR CHARITY doesn't figure to ever get close tonight.
RACE 2 - (2) SAMEDAME LIFE AS is off to a good start to his career, rallying for 2nd from well back in
a fast mile in his PcD debut, winning his next with a long first over move, then finishing 2nd to runaway
Chester winner Bluffiner, who just jogged here at Yonkers last week - assuming he gets around the half,
he's the one to beat. (7) TITANS HOPE was 3rd here in a NYSS at 2, and ended her 2020 season racing
well in PA - return qualifier looks solid, and she's certainly worth including in exotics at 15-1 ML! (6)
MASSTRO didn't race at 2 and didn't show up at 3 until October, but his first two starts (in KY) produced a
pair of close 2nds in fast miles - tired in his next at The Swamp then took some time off, and his form has
been mixed in 5 starts since returning - at his best, he'd be a contender here for a good piece. (1) ROOKIE
SEASON has shown speed and ability at times, but also has made breaks - if he minds his manners tonight,
he can definitely be part of the equation. (3) BREEZING PRAYER showed potential early in his career but
started making breaks and/or getting hot in too many of his races - started his 4YO season with a win in PA,
but then broke upon arrival here last week - not sure what to expect. (4) ME THREE makes some breaks
and does seem a little cheap - willing to throw in for 3rd/4th. (5) QROWN FASHION seems a bit on the
cheaper side. (8) DUKE OF LINDY gets Marohn in the bike but he's 1 for 27 and draw Post 8
RACE 3 - (3) IRON MISTRESS was always a very nice mare for lower profile connections so it was no
surprise to see her hammered at the windows off the barn and driver change last week...and it was also no
surprise to see her pick up the hard fought victory - she faces a similar bunch tonight and has to be labeled
as the one to beat....but the price may be even shorter, and she's definitely not a "cinch". (4) BONTZ N was
cutting the mile last week when tested early by the top choice (out of the pocket), and she fought that one
hard before grudgingly giving way - would hardly be a surprise to see her turn the table tonight. (2)
COVEREDNDIAMONDS N is now 4 for 12 on the year, and raced some big miles from impossible spots
too - was a game first over winner for new connections in last and now steps up another notch - we'll see if
she can be as effective against these. (5) SCANDALICIOUS was dull on the cones last week and may be
off her best game right now - even if she pops up with one of her better efforts, she may have some trouble
from this spot (with a few main foes to her inside). (3) PONDER THE ODDS beat this class in her first
start of 2021....but hasn't earned a check in 4 starts since - she can wake up at any time, but there's nothing
to suggest that it'll be tonight. (7) WESTERN STEPP did win here in 2019 and returns to YR in sharp form
from "The Ridge" - may need a better spot, though. (6) ANNABETH just isn't sharp now
RACE 4 - (3) ANGELS PRIDE is the reluctant selection here - she came up short at the end 2 back then
hung through the stretch in last, but those efforts were at least against much tougher fields - hard to imagine
her NOT just hitting the top and outrunning this softer bunch....but also hard to imagine betting the rent
money on her at 1/5....or less! (4) THREEDEE DELIGHT A sat the cones for her new barn last week and
shook free too late to do any real damage - she'll probably race well here with a good chance to grab a piece
- but she's just 1 for 57 at Yonkers (last 3 years), and pretty hard to call out on top. (2) FREE EXCHANGE
really disappointed on the front end last week but perhaps she just doesn't like racing that way - could
bounce right back racing from behind...use underneath. (1) FEAR MY SHADOW sports a 9-0-0-0 local
slate, but maybe the move all the way inside can help her sit close enough to take home a small piece. (5)
ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX just hasn't been clicking at all lately - waiting for some better signs before
seriously endorsing. (6) FOX VALLEY CHARLIZ had that win 5 starts down but was doing little before,
and has done little since. (8) DIXIE STAR N went an even try from the pole upon arrival from Nfd. - hard
to get excited about her chances from Post 8. (7) QUITE A DELIGHT N just hasn't been sharp for several
weeks, and now gets stuck with Post 7 - sticking with others.
RACE 5 - (4) TELLITSASSYMAE came up with a big mile for 2nd against Normans Madeline 2 back
(she's won 3 in a row), then delivered a powerful "tuck, brush, and crush" win in last - catches a few very
legit foes tonight, but she may still be the sharpest of them all. (5) E R HILARY was very conservative
from Post 8 last week after making a break the week before...but still charged home full of pace from well
out of it - the right trip could put her right on the wire tonight. (1) BETCHA BABY looked very good in
her YR return last week, rallying nicely for 2nd behind the top choice - might have even considered her on
top for tonight, but her barn is riding an incredible 2 for 62 streak since March 1, and is just too hard to use
on top (at a relatively short price) until they start winning a few races. (7) MOTU MOONBEAM N tried to
take 'em wire to wire from Post 8 TWO levels up last time, but finally gave way into the stretch - drops
back to a level she really thrives at, but may land on a tougher trip from this spot. (8) PAPPY ROCKS has
been sharp for months at multiple tracks (11-5-3-0 this year), but lands Post 8 (in a good field) for her YR
debut - will need lots of luck to win from out here. (2) CABOWABOCUTTIE has been 3rd in 3 straight,
but faces a much tougher bunch tonight - will be hard for her to do as well. (6) ANN HILL found the right
NW5000 field last week and blasted to the top from Post7 and lasted to the end - will find things much
tougher from this spot. (3) WINDSONG PARISIAN has been awful on turns and it's been killing her
RACE 6 - Tough race: (6) VICIOUS CIRCLE hasn't done much lately but she's also been facing quite a bit
better - will probably be coming from way back tonight but there MAY be some battle up front, and she'll
be a pretty good price here - worth a stab in a race that could do a lot of different ways. (8) POPPY DRAY
TON N waited too long to move last week or she might have been a winner - as noted, the barn has been in
a 2 month slide but at least this mare will be a decent price - willing to consider. (4) MORE THAN MANY
never really had a chance for her new barn last time as the trip just never worked out - definitely could be a
threat tonight...at a good price. (3) CINDERELLA DELIGHT was claimed off a pair of wins and raced
very for her connections - remains a weekly threat in her current form. (5) SEZANA N disappointed a bit in
last but she may not have cared for the off going - willing to excuse, but note that there's a possibility of an
off track tonight, as well. (1) VIBRENT KALLY hasn't thrived at all in 3 starts since arriving from Ohio
but she does get a drop and the rail...and a wake up call is possible. (2) AMANDEROSA has only 2 wins
here over the past 2 seasons and both came at the bottom level - chance for a small piece with the good
draw, though. (7) HIGH ROLLING A was Stratton's surprise choice over #8, but she's been inconsistent at
best lately, and this is a tough spot....even if she's on her best game tonight
RACE 7 - (8) RACINE BELL has been as good visually in those last 3 local wins as she looks on paper -
she's now won 5 straight (by open lengths) since a 3rd place finish to start her 4YO season, and she's
showing no signs of letting up - as long as Bartlett can even just get her a decent spot without using her too
hard from Post 8, she'll have a good chance to add another victory to her streak. (7) SNOBBYTOWN was
her usual rock solid self throughout the Matchmaker Series and would have had a good chance to win the
Final had room opened up for her in the stretch - she's certainly more accomplished than #8...but her
younger rival just may be a bit sharper at the moment. (4) BETTORS HEART N added Lasix last week and
looked MUCH better - the talent is there, so we'll see if she can build off last week's nice effort. (6)
BRONSKIMACKENZIE A was able to rally from way back to pick up 2nd behind the top choice in last -
she may be coming from even further back tonight - but still has a chance to rally for a good chunk in her
current form. (1) MONICA GALLAGHER was fortunate to be allowed to draw for 1-4, considering how
well she held her own in the Series - would definitely include underneath. (3) GOLDEN QUEST N hasn't
been "bad", but she does seem a bit below the main players right now. (2) BYE BYE FELICIA does her
better work with lesser - prefer others, even with the inside draw. (5) JEWELS FORREAL has managed to
hold her fine form all the way from the bottom class to the top -not sure she can replicate last week's fine
effort with the move outside, though
RACE 8 - (1) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP failed to be a serious player in the Matchmaker Series but did race
much better in the consolation - gets Dube to jump off a sharp horse (for a main client - #6) to drive her
tonight, and that suggests that he really likes her chances - we'll trust his judgment! (5) FEELIN RED HOT
missed by a head 2 back and that mile is sandwiched between a couple of tough trips - this is a field that
should be to her liking, and she figures to have a say from start to finish. (2) PAIGES GIRL jumps up to
take on older mares tonight but her form suggests she's ready for it - definitely one to include underneath.
(6) JOSSIE JAMES A has been sharp for some time, and even raced huge in her last after recovering from
an early miscue - as noted, Dube opts to drive #1, but this mare is still worth considering at that 12-1 ML
price. (8) ROBYN CAMDEN is a good fit here but also figures to be coming from well back - looking at a
smaller piece only tonight. (7) BYE BYE MICHELLE charged home to score the upset last week but hard
to see her rallying for more than a minor share from this spot. (3) IDEAL CLASSIC is probably pushing it
against these types - at least the inside draw gives her a chance at a small check. (4) DIAMONDTOOTH
GERTIE needs an easier field to be a contender.
RACE 9 - (1) NORTH STAR IDEAL was clear too late to run down a sharp Motu Moonbeam N 2 back but
made up for it with last week's total blowout - doesn't figure to be able to handle this better field so easily,
but she should still be able to have a solid chance at another win, despite moving up a peg. (6) DIAMOND
TEQUILASHOT wasn't bad at all when 4th from Post 8 (behind Racine Bell) in her local debut, but was
scratched sick from her next, then a non factor across the river - on her best, she can be a big player here -
but will she bring that "A game" tonight? (5) BRONZE OVER N just missed last week to a mare getting a
big barn and driver change - looms a legit threat in here too. (4) JUXTA COWGIRL gave way vs. better
after trying to cut the mile at 41-1 last week - may be able to have a bit more success with this softer bunch.
(7) BALFAST N finished crisply from way back debuting for a new barn last week - unfortunately, another
outside post may leave her too far back to do more serious damage once again. (2) EYE POPPING returned
ready off the layoff, registering the "pocket rocket" victory - faces tougher now, and may not get as good a
trip - small piece only. (3) ACEFORTYFOUR DOME raced well in her first two off the claim but started to
show some regression last week - may just be in a bit too tough, regardless. (8) SANDYS BEACH had
some better life last week but will be up against it from Post 8 tonight.
RACE 10 - Wide open: (5) JIVE DANCING A was well backed shipping in for a new barn 2 back but
couldn't quite last on the lead - sat the two hole in last, but took too long to shake free up the cones and the
winner got the jump on her - maybe can land on the winning trip tonight? (4) NORMANS MADELINE
comes into this riding a 3 race win streak, and is hitting on all cylinders right now - can't discount her
chances, even moving up in class again. (2) IM VERY SPECIAL hasn't been on her best game in a while,
but it's not like she's been "bad", either - the right trip may get her to the (virtual) winner's circle. (7) THE
CHARGING MOA N had been "good", but was VERY sharp in her last - will need a hotly contested pace
to make her late rush work, but that could happen here - giver her a look at 20-1 ML. (1) BERAZZLED
grabbed a win and a 2nd vs. cheaper here before heading up to Stga. for a few starts - wouldn't be a shock,
but she does seem a bit cheaper than a couple of these. (3) SHECANDANCE N has been away since
September and the guess is that she'll need a start or two - she does love Yonkers when "right", though. (8)
CHECKERED PAST figures to be significantly hampered by the outside post.