The Empire Report - Thursday, May 6, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (8) E R HILLARY finished very well from tough spots (vs. much better!) in each of her last 2
starts - she's always a bit risky behind the gate but IF Brennan can get her away cleanly & improve position
at the start, she'll definitely have a chance to beat these, even from out here. (1) SHELLIE DE VIE tried it
on the front end last week after a couple of solid rallying performances but came up a little short at the end
- definitely deserves another chance, especially with another rail draw. (6) CHASE YOU was stuck behind
#1 when she weakened into the stretch last week and gets a pass for that - this is a level she definitely likes,
and we'll see if her new Canadian pilot can work out a decent trip from this tough spot - decent value horse
to consider. (2) TELL ME A JOKE isn't really "sharp", but she's racing a lot better than she was for a while
- logical threat to land somewhere on the ticket. (3) MILLWOOD BONNIE N has been struggling for a
long time but did show a hint of life finishing last week - moves inside, and isn't a bad one to throw in on
the bottom of exotics. (4) QUITE A DELIGHT A had a few good starts but then went bad in April and
hasn't come back to life - maybe she can improve a bit here? (5) BULLVILLEKARLA has been no good
for months, but did finish a bit better in last - maybe throw in for 3rd? (7) ACEFOURTYFOR ALEX just
isn't sharp enough now to do much damage coming from way back
RACE 2 - (8) DESWANSLITTLELORIE was caught first over (between horses) on a crazy "wind night"
in last and can be forgiven for weakening a bit at the end - she's held her own vs. better than these, and can
almost certainly improve significantly at the start if a field sure to have weak leavers and breakers - legit
chance to overcome the draw and beat these. (4) DESTINY BLUE CHIP was an odds-on winner up north
before shipping down to Yonkers, then was a close 2nd here in a NW4 race - weakened a bit in the stretch
last week after being repelled by the short priced winner, but she fits this group beautifully, and figures to
be a serious threat. (6) MASSTRO was 2nd in a couple of fast KY miles to start his career last year - came
down from Canada off a blowout win but then made a break over in NJ - had no trouble bouncing right
back to win his YR debut last week, though, easily going by a stopping leader to easily handle a soft group
- the other main player in here. (1) DUKE OF LINDY is just 1 for 28 but did put in a pretty big move
before flattening last week (with the driver switch to Marohn) - chance for a decent piece from the pole. (5)
BREZZING PRAYER behaved last week and picked up a 2nd (behind #6) - chance for another small piece
if he continues to stay trotting. Both (2) DRAIN THE SWAMP and (3) TRANQUILITY K ship in from out
of town and seem a bit below the main players - we'll keep an eye on both for future consideration, but
looking elsewhere tonight. (7) QROWN FASHION trotted evenly last week but the draw is a killer
RACE 3 - (2) CLASSY CHAPEL N had good pace finishing 3 back, gave it an excellent first over try in
her next, then just got cooked getting the lead in last - was claimed that night by a barn that has been doing
super with fresh acquisitions for months, and this mare may be able to win right off the bat for her new
crew. (6) AMERICAN TOUR N is 0 for 8 at Yonkers but has raced well in several of those starts - at 20-1
ML, she's absolutely worth using on your tickets. (3) LADYBELUCKYTONITE benefited from a perfect
trip in that win 2 back but was a game first over in her last as well - logical player. (4) KEENE OLIVIA is
just 1 for 21 over the past 2 years but her trainer has come up with a few nice price winners recently - hard
to use on top, but willing to include underneath. (5) SANDY WIN is just 13-1-1-0 this year but a few of her
recent Fhd. lines would at least give her a chance for a small piece of this. (7) FOX VALLEY CHARLIZ
had even pace finishing in last after being well back early - another bad post will likely limit her to another
minor share. (1) BETTERTHANBRIE took a couple of months off after being no good at all for weeks-
we'll just watch, for now. (8) DEUCES FOR CHARITY is the outsider...literally and figuratively
RACE 4 - (4) CHAPTIAMA banged out nearly $400K at 2 and 3, including a 2nd in here last Sept. in the
NYSS Final - has looked good so far in 4 starts as a 4YO, and makes his 2nd start with Lasix tonight -
hardly a cinch in this very solid NW6 trot, but he does deserve top billing the way the draw worked out. (5)
BEERTHIRTY K was just an "ok" NYSS colt at 3. but he's really developed since the end of the stakes
season, and clearly has an affinity for Yonkers - was handled aggressively last week and was a sharp winner
over older foes, and looms a dangerous threat back in the NW6 class. (7) HOBBS won the NYSS Final last
year and like the top choice, earned $400K as a youngster - was a little short in his 2021 return (finished
well back in 3rd in a very fast mile), but he's eligible to be a lot sharper this week - Post 7 will hurt, though.
(8) GREAT UNKNOWN goes big miles when allowed to relax and rally, but that formula will leave him
well back tonight (and he's not nearly as good when he leaves) - still expect him to race well, but may be
looking at a bit smaller piece. (3) HEAT WAVE HANOVER was no factor in her last in PA, but shows a
series of excellent miles prior to that - seems like a good fit here, and could easily grab a nice chunk. (1)
BAZILLIONAIRE is stuck racing vs. much tougher than he likes thanks to a pair of 2nds in the Brennan
Series - minor share at best vs. these. (2) IMPULSE BUY also exits that same series and seems a bit below
these. (6) LOOK IN MY EYES went some big tries in the Brennan Series but he's another that seems better
suited for softer competition.
RACE 5 - (5) DIBABA N got her season back on track with a win over cheaper at Stga. - finished 2nd here
as the favorite in her next (this class), got cooked making the lead from Post 8 in her next, but was a close
up 4th after a first over try at PcD in her last - could be a good spot for her to pick up her first local victory
since 2019. (1) ROCKIN THE BOYS went south in a big way for several starts - changed barns and was
just starting to come back around before being scratched sick from her last - iffy for sure, but willing to use
if the price is decent. (4) SANDYS BEACH hasn't thrown that big brush of hers in a while but her barn sent
out a few absolute airplanes recently, so maybe she'll be the next to really perk up - worth considering. (2)
CINDERELLA DELIGHT is hard to knock, currently at 6-3-1-1 since shipping in to NY - draws inside,
and has a very legitimate shot to take another. (6) MOTU MOONBEAM N may be tailing just a bit and that
may continue now that she moves to a new barn - hard to leave out of exotics with her ability to just fly off
the car, though. (3) ACEFORTYFOUR DOME raced well for a couple of starts after the claim but does
seem to be tailing a bit - maybe 3rd? (7) ROCKNROLL ANNIE fits well, but may struggle to get in play
from Post 7. (8) SCANDALICIOUS doesn't seem all that sharp right now, and lands the worst post
RACE 6 - (1) ANNABETH finished with decent life for 4th last week in an improved effort - she crushed
this class back in January, and even beat better on 3/25 - Stratton opts off a main client to driver her (#8),
and this feels like a spot where we'll see her best. (4) COVEREDNDIAMONDS N beat this class off the
claim 2 back, but tired after a first over bid vs. better in last - drops back down, and could have a big say
here. (2) READY SET ROCK has been a little overmatched vs. some solid NW6 foes recently, but this
class should be to her liking, even if taking on older mares - good draw should put her right in the hunt. (5)
VICIOUS CIRCLE was well supported in last, was sent right to the top and LOOKED like an easy winner
into the stretch...until faltering late and losing in the last stride - remains a threat for a good piece, either on
or off the pace. (7) ANGELS PRIDE can still just outrun cheaper fields (like last week) but note that she
was struggling a bit prior to that - wouldn't shock, but she'll take $$ here and definitely could be vulnerable.
(3) CABOWABOCUTTIE has finished 3rd in 5 straight starts - these may be a little tough for her, but
another small piece is possible. (6) ANN HILL does her best work one level down...and the outside draw
won't help either. (8) HIGH ROLLING A had some life finishing last week but gets stuck all the way
outside now, and Stratton opted for #1 - prefer others.
RACE 7 - (3) BRONSKIMACKENZIE A has really upped her game in recent weeks, charging from way
back to pick up a 2nd and 3rd in her last 2 Opens - she wins the 3-8 draw and that should create a better trip
for her - definitely a chance for her to pick her first victory at the top level tonight. (5) SNOBBYTOWN
just never seems to go a bad mile, and last week was no exception - there's a good chance she could have
won the Matchmaker Final had she found room at the cones, and she remains a big threat virtually any time
she drops in the box - pretty hard to leave her off your tickets (YR record now stands at an amazing
29-11-11-5)! (7) BETTORS HEART N added Lasix 2 back and raced much better (2nd to the runaway
winner in the Matchmaker Consolation) - seemed well meant in last, but was derailed by a poor trip -
unfortunately she draws way outside tonight, but still a decent value horse for exotics. (6) JEWELS
FORREAL continues to overachieve, but figures to be hurt by the poor draw - maybe 3rd? (2) BYE BYE
FELICIA prefers to be in cheaper but she draws inside again and perhaps the trip will be a little better this
week - small piece? (4) SURREAL FEELING takes the place of her full sister RACINE BELL in the Open
this week and while her Stga. lines are excellent for sure, she's just not in the same league as her scary
sharp sibling - she's never been a player at this level here in the past, so we'll just watch her for now. (8)
MONICA GALLAGHER gets no luck with the draw and may have to wait for a better scenario to be a
player again. (1) NORMANS MADELINE has won 4 in a row to land up at this top level...but seems way
overmatched with these
RACE 8 - (1) IM VERY SPECIAL is the reluctant choice here - she's clearly well off her best form (and
has been for a while), but she did beat this class back on 3/25, and this isn't a particularly tough NW10000
field - we'll rate her on top, but won't be unloading on her at a pretty short price. (4) POPPY ROCKS was
too far back to threaten last week but did finish up well - she was claimed that night (by a barn that's been
strong all year), and she figures to be the main danger tonight. (7) JUXTA COWGIRL tired on the lead vs.
better 2 back, but rebounded with a good effort from off the pace in last to be 3rd - won't be easy from Post
7 but at 15-1 ML, she's worth at least a look. (2) SEZANA N has been unable to beat cheaper lately, but
she's been a steady player and the inside draw could give her a chance at a small piece. (6) MISS IRISH
ROSE will attract some attention off last week's 2nd to SURREAL FEELING (at Stga.) but she draws
poorly for her YR return, and she's just 1 for 22 here over the past 3 years - maybe 3rd/4th? (5) DIAMOND
TEQUILASHOT was a promising 3rd in her local debut (from Post 8), but was no good in her last couple
(after a sick scratch) - at 5/2 ML, there just seems to be better options. (3) AMANDEROSA does her best
work with cheaper - suppose she'll look to save ground and hope for a small share. (8) BALFAST N
continues to draw outside and hasn't shown that she can overcome these spots....at least at this level.
RACE 9 - (2) FEELIN RED HOT was feelin' awfully good about herself last week, just swelling up on the
lead and delivering the powerful wire to wire score - she'll have her chance to strut her stuff on the front
end again...and will be tough to reel in if anywhere near as good as last week. (4) JOSSIE JAMES A has
been on an extended form spree, holding her form even as she's climbed the class ladder - rallied with
plenty of pace from an impossible spot in last, and may give the top one a tussle if she's close at the top of
the lane. (3) PAMMY JO has a terrific local history and now joins one of our top barns - has to be worth
some consideration at 10-1 ML...and surely belongs in the exotics. (6) ROBYN CAMDEN is good right
now but wasn't able to overcome a tough trip from Post 8 in her last - a little more patient steer tonight may
see her stronger at the end...chance for a piece. (1) IDEAL CLASSIC may be on the upswing - she picked
up 3rd last week, and may be able to two along and do it again. (7) WALTZWITHSIERRAA makes her
U.S. debut for connections that have done well with these in the past - seems like an unlikely spot, but
check the tote board for some clues. (8) MALNIFICENT is very good right now...but maybe not good
enough to handle both a class jump AND Post 8. (5) BYE BYE MICHELLE seems a bit overmatched here
RACE 10 - Wide open finale: (5) ASHTINI was racing very well before those major clunkers in her last 2
starts - she adds Lasix tonight, and that could explain those last 2 efforts - the price will definitely be right,
and her barn is always worth a look. (7) SHECANDANCE N was making her first start off a long layoff
last week and absolutely flew home once cut loose from the top of the lane - she's always loved Yonkers,
and is definitely one that belongs on your tickets here. (4) JIVE DANCING A hasn't been able to deliver in
3 local tries but she does have a couple of excuses - price should be better tonight for those who want to
stick with here. (3) PAIGES GIRL got a little tired chasing a fast mile last week but she definitely fits well
with these - another possibility in a race filled with them. (8) BEST HONEY HANOVER rebounded from a
tough outing 2 back with a big mile in her last, rallying steadily to be right there behind the sharp winner -
she'll have to overcome the terrible draw, but can be considered if the price is juicy enough. (1) BRONZE
OVER N is probably a bit cheap but the rail draw will really help - not a fan of the 5/2 ML price, though.
IRON MISTRESS has a win and close 2nd since the barn change 2 back, but will be facing better this week
- not impossible, but she'll need to prove that she can be as effective with these. (6) CHECKERED PAST
was no factor in her last pair, and likely destined for the same fate tonight