The Empire Report - Thursday, April 8, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (4) ONEIDA BLUE CHIP hasn't really clicked since being taken by this hot barn on 2/11, but
she does finally get some post relief...and the opportunity for a much better trip - not a bad week to give her
a look in a race that could have a pretty vulnerable favorite. (6) AMERICAN TOUR N was sharp in 2 tries
at this level before just quitting on the front end last week - like most of her barnmates, she's unpredictable
from start to start....but at 12-1 ML she's surely worth considering, hoping the "good" version shows up. (3)
AL MAR GOT A FEVER drops down to the level she beat as the odds on choice 2 back, and that pretty
much assures that she'll be the heavy choice for tonight....but her overall form really hasn't been all that
stellar, and she just might come up short as the favorite - like she did in the two starts BEFORE that win.
(7) FREE EXCHANGE figures to beat this class some time soon, but not sure she can do it from out here -
willing to consider on top IF the price is long enough, but will use underneath either way. (5) GIRLS GOT
RHYTHM was a big "go" on the front end last week but even her white hot barn couldn't get her to the
winner's circle - will need to be better to have a shot at beating these. (1) DEWAR N SODA had a useful
tightener off the long layoff on 3/24 but was totally empty in last - we'll see tonight if that was just a blip, or
if the "comeback" is going to be a short one. (8) CLASSY CHAPEL N was racing well in NJ until duds in
her last pair - lands Post 8 in her YR return, and we'll just watch, for now. (2) FEAR MY SHADOW is
6-0-0-0 at Yonkers, and showing little lately - waiting for better signs before endorsing.
RACE 2 - (1) CIRCLE OF LIFE AS benefited from a questionable call to be placed first in her YR debut,
but raced super, regardless - looked like a winner again in her last but got just a bit funky to the top of the
lane and while she did recover soon after, the momentum she lost might have cost her another win - clearly
the one to beat from this spot. (6) GREAT UNKNOWN battled a long way with the top one last week
before finally giving way grudgingly in the stretch - his best efforts have come from OFF the pace since
arriving from Ohio, but it does seem like he may end up cutting the mile again - the main danger. (3)
BLUFFINER was totally blocked from the top of the lane last week and definitely appeared to have plenty
of trot - if the top pair should falter, he'd be the most likely to pick up the pieces. (4) CATWALK AS is a
notch below the top pair, and is now 9-0-2-1 here at Yonkers - looking at another smaller piece. (2) TROTT
IN FOR CASH looks a bit overmatched for his YR debut, but the short field at least insures him a check!
RACE 3 - (3) CINDERELLA DELIGHT has come up a bit short as the favorite in her first 2 local tries but
the 3rd time just might be the charm - not necessarily "in love" with her efforts so far, but they're certainly
better than what most/all of these have been doing lately - definitely the one to knock off. (5) CABOWAB
OCUTTIE had been invisible for months but her last pair at The Swamp look much better (she seems to
have come back to life at the same time that the rest of the barn has improved significantly as well) - she
hasn't won a race since some time in 2019....but may have a chance to break that long schneid tonight. (4)
ALL ABOUT MADI hasn't necessarily been "good" in her last pair, but she was at least respectable - as hot
as her barn is right now, couldn't blame anybody looking to give her a shot here. (1) LADTBELUCKYTO
NITE just never seems to grab the bit until way too late - maybe the rail draw will help, but she's not worth
taking at a short price. (8) MILLWOOD BONNIE N was ok 2 back and seemed like a logical play in last -
ended up tiring after an easy trip, and now draws Post 8 - ok for longshot fans (6) TELL ME A JOKE hasn't
performed in months - if you smell a wake up call coming, at least the price will be huge! (2) BULLVILLE
KARLA is another waiting for that wake up call that never seems to come - hard to recommend right now.
(7) CHECK MACH doesn't figure to have much/any impact from all the way out here
RACE 4 - Good race: (3) SEZANA N couldn't quite loop to the lead from Post 8 last week....resulting in a
tougher trip, ultimately getting nailed late by the form reversing CHECKERED PAST - maybe can land on
a much easier trip from this spot, and give her hot barn yet another winner. (5) MORE THAN MANY has
yet to replicate the incredible form reversing 8 hole win from 3/3 (off the barn change), but she still raced
very well in a trio of 3rd place finishes, vs. some very sharp winners - might be heading right to the top
again, and should be a legit threat to come out on top. (4) THE CHARGING MOA N may have had this
class drop in mind when dull from the back (vs. better) last week - not sure if she's on her best game right
now but if she's even close, her vicious brush might work against these. (8) POPPY DRAYTON N was
outkicked by a fresh rival (from a hot barn) last week, but it was obviously a much better effort from here -
seems unlikely that she could reach from out here, but willing to give her a look if the price is long enough.
(2) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE was finally able to pick up a win vs. cheaper last week, but had to work
hard for it - will need to be better to be a serious threat against this much tougher bunch. (1) CHECKERED
PAST was off horribly from the rail last week but that somehow turned into a GOOD trip, and she was able
to improve dramatically to rally late for the 13-1 upset - she may do it again, but we'll stick with the more
proven commodities. (6) ALL ABOUT AMAY used an inside trip to rally for 3rd last week - may not be as
"trip lucky" tonight. (7) QUITE A DELIGHT N just didn't fire at all last time after a series of pretty solid
miles - Post 7 won't help her chances for a quick rebound
RACE 5 - Another tough race: (5) DIBABA N may be worth a stab in here - she clearly hit a major rough
patch to start off 2021 but showed a much better qualifier on 3/17 then wired a modest field at Stga. - she
has a lot of back class, a history of success at Yonkers, and may be ready to start doing some earning again.
(6) ALII NUI was overmatched in the Matchmaker but didn't embarrass herself - has legitimate excuses for
her 2 starts since dropping out of there, and would seem to be getting additional class relief for tonight -
deserves a look if the price is right. (1) FAITHFUL DESIRE came up 2nd best dropping into a basement
claimer 2 back but did win off the claim (easily!) in her next - moves from one top barn to another for
tonight, and the rail will help offset the class jump - possibility. (4) BYE BYE MICHELLE can beat better
than these when "in the mood", but her current form is sketchy - tough call, but playable if the price is
decent. (2) FRANSCHOEK drops down to the level she beat 4 starts back, and may end up with a nice trip
here - not sure she can win, but a good trip could land her a good piece. (3) ACEFORTYFOUR DOME was
a good 2nd to #1 last time but moves to a new barn for tonight, and it's hard to say if she'll do as well. (7)
FOX VALLEY CHARLIZ and (8) SHECOULDBEGOOD N figure to be too far out to really threaten
RACE 6 - (6) NORTH STAR IDEAL is taking a significant drop in class, her barn has quietly been
sending out some very live players, and she's definitely worth a play at what figures to be a pretty fair price
(with a couple of others in here likely to attract some tote action). (3) SOMETHING REEL's only win this
year came vs. a bit softer field at Fhd., but she moves to a fresh barn for tonight and has won quite a few
races here in the past - license to come up with a big mile right off the bat for her new connections. (1)
MOTU MOONBEAM N is incredibly sharp, coming into this with firsts or seconds in 6 of her last 7 starts
- draws the pole with speed, and clearly will be a major threat...but may also be a bit overbet in a field with
a couple of other very legitimate threats. (5) HIGH ROLLING A looked very good initially after moving to
this barn on 2/24, but seems to have leveled off just a bit in her last couple - willing to still use underneath.
(2) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX has been a bit inconsistent lately, and even her better efforts aren't as sharp
as they could be - maybe can just sit close and save ground for a chance at a minor share. (4) ANN HILL
has been unable to win one level down, and now is forced to face better for the 2nd straight week - prefer
others. (7) COVEREDNDIAMONDS N gets stuck outside yet again, and will likely have to wait yet
another week, hoping for a draw she can work with
RACE 7 - (4) RACINE BELL was certainly a talented NYSS performer at 2 and 3 but has been REALLY
impressive in her transition to racing as a 4YO (not always easy!) - she'll be facing a much tougher field
than the one she blew out here last week, but it was the EASE with which she did it that has earned her top
billing tonight. (2) GOLDEN QUEST N surprisingly was unable to rally by Stowaway Hanover last week
but the off going could have hurt, and that mare does have legitimate ability - overall recent form has been
otherwise excellent, and she should be a serious threat with the inside draw. (7) MARLOE HANOVER
may have tailed a bit in her last few (hard to know for sure), but she's another high quality 4YO and went a
big mile in her only local try (parking Alexa Skye the whole way, and still just missing while 3rd) - she'll
be a pretty good price from this spot, even though McCarthy opted off. (5) BRONSKIMACKENZIE A was
McCarthy's choice, and she steps back up tonight after a blowout win over lesser in last - she was certainly
sharp, but also helped tremendously when the leader (that she blew past) just stopped, and a few others just
didn't really perform - willing to include in exotics. (6) IMPRINCESSGEMMAA certainly brought her
best in that win here 3 starts back, but she hasn't been able to do that on a weekly basis in some time - Post
6 isn't going to help her cause tonight, but there's always a chance for a smaller share. (3) SHES PUKKA N
is a beautiful fit ability-wise but she's missed a month (scr. sick) and that makes it hard to love her chances.
(1) FEELIN RED HOT finished well after clearing a shuffle last week, and her overall form is solid as well
- just may be a notch below some of these, even from the pole.
RACE 8 - (2) PAMMY JO changed hands early this year and recently got her 2021 season started up at
Stga. with 4 straight sharp 2nds - she was terrific here at Yonkers last year, gets a big switch to Zeron, and
is the lukewarm choice to pick up her first victory of the season. (3) DONGAL RUNDLSCRK N has been
incredibly sharp for some time, although her last wasn't quite AS good - might not have been a trip she
really likes, though, and a more aggressive steer could lead to one of her better miles - very possible. (7)
DANCE CLUB did well to collar #3 for 2nd last week (behind the blowout winner) - starts from a terrible
post tonight, but she has shown the ability to leave from out here, and still race well - decent value. (5)
ROBYN CAMDEN hasn't been on her top game lately, but she hasn't been bad either - one of these weeks
she's going to get to sit off a contested pace and blow right by late...maybe tonight? (4) VIBRENT KALLY
weakened a bit after sitting the pocket trip last week - it was her first local try and the trap was way off -
she's eligible to be sharper tonight. (1) VICIOUS CIRCLE is moving up to face older mares here but the
rail draw should keep her a bit closer to the action than she has been, and she usually finishes with good
energy - chance for a small piece. (8) ANNABETH never got close from the outside last week and is likely
in line for a similar problem tonight. (6) ROCKIN THE BOYS A goes for a new trainer tonight, but isn't
functioning at the moment - will wait for a "decent" mile before thinking about an endorsement.
RACE 9 - Very tough race! (3) BYE BYE FELICIA beat this class 2 back and also 6 starts back - she drops
and moves inside, and that earns her the tepid vote...but there are several who could take this, depending on
how the race plays out. (5) IM VERY SPECIAL hadn't been on her best game for some time before finally
picking up a win 2 back - lost all chance last week when trapped inside behind a quitter, and that may boost
up her price for tonight - worth a look if the price is juicy enough. (2) ASHTINI is in career from right now,
draws inside again and gets Siegelman to bail off a main client (#8) to drive her - worthy of respect here.
(4) JEWELS FORREAL has held her form beautifully as she's been climbing the classes and does seem
sharp enough for a chance to win if things go her way - on the flip side, her only recent win came 2 levels
down, so insist on a decent price if she's your top choice. (6) JOSSIE JAMES A is another that keeps firing
off sharp miles even as she keeps moving up - her quickness off the car has afforded her several nice trips,
and that just may happen again tonight. (7) DIAMONDTEQUILASHOT used a ground saving trip to pick
up 4th from Post 8 in her local debut - certainly seems like the Ohio shipper is a good fit, but another bad
draw means that even more trip luck will be needed. (8) BEST HONEY HANOVER is sharp, moves to one
of the hottest barns on the planet, but draws Post 8 and Siegelman does opt elsewhere - mixed feelings. (1)
SANDYS BEACH only seems capable of delivering her wicked brush at lower levels
RACE 10 - (2) ROCKNROLL ANNIE won a couple of times here early this year when almost nothing else
in the barn was even performing - now the entire barn is clicking, and she finds herself in a pretty good spot
- gets the call in the finale. (3) MALNIFICENT was sharpening coming into her last and went a big mile,
collared late after being used a bit harder than she would have liked earlier on - feels like the main danger.
(4) ROYALTYWESTHO recently added Lasix and was an even 4th in her last - she can probably improve
even a bit more, with a chance at grabbing a decent piece here. (6) SALLY FLETCHER A landed in a no
chance spot last week for her new connections and deserves a pass - at 20-1 ML, she's a good one to throw
underneath in the exotics. (7) E R HILLARY is a good fit with these but starts at a disadvantage from Post
7 - probably will have to settle for a minor share, but willing to at least consider her if the price is good
enough. (1) IDEAL CLASSIC was unable to build off that victory 2 back and now moves up off a "meh"
4th - maybe the rail can help her squeeze out a check? (8) BALFAST N would have a decent shot at a piece
had he drawn inside, but faces a tough task from all the way out here. (5) LIVELY ROCKET shows a
couple of wins out of town vs. cheaper - we'll see how she fits with the locals.