The Empire Report - Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (4) MARILYNS JO showed good promise in her 2YO starts, ending her season with a win at
Chester, and a 5-1-3-0 record - nice looking qualifier to start off her 3YO campaign (caught good older foes
and a fast mile), and her trainer is more than capable of having one ready off the bench - willing to give her
a shot. (6) WAKEMESHAKEME was a terrific 10-7-1-1 in her 3YO (Ohio) campaign and that stamps her
as the one to beat - qualified back nicely for her new barn (after 3 months off), and the only real knock on
her is that she'll likely be a pretty short price here. (2) ADMITYOUREWRONG raced very well 2 back but
squandered a good trip in last - after 5 local starts she's getting to "she is what she is" status, but she's in
line for another good trip tonight, and that could land her somewhere on the ticket. (7) POWERED BY
MACH weakened in her local debut after being used hard, but came back with an excellent try in her last to
be 2nd - would like her chances a lot more with a better draw, but she still has a chance to make some noise
if some trip luck comes her way. (1) UPTOWN CALLIE absolutely squandered a beautiful trip in last, but
that's probably why she's just 1 for 31 - chance for a small piece, but mostly because of the draw. (3) BACI
BACI failed to fire off the layoff last week for her new barn - we'll see if she can do better with that start
under her belt. (5) AMERICAN CHANCE has been struggling, and needs to up her game considerably
RACE 2 - (7) BULLY BOY is prone to making breaks and even when he trots, tends to get way too hot -
that being said, IF he gets away cleanly he can probably just outrun this bunch...much like he did 2 starts
back - has to be the "top pick", but would never take a very short with him on top! (5) SHOWMEYOURG
UNS never got into the hunt off the class drop in last but this IS the type of field he can beat if in one of his
better moods - willing to consider this week if the price is right. (1) SIR JOHN F was well backed last week
off the major post relief but he just never seemed to grab the off going - willing to excuse and give him a
chance to make amends...but note that the forecast does call for more rain tonight...will be a "game time
decision"! (4) CYCLONE MAXIMUS was able to behave 2 back and dug in to hold 2nd to the top choice -
reverted to his bad behavior in last, though, and remains a pretty risky proposition at the moment. (3)
TOTAL DIVA has some recent excuses (bad posts, breaks, etc.) but did race well at this level back on 1/27
and 2/10 - not a bad play if looking for a bomb with a chance. (6) DEW CAN DEW trotted a steady final
3/8ths to pick up 3rd last time...but her 0 for 29 recent Yonkers record makes it hard to consider her on top!
(2) JACKS TO OPEN used to race well here but that was ages ago - the current version seems overmatched
(8) CRAZY ABOUT PAT hasn't looked good in either start since arriving from Fhd. - pass from Post 8.
RACE 3 - (5) AFTER ALL PAUL routinely rallies for good pieces against much better than these, and
tonight's drop should put him in position to finally pick up his first win of 2021 - as long as he behaves
himself (which he usually does), he's the clear choice to take this. (4) ABBIES CELTICLASS goes a solid
mile every week, but just never seems to be put in play for the top prizes - maybe a fresh set of hands will
handle her a little more aggressively? (3) LUCKY WEEKEND disappointed in his last pair but is capable
of much better efforts - would be no surprise to see one of those tonight. (6) HAMMER CREEK made a
break hitting the top last week but has otherwise been very good, despite a few class jumps - moves down
one notch here, and may be able to add some value to the gimmicks. (1) ER SOPHIA was aggressively
handled off the class drop in last and responded with the victory - rail draw will put her right in the hunt
tonight, and she's definitely one to include in exotics. (2) DIRTY SECRET moves to a new barn off the
claim, but hasn't been overly sharp lately - not impossible for her to grab a piece, but definitely leaning
more to others. Neither (7) GETTIN MESSI nor (8) TRAVEL WINNER seem sharp enough at the moment
to get involved from their extreme outside posts.
RACE 4 - The John Brennan Trotting Series - (4) SOME CHAPTER has enjoyed significant success to
start off his career, bringing a 19-12-5-1 career slate into this series - the only trotters to have beaten him
lately are GET LEGS (Race 7) and the talented JOEY (in a NW17500 race in NJ), and he certainly seems
like one of the horses to beat coming into this series -- qualified down at Dover vs. pacers, and his trainer
will surely have him ready to go tonight. (8) GREY has been going big miles week after week with her
owner on board, and now gets a catch driver listed for her YR debut - should be a big price from out here,
and just may be able to land somewhere on the ticket. (2) WINDSONG PIONEER usually needs the lead to
win so it's a good sign that he was able to prevail gamely out of the pocket last week - draws inside, knows
the track, and belongs in your exotics. (6) KENOGAMI COCO started off his 4YO season with a win up in
Canada but then made breaks in his next two - shipped down a talented young trainer that we've been
touting since this summer, and did qualify nicely at PcD - could be a good fit here. (1) IMPULSE BUY
ships in for a high % barn, and draws the pole with some speed - we'll find out tonight whether she's a bit
too cheap, or if she can hang with these. (5) LADY JETER is another that may find these a little too tough,
but she's certainly been a steady performer for most of her career (36-6-10-8, and 3-0-1-2 here at YR) - ok
for a minor share. (3) KANDY SWEET (Stratton's choice over #8) went a couple of big miles back in Jan.
but hasn't been sharp lately - needs a quick wake up call. (7) KOLIN seems a bit overmatched
RACE 5 - The John Brennan Trotting Series - totally wide open division! (5) TIMON AS has won 13 of
his last 31 starts, and that includes 6 of his last 10 (down in Florida) - thought it worthwhile to come up
North for this series, so we'll go with him on top in this very tough race. (6) SVF CASH DEPOSIT must
have only had a minor issue on 3/17 because last week's qualifier looks just fine - had been doing good
work for this barn prior to that, and could be a major threat here if the trip works out. (3) LIFETIME
ROYALTY is a tough call - has more than enough ability to beat these, but he comes into this showing
breaks in his last pair, and has to be seen as "iffy" at the moment. (8) LOOK IN MY EYES could be a good
bomb - big mile to just miss here 3 starts back then was well meant in his next when he got parked the mile
- even try in a quick mile across the river in last, and would have a shot in here IF Stratton can somehow
work out a trip from Post 8. (4) TAD KRAZY HANOVER has been behaving AND rallying nicely every
week, but should have been able to win her last - barn definitely going strong now, and this mare is worth a
look if the price is right. (2) MCMATTERS raced very well in his YR debut, rallying for 2nd to the classy
Tight Lines - draws inside, but we'll see if he's just a bit cheaper than a few of these. (1) MANHATTANUP
NO ICE has really found his game out of town, and returns just a nose shy of a 4 race winning streak - he
may just be a bit too cheap for these, but we'll find out tonight. (7) STINGLIKE B K raced very well in his
last pair here but draws horribly tonight, and has moved to new connections...we'll see how he does from
this tough spot
RACE 6 - The John Brennan Trotting Series - (2) HUNTING AS has compiled a 7-2-4-1 local record, and
a few of those 2nds could have easily been wins with just some better trip luck - draws inside for this first
leg, and that should have him well within striking distance when McCarthy cuts him loose - solid chance.
(5) BLUE AND BOLD made a break 2 back and was content just to trot a flat mile in last - with Siegelman
opting for #6 in here, that allows this guy to reunite with his favorite pilot (Bartlett), and that just helps his
chances that much more - legitimate threat. (4) DESWANSLITTLELORIE went a sharp, game mile to win
her local debut last week....only to be disqualified for something we see at least 5X a night, every night,
without so much as an inquiry - regardless, she raced very well, and may prove to be a legitimate player in
this series as well. (7) GRINDER has gone some excellent miles here, and does fit ability-wise - draws
poorly off the 3 qualifiers, though, and may have to settle for a smaller share in this first leg. (1) LUCKY
ARNOLD has been much improved since a recent barn change and may have just been short last week off
the sick scratch - one to include on the bottom of tris & supers. (6) KASHA V has ability but has struggled
to maintain any kind of form lately - ok bomb for the bottom of exotics, if spreading. (3) HALO ITS ME
was no good at all in her two local tries - will wait for a better effort before hopping on her team. (8) MAN
WILLING seems way too far out to have any real say this week
RACE 7 - The John Brennan Trotting Series - (5) GET LEGS comes into this series as the horse to beat on
the strength of his 9-8-0-1 career record - unless he just can't around the half miler, he figures to be a very
short priced winner tonight. (7) GUILTY DESIRE may be the one to use if you want to take a stab against
the heavy chalk - he's gone some big miles at Nfd. with owner/trainer/blacksmith Nick Clegg in the bike,
and now gets a pretty significant upgrade to Gingras - we'll see if he can give the top choice a tussle. (2)
BANZAI AS has 2 wins and a 3rd from 4 local starts, hails from a top trotting barn, and draws inside - one
to include in exotics. (1) PRIMO PADRE may be a little on the cheap side but he generally stays trotting,
and may be able to take home a piece of this. (6) ITSONLYMONEYHONEY is doing much better work
out of town than he did in his couple of local tries last year - willing to throw him in for 3rd (at a big price),
despite the tough draw. (8) P L NOTSONICE definitely has some ability but he draws horribly for this first
leg, and will also be going without Lasix tonight - maybe throw in for 3rd? (3) VINNY DE VIE continues
to struggle to get any kind of form streak going , and comes into this off a break, and sick scratch - prefer
others, at least for now. (4) BAZILLIONAIRE just seems a bit over his head with these.
RACE 8 - (3) GOLDEN QUEST N did excellent work against this type here last fall - went across the river
to face older foes and finished right behind Alexa Skye three times, and just missed to Machnhope two
back - would seem to have the edge over these in her very sharp current form. (2) VIBRENT KALLY ships
in from Nfd. for a very high % barn, while in excellent form - should be able to grab a nice piece of this. (5)
PAIGES GIRL won both of her "M Life" series legs, and would have almost certainly won the Final had
she found room up the cones - no reason she can't pick up a good piece tonight...but she certainly shouldn't
be the ML favorite! (1) STOWAWAY HANOVER continues to overachieve, having now won THREE
recent local starts...and all at big prices - faces a much tougher test against these, but she's obviously sharp,
draws the pole, and is eligible to take home a good chunk of this. (6) MAJOR BATTLE was a nice, well
backed winner in her local debut but made a break last week after landing in the two hole - guessing she'll
be handled conservatively tonight, but still has a shot to pick up a minor share. (7) ALII NUI was bothered
early and then used hard just to find the pocket last week, and can be excused for tiring in the stretch - lands
a terrible spot tonight, though, and likely looking at only a small piece of this. (4) WINDSONG PARISIAN
was able to grab 2nd last week, but mostly thanks to the easy trip - will need to be sharper to have a chance
for even a small share tonight. (8) VICIOUS CIRCLE lands Post 8 off a bad date - wait for a better spot.
RACE 9 - (2) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN broke late in the mile after a tough trip in last - can hold his
own vs. much better than these, and this just seems like a spot where he can be aggressive and come out on
top. (1) CRAZYCAT beat much easier last week but did it so impressively - rail draw makes him a player
for a good piece of this. (4) TIGHT LINES had been struggling out of town but could be stepping up with
confidence here after last week's sharp local victory - include him in exotics. (7) COOL CLIFFORD has
made breaks in his last 2 tries here, draws Post 7 for an ice cold barn but he does put the hobbles back on
for tonight and that might help his cause - consider if the price is long enough. (3) RACEACE looked good
in his first 2 tries off the claim but made a break in last - willing to throw him in for 3rd/4th, looking for a
quick bounce back. (8) NEW HEAVEN fits beautifully here but also has Post 8 - just not sure how much
impact he can have from this spot. (5) ESA hung in ok for 4th at this level last week but the sense is that he
really needs a bit easier to be a serious threat. (6) BROWNIE did grab 2nd to #1 last start but he's another
that really needs to be in a bit cheaper.
RACE 10 - Tough finale! (7) COVER STORY was sent off favored in Canada for her 4YO return and was
a wire to wire winner - ships down to one of our leading trainers and at 15-1 ML, she has to be worth a stab
- even from out here. (4) SUNSHINE HALL was used very hard from Post 8 just to finally make the lead
last week, took on heavy back side pressure and still was right there at the wire - faces tougher now, but not
afraid to use her at a big price. (5) CHELSKI is hard to fault (6-3-2-1 locally) and comes into this off a
sharp rallying win vs. cheaper - would be no surprise at all, even moving up in class. (6) FLIRTY FORTY
hit board in 3 straight leading into the series, upset the Final winner in the first round, then was 3rd to her a
couple of weeks later - tonight's drop should definitely put her in play, but it's also a tough spot -- mixed
feelings. (2) READY SET ROCK is pretty good right now for a hot barn but she's 1 for 19 at The Hilltop,
and hard to use on top as the ML favorite. (1) PRINCESS SHARKTANK draws the pole while dropping
from the series, and that combination may lead to a much better effort - ok to use underneath. (3) SPECIAL
ACHIEVER got good for several weeks but is well off that form right now - needs to perk up in a hurry. (8)
P L NELLY is good right now, but faces an uphill battle from all the way out here.