Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report - Thursday, August 25, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - Tough opener: (4) ALWAYS BE COOL is a complete guessing game, as she's made breaks

before the start in 2 of her last 3 starts - the one week she DID behave was a massive blowout, however,

and she's worth a shot in here IF the price is fair. (2) ANNE BONNEY N raced well at big prices in her last

pair yet is still listed at 9-1on the ML - no reason she can't be a serious player once again...hopefully at

another nice price. (5) SHEIKH YABOOTY N would have a very good chance to beat these if anywhere

close to her best game...but her last couple of starts suggest she may not be close to that form right now -

hard to "love" her chances as the 2-1 ML favorite. (6) COLORFUL VIRGIN shipped in from Ohio to a new

barn and was a winner down at Chester - would seem to fit well with these too, but the outside draw may

hurt her chances a bit. (3) DRAGON SPARKS was an ok 3rd off the pocket trip last week and a similarly

easy trip tonight could help her take home another small share. (1) SEZANA N is just 1 for 39 over the past

2 seasons - minor share only. (7) ALWAYS A MIRACLE just hasn't been sharp in her last few and now

draws Post 7. (8) MARILYNS JO rallied for 2nd in a "fall apart" race 2 back, but most of her other efforts

have been lacking - will have a hard time replicating that performance from out here.

RACE 2 - (3) BARRE BELLA was a blowout winner in her career debut at Hawthorne - was quickly

purchased by the winningest barn around and sent off as the odds on choice for her local debut - she made

an unfortunate final turn miscue just as she was about to test the winner, but we'll give her a chance to make

amends tonight...hopefully at a little better price. (4) BANK BREAKS was just an "ok" 2nd last start, but

raced well in a few tries prior to that - seems the most likely threat should the top one falter, but that 9/5

ML price does make her a lot less appealing (for a wager). (1) CREDARENA made an early miscue in his

last local try but has otherwise been pretty solid - his 0 for 17 career slate makes him tough to consider on

top, though. (2) HONORABLE LADY is another steady performer but is currently 0 for 16 on the year (9X

2nd or 3rd) - include underneath. (6) LIVINGONTHERAIL was a nice 2nd in his local debut (7/7) but has

regressed since then - needs to find that better form if he hopes to be a more serious contender tonight. (8)

NINETEEN CRIMES wasn't bad at all debuting last week for new connections, off a LONG layoff - tough

draw for tonight, though, and as noted previously, this trainer just seems to have the best success when Joe

B. is on board. (7) SV ROYAL FLUSH debuts for a new barn and does have the speed to leave from out

here....it's his 1 for 31 record (and frequent poor finishes) that is the concern. (5) SQUABLE has raced 36X

and has just one win and one 2nd - sticking with others.

RACE 3 - (4) FAIRIESDELIGHT A didn't earn a lot of $$ Down Under and her first U.S. qualifier didn't

stand out....but her 2nd qualifier was terrific, finishing right behind ANGERS BAYAMA....who came back

to qualify right behind JIMMY FREIGHT the next week, and is in the "Winners Over" at Chester on Friday

- she's Bartlett's choice, and we'll hop on board too. (2) PLZDONTLIETOME N is 4 for 14 here at Yonkers

and hit board 11X total - draws inside, and fits beautifully at this level -- solid chance if the top choice turns

out to be ordinary. (8) TOBAGO TIME was a solid 2nd in her 2nd try off the barn change, then pounced off

a live trip to win her last - tough task from Post 8, but still deserves a look if the price is decent. (3) IDE

ATION HANOVER was a live trip 3rd in her YR debut after winning her previous start in PA - she's up in

class (and loses Bartlett), but can still grab a nice chunk of this. (6) BEYOND WORDS N gets a class drop

after disappointing in NW15000 last week - tough draw, however, and just not sure if she's sharp enough to

take advantage of the easier spot. (5) MILLWOOD BONNIE N used an easy pocket trip to pick up 2nd last

week, but this is a tougher spot - probably looking at a smaller slice tonight. (1) ENGLISH ROSE N drops

a notch and draws the pole but still may need to be in a bit easier before we see her best work again. (7)

NORMANS MADELINE gets a pass for last week's unlucky trip but she's up in class from a bad post here,

and may have trouble getting into the mix

RACE 4 - (5) VILLAIN has 7 starts this year...the two that were NOT stakes races resulted in blowout wins

- he hasn't been doing a lot of racing lately, but this barn always seems to have them tight -- deserves top

billing, but does face some solid competition. (1) SECRET OR NOT arrives from Michigan and debuts for

a barn that excels with fresh stock, and for a (new) owner that always seems to find the hot barns -- pretty

good looking qualifier, considering the winner just won the FM PACING Open - belongs on your tickets.

(3) ROSALINE has 2 local starts since the barn change and won them both (easily) - faces much tougher

now, and we'll see if she can have the same success against these. (6) BACKSTREET PLAYER was a little

disappointing at the end last week but adds Lasix tonight (which may explain things) - tough draw, but still

can have a say here. (8) P C FREE WHEELING draws Post 8 after missing 3 weeks (after a sick scratch) -

looking at only a minor piece this week. (4) ORIGINAL SMOKEY is just 3 for 41, but two of those wins

have come over his last 2 starts (vs. cheaper, at Tioga) - may find this a little too tough. (7) DOWN THE

PIKE MIKE figures to have a hard time ever getting close from all the way out here. (2) OCEANVIEW

PRINCE hasn't functioned in weeks

RACE 5 - Very tough race! (2) MILADY DENVER A has a history of just reversing form at any time...

and a quick look at last week's PcD victory will quickly confirm that - she catches a very shaky bunch here,

and a repeat of her last effort just may beat these too. (5) ROCKNROLL SHELLI would be very tough in

here if she brought her best...but she just hasn't been on her game lately - maybe hitting the top against

these could braven her up? (7) BRONZE OVER N was totally empty here off the barn change 2 back but

did perk up with a nice try at Chester last week - if she can build on that, she may have a shot to be a player

- at a nice price. (1) BE BEST is just 1 for 27 this year and her current (out of town) form is hardly stellar...

but she does draw best, and that may be enough to put her in the hunt for a piece. (3) WOODMERE SKYR

OLLER has really been struggling for a while now - gets some post relief, but what she really needs is a

wake up call! (8) CASH ROLL has gone down as the favorite in 3 of her last 4 starts, and now draws Post 8

- at least you'll get a price if you think this is the week she puts it all together. (4) SOUND IDEA is now 0

for 14 this year, and has been sharp at all in recent weeks - another hoping to just perk up out of the blue

tonight. (6) SCANDALICIOUS had no pop the last couple of weeks and now draws Post 6 - doesn't feel

like a spot for a big turnaround.

RACE 6 - (2) DELAYED HANOVER got some class relief last week shipping in from NJ but still looked

super knocking off solid older foes, including a :27 flat 3rd quarter while first over - he faces a sharp,

streaking rival tonight but still deserves the nod dropping down to this NW6 affair. (1) FLIP THE SWITCH

is on an outstanding roll, winning 5 straight while overcoming a variety of trips - would normally have

been the standout in here but he's never faced a rival as good as the top choice, and he'll have to prove that

he can handle that type too. (6) BIG CHARLIE MORAN has really blossomed over the past few months,

and has turned into a very solid trotter - he's at a big disadvantage vs. the top pair (because of the draw), but

may still be able to beat a bunch for a good piece. (7) WILY WALLY broke on the lead in his first local try

but looked very good in his last pair - the outside draw could really limit his output for tonight, though. (4)

SEVENSHADESOFGREY has been a bit in and out lately - he has a shot to rally for a piece if he's in the

right mood. (3) STARLIT RAMBO and (5) CAPITAL T STORM both are riding 2 race win streaks....but

both are facing much tougher here, and figure to have a much tougher time tonight

RACE 7 - (1) MIKI ROSE jumped up in class two back and was able to knock off her elders at a generous

12-1 payoff - solid 3rd last week (despite a tough trip) and tonight's rail draw could give her the edge she

needs to take another. (4) ROCK N PHILLY just hasn't been on her best game for several starts but she

hasn't been horrible either - tonight's class drop could give her the wake up call she's looking for - possible.

(5) BABS JANSEN has been very consistent for weeks and has a chance every time she goes behind the

gate - a good price makes her worth considering. (3) D C BATGIRL feels like she's fallen off form a bit,

but does get both post and class relief - another potential "wake up" horse. (2) LADY DELA RENTA has

clearly found her form recently, but jumps up to face tougher tonight - may be sharp enough to land a piece,

but others seem more likely for the top slot. (7) SILENT CROSSING is having a nice 3YO season, but the

talented filly lands in a very tough spot - may be content to just sit back, and rally for a share (against solid

older foes). (8) UPTOWN HANOVER was an easy winner here 5 starts down but that was on the lead, vs.

easier - tall task from all the way out here. (6) HOOD PARTY is another 3YO facing older - wait for a

better spot.

RACE 8 - Short, but solid FM Open Trot: (4) QUEEN OF ALL has been sharp for weeks, and seemingly

getting even better every week - finished full of trot for 2nd in this class 2 back, then crushed a solid field

last week - she figures to be a fair price (despite her recent success), and is definitely one to use in here. (6)

HEY LIVVY can be beastly when on her game, and last week's victory suggests she's headed back in that

direction - the outside post doesn't really matter when she's sharp, so definitely include her on your tickets.

(2) I DA PRINCESS was 2nd in this class back in June then raced well once more last week, though tiring

a bit at the end after being used hard - can be an up close player from start to finish. (5) WHAT SHOULD I

GOO is just a 3YO filly but raced very well against these when 3rd last week - eligible for another small

piece tonight. (3) WESLYNN QUEST can be very good when "right", but she makes her local debut off a

"break/distanced/scratch" sequence, and is hard to get excited about right now. (1) TITANS HOPE just

seems overmatched against these

RACE 9 - (1) SIESTA BEACH is feeling pretty good right now, even if not quite the (strong) Open mare

she was not all that long ago - she can be forgiven for being outsprinted home by the sharp GINGER TREE

LIZ last week, and deserves a chance to make amends from the rail. (5) PURE COTTON has been razor

sharp for weeks, and has maintained that form even as she's climbed the class ladder - may be able to work

out another 2 hole trip tonight...with another good result. (2) JOSSIE JAMES A moved to a barn that wins

with about 50% of their fresh acquisitions and was an open length in her first start - too far back to threaten

last week, but deserves plenty of respect with the move inside. (7) MAGICAL MISTRESS has been sharp

for a while, and adds Lasix for the first time tonight - good bomb to include underneath in exotics (hoping

for some trip luck). (6) MORNING HAS BROKEN should have some confidence after back to back wins

over slightly cheaper - will need some trip luck from out here, but can have a late say if she gets some. (3)

REACHTHRUTHESKY AS is the wildcard in here - she's rock solid at this level, but just didn't look good

at all last week (even if it was in the Open) - it's really anybody's guess whether she'll bounce right back

tonight. (8) CHUPPAH ON was very sharp in her YR return 2 back so it was no surprise to see her charge

home to win last week, off the class drop - she does fit nicely here, but faces a tough challenge from all the

way out here. (4) HEY HEY DBAY is doing good things lately....but looks severely overmatched in here

RACE 10 - (2) BETTERB CHEVRON N looked like a strong player off the class drop last week but ended

up with a terrible trip, and had to settle for a disappointing 4th - willing to give her another shot. (5) SO

IRRESISTIBLE took no real $$ last week from Post 7 and never got in the hunt - look for a better effort

tonight with the important post improvement. (3) BRIAR came up with a good one last time, but was run

down in the lane by the mare that followed her - a similar effort could put her right there tonight. (4)

GALLERIA GAL seems to have found her form as she arrives off a pair of Monti wins - she has a good

local history, and would be no surprise to see her contend for a piece tonight. (1) CORSINI A is a little

camera shy, but the good draw definitely makes her a live player for a spot in the exotics. (6) LADYBELU

CKYTONITE has been picking up only minor shares, and seems destined for a similar result tonight. (7)

ITS MESMERISE N ships in off a pair of ok Chester tries and probably fits well with these - the outside

draw figures to slow her down this week, however. (8) VEL DONNA draws her 2nd straight 8 hole, and

will likely need to wait for a better spot to contend at this level.