Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report - Thursday, March 16, 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (6) TRANQUILITY K is hard to "love" with her 3 for 52 career slate BUT she's very sharp right

now, and comes into this off 4 straight excellent efforts vs. significantly better - feels like a good spot for

her to pick up career win #4. (1) WANIA is 0 for 6 locally for a very high % barn but he's hit board in every

start, and last week's close 2nd was his best effort yet - could be the main danger. (2) HILLOFA KN

OCKOUT had a very solid 3YO campaign, even if a lot more 2nds and 3rds than wins - returned off the

freshening with a very nice mile at Fhd., and has a chance to make some noise in his Hilltop debut. (4) HE

CKRAISER HANOVER picked up a win and a 3rd from 2 local starts this year, but has been plagued by

some breaking issues - added hopples for his last in NJ and trotted a very nice mile for 3rd...consider for

exotics. (3) STRIKING COUNT hasn't clicked in his 2 YR starts for new connections, but seems capable of

better - maybe he can come up with a better mile tonight? (7) THEWALLOFLOVE AS has been a very

steady performer but continues to end up with horrible posts - may have a tougher time overcoming this

one, but still playable for 3rd/4th. (5) CREDARENA was all out to beat a longshot rival last start, then was

scratched sick after that - leaning towards others right now. (8) LIVINGONTHERAIL draws Post 8 after a

sick scratch and miscue

RACE 2 - (3) STORMY KROMER landed on a tough trip in his first start back but that should serve to

tighten him up that much more - he's eligible to come up with a BIG mile at any time, and we'll take a shot

that tonight could be that night. (6) HEY LIVVY has been feelin' good for a while and was finally able to

cash in with a victory last week - more than capable of repeating if she works out another good trip. (7) NO

WS THE MOMENT saw his 3 race winning streak snapped last week when he had to really work for the

lead - he's been in career form for quite a while now, but may end up with a similarly difficult trip tonight -

would still include him on some tickets if the price gets juicy enough. (2) P L OSCAR has been very good

for several starts, and did hold his own last week bumping up to this top level - chance for some minor

spoils tonight, as well. (5) CREDIT CON hasn't won at this level yet, but he continues to hold his own

week after week - a live trip could earn him another piece tonight. (1) GREY is putting together another

nice season but may need some class relief before contending for a top prize. (4) HOOLIE N HECTOR has

earned his way to the top level off a string of excellent efforts - we'll see how he holds up against these

RACE 3 - (1) LIGHTNING LEIA beat this class here on 12/8 then just missed one level up in her next -

her recent Pocono form is uninspiring but the class relief should really suit her, and her barn sent out a

couple of sharp winners on Tues. - gets top billing tonight. (3) COWGIRL LILLY hasn't been all that great

at low levels in Canada lately but she has a good local history, and ships down to a barn known for waking

one up in a hurry - could be a very live player tonight. (4) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE can be a little in and out

but her "good" version would be a perfect fit with these - figures to be next in line if the top pair disappoint.

(2) RAISE THE ANTE has been a non factor for weeks, but may perk up a bit in this easier spot - ok to use

underneath. (6) VEL DONNA picked up a 3rd last week, and has a chance for another small share IF she

can find an easy trip from Post 6. (5) MILADY DENVER A has been off her game lately but has been

known to reverse form at any time - sticking with others, but it wouldn't be a total shock if she raced a bit

better tonight. (7) TIGERS WATCHING N seems cheap, draws poorly upon arrival from NJ and her barn is

off to a horrible start in 2023. (8) E R HILARY hasn't been sharp for some time.

RACE 4 - (7) PRIMADONNA DEO was well backed upon arrival from NJ and the talented 4YO was a

strong 2nd best (with no chance of beating her main rival, after that one was allowed to crawl on the lead) -

obviously not an ideal spot for tonight but since she'll probably be a better price than her main foe, we'll

make her the top choice. (1) WICKENBURGH took all kinds off $$ on 2/16 and came up with a big mile to

score his first local victory - was 2nd best to the talented TACHYON in his next, then crushed a softer

bunch last week - will be very dangerous with the post edge he has over #7! (2) CRESCENT BEAUTY

was stuck making a long first over bid last week and really didn't tire all that badly - could easily land

somewhere on the ticket with any decent trip tonight. (4) SOUTHWIND ARTURO has been a different

horse since adding hopples back in January - he gave #1 all he could handle 3 starts back, and a good trip

would put him right in hunt tonight. (6) MUSCLE DAN is winless in 4 starts since moving up to NW6 but

he's still racing well - chance to grab a small share if some racing luck comes his way. (5) DOWN THE

PIKE MIKE has been very steady for weeks, but may find this bunch a little tougher than he prefers -

another hoping for a minor share. (3) SECRET OR NOT had a couple of "ok" tries recently but made a

break last week, and catches a solid crew tonight.

RACE 5 - NAADA Amateur Spring Series: (5) DARK POOL was our selection last week and despite a

terrible trip (caused by the early moving TRUMP THIS), he raced super and only lost to the perfect trip

winner - absolutely deserves a chance to make amends. (2) CREWS HILLTOPPER was freshened up,

added Lasix, and raced pretty well for 3rd at Monti last week - he was 0 for 20 here in 2021-22, but still

looks like a live player for tonight. (4) NATURAL KEMP has been pretty good at Fhd. lately and did race

well in a few Amateur events there last Nov. - he can be a player with these, but he would be hard to

consider on top at that puzzling 7/5 ML price! (7) CALL ME THEFIREMAN is listed at 20-1 ML but may

have enough speed to improve position at the start - a good trip gives him a chance to land somewhere in

the exotics. (3) TURBOCHARGED can be good WHEN he stays trotting....but he made an early break last

week and is prone to miscues a little too often to back with much confidence - would consider underneath

only if the price was really juicy. (1) JUDGE KEN lands the pole but just hasn't been very good lately - not

sure he can take advantage. (6) CYCLONE MAXIMUS comes off a break upstate and can be a hard horse

to drive at times - drawing outside only makes him even tougher to support

RACE 6 - (7) B NICKING returned from a 2 month freshening last week, proceeded to race pretty much

the whole mile on the rim yet was still an excellent 3rd, finishing behind a pair of very sharp foes (who sat

1-2 around the track) - draws poorly again tonight, but is worth using off last week's BIG effort. (3) BARN

HALL was caught in a horrendous flow last week and gets a pass for that line - most any of his other recent

efforts would make him a major threat tonight, especially joining forces with Bartlett. (4) CALL ME DANI

tipped wide off stalled cover last week then kicked home strong for 2nd behind the sharp front end winner -

in line for a good piece here too if the trip goes her way. (2) HUNTING AS was "sneaky ok" last week,

moves inside, and isn't a bad bomb to include underneath, looking to spice up the exotics a bit. (5) IM THE

MUSCLE is a bit of a guessing game - scored back to back sharp 1:55 wins vs. lesser 2 and 3 back, but was

no factor last week and now moves up yet another notch - perhaps the tote board can offer some guidance?

(6) BIZET toured the oval at the back without making a peep last week but he's capable of much better -

one of several in here that could go either way this week. (1) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO floundered for a

long time but returned MUCH better after the winter break, racing well in all three starts - he's missed 3

weeks now, and is a bit questionable for tonight, even with the rail draw. (8) ETHAN T HANOVER just

hasn't looked good since returning from a long layoff

RACE 7 - (6) ANDRA DAY is the reluctant selection here - she's clearly well off form, but she catches a

soft field (at the bottom level) and even though currently struggling, still should find a way to beat these.

(4) WILDCAT ANTONIA was hammered down to 1/5 off the big barn change last week (in NJ) but ended

up parking a rival (on a sloppy track) and tired badly - it's possible that she's just not very good right now,

but it would be hard to not give her at least a look at that inflated 15-1 ML price. (1) COOLNCALCULATI

NG N rallied nicely for 2nd last week and did win a race here last year - barn has been ice cold to start '23

but this mare does have at least a chance to get them off the schneid. (5) ASHTINI would normally be a big

threat down at this bottom level but she was way back in her return qualifier (caught a very fast mile) and

it's very hard to know what to expect from her. (2) THUNDRA disappoints far more often than she delivers

- demand a pretty good price is looking to use her tonight. (3) WOODMERE JAZZ picked up a 2nd two

back but that was with a two hole trip in a weak field - she just feels like she's on the cheaper side....even in

this pretty soft spot. (7) SHOTGUN PERSUASION shows 2 Fhd. qualifiers after 4 months off, and it's hard

to gauge from them if she's ready to contend with these - inclined to pass, but will at least check the tote

board for any hints. (8) PLEASURE SEEKER was a perfect trip winner vs. softer at PcD last week, but

would still be hard to back from all the way out here tonight

RACE 8 - (1) NO MAS DRAMA disappointed 2 back (even with the less than stellar trip) but was very

good last week, just missing to a very sharp winner in a fast mile - she catches a few legit players tonight

but gets to call the shots from the pole, and they'll have her to knock off. (5) BARRY BLACK raced as well

he could from a tough spot last week, and his overall form is very solid - can be a threat here if a better trip

comes his way. (4) SWEET SOUL DAVID wasn't at his best last week (no threat 3rd) but he does have

some sharper recent tries - decent value horse to consider, at least for exotics. (6) C YOU AGAIN DK

seemed to improving with every start before last week's untimely miscue - drops right back in the box (a

good sign), but not the best of draws - still playable, but make sure to get a good price. (8) LEAN HANOV

ER should really appreciate dropping from the Open....but probably won't be a fan of the draw - still classy

enough for a chance at the top prize....with a lot of trip luck. (2) KINDA LUCKY LINDY had way more

2nds and 3rds than wins last year but still took home $121K - returns for 2023 on Lasix, and sports a nice

PcD qualifier - may still need a start, however. (3) LOOK IN MY EYES was well back in his last pair and

actually has to move up in class tonight - prefer others. (7) GEMOLOGIST broke on 3/2 then was

scratched from his last - draws poorly tonight and that has us looking elsewhere.

RACE 9 - (3) SPORTS FLIX was off a month to that start 2 back and just toured the oval but she was very

well meant last week, securing a two hole stretch then searching through the lane for room that never

opened up - drops down a notch, and could be tough in the finale. (2) MAJOR BATTLE had a useful

tightener off the qualifier and really wasn't bad - could be a lot more serious tonight, and this type of field is

within her comfort zone - possibility. (6) SHEIKH YABOOTY N drops down from 50s and could be

looking at an aggressive try here - that 12-1 ML price does make her worth at least considering. (1) DBLD

ELITEBRIGADE N disappointed at 4/5 two back -- the public doubled down at 2/5 LAST week but got the

same disappointing result...classy import is capable of much better, but hard to say when we might see that

from her. (4) PULL ME THROUGH grabbed 3rd at this level 2 back then picked up a 4th one level higher

last week - include on the bottom of exotics. (5) LOOKATMYART was able to pick up a pocket win in a

very soft field last week but still looks well below last year's better from - maybe she can grab a minor

piece here? (7) KATYS DELIGHT was kept to urging most of the way last week and was able to pick up

the (well beaten) 2nd - the sluggish mare may have a harder time getting into the mix from Post 7 tonight.

(8) BRROKDALE JESSIE hasn't been bad but faces a tall order from all the way out here.